Etrade
Virtual Brokers
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Overview
Etrade was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in United States, while Virtual Brokers was established in 2008 and is based in Canada. Etrade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while Virtual Brokers is regulated by The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) among others. Etrade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Virtual Brokers has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Etrade and $1000 at Virtual Brokers.
| Feature | Etrade | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1000 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) |
| Founded | 2012 | 2008 |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Etrade and Virtual Brokers, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Etrade has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $1000 at Virtual Brokers). Virtual Brokers charges withdrawal fees while Etrade does not, giving Etrade an edge for frequent withdrawers. Virtual Brokers charges deposit fees; Etrade does not. Overall, Etrade scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Etrade | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1000 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Etrade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Virtual Brokers supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Etrade | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | cTrader, SocialTrading, webPlatform, DesktopPlatform, Proprietary . | MT4,Desktop,iPhone/iOS |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Etrade and Virtual Brokers compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. Virtual Brokers scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Etrade | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Etrade accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Virtual Brokers supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Etrade | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Etrade and Virtual Brokers offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Etrade | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |