TradeZero Review

Who is TradeZero?

TradeZero is headed by a group of seasoned traders and entrepreneurs passionate about democratising market access. They say they recognised that high trading fees and outdated technology prevented many people from investing in the stock market and set out to create a platform to level the playing field.

Who is TradeZero suitable for?

If you are looking to trade stocks from outside the US, then TradeZero is definitely not for you. They also don’t pay dividends and you will need a good transfer service to avoid hefty FX fees.

TradeZero fees

If you are a frequent trader, which is my recommendation for this platform, then trading fees are going to be what impact you the most. However, it is worth considering the non-trading fees in this instance, as they are surprisingly high.

Trading fees

There are free orders and paid orders on TradeZero, depending on how you trade. Here is a breakdown:

Free Orders

• Limit order must not create an immediate match.
• Symbol must trade on NYSE, AMEX, or NASDAQ and be greater than $1.
• This applies to all orders that are 200 shares or greater.

Paid Orders

• Orders less than 200 shares: $0.99 flat fee.
• All stocks, ETFs and warrants on NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX.
• All equity securities below $1.00: $0.005 per share with a $0.99 minimum and a $7.95 max charge up to 250k shares.

When trading fewer than 200 shares, there is a flat fee of $0.99.

For equity securities below $1.00, TradeZero charges $0.005 per share with a $0.99 minimum and a $7.95 max charge of up to 250k shares.

TradeZero charges $0.59 per contract for options trading, with a flat fee of $35 for option exercise and assignment.

Non-trading fees

Deposit fee:$25 (waived for initial deposit of over $500)

Withdrawal fee:$50

Inactivity fee:$0

Minimum deposit:$250 cash account

$500 margin account

Currency conversion costs

As TradeZero is a US company, there are currency conversion charges to be aware of when changing your GBP to USD. However, TradeZero actually makes it relatively easy to mitigate this when compared to similar US brokers by allowing deposits from money transfer services.

Therefore, if you have an account with a money transfer service (I can recommend Revolut who has partnered with Wise) you can convert your pounds into dollars with minimal cost.

TradeZero trading instruments

Let’s take a closer look at each of these products:

Stocks

Stock trading is the main product provided by TradeZero, and yet while conducting my TradeZero review I found there is a frustrating lack of information when it comes to the actual number of stocks available. What I can tell you is that all the major US stock exchanges are represented like NASDAQ, ARCA, EDGX, and the NYSE. The number of stocks available appears to exceed what you would expect to find at other brokers like FreeTrade or Trading212. I wouldn’t recommend this broker for penny stocks due to the fee structure.

Options

Options trading is also available on TradeZero, including US options and options on stocks and ETFs. You can trade calls and puts and choose from various expiration dates.

ETFs

TradeZero offers a range of ETFs (exchange-traded funds), a type of investment fund that tracks an index, sector, or commodity.

The broker does not offer other instruments like bonds or mutual funds. So, if you are looking to trade such instruments, you may have to look elsewhere.

TradeZero accounts

In my TradeZero review, I discovered the platform offers several types of accounts to cater to the needs of different types of traders. TradeZero offers margin, cash, and corporate accounts – common accounts across most brokerage firms – but you first have to select your location.

When I hit “Open Account” on the homepage, I was asked to select whether I wanted to do so with TradeZero America, TradeZero Canada, or TradeZero International. What’s good is they make it quite clear what citizenship or legal status you require for each account. As a UK resident, you will need to open an international account before you can then specify the account type you want.

Here’s an overview of the account types TradeZero offers:

Cash account

With an individual cash account, you must have sufficient cash in your account before placing a trade.

TradeZero’s cash account gives you a buying power that is equal to the amount of settled cash you have in it, a standard offering for firms in this sector.

Margin account

This account lets you trade stocks, options, and ETFs on margin, which means you can borrow funds from TradeZero to increase your buying power.

However, trading on margin involves additional risks, and you’ll need to maintain a minimum account balance to qualify for margin trading. What this means at TradeZero is that your account must have up to $500 before you can use it for day trading.

Corporate account

TradeZero provides the option to open corporate accounts. This account attracts a different fee structure from individual cash accounts. Also, the minimum account funding requirement is $50,000.

Compared to eToro’s $10,000 minimum requirement, TradeZero’s requirement seems to be quite steep. But as this is more like an institutional account than a retail account, I didn’t investigate much further.

Platinum account

Designed for high-volume traders who require advanced trading tools and features. With a minimum deposit of $25,000, you’ll get direct market centre access routing, which allows you to choose where your orders are executed.

Plus, you’ll get access to personalised services and benefits, such as a dedicated account manager who can help you navigate the market and make more informed trading decisions.

A Platinum account also gives you access to low-latency direct market access (DMA), advanced charting tools, level 2 quotes, and other features that give you an edge in the market.

TradeZero’s Premium account is similar to Tickmill’s VIP account. And though the Tickmill VIP account requires $50,000 as the account minimum, it seems to lack some features, such as DMA. So, in that sense, TradeZero’s Premium account beats other providers on the market.

Demo account

TradeZero offers a demo account for traders to practise their trading strategies without risking real money. However, it’s important to note that this account has limitations, such as providing 15-minute delayed data and simulated executions that mimic but do not precisely reflect live trading.

If you are a beginner trader, you should only use the TradeZero demo account as a starting point to familiarise yourself with the platform and refine your strategies. While I think that’s helpful for beginners, it puts TradeZero behind some of the market’s top trading platforms whose practice accounts let investors practise trading in live markets without using real funds.

Platforms Available

One drawback to be aware of is that I was required to have at least $200 in my trading account before I could access the software and at least $500 in order to disable pattern day trading restrictions.

Despite rumours to the contrary, there is no cryptocurrency trading platform on offer. The available TradeZero platforms include:

ZeroFree

If you’re wanting to test the water, ZeroFree is a great platform to start with. This browser-based platform runs on any device connected to the internet, including phones, tablets, desktops, and laptops.

I found it easy to use and comes with a range of helpful features, real-time charting, custom watchlists, and more.

ZeroPro

For professional traders, ZeroPro is the premium option. It’s a desktop-based platform that offers lightning-fast execution, advanced charting, and customizable hotkeys.

ZeroPro provides access to Level 2 data, real-time alerts, and a variety of order types, making it easy to trade with precision.

To use this option, you will have to pay a monthly fee of $59. And when you are not using the software, you can place your account on hold or switch over to ZeroFree to avoid paying software fees while you are away. Platinum account members can enjoy having their ZeroPro platform fees waived and a personal account liaison to help with their trading.

ZeroWeb

If you prefer a web-based trading platform, ZeroWeb is a good option. It’s a browser-based proprietary trading platform that offers a range of tools and features for trading, including direct hard-to-borrow locating, hotkeys, level 2, real-time data, watchlists, and advanced charting.

The ZeroWeb platform allows you to access real-time market news and research, making it easy to stay on top of market trends and make informed trades. Sadly this also comes with a charge of $59 per month.

ZeroMobile

For traders who are always on the move, ZeroMobile will do the job. This TradeZero mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices, offering access to all the tools and features you need.

With this mobile app, you can access real-time data, view your account balance, and execute trades from anywhere at any time. ZeroMobile comes free when you subscribe to ZeroPro, ZeroWeb, or ZeroFree.

How to open an account with this broker

Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the TradeZero website
2. Click on ‘Open an Account’
3. Choose the type of account you want to open
4. Fill in your personal information like your name, email and password
5. Upload the required documents and verify your identity
6. Fund your account

And here are the minimum Deposits for international TradeZero accounts:

• 1:1 leverage – $500
• 4:1 leverage – $500 to $2499
• 6:1 leverage – $2500+

TradeZero Deposit and withdrawal

If you are a UK trader operating an international account, you can deposit funds into your trading account through a bank wire transfer, Wise, and Revolut. It’s important to note that this broker only accepts USD. Your bank will need to convert it, however, using Wise and Revolut can help to mitigate this cost as they offer excellent rates.

Don’t forget, you will get converted on both sides of the journey, regardless if it’s going to or leaving your personal bank.

When it’s time to withdraw your funds, you can receive them through a bank transfer. This will take about 3 to 5 business days to be processed. While depositing or withdrawing funds, be sure your name and legal address from your bank match the information on your account paperwork.

Customer Support

This might be the best customer support I have tested to date. I fail to see how any platform could outdo TradeZero. Helpful, knowledgeable staff jump at the opportunity to assist you at any time of day or night.

Research and tools

First up, there’s the Benzinga live feed. If you’re not already familiar with Benzinga, it’s a leading financial news and data company. While I think this may be useful for novice traders to get news within the platform itself, I imagine most traders will opt to do their research elsewhere.

TradeZero also offers access to various other research tools, including Level 2 quotes and charts, all designed to provide fundamental data and help you make informed trading decisions. If you decide to become a platinum user, you’ll get level 2 access for free. TradeZero also supports Pre and Post Market Trading on stocks and options.

Education

TradeZero provides some sets of educational tools. If you’re new to trading or want to brush up on your knowledge, the demo account and TradeZero’s ZeroPro manual are useful resources. The manual contains comprehensive information on everything from navigating the platform to executing trades and managing risk.

For those who prefer visual aids, TradeZero has training videos. I found most of these videos aimed at introducing users to their software. While this is helpful, I think most new traders will end up going elsewhere for their trading education, as this section mostly covers the technical aspects of their platform.

The broker also has the ‘Technically Speaking’ live sessions through which it educates traders on topics ranging from the use of trading software to trading techniques. I thought these conveyed more personality compared to other education options, and were quite interesting.

Safety

Though the FCA does not regulate TradeZero, they are registered with the Securities Commission of the Bahamas and adhere to strict regulations.

Client funds are kept in segregated accounts, and TradeZero is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects up to $250,000 per customer.

Useful Information

I’ve picked out some bits of information here for those that want to dig a little deeper into the platform.

Who owns TradeZero?

The broker platform, TradeZero Incorporated, is a subsidiary of TradeZero Holding Corporation, a registered broker-dealer and a member of FINRA and SIPC. The parent company is headquartered in the Bahamas and regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Is TradeZero regulated?

Yes, TradeZero is regulated as an online brokerage firm in several different jurisdictions making this a safe platform to trade from.

TradeZero FAQs