TD Ameritrade VS TradeStation
Detailed side-by-side analysis on 40+ criteria. Data updated 2026.
TD Ameritrade 👑
In this 2-way comparison between TD Ameritrade and TradeStation, TD Ameritrade emerges as our top recommendation with an overall rating of 4.5/5.
Regulation Excellence: TD Ameritrade holds a Tier-1 SEC license, providing the highest level of investor protection including segregated client funds and compensation schemes.
Best Value: TD Ameritrade also offers the most competitive spreads in this comparison at just 1.0 pips on EUR/USD.
Best Broker For:
- Beginners: TD Ameritrade (only $0 minimum)
- Low Spreads: TD Ameritrade (1.0 pips EUR/USD)
- Trust & Safety: TD Ameritrade (98% trust score)
- Overall Winner: TD Ameritrade (4.5/5 rating)
| 40+ Criteria |
🏆 Winner
TD Ameritrade |
TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Overview & Ratings | ||
| Overall Rating | 🏆 Best | 🏆 Best |
| Trust Score |
98%
|
95%
|
| Founded | 1975 | 1982 |
| Regulation & Safety | ||
| Primary Regulator | SEC Tier 1 | SEC Tier 1 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Publicly Traded | Private | Private |
| Trading Conditions | ||
| EUR/USD Spread | 1.0 pips 💰 Lowest | 1.0 pips 💰 Lowest |
| Spread Type | Variable | Variable |
| Commission | $0 (spread only) | $0 (spread only) |
| Max Leverage | 1:50 | 1:50 |
| Account Conditions | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 💎 Lowest | $0 💎 Lowest |
| Demo Account | ✔ Unlimited | ✔ Unlimited |
| Islamic Account | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Trading Platforms | ||
| MetaTrader 4 | ✔ | ✔ |
| MetaTrader 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile App | Web only | Web only |
| Instruments | ||
| Total Instruments | 500000+ 📈 Most | 100000+ |
| Forex Pairs | 70 | 80 |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | 10 |
| Stocks/CFDs | 100000 | 50000 |
| Education & Support | ||
| Educational Content | Limited | Limited |
| Webinars | ✗ | ✗ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: TD Ameritrade or TradeStation?
Based on our comprehensive analysis, TD Ameritrade scores higher overall with a 4.5/5 rating. It's regulated by SEC, a Tier-1 authority ensuring maximum fund protection. However, the best choice depends on your trading priorities:
- For lowest spreads: TD Ameritrade (1.0 pips)
- For lowest deposit: TD Ameritrade ($0)
- For maximum trust: TD Ameritrade (98% trust score)
What are the main differences between these brokers?
Key differences in this comparison:
- TD Ameritrade: SEC, spreads from 1.0 pips, $0 min deposit, MT5 available
- TradeStation: SEC, spreads from 1.0 pips, $0 min deposit, MT5 available
Which broker is best for beginners?
For beginners, we recommend TD Ameritrade due to its low $0 minimum deposit and unlimited demo account.
Are these brokers safe and regulated?
Here's the regulatory status for each broker:
- TD Ameritrade: SEC (Tier-1, highest protection)
- TradeStation: SEC (Tier-1, highest protection)
We recommend choosing Tier-1 regulated brokers (FCA, ASIC, SEC, FINMA) for maximum fund protection.
