TradeZero
Commission-free trading broker with a standout short locate system, offering free and paid tiers for active stock traders based in Brooklyn, NY.
Quick Facts
- Starting Price
- Free
- Free Tier
- Yes
- Founded
- 2015
- Company
- TradeZero America Inc.
TradeZero Overview
TradeZero is a brokerage that combines commission-free equity trading with one of the most accessible short locate systems in retail brokerage. Founded by CEO Michael Haupt, the broker targets active traders who want zero-commission stock trades without giving up the ability to short sell hard-to-borrow shares.
The short locate system is the key differentiator. While most commission-free brokers like Robinhood offer no shorting tools, and most DMA brokers charge per-share commissions, TradeZero bridges the gap by offering both free trades and short locates. The broker provides a proprietary trading platform (ZeroPro) alongside a mobile app, with Level 2 data, direct market routing, and standard charting tools.
Based in Brooklyn, New York, TradeZero offers both US and international accounts. The free tier provides commission-free equity trades, while the Pro tier ($59/month) adds features like short locates, extended routing options, and enhanced Level 2 data. The broker competes against both commission-free platforms like Robinhood and DMA brokers like CenterPoint.
TradeZero Pricing
Free
- ✓ Commission-free equities
- ✓ ZeroWeb platform
- ✓ Basic charting
- ✓ Mobile app
ZeroPro
- ✓ Commission-free equities
- ✓ ZeroPro desktop platform
- ✓ Short locate system
- ✓ Direct market routing
- ✓ Enhanced Level 2 data
- ✓ Advanced order types
Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Commission-free equity trades combined with short locate access — rare combination
- + Free tier available for basic trading without platform fees
- + Mobile app and web platform alongside desktop ZeroPro
- + Available for both US and international traders
Cons
- - ZeroPro platform at $59/month required for serious short selling features
- - Platform technology is not as polished as major brokers
- - Limited market coverage — primarily stocks with basic options
- - Customer support can be slow during peak market hours
Rating Breakdown
Overall Rating
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Commission-free equity trades combined with short locate access — rare combination
- ✓ Free tier available for basic trading without platform fees
- ✓ Mobile app and web platform alongside desktop ZeroPro
- ✓ Available for both US and international traders
- ★ Rated 3.7/5 — best for commission-conscious day traders, short sellers on a budget, international traders
- $ Free tier available
Summary
Commission-free trading broker with a standout short locate system, offering free and paid tiers for active stock traders based in Brooklyn, NY. TradeZero offers a free tier, with paid plans from $59/month. Best suited for commission-conscious day traders, short sellers on a budget, and international traders.
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Robinhood
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