Margin Accounts and Rates at TradeStation
TradeStation offers both cash and margin accounts. Big traders can get good rates, and all traders can use advanced tools.
Overview of Margin at TradeStation
You can open either a margin or cash account with TradeStation. Cash accounts require full payment for all trades. Unlike some brokers, TradeStation doesn't let you trade with unsettled funds in cash accounts. This makes margin accounts more useful since they allow trading with unsettled money.
TradeStation IRAs can't borrow money (due to industry rules), but they can be set up for margin to trade with unsettled funds and day trade.
Regular margin accounts let you buy stocks with borrowed money. You also need margin for short selling and certain options trades.
The minimum to use margin is $2,000, as required by industry rules. This applies to both buying and short selling.
You can withdraw cash using your investments as collateral. This creates a margin loan with changing interest rates. Watch these rates if you carry a big margin balance.
Cost of Margin at TradeStation
TradeStation doesn't charge extra for margin accounts. Both cash and margin accounts pay the same trading fees, which can be $0 sometimes.
Margin interest rates get lower as your balance grows.
TradeStation Margin Interest Rates
|
Debit Balance
|
Margin Rate
|
|
under $25,000
|
12.5%
|
|
$25,000 - $49,999.99
|
12.5%
|
|
$50,000 - $499,999.99
|
11.5%
|
|
$500,000+
|
call 800-770-4049
|
Robinhood Margin Rates
|
Debit Balance
|
Robinhood Margin Rate
|
|
$0 - $50,000
|
5.75%
|
|
$50,001 - $100,000
|
5.55%
|
|
$100,001 - $1,000,000
|
5.25%
|
|
$1,000,001 - $10,000,000
|
5%
|
|
$10,000,001 - $50,000,000
|
4.95%
|
|
$50,000,000+
|
4.7%
|
Free Robinhood Account
Up to $200 free stock + 1% IRA match + transfer fee refund at Robinhood.
Open Robinhood Account
Applying for a Margin Account at TradeStation
Getting a margin account at TradeStation is simple. Click the blue Open Account button on their website and choose margin account when applying.
Margin Requirements at TradeStation
TradeStation has the same margin rules for buying and shorting stocks/ETFs. Overnight trades get 2:1 leverage, day trades get 4:1. Cash accounts have no leverage.
Some investments need higher margin, from 50% up to 100%.
TradeStation Margin in Futures Accounts
Futures accounts work differently than stock accounts. Each futures contract has its own margin requirement.
Futures margin is the money needed to hold a contract. Here are some TradeStation examples:
| Product | Initial Margin | Overnight Margin |
|---|
| E-MINI S&P 500 | $5,775 | $11,550 |
| EURO-OAT | € 3,230 | € 3,230 |
| SHORT GILT FUTURES | £ 858 | £ 858 |
| LUMBER (CME) | $20,900 | $20,900 |
Tracking Margin Balances
You can check your margin balance on all TradeStation platforms - website, browser, mobile app, and desktop.
The mobile app shows balances right after login. On the browser platform, check the Balances tab (usually top-right).
You'll see details like overnight buying power and day trading buying power.
Margin Trading Education
TradeStation's website has basic articles about margin trading and margin calls. The information could be more detailed.
Day Trading and Spread Trading
TradeStation is good for day trading. Their platforms show how many day trades you've made before hitting pattern-day trader status.
Their platforms make it easy to trade margin-required options spreads. All versions (browser, mobile, desktop) have simple spread trading tools.
Updated on 4/8/2025.
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