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Lightspeed vs TradeZero
The same facts side by side. Swap a broker from the menu under its logo; the best value in each row is marked.
- Lightspeed leads
- 0
- TradeZero leads
- 5
- Level
- 3
Of 8 scored facts, Lightspeed leads on 0, TradeZero on 5, and 3 are level. Countries and the offer are not scored.
Head-to-head
The best value in each row is marked; rows where every broker matches carry no mark.| Fact |  Lightspeed |  TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per contract | $0.50 per contract | $0.42 per contractBest |
| Lightspeed, Web and mobile orders have a $1 minimum; other fees apply | TradeZero, $20 order cap; index contracts excluded | |
| Exercise and assignment | $15 | Exercise $10 auto / $35 manual, assignment $10 per lineBest |
| Approval | Naked | Not published |
| Lightspeed, Up to naked short options | ||
| 0DTE | Not published | Not published |
| Index options (SPX) | Yes | Yes |
| Options on futures | Yes | Not published |
| Spreads in an IRA | Not published | Not published |
| Portfolio margin | Yes | Not published |
| Margin rate | 10.00% | 9.00%Best |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile, API | Web, Desktop, Mobile, API |
| Paper trading | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 support | No | YesBest |
| Countries | US and non-US residents (non-US needs $5,000; no country list) | US residents only |
| QuantWheel | Not connected | Sync · Trade soonBest |
| TradeZero, Reads the account; placing orders from QuantWheel is coming soon | ||
| Offer |
Facts from each broker's fee schedule and options agreement, checked 8 October 2026. Best marks the lowest cost or the widest allowance in a row.
The two brokers
One paragraph each.Lightspeed$0.50 per contract · $15 per event · naked
Lightspeed opens options accounts for residents of the United States, among the 9 countries this directory covers. It charges $0.50 per contract (Web and mobile orders have a $1 minimum; other fees apply). Exercise and assignment cost $15 each. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. It is not connected to QuantWheel.
TradeZero$0.42 per contract · $10 per event · not published
TradeZero opens options accounts for residents of the United States only. It charges $0.42 per contract ($20 order cap; index contracts excluded). Exercise and assignment cost $10 each. It does not publish its highest options level. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; placing orders from QuantWheel is coming soon, so today you place them at the broker.
What each costs for the way you trade
A year of fees from each broker's published prices, checked 7 and 8 October 2026.
- Lightspeed$3.70 a trade, 3.1% of your premium
- $355 a year
- TradeZero$2.15 a trade, 1.8% of your premium, fee not published
- $204 to $206 a year
TradeZero is $148 to $151 a year lower on the fees it publishes, and it does not publish every fee this strategy needs
Not counted because Lightspeed does not publish them: clearing fee, FINRA trading activity fee. Not counted because TradeZero does not publish them: SEC fee, FINRA trading activity fee, live options quote price.
Estimates from published fees. Your broker statement can differ, and brokers change fees. A fee a broker does not publish is never counted as $0.
Questions people ask
Lightspeed vs TradeZero