Account Types

Q - What types of accounts does Alpaca offer?

Alpaca currently offers free paper trading accounts and commission-free* individual (non-retirement) brokerage accounts. 

To learn more about Alpaca accounts, visit Alpaca Docs > Account Plans.

Q - Can I have a cash account with Alpaca?

No; currently, all Alpaca accounts are opened as margin accounts.

To learn more about how margin works, visit Alpaca Docs > Margin & Shorting.

Q - What about business accounts?

To learn more about opening an account for your business, visit Alpaca Docs > Business Account or complete the Business Account Interest Indication Form. 

* Commission-Free trading means that there are no commission charges for Alpaca self-directed individual cash brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities through an API. Relevant SEC and FINRA fees may apply.