Are you confused about whether to choose E*TRADE vs Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse E*TRADE vs Firstrade to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
E*TRADE vs Firstrade: In a Nutshell
US beginner and intermediate investors
E*TRADE is an online brokerage platform that provides a user-friendly and accessible way for beginners to start investing in the stock market.
The platform offers real-time streaming quotes, customizable charts, and research tools to help you analyze stocks and make informed decisions.
E*TRADE provides a wealth of educational materials, including articles, videos, webinars, and interactive courses, to help beginners learn about investing and develop their knowledge and skills.
US investors looking for US options only
Firstrade is a traditional company founded in 1985 that recently changed its strategy to become a commission-free online trading platform for stocks, ETFs and options.
The broker is considered safe, with a long track record that survived a few crises and top-tier regulators’ supervision.
The main drawbacks are its limited products offering (no European ETFs, stocks,…) and the fact that it only offers fractional shares on reinvested dividends.
Pros and Cons
E*TRADE
Pros
- 0% commission on US-listed stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options
- Wide range of investment products
- Automated investment portfolios
- Retirement accounts
- Good educational content
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- No international exchange trading (no European stocks, for example)
- Website can be dificult to navigate
- Fractional shares are not fully available
Firstrade
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trading
- Good research and educational content
- No inactivity fees
- No minimum deposit
Cons
- You can trade only on US markets
- No 24/7 customer support
- No demo account
- No fractional shares
E*TRADE vs Firstrade: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
