Are you confused about whether to choose M1 Finance vs Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse M1 Finance 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!
M1 Finance vs Firstrade: In a Nutshell
Mixed financial services, primarily Robo Advisor - US only
M1 Finance is a financial technology company that offers a unique blend of investing, banking, and personal finance management services.
It combines the features of a robo-advisor and a brokerage platform, allowing users to create customized investment portfolios and manage their money efficiently.
M1 Finance aims to empower individuals to take control of their financial future through a user-friendly and intuitive platform.
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
M1 Finance
Pros
- High-yield savings account
- Commission-free stock and ETF investing
- Automated investing solutions
- Flexible personal loans
- Traditional, Roth and SEP IRAs
Cons
- No tax loss harvesting available
- No Financial Advisors
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
M1 Finance 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.
