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SoFi vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison

Franklin Carneiro da Silva| Updated: September 2, 2023

Are you confused about whether to choose SoFi vs Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?

In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse SoFi 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!

Ideal for
Wide range of financial services (US investors only)

Sofi is a leading financial technology company that aims to revolutionize the way people manage their money and achieve their financial goals.

Whether it’s saving for a home, paying off student loans, or investing for the future, Sofi offers personalized solutions designed to empower its customers.

Furthermore, Sofi’s automated investing tools provide users with personalized portfolios and automated rebalancing, making investing accessible and convenient for everyone.

Ideal for
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

Pros

  • Commission-free stocks and ETF trading
  • Broad range of low-cost investments
  • Good customer support
  • Access to financial advisors
  • Student Loans Refinancing

Cons

  • Membership requirements for additional benefits
  • No tax-loss harvesting

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
SoFi vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison 3
SoFi vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison 4
  •  
  • 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)
  • SoFiAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in2011
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum$0
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)USD: Up to 4.30%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks$0
  • EU stocksNot Applicable
  • ETFs$0
  • Cryptocurrencies1.25%
  • Custody Fee$0
  • Inactivity Fee$25 for accounts inactive in the last 12 months
  • Withdrawal Fee$0
  • Connectivity Fee$0
  • Currency Conversion Fee$0
  • Security
  • RegulatorsSEC and FINRA
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)

    Up to $500,000 for assets (of which up to $250,000 is for cash).

  • FirstradeAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in1985
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum$1
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)0%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks$0
  • EU stocksNot Applicable
  • ETFs$0
  • Cryptocurrencies1%**Spread on either side of a crypto trade.
  • Custody Fee$0
  • Inactivity Fee$0
  • Withdrawal Fee0$ for ACH**Wire transfers cost $30-35 (depends on your residency).
  • Connectivity Fee0$
  • Currency Conversion FeeNo available information
  • Security
  • RegulatorsFCA and FINRA.
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)Up to $500,000 **Including international clients.
Franklin Carneiro da Silva
Co-Founder & Fintech Analyst

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.

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