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Articles / Trading 212 vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison

Trading 212 vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison

Franklin Carneiro da Silva| Updated: February 27, 2023

Are you confused about whether to choose Trading 212 vs Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?

In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Trading 212 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!

Trading 212 vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison 1
Visit Trading 212Asset 3

Investing involves risk of loss.

Ideal for
Commission-free stock and ETF trading

Trading 212 is a fintech based in London that aims to democratize the entire investment process through a simple web and mobile application.

The company aims to do this by allowing its more than 15 million users to invest in over 10,000 stocks and ETFs, Forex, commodities, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies.

You will find commission-free stocks and ETFs trading, fractional shares, and even an automatic investment system. New users get one free share worth up to €100 (promo code IITW). On the downside, it shows limitations regarding available products.

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 Real Stocks and ETFs trading
  • AutoInvest & Pies feature
  • Fast and easy account opening process
  • Demo account
  • Top Tier Regulators
  • One free share worth up to 100€ using the promo code "IITW"

Cons

  • Limited product portfolio (no Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds or Futures)
  • No relevant Fundamental tools
  • Spreads on Forex CFDs may be high in certain trading hours
  • Foreign exchange fees (0.15% and 0.50% in “Invest” and “CFDs” accounts, respectively)

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
Trading 212 vs Firstrade: 2023 Comparison 3
Trading 212 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)
  • Trading 212Asset 3

    Investing involves risk of loss.

  • General Information
  • Founded in2004
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum€/£10
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)EUR: 1.25%; USD: 1.90%; GBP: 1.65%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs*On Stocks, Indices, Currencies and Commodities.
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks€/£0
  • EU stocks€/£0
  • ETFs€/£0
  • CryptocurrenciesNot Applicable
  • Custody Fee€/£0
  • Inactivity Fee€/£0
  • Withdrawal Fee€/£0
  • Connectivity Fee€/£0
  • Currency Conversion Fee0.15%**0.50% in CFDs trading.
  • Security
  • RegulatorsFCA and FSC.
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)

    Up to £85,000.

  • 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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