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E*TRADE vs Firstrade 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of E*TRADE vs Firstrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

E*TRADE
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4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Firstrade
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

E*TRADE and Firstrade are strong online brokers for everyday investors, but they diverge in a few key areas. E*TRADE is the better fit if you want futures trading and access to advisor services, while Firstrade stands out for fractional share investing. Both offer stocks, options, mutual funds, OTC (over-the-counter) stocks, and retirement accounts (Traditional and Roth IRAs), and neither supports forex or crypto. For Range of Investments, StockBrokers.com rates E*TRADE 4.5/5 stars (ranked #4 of 14) and Firstrade 4/5 stars (ranked #5 of 14).

Trading access: E*TRADE and Firstrade both support stock trading (including OTC), options, mutual funds, and margin. Only Firstrade offers fractional shares, making it easier to buy slices of higher-priced stocks with smaller amounts. Only E*TRADE offers futures if you want exposure beyond the stock and fund markets. Neither broker offers forex or crypto trading, and both list zero supported coins.

Accounts and support: Both brokers provide Traditional and Roth IRAs along with standard brokerage accounts. If you want professional guidance or portfolio help, E*TRADE offers advisor services, while Firstrade does not. Pick E*TRADE for futures access and advisory options, or choose Firstrade if fractional shares are a priority.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) No Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 0
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

In the E*TRADE vs Firstrade matchup for trading platforms and tools, E*TRADE is the stronger pick for most traders. It delivers desktop software for both Windows and Mac, offers paper trading, and packs far more chart features and order controls. Independent scores back that up: E*TRADE earns 4 stars and ranks #6 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade earns 1 star and ranks #12. Firstrade is simpler and browser‑only; it does provide more watch list columns, but it misses many features active traders expect.

Platform access is a key divider. E*TRADE provides downloadable platforms for Windows and Mac plus a browser‑based platform; Firstrade is browser‑only. E*TRADE also includes paper trading, which Firstrade lacks. Neither broker offers a built‑in trading journal.

For charts and tools, E*TRADE pulls ahead: 121 technical indicators vs 102 at Firstrade, and 37 drawing tools vs 8. E*TRADE lets you adjust open orders directly on the chart, add notes, view your historical trades, overlay corporate events, set custom date ranges, and save multiple chart profiles; Firstrade does not offer those capabilities. Both brokers support automated chart pattern recognition. E*TRADE’s SMA study has 8 editable fields (vs 6 at Firstrade). Neither broker supports creating custom studies. Watch lists tilt slightly to Firstrade with 50 available columns vs 43 at E*TRADE.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Paper Trading Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 43 50
Charting - Indicators / Studies 121 102
Charting - Drawing Tools 37 8
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

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Beginners and education

Comparing E*TRADE and Firstrade for beginner and investor education, E*TRADE covers more ground. Both brokers offer stock and options education, plus videos and live webinars. However, E*TRADE also teaches ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, and it provides a practice account (paper trading) so you can learn by doing—areas Firstrade does not offer. Neither platform includes quizzes or tools to track your learning progress.

For overall quality, E*TRADE earns 4 stars and ranks #5 out of 14 brokers for education at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade earns 2.5 stars and ranks #13. If you want a broader curriculum and the ability to practice without risking real money, E*TRADE is the stronger fit; if you only need basic lessons with videos and webinars, Firstrade can still get you started.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes No
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms & Apps for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

If you’re choosing between E*TRADE and Firstrade for a stock trading app, E*TRADE comes out ahead. It earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #5 out of 14 at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade scores 4/5 stars and ranks #8. Both apps cover the essentials, but E*TRADE adds useful extras like Apple Watch support, streaming live TV, after-hours charting, and a larger set of technical tools—making it the stronger pick for investors who want more research and monitoring on mobile.

On devices and trading features, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps. Only E*TRADE includes an Apple Watch app. Both apps support mobile options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watch lists, and customizable watch list columns. E*TRADE supports after-hours stock trading on mobile; Firstrade’s mobile after-hours availability isn’t specified here, so check its app for current details. Neither app offers videos on demand, and only E*TRADE streams live TV.

For charts, both apps allow landscape mode, multiple time frames, and stock comparisons. E*TRADE provides after-hours charting (Firstrade does not) and offers 107 technical studies versus Firstrade’s 81, giving E*TRADE more depth for technical analysis on the go.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies 107 81
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Both E*TRADE and Firstrade offer competitive platforms with no minimum deposit requirements, making them accessible to a wide range of investors. For regular stock trades and IRA maintenance, both platforms provide a cost-effective option with zero charges. However, differences emerge in options trading and certain account transfer fees; E*TRADE charges $0.65 per options contract while Firstrade offers this service for free. On the other hand, E*TRADE's partial account transfer is free, whereas Firstrade charges $55 for the same service. These nuanced differences can influence which platform might be more beneficial based on individual trading needs.

When it comes to margin trading, E*TRADE and Firstrade have similar fee structures with some small differences. For balances below $25,000, E*TRADE charges a slightly higher rate of 12.95% compared to Firstrade's 12.75%. As the margin balance increases, this discrepancy narrows, but Firstrade still maintains a slight edge with lower rates across all tiers up to $99,999. Margin rates can greatly affect the cost of trading on borrowed money, making Firstrade a marginally more appealing option for those heavily involved in margin trading.

Despite these differences in certain fees, both platforms allow traders to invest without worrying about IRA annual or closure fees, and neither charges for options exercise or assignment fees, which could be a relief for investors focused on long-term retirement savings or those trading options. Additionally, the cost to fully transfer an account is identical at $75 on both platforms, signaling a level playing field if considering a full move elsewhere. Ultimately, the choice between E*TRADE and Firstrade will likely come down to specific preferences around options trading costs and partial account transfer fees.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When it comes to day trading capabilities, E*TRADE stands out with features that cater to active traders. E*TRADE offers streaming time and sales for stocks, allowing traders to see real-time transactions. Additionally, traders have access to streaming live TV, which can provide crucial financial news updates as they happen. The platform also supports direct market routing for stocks, giving traders more control over their trades. E*TRADE enhances the trading experience with the option of using hotkeys for fast trade entry, as well as by providing level 2 quotes for more comprehensive market data. However, it's worth noting that E*TRADE does not offer ladder trading or strategy backtesting.

In contrast, Firstrade may appeal to more casual investors rather than dedicated day traders. Firstrade lacks several advanced features that E*TRADE offers, such as streaming time and sales, live TV, and trading hotkeys. Moreover, Firstrade does not provide direct market routing or level 2 quotes, which might limit the trading options for day traders seeking more detailed market insights. Both platforms do not offer ladder trading, strategy backtesting, a short locator tool, or offer order liquidity rebates. While Firstrade could meet the needs of some investors, those looking for a more feature-rich environment for day trading might find E*TRADE to be the superior choice.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Choosing between online brokers E*TRADE and Firstrade for market research? Both cover the essentials, but E*TRADE pulls ahead for depth and convenience. E*TRADE earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #3 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade scores 4 stars and ranks #6. The standout difference is E*TRADE’s larger set of downloadable reports and its added mutual fund PDFs, which make side-by-side comparisons easier.

On coverage, the two are closely matched. Both offer research for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, Pink Sheets/OTCBB, and bonds. Each platform lets you see portfolio allocation by asset class, tap social media sentiment for stock ideas, and check ESG insights. For idea generation, both include screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds.

The practical gap shows up in downloadable reports. E*TRADE provides eight stock PDF reports per symbol versus one at Firstrade. Both offer ETF PDF reports, but only E*TRADE supplies PDF reports for mutual funds. If you value a wider mix of third-party viewpoints in one place, E*TRADE is the better pick; if you just want the basics with fewer reports, Firstrade gets the job done.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking features of online brokers E*TRADE and Firstrade, there are several key differences to consider. E*TRADE provides a wide array of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, giving users options to manage their money effectively. In contrast, Firstrade only offers checking accounts, limiting its banking capabilities. Both platforms provide debit cards, but E*TRADE goes a step further by offering credit cards, which Firstrade does not. For those interested in mortgage loans, E*TRADE has opportunities available, unlike Firstrade, which does not provide mortgage services. However, in terms of Certificates of Deposit, both E*TRADE and Firstrade offer CDs to their customers. Overall, E*TRADE presents a more comprehensive platform for those seeking a broader range of banking services compared to Firstrade.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Checking Accounts Yes Yes
Savings Accounts Yes No
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Credit Cards Yes No
Mortgage Loans Yes No
Brokerage CDs Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that E*TRADE is better than Firstrade. E*TRADE finished with an overall score of 86.0%, while Firstrade finished with a score of 67.8%.

With two distinct platforms (E*TRADE Web and Power E*TRADE) the broker effectively serves both the "set-it-and-forget-it" investor and the high-volume derivatives trader. Whether you aim to construct a long-term retirement portfolio or deploy complex options strategies, E*TRADE provides a sophisticated, dependable environment that grows with your ambition.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with E*TRADE or Firstrade?

Both E*TRADE and Firstrade do not offer crypto trading and provide access to zero coins for trading cryptocurrencies.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does E*TRADE or Firstrade offer IRAs?

Both E*TRADE and Firstrade offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts without any annual or closure fees, making them equally favorable options for IRA investments.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating E*TRADE Firstrade
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review E*TRADE Review Firstrade Review
Broker Screenshots E*TRADE Firstrade
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees E*TRADE Firstrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $6.95 $0.00
Mutual Fund Trade Fee $0.00 $0
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) $1.50 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $25 $19.95
Margin Rates E*TRADE Firstrade
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.95% 12.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.7% 12.50%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 12.2% 12.00%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.7% 11.50%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 11.2% 11.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies 9.35%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies 8.75%
Account Fees E*TRADE Firstrade
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $0.00 $55.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options E*TRADE Firstrade
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) No Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 4
Futures Trading Yes No
Forex Trading No No
Crypto Trading No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 0
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) Yes Yes
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types E*TRADE Firstrade
Order Type - Market Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO Yes Yes
Order Type - OTO Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes Yes
Beginners E*TRADE Firstrade
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes No
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes No
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps E*TRADE Firstrade
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Trading - Stocks Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes Yes Yes
Stock App Features E*TRADE Firstrade
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV Yes No
Videos on Demand No No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization Yes Yes
Stock App Charting E*TRADE Firstrade
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 107 81
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms E*TRADE Firstrade
Active Trading Platform Power E*TRADE N/A
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 43 50
Stock Chart Features E*TRADE Firstrade
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 121 102
Charting - Drawing Tools 37 8
Charting - Notes Yes No
Charting - Historical Trades Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations 8 6
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading E*TRADE Firstrade
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Ladder Trading No No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview E*TRADE Firstrade
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Stock Research E*TRADE Firstrade
Stock Research - PDF Reports 8 1
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social Yes Yes
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG Yes Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes Yes
ETF Research E*TRADE Firstrade
ETFs - Investment Objective Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure Yes Yes
ETFs - Risk Analysis Yes Yes
ETFs - Ratings Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes Yes
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes Yes
Mutual Fund Research E*TRADE Firstrade
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - StyleMap Yes Yes
Options Trading E*TRADE Firstrade
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking E*TRADE Firstrade
Bank (Member FDIC) Yes No
Checking Accounts Yes Yes
Savings Accounts Yes No
Credit Cards Yes No
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans Yes No
Customer Service E*TRADE Firstrade
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes No
Overall E*TRADE Firstrade
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review E*TRADE Review Firstrade Review
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