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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 both give everyday investors access to many of the core investment types people look for in an online broker. Each platform supports stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options trading, and both traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts. Neither broker offers forex trading, so if that is a priority, you will need to look elsewhere. For most people, the biggest difference comes down to extra trading choices and account support: E*TRADE adds futures trading, crypto trading with 3 coins, and advisor services, while Firstrade does not offer those features. Overall, E*TRADE edges out Firstrade for account investment variety and extra tools, making it the better pick for investors who want more ways to trade and manage their money.

When it comes to stocks, both E*TRADE and Firstrade allow you to buy and sell standard shares as well as fractional shares, which can make it easier to invest with smaller amounts of money. Both brokers also support margin trading for eligible accounts, OTC stocks for investors who want access to less common companies, and mutual funds for those who prefer a more diversified approach. This makes either broker a solid fit for investors who want a broad mix of basic and popular market options.

The main difference appears in the more advanced and specialized choices. E*TRADE offers futures trading and crypto trading, while Firstrade does not support either one. E*TRADE also provides advisor services, which can be helpful for investors who want extra guidance. Based on range of investments, E*TRADE is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 14.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 3 0
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

For traders who want more ways to research, chart, and practice before placing real trades, E*TRADE has the edge over Firstrade for trading platforms and tools. E*TRADE offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus paper trading, more charting features, and more ways to work with charts in real time. Firstrade is easier in some areas, but it does not offer desktop software or paper trading, and its overall tools package is more limited by comparison.

Both brokers do offer browser-based trading platforms, so you can trade online without installing software. But E*TRADE gives you more depth once you start looking at features. Its charts include 121 technical indicators and 37 drawing tools, compared with 102 indicators and 8 drawing tools at Firstrade. E*TRADE also lets you add notes to charts, view past trades, see corporate events like earnings and splits, adjust open orders directly on a chart, and save multiple chart profiles. Firstrade supports custom date ranges and automated chart patterns, but it lacks many of those extra chart controls.

In watch lists, Firstrade shows more fields, with 50 columns versus 43 at E*TRADE, but E*TRADE still comes out ahead overall because it offers more useful trading features for active and research-minded investors. E*TRADE is rated 4 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools and ranks #6 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade is rated 1 out of 5 stars and ranks #12 out of 14. Both brokers do not offer trading journals or custom chart studies.

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 Brokerage Accounts and Online Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps and Simulators 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 Trading Platforms and Brokerage Accounts for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

For stock trading apps, E*TRADE and Firstrade both give mobile investors a solid set of tools, including iPhone and Android apps, streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watch lists, watch list column options, after-hours charting, landscape chart views, multiple chart time frames, mobile options trading, and stock comparison tools on charts. E*TRADE also has an Apple Watch app, supports mobile after-hours stock trading, and offers streaming live TV, which gives it a clear edge for traders who want more on-the-go features. Firstrade matches many of the basics, but it does not offer an Apple Watch app or streaming live TV.

When it comes to charting, E*TRADE gives mobile users access to 107 technical studies, while Firstrade offers 102. That is a modest difference, but it may matter to active traders who rely on more chart signals and analysis tools. Neither broker offers videos on demand in the app, so if educational video content is important, neither platform stands out in that area.

Overall, E*TRADE comes out ahead for stock trading apps. It earns a 4.5-star rating from StockBrokers.com and ranks #5 out of 14 brokers, compared with Firstrade’s 4-star rating and #8 ranking. Firstrade still covers the core mobile trading needs well, but E*TRADE offers a more feature-rich app experience for investors who want extra convenience and stronger mobile tools.

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 Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 107 102
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps of 2026

Fees

E*TRADE and Firstrade both keep many basic investing costs low, with $0 minimum deposits, $0 stock trades, $0 IRA annual fees, and $0 IRA closure fees. Both brokers also do not charge for options exercise or assignment. The main cost differences come down to options trading, margin rates, and account transfer fees. Firstrade stands out for charging $0 per options contract, while E*TRADE charges $0.65. Firstrade also has slightly lower margin rates across the balance tiers listed. On the other hand, E*TRADE is cheaper for a partial account transfer, since it charges $0 compared with Firstrade’s $55 fee.

For stock investors who mainly buy and sell shares, the two platforms look very similar on price because both offer $0 stock trades and no minimum deposit. If you trade options often, Firstrade may be the lower-cost choice because it does not charge a per-contract fee. This can add up over time for active options traders.

When it comes to margin borrowing, Firstrade is a bit less expensive than E*TRADE in the balance ranges shown. For example, balances below $25,000 are charged 12.25% at Firstrade versus 12.45% at E*TRADE. For balances between $25,000 and $49,999, Firstrade is 12.00% versus E*TRADE at 12.2%, and for balances between $50,000 and $99,999, Firstrade is 11.50% versus 11.7% at E*TRADE. Both brokers charge $75 for a full ACAT transfer, so that fee is the same.

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 Stock Trading Platforms and Commission-Free Apps 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 Brokers with 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?

E*TRADE offers crypto trading with access to 3 coins, while Firstrade does not offer crypto trading at all. For investors looking for digital asset exposure, E*TRADE provides a limited crypto selection that Firstrade currently lacks.

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) $6.950 $0.000
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 12.45% 12.25%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.2% 12.00%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 11.7% 11.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.2% 11.00%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.7% 10.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies 8.85%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies 8.25%
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) Yes 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 Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 3 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 Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 107 102
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 Yes
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 No Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes Yes
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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