E*TRADE vs Firstrade Review
The StockBrokers.com 2017 Brokerage Review compares E*TRADE vs Firstrade. Compare E*TRADE and Firstrade trade commissions, fees and overall broker ratings by using the table below. Is E*TRADE or Firstrade a better online broker?
Looking at both brokers, first we will take a look at the commission rates for both placing regular stock and options trades. E*TRADE, with its regular stock trades costing $6.95, is more expensive than Firstrade's rate of $4.95 per trade. With options, the base fees charged are $6.95 (E*TRADE) and $4.95 (Firstrade). Contracts are pricier at E*TRADE, costing $0.75 versus $0.65 at Firstrade, a difference of $0.10 per contract. It should be noted that not every broker uses a flat rate stock trade fee structure, so it is important to read the full commission notes (head over to any online brokerage review page, then navigate to the "Commission Notes" section).
Alongside trade commissions, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Firstrade supports Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds while E*TRADE supports Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. When it comes to mutual funds, Firstrade boasts an offering of 12191 compared to E*TRADE's 8652 available funds. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, with Firstrade falling behind E*TRADE, offering 12 commission free etfs compared to E*TRADE's 133.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two brokers. Neither E*TRADE and Firstrade have virtual trading. For mobile trading, Firstrade offers the iPhone App and Android App while E*TRADE offers the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are found at E*TRADE alongside Firstrade. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and trading on the go, E*TRADE posted awards for Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while Firstrade found itself with none of these.
Overall, E*TRADE boasts 4.00 stars versus Firstrade's 3.50 stars.
Looking at both brokers, first we will take a look at the commission rates for both placing regular stock and options trades. E*TRADE, with its regular stock trades costing $6.95, is more expensive than Firstrade's rate of $4.95 per trade. With options, the base fees charged are $6.95 (E*TRADE) and $4.95 (Firstrade). Contracts are pricier at E*TRADE, costing $0.75 versus $0.65 at Firstrade, a difference of $0.10 per contract. It should be noted that not every broker uses a flat rate stock trade fee structure, so it is important to read the full commission notes (head over to any online brokerage review page, then navigate to the "Commission Notes" section).
Alongside trade commissions, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Firstrade supports Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds while E*TRADE supports Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. When it comes to mutual funds, Firstrade boasts an offering of 12191 compared to E*TRADE's 8652 available funds. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, with Firstrade falling behind E*TRADE, offering 12 commission free etfs compared to E*TRADE's 133.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two brokers. Neither E*TRADE and Firstrade have virtual trading. For mobile trading, Firstrade offers the iPhone App and Android App while E*TRADE offers the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are found at E*TRADE alongside Firstrade. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and trading on the go, E*TRADE posted awards for Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while Firstrade found itself with none of these.
Overall, E*TRADE boasts 4.00 stars versus Firstrade's 3.50 stars.
Jump to:
Overall
Commissions & Fees
Offering of Investments
Platforms & Tools
Research
Customer Service
Mobile Trading
Ease of Use
Education
Order Execution
Banking
Stock Trade Fee (flat)
Options Base Fee
Options Per Contract Fee
Mutual Fund Trade Fee
Broker Assisted Trades Fee
Minimum Deposit
No Inactivity Fees
No Fee IRAs
Stock Trading
Options Trading
Mutual Funds
Forex Trading
Futures Trading
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Web Platform
Virtual Trading
Charting - Drawing Tools
Charting - Indicators / Studies
Option Chains - Total Columns
Watch Lists - Total Fields
iPhone App
iPad App
Android App
Android Tablet App
Apple Watch App
Trading - After-Hours
Trading - Mutual Funds
Trading - Conditional Orders
Trading - Simple Options
Trading - Complex Options
Commission Free ETFs
Mutual Funds (No Load)
Mutual Funds (Total)
# of Easy to Borrow Stocks
Retail Locations
Under $24,999.99
$25,000.00 to $49,999.99
$50,000.00 to $99,999.99
$100,000.00 to $249,999.99
$250,000.00 to $499,999.99
Above $1,000,000.00
$500,000.00 to $999,999.99
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Mortgage Loans
No Fee Banking
Comparing 2 brokers
E*TRADE
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
24
118
39
130
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
133
4276
8652
3000
30
8.75%
8.50%
8.00%
7.50%
7.00%
5.50%
6.50%
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Firstrade
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
5
58
8
57
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
12
4928
12191
4200
2
7.75%
7.50%
7.00%
6.50%
6.00%
4.50%
5.00%
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 2/20/2017 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. The StockBrokers.com staff is constantly working with its online broker representatives to obtain the latest pricing data. If you believe any data listed above is inaccurate, please contact us using the link at the bottom of this page. For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply.