Interactive Brokers vs Firstrade Review
Is Interactive Brokers better than Firstrade? After scoring brokers in nine separate categories for our 2019 review, Interactive Brokers (80.99%) is better than Firstrade (67.1%). While Interactive Brokers is not suitable for casual investors, it leads the industry in international trading and low-cost commissions desired by professional traders.
Overall
Trading Fees
Minimum Deposit
Stock Trade Fee (flat)
Options Base Fee
Options Per Contract Fee
Mutual Fund Trade Fee
Broker Assisted Trades Fee
IRA Annual Fee
IRA Closure Fee
Commissions & Fees
Winner
Margin Rates
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
$500,000.00 to $999,999.99
Above $1,000,000.00
Commissions & Fees
Winner
Trading Platforms
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Desktop Platform (Mac)
Web Platform
Paper Trading
Trade Journal
Watch Lists - Total Fields
Two-Factor Authentication Login
Heat Mapping
Platforms & Tools
Winner
Charting Features
Charting - Trade Off Chart
Charting - Indicators / Studies
Charting - Drawing Tools
Charting - Historical Trades
Charting - Corporate Events
Charting - Automated Analysis
Charting - Save Profiles
Charting - Study Customizations
Charting - Custom Studies
Platforms & Tools
Winner
Day Trading
Stock Alerts - Basic Fields
Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields
Streaming Time & Sales
Streaming TV
Direct Market Routing - Stocks
Direct Market Routing - Options
Ladder Trading
Trade Hot Keys
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks
Level 2 Quotes - Options
Trade Ideas - Backtesting
Short Locator
Client Liquidity Rebates
Winner
Mobile Trading
iPhone App
Android App
Apple Watch App
Trading - Stocks
Trading - After-Hours
Trading - Conditional Orders
Trading - Mutual Funds
Trading - Simple Options
Trading - Complex Options
Trading - Option Rolling
Touch / Face ID
Watch List Syncing
Stock Alerts - Basic Fields
Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields
Charting - After Hours
Charting - Drawing
Charting - Study Customizations
Customizable Homescreen
Heatmapping
Stream Live TV
Barcode Lookup
Mobile Trading
Winner
Research Overview
Research - Stocks
Research - ETFs
Research - Mutual Funds
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB
Research - Fixed Income
Research - Futures
Research - Forex
Screener - Stocks
Screener - ETFs
Screener - Mutual Funds
Screener - Options
Screener - Bonds
Misc - Portfolio Builder
Misc - Portfolio Allocation
Research
Winner
Stock Research
Stock Research - Reports
Stock Research - Earnings
Stock Research - Insiders
Stock Research - Metric Comp
Stock Research - SEC Filings
Stock Research - Social
Stock Research - Balance Sheet
Stock Research - Cash Flows
Stock Research - News
Stock Research - ESG
Research
Winner
Fund Research
ETFs - Strategy Overview
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings
ETFs - Sector Exposure
ETFs - Risk Analysis
ETFs - Performance Analysis
ETFs - Ratings
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap
ETFs - Reports
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview
Mutual Funds - Prospectus
Mutual Funds - Reports
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation
Mutual Funds - StyleMap
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings
Research
Winner
Options Trading
Option Chains - Streaming
Option Chains - Total Columns
Option Chains - Greeks
Option Chains - Quick Analysis
Option Analysis - P&L Charts
Option Probability Analysis
Option Probability Analysis Adv
Option Positions - Greeks
Option Positions - Adv Analysis
Option Positions - Rolling
Option Positions - Grouping
Platforms & Tools
Winner
Investments
Stock Trading
OTCBB / Pink Sheets
Options Trading
Complex Options Max Legs
Futures Trading
Forex Trading
Commission-Free ETFs
Mutual Funds (No Load)
Mutual Funds (Total)
Bonds (US Treasury)
Bonds (Corporate)
Bonds (Municipal)
Advisor Services
International Trading
Offering of Investments
Winner
Order Types
Order Type - Market
Order Type - Limit
Order Type - Stop
Order Type - Trailing Stop
Order Type - Contingent
Order Type - MultiContingent
Order Type - OCO
Order Type - OTO
Order Type - OTOCO
Offering of Investments
Winner
Beginners
Has Education - Stocks
Has Education - ETFs
Has Education - Options
Has Education - Mutual Funds
Has Education - Fixed Income
Has Education - Retirement
Paper Trading
Videos
Webinars (Monthly Avg)
Webinars (Archived)
Live Seminars
Progress Tracking
Interactive Learning - Quizzes
Investor Magazine
Education
Winner
Banking
Retail Locations
Member FDIC
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Mortgage Loans
No Fee Banking
Banking
Winner
Overall
Overall
Winner
Exclusive Offer
New clients that open an account today receive a special margin rate Learn More
$0.00
N/A
$0.00
$0.70
$14.95
$30.00
$0.00
$0.00
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3.68%
3.68%
3.68%
3.18%
3.18%
3.18%
2.68%
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Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
453
Yes
Yes
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Yes
121
9
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
6
No
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Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
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Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
37
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Yes
Yes
Yes
8
Yes
No
48
7558
11000
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
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Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
20
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
0
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Special Offer
Commission-Free Trading on 700+ ETFs Learn More
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$19.95
$0.00
$0.00
9.50%
9.00%
8.50%
8.00%
7.75%
6.00%
5.25%
No
No
Yes
No
No
13
No
Yes
No
58
5
No
Yes
No
No
6
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
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1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
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Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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No
8
5
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2
No
No
all
5234
12603
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
5
Yes
No
No
No
No
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2
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
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Using data from our latest annual broker review which tested more than a dozen different online brokers over six months, we can compare Firstrade vs Interactive Brokers to determine which broker is best. Let's dive in.
First, we will break down the commission charges of both brokers for placing stock and options trades. Firstrade and Interactive Brokers both cost $0 per trade. With options, the base fee is $0 for both Firstrade and Interactive Brokers. Firstrade's per contract rate of $0 is less than Interactive Brokers which charges $0.70. Instead of flat rate fees, several brokers charge a per-share fee instead. For a complete review of trading charges, read our full online broker reviews.
Next, investors want to make sure they can trade the investment vehicle they want. Interactive Brokers supports Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading while Firstrade supports Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. As far as mutual funds go, Interactive Brokers trails Firstrade by 1,603 total mutual funds, with Firstrade offering 12603 and Interactive Brokers offering 11000.
Finally, by comparing the each broker's website and platform features, we can surface interesting differences. Interactive Brokers offers virtual trading while Firstrade does not. For mobile trading, Firstrade along with Interactive Brokers both support the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Online banking is also used by many customers, and multiple full-service brokerages provide these services. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are found at Firstrade alongside Interactive Brokers.
Overall, between Firstrade and Interactive Brokers, Interactive Brokers is the winner.
Firstrade Review
Interactive Brokers Review
First, we will break down the commission charges of both brokers for placing stock and options trades. Firstrade and Interactive Brokers both cost $0 per trade. With options, the base fee is $0 for both Firstrade and Interactive Brokers. Firstrade's per contract rate of $0 is less than Interactive Brokers which charges $0.70. Instead of flat rate fees, several brokers charge a per-share fee instead. For a complete review of trading charges, read our full online broker reviews.
Next, investors want to make sure they can trade the investment vehicle they want. Interactive Brokers supports Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading while Firstrade supports Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. As far as mutual funds go, Interactive Brokers trails Firstrade by 1,603 total mutual funds, with Firstrade offering 12603 and Interactive Brokers offering 11000.
Finally, by comparing the each broker's website and platform features, we can surface interesting differences. Interactive Brokers offers virtual trading while Firstrade does not. For mobile trading, Firstrade along with Interactive Brokers both support the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Online banking is also used by many customers, and multiple full-service brokerages provide these services. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are found at Firstrade alongside Interactive Brokers.
Overall, between Firstrade and Interactive Brokers, Interactive Brokers is the winner.
Firstrade Review
Interactive Brokers Review
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 02/18/2019 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.
