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Firstrade vs J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Firstrade
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65

Range of investments

Overall takeaway: Firstrade slightly edges out J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing for the breadth of self-directed investment choices, based on third-party ratings, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing stands out if you want access to advisor services along with your trading. If your priority is the widest set of do-it-yourself investments, Firstrade is the stronger pick; if you value the option to get guidance, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing may fit better.

Both brokers let you trade stocks, fractional shares, OTC stocks, mutual funds, and options, and both support margin trading. Neither offers forex, futures, or cryptocurrency trading (0 coins at both). That means each platform covers the core stock-and-fund toolkit many investors want, without exposure to currencies, futures, or crypto.

For accounts, each supports Traditional and Roth IRAs. Where they differ is advice: Firstrade does not offer advisor services, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does. On “Range of Investments,” StockBrokers.com rates Firstrade 4 stars and ranks it #5 of 14 brokers, versus 3.5 stars and #13 for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
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 No No
Crypto Trading No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 0
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing are closely matched on trading platforms and tools, and neither stands out as a top pick for active traders. Both brokers offer browser-based platforms, but neither provides a downloadable Windows or Mac desktop platform, paper trading, or a trading journal. Each also lacks tools such as chart notes, historical trade markers, the ability to adjust open orders directly on a chart, and custom chart studies. StockBrokers.com gives both firms 1 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, with Firstrade ranking slightly higher at #12 out of 14 brokers versus J.P. Morgan’s #13.

Where Firstrade has a clear edge is in charting depth and watch list flexibility. Firstrade offers 102 technical indicators compared with J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing’s 36, plus 50 watch list fields versus 20. Firstrade also lets users set custom date ranges and uses automated technical analysis to highlight chart patterns, both of which are helpful for investors who want more control over how they review market data. J.P. Morgan, however, does include corporate event markers on charts for things like earnings, splits, and dividends, which Firstrade does not offer.

In other areas, the two platforms are less different. Firstrade offers 8 drawing tools on charts, while J.P. Morgan offers 10, and both allow only limited chart customization overall. When editing an SMA study, Firstrade provides 6 fields compared with 3 at J.P. Morgan, giving Firstrade a little more room to fine-tune that indicator. Overall, Firstrade appears better suited to users who want more charting options and watch list detail, while J.P. Morgan offers a simpler experience with a few chart event features that some investors may find useful.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) No No
Paper Trading No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 20
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 36
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 10
Advanced Trading 1/5 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

For beginner investors comparing education features, both Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offer stock and options education, along with educational videos and webinars. J.P. Morgan goes further with ETF, mutual fund, and bond education—areas Firstrade doesn’t cover. Neither broker offers paper trading, quizzes, or tools to track learning progress.

Reflecting these differences, StockBrokers.com rates Firstrade 2.5 out of 5 stars for education (13th of 14 brokers) and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing 4 out of 5 stars (4th of 14). Choose Firstrade if you want simple stock and options lessons; pick J.P. Morgan if you prefer broader, multi-asset education that includes ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No Yes
Education (Fixed Income) No Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 2.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Trading Platforms for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing both earn 4 out of 5 stars for stock trading apps, but Firstrade comes out ahead overall thanks to stronger mobile trading tools. Firstrade also ranks higher with StockBrokers.com, landing at No. 8 out of 14 brokers compared with J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing at No. 10. If you want the more feature-rich app experience for active trading and charting, Firstrade is the better pick.

Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, plus mobile options trading, stock alerts, custom watch lists, and watch list column customization. Neither offers an Apple Watch app, live TV, or videos on demand. Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing also both support landscape chart view and multiple time frames for charting in the mobile app.

Firstrade has the edge in a few key areas that matter to stock traders on the go. It offers mobile after-hours stock trading, streaming quotes, after-hours charting, 102 technical studies, and the ability to compare stocks on charts. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does not offer streaming quotes, after-hours charting, or stock comparisons on charts, and its mobile charting includes 36 technical studies.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App No No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies 102 36
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps of 2026

Fees

Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing both keep many core investing costs low, with $0 minimum deposits, $0 stock trades, and $0 annual IRA fees. They also match on margin rates shown here, including 12.25% for balances below $25,000, 12% for balances from $25,000 to $49,999, and 11.5% for balances from $50,000 to $99,999. The main differences are in a few extra charges: Firstrade does not charge options contract fees, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing charges $0.65 per options contract. Firstrade also charges less for a full account transfer at $75 versus J.P. Morgan’s $75, but J.P. Morgan is cheaper for partial transfers at $0 compared with Firstrade’s $55. Overall, Firstrade may be the better pick for options traders, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing can be more appealing if you expect to do a partial transfer and want to avoid that fee.

Looking at options-related costs, both brokers charge $0 for options exercise and assignment fees, which helps keep trading expenses simple. That said, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing’s $0.65 per-contract fee can add up if you trade options often, while Firstrade’s $0 contract fee may be easier on frequent traders. For everyday stock investing, there is no difference in commission since both offer $0 stock trades.

IRA holders may also want to note the closing fee difference. Firstrade charges $0 to close an IRA, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing charges $75. If you plan to keep your retirement account open long term, this may not matter much, but it is a meaningful cost to know about ahead of time. In short, both brokers are competitive on basic investing fees, but Firstrade stands out for options pricing and IRA closure costs, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing has the edge on partial transfer fees.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.65
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 $75.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Stock Trading Platforms and Commission-Free Apps for 2026

Day Trading

For day trading, Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing are very similar: neither offers streaming time and sales, live TV, direct market routing, ladder trading, keyboard hotkeys, or Level 2 quotes. Both also lack strategy backtesting (basic or advanced), a short-locate tool for finding shares to short, and maker/taker liquidity rebates.

Because these core tools are missing on both platforms, active intraday traders may find them limiting. If you’re comparing Firstrade vs. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing specifically for day trading, neither has an edge; your choice may come down to other factors outside day trading needs. Traders who require Level 2, direct routing, hotkeys, and short availability data should consider a platform built for fast, intraday order execution and analysis.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Streaming Time & Sales No No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks No 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

Both Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing earn 4-star marks for market research, but Firstrade has a slight lead in our comparison (ranked #6 of 14 vs. J.P. Morgan at #7). Firstrade stands out by adding social media sentiment and ESG research, plus downloadable ETF reports. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing pushes back with more downloadable stock reports (two types vs. one at Firstrade). If you want the widest mix of research angles in one place, Firstrade is likely the better fit; if you value more analyst-style stock PDFs, J.P. Morgan can be appealing.

Both platforms cover the basics well. Each offers research for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and OTC/pink sheets. You can see portfolio allocation by asset class on both, and each provides trade-idea screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. For mutual funds, neither broker supplies downloadable PDF research reports.

The key differences come down to data depth and report options. Firstrade adds stock research powered by social media sentiment and offers ESG research—features J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing does not include. Firstrade also provides downloadable ETF research reports, which J.P. Morgan lacks. When it comes to stock PDFs, J.P. Morgan offers two types of downloadable reports, while Firstrade offers one.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
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 Stars 4/5 Stars

Banking

Choosing between the online broker Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing for banking features comes down to how many products you want in one place. Both offer checking accounts, debit cards, and certificates of deposit (CDs), covering everyday spending and time-based savings. The differences appear with savings accounts, credit cards, and mortgage loans: J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing provides all three, while Firstrade does not. If you want a simple setup with checking, a debit card, and CDs, Firstrade can work well; if you prefer a fuller lineup that includes a savings account, credit cards, and the option to apply for a mortgage under the same umbrella, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is the more complete choice.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Checking Accounts Yes Yes
Savings Accounts No Yes
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Credit Cards No Yes
Mortgage Loans No Yes
Brokerage CDs Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Accounts with Checking: Top Bank Brokers

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 67.8%, while J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing finished with a score of 67.5%.

Firstrade is a good choice for options traders and self-reliant investors due to its aggressive pricing model that completely eliminates per-contract fees on options. While it lacks asset classes like crypto and futures, it impresses with institutional-grade infrastructure, supporting complex account types like Trusts and Business IRAs and wide international accessibility.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Firstrade or J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing?

Neither Firstrade nor J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offer cryptocurrency trading, as both platforms provide access to zero crypto coins.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Firstrade or J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offer IRAs?

Both Firstrade and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees; however, Firstrade provides an advantage with no closure fee, while J.P. Morgan charges $75 for closing an IRA account.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Overall Rating Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Customer Service 4/5 Stars 4.0/5 Stars
Education 2.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Review
Broker Screenshots Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $0.000 $0.000
Mutual Fund Trade Fee $0 $0
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.65
Futures (Per Contract) (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $19.95 Varies
Margin Rates Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.25% 12.25%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.00% 12%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 11.50% 11.5%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.00% 11.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.75% 11.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 8.85% 10.5%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.25% 10%
Account Fees Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $55.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
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 1
Futures Trading No 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 No Yes
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Order Type - Market Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours Yes No
Order Type - Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop Yes No
Order Type - OCO Yes No
Order Type - OTO Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes Yes
Beginners Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No Yes
Education (Fixed Income) No Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary Yes No
Paper Trading No No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App No No
Trading - Stocks Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours Yes No
Trading - Simple Options Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes Yes No
Stock App Features Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV No No
Videos on Demand No No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 102 36
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes No
Trading Platforms Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Active Trading Platform N/A No
Desktop Trading Platform No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) No No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading No No
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 20
Stock Chart Features Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 36
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 10
Charting - Notes No No
Charting - Historical Trades No No
Charting - Corporate Events No Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles No No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 6 3
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Streaming Time & Sales No No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Ladder Trading No No
Trade Hot Keys No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
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 Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Stock Research - PDF Reports 1 2
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes No
Stock Research - Social Yes No
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes No
ETF Research Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
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 No
ETFs - Ratings Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes Yes
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus Yes No
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 Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 0
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes No
Banking Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Bank (Member FDIC) No Yes
Checking Accounts Yes Yes
Savings Accounts No Yes
Credit Cards No Yes
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans No Yes
Customer Service Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) Yes No
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes No
24/7 Support Yes Yes
Overall Firstrade J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 2.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Review
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