Firstrade vs Lightspeed Trading Review
The StockBrokers.com annual broker review assesses more than a dozen different brokers over six months, surfacing the best online stock brokers. This review compares Firstrade vs Lightspeed Trading. Is Firstrade or Lightspeed Trading a better online broker?
First, we will make a comparison of the stock and option trading fees for trading with both brokers. Lightspeed Trading charges more than Firstrade for placing regular stock trades ($4.50 and $0, respectively). With options, the base fee is $0 for both Firstrade and Lightspeed Trading. Each option contract then costs $0.60 at Lightspeed Trading and $0 at Firstrade. Note that some brokers charge a per-share fee instead of a flat-fee commission. For a full breakdown of commissions, read our online broker reviews.
For our next comparison of these two brokers, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Lightspeed Trading offers clients Stock Trading, Options Trading and Futures Trading while Firstrade offers Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. When it comes to mutual funds, Lightspeed Trading trails Firstrade by 12,603 total mutual funds, with Firstrade offering 12603 and Lightspeed Trading offering 0. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, Firstrade offers 2200 commission free ETFs versus Lightspeed Trading's total of 0.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features, tools, etc that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two. Lightspeed Trading makes virtual trading available to clients, while Firstrade does not. For mobile trading, Firstrade along with Lightspeed Trading both support 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 available to clients of Firstrade while Lightspeed Trading offers customers none of these. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and mobile trading, unfortunately, neither Firstrade nor Lightspeed Trading received awards Best in Class - Platforms & Tools, Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading.
Overall, Firstrade boasts 4.00 stars versus Lightspeed Trading's 3.00 stars.
First, we will make a comparison of the stock and option trading fees for trading with both brokers. Lightspeed Trading charges more than Firstrade for placing regular stock trades ($4.50 and $0, respectively). With options, the base fee is $0 for both Firstrade and Lightspeed Trading. Each option contract then costs $0.60 at Lightspeed Trading and $0 at Firstrade. Note that some brokers charge a per-share fee instead of a flat-fee commission. For a full breakdown of commissions, read our online broker reviews.
For our next comparison of these two brokers, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Lightspeed Trading offers clients Stock Trading, Options Trading and Futures Trading while Firstrade offers Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds. When it comes to mutual funds, Lightspeed Trading trails Firstrade by 12,603 total mutual funds, with Firstrade offering 12603 and Lightspeed Trading offering 0. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, Firstrade offers 2200 commission free ETFs versus Lightspeed Trading's total of 0.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features, tools, etc that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two. Lightspeed Trading makes virtual trading available to clients, while Firstrade does not. For mobile trading, Firstrade along with Lightspeed Trading both support 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 available to clients of Firstrade while Lightspeed Trading offers customers none of these. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and mobile trading, unfortunately, neither Firstrade nor Lightspeed Trading received awards Best in Class - Platforms & Tools, Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading.
Overall, Firstrade boasts 4.00 stars versus Lightspeed Trading's 3.00 stars.
Overall
Commissions & Fees
Offering of Investments
Platforms & Tools
Research
Customer Service
Mobile Trading
Ease of Use
Education
Order Execution
Banking
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
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
Advantage
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
Order Type - Algo
Advantage
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Desktop Platform (Mac)
Web Platform
Virtual Trading
Watch Lists - Total Fields
Two-Factor Authentication Login
Charting - Trade Off Chart
Charting - Drawing Tools
Charting - Indicators / Studies
Charting - Historical Trades
Charting - Save Profiles
Charting - Study Customizations
Charting - Custom Studies
Option Chains - Total Columns
Option Chains - Greeks Viewable
Option Analysis - P&L Charts
Option Positions - Rolling
Heat Mapping
Advantage
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
Client Liquidity Rebates
Advantage
Screener - Stocks
Screener - ETFs
Screener - Mutual Funds
Screener - Options
Screener - Bonds
Misc - Portfolio Allocation
Misc - Portfolio Builder
Stock Research - Earnings
Stock Research - SEC Filings
Stock Research - Insiders
Stock Research - Social
Stock Research - Reports
ETF Research - Top 10 Holdings
ETF Research - Reports
ETF Research - Ratings
Mutual Fund Research - Reports
Advantage
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 ID
Watch List Syncing
Stock Alerts - Basic Fields
Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields
Charting - After Hours
Charting - Study Customizations
Customizable Homescreen
Heatmapping
Stream Live TV
Barcode Lookup
Advantage
Retail Locations
Member FDIC
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Mortgage Loans
No Fee Banking
Advantage
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
Has Education - Stocks
Has Education - ETFs
Has Education - Options
Has Education - Mutual Funds
Has Education - Fixed Income
Has Education - Retirement
Videos
Webinars (Monthly Avg)
Webinars (Archived)
Live Seminars
Progress Tracking
Interactive Learning - Quizzes
Magazine
Advantage
Overall
Advantage
Comparing 2 brokers
Firstrade
Yes
Yes
Yes
2
No
No
all
5234
12603
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
check_circle
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
check_circle
No
No
Yes
No
57
No
No
5
58
No
No
6
No
8
5
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
check_circle
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
check_circle
2
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
check_circle
8.75%
8.50%
8.00%
7.50%
7.25%
5.50%
4.75%
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
5
Yes
No
No
No
No
check_circle
check_circle
Lightspeed Trading
Yes
Yes
Yes
6
Yes
No
0
0
0
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
141
Yes
Yes
5
20
Yes
Yes
4
No
35
5
Yes
Yes
No
check_circle
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
check_circle
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
0
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
8.25%
8.25%
7.25%
7.25%
6.50%
6.00%
5.75%
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
1
Yes
No
No
No
No
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All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 09/01/18 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.
