menuclose
StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn how we make money.

Firstrade vs tastytrade 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs tastytrade, 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
tastytrade
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50 info

Range of investments

Here’s the bottom line on Firstrade vs tastytrade: both brokers cover the basics well with stock and options trading, margin, and fractional shares, and each earns 4 stars for Range of Investments. If you want mutual funds and OTC stocks, Firstrade is the better fit, which helps explain its higher StockBrokers.com ranking (#5 vs tastytrade’s #9). If you want futures, forex, and crypto, tastytrade wins, offering crypto trading with 17 coins. Both support Traditional and Roth IRAs, and neither offers advisor services.

For stock-focused investors, both platforms let you trade stocks with margin and buy fractional shares. The key differences show up in what you can add around stocks: Firstrade supports OTC stocks and mutual funds, while tastytrade does not. That makes Firstrade appealing for investors who like fund choices and access to smaller, off-exchange names.

Active traders who want more markets may lean to tastytrade. It offers options like Firstrade, but also adds futures, forex, and crypto trading (17 coins). Firstrade does not support those three. Both brokers offer Traditional and Roth IRAs for retirement savers, and neither provides advisor services, so you’ll manage your own portfolio on either platform.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes No
Mutual Funds Yes No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 17
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

Bottom line: for trading platforms and tools, tastytrade beats Firstrade by a wide margin. Tastytrade offers desktop apps for both Windows and Mac, richer charts, a built-in trading journal, and the ability to adjust orders directly on charts. StockBrokers.com rates tastytrade 4 out of 5 stars and ranks it #5 of 14 brokers for platforms and tools, while Firstrade earns 1 out of 5 stars and ranks #12. Firstrade does have a couple of bright spots—larger watch list fields (50 vs 33) and automated chart pattern recognition—but overall it trails on features active traders value.

Platform access and workflow: Firstrade is web-only; there’s no downloadable platform for Windows or Mac, no paper trading, and no trading journal. Tastytrade covers more ground with desktop platforms for Windows and Mac plus a browser platform. While neither broker offers paper trading, tastytrade includes a trading journal and lets you modify open orders right on a chart, which can speed up trade entry. For watch lists, Firstrade shows up to 50 columns, compared with 33 on tastytrade. Tastytrade also lets you save multiple chart profiles; Firstrade does not.

Charting and studies: Firstrade supplies 102 technical indicators and 8 drawing tools, and it can auto-detect chart patterns. Tastytrade goes deeper on customization, with 308 indicators, 31 drawing tools, the ability to add notes to charts, show historical trades, display corporate events, set custom date ranges, and create custom studies. Editing a simple moving average offers more controls on tastytrade (7 fields vs 6). Tastytrade doesn’t auto-mark chart patterns, but its broader tool set and flexibility will better suit most traders who rely on charts.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) No Yes
Paper Trading No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 33
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 308
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 31
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

Featured Offers


5/5 Stars

Trade brilliantly with Schwab.

5/5 Stars

A full-featured account for investing

4.5/5 Stars

Get up to $1,500 on new brokerage account*

3.5/5 Stars

Claim 12 free shares at Webull!

Beginners and education

Comparing Firstrade vs tastytrade for beginner and investor education, both brokers offer stock and options lessons supported by videos and webinars. tastytrade stands out by also covering ETFs and letting users track their learning progress, which can help beginners stay organized. Neither broker offers education on mutual funds or bonds, and neither provides paper trading or quizzes.

In independent ratings, StockBrokers.com scores Firstrade 2.5 out of 5 stars for education and ranks it 13th out of 14 brokers, while tastytrade earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks 11th. For newcomers who want ETF education and a clearer path to follow, tastytrade has the edge. If you only need straightforward stock and options basics, Firstrade can do the job, but its education is more limited.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms & Apps for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

Bottom line: For most people comparing stock trading apps, Firstrade edges out tastytrade thanks to stronger charting tools and a higher placement in StockBrokers.com’s rankings (Firstrade #8 of 14 vs. tastytrade #12), even though both earn 4 stars. Both brokers cover core mobile needs on iPhone and Android, but if you want many technical studies or to compare stocks directly on charts, Firstrade is the clearer fit. If after-hours charting is essential, tastytrade has that feature. Mobile after-hours trading is available on Firstrade; tastytrade’s availability for after-hours trading on mobile wasn’t specified in the data provided.

Apps and trading basics: Firstrade and tastytrade both offer iPhone and Android apps; neither supports Apple Watch. Mobile after-hours stock trading: Firstrade yes; tastytrade not stated. Mobile options trading: both yes. Streaming quotes: both yes. Streaming live TV and videos on demand: neither offers them. Stock alerts and customizable watch lists (including custom columns): both brokers provide these.

Charts on mobile: Both apps support landscape mode and multiple time frames. After-hours charting is available on tastytrade but not on Firstrade. Technical studies are a major separator: Firstrade offers 81 studies, while tastytrade offers none. Firstrade also lets you display stock comparisons on charts; tastytrade does not. Taken together, Firstrade is better for chart-driven traders, while tastytrade may appeal if you specifically want after-hours charting within the app.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App No No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours No Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 81 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

When choosing between Firstrade and tastytrade for your online brokerage needs, your decision may hinge on the specific types of transactions you expect to prioritize. Firstrade emerges as the more cost-effective option for options traders, offering zero charges per options contract and no fees for options exercise or assignment. In contrast, tastytrade charges $0.50 per options contract and $5.00 for options exercise and assignment. Though both brokers have a $0 minimum deposit and provide free regular stock trades, tastytrade distinguishes itself with lower margin rates across various balance tiers, starting at 11% for balances below $25,000. However, take note of the IRA closure fee of $60 with tastytrade, which Firstrade does not impose.

Firstrade and tastytrade both provide a welcoming entry point for new investors, offering no minimum deposit and charging zero for regular stock trades. This feature makes them appealing for those looking to get started without upfront financial barriers. For IRA account holders, both brokers provide fee-free account maintenance, although tastytrade imposes a $60 closure fee that Firstrade does not. Additionally, Firstrade sets itself apart with fee-free options contract trading and no charges for options exercise and assignment, an advantage for options traders seeking to minimize costs.

Considering margin trading, tastytrade offers more competitive rates than Firstrade. For example, margin balances below $25,000 incur an 11% charge with tastytrade, compared to Firstrade's 12.75%. The savings grow as your margin balance increases, with tastytrade offering a rate of 10% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999, compared to Firstrade's rate of 12%. However, if options trading is your focus, Firstrade's $0 cost per contract may prove advantageous over tastytrade's $0.50 charge. Both platforms charge $75 for a full account transfer (ACAT), though Firstrade charges a lesser fee for partial transfers at $55 compared to tastytrade's $75. Ultimately, your choice between Firstrade and tastytrade will depend on whether you prioritize cost-effective options trading or lower margin rates.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.50
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $5.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $5.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $60.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

For day trading stocks, both Firstrade and tastytrade miss several core tools. Neither platform offers streaming time and sales, Level 2 quotes, direct market routing, keyboard hotkeys, or maker/taker rebates. Those gaps matter to traders who rely on fast reads of order flow and precision order control. Both also skip basic strategy backtesting, which limits on-platform strategy checks.

Where tastytrade pulls ahead is in added features that active traders may value: streaming live TV for market insight, ladder trading for fast order entry, advanced strategy backtesting, and a short locator tool to check real-time short stock availability. Firstrade lacks these. If you want more day-trading-friendly tools and plan to short or iterate on strategies, tastytrade is the stronger pick. If you only place occasional stock trades and don’t need advanced tools, Firstrade can get the job done, but neither platform is ideal for traders who demand Level 2, direct routing, or hotkey-based execution.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Streaming Time & Sales No No
Streaming TV No Yes
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No Yes
Short Locator No Yes

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

In the Firstrade vs tastytrade market research matchup, Firstrade is the stronger choice. It covers more investment types, offers more ways to analyze ideas, and gives you access to downloadable reports that tastytrade lacks. Reflecting that, StockBrokers.com rates Firstrade 4 stars and ranks it #6 out of 14 brokers for research, while tastytrade earns 2 stars and ranks #13.

Both brokers provide research for stocks and ETFs and let you see your portfolio allocation by asset class. Firstrade goes further with mutual fund, pink sheets/OTC, and bond research, plus extras like social media sentiment and ESG insights—none of which tastytrade offers. For downloadable PDFs, Firstrade supplies one stock report and ETF reports; tastytrade offers no PDFs for stocks or ETFs. Neither broker provides PDF reports for mutual funds.

For trade idea tools, both platforms include stock and ETF screeners, and both have a bond screener. Only Firstrade adds a mutual fund screener. If you want wider coverage and more research angles in one place, Firstrade fits better; tastytrade suits those who need the basics and plan to source deeper research elsewhere.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Research - Fixed Income Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Research 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of Firstrade and tastytrade, it's clear that Firstrade provides more options for those interested in specific banking features. Firstrade offers checking accounts and debit cards, which tastytrade does not. Furthermore, Firstrade offers certificates of deposit (CDs) to its users, another feature not available with tastytrade. Neither Firstrade nor tastytrade provides savings accounts, credit cards, or mortgage loans, making them similar in these respects. Overall, Firstrade might be a better choice for someone looking to integrate certain banking services with their brokerage account.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
tastytrade logotastytrade
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts No No
Debit Cards Yes No
Credit Cards No No
Mortgage Loans No No
Brokerage CDs Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage 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 Firstrade is better than tastytrade. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 67.8%, while tastytrade finished with a score of 64.0%.

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 tastytrade?

Firstrade does not offer crypto trading, whereas tastytrade provides access to trading 17 different cryptocurrency coins, making it a more diverse option for crypto enthusiasts.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Firstrade or tastytrade offer IRAs?

Firstrade and tastytrade both offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees, but while Firstrade charges no closure fee when closing IRA accounts, tastytrade imposes a $60.00 closure fee.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

Popular trading guides

More trading guides

Popular broker reviews


Select Brokers

×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxE*TRADE
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFirstrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMerrill Edge
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPublic.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Firstrade tastytrade
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 4/5 Stars 4.0/5 Stars
Education 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review tastytrade Review
Broker Screenshots Firstrade tastytrade
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Firstrade tastytrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $0.00 N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee $0 N/A
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.50
Futures (Per Contract) (Not offered) $1.00
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $19.95 $0
Margin Rates Firstrade tastytrade
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.75% 11%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.50% 10.5%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 12.00% 10%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.50% 9.5%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 11.25% 9%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 9.35% 8.5%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.75% 8%
Account Fees Firstrade tastytrade
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $60.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $55.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $5.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $5.00
Investment Options Firstrade tastytrade
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 4
Futures Trading No Yes
Forex Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 17
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes No
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) Yes No
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services No No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types Firstrade tastytrade
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 No
Order Type - OCO Yes Yes
Order Type - OTO Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes Yes
Beginners Firstrade tastytrade
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No No
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator Yes No
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading No No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking No Yes
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade tastytrade
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App No 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 Firstrade tastytrade
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 Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Firstrade tastytrade
Charting - After-Hours No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 81 0
Charting - Study Customizations Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes No
Trading Platforms Firstrade tastytrade
Active Trading Platform N/A tastytrade
Desktop Trading Platform No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) No Yes
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading No No
Trade Journal No Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 33
Stock Chart Features Firstrade tastytrade
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 308
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 31
Charting - Notes No Yes
Charting - Historical Trades No Yes
Charting - Corporate Events No Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range No Yes
Charting - Custom Time Bars No Yes
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles No Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 6 7
Charting - Custom Studies No Yes
Day Trading Firstrade tastytrade
Streaming Time & Sales No No
Streaming TV No Yes
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Ladder Trading No Yes
Trade Hot Keys No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No Yes
Short Locator No Yes
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Firstrade tastytrade
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes No
Research - Fixed Income Yes No
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Stock Research Firstrade tastytrade
Stock Research - PDF Reports 1 0
Stock Research - Earnings Yes No
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 tastytrade
ETFs - Investment Objective Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings Yes No
ETFs - Sector Exposure Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis Yes Yes
ETFs - Ratings Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Firstrade tastytrade
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap Yes No
Options Trading Firstrade tastytrade
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Firstrade tastytrade
Bank (Member FDIC) No No
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts No No
Credit Cards No No
Debit Cards Yes No
Mortgage Loans No No
Customer Service Firstrade tastytrade
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support No No
Overall Firstrade tastytrade
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review tastytrade Review
arrow_upward

close