Firstrade vs TradeStation 2025
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs TradeStation, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs TradeStation, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When choosing between Firstrade and TradeStation, both platforms offer competitive investment options and solid reputations in the brokerage market. Firstrade and TradeStation cater to a variety of investment preferences, including stock and margin trading, mutual funds, as well as options trading, and both platforms adequately support traditional and Roth IRA accounts. While Firstrade excels by providing the opportunity to trade fractional shares, TradeStation covers futures trading, a feature not available with Firstrade. Based on StockBrokers.com rankings, TradeStation holds a slight edge in range of investments, ranked #5 compared to Firstrade's #6, though both share an identical rating of 4.5 stars out of five.
Firstrade supports a wide array of investment choices such as stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, mutual funds, and options trading. This makes it an attractive option for traders interested in a diverse portfolio without the need for futures or crypto trading. Both Firstrade and TradeStation do not offer crypto trading, and neither provides advisor services, emphasizing a more hands-on approach to managing investments.
TradeStation offers a broad selection of investment options, including stock trading, margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options trading, and notably, futures trading, which sets it apart from Firstrade. Although fractional shares trading is not available, TradeStation remains a strong choice for more advanced traders seeking futures trading capabilities. Like Firstrade, TradeStation users can opt for traditional and Roth IRA accounts, catering to those interested in managing their retirement portfolios effectively.
Feature |
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | No |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading | No | No |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
TradeStation and Firstrade differ significantly in terms of the trading platforms and tools they offer. TradeStation outshines Firstrade with a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Firstrade's 3 stars, according to StockBrokers.com. It ranks third out of fourteen brokers, while Firstrade ranks eleventh. For traders seeking flexibility and a wider range of tools, TradeStation may be the better choice, whereas Firstrade's offerings are more limited.
When it comes to platform availability, TradeStation provides a Windows desktop application, which Firstrade lacks. Both brokers offer a browser-based trading platform, suitable for those who prefer online access. One standout feature of TradeStation is its paper trading option, allowing users to practice without financial risk, a service Firstrade does not offer. Both brokers do not provide a Mac desktop application or a trading journal. In terms of watch lists, TradeStation offers significantly more columns for customization than Firstrade, with 341 compared to Firstrade’s 50.
Charting tools further set TradeStation apart. While both firms support automated technical analysis on charts, TradeStation offers 294 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools, surpassing Firstrade’s 102 indicators and 8 drawing tools. Moreover, TradeStation allows users to adjust open orders directly on stock charts, add notes, display historical trades, corporate events, and set custom date ranges—features absent in Firstrade’s platform. TradeStation also supports saving multiple chart profiles and creating custom studies, offering flexibility not found with Firstrade. For traders prioritizing comprehensive charting capabilities, TradeStation presents a more appealing choice.
Feature |
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 341 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 294 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 23 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
When it comes to education for beginner investors, Firstrade and TradeStation each have their unique strengths. Firstrade offers educational content on stocks and options, featuring both videos and webinars to assist newcomers in understanding these investment options. However, it does not provide learning resources for ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds. Firstrade does not support paper trading, educational quizzes, or tracking learning progress, but has earned a decent 3.5-star rating for its educational offerings. Ranked #12 by StockBrokers.com, Firstrade presents a fair range of educational tools for those new to investing, particularly in stock and options education.
TradeStation also provides educational materials on stocks and options, along with engaging videos and webinars to help ease beginners into the investment world. Like Firstrade, it does not extend its educational resources to ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds. A key distinction is TradeStation's inclusion of a paper trading feature, enabling beginners to practice trading without financial risk. However, like Firstrade, it falls short in offering educational quizzes and tracking learning progress. With a slightly lower education rating of 3 stars compared to Firstrade, TradeStation is ranked #13 by StockBrokers.com for education, showcasing its comparative position among online brokers.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | No |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Fixed Income) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When evaluating Firstrade and TradeStation, both platforms provide a comprehensive mobile trading experience, with each offering an iPhone and Android app. They both receive a commendable 4.5-star rating for their stock trading apps. However, despite their identical ratings, TradeStation slightly edges out Firstrade in StockBrokers.com's rankings, securing the #8 spot compared to Firstrade’s #9. These rankings reflect minor differences that could influence a trader's choice based on specific features and individual trading preferences.
Both Firstrade and TradeStation support mobile options trading, streaming quotes, and the creation and customization of watch lists. While neither offers Apple Watch apps, streaming live TV, or videos on demand, they provide essential tools for active traders. Firstrade stands out with its capability to view charts in landscape mode and offers more technical studies—81 compared to TradeStation's 45. Additionally, Firstrade enables users to display stock comparisons on charts, a feature not available on TradeStation.
For those interested in after-hours capabilities, Firstrade allows for mobile after-hours stock trading but lacks after-hours charting. Conversely, TradeStation supports after-hours charting but currently lacks after-hours trading on mobile. Ultimately, the choice between Firstrade and TradeStation may come down to individual needs, whether prioritizing technical studies and chart flexibility or focusing on after-hours market analysis.
Feature |
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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 | 45 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When choosing between Firstrade and TradeStation, prospective investors will find notable differences in their account fees and charges, shaping the overall appeal of each platform. Firstrade stands out with its zero-cost structure across various transactions, including stock trades, options contracts, and IRA annual and closure fees. In contrast, TradeStation requires an options contract fee of $0.60 and imposes additional charges for IRA-related services, evidenced by its $35.00 annual fee and $50.00 closure fee. Both platforms offer a $0 minimum deposit, making them easily accessible to new investors, but Firstrade remains a more cost-effective solution for those concerned about fees.
For margin balances, Firstrade offers lower interest rates across different tiers. Investors with margin balances below $25,000 will find Firstrade's 12.75% rate slightly more favorable than TradeStation's 13.0%. This advantage extends as the balance range increases, with Firstrade charging 12.50% for balances between $25,000 and $49,999 versus TradeStation's consistent 13.0%. For even larger balances, Firstrade again beats TradeStation, offering a lower rate of 12.00% compared to 12.5%. Such differences can materialize into significant savings over time, thereby influencing an investor's preference for Firstrade when managing margin accounts.
Regarding account transfers and options related fees, Firstrade continues to offer a more cost-efficient alternative. Firstrade charges $55.00 for partial and $75.00 for full Account Transfers (ACAT), whereas TradeStation charges $125.00 regardless of the transfer type. Options exercise and assignment fees further highlight Firstrade’s cost-effectiveness, as they charge nothing for these services compared to TradeStation's $14.95 exercise fee and $5.95 assignment fee. When considering these aspects, Firstrade emerges as an attractive option for investors who prioritize lower fees and cost savings in their brokerage choice.
Feature |
|
|
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.00 | $0.60 |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $14.95 |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.95 |
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $35.00 |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $50.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to day trading, TradeStation offers a host of features that Firstrade does not. TradeStation provides streaming time and sales for stocks, which gives traders real-time access to market data. In contrast, Firstrade does not offer this feature. TradeStation also supports direct market routing for stocks and ladder trading, both essential tools for active traders aiming for precision and speed. Firstrade, on the other hand, lacks these capabilities. Moreover, TradeStation empowers traders with the ability to use keyboard shortcuts, offering a faster way to enter trades. This feature is absent in Firstrade's offerings.
Additional capabilities that make TradeStation a more powerful platform for day traders include access to level 2 quotes and comprehensive strategy backtesting options, both basic and advanced. Firstrade does not support these advanced trading features. Furthermore, TradeStation has a short locator tool to help identify real-time share availability for short selling and provides order liquidity rebates, enhancing profitability for traders. Firstrade does not offer these services. While both platforms skip out on streaming live TV, TradeStation's comprehensive suite of tools positions it as a more advantageous option for dedicated day traders.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | Yes |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | Yes |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | Yes |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes |
Short Locator | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to market research capabilities, Firstrade and TradeStation each offer distinct features that cater to different investor needs. Firstrade emerges as a more extensive option, ranking #6 out of 14 on StockBrokers.com, with a 4.5 out of 5-star rating for market research. In contrast, TradeStation, with a 2-star rating, ranks #11, indicating a more limited scope in research offerings.
Firstrade provides a comprehensive array of research tools, covering stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, Pink Sheets/OTCBB, and bonds. Users can also explore portfolio allocation by asset class, access social media sentiment data for stock research, and delve into ESG insights. While Firstrade offers downloadable PDF research reports for stocks and ETFs, TradeStation lacks such reports altogether. Conversely, TradeStation does furnish stock research and OTCBB insights, yet it falls short in mutual fund and bond research.
For those interested in screener tools, Firstrade once again takes the lead, offering stock, ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners for trade ideas. TradeStation, however, only supports stock screeners, missing out on ETF, mutual fund, and bond options. Overall, Firstrade's extensive market research tools make it a strong choice for investors seeking a broader research spectrum, while TradeStation may appeal to those with more specific stock-focused needs.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
Research |
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When comparing the banking features of online brokers Firstrade and TradeStation, Firstrade stands out with its offering of checking accounts and debit cards, catering to users looking for basic banking needs alongside their trading activities. While both platforms do not provide savings accounts or credit cards, Firstrade further differentiates itself by offering Certificates of Deposit (CDs), an option not available with TradeStation. Neither broker offers mortgage loans, but for those primarily interested in banking alongside broker services, Firstrade presents more comprehensive options than TradeStation.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
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 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than TradeStation. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 81.8%, while TradeStation finished with a score of 80.2%.
With steady innovation and a growing feature set, Firstrade is quickly climbing the ranks to earn its place among the best online brokers. Firstrade’s $0 contract fee, no exercise/assignment fees, and top-tier options trade ticket make it one of the most cost-effective and well-designed platforms for options trading.
Firstrade and TradeStation both do not offer crypto trading, and neither platform provides any cryptocurrencies for trading, with each offering 0 coins.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Firstrade and TradeStation offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but Firstrade provides a more cost-effective solution with no annual or closure fees, whereas TradeStation charges $35 annually and $50 for account closure.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Firstrade Review | TradeStation Review |
Broker Screenshots | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
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Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.00 | $0.01 | |
Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $0 | $14.95 | |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.00 | $0.60 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $1.50 | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $19.95 | $25 |
Margin Rates | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.75% | 13.0% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.50% | 13.0% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.00% | 12.5% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.50% | 12.0% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 11.25% | 12.0% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 9.35% | 7.5% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.75% | 7.5% |
Account Fees | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $35.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $50.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $55.00 | $125.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $75.00 | $125.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $14.95 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.95 |
Investment Options | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | No | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
Futures Trading | No | Yes | |
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 | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
Beginners | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
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Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | No | No | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
Education (Fixed Income) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | No | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Tracking | No | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
Stock Trading Apps | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | No | |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
Stock App Charting | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 45 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
Trading Platforms | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | N/A | TradeStation 10 | |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 341 |
Stock Chart Features | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 294 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 23 | |
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 | Yes | |
Charting - Save Profiles | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 6 | 12 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
Day Trading | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | Yes | |
Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Hot Keys | No | Yes | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes | |
Short Locator | No | Yes | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | No | Yes |
Research Overview | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
Stock Research | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
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 | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
Banking | Firstrade | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | TradeStation | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | TradeStation | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Firstrade Review | TradeStation Review |