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Firstrade vs TradeUP 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

November 13, 2026
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs TradeUP, 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
TradeUP
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

Firstrade comes out ahead overall for range of investments, especially for investors who want more choices in one place. Both Firstrade and TradeUP support stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, and options trading, and both offer traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts. Neither broker offers forex, futures, or crypto trading, and neither provides advisor services. The main difference is that Firstrade also offers mutual funds, while TradeUP does not, giving Firstrade a broader selection for long-term account holders looking to diversify.

When it comes to account investment options, the two platforms are similar in several key areas, but Firstrade has the edge because of its mutual fund lineup. TradeUP still covers the basics well for traders who want stocks, options, and margin access, plus retirement accounts. Firstrade’s stronger variety may appeal more to investors who want both active trading tools and a wider mix of investments for an IRA or taxable account.

These differences are reflected in third-party ratings as well. Firstrade earns 4 out of 5 stars for range of investments and ranks #5 out of 16 brokers by StockBrokers.com, while TradeUP scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15. If you want a broker with more investment choices and a stronger overall selection, Firstrade is the better fit, while TradeUP may still work well for straightforward stock and options trading.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds Yes No
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

For trading platforms and tools, TradeUP comes out ahead of Firstrade overall. TradeUP offers both desktop apps for Windows and Mac, plus a browser platform and paper trading, which gives newer and active traders more ways to practice and trade. It also earns a higher platforms and tools rating from StockBrokers.com, at 3.5 out of 5 stars versus Firstrade’s 1 star, and it ranks better overall in this category, placing #9 out of 16 brokers compared with Firstrade’s #14.

Both brokers provide browser-based trading and each includes 8 drawing tools and automated chart pattern analysis. Firstrade stands out in a few charting areas, offering 102 technical indicators and custom date ranges, while TradeUP offers 44 technical indicators but adds features many traders may find useful, such as watch lists with 60 fields, chart notes, historical trades on charts, corporate events on charts, and the ability to adjust open orders directly from a chart. TradeUP also lets users save multiple chart profiles, which Firstrade does not.

Firstrade does have some charting strengths, but TradeUP delivers the more complete trading platform experience for most users. Firstrade does not offer a downloadable Windows or Mac platform, paper trading, or chart-based order editing, while TradeUP includes all of those. Neither broker offers a trading journal or custom chart studies, so if those are important, you may need separate tools. Still, for a more flexible platform setup and better chart-based trading features, TradeUP is the stronger choice.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) No Yes
Paper Trading No Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 60
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 44
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 8
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 3.5/5 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

Firstrade comes out ahead of TradeUP for beginner and investor education. Firstrade offers stock and options education, plus educational videos and webinars, which can help new investors learn the basics and build confidence. TradeUP, by comparison, does not offer stock, ETF, options, mutual fund, or bond education, and it also does not provide videos or webinars. However, TradeUP does offer paper trading, which can be useful for practicing trades without risking real money.

When it comes to overall education quality, Firstrade is rated 2.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 16 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while TradeUP is rated 1.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #16 out of 16. Neither broker offers educational quizzes or progress tracking, so investors looking for a more guided learning experience may find Firstrade the better choice, even though both brokers still leave room for improvement.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
Education (Stocks) Yes No
Education (ETFs) No No
Education (Options) Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No No
Videos Yes No
Webinars Yes No
Education 2.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Trading Platforms for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

Firstrade comes out ahead overall for stock trading app features, thanks to a higher StockBrokers.com app ranking, a better star rating, and a few extra tools that can matter in everyday use. Both Firstrade and TradeUP offer iPhone and Android apps, stock alerts, streaming quotes, mobile options trading, custom watch lists, customizable watch list columns, after-hours charting, multiple chart time frames, and chart stock comparisons. For most mobile traders, either app covers the basics well, but Firstrade offers a bit more depth and a smoother overall experience for app-focused investors.

Where Firstrade stands out is in mobile charting and trading flexibility. It supports mobile after-hours stock trading, allows charts in landscape mode, and offers 102 technical studies in its app, compared with TradeUP’s 27. That extra charting range may appeal to active traders who like to study price patterns in more detail. Firstrade also includes mobile after-hours stock trading, while TradeUP’s after-hours mobile trading availability is not clearly listed in the provided data.

TradeUP still provides a solid mobile setup, but it trails Firstrade in the areas that often matter most to stock traders who use their phones frequently. Neither broker offers an Apple Watch app, streaming live TV, or videos on demand, so there is little difference there. But with Firstrade’s stronger app rating of 4 stars versus TradeUP’s 3.0 stars, plus its higher app ranking from StockBrokers.com, Firstrade looks like the better choice for investors who want a more capable stock trading app.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App No No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 102 27
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3.0/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps of 2026

Fees

Firstrade and TradeUP are very similar when it comes to basic account costs, since both have a $0 minimum deposit, $0 stock trade commissions, $0 options contract fees, $0 IRA annual fees, and no charge for IRA closure. The biggest difference shows up with margin rates and a few transfer fees: TradeUP charges less interest on margin balances under $100,000, while Firstrade is slightly cheaper for a partial account transfer. For most everyday investors, the lower margin rates at TradeUP may be the more noticeable savings, but Firstrade can still be a good fit if you want a low-cost brokerage with many of the same no-fee basics.

Looking at margin, Firstrade charges 12.25% for balances below $25,000, 12.00% for $25,000 to $49,999, and 11.50% for $50,000 to $99,999. TradeUP, by comparison, charges 5.99% across those same balance tiers, which is much lower. If you plan to borrow against your investments, TradeUP is the less expensive choice by a wide margin.

For transfer charges, Firstrade bills $55 for a partial ACAT transfer and $75 for a full ACAT transfer. TradeUP charges $50 for a partial transfer and also $75 for a full transfer, so the two brokerages are tied on full transfers, with TradeUP having a small edge on partial transfers. Both brokers also charge $0 for options exercise and $0 for options assignment, keeping these contract-related fees the same.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.00
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 $0.00

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

Day Trading

When it comes to day trading tools, TradeUP offers more of the features active traders usually look for than Firstrade. TradeUP includes streaming time and sales for stocks, direct market routing, ladder trading, trading hotkeys, and level 2 quotes, which can make it easier to watch price action and place trades quickly. Firstrade does not offer these tools, so it may feel more limited for traders who want faster order entry and deeper market data.

Neither Firstrade nor TradeUP offers streaming live TV, basic or advanced strategy backtesting, a short locator tool, or maker/taker rebates. For day trading specifically, TradeUP stands out as the better choice because it gives traders more real-time information and order controls, while Firstrade is better suited to investors who do not need those extra trading features.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
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 No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Firstrade is the stronger choice for market research overall. It earns a 4-star rating and ranks 6th out of 16 brokers for research at StockBrokers.com, while TradeUP scores 2.0 stars and ranks last at 16th. Both brokers let you research stocks, ETFs, pink sheets/OTCBB, and bonds, and both show portfolio allocation by asset class, but Firstrade adds more tools and deeper data that can help investors make better-informed decisions.

Firstrade stands out because it supports mutual fund research, stock research with social media sentiment data, and ESG research, while TradeUP does not offer those features. Firstrade also provides one downloadable PDF stock research report and downloadable ETF reports, plus screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds to help users find trade ideas. TradeUP does not offer downloadable PDF reports for stocks or ETFs, and it does not include any of those screeners.

For investors who want more ways to dig into the market, Firstrade offers a wider and more useful research experience than TradeUP. TradeUP covers the basics well enough for simple research needs, but Firstrade gives you more categories, more report options, and more screening tools in one place.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Research - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Research 4/5 Stars 2.0/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing Firstrade and TradeUP for banking features, Firstrade offers more options for everyday money management. Firstrade provides checking accounts, debit cards, and CDs, which may appeal to users looking for some basic banking-style tools alongside their investing account. TradeUP, on the other hand, does not offer checking accounts, debit cards, savings accounts, credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. If you want a broker with a few added banking capabilities, Firstrade has the edge over TradeUP in this area.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
TradeUP logoTradeUP
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 Accounts with Checking: Top Bank Brokers

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 16 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than TradeUP. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 67.8%, while TradeUP finished with a score of 50.8%.

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 TradeUP?

Firstrade and TradeUP both do not offer crypto trading, so neither platform is suitable for investors looking to buy or sell digital assets. Since each broker supports 0 crypto coins, they are equally limited for cryptocurrency trading access.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Firstrade or TradeUP offer IRAs?

Firstrade and TradeUP both offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, making each online broker a solid choice for retirement investing. Both also stand out with $0.00 annual IRA fees and $0.00 closure fees, so you can compare their trading features without worrying about extra IRA costs.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Firstrade TradeUP
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3.0/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 2.0/5 Stars
Customer Service 4/5 Stars N/A
Education 2.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review TradeUP Review
Broker Screenshots Firstrade TradeUP
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Firstrade TradeUP
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 N/A
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $19.95 N/A
Margin Rates Firstrade TradeUP
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.25% 5.99%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.00% 5.99%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 11.50% 5.99%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.00% 5.99%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.75% 5.99%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 8.85% 5.99%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.25% 5.99%
Account Fees Firstrade TradeUP
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $55.00 $50.00
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 TradeUP
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 4
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 No
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) Yes No
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services No No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 1
Order Types Firstrade TradeUP
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 No
Order Type - OTO Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes No
Beginners Firstrade TradeUP
Education (Stocks) Yes No
Education (ETFs) No No
Education (Options) Yes No
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 No
Webinars Yes No
Progress Tracking No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade TradeUP
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 TradeUP
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 TradeUP
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 102 27
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Firstrade TradeUP
Active Trading Platform N/A N/A
Desktop Trading Platform No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) No Yes
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading No Yes
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 60
Stock Chart Features Firstrade TradeUP
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 44
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 8
Charting - Notes No Yes
Charting - Historical Trades No Yes
Charting - Corporate Events No Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles No Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 6 8
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading Firstrade TradeUP
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 No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Firstrade TradeUP
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Stock Research Firstrade TradeUP
Stock Research - PDF Reports 1 0
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social Yes No
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes Yes
ETF Research Firstrade TradeUP
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 Yes
ETFs - Ratings Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Firstrade TradeUP
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 TradeUP
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Firstrade TradeUP
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 TradeUP
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes No
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes No
Overall Firstrade TradeUP
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3.0/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 2.0/5 Stars
Education 2.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review TradeUP Review
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