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Webull vs Firstrade 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of Webull vs Firstrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Webull
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00
Firstrade
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

Webull vs Firstrade: pick based on what you want to trade. If you need mutual funds, Firstrade is the clear choice. If you want crypto, forex, or futures, go with Webull. Both cover everyday needs like stock and options trading, margin, fractional shares, and OTC stocks, and both offer Traditional and Roth IRAs. Overall, Webull fits traders seeking more markets, while Firstrade suits investors who want mutual funds alongside stocks and options.

On investment options, both platforms support stocks, options, margin, fractional shares, and OTC stocks. Webull adds crypto trading (50 coins), plus forex and futures—none of which Firstrade supports. Firstrade stands out by offering mutual funds, which Webull does not. Firstrade offers 0 coins for crypto.

For account types, each broker offers Traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts and neither provides advisor services. Both earn 4 stars for Range of Investments. In StockBrokers.com’s ranking of 14 brokers for Range of Investments, Firstrade is #5 and Webull is #8.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds No Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 50 0
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: Between Webull and Firstrade, Webull is the better pick for most traders who want downloadable apps and interactive chart trading. Webull earns 3 stars and ranks #9 out of 14 for platforms and tools at StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade is rated 1 star and ranks #12. Firstrade’s main edge is a bigger library of built-in indicators and more watchlist fields.

Platforms and core tools: Webull offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a browser platform; Firstrade is browser-only with no Windows or Mac downloads. Webull includes paper trading; Firstrade does not. Neither broker has a trading journal. Watchlists allow up to 35 columns on Webull versus 50 on Firstrade.

Charting and customization: Webull supports adjusting open orders right on the chart, adding notes, showing your past trades, and displaying earnings, splits, and dividends—none of which Firstrade offers. Webull also lets you save multiple chart profiles and create custom studies; Firstrade cannot. For technical studies, Firstrade lists 102 indicators versus Webull’s 52, while Webull provides 19 drawing tools versus Firstrade’s 8. Automated chart pattern detection is available on both. Neither broker lets you set custom date ranges. When editing an SMA study, Webull shows 2 fields, compared with 6 on Firstrade.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Paper Trading Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 35 50
Charting - Indicators / Studies 52 102
Charting - Drawing Tools 19 8
Advanced Trading 3/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

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

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Beginners and education

Comparing Webull and Firstrade for beginner and investor education, Webull covers more topics and tools. Webull offers education on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, while Firstrade focuses on stocks and options only; neither broker teaches mutual funds. Webull also includes paper trading for risk-free practice, along with quizzes and a way to track your learning progress. Both brokers provide educational videos and webinars, but Firstrade does not offer ETF or bonds education, paper trading, quizzes, or progress tracking.

By the numbers, Webull earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 of 14 brokers for education on StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade earns 2.5 stars and ranks #13 of 14. If you want broader topics plus hands-on practice and progress tracking, Webull is the better fit. If you only need basic stock and options lessons with videos and webinars, Firstrade can work.

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

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

Stock trading apps

Webull is the better pick for most mobile traders, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #4 ranking out of 14 brokers for stock trading apps, compared with Firstrade’s 4 stars and #8 ranking. Webull’s edge comes from Apple Watch support and helpful extras like after-hours charting, while Firstrade appeals to chart-focused traders with more built-in technical studies and the ability to customize watch list columns.

Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, mobile options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watch lists, landscape charting, multiple time frames, and stock comparisons on charts. Neither provides streaming live TV or videos on demand. Webull supports after-hours trading on mobile; Firstrade’s mobile after-hours access isn’t specified in this data. For charting beyond market hours, Webull has after-hours charting, while Firstrade does not.

If you value wearable access and around-the-clock market views, Webull stands out with an Apple Watch app and after-hours charting, plus 56 technical studies. If deeper indicator variety and watch list column customization matter more, Firstrade offers 81 technical studies and lets you tailor those columns, though it skips the Apple Watch and after-hours charting features.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies 56 81
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Bottom line: Webull and Firstrade are neck and neck on the basics—$0 minimum deposit, $0 stock trades, $0 per-options-contract, $0 options exercise and assignment, and $0 IRA annual and closure fees. The standout difference is margin pricing, where Webull’s rate (8.74% for balances up to $100,000 across listed tiers) undercuts Firstrade’s (12.75% under $25k, 12.50% for $25k–$49,999, 12.00% for $50k–$99,999). For transfers, Firstrade is cheaper for partial ACATs ($55 vs. Webull’s $75), while full ACATs cost $75 at both. In short, borrowers may prefer Webull for lower interest, while occasional partial transfers may cost less at Firstrade; otherwise, everyday trading costs are effectively the same.

Account setup and trading costs are simple on both platforms. Minimum deposit: $0 at Webull and Firstrade. Stock trades: $0 commission at both. Options: $0 per-contract fee, plus $0 for options exercise and assignment at both brokers. IRA accounts: $0 annual fee and $0 closure fee at both.

Where they diverge is margin and transfer fees. Webull’s margin rate is 8.74% for balances below $25,000, $25,000–$49,999, and $50,000–$99,999. Firstrade’s margin rates for the same tiers are 12.75%, 12.50%, and 12.00%. For moving your account, partial ACATs cost $75 at Webull and $55 at Firstrade, while full ACATs are $75 at both. Always check each broker’s current fee schedule, as rates can change.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
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 Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

For day trading, Webull offers more real-time tools than Firstrade. Webull includes streaming time and sales, Level 2 quotes, ladder trading, and keyboard hotkeys for faster order entry—features day traders use to read order flow and act quickly. Firstrade lacks these tools. Neither broker supports direct market routing, which may matter if you want finer control over order execution.

Both platforms are missing several advanced features: no streaming live TV, no basic or advanced strategy backtesting, no short locator for borrow availability, and no maker/taker rebates. If you need quick entries, depth of market views, and intraday insight, Webull is the stronger pick for day trading. If your focus is simple stock trades without active intraday needs, Firstrade may still fit.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes 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

Bottom line: For market research, Firstrade edges out Webull. Both deliver stock and ETF research with social media sentiment, but Firstrade adds mutual fund and bond research, ESG data, allocation views, and more screeners and reports. That’s reflected in StockBrokers.com ratings: Firstrade earns 4 stars and ranks #6 of 14; Webull gets 3 stars and ranks #8.

Coverage and insights: Webull and Firstrade both support stock and ETF research and include Pink Sheets/OTC research and social sentiment tools. Firstrade extends coverage to mutual funds and bonds and includes ESG research and a portfolio allocation view by asset class—features Webull doesn’t offer.

Reports and trade idea tools: Webull offers no downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds. Firstrade provides one downloadable stock report and ETF reports (no mutual fund PDFs). For screeners, both brokers offer a stock screener, while Firstrade also supplies ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners; Webull does not.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs No Yes
Research - Mutual Funds No Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds No Yes
Research - Fixed Income No Yes
Screener - Fixed Income No Yes
Research 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing Webull vs. Firstrade for banking features, Firstrade clearly offers more everyday banking options. Firstrade provides a checking account, a debit card for spending, and certificates of deposit (CDs) for earning interest, while Webull does not offer checking, debit cards, or CDs. Both brokers lack savings accounts, credit cards, and mortgage loans. If you want basic banking tools alongside your brokerage account, Firstrade is the better fit, whereas Webull focuses solely on investing without built-in banking services.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Firstrade logoFirstrade
Checking Accounts No Yes
Savings Accounts No No
Debit Cards No Yes
Credit Cards No No
Mortgage Loans No No
Brokerage CDs No Yes

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 Webull is better than Firstrade. Webull finished with an overall score of 69.9%, while Firstrade finished with a score of 67.8%.

Webull has evolved past its origins as a low-cost disruptor, solidifying its position as a sophisticated hub for active market participants. It offers a great mobile experience and a fantastic paper trading platform that offers a perfect sandbox to test strategies without risking capital. With AI-powered summaries that slice through market noise and industry-leading paper trading tools for testing strategies, Webull presents a compelling choice for traders.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Webull or Firstrade?

Online broker Webull offers cryptocurrency trading with access to 50 coins, providing broad exposure to digital assets. Firstrade does not support crypto trading (0 coins), making Webull the preferred choice for investors who want to trade cryptocurrencies.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Webull or Firstrade offer IRAs?

Webull vs Firstrade: both brokers offer traditional and Roth IRAs with $0 annual fees and $0 IRA closure fees, providing a no-fee retirement account experience. With identical IRA costs, your choice comes down to platform tools and user preference rather than fees.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

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Overall Rating Webull Firstrade
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 3/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Customer Service 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Webull Review Firstrade Review
Broker Screenshots Webull Firstrade
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Webull Firstrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) N/A $0.00
Mutual Fund Trade Fee N/A $0
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) $1.25 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee N/A $19.95
Margin Rates Webull Firstrade
Margin Rate Under $25,000 8.74% 12.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 8.74% 12.50%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 8.74% 12.00%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 8.74% 11.50%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 8.74% 11.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 8.74% 9.35%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.74% 8.75%
Account Fees Webull Firstrade
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $75.00 $55.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Webull Firstrade
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 Yes No
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 50 0
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) No Yes
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services No No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types Webull Firstrade
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 No Yes
Beginners Webull Firstrade
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes No
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes No
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator No Yes
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Webull Firstrade
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes 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 Webull Firstrade
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 No Yes
Stock App Charting Webull Firstrade
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 56 81
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Webull Firstrade
Active Trading Platform N/A N/A
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 35 50
Stock Chart Features Webull Firstrade
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 52 102
Charting - Drawing Tools 19 8
Charting - Notes Yes No
Charting - Historical Trades Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations 2 6
Charting - Custom Studies Yes No
Day Trading Webull Firstrade
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Ladder Trading Yes No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Webull Firstrade
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds No Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income No Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs No Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds No Yes
Screener - Fixed Income No Yes
Portfolio Asset Allocation No Yes
Stock Research Webull Firstrade
Stock Research - PDF Reports 0 1
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social Yes Yes
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG No Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes Yes
ETF Research Webull Firstrade
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 No Yes
ETFs - Ratings Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap No Yes
ETFs - PDF Reports No Yes
Mutual Fund Research Webull Firstrade
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective No Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart No Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis No Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus No Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings No Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown No Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation No Yes
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation No Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation No Yes
Mutual Funds - StyleMap No Yes
Options Trading Webull Firstrade
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Webull Firstrade
Bank (Member FDIC) No No
Checking Accounts No Yes
Savings Accounts No No
Credit Cards No No
Debit Cards No Yes
Mortgage Loans No No
Customer Service Webull Firstrade
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) No Yes
24/7 Support No No
Overall Webull Firstrade
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 3/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Webull Review Firstrade Review
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