Firstrade vs Webull 2025
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs Webull, 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 Webull, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When comparing Firstrade and Webull, Firstrade emerges as the more comprehensive choice for investors looking for variety in their investment options. Firstrade offers a broader range of investment possibilities, including mutual funds, which Webull does not provide. While both platforms provide stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, options trading, and traditional and Roth IRA accounts, Firstrade's inclusion of OTC stocks and mutual funds gives it a slight edge in versatility. In contrast, Webull offers futures trading, a feature absent in Firstrade, catering to those interested in this specific investment path. Despite having similar offerings in several areas, Firstrade holds a higher rating for its range of investments, boasting 4.5 stars compared to Webull's 4 stars and ranks better in the StockBrokers.com comparison.
Both Firstrade and Webull allow users to trade stocks and engage in margin and options trading. They also provide the flexibility of fractional shares and support for both traditional and Roth IRA accounts, making them suitable for a range of investment strategies. However, while Webull includes futures trading in its lineup, both platforms lack offerings in forex and cryptocurrency trading, with neither supporting crypto coins. This limitation is an important factor for investors prioritizing diversified assets that include digital currencies.
In terms of user support such as advisor services, both Firstrade and Webull are equally matched as neither provides this additional layer of guidance. Therefore, investors preferring hands-on support might need to look elsewhere. Ultimately, Firstrade and Webull each offer unique advantages tailored to different investor needs. Firstrade's offering is broader, but Webull provides a distinctive option with futures trading, making the choice between the two dependent on specific investment interests and priorities.
Feature |
|
|
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
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
When choosing between Firstrade and Webull for trading platforms and tools, Webull comes out ahead with more comprehensive features. It offers a downloadable trading platform for both Windows and Mac users, which Firstrade does not. Additionally, Webull provides paper trading and a more interactive charting experience with features like stock chart order adjustments, chart notes, and historical trade displays, none of which are available with Firstrade. While Firstrade has more fields for watch lists and more technical indicators, Webull’s added functionalities such as automated technical analysis and saving multiple chart profiles, give it an edge in usability and versatility.
Both platforms provide browser-based trading, allowing traders to access information without the need for additional software. Firstrade takes the lead with 102 technical indicators compared to Webull's 52, and it offers 50 fields for watch lists whereas Webull provides 35. On the flip side, Webull stands out for its rich charting capabilities, boasting 19 drawing tools against Firstrade's 8, and exclusive features like the ability to add notes and display corporate events directly on charts. Moreover, Webull supports custom studies and automated technical analysis, which add significant value to its trading experience.
In summary, while Firstrade offers a sound set of tools, Webull's broader array of features and customization options result in a superior user experience, earning it a higher user rating of 4 out of 5 stars compared to Firstrade’s 3-star rating. According to StockBrokers.com, Webull ranks 7th out of 14 brokers for its trading platforms and tools, while Firstrade is positioned at 11th. For traders keen on interactive and feature-rich trading platforms, Webull is a more suitable choice.
Feature |
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 35 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 52 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 19 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
Firstrade and Webull are popular online brokers that cater to beginners seeking investment education, but their offerings vary. Firstrade provides educational resources on stocks, options, and offers webinars and videos, yet falls short in areas like ETF and bonds education, and lacks features such as paper trading. Webull, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive educational experience. Alongside resources on stocks and options, Webull covers ETFs and includes paper trading, quizzes, and progress tracking, enhancing the learning experience for novice investors.
When evaluated on their educational services, Webull generally edges out Firstrade, boasting a 4 out of 5-star rating compared to Firstrade's 3.5 stars. This difference is reflected in their rankings by StockBrokers.com, where Webull stands at 10th out of 14 brokers, while Firstrade is placed 12th. The fuller educational suite provided by Webull makes it a more appealing option for beginners aiming to build their investing confidence through a wider range of learning tools.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Bonds) | 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
Both Firstrade and Webull offer impressive stock trading apps. They are highly rated at 4.5 stars each, showcasing their strong performance and popularity among users. However, Webull edges out Firstrade a bit in rankings, holding the 5th spot among 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, compared to Firstrade's 9th position. This slight difference suggests Webull may have a slight edge in user experience according to industry experts, but the offerings of both platforms ensure traders have robust tools at their disposal.
When it comes to app availability, both Firstrade and Webull provide iPhone and Android apps, ensuring compatibility with major devices. While Webull also offers an app for the Apple Watch, Firstrade does not. Both platforms allow for mobile after-hours and options trading, ensuring flexibility for users trading outside standard market hours. Both apps feature streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to create custom watch lists, but Firstrade has the edge in chart customization, allowing users to modify watch list columns, a feature not available with Webull. In contrast, Webull offers after-hours charting and the ability to display stock comparisons on charts, features absent in Firstrade.
In terms of charting capabilities, Firstrade provides a more extensive range of technical studies, offering 81 compared to Webull's 56. Both apps support viewing charts in landscape mode and allow users to view multiple time frames. Despite Webull's additional charting features such as after-hours charting, Firstrade’s broader selection of technical studies can benefit traders who rely heavily on technical analysis. Both platforms lack streaming live TV and video-on-demand services, focusing instead on core trading functionalities.
Feature |
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|
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iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 56 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When choosing between Firstrade and Webull for online trading, potential investors will find both platforms offer cost-effective solutions without any minimum deposit requirement. Trades on stocks and options are commission-free, and both platforms eliminate IRA annual and closure fees, making them attractive for those looking for straightforward, budget-friendly trading options. However, it's important to note differences in extra charges; Webull offers lower rates for margin borrowing across all tiers as compared to Firstrade, making it slightly more favorable for those looking to trade on margin.
For those interested in specific fee structures, Firstrade and Webull match each other when it comes to regular stock and options trading, both offering $0 fees, which is an appealing aspect for cost-conscious traders. They also align with no fees for options contracts, options exercises, and assignments. However, a considerable distinction lies in their margin rate charges: Firstrade's rates start higher at 13.75% for balances below $25,000, compared to Webull's more competitive 9.24%. As balances increase, Firstrade's rates decrease slightly but remain above Webull's, with Firstrade charging 13.00% compared to Webull's 8.24% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999.
When considering account transfer fees, traders should be aware that both Firstrade and Webull charge for full account transfers at $75. However, Firstrade offers a slight advantage on partial account transfers with a lower fee of $55, compared to Webull's $75. This might be an influential factor for investors planning to move only a portion of their portfolios. Overall, while both platforms offer competitive, no-cost trading solutions, Webull might provide a marginally better experience for margin trading and account flexibility.
Feature |
|
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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 2025
When exploring online brokers for day trading, Firstrade and Webull each present unique advantages. A significant distinction lies in Webull’s offering of streaming time and sales for stocks, a feature absent from Firstrade. This allows Webull traders to benefit from real-time market insights, helping them make more informed decisions. Additionally, Webull provides tools like ladder trading and trading hotkeys, which are not available on Firstrade, granting traders faster trade execution and more nuanced control over their strategies.
Both platforms lack features like streaming live TV, direct market routing for stocks, as well as basic and advanced strategy backtesting. However, Webull offers level 2 quotes, which can be crucial for day traders looking to access deeper market data. In contrast, Firstrade does not offer this feature. Neither broker provides a short locator tool or order liquidity rebates, leaving room for traders to weigh other factors when choosing between these platforms. Overall, for day traders leaning towards data-driven and quick decision-making tools, Webull seems to offer more comprehensive capabilities.
Feature |
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|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No |
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 for 2025
When it comes to market research capabilities, Firstrade stands out more prominently than Webull. Firstrade receives a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, ranking 6th among 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, indicating broad approval for its comprehensive research offerings. In contrast, Webull receives a lower rating of 2.5 stars and ranks 9th, showcasing a more limited suite of research tools.
Firstrade offers an extensive range of research options, including reports for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, pink sheets/OTCBB, and bonds, thereby providing investors with comprehensive data for making informed decisions. Users can also access portfolio allocation views by asset class, ESG research, and downloadable PDF reports for both stocks and ETFs. Additionally, Firstrade incorporates social media sentiment analysis and a variety of screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds to aid in trade ideas.
Webull, however, offers a more limited set of research features, focusing primarily on stock and ETF research, lacking in options for mutual funds and bonds research. While Webull covers stock analysis using social media sentiment data, it does not provide ESG research or downloadable PDF reports for stocks and ETFs. Investors may find Webull's screeners for stocks less comprehensive, as it excludes ETFs and bonds screeners, potentially limiting investment exploration.
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 - Bonds | Yes | No |
Screener - Bonds | Yes | No |
Research |
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When comparing the banking features of online brokers Firstrade and Webull, a few differences stand out. Firstrade offers some banking conveniences, including checking accounts and debit cards, which Webull does not provide. This can be an advantage for users who prefer having access to basic banking features alongside their investment account. Additionally, Firstrade offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs), while Webull lacks this option. Both brokers do not provide savings accounts, credit cards, or mortgage loans, which suggests a focus on investment services over traditional banking offerings. Overall, Firstrade may be a better option for those wanting to combine brokerage services with limited banking functionalities.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
Savings Accounts | No | No |
Debit Cards | Yes | No |
Credit Cards | No | No |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
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 Webull. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 81.8%, while Webull finished with a score of 81.0%.
Firstrade scored well for penny stock trading in our 2024 Annual Awards, and is a great choice for Chinese-speaking investors. However, it lags behind the competition in certain areas, especially platforms, tools and education.
When comparing online brokers, Firstrade and Webull both do not offer crypto trading, with each providing zero cryptocurrencies for trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Firstrade and Webull offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees or closure costs, providing cost-effective solutions for investors looking to manage their retirement savings.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Firstrade | Webull | |
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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 | Webull Review |
Broker Screenshots | Firstrade | Webull | |
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Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Education Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Firstrade | Webull | |
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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 | $0.00 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $1.25 | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $19.95 | N/A |
Margin Rates | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.75% | 9.24% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.50% | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 13.00% | 8.24% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.50% | 7.74% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.50% | 7.74% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 12.50% | 6.74% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 12.50% | 6.24% |
Account Fees | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $55.00 | $75.00 | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes | |
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 | |
Mutual Funds (No Load) | 15460 | 0 | |
Mutual Funds (Total) | 19666 | 0 | |
Bonds (US Treasury) | Yes | No | |
Bonds (Corporate) | Yes | No | |
Bonds (Municipal) | Yes | No | |
Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Advisor Services | No | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No |
Beginners | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
Education (Bonds) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Tracking | No | Yes | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | Yes |
Stock Trading Apps | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No |
Stock App Charting | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 56 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 35 |
Stock Chart Features | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 52 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 19 | |
Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | No | Yes | |
Charting - Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | No | No | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | No | Yes | |
Charting - Save Profiles | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 6 | 2 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
Day Trading | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No | |
Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Hotkeys | 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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Bonds | Yes | No | |
Misc - Portfolio Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 1 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
ETF Research | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Strategy Overview | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Net 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 | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview | 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 | Yes | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Basic View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Streaming | No | No | |
Option Chains - Total Columns | 8 | 23 | |
Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysis | No | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis | No | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks | No | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | No | No | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysis | No | No | |
Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Grouping | No | No |
Banking | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
24/7 Support | No | No |
Overall | Firstrade | Webull | |
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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 | Webull Review |