Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Acorns Checking vs Firstrade
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Acorns Checking |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $48 to $144 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Regulators | FDIC | SIPC, FINRA |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | no hidden fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers |
| Platforms | Acorns mobile app | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Account types | IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Interest on cash | 3.59% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Inactivity fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only Acorns Checking offers FDIC.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers SIPC, FINRA.
- Account fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $48 to $144.
- Markets: only Acorns Checking offers Bonds.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only Acorns Checking offers Acorns mobile app.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers Roth IRA, Joint.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
Acorns Checking
Acorns Checking suits beginners in the US who want a robo-managed app next to a cash account, with fractional shares and a demo account on the side. The minimum investment is $0 and it sits at 1 on that measure across 82 brands, and investor protection runs through SIPC.
Firstrade
Firstrade is a US commission-free broker for retail savers who want retirement accounts and low costs in the same place. Protection is listed as SIPC up to USD 500,000, the minimum deposit is $0, and the trade-off is a market list limited to US equities, funds and options.
Score breakdown
| Area | Acorns Checking | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9HigherStock trades cost $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, but the account fee runs $48 to $144. | 9.5Stock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 8.7 | 9.6Higher |
Pick Acorns Checking if, pick Firstrade if
Pick Acorns Checking if cost matter most.
Pick Firstrade if offer, trust, account fee, and account types matter most.
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Acorns Checking
$48 to $144
48 × $0 + 1 × $48 to $144
Firstrade
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Firstrade costs $48 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Feature by feature
| Markets | Acorns Checking | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Acorns Checking | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
Where these facts come from
Acorns Checking
- acorns.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Firstrade
- firstrade.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Acorns Checking | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 105 of 471 | 47 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 23 of 86 | 10 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 32 of 88 | 13 of 88 |
| IRA providers | 16 of 43 | 7 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Acorns Checking | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo account | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, Experienced, Day tradersCovers more |
| Legal entity | Acorns Grow Incorporated | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1985 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Acorns Checking | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $48 to $144highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 3.59%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Acorns Checking
Pros
- Entry is $0, against $500 for eToro portfolios and $100 for Axos Invest managed portfolios, so small sums are enough to begin.
- Fractional shares, a mobile app and a demo account all sit in the feature list (fractional shares, mobile app and demo account), so you can try the app and build positions in parts before committing more.
- Regulated in the US by the FDIC, with SIPC protection on file, so the money sits inside a named US regulator and scheme.
Cons
- The account fee runs $48 to $144 while the median account fee across the site is €0, so the charge is the line to weigh against a small balance.
- Support runs on help centre only, so there is no route on file to a call or a live chat reply for anything urgent.
- The account types listed are ira only, so a UK ISA or a pension container is not on the list for readers in the UK and Europe.
Firstrade
Pros
- Regulated in the US by FINRA and SIPC, with protection stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a membership record at SIPC member 34642.
- A traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a joint account all sit in ira, roth ira and joint under the commission-free pricing in commission free, so retirement and shared accounts hold at the same cost.
- Fractional shares and a demo account sit in demo account, options and mobile app, which helps the beginners and day traders named in beginners, experienced and day traders start small.
Cons
- The market list in stocks, etfs and options covers stocks, ETFs, options and funds, a narrow range next to eToro at stocks, etfs and forex and CFI at stocks, etfs and forex.
- Live chat and email are not among the listed support channels (phone and help centre), which pair a phone line with a help centre.
- An ISA and a SIPP are not among the listed account types (ira, roth ira and joint), which cover a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a joint account.
Who each suits
Acorns Checking
Who it suits
- US beginners, since the audience on file is beginners and a minimum investment of $0 keeps the first decision small.
- People who want a cash account and an invested portfolio in the same place, with fractional shares in the feature list (fractional shares, mobile app and demo account).
- Investors happy to hand selection to a robo portfolio rather than pick shares, given portfolio types of etf, esg and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone budgeting around a UK ISA or a pension wrapper: the account types here are ira only, while an ISA appears on 22% of the brands on the site, so eToro or Vivid Standard serve that audience better.
- Readers who prefer a larger opening commitment alongside a managed portfolio, since Axos Invest starts at $100 where this one starts at $0.
Firstrade
Who it suits
- US savers who want commission-free stock and ETF trading inside a retirement account, since the list in ira, roth ira and joint covers an IRA and a Roth IRA.
- Investors who trade in small amounts, because fractional shares in demo account, options and mobile app work alongside a $0 entry point.
- Day traders in US equities, named in beginners, experienced and day traders with a mobile app among the platforms in Web, iOS and Android.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, CFDs or crypto alongside equities: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex, while Firstrade stays within stocks, etfs and options.
- UK and European savers who need a tax wrapper, since ira, roth ira and joint names no ISA or SIPP. Vantage, which sets $5 as its entry point, is worth pricing alongside.
Current offers
Acorns Checking
Current offer
Bonus
Investinall bet loss match: $50
Sitewide banner: lost a bet, we match it up to $50 and invest it for you; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Acorns Later 3% IRA match: 3% of new IRA contributions in the first year (up to $225)
Acorns Gold subscription exclusive, first year with Acorns Gold, new contributions only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Acorns Checking | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Acorns Checking
What does it cost to hold an Acorns Checking account?+
Trading is the cheap part: a stock trade costs $0 and the pricing model is commission free, so buying small amounts of shares adds no commission to the bill. The charge sits elsewhere, in the account fee, which runs $48 to $144, and the inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant account is not penalised. Weigh the subscription line against the size of your balance.
How much do I need to open an account?+
Less than most rivals. The minimum deposit is $0 and the minimum investment is $0, so there is no practical floor to clear before you start. For comparison, eToro's portfolio route starts at $500, Axos Invest's managed portfolios at $100 and Vivid Standard at €2. Small sums are enough to begin here.
Firstrade
What does it cost to trade stocks and options?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the options contract fee is $0, so nothing is charged per trade on either side. The pricing model listed is commission free, which matches that, and the same terms apply to stocks and options contracts. A reader comparing quotes will find the same line on both markets.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so an account can sit open and untouched without an annual charge or a dormant penalty. That suits a saver who funds a retirement account and does not trade every month, since holding a small balance costs nothing beyond the trades themselves.
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