Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Firstrade
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | SIPC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers SIPC, FINRA.
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Options.
Our verdict on each
ActivTrades
ActivTrades suits active share and CFD traders who want broad market access with commission free dealing and flexible platform choice for everyday orders. Minimum deposit sits at $0, stock trade fee sits at $0 and retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, so careful risk controls remain essential.
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 | ActivTrades | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.5Oversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 9.6Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ActivTrades | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 34642 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | ActivTrades | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Cost in a real example
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
ActivTrades
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Firstrade
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by Firstrade). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 28, 2026.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 47 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1985 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ActivTrades
Pros
- Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing under commission free
- Minimum deposit sits at $0, below eToro at $50
- Funding terms read Free deposits and withdrawals for deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, above the CFD median at 72.05%
- Currency conversion on funding costs 0.5% for balances held in other currencies
- Cash interest sits at 3.3%, which limits appeal for cash heavy portfolios
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
ActivTrades
Who it suits
- New traders starting modestly with entry at $0 and practice via crypto, demo account and fractional shares
- Share traders wanting dealing at $0 across stocks, ETFs and forex with platform choice
- CFD traders wanting structured support via email, chat and phone where funding reads Free deposits and withdrawals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders wanting crypto led dealing with very low cash entry may prefer Kraken at $1
- Traders wanting social and copy features may prefer eToro despite higher entry at $50
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.
Country by country
| Country | ActivTrades | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
ActivTrades
What does ActivTrades charge for stock trades?+
Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing. The pricing model is described by commission free, which helps keep ticket costs predictable for equity orders. Spreads and conversion charges can still apply on leveraged trades, so review order previews and statements before dealing.
Is ActivTrades regulated and safe?+
Oversight comes via FCA, SCB and CMVM, including FCA cover alongside other regional entities. Eligible balances carry protection at FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Protection applies under scheme rules and by entity, so confirm which entity serves your account during signup and keep account records.
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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