Updated October 17, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AGORA direct™ vs Firstrade
AGORA direct™
Firstrade
Higher score in this comparison
Where AGORA direct™ and Firstrade differ
| Compare | AGORA direct™ReviewVisitVisit | FirstradeReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €0 | $0 |
| Account fee | €0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds, Forex, MetalsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Platforms | Google Play, App Store | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Founded is lower at Firstrade: 1985 vs 1999.
- Markets: only AGORA direct™ offers Futures, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only AGORA direct™ offers Google Play, App Store.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Help centre.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Options.
- Pricing model: only AGORA direct™ offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Firstrade offers Commission free.
- Audience: only Firstrade offers Day traders.
Our verdict on each
AGORA direct™
For self-directed investors wanting broad global coverage, AGORA direct offers access to more than 150 exchanges through one German online broker. It combines shares, ETFs, futures, options and savings plans with activity in 27 currencies for long-term and active strategies.
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 | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5 | 9.5Stock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.6Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
Availability and regulation
| Country | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 34642 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 15 of 474 | 50 of 474 |
| Options trading platforms | 2 of 103 | 11 of 103 |
| Brokers for beginners | 7 of 90 | 15 of 90 |
Which one suits you
Pick AGORA direct™ if markets matter most.
Pick Firstrade if trust matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo account | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Beginners, Experienced, Day tradersCovers more |
| Legal entity | First Quant GmbH | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 1999 | 1985Lower |
| Support channels | Phone | Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 92 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
AGORA direct™
Pros
- Access to more than 150 exchanges supports varied strategies from savings plans to futures
- More than 33 options venues worldwide provide broad scope for options traders
- Physical precious metals and crypto linked instruments sit alongside shares and ETFs
Cons
- Online broker structure provides digital access without a branch network for in person visits
- Wide derivatives selection creates complexity for investors wanting simple share dealing only
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
AGORA direct™
Who it suits
- Beginners and experienced traders building independently
- Investors seeking regular savings plans and global diversification
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors seeking managed portfolios with delegated decisions
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 | AGORA direct™ | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
AGORA direct™
Which products does AGORA direct cover?+
You can use shares, ETFs, futures, options, warrants and certificates as well as currency pairs. The range also includes physical precious metals and crypto linked instruments through futures, ETPs and certificates. Savings plans support regular long-term investing alongside active strategies.
Where is AGORA direct based and which company operates it?+
AGORA direct is a brand of First Quant GmbH and it is based in Berlin. The business has operated as a German online broker since 1999. It presents more than 25 years of activity in the brokerage market.
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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Related by the facts
AGORA direct™
Firstrade