Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Betterment vs Firstrade
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Betterment |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Regulators | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPC | SIPC, FINRA |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Interest on cash | 3.5% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Account fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Betterment scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.5.
- Regulators: only Betterment offers U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers FINRA.
- Founded is lower at Firstrade: 1985 vs 2008.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Betterment offers Bonds.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers Joint.
- Support channels: only Betterment offers Email, Chat.
Our verdict on each
Betterment
Betterment suits US savers who want a robo-managed IRA with a flat, low management fee and SIPC cover. It charges a management fee of 0.25%, sits mid-table among robo-advisors on that fee, and offers only IRA and Roth IRA accounts, so UK and European readers may look elsewhere.
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 | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Management fee of 0.25% and no account fee, with a minimum investment of $10. | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.6 |
Choosing between them
Pick Betterment if offer matter most.
Pick Firstrade if minimum deposit and account types matter most.
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 51906 | SIPC SIPC member 34642 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
What we checked
Betterment
- betterment.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, 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 | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 33 of 490 | 38 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 6 of 85 | 9 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 4 of 43 | 7 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | MTG LLC | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2008 | 1985Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Betterment | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10at the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.59 |
| Interest on cash | 3.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Betterment
Pros
- A management fee of 0.25% sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%
- An account fee of $0 and a deposit and withdrawal charge listed as No fees
- Covered by SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- Account types run only to ira and roth ira, so there is no taxable or ISA-style account for UK and European readers
- A management fee of 0.25% still ranks 18 of 49 brands, so cheaper robo-advisors exist
- Markets cover only stocks, etfs and bonds, with no forex, options or crypto trading
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
Betterment
Who it suits
- US savers who want a robo-managed IRA or Roth IRA
- People starting small, with a minimum investment of $10
- Investors who want automated portfolios of etf, esg and cash
Who should look elsewhere
- UK and European readers, since account types cover only ira and roth ira
- Active traders wanting forex, options or crypto beyond the stocks, etfs and bonds it lists
- Anyone seeking a management fee of 0% as at eToro
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
Betterment
Current offer
Bonus
Invest and earn up to $2,000: up to $2,000
Terms apply; new customers only; open any individual investing account and make a deposit
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
0.75% APY boost on Cash Reserve: 0.75% APY boost, 4.25% variable APY on balances up to $1M
New clients with a qualifying deposit; guaranteed through February 15; base variable APY 3.50% as of 9/21/2026; $10 min deposit for base APY
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Discounted mortgage rate through Rate partnership: up to 0.75% off
Via partnership with Rate; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Betterment | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Betterment
How much does Betterment charge to manage my money?+
The annual management fee is 0.25%, taken as a percentage of the portfolio. That sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%, and Betterment ranks 18 of 49 brands on this measure. There is no separate account charge, listed as $0.
Is my money protected if Betterment fails?+
Stated protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and Betterment appears on the SIPC member register as SIPC member 51906. The cover applies to cash in the brokerage account if the broker-dealer fails, and the legal entity named is MTG LLC. Portfolio market values are not protected by the scheme.
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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