Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
bunq vs Firstrade
What sets them apart
| Compare |  bunq |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €10 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Regulators | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC | SIPC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Bunq app | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| 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 8.9.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers FINRA.
- Founded is lower at Firstrade: 1985 vs 2012.
- bunq is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only bunq offers Crypto.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Support channels: only bunq offers Email.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits beginners who want a modest minimum deposit, fractional shares and a mobile app for stocks, ETFs and crypto. Its published minimum is €10, but investors wanting a broader market selection or more support channels may prefer an alternative.
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 | bunq | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9 | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.6Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | bunq | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 8 of 490 | 38 of 490 |
| Brokers for beginners | 5 of 88 | 13 of 88 |
Sources behind this comparison
bunq
- bunq.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.bunq.com: 2 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, Experienced, Day tradersCovers more |
| Legal entity | BUNQ US BD LLC | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2012 | 1985Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.59 |
Median across 81 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The minimum deposit is €10.
- The available features include fractional shares, crypto and a mobile app.
- Regulatory listings include De Nederlandsche Bank in NL and SIPC in the US.
Cons
- Support runs through email and help centre only.
- The available markets cover stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- The stated EU investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
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
bunq
Who it suits
- Beginners comfortable investing through a mobile app.
- Investors interested in fractional shares.
- Retail investors focused on stocks, ETFs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
- Not for eToro users seeking forex, CFDs or futures alongside the markets listed at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Not for Vantage users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
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
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
No fees for buying or selling stocks for first 3 months: 0% for 3 months
Up to €100,000 in completed buy and sell orders
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | bunq | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
bunq
What is bunq's minimum deposit?+
bunq lists a minimum deposit of €10. This makes the platform relevant to readers comparing entry requirements for stock, ETF and crypto investing.
Which markets are available on bunq?+
bunq offers stocks, etfs and crypto. Its market choice therefore centres on shares, funds tracking baskets of assets and digital assets through the app.
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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