Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Firstrade
Where CapTrader and Firstrade differ
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $0Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Options contract fee | €2 | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
Same on both: Account fee ($0), Inactivity fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $2.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Futures.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Phone.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Options.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Firstrade offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
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 | CapTrader | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.6 |
Pick CapTrader if, pick Firstrade if
Pick CapTrader if markets matter most.
Pick Firstrade if cost, minimum deposit, and stock trade fee matter most.
What each covers
| Markets | CapTrader | 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 |
Licences and countries
| Country | CapTrader | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 34642 |
Where these facts come from
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 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 | CapTrader | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 17 of 490 | 38 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 3 of 103 | 10 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | 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 | Help centre | Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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 | CapTrader | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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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