Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EasyEquities vs Firstrade
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare |  EasyEquities |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | ZAR 0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Deposits free; withdrawal fee not listed | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers |
| Platforms | EasyEquities App | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
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Key differences
- Markets: only EasyEquities offers Crypto.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only EasyEquities offers EasyEquities App.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Phone.
- Features: only EasyEquities offers Crypto.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Demo account, Options.
- Pricing model: only EasyEquities offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Firstrade offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
EasyEquities
EasyEquities in South Africa gives retail investors an online route into local and international shares, crypto, property and ETFs alongside research and planning tools. For newcomers building a diverse portfolio in small steps, it keeps shareholding and managed bundles in one place.
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 | EasyEquities | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3 | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 8.5 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.6 |
Licences and countries
| Country | EasyEquities | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 34642 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | EasyEquities | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 306 of 471 | 47 of 471 |
Where these facts come from
EasyEquities
- easyequities.co.za: 8 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EasyEquities | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares |
| 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 | EasyEquities | 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 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
EasyEquities
Pros
- Access to local and international shares in one portfolio
- Fractional access to curated properties alongside shares and crypto
- Themed ETFs and curated bundles managed by professional managers
Cons
- Online only access with no branch service for in person help
- Bundle and managed portfolios mean less direct control for some
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
EasyEquities
Who it suits
- Investors seeking local and international shares together
- Savers wanting property, crypto and ETFs in one place
- Beginners who like guided plans and research tools
Who should look elsewhere
- People who prefer branch based investing in person
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 | EasyEquities | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
EasyEquities
Which products does EasyEquities cover?+
EasyEquities covers local and international shares, crypto assets, selected properties and exchange traded funds. It also provides curated collections and customised investment plans. Research tools help investors review options before they commit.
How does property investing work?+
Investors select from properties chosen by an expert panel and hold a fraction of each asset. Returns can come through rental distributions and changes in property value over time. The structure allows property exposure without buying a whole building.
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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