Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fennel vs Firstrade
Fennel vs Firstrade: the differences
| Compare |  Fennel |  Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $4.99 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Options, FundsCovers more |
| Platforms | Mobile app, Web | Web, iOS, Android, IPad |
| Account types | IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| 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 |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Regulators (FINRA, SIPC), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Account fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $4.99.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only Fennel offers Mobile app.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers iOS, Android, IPad.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers Roth IRA, Joint.
- Support channels: only Fennel offers Email.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Demo account, Options, Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
Fennel
Fennel is a US retirement app built around an IRA, with stock trades at $0. It suits US investors saving for retirement from a phone, and not UK or European readers who want local markets or a cash savings option.
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 | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Commission-free commission free trading and a $0 minimum deposit, against an account fee of $4.99 that is above the site median of €0. | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.6Higher |
What each covers
| Markets | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 88 of 490 | 38 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 19 of 85 | 9 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 14 of 43 | 7 of 43 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 70779 | SIPC SIPC member 34642 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1985 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fennel | Firstrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $4.99above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Fennel
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0, so entry costs sit at the floor of the market.
- A minimum deposit of $0 lets an account start from a small sum.
- Regulators listed are FINRA and SIPC, with investor protection at SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, so there is no taxable brokerage account on offer.
- Markets stop at stocks and etfs, where CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- There is no live chat, since support runs on email, phone and help centre.
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
Fennel
Who it suits
- US investors opening or holding an IRA, since the account types are ira.
- Investors trading shares and exchange traded funds from a phone, since the platforms are mobile app and web.
- Readers starting with a small amount, since the minimum deposit is $0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Not for readers who would rather hold no account fee, as the eToro account fee is $0 against Fennel's $4.99.
- Not for Vantage users who want a stated starting level, since Vantage asks for $5 and Fennel asks for $0.
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 | Fennel | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Fennel
What does Fennel charge for trading and holding?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the pricing model is commission free. The account fee is $4.99, above the site median of €0, and the minimum deposit is $0. Trading costs therefore sit at the floor of the market while the account charge is higher than most brands listed here.
Is my money protected at Fennel?+
Regulators listed for Fennel are FINRA and SIPC, and the membership record shows SIPC member 70779. Investor protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. The legal entity behind the brand is FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC, and the headquarters country is the US.
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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