Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs Global Prime
Firstrade vs Global Prime: the differences
| Compare |  Firstrade |  Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), SIPC |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | $0 deposit fees |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Joint, Corporate |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
| Options contract fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:1000 |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers FINRA.
- Regulators: only Global Prime offers Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC).
- Founded is lower at Firstrade: 1985 vs 2010.
- Global Prime is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options, Funds.
- Markets: only Global Prime offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers IRA, Roth IRA.
Our verdict on each
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.
Global Prime
Global Prime is a low-cost broker for traders who already work in a standard terminal and want shares, forex and CFDs in one place. A minimum deposit of $0 and a listed EUR/USD spread of 0.1% keep the running costs down, though leverage of 1:1000 is not for beginners.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Stock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.2 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 9.4 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Firstrade | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 38 of 490 | 46 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 9 of 85 | 13 of 85 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Firstrade | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | SIPC SIPC member 3337 |
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Vanuatu | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Demo account, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | TD PRIME SERVICES LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
| Founded | 1985Lower | 2010 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | Global Prime | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.1%lowest quarter | 0.6% |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
Global Prime
Pros
- Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC), so the money sits in a regulated structure.
- One account covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and metals (stocks, etfs and forex) on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5).
- A demo account is offered, so you can test the terminals before funding, and pricing comes in commission free and low fees variants.
Cons
- Account types run to joint and corporate only, with no ISA, SIPP or IRA listed, so tax wrappers sit elsewhere.
- Leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses as much as gains, so oversized positions hurt quickly.
- SIPC cover attaches to TD PRIME SERVICES LLC, the US entity, while the brand sits in Australia, so the entity on your account matters.
Who each suits
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.
Global Prime
Who it suits
- Traders who already work in MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 and want one account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto.
- Anyone testing a platform first, since a demo account is offered and both joint and corporate accounts sit in the range (joint and corporate).
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for beginners: leverage of 1:1000 turns a wrong position into a fast loss, and the platforms are MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 rather than a simplified app.
- Not for futures traders: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, which adds futures that the Global Prime markets list leaves out.
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
Global Prime
What will it cost me to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $0 and the published deposit charge is $0 deposit fees. What you pay afterwards depends on the account model you pick, either commission-free or low-fee (commission free and low fees), and on the spread you trade through, with an EUR/USD spread of 0.1% listed.
How is my money protected?+
Global Prime is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), and it appears on the SIPC membership list. The listed investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000. That cover belongs to the US entity, so check the legal entity named on your account before you fund it.
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