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Broker Comparison

Firstrade vs IG

Compare Firstrade and IG side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Firstrade

Firstrade

Cost-conscious US stock, ETF and options traders

Firstrade is a US online broker with $0 online trades for stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds, plus mobileโ€ฆ

VS
IG

IG

Active CFD and forex traders

IG is a CFD-focused broker with forex, shares, ETFs, crypto, options and futures, plus web, Android and thirdโ€ฆ

Head-to-head comparison

Firstrade vs IG
Feature Firstrade IG
Minimum deposit $0 โ€”
Stock trading fee $0 commission US share CFDs: 2 cents per share, $15 minimum online; UK share CFDs: 0.10%, ยฃ10 minimum online; Hong Kong share CFDs: 0.18%, HKD50 minimum online; Euro share CFDs: 0.10%, โ‚ฌ10 minimum online
Regulators FINRA BMA
Best for Cost-conscious US stock, ETF and options traders Active CFD and forex traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
โ€”
CFDs
โ€”
Crypto
โ€”
Bonds
Options
Futures
โ€”
Funds
โ€”
Margin
Investment Plans
โ€”
Business Account
โ€”
Demo Account
โ€”

Pros & cons

Firstrade

Firstrade

Pros

  • $0 online trades for stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds
  • $0 options contract, exercise and assignment fees
  • No deposit minimum and no inactivity fees
  • Overnight trading from 8 PM to 4 AM ET on 1,200+ securities
  • Options Wizard includes 40+ strategies and P&L simulations
  • ACATS transfer fee rebate up to $250 on qualifying transfers
  • Excess protection can raise coverage to $37.5 million per customer

Cons

  • Broker-assisted stock and ETF trades cost $19.95
  • Broker-assisted options cost $19.95+$0.50/contract
  • Mutual fund shares sold within 90 days can cost $19.95
  • Redemptions below $500 can incur a $19.95 fee
  • Primary Market CDs cost $30
  • Overnight trades must use limit orders only
  • ACH transfers require a U.S. financial institution
IG

IG

Pros

  • No minimum balance for a CFD trading account
  • Free demo account with $20,000 virtual funds
  • Lower minimum deal sizes for the first 6 weeks
  • No commission to close listed options positions
  • Futures positions have no overnight funding fees
  • Extended hours on over 90 key US stocks
  • Weekend trading on selected indices, FX pairs and crypto

Cons

  • 0.8% FX conversion fee on non-base-currency CFD trades
  • 2.3% third-party card processor charge
  • US share CFDs have a $15 minimum online commission
  • UK share CFDs have a ยฃ10 minimum online commission
  • Daily overnight funding applies to overnight CFD positions
  • $40/month ProRealTime fee unless conditions are met
  • Monthly fees can apply for exchange stock feeds
  • Demo trades exclude slippage, interest and dividend adjustments
Firstrade

Firstrade

Firstrade is a US online broker with $0 online trades for stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds, plus mobile apps and overnight stock and ETF trading.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

IG

IG

IG is a CFD-focused broker with forex, shares, ETFs, crypto, options and futures, plus web, Android and third-party platforms.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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