Firstrade vs Skilling - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

Firstrade vs Skilling

Compare Firstrade and Skilling 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
Skilling

Skilling

CFD and forex traders, multiple platforms

Skilling is a CySEC-regulated CFD and forex broker offering 1,200+ instruments across forex, stocks, indices,โ€ฆ

Head-to-head comparison

Firstrade vs Skilling
Feature Firstrade Skilling
Minimum deposit $0 -
Stock trading fee $0 commission -
Regulators FINRA CySEC, FSA
Best for Cost-conscious US stock, ETF and options traders CFD and forex traders, multiple platforms
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
-
Forex
-
CFDs
-
Crypto
-
Bonds
-
Options
-
Funds
-
Margin
Investment Plans
-
Demo Account
-
Multi Currency
-

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
Skilling

Skilling

Pros

  • Choice of three trading platforms: Skilling Trader, MT4 and cTrader
  • 1,200+ CFD instruments including 70+ forex pairs, 900+ shares, indices, commodities and crypto
  • Standard account minimum deposit of $100
  • Commission-free Standard account with spreads from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD
  • Free demo account with $10,000 virtual balance
  • Copy trading available via Skilling cCopy
  • Negative balance protection for retail clients
  • CySEC-regulated with ICF investor compensation up to EUR 20,000

Cons

  • No direct ownership of shares or crypto - all positions are CFDs
  • Premium account requires $5,000 minimum deposit
  • Research tools are limited compared to larger brokers
  • E-wallet withdrawals (Skrill, Neteller) carry third-party percentage fees
  • Customer support limited to weekdays (approximately 06:00-22:00 CET)
  • No US clients accepted
  • MT4 instruments limited to around 200 compared to 800+ on cTrader and Skilling Trader
  • Offshore FSA entity provides weaker investor protection than the CySEC entity
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.

Skilling

Skilling

Skilling is a CySEC-regulated CFD and forex broker offering 1,200+ instruments across forex, stocks, indices, commodities and crypto via MT4, cTrader and its proprietary Skilling Trader.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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