Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs tastytrade
Firstrade vs tastytrade: the differences
| Compare |  Firstrade |  tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRACovers more | SIPC |
| Options contract fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | Mobile, Desktop, Web |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more | IRA, Joint |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers FINRA.
- Options contract fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Funds.
- Markets: only tastytrade offers Forex, Futures, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers iOS, Android, IPad.
- Platforms: only tastytrade offers Mobile, Desktop.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers Roth IRA.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Demo account, Options, Fractional shares.
- Features: only tastytrade offers Crypto.
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.
tastytrade
tastytrade suits traders who want options, futures and crypto in the same account as shares and ETFs, and it suits anyone starting small. The minimum deposit is $0, share dealing costs $0 a trade, and options cost $1 a contract, so the bill grows only if you trade derivatives.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 9.1The commission free model keeps equity dealing cheap, but the options contract fee of $1 is the line heavy option traders watch. |
| Offer | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 8.6 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | SIPC SIPC member 69649 |
Available in 1 country for both.
What we checked
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
tastytrade
- tastytrade.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 47 of 471 | 150 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 10 of 86 | 32 of 86 |
| Options trading platforms | 11 of 103 | 53 of 103 |
| IRA providers | 7 of 43 | 23 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | TASTYTRADE INC |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1985 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | tastytrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | $1highest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 134 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.
tastytrade
Pros
- Share dealing costs $0 a trade, and the account opens from $0.
- All of stocks, etfs and forex sit under the same account.
- Protection is recorded as SIPC up to USD 500,000, with membership logged as SIPC member 69649.
Cons
- Options cost $1 a contract, so regular contract buyers pay more than occasional ones.
- The recorded account types under ira and joint are an IRA and a joint account.
- In the stock comparison, 72.03% of retail accounts lose money.
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.
tastytrade
Who it suits
- Traders who want options and futures in the same account as shares and ETFs.
- Anyone starting small, since the minimum deposit is $0.
- People saving into an IRA who also want crypto and forex nearby.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro if you want CFDs listed alongside the core markets: stocks, etfs and forex.
- CFI if you want the shorter list in stocks, etfs and forex, which ends at crypto.
- Vantage if you would rather start above the floor, since its minimum deposit is $5.
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
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.
tastytrade
Is there a minimum deposit to open a tastytrade account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened and funded with whatever you want to start on. Share dealing then costs $0 a trade, which keeps the running cost close to the opening balance.
What does an options contract cost?+
Options are charged per contract at $1. If you buy options often, that fee becomes the main line you track, while share dealing stays at $0. Traders who touch options now and then will feel it far less than regular contract buyers.
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