Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs Totality
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Firstrade |  Totality |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Options contract fee | $0Lower | $0.75 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | Totality Core, Totality Edge, Totality Apex |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Joint, Corporate |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Stock trade fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $1.
- Options contract fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $0.75.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Funds.
- Markets: only Totality offers Forex, CFDs, Futures.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Totality offers Totality Core, Totality Edge, Totality Apex.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers IRA, Roth IRA.
- Account types: only Totality offers Corporate.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares.
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.
Totality
For active investors seeking international diversification, Totality operates as Australia's global investing infrastructure company with multi asset market access. It provides stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, FX and CFDs through professional platforms for self directed investors, asset managers and institutions.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 8.5 |
| Offer | 9.4 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.6 | Not confirmed |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | Not confirmed |
What each covers
| Markets | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | No |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 47 of 471 | 452 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 10 of 86 | 83 of 86 |
| Options trading platforms | 11 of 103 | 101 of 103 |
Where these facts come from
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
Totality
- totality.com.au: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Demo account |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1985 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | Totality | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | $0.75highest 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.
Totality
Pros
- More than 23000 global stocks accessible across 50 plus exchanges
- More than 7400 ETFs spanning broad index, sector and thematic ideas
- More than 2900 listed options with chain trading and risk analytics
Cons
- Crypto linked offering covers nine pairs alongside crypto ETP exposure
- Platform focus remains on institutional grade charting and automated signals
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.
Totality
Who it suits
- Self directed investors seeking performance and control
- Active traders thinking across global markets
- Asset managers and institutions needing scalable infrastructure
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners wanting only simple domestic investing
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | Totality |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Totality
What markets can you trade with Totality?+
Totality covers global stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, FX and CFDs from a single platform. It also provides exposure to crypto linked pairs and crypto ETPs without wallets or cold storage. Discovery, analysis and execution stay connected across asset classes.
Who is Totality designed for?+
Totality serves self directed investors who want performance, control and professional grade tools. It also serves asset managers, institutions and SMSF investors focused on flexibility and long term wealth. Technology supports wealth and advisory firms alongside aligned partners.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Firstrade vs LANDE
- Firstrade vs Afranga
- Firstrade vs Nectaro
- Firstrade vs Interactive Brokers
- Firstrade vs Charles Schwab
- Firstrade vs Dodl
- Firstrade vs Trading 212
- Firstrade vs Public
- Firstrade vs tastytrade
- Firstrade vs eOption
- Firstrade vs TradeZero
- Firstrade vs InvestEngine
- Firstrade vs Plus500
- Firstrade vs Finhabits
- Firstrade vs tastyfx
- Firstrade vs Hfm Partners
- Firstrade vs Vantage
- Firstrade vs Avanza
- Firstrade vs ActivTrades
- Firstrade vs XTB
- Firstrade vs eToro
- Firstrade vs bunq
- Firstrade vs Robinhood
- Firstrade vs S Broker
- Firstrade vs Kraken
- Firstrade vs CapTrader
- Firstrade vs willbe