Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs Traders Place
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Firstrade |  Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0 | €0 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | Traders Place App |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more | Joint |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers SIPC, FINRA.
- Regulators: only Traders Place offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Options.
- Markets: only Traders Place offers Crypto, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Traders Place offers Traders Place App.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers IRA, Roth IRA.
- Support channels: only Traders Place offers Email.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Demo account, Options.
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.
Traders Place
Traders Place is a German broker built around a commission-free model, with stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a joint account and an overall score of 6.6. It suits investors who want a low running cost and a regulated German setup, with crypto included rather than bolted on.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 9.3Stock trade fee €0 and account fee €0 sit at ranking position 1 and 1. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 8.6 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | No |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) MiCA CASP 5299005Y5T6LXFAXDQ78 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Firstrade: 1. Additional countries for Traders Place: 1.
How they place
| Ranking | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 38 of 490 | 18 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 9 of 85 | 2 of 85 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | Traders Place GmbH & Co. KGaA |
| Headquarters | United States | Germany |
| Founded | 1985 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | Traders Place | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| 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.
Traders Place
Pros
- Regulated by Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- A broad market list, stocks, etfs and crypto, covering equities, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto.
- Fractional shares, crypto and a mobile app sit in crypto, fractional shares and mobile app, with Traders Place App as the platform.
Cons
- Contact options are limited to email, phone and help centre, with no live chat channel listed.
- The market list covers stocks, etfs and crypto, so forex and CFD traders are not served.
- Retail accounts that lose money run at 70.15% across the brands compared here, so a commission-free model does not remove the risk.
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.
Traders Place
Who it suits
- Couples who want a joint account, since joint lists joint.
- Investors who want equities, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a single account: stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Savers who want a German regulated broker with phone and email support: email, phone and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex or CFDs, since CFI lists them in stocks, etfs and forex.
- Investors who prefer to check the cost model against a rival priced in another currency, such as eToro at $0.
Current offers
Traders Place
Current offer
Bonus
Neukundenbonus
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | Traders Place |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No | Yes |
| 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.
Traders Place
What does it cost to buy shares at Traders Place?+
Stock trades are charged at €0 and the pricing model is listed as commission-free, so no commission is added to a share purchase. The account fee is €0 as well, which keeps the cost of holding a plain brokerage account low for a buy and hold investor.
Does Traders Place charge to keep an account open?+
The account fee is €0, and the only account type listed is joint, as joint shows. That suits a couple holding securities together under a single pricing structure. Stock trades themselves are charged at €0, so the account charge is not offset by a per-trade commission.
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