Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs TradeZero
Firstrade vs TradeZero: the differences
| Compare |  Firstrade |  TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, FundsCovers more | Stocks, Options |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | AFM |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Options contract fee | $0Lower | $0.59 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | $15 wire transfer out |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile, TZ1, TradingView |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9% |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Inactivity fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers SIPC, FINRA.
- Regulators: only TradeZero offers AFM.
- Founded is lower at Firstrade: 1985 vs 2015.
- Options contract fee is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $0.59.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers ETFs, Funds.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only TradeZero offers ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Phone.
- Support channels: only TradeZero offers Chat.
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.
TradeZero
TradeZero suits traders who want stocks and options on a single account without a per-trade commission, and the demo account gives beginners a place to practise. Options cost $0.59 a contract, and the account works through desktop, mobile and charting tools.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, ranking first of 161 brands on that fee, and the inactivity fee ranks first of 56. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.1 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 8.6 |
How they place
| Ranking | Firstrade | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 47 of 471 | 169 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 11 of 103 | 58 of 103 |
| Brokers for beginners | 13 of 88 | 44 of 88 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Firstrade | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | Firstrade | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | Not confirmed |
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
TradeZero
- tradezero.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Experienced, Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | TradeZero Europe B.V. |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1985Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | TradeZero | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | $0.59below the median | $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.
TradeZero
Pros
- Regulated in the Netherlands by AFM, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Margin positions run at a rate of 9%.
- A demo account and a mobile app are included, so the platform can be learned before funding.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only.
- A wire transfer out of the account costs $15 wire transfer out.
- The market range is stocks and options, so forex, crypto and metals are not covered.
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.
TradeZero
Who it suits
- Traders buying stocks and options who do not want a per-trade commission.
- Beginners who want a demo account and a mobile app before putting money in.
- Day traders who work across several platforms rather than a single terminal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after forex, crypto or futures, where eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Traders who want metals and CFDs beside stocks, which Vantage covers with forex, cfds and stocks.
Current offers
TradeZero
Current offer
Bonus
Welcome Offer WELCOME250: 250
with a $250+ deposit during sign-up
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
TradeZero
What does TradeZero charge to trade stocks and options?+
Stock trades cost $0 per trade, and options cost $0.59 a contract. The pricing model is described as commission-free and low-fee, so the per-order cost is the main thing to compare. The inactivity fee is $0, so an idle account is not charged.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
The account is provided by TradeZero Europe B.V., which is licensed by AFM in the Netherlands. Investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so money above that figure sits outside the scheme. Keeping larger balances elsewhere limits what is at stake.
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