Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs Webull
Firstrade vs Webull: the differences
| Compare |  Firstrade |  Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | FINRA, SEC, SIPCCovers more |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | $0 incoming stock transfer |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | Desktop, Mobile, Web |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more | IRA |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000), Options contract fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Webull scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.5.
- Regulators: only Webull offers SEC.
- Markets: only Webull offers Futures, Crypto, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers iOS, Android, IPad.
- Platforms: only Webull offers Desktop, Mobile.
- Account types: only Firstrade offers Roth IRA, Joint.
- Support channels: only Webull offers Email.
- Features: only Webull offers Crypto, Futures.
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.
Webull
Webull suits US retail investors who want a single app for stocks, options, futures, crypto and retirement saving, and the fee line is the draw: a stock trade costs $0. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, though the account range is narrow.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Stock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.6 | 9.8Higher |
Sources behind this comparison
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
Webull
- webull.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Firstrade | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 38 of 490 | 36 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 9 of 85 | 7 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 10 of 103 | 8 of 103 |
| IRA providers | 7 of 43 | 5 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | WEBULL FINANCIAL LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1985 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | Webull | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $10 |
| 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 | $0lowest quarter | $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.
Webull
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 and an options contract $0 on the ira account.
- Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, with registration under FINRA, SEC and SIPC.
- A single app covers stocks, etfs and options, so shares, bonds, funds, options, futures and crypto sit together.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, with no live chat listed.
- Account choice is narrow, with ira the only type listed.
- Across the brokers compared, the middle retail loss share is 70.15% and the top of the range 88%.
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.
Webull
Who it suits
- US retail investors who want stocks, options, futures and crypto under a single login
- Beginners using the demo account in crypto, demo account and fractional shares before committing money
- Retirement savers who want $0 stock trades in the same app
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you want forex and CFDs, since stocks, etfs and forex include them
- CFI, if your focus is forex and CFDs rather than stocks, etfs and options
- Vantage, if you trade metals and CFDs, which its forex, cfds and stocks cover
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Webull
What does it cost to trade?+
A stock trade costs $0 and an options contract $0, on the ira account. The pricing model is commission free, and incoming stock transfers are free. Costs stay low, though they do not decide whether a trade makes money.
Is my money protected if the firm fails?+
Accounts sit with WEBULL FINANCIAL LLC. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and registration with FINRA, SEC and SIPC applies, with SIPC membership listed as SIPC member 71394. Low costs do not change that, so weigh the retail loss figures before you trade.
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