Updated October 12, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs willbe
Firstrade vs willbe: the differences
| Compare |  Firstrade |  willbe |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €200 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | ETFs, Funds, Metals |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | Free same-currency deposits and withdrawals |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | Willbe app |
| Stock trade fee | $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 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.3% |
| Options contract fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at willbe: 1861 vs 1985.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Stocks, Options.
- Markets: only willbe offers Metals.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only willbe offers Willbe app.
- Support channels: only willbe offers Email.
- Features: only Firstrade offers Demo account, Options, Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only Firstrade offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only willbe offers Low fees.
- Audience: only Firstrade offers Experienced, Day traders.
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.
willbe
willbe pairs phone based saving in nine currencies with ETF, fund, stock and gold investing from Liechtenstein. For savers who want cash style balances and market holdings in one app, it gives a clear starting point for steady long term plans.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | willbe |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 8.9 |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 9.6 | 9.9Higher |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Firstrade | willbe |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 47 of 491 | 36 of 491 |
| Brokers for beginners | 13 of 88 | 11 of 88 |
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
willbe
- willbe-invest.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | willbe |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day tradersCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG |
| Headquarters | United States | Liechtenstein |
| Founded | 1985 | 1861Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Firstrade | willbe |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.49% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €200 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, ESG, Cash |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | willbe | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.3%below the median | 0.4% |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
Median across 81 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.
willbe
Pros
- One app covers saving alongside ETF, stock and gold investing
- Nine currency balances support everyday spending and saving abroad
- Physical gold option adds a tangible stability element
Cons
- Phone led service focused on app use alone
- Learning material such as the blog is offered in German only
- ETF and fund choice centres on a set savings plan range
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.
willbe
Who it suits
- Phone led savers who like currency choice and gold
- Long term planners who prefer steady diversification
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want desktop software or in person advice
- Readers who want English language guides and blogs
Current offers
willbe
Current offer
First period offer
Download the app and save 3 months of fees: 3 months of fees free
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | willbe |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
willbe
Where is willbe based and who is behind it?+
willbe is the finance app from Liechtenstein. It comes from Liechtensteinische Landesbank and brings saving and investing together in one app for long term building of assets. Liechtenstein gives direct access to the EEA and is noted for a balanced national budget and an AAA standing.
How does the willbe app work?+
You manage saving and investing through the willbe app on your phone. You can hold cash style balances, run a savings plan and view gold, ETF, stock and managed options side by side. The layout keeps everyday balances and long term holdings in one clear view.
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