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Firstrade vs eToro 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

March 11, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Firstrade
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00
eToro
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $50.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

For investors looking at a range of investment opportunities, Firstrade stands out as a more versatile option compared to eToro. Firstrade is ranked sixth out of fifteen brokers by StockBrokers.com for its diverse range of investments, receiving a rating of 4.5 stars. In contrast, eToro sits at the fifteenth position with a 2.5-star rating, suggesting more limited options. Both platforms offer stock and options trading, but Firstrade provides additional avenues, such as mutual funds and OTC stocks, which could cater to a more extensive audience seeking varied investment vehicles.

When it comes to specific investment features, Firstrade offers margin trading and IRA accounts, both traditional and Roth, adding flexibility for different investor profiles. On the other hand, eToro shines in the cryptocurrency arena with the availability of trading in 26 coins, an area where Firstrade doesn’t participate. Nonetheless, eToro lacks in areas like mutual funds and OTC stocks, potentially limiting its appeal for traditional asset investors.

Both Firstrade and eToro accommodate fractional shares trading and options trading, indicating a willingness to cater to investors looking to diversify or manage investments with smaller sums. Neither platform currently offers futures or forex trading, maintaining a similar stance in these particular sectors. It's essential for investors to match their financial goals with the options available, considering Firstrade's wider selection against eToro's specialization in crypto trading.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes No
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 26
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025

Trading platforms and tools

In comparing the trading platforms and tools of Firstrade and eToro, Firstrade emerges slightly ahead. While neither broker offers a downloadable desktop trading platform for Windows or Mac, they both provide a browser-based experience. Firstrade shines with more technical indicators, offering 102 compared to eToro's 46, which is particularly advantageous for users focused on in-depth analysis. Additionally, Firstrade features a more customizable watch list with 50 columns, surpassing eToro's 7. On the flip side, eToro distinguishes itself with features like a practice mode through paper trading and the ability to add notes to charts, catering more to beginners who value simulated trading environments.

Neither platform allows users to adjust open orders directly on stock charts or display corporate events, but eToro lets users save multiple chart profiles, adding a layer of convenience when managing different trading strategies. Firstrade, however, allows adding index overlays to charts, which can aid in broader market analysis. When it comes to drawing tools, eToro provides a more comprehensive selection with 48, compared to Firstrade's 8, making it a better option for those who require extensive visual aids in their trading toolkit.

According to ratings, Firstrade received 3 out of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, while eToro garnered 2.5 stars. This difference reflects in their rankings by StockBrokers.com, where Firstrade holds the 11th position out of 15 brokers, marginally ahead of eToro, which ranks 12th. Ultimately, Firstrade stands out for its superior technical depth, whereas eToro excels in user-friendly features like paper trading and note-taking on charts.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Paper Trading info No Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 50 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 102 46
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 48
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

Firstrade and eToro both provide educational resources for investors, although the depth and variety differ. Firstrade covers topics like stock and options education, which can be helpful for beginners looking to diversify their investment knowledge. In contrast, eToro focuses primarily on stock education. Both platforms offer educational videos, but Firstrade has the added benefit of hosting webinars, allowing users to engage in real-time learning from experts. Unfortunately, neither service provides learning progress tracking or educational quizzes, which could further enhance the learning experience for investors.

When comparing the overall educational offerings, Firstrade receives a slight edge with a 3.5-star rating, surpassing eToro's 2.5 stars. Moreover, in a ranking of 15 brokers, Firstrade places 13th, while eToro is ranked at 15th for education. Another noteworthy point is that eToro provides a paper trading feature, which Firstrade lacks, enabling users to practice trading with virtual money. Although both platforms offer valuable resources, Firstrade stands out slightly more in terms of the variety of education it provides.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Paper Trading info No Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Education 3.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

Both Firstrade and eToro present strong stock trading app options, each equipped with unique features. Firstrade slightly edges out eToro in rankings, being placed 9th compared to eToro's 11th in StockBrokers.com's assessment of 15 brokers. Despite their lower ranking, both brokerages boast an impressive user rating of 4.5 stars. For traders weighing out their choices, both apps have substantial offerings, although specific functionalities and preferences may lead you toward one or the other.

When it comes to compatibility, Firstrade and eToro offer apps for both Android and iPhone users, though neither supports the Apple Watch. Both platforms support essential features such as mobile after-hours stock trading and mobile options trading, ensuring that traders can execute decisions outside of traditional market hours. Streaming quotes and the ability to generate stock alerts are also available on both platforms, guaranteeing that users stay informed of market movements in real-time.

Charting features reveal more contrasts between the two apps. Firstrade allows for customizable watch list columns and lets users view charts in landscape mode, making it a favorable choice for those who prefer a more personalized interface. On the other hand, eToro shines with 103 technical studies, surpassing Firstrade's 81, and offers unique capabilities like displaying stock comparisons on charts. Both platforms permit viewing charts across multiple time frames, yet only eToro supports videos on demand, offering an avenue for continued learning and analysis for users. Ultimately, your choice between these two apps will largely depend on which specific tools and features align with your trading strategies and preferences.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 81 103
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

When it comes to choosing between Firstrade and eToro for your online trading needs, both stand strong with features catering to different investor preferences. Firstrade emerges as a cost-effective choice for those looking to avoid initial investment barriers, offering a $0 minimum deposit and no fees for stock or options trades. eToro, conversely, requires a modest $50 minimum deposit but matches Firstrade's zero-fee structure for stock and options trading. While both platforms offer commission-free trading, Firstrade maintains an edge with no IRA fees and zero charges for options-related activities.

Firstrade offers comprehensive account fee structures, spotlighting various features like margin trading with interest rates ranging from 13.00% to 13.75% depending on balance. In contrast, eToro does not provide margin trading services, which might limit traders interested in leveraging such options. When discussing account transfers, Firstrade charges $55 for partial and $75 for full transfers, whereas eToro maintains a flat $75 fee for either type of transfer. The slight variance in transfer fees could influence long-term strategic decisions based on potential future transitions between brokers.

For traders considering IRA-related services, Firstrade distinguishes itself by maintaining a $0 charge for both annual fees and closure fees, an area where eToro does not provide comparable service information. This becomes an important aspect for retirement-focused investors who prioritize cost-efficiency in managing long-term accounts. Overall, while both platforms offer competitive free trading experiences, Firstrade provides extra savings with its fee transparency and more detailed margin trading options, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious traders and retirement planners alike.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.00 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When it comes to day trading capabilities, Firstrade and eToro each have their own strengths and limitations. For traders requiring streaming time and sales data for stocks, eToro has the edge, offering this feature while Firstrade does not. However, both platforms lack other advanced trading features such as live streaming TV, direct market routing for stocks, ladder trading, and trading hotkeys for keyboard entry. Essential tools like level 2 quotes and both basic and advanced strategy backtesting are also unavailable with both platforms. This could affect traders who rely on detailed market analytics and simulation tools for their trading strategies.

Neither Firstrade nor eToro provides a short locator tool, which means traders aiming to view real-time availability of shares for short selling will need alternative solutions. Additionally, lacking order liquidity rebates, both platforms might not fully satisfy traders looking for incentives related to maker/taker fees. While eToro’s offering of streaming time and sales for stocks may be beneficial for some day traders, those in need of a more comprehensive suite of trading tools might find both platforms lacking in features that support high-frequency trading or in-depth market analysis.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Streaming Time & Sales info No Yes
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

When comparing the market research capabilities of Firstrade and eToro, Firstrade emerges as the superior choice, offering extensive research tools across various investment products. Firstrade provides resources for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, Pink Sheets/OTCBB, and bonds, while eToro limits its focus primarily to stocks and ETFs. Firstrade also stands out with unique offerings such as downloadable PDF reports for both stocks and ETFs and advanced tools like screeners for trade ideas across multiple asset classes.

Firstrade's research offerings are comprehensive, including the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class and access to social media sentiment data for stock research. Additionally, Firstrade supports investors interested in ESG factors, providing insights that align with environmental, social, and governance criteria. While both platforms offer some level of ESG research, Firstrade extends its functionality with a stock screener and analytics tools that can identify potential investment opportunities, giving it an edge. In contrast, eToro does not offer features like downloadable reports for stocks or screeners for trade ideas, limiting its research appeal.

This breadth and depth translate to Firstrade receiving a stellar 4.5-star rating from StockBrokers.com for market research, placing it sixth out of fifteen brokers. Meanwhile, eToro receives a modest 1.5-star rating, ranking fourteenth. This disparity underscores Firstrade's excellence in comprehensive market research capabilities, catering to both novice investors and seasoned traders seeking detailed, actionable insights.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Research 4.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing Firstrade and eToro on their banking capabilities, Firstrade stands out by offering a few more options for financial management. Firstrade provides checking accounts and debit cards, along with certificates of deposit (CDs), giving users a bit more breadth in banking services. Meanwhile, eToro does not offer these services, focusing solely on trading and investment. Neither Firstrade nor eToro offer savings accounts, credit cards, or mortgage loans. Therefore, for those looking for an online broker that extends beyond trading to include some basic banking functions, Firstrade offers a slight edge over eToro.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
eToro logoeToro
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Credit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 15 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than eToro. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 81.8%, while eToro finished with a score of 66.1%.

Firstrade scored well for penny stock trading in our 2024 Annual Awards, and is a great choice for Chinese-speaking investors. However, it lags behind the competition in certain areas, especially platforms, tools and education.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Firstrade or eToro?

Firstrade does not offer cryptocurrency trading, while eToro provides access to trading with 26 different coins, making eToro a more suitable choice for investors interested in the crypto market.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does Firstrade or eToro offer IRAs?

Firstrade offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual or closure fees, whereas eToro does not provide traditional or Roth IRA options.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Firstrade eToro
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 3.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review eToro Review
Broker Screenshots Firstrade eToro
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand)
Research Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Firstrade eToro
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $0.00 N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info $0 N/A
Options (Per Contract) info $0.00 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) info (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $19.95 $0
Margin Rates Firstrade eToro
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 13.75% Not offered
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 13.50% Not offered
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 13.00% Not offered
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 12.50% Not offered
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 12.50% Not offered
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 12.50% Not offered
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 12.50% Not offered
Account Fees Firstrade eToro
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $55.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Firstrade eToro
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes No
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 0
Futures Trading info No No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 26
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 15460 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 19666 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes No
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes No
Bonds (Municipal) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes No
Roth IRAs info Yes No
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types Firstrade eToro
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes No
Order Type - After Hours info Yes No
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners Firstrade eToro
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes No
Paper Trading info No Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade eToro
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes No
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes Yes
Stock App Features Firstrade eToro
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes No
Stock App Charting Firstrade eToro
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 81 103
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No Yes
Trading Platforms Firstrade eToro
Active Trading Platform info N/A
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No Yes
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 50 7
Stock Chart Features Firstrade eToro
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 102 46
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 48
Charting - Notes info No Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info No No
Charting - Corporate Events info No No
Charting - Custom Date Range info No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No No
Charting - Automated Analysis info No No
Charting - Save Profiles info No Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations info 6 5
Charting - Custom Studies info No No
Day Trading Firstrade eToro
Streaming Time & Sales info No Yes
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info No No
Trade Hotkeys info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview Firstrade eToro
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes No
Stock Research Firstrade eToro
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 1 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social info Yes Yes
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes Yes
ETF Research Firstrade eToro
ETFs - Strategy Overview info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Firstrade eToro
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Firstrade eToro
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes No
Option Chains - Streaming info No No
Option Chains - Total Columns info 8 0
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 4
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info No Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes No
Option Probability Analysis info No No
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks info No No
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info No No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info No No
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes No
Option Positions - Grouping info No No
Banking Firstrade eToro
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service Firstrade eToro
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes No
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info No No
Overall Firstrade eToro
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review eToro Review
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