Firstrade vs eToro 2025
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When it comes to investment options, Firstrade surpasses eToro with a broader array of offerings. Firstrade earns a commendable 4.5-star rating, ranking 6th out of 18 brokers surveyed by StockBrokers.com, thanks to its comprehensive selection including stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options trading, and IRAs. In contrast, eToro, with a 2.5-star rating and a 16th-place ranking, focuses primarily on stock and options trading, along with its notable crypto trading offering of 26 coins. However, it lacks in providing margin trading, mutual funds, and IRA accounts.
Firstrade is particularly appealing for investors seeking traditional investment vehicles such as mutual funds and IRAs, catering to both traditional and Roth accounts, while maintaining diversity with options in stock trading, margin accounts, fractional shares, and OTC stocks. Although it does not offer crypto trading, its breadth in other areas makes it a robust platform for a wide range of investment strategies.
On the other hand, eToro shines in the cryptocurrency realm, standing out with its provision of 26 different coins for crypto trading enthusiasts. However, it falls short for those interested in more traditional forms of investment like mutual funds and IRAs. While eToro does provide options trading similar to Firstrade, its limited scope outside of crypto may not suffice for investors seeking diverse investment services.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Margin Trading | Yes | No |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | No |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 26 |
Range of Investments |
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing Firstrade and eToro's trading platforms and tools, Firstrade edges out eToro with a slightly higher rating of 3 stars compared to eToro's 2.5 stars. Firstrade ranks 11th among 18 brokers on StockBrokers.com for trading platforms and tools, surpassing eToro, which ranks at 12th. Both platforms do not offer desktop downloadable trading applications for Windows or Mac, but they do provide browser-based platforms. While eToro offers paper trading, Firstrade does not, which may be a consideration for those interested in practice trading.
Firstrade and eToro each provide different strengths in their platform features. Firstrade shines with a significantly higher number of technical indicators, offering 102, whereas eToro provides 46. Conversely, eToro excels in chart drawing tools, with 48 options compared to Firstrade's 8. Additionally, eToro allows for saving multiple chart profiles and adding notes to charts, which Firstrade does not support. Despite these differences, both platforms lack capabilities for features like adjusting open orders on stock charts, displaying historical trades, or showcasing corporate events.
Furthermore, Firstrade boasts a comprehensive watch list feature with 50 columns available, compared to eToro's 7. While neither platform offers trading journals or the ability to create custom studies, Firstrade allows a bit more customization for SMA studies with 6 fields as opposed to eToro's 5. Users looking for a platform with robust technical indicators and extensive watch list configurations might lean towards Firstrade, while those valuing chart profile management and tool variety might prefer eToro.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 7 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 46 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 48 |
Platforms & Tools |
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing Firstrade and eToro for beginner and investor education, both platforms offer some educational resources, but each has its strengths and weaknesses. Firstrade provides stock and options education, along with access to educational videos and webinars—a feature eToro lacks. However, Firstrade does not support education on ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds, nor does it offer paper trading or educational quizzes that could help solidify learning.
In contrast, eToro also offers stock education and delivers educational videos but does not provide options education or webinars. eToro stands out for its paper trading feature, which offers beginners a risk-free environment to practice trading strategies. While neither platform allows users to track their learning progress, Firstrade earns a higher educational rating of 3.5 stars compared to eToro's 2.5 stars, placing them as the #13 and #15 platforms, respectively, out of 18 brokers ranked by StockBrokers.com.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | No |
Education (Options) | Yes | No |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Bonds) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | No |
Education |
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When comparing Firstrade and eToro, both stock trading apps stand out with their features and capabilities, each deserving the 4.5-star ratings they receive. However, Firstrade slightly edges out eToro in the rankings, securing the 9th position out of 18 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while eToro is ranked 11th. Firstrade's app offers notable features like customizable watch list columns and the ability to view charts in landscape mode, providing users with a more tailored and flexible experience. On the other hand, eToro excels in chart functionalities, offering a greater number of technical studies, after-hours charting, and the ability to display stock comparisons on charts.
Both Firstrade and eToro cater to iOS and Android users, ensuring accessibility across popular devices, but neither supports the Apple Watch. While they both offer mobile after-hours stock and options trading, Firstrade and eToro differ in terms of media offerings. eToro includes videos on demand, enhancing the educational depth available directly within the app. Both platforms provide streaming quotes and stock alerts, allowing users to stay up-to-date with market movements.
In terms of charting features, Firstrade and eToro allow users to view multiple time frames for charting, yet they differ as Firstrade supports 81 technical studies while eToro offers a slightly larger suite with 103. eToro also provides after-hours charting and stock comparison on charts, features not available with Firstrade's app. However, Firstrade offers a more customizable watch list experience, giving users an edge in organizing and tailoring their monitoring. Overall, the choice between Firstrade and eToro may come down to user preferences in charting and customization features versus media and educational content.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | No |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 103 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
For investors seeking a cost-effective online brokerage, both Firstrade and eToro present compelling options with their no-fee structures for regular stock trades and options contracts. Firstrade offers significant advantages with its $0 minimum deposit requirement, allowing investors to get started without any initial financial commitment, compared to eToro's $50 minimum. Also noteworthy is Firstrade's provision of free IRA management, which includes zero IRA annual and closure fees, while eToro does not offer IRA services. Both platforms ensure investors are not burdened with additional costs for options exercises and assignments.
Considering supplementary charges, Firstrade appears more advantageous with slightly lower transaction costs in certain contexts. Particularly, Firstrade maintains a marginally lower fee for partial account transfers (ACAT) at $55 compared to eToro's $75, with both brokerages imposing the same fee for full transfers. Investors could encounter substantial savings with Firstrade's transparent pricing for margin accounts. Although eToro does not offer margin services, Firstrade's tiered interest rates decrease progressively, beginning at 13.75% for balances below $25,000, down to 13.00% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999.
In essence, Firstrade serves as a cost-effective alternative for diverse investment needs with its fee-free trades, tax-advantaged accounts, and lower starting costs compared to eToro. While eToro matches Firstrade in free trading on a surface level, Firstrade's lack of minimum deposit requirements, along with lower account transfer fees and comprehensive margin services, provide a more inclusive environment for various investor profiles.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | |
Commissions & Fees | N/A | N/A |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to evaluating Firstrade and eToro for day trading, several distinctions become evident. Notably, eToro provides streaming time and sales data for stocks, a feature absent in Firstrade, potentially offering eToro users an edge in real-time market analysis. Despite this, neither platform supports streaming live TV, direct market routing for stocks, ladder trading, or the use of trading hotkeys for keyboard trade entry. This limits both platforms in terms of offering advanced tools and real-time insights often sought by day traders.
Additionally, both Firstrade and eToro fall short in providing enhanced market data and trading strategies. Neither platform offers level 2 quotes, basic or advanced strategy backtesting, or a short locator tool to check real-time stock availability for shorting. Furthermore, both brokers do not provide order liquidity rebates, which could be a drawback for traders looking for cost efficiencies. Overall, while eToro exhibits a slight advantage with its streaming stock data, both platforms have significant limitations for day traders seeking comprehensive tools and features.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When considering the market research capabilities of Firstrade and eToro, Firstrade surfaces as the more comprehensive option. Firstrade offers robust research across stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, with downloadable PDF reports and insightful screeners to support informed investment decisions. Firstrade is also noted for its ability to analyze social media sentiment and ESG factors, offering a rounded research experience. In contrast, eToro provides stock and ETF research but lacks coverage in mutual funds, bonds, and screeners for trade ideas. StockBrokers.com rates Firstrade at 4.5 stars, ranking it sixth, while eToro receives 1.5 stars, placing it at the 14th spot.
Firstrade's strength lies in its extensive research capabilities, offering detailed insights across various asset classes, including coverage for pink sheets and OTCBB markets. Investors gain an edge through Firstrade's array of tools like portfolio allocation views and downloadable research reports for stocks and ETFs, although mutual fund reports are not provided. The ability to harness social media sentiment and ESG insights adds further layers of analysis, aiding in more dynamic decision-making.
eToro presents a more limited offering, mainly focusing on stocks and ETFs research without downloadable reports. Its lack of mutual fund or bond research and the absence of any screeners mean that investors may need to seek additional platforms for a full spectrum of analysis tools. While it does utilize social media sentiment and ESG research, the overall resource pool from eToro is relatively narrow compared to Firstrade. This difference highlights Firstrade as the preferred option for investors seeking a broader and more varied range of market research capabilities.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
Screener - Bonds | Yes | No |
Research |
When evaluating the banking capabilities of online brokers Firstrade and eToro, Firstrade emerges with a more comprehensive offering. Firstrade provides checking accounts and debit cards, which eToro does not offer. Additionally, Firstrade offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs), further enhancing its banking services, whereas eToro lacks this feature. Both platforms do not offer savings accounts, credit cards, or mortgage loans, maintaining a limited scope in these areas. Overall, Firstrade presents more banking options, catering to users seeking integration with traditional banking features.
Feature |
Firstrade
|
eToro
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
Savings Accounts | No | No |
Debit Cards | Yes | No |
Credit Cards | No | No |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 18 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.
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
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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0 of 5Overall Rating | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall | |||
Commissions & Fees | N/A | N/A | |
Range of Investments | |||
Platforms & Tools | |||
Mobile Trading Apps | |||
Research | |||
Customer Service | N/A | ||
Education | |||
Ease Of Use | |||
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 | $0.00 | $50.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.00 | N/A | |
Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $0 | N/A | |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | (Not offered) | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $19.95 | $0 |
Margin Rates | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.75% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.50% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 13.00% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.50% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.50% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 12.50% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 12.50% | Not offered |
Account Fees | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | ||
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | ||
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $55.00 | $75.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $75.00 | $75.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Margin Trading | Yes | No | |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 0 | |
Futures Trading | No | No | |
Forex Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 26 | |
Mutual Funds (No Load) | 15460 | 0 | |
Mutual Funds (Total) | 19666 | 0 | |
Bonds (US Treasury) | Yes | No | |
Bonds (Corporate) | Yes | No | |
Bonds (Municipal) | Yes | No | |
Traditional IRAs | Yes | No | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | No | |
Advisor Services | No | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Limit | Yes | No | |
Order Type - After Hours | Yes | No | |
Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - OCO | Yes | No | |
Order Type - OTO | Yes | No | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
Beginners | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | No | No | |
Education (Options) | Yes | No | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
Education (Bonds) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | No | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | No | |
Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
Progress Tracking | No | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
Stock Trading Apps | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | No | |
Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - After-Hours | Yes | No | |
Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Complex Options | Yes | No | |
Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket SRT Quotes | Yes | Yes |
Stock App Features | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | Yes | |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Column Customization | Yes | No |
Stock App Charting | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 103 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | N/A | ||
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 7 |
Stock Chart Features | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | No | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 46 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 48 | |
Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | No | No | |
Charting - Corporate Events | No | No | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | No | No | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | No | No | |
Charting - Save Profiles | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 6 | 5 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
Day Trading | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No | |
Ladder Trading | No | No | |
Trade Hotkeys | No | No | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
Short Locator | No | No | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
Research Overview | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | No | |
Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Bonds | Yes | No | |
Misc - Portfolio Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 1 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
ETF Research | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Strategy Overview | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets | Yes | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Basic View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | No | |
Option Chains - Streaming | No | No | |
Option Chains - Total Columns | 8 | 0 | |
Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 4 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysis | No | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | No | |
Option Probability Analysis | No | No | |
Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Greeks | No | No | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | No | No | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysis | No | No | |
Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Grouping | No | No |
Banking | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
Savings Accounts | No | No | |
Credit Cards | No | No | |
Debit Cards | Yes | No | |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
Customer Service | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | No | No |
Overall | Firstrade | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall | |||
Commissions & Fees | N/A | N/A | |
Range of Investments | |||
Platforms & Tools | |||
Mobile Trading Apps | |||
Research | |||
Education | |||
Ease Of Use | |||
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Firstrade Review | eToro Review |