Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Fidelity vs Firstrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Bottom line: Fidelity offers a wider range of investments than Firstrade. Both online brokers cover the basics—stocks, ETFs with fractional shares, options, mutual funds, OTC stocks, margin trading, plus Traditional and Roth IRAs—but Fidelity adds crypto trading (3 coins), forex, and access to advisor services. Neither supports futures. If you want the broadest menu or guidance, choose Fidelity; if you mainly need low-cost stock and options trading, Firstrade handles the essentials.
Head-to-head on products: Stock trading? Both yes. Fractional shares and margin? Both yes. Options and mutual funds? Both yes. OTC stocks? Both yes. Forex? Fidelity yes, Firstrade no. Futures? Neither. Crypto? Fidelity yes with 3 coins, Firstrade no. Account choices are similar for retirement savers, with both offering Traditional and Roth IRAs. Advisor services are another divider: Fidelity offers them; Firstrade does not.
Independent ratings back this up. For Range of Investments, Fidelity earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #5. In short, Fidelity is better for investors who want more ways to trade and get advice; Firstrade remains a solid pick for straightforward stock, ETF, and options trading.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 0 |
| Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
Bottom line: Fidelity outpaces Firstrade for trading platforms and tools. In this Fidelity vs Firstrade comparison, Fidelity earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 4th of 14 brokers for platforms and tools, while Firstrade scores 1 out of 5 stars and ranks 12th. If you want deeper charting and more ways to access your account, Fidelity is the stronger pick.
Platform access favors Fidelity: it offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform. Firstrade provides a browser platform only. Neither broker offers paper trading. Fidelity includes a trading journal; Firstrade does not. For watch lists, Fidelity supports 92 columns compared with Firstrade’s 50. Fidelity also lets you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart, a feature Firstrade lacks.
Charting tools are wider at Fidelity, with 129 technical indicators and 38 drawing tools versus Firstrade’s 102 indicators and 8 drawing tools. Fidelity alone lets you add notes to charts, display historical trades, show corporate events like earnings and dividends, set custom date ranges, and save multiple chart profiles. Both brokers provide automated chart pattern recognition and neither supports custom studies. When editing an SMA study, Fidelity offers five fields and Firstrade offers six. For traders comparing desktop trading platforms and browser trading, Fidelity delivers more features that matter day to day.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 92 | 50 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 102 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 8 |
| Advanced Trading |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
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Fidelity vs. Firstrade for beginner and investor education: both brokers teach stock investing and options, and both offer educational videos and webinars. Fidelity goes further with lessons on ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, while Firstrade does not cover those topics. Neither broker offers paper trading. Fidelity also includes interactive quizzes and tools to track your learning progress; Firstrade does not.
For quality and depth, Fidelity earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers for education at StockBrokers.com. Firstrade earns 2.5 stars and ranks #13 of 14. Choose Fidelity if you want a fuller learning path with quizzes, progress tracking, and coverage across ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Choose Firstrade if you only need basic stock and options education through videos and webinars.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | No |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Fidelity vs. Firstrade: For most mobile traders, Fidelity comes out ahead. Both brokers cover the basics well, but Fidelity earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #3 out of 14 for stock trading apps on StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade scores 4/5 stars and ranks #8. Fidelity’s edge shows up in extra features and research tools that help if you trade or track markets on the move.
App availability is strong on both sides: Fidelity and Firstrade offer iPhone and Android apps. Fidelity also supports Apple Watch, while Firstrade does not. Both apps include mobile options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, and customizable watch lists with adjustable columns. For media and education, Fidelity adds streaming live TV and on‑demand videos; Firstrade does not offer these. Fidelity supports after‑hours trading in the app; Firstrade’s mobile after‑hours availability is not specified here.
Charting is deeper on Fidelity. Both brokers let you rotate to landscape, compare stocks on charts, and switch among multiple time frames. Fidelity adds after‑hours charting and provides 128 technical studies, compared with Firstrade’s 81. If you want fuller charts and more market content in your pocket, Fidelity is the better fit; if you only need core trading and alerts, Firstrade can still do the job.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | No |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 81 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When evaluating online brokers, Fidelity and Firstrade offer distinct advantages depending on your trading needs. Both platforms boast no minimum deposit requirement and free regular stock trades, making them accessible for all types of investors. However, when it comes to options trading, Firstrade stands out with zero charges per options contract compared to Fidelity’s $0.65 fee. Meanwhile, for margin rates and account transfers, Fidelity tends to be more affordable especially with margin balances under $50,000 and free account transfer services, unlike Firstrade, which charges for account transfers.
Fidelity and Firstrade both cater to retirement-focused investors with no fees for IRA account maintenance or closure. Their similar offerings in this regard can make them excellent choices for those looking to manage retirement funds without incurring extra fees. Users looking for flexibility in account handling may prefer Fidelity, which does not charge fees for account transfers, whether partial or full, contrasting with Firstrade's fees of $55 for partial and $75 for full account transfers.
For investors focused on maximizing their returns on options trades, Firstrade presents a compelling option due to its zero-cost per contract charge and no additional fees for options exercises or assignments, which is similarly offered by Fidelity. However, for margin trading, Fidelity offers notably lower rates for varying balance tiers, providing potential savings over time compared to Firstrade's higher charges. This cost comparison is crucial for active traders deciding between these two platforms, based on their specific trading strategies and financial priorities.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
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For anyone venturing into day trading, choosing the right online broker can significantly impact the trading experience. Fidelity stands out with its offerings tailored for active traders. It provides essential tools like streaming time and sales data for stocks and streaming live TV, which keep traders informed in real-time. Fidelity also supports direct market routing, allowing for greater control over trade execution, and includes keyboard trade entry with trading hotkeys. Notable features like level 2 quotes and a basic strategy backtesting option further enhance its appeal. Additionally, Fidelity offers a short locator tool, enabling traders to check the real-time availability of shares to short, a vital feature for those interested in short selling.
By contrast, Firstrade might face limitations for a day trader. While it serves as a functional broker, it lacks several of the advanced tools that Fidelity provides. Firstrade does not offer streaming time and sales data, live TV, or direct market routing, which could be a dealbreaker for traders seeking comprehensive market insights. Moreover, it does not support trading hotkeys, level 2 quotes, or backtesting capabilities, both basic and advanced, which might make strategy evaluation and quick trading more challenging. Additionally, the absence of a short locator tool might restrict short selling opportunities compared to Fidelity. While both brokers do not give order liquidity rebates or ladder trading options, Fidelity generally presents more resources for an active day trading environment.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
| Short Locator | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
Fidelity comes out ahead for market research. It earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade earns 4 stars and ranks #6. Both brokers cover the core research needs, but Fidelity offers more report variety and detail, making it better for research‑heavy investors. Firstrade is a good pick if you want solid, straightforward tools without as many extras.
Feature for feature, both brokers check most of the same boxes: research for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, OTC/Pink Sheets, and bonds; portfolio allocation by asset class; and access to social media sentiment and ESG insights. The biggest difference is in downloadable reports. Fidelity provides seven PDF analyst reports for stocks versus one at Firstrade. Both offer PDF reports for ETFs, and neither offers PDF reports for mutual funds.
Idea generation is strong on both platforms, with screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. If you value multiple analyst opinions and a deeper library of materials, Fidelity is the stronger fit. If you prefer essential research and easy screening without the extra layers, Firstrade gets the job done.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking features of Fidelity and Firstrade, several key differences stand out for potential customers. Firstrade offers checking accounts, while Fidelity does not, which might be a draw for those looking to manage daily finances within their brokerage. However, neither broker provides savings accounts. Both companies offer debit cards, making account access convenient, but only Fidelity provides credit cards, adding another layer of flexibility for users. When it comes to larger financial needs, Fidelity also offers mortgage loans, setting it apart from Firstrade, which does not. For those interested in investing in certificates of deposit, both Fidelity and Firstrade offer CDs as part of their banking capabilities, providing options for earning interest over time.
| Feature |
Fidelity
|
Firstrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | No | Yes |
| Savings Accounts | No | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Fidelity is better than Firstrade. Fidelity finished with an overall score of 92.5%, while Firstrade finished with a score of 67.8%.
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
Fidelity provides crypto trading with access to 3 different coins, whereas Firstrade does not offer crypto trading services, making Fidelity a more comprehensive choice for investors interested in cryptocurrency options.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Both Fidelity and Firstrade provide traditional and Roth IRA accounts without any annual fees and do not charge a closure fee, making them equally competitive options for investors seeking fee-free IRA account management.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
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| Broker Screenshots | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
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| Trading Fees | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | Varies | $0 | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | (Not offered) | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $32.95 | $19.95 |
| Margin Rates | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.575% | 12.75% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.075% | 12.50% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.125% | 12.00% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.075% | 11.50% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 10.825% | 11.25% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 8.500% | 9.35% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.250% | 8.75% |
| Account Fees | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $55.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | No | No | |
| Forex Trading | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 3 | 0 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 25 | 0 |
| Order Types | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | Yes | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No | |
| Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Complex Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Features | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
| Videos on Demand | Yes | No | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 128 | 81 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Active Trader Pro | N/A | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Journal | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 92 | 50 |
| Stock Chart Features | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 129 | 102 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 38 | 8 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 5 | 6 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
| Short Locator | Yes | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 7 | 1 | |
| 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 | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Fund Research | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
| Checking Accounts | No | Yes | |
| Savings Accounts | No | No | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Customer Service | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | Fidelity | Firstrade | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Fidelity Review | Firstrade Review |
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