Firstrade vs Robinhood 2025
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When choosing an online broker, it's important to consider the range of investment options available. Firstrade generally stands out in this area, offering a wide variety of choices such as stock trading, margin accounts, fractional shares, OTC stocks, mutual funds, and options trading. Robinhood, while popular and easily accessible, doesn't offer OTC stocks or mutual funds, and its investment range is slightly more limited compared to Firstrade. However, Robinhood does excel with its cryptocurrency offerings, providing access to 22 different coins, which Firstrade does not offer. While both offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, neither provides advisory services.
Both Firstrade and Robinhood facilitate stock trading, margin trading, and fractional shares trading. In addition, both platforms offer options trading but differ significantly when it comes to other investment types. Firstrade gives you the ability to invest in OTC stocks and mutual funds, while Robinhood leans more towards cryptocurrency, supporting a variety of digital coins not available through Firstrade. Importantly, neither broker provides access to forex or futures trading, which might influence your decision if these are areas you're interested in exploring.
Overall, if you're looking for a broker with a broader range of traditional investment choices, Firstrade might be your go-to option as evidenced by its higher ranking and star rating for range of investments. For those interested in cryptocurrency, Robinhood provides a solid choice by allowing investment in 22 different digital currencies. The right option depends on your specific investment goals and interests, but Firstrade's variety makes it a strong contender for those focusing on a more traditional portfolio.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
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 | 22 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Firstrade and Robinhood, it's clear they cater to different trading needs. Both platforms provide a browser-based trading experience without offering desktop downloads for Windows or Mac. While Firstrade excels in offering a wider range of technical indicators for charting, Robinhood shines with its user-friendly features like the ability to adjust open orders directly on stock charts and set custom date ranges for charts. Although Firstrade offers more fields for watch lists, Robinhood's overall ease and flexibility give it an edge, earning it a slightly higher rating of 3.5 stars compared to Firstrade's 3 stars.
Firstrade stands out in terms of the number of columns available for watch lists, offering 50 compared to Robinhood's three. It also boasts 102 technical indicators, providing depth for those who value detailed analysis. However, Firstrade falls short in customization, lacking features such as the ability to add notes to charts or save multiple chart profiles. Both Firstrade and Robinhood do not offer paper trading or trading journals, but Robinhood's additional drawing tools and interactive features make up for some of these shortcomings.
On the other hand, Robinhood provides a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, particularly for beginners. It features 23 drawing tools, significantly more than Firstrade's eight, and allows users to modify open orders directly on stock charts, which is not possible with Firstrade. Robinhood also permits setting custom date ranges and showing automated technical analysis on charts. Despite both platforms lacking in some areas, Robinhood's additional functionalities have earned it a higher ranking of 9th place among 16 brokers compared to Firstrade's 11th place, according to StockBrokers.com.
Feature |
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|
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | No |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 3 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 16 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 23 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: 7 Best Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025
Firstrade and Robinhood both cater to beginner investors seeking educational resources, although they vary in their offerings and effectiveness. Firstrade provides instructional materials on stocks and options, supporting learners with webinars and educational videos. However, it does not extend its educational coverage to ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds. Meanwhile, Robinhood offers education on stocks, ETFs, and options, although it lacks the video component. Both platforms fall short on providing education regarding mutual funds and bonds, and neither offer paper trading or progress tracking features for learners.
In terms of quality, Robinhood achieves a slightly higher educational rating with 4 out of 5 stars, compared to Firstrade's 3.5 stars. This aligns with their rankings on StockBrokers.com, where Robinhood stands at 9th place out of 16 brokers, and Firstrade ranks 13th. Both brokers offer webinars, but neither provides quizzes to test knowledge. Ultimately, Robinhood seems to edge out Firstrade for beginner investor education, largely due to its comprehensive coverage of different investment types and higher resource ratings.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Bonds) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | No |
Videos | Yes | No |
Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When it comes to choosing between Firstrade and Robinhood for a solid stock trading app, both platforms offer competitive features that cater to different needs. Firstrade and Robinhood both support iPhone and Android apps, though Robinhood takes an edge by also offering an Apple Watch app. While Robinhood is rated slightly higher in rankings at 7th place compared to Firstrade’s 9th place by StockBrokers.com, both platforms hold a commendable user rating of 4.5 stars out of five. Depending on your preferences, whether it’s the variety of technical studies or after-hours features, both platforms can serve as excellent trading companions.
Firstrade excels in providing a wide array of charting tools with 81 technical studies available in its mobile app, allowing for a more detailed analysis of stock trends. Users of Firstrade can enjoy the ability to customize watch list columns and chart views in landscape mode, enhancing the capability to personalize their trading experience. Furthermore, Firstrade supports mobile after-hours trading and options trading, positioning it as a versatile option for serious traders seeking extensive analytical tools and flexibility.
On the other hand, Robinhood's appeal lies in its user-friendly interface and feature of viewing charts with stock comparisons, even though it offers only 6 technical studies on its mobile app. It allows for after-hours charting, which might be a decisive factor for users who need this capability. Robinhood also provides mobile after-hours and options trading, making it accessible for traders interested in actively engaging with the market beyond regular hours. With the added convenience of an Apple Watch app, Robinhood is well-suited for tech-savvy investors looking for a streamlined, efficient trading process.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 6 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When choosing between Firstrade and Robinhood, it’s important to consider the cost structures that each online broker presents. Both Firstrade and Robinhood offer compelling services with no minimum deposit requirements, and they charge absolutely nothing for regular stock trades, options contracts, and Individual Retirement Account (IRA) annual or closure fees. However, significant differences appear in their margin rates and account transfer fees. Thus, potential investors should weigh these factors according to their trading habits and financial goals.
In terms of margin rates, Robinhood offers more competitive prices compared to Firstrade. For margin balances below $25,000, Robinhood charges 5.75%, while Firstrade's rate is notably higher at 13.75%. This trend continues with slightly reduced rates for higher balances: Robinhood maintains rates of 5.75% for margin balances between $25,000 and $49,999, and 5.55% for those between $50,000 and $99,999. Firstrade, on the other hand, offers 13.50% and 13.00% respectively for these ranges. Clearly, Robinhood presents a more cost-effective choice for traders seeking to use margin accounts.
When it comes to account transfers, Firstrade seems to have the edge. For partial account transfers (ACAT), Firstrade charges $55.00 compared to Robinhood's $100.00. For a full account transfer, Firstrade’s fee is $75.00, while Robinhood charges $100.00. Additionally, neither Firstrade nor Robinhood impose fees on options exercise or assignment, maintaining a user-friendly environment for options traders. This detailed comparison of fees can assist investors in making an informed decision based on their preferences and financial strategies.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
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 | $0.00 |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When considering Firstrade and Robinhood for day trading, it's evident that neither platform provides advanced features often sought by frequent traders. Both brokers lack streaming time and sales for stocks, as well as streaming live TV, which may limit real-time information access that many traders value. Additionally, neither platform offers direct market routing or trading hotkeys, which are tools that can enhance execution speed and precision in trades.
One distinct offering Robinhood has is ladder trading, providing an advantage for those looking for dynamic trading layouts. However, neither Firstrade nor Robinhood offers level 2 quotes, backtesting strategies, or a short locator tool, meaning traders have limited in-depth market data and analysis capabilities. Order liquidity rebates are also absent on both platforms. As a whole, amateur and casual traders might find these services sufficient, while more seasoned day traders may seek platforms with richer trading features.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | No |
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 evaluating the market research capabilities of online brokers Firstrade and Robinhood, Firstrade stands out as the superior option. It provides more comprehensive research tools and resources across a variety of asset classes. Firstrade outshines Robinhood with a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Robinhood's 2 stars, according to StockBrokers.com. This puts Firstrade in an impressive 6th place out of 16 brokers, while Robinhood trails behind at 10th place.
Firstrade offers extensive research options for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and even Pink Sheets/OTCBB, unlike Robinhood, which lacks mutual funds and bonds research. Firstrade also provides in-depth insights with downloadable PDF research reports and a social media sentiment analysis feature for stocks, both of which Robinhood does not offer. Additionally, Firstrade supports sustainable investing with ESG research, enhancing its appeal for socially conscious investors.
In terms of tools to identify trading opportunities, Firstrade provides screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, helping investors fine-tune their strategies. Robinhood, however, only offers a stock screener and falls short in other areas. With Firstrade’s ability to display portfolio allocation by asset class and offer a more diverse set of research tools, it stands as a comprehensive choice for investors seeking detailed market analyses across multiple asset categories.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
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 |
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When comparing the banking features of Firstrade and Robinhood, there are several differences to consider. Firstrade offers checking accounts, giving users a straightforward way to manage their everyday finances, whereas Robinhood does not provide this option. Both platforms offer debit cards, making everyday transactions convenient, but only Robinhood gives clients the option of a credit card. Neither Firstrade nor Robinhood offers savings accounts or mortgage loans, keeping their focus on investment services rather than traditional banking products. For those looking to invest in Certificates of Deposit, Firstrade offers CD options, while Robinhood does not. Ultimately, the choice between Firstrade and Robinhood's banking capabilities depends on the specific financial tools you're looking to access alongside your trading activities.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
Savings Accounts | No | No |
Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
Credit Cards | No | Yes |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 16 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than Robinhood. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 81.8%, while Robinhood finished with a score of 77.3%.
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.
When it comes to crypto trading, Firstrade does not offer any cryptocurrency options, whereas Robinhood provides a more extensive selection with 22 different coins available for trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Firstrade and Robinhood offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual or closure fees, providing cost-effective options for investors seeking retirement savings solutions.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease Of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Firstrade Review | Robinhood Review |
Broker Screenshots | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
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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 | Robinhood | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
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 | N/A |
Margin Rates | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.75% | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.50% | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 13.00% | 5.55% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.50% | 5.25% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.50% | 5.25% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 12.50% | 5.25% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 12.50% | 5% |
Account Fees | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $55.00 | $100.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $75.00 | $100.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
Futures Trading | No | No | |
Forex Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 | |
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 | Yes | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Advisor Services | No | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No | |
Order Type - OTO | Yes | No | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
Beginners | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
Education (Bonds) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | No | |
Videos | Yes | No | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
Progress Tracking | No | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
Stock Trading Apps | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes | |
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 | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | No | |
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 | Yes |
Stock App Charting | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 6 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | No |
Trading Platforms | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | Robinhood Legend | ||
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | No | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 3 |
Stock Chart Features | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 16 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 23 | |
Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | No | No | |
Charting - Corporate Events | No | No | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | No | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | Yes | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | No | No | |
Charting - Save Profiles | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 6 | 1 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
Day Trading | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | No | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No | |
Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
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 | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Bonds | Yes | No | |
Misc - Portfolio Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 1 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | No |
ETF Research | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Strategy Overview | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Net 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 | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Basic View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Streaming | No | Yes | |
Option Chains - Total Columns | 8 | 17 | |
Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysis | No | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis | No | No | |
Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Greeks | No | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | No | Yes | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysis | No | No | |
Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Grouping | No | Yes |
Banking | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
Savings Accounts | No | No | |
Credit Cards | No | Yes | |
Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
Customer Service | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | No | Yes |
Overall | Firstrade | Robinhood | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease Of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Firstrade Review | Robinhood Review |