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 comparing online brokers Firstrade and Robinhood, Firstrade stands out with a wider range of investment options, earning a solid 4.5-star rating for its diverse offerings. This places Firstrade in the #6 position among 15 brokers for Range of Investments according to StockBrokers.com. Robinhood, though convenient and user-friendly especially for new investors, is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #12 in the same category, indicating it offers a more limited selection of investment choices.
Both Firstrade and Robinhood allow users to trade stocks, options, and on margin, plus they offer fractional shares investing, catering to investors with varying budget sizes. However, Firstrade offers additional investment opportunities like mutual funds and the ability to trade OTC stocks, which Robinhood does not provide. On the other hand, if you're interested in cryptocurrency, Robinhood allows trading in 22 different coins, while Firstrade offers no crypto trading options at all.
In terms of retirement planning, both platforms provide access to traditional and Roth IRA accounts, allowing investors to plan for their financial futures. However, neither Firstrade nor Robinhood offer advisor services, meaning investors might need to look elsewhere for personalized investment guidance. Ultimately, Firstrade's diverse range of investment options provides a more comprehensive platform for investors seeking variety, whereas Robinhood excels with its user-friendly interface and unique crypto offerings.
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 it comes to choosing an online broker for trading platforms and tools, both Firstrade and Robinhood have distinctive offerings that cater to different trader needs. Firstrade stands out with its extensive charting capabilities, providing 102 technical indicators compared to Robinhood's 16. However, Robinhood edges ahead with features like the ability to adjust open orders directly on stock charts and the capacity to add notes to charts, offering a slightly more interactive experience. Given these features, Robinhood earns a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5, as compared to Firstrade’s 3 stars, and ranks 9th among 15 brokers, whereas Firstrade ranks 11th.
Both Firstrade and Robinhood offer browser-based trading platforms, but neither supports a downloadable desktop platform for Windows or Mac. When it comes to watch lists, Firstrade provides more options with 50 fields that can be customized, while Robinhood only offers 3. Robinhood impressively outshines Firstrade with interactive chart capabilities, including the ability to set custom date ranges and save multiple chart profiles — areas where Firstrade falls short.
Despite the lack of desktop platforms and inactive features like paper trading or trading journals, both brokers offer valuable tools for traders. Firstrade's strong suit lies in its extensive chart technical indicators, making it suitable for those who rely heavily on chart analysis. Conversely, Robinhood stands out with its user-friendly features for managing trades and charts interactively. These variations underline how both platforms cater to unique trader preferences, leaving it up to users to decide which features align best with their strategic trading needs.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
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: Best Online Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing Firstrade and Robinhood for their beginner and investor education resources, both platforms offer stock and options education, making them suitable choices for newcomers looking to start their trading journey. However, Robinhood edges ahead by providing education on ETFs, which Firstrade does not. Neither Firstrade nor Robinhood offers mutual funds or bonds education, and both lack paper trading features, which could be a drawback for those seeking hands-on practice without investment risk. For visual learners, Firstrade offers educational videos, a feature Robinhood does not have, while both platforms provide webinars to help users deepen their understanding of the markets.
Despite Firstrade's offering of educational videos, in terms of overall educational ranking by StockBrokers.com, Firstrade is positioned at #13 out of 15 brokers, while Robinhood sits higher at #9. Users rate Firstrade at 3.5 stars for its education capabilities, compared to Robinhood's slightly higher rating of 4 stars. Both firms are limited in interactive learning tools like quizzes and the ability to track learning progress, which might be a consideration for users who prefer a more structured educational path.
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 their stock trading app capabilities, both platforms have their unique strengths. While both offer iPhone and Android apps for convenient on-the-go trading, Robinhood also boasts an Apple Watch app for even more accessibility. Firstrade shines with its expansive 81 technical studies for charting, compared to just 6 available on Robinhood, allowing for more in-depth analysis. However, Robinhood pulls ahead with features like after-hours charting, which Firstrade lacks. Ultimately, both platforms have earned a commendable 4.5-star rating for their stock trading apps, reflecting their impressive offerings and user satisfaction.
Firstrade and Robinhood both offer essential features like mobile options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to create and customize watch lists. Though neither platform provides streaming live TV or videos on demand, they cover all basic necessities for stock trading enthusiasts who value real-time updates and personalized alerts. While Firstrade allows its users to view charts in landscape mode, Robinhood offers the advantage of after-hours charting. This gives Robinhood an edge for those who prioritize comprehensive real-time data access.
Despite their close ratings, a notable difference shows up in StockBrokers.com's rankings, with Robinhood securing the 7th spot and Firstrade coming in at 9th among 15 brokers. This slight difference in ranking could be attributed to Robinhood's additional app offerings and accessible charting options. However, for those deep into technical analyses, Firstrade's extensive library of technical studies could be a decisive factor. When selecting the right app for your trading needs, considering these nuanced differences can guide you to the platform that best aligns with your trading style and preferences.
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 it comes to market research capabilities, Firstrade significantly outpaces Robinhood by offering a wider array of research tools and resources. Firstrade provides in-depth research options across stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and even bonds, making it a comprehensive platform for users interested in various market segments. Robinhood, while offering basic research options for stocks and ETFs, falls short in providing detailed reports and analyses for mutual funds and bonds, giving Firstrade a clear advantage for informed investing.
Firstrade stands out with its unique features, such as portfolio allocation insights by asset class and stock research using social media sentiment data. It also offers ESG research, catering to socially-conscious investors. Additionally, Firstrade provides downloadable PDF reports for both stocks and ETFs, granting users easy access to detailed information. In contrast, Robinhood lacks downloadable reports for any investment, limiting the depth of information readily available to its users.
Both platforms provide a stock screener for trade ideas, but Firstrade adds further value by offering screeners for ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, which Robinhood does not. These tools and resources have earned Firstrade a higher rating of 4.5 stars for market research compared to Robinhood's 2 stars. This comprehensive offering places Firstrade at number 6 in market research provided by StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood ranks at number 10.
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 15 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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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 | N/A | 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 |