StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn how we make money.

Firstrade vs Robinhood 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

March 11, 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.

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

Range of investments

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes info
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 22
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Paper Trading info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 50 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 102 16
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 23
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

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

Featured Offers


5/5 Stars

Schwab Trading Powered by Ameritrade™.

5/5 Stars

Get up to $1K on new brokerage account*

Beginners and education

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 81 6
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.00 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No info
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

When 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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Robinhood logoRobinhood
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info Yes Yes
Credit Cards info No Yes
Mortgage Loans info No No
CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 15 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than 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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Firstrade or Robinhood?

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

Does Firstrade or Robinhood offer IRAs?

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

Popular trading guides

More trading guides

Popular broker reviews


Select Brokers

×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxE*TRADE
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFirstrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMerrill Edge
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPublic.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSoFi Invest®
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Firstrade Robinhood
Overall 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review Robinhood Review
Broker Screenshots Firstrade Robinhood
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
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $0.00 N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info $0 N/A
Options (Per Contract) info $0.00 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) info (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $19.95 N/A
Margin Rates Firstrade Robinhood
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 13.75% 5.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 13.50% 5.75%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 13.00% 5.55%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 12.50% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 12.50% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 12.50% 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 12.50% 5% info
Account Fees Firstrade Robinhood
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $55.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Firstrade Robinhood
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info No No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes info
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 22
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 15460 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 19666 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes No
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes No
Bonds (Municipal) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types Firstrade Robinhood
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners Firstrade Robinhood
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade Robinhood
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No Yes
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes Yes
Stock App Features Firstrade Robinhood
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Firstrade Robinhood
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 81 6
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No No
Trading Platforms Firstrade Robinhood
Active Trading Platform info N/A Robinhood Legend
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 50 3
Stock Chart Features Firstrade Robinhood
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 102 16
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 23
Charting - Notes info No Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info No No
Charting - Corporate Events info No No
Charting - Custom Date Range info No Yes
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No Yes
Charting - Automated Analysis info No No
Charting - Save Profiles info No Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 6 1
Charting - Custom Studies info No No
Day Trading Firstrade Robinhood
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info No Yes
Trade Hotkeys info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No info
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview Firstrade Robinhood
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes No
Stock Research Firstrade Robinhood
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 1 0 info
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes No
Stock Research - Social info Yes No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes No
ETF Research Firstrade Robinhood
ETFs - Strategy Overview info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes Yes
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No info
Mutual Fund Research Firstrade Robinhood
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Firstrade Robinhood
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Streaming info No Yes
Option Chains - Total Columns info 8 17
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 5
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info No Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis info No No
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks info No Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info No Yes
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info No No
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Grouping info No Yes
Banking Firstrade Robinhood
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No Yes
Debit Cards info Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service Firstrade Robinhood
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info No Yes
Overall Firstrade Robinhood
Overall 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review Robinhood Review
arrow_upward

close