Firstrade vs Webull 2025
In this head to head comparison of Firstrade vs Webull, 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 Webull, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
For investors looking to choose between Firstrade and Webull, Firstrade offers a slightly more comprehensive range of investment options, boasting a 4.5-star rating for its range of investments compared to Webull’s 4-star rating. Firstrade stands out particularly with its inclusion of mutual funds, an option that Webull does not provide. Consequently, StockBrokers.com ranks Firstrade higher at #6 out of 15 brokers while placing Webull at #11 in terms of investment range.
Both Firstrade and Webull provide stock, margin, and options trading alongside fractional shares and the ability to trade over-the-counter (OTC) stocks. While neither broker offers forex or crypto trading, Firstrade does not support futures trading, whereas Webull has expanded its offerings to include futures. Additionally, both platforms cater to retirement planning by providing Traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but neither offers any advisor services to their users.
Investors seeking a platform with mutual funds will find Firstrade the superior choice, whereas those interested in futures trading might lean towards Webull. Given these nuances, Firstrade may appeal more to those looking for a broader investment scope, while Webull could be ideal for traders focused on futures and basic stock trading options. The decision ultimately depends on the specific investment interests and requirements of the individual investor.
Feature |
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading | No | No |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025
When choosing between Firstrade and Webull for a trading platform, Webull generally offers more advanced tools and features, leading it to receive a higher user rating and industry ranking. While Firstrade ranks #11 out of 15 brokers and receives a 3-star rating for its offerings, Webull stands out with a #7 ranking and a 4-star rating, showcasing its emphasis on delivering a more comprehensive trading experience.
Webull provides both Windows and Mac desktop downloadable platforms, unlike Firstrade, which does not offer downloadable platforms for either operating system. Both brokers supply browser-based trading options, but Webull enriches the experience further with paper trading capabilities, an essential tool for practice and strategy refinement. Despite Firstrade offering a more extensive watchlist with up to 50 columns compared to Webull's 35, Webull allows traders to adjust open orders directly on a stock chart, add notes, show historical trades, and illustrate corporate events—a set of features Firstrade lacks.
In terms of charting features, Firstrade offers a higher number of technical indicators at 102 compared to Webull's 52, yet falls behind in the provision of drawing tools and customization features. Webull not only boasts 19 drawing tools, nearly doubling Firstrade's offerings, but also provides the ability to save multiple chart profiles, conduct automated technical analysis, and create custom studies for charts. These enhanced features support traders in crafting more tailored and insightful trading strategies, solidifying Webull's status as the superior choice for those seeking a versatile and feature-rich trading platform.
Feature |
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 35 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 52 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 19 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing the beginner and investor education offerings of Firstrade and Webull, both platforms provide solid foundational resources, but Webull holds a slight edge. Firstrade offers education across several investment types, including stocks and options, and supports learning through educational videos and webinars. However, it does not provide education for ETFs or mutual funds and lacks tools such as paper trading or learning progress tracking that are valuable for novice investors. Earning a rating of 3.5 stars, Firstrade is ranked 13th out of 15 brokers by StockBrokers.com for education, indicating room for improvement.
Webull, on the other hand, enhances the beginners’ learning experience with education on stocks, ETFs, and options, supplemented by videos, webinars, and educational quizzes—something not available on Firstrade. Additionally, Webull’s inclusion of paper trading and learning progress tracking makes it an appealing choice for new investors who prefer a comprehensive learning platform. With a higher rating of 4 stars, Webull ranks 11th out of 15 brokers for education according to StockBrokers.com, demonstrating a broader and more engaging educational offering for users.
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 | Yes |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When comparing Firstrade and Webull's stock trading apps, both offer robust features with certain distinctions, ultimately catering to slightly different user preferences. Notably, both apps are highly rated at 4.5 stars, yet Webull holds a distinctive edge by being ranked fifth out of fifteen brokers by StockBrokers.com, while Firstrade comes in at ninth place. This suggests Webull might be slightly more favorable in terms of user experience and features overall; however, your specific needs might find a better match with Firstrade depending on desired features.
Both platforms offer intuitive iPhone and Android apps, with options for mobile trading, after-hours trading, and streaming quotes. However, Webull extends its versatility by providing an Apple Watch app and exclusive after-hours charting, whereas Firstrade lacks these features but compensates by providing more technical studies (81 compared to Webull's 56) and allows customization of watch list columns. These factors might appeal to traders focused on in-depth analysis and customizable trading environments.
While both apps allow for options trading and the ability to view multiple time frames in landscape mode, Webull enhances user experience with the option to display stock comparisons on charts—something Firstrade doesn't offer. Traders looking for more simplified yet technically rich charting tools might lean towards Firstrade, while those seeking advanced charting comparisons and wearable technology compatibility might find Webull more suitable.
Feature |
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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 | 56 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When choosing between Firstrade and Webull for online trading, potential investors will find both platforms offer cost-effective solutions without any minimum deposit requirement. Trades on stocks and options are commission-free, and both platforms eliminate IRA annual and closure fees, making them attractive for those looking for straightforward, budget-friendly trading options. However, it's important to note differences in extra charges; Webull offers lower rates for margin borrowing across all tiers as compared to Firstrade, making it slightly more favorable for those looking to trade on margin.
For those interested in specific fee structures, Firstrade and Webull match each other when it comes to regular stock and options trading, both offering $0 fees, which is an appealing aspect for cost-conscious traders. They also align with no fees for options contracts, options exercises, and assignments. However, a considerable distinction lies in their margin rate charges: Firstrade's rates start higher at 13.75% for balances below $25,000, compared to Webull's more competitive 9.24%. As balances increase, Firstrade's rates decrease slightly but remain above Webull's, with Firstrade charging 13.00% compared to Webull's 8.24% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999.
When considering account transfer fees, traders should be aware that both Firstrade and Webull charge for full account transfers at $75. However, Firstrade offers a slight advantage on partial account transfers with a lower fee of $55, compared to Webull's $75. This might be an influential factor for investors planning to move only a portion of their portfolios. Overall, while both platforms offer competitive, no-cost trading solutions, Webull might provide a marginally better experience for margin trading and account flexibility.
Feature |
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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 exploring online brokers for day trading, Firstrade and Webull each present unique advantages. A significant distinction lies in Webull’s offering of streaming time and sales for stocks, a feature absent from Firstrade. This allows Webull traders to benefit from real-time market insights, helping them make more informed decisions. Additionally, Webull provides tools like ladder trading and trading hotkeys, which are not available on Firstrade, granting traders faster trade execution and more nuanced control over their strategies.
Both platforms lack features like streaming live TV, direct market routing for stocks, as well as basic and advanced strategy backtesting. However, Webull offers level 2 quotes, which can be crucial for day traders looking to access deeper market data. In contrast, Firstrade does not offer this feature. Neither broker provides a short locator tool or order liquidity rebates, leaving room for traders to weigh other factors when choosing between these platforms. Overall, for day traders leaning towards data-driven and quick decision-making tools, Webull seems to offer more comprehensive capabilities.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | Yes |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
Firstrade emerges as a more comprehensive option compared to Webull when it comes to market research capabilities. With the ability to offer a wide range of research options, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, Pink Sheets/OTCBB, bonds, and ESG data, Firstrade caters to a broad spectrum of investors. Firstrade also excels by offering insights into portfolio allocation by asset class and downloadable PDF research reports for both stocks and ETFs. Its overall rating of 4.5 stars and a ranking of #6 by StockBrokers.com further solidify its reputation as a versatile and insightful broker for market research.
In contrast, Webull provides basic research capabilities mainly focused on stocks and Pink Sheets/OTCBB. While it also allows for social media sentiment integration, Webull lacks some critical features such as mutual fund and bond research, as well as ESG data considerations. The absence of downloadable PDF reports for stocks and ETFs is another limiting factor, which might restrict an investor's ability to conduct in-depth analysis. These limitations contribute to Webull's lower rating of 2.5 stars and a ranking of #9 by StockBrokers.com.
Those who prioritize a thorough and diverse array of research tools will likely find Firstrade to be a more suitable option. With numerous screeners and research capabilities spanning various asset classes, Firstrade stands out for those seeking detailed insights and organized data. On the other hand, Webull's streamlined offerings may better suit investors who prefer to focus on basic stock and foreign securities research without the need for extensive reports or specialized data. Overall, the choice will depend on your specific research needs and investment strategy.
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 online brokers Firstrade and Webull, a few differences stand out. Firstrade offers some banking conveniences, including checking accounts and debit cards, which Webull does not provide. This can be an advantage for users who prefer having access to basic banking features alongside their investment account. Additionally, Firstrade offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs), while Webull lacks this option. Both brokers do not provide savings accounts, credit cards, or mortgage loans, which suggests a focus on investment services over traditional banking offerings. Overall, Firstrade may be a better option for those wanting to combine brokerage services with limited banking functionalities.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
Savings Accounts | No | No |
Debit Cards | Yes | No |
Credit Cards | No | No |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 15 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Firstrade is better than Webull. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 81.8%, while Webull finished with a score of 81.0%.
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 comparing online brokers, Firstrade and Webull both do not offer crypto trading, with each providing zero cryptocurrencies for trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Firstrade and Webull offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees or closure costs, providing cost-effective solutions for investors looking to manage their retirement savings.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Firstrade | Webull | |
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Overall |
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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 | Webull Review |
Broker Screenshots | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Webull | |
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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) | $1.25 | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $19.95 | N/A |
Margin Rates | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.75% | 9.24% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.50% | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 13.00% | 8.24% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.50% | 7.74% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.50% | 7.74% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 12.50% | 6.74% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 12.50% | 6.24% |
Account Fees | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $55.00 | $75.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $75.00 | $75.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
Futures Trading | No | Yes | |
Forex Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No |
Beginners | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Tracking | No | Yes | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | Yes |
Stock Trading Apps | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No |
Stock App Charting | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 81 | 56 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | N/A | N/A | |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 50 | 35 |
Stock Chart Features | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 102 | 52 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 8 | 19 | |
Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | No | Yes | |
Charting - Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | No | No | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | No | Yes | |
Charting - Save Profiles | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 6 | 2 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
Day Trading | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | Yes | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | No | No | |
Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Hotkeys | No | Yes | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
Short Locator | No | No | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
Research Overview | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 1 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Social | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
ETF Research | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Basic View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Streaming | No | No | |
Option Chains - Total Columns | 8 | 23 | |
Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysis | No | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis | No | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks | No | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | No | No | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysis | No | No | |
Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Grouping | No | No |
Banking | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
Savings Accounts | No | No | |
Credit Cards | No | No | |
Debit Cards | Yes | No | |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
Customer Service | Firstrade | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
24/7 Support | No | No |
Overall | Firstrade | Webull | |
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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 | Webull Review |