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Firstrade vs Webull 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

February 20, 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.

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

Range of investments

When deciding between Firstrade and Webull for your investment needs, both platforms offer a broad range of options but cater to slightly different preferences. Firstrade receives a higher rating for its range of investments, with 4.5 stars compared to Webull's 4 stars, and ranks 6th out of 16 brokers according to StockBrokers.com. In contrast, Webull is ranked 12th. This suggests that Firstrade might be the preferable choice for investors seeking a more diverse array of traditional investment options, including mutual funds, which Webull does not offer.

Both Firstrade and Webull enable users to trade stocks, options, and engage in margin trading, making them suitable for active traders who want to trade more than just standard equities. Both platforms allow fractional shares trading and offer the ability to invest in over-the-counter (OTC) stocks, which can be beneficial for those interested in a diverse set of securities. However, neither Firstrade nor Webull provides forex or cryptocurrency trading, with neither platform offering any crypto coins.

For retirement planning, both brokers support traditional and Roth IRA accounts, making either an option for long-term financial planning. However, for investors looking to trade futures, Webull stands out as it offers futures trading while Firstrade does not. Neither platform offers advisor services, indicating that investors who prefer a hands-on approach or rely on external advice may find these platforms more aligned with their expectations.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading info No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 0
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

When it comes to selecting the best online trading platform, Firstrade and Webull are two notable options. However, their offerings differ in key areas, which can sway a trader’s preference. Webull shines with its comprehensive offerings, including a Windows and Mac desktop application, paper trading, and several interactive charting features. In comparison, Firstrade lacks downloadable desktop platforms but provides a higher number of technical indicators for charting than Webull. Depending on an investor's needs, choosing between Firstrade and Webull will depend on the necessity for customizable and interactive toolsets.

Firstrade and Webull both offer browser-based trading platforms, yet Webull surpasses Firstrade with its advanced functionalities such as paper trading, the ability to adjust open orders directly on a stock chart, and custom chart additions like notes, historical trades, and corporate events. Webull also provides 19 drawing tools compared to Firstrade’s 8, making it attractive for those who value detailed, technical charting capabilities. Meanwhile, Firstrade offers a larger watchlist capacity of 50 columns over Webull’s 35, catering to those needing extensive stock monitoring.

Chart customization is another area where Webull emerges superior. Webull allows users to save multiple chart profiles and offers automated technical analysis and custom study creation, which Firstrade lacks. Firstrade, however, provides more customization fields when editing an SMA study for a stock chart, offering six over Webull’s two. Both platforms allow index overlays on charts, making this feature a tie. Overall, Webull is higher rated with four stars compared to Firstrade’s three for trading platforms and tools. According to StockBrokers.com, Webull is also ranked higher, coming in at seventh out of sixteen brokers, while Firstrade is positioned at eleventh.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No Yes
Paper Trading info No Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 50 35
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 102 52
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 19
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: 7 Best Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025

Featured Offers


5/5 Stars

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Beginners and education

When it comes to educating beginner investors, both Firstrade and Webull offer a solid range of educational resources to help users get started. Firstrade provides education on stocks and options through accessible educational videos and webinars. However, it falls short when it comes to ETFs and mutual funds education. Additionally, Firstrade does not offer bonds education, paper trading, educational quizzes, or tools to track learning progress, which might limit a beginner's learning experience. With a 3.5-star rating and a 13th place ranking among 16 brokers, Firstrade offers a decent start for beginners, though there are areas for improvement.

Webull, on the other hand, offers a broader selection that includes education on stocks, ETFs, and options. This platform also features educational videos, webinars, and notable tools like paper trading and quizzes, allowing users to practice and test their knowledge. Furthermore, Webull allows users to track their learning progress, offering a more interactive and comprehensive learning environment. With a 4-star rating and 11th place ranking out of 16 brokers, Webull is a strong choice for those looking to enhance their investing skills and gain a deeper understanding of the market.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
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 Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
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 a stock trading app that best suits your needs, both Firstrade and Webull offer highly rated options, each with their unique advantages. Both apps are available for iPhone and Android devices, boasting key features like mobile options trading, streaming quotes, and customizable watch lists. However, Webull has an edge in its additional Apple Watch app and capabilities like after-hours charting and displaying stock comparisons on charts. In contrast, Firstrade allows for more technical studies with 81 options and the ability to customize watch list columns. For overall rankings, Webull secures the fifth position among 16 brokers, while Firstrade is ranked ninth, despite both having identical customer ratings of 4.5 stars out of five.

For investors who appreciate versatility in charting, Webull may appeal more with its after-hours charting and stock comparison features. It also caters to those who prefer trading on the go with its Apple Watch app and ability to view charts in landscape mode with various time frames. Firstrade, on the other hand, attracts users who prioritize a higher number of technical studies for in-depth analysis. Both platforms ensure users can receive stock alerts and trade after market hours, presenting them as solid options for active traders.

Ultimately, the choice between Firstrade and Webull will depend on what features hold the most value to each individual user. While both have been recognized for their stock trading app capabilities, it's these subtle differences and unique offerings that will make one a better fit for you over the other. Whichever you decide, both apps are highly regarded in the trading community for their comprehensive tools and user-friendly platforms.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
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 56
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 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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
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 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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
Streaming Time & Sales info No Yes
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No Yes
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 evaluating the market research capabilities of Firstrade and Webull, it's clear that Firstrade offers a more comprehensive suite of tools and resources. Firstrade excels with its ability to provide research across a wide range of investment types, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Moreover, Firstrade supports a deep dive into individual stocks and ETFs with downloadable PDF reports, a feature not available in Webull's offerings. In stark contrast, Webull lacks research for mutual funds and bonds, positions lower in rankings, and holds a 2.5-star rating compared to Firstrade's impressive 4.5-star score.

Both Firstrade and Webull offer stock and ETF research and support Pink Sheets/OTCBB research, ensuring investors are equipped to explore diverse market opportunities. They stand out in using social media sentiment data for stock research, aiding users in tapping into the buzz of online conversations. However, Firstrade pulls ahead with added benefits, such as the ability to analyze portfolio allocation by asset class and providing ESG research, valuable for socially conscious investors.

Examining tools for trade ideas reveals further differences; Firstrade offers screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, giving investors a significant edge in filtering the best investment choices. While Webull does cover stock screeners, its omission of ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners marks a limitation in its market research offerings. For investors seeking a broad spectrum of detailed research capabilities, Firstrade presents itself as the superior choice.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
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 2.5/5 Stars

Banking

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 Firstrade logoFirstrade
Webull logoWebull
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Credit Cards info No No
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 16 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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Firstrade or Webull?

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

Does Firstrade or Webull offer IRAs?

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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Firstrade Webull
Overall 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 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 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
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) $1.25 info
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $19.95 N/A
Margin Rates Firstrade Webull
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 13.75% 9.24%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 13.50% 8.74%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 13.00% 8.24%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 12.50% 7.74%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 12.50% 7.74%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 12.50% 6.74%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 12.50% 6.24% info
Account Fees Firstrade Webull
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $55.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Firstrade Webull
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info No Yes
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 0
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 Webull
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 Yes
Order Type - OTO info Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners Firstrade Webull
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 Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info No Yes
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No Yes
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade Webull
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 Webull
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 No
Stock App Charting Firstrade Webull
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 81 56
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No Yes
Trading Platforms Firstrade Webull
Active Trading Platform info N/A
Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No Yes
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No Yes
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 50 35
Stock Chart Features Firstrade Webull
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 102 52
Charting - Drawing Tools info 8 19
Charting - Notes info No Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info No Yes
Charting - Corporate Events info No Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range info No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No No
Charting - Automated Analysis info No Yes
Charting - Save Profiles info No Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 6 2
Charting - Custom Studies info No Yes
Day Trading Firstrade Webull
Streaming Time & Sales info No Yes
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info No Yes
Trade Hotkeys info No Yes
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No Yes
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 Webull
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 Webull
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 1 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social info Yes Yes
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes Yes
ETF Research Firstrade Webull
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 Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Firstrade Webull
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 Yes
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 Webull
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Streaming info No No
Option Chains - Total Columns info 8 23
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 Yes
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks info No Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info No No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info No No
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Grouping info No No
Banking Firstrade Webull
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service Firstrade Webull
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
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 No
24/7 Support info No No
Overall Firstrade Webull
Overall 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 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 Webull Review
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