Head to head
Firstrade vs Interactive Brokers
Both platforms are scored with the same methodology and the same category rubric. Nothing on this page is influenced by advertising.
29/100 | 63/100Higher score | |
|---|---|---|
| Category rank | #18 | #2 |
| Confidence | High confidence | High confidence |
| External Reputation | — | 62 |
| AI Authority | 0 | 57 |
| Web Authority | 49 | 75 |
| Expert Assessment | 49 | 56 |
| TOP10 User Score | — | — |
| Pricing | $0 per trade (stocks, ETFs, options) — single public schedule · free tier: No subscription or platform fee; $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, options (including $0 per-contract and $0 exercise/assignment fees) and all mutual fund categories; electronic statements, confirms, tax documents, real-time and streaming quotes, DRIP and ACH transfers all $0 | 0.20 bps x trade value, USD 2.00 minimum per order (Tier I, spot currencies) · free tier: None — no account minimums claimed, but no free trading tier |
| Pricing model | Usage-based | Usage-based (per-trade commission, tiered by monthly volume) |
| Best for | Cost-sensitive, self-directed options traders with high monthly contract volume who stay mostly invested rather than holding cash, trade within US market hours, and are comfortable resolving issues by email. | European self-directed traders placing large FX tickets (roughly USD 1m+ notional per order) who want explicit commission pricing and FX inside a broad multi-asset account. |
| Avoid if | You need same-day capital mobility or move money frequently between brokers, hold a large cash sleeve, require support outside 8am–6pm EST weekdays, want explicitly disclosed bond commissions, or rely on phone escalation when something breaks. | You place frequent small FX orders or constantly amend orders — the per-order minimum and cancel-and-replace commission treatment push effective costs far above the advertised rate. |
| Markets | Retail investors, Self-directed traders, Options traders | Retail self-directed traders, Active/high-volume traders, Professional traders |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | Flushing, New York, United States | — |
A higher TOP SCORE means more of the evidence favours that platform on this methodology — it is not a recommendation, and it does not account for your specific requirements. Advertisers are never declared the winner of a comparison.