Firstrade: Fees, Features, and More (2026)
Firstrade focuses on straightforward, low‑cost trading with a few notable perks: $0 commissions on stock, ETF, and options contracts, bond and CD access, and a library of 4,000+ mutual funds (more than 700 with no transaction fee). The web‑based platform supports margin and IRA accounts, requires no minimum deposit, and clears through Apex—making Firstrade a lean alternative for self‑directed investors who value fee transparency and a broad, traditional product lineup.
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.firstrade.com/ |
| Broker Type | Discount (self-directed online brokerage) |
| Trading: Stock & ETF? | Yes |
| ETF & Stock commission | $0 online ($19.95 broker-assisted) |
| Fractional Shares? | Yes (most U.S. stocks/ETFs; $5 min) |
| Percent Allocations? | No |
| Crypto Trading? | No |
| Crypto Fees | N/A |
| Options Trading? | Yes |
| Options Fee | $0 commission and $0/contract; plus pass-through ORF (~$0.02/contract from Jul 2026) and SEC sell fees |
| Bond Trading Available? | Yes (web only; net yield basis/markup) |
| Receives payment for order flow (PFOF)? | Yes |
| Interface: Web trading? | Yes |
| Desktop trading? | No |
| API Trading? | No |
| Mutual Funds: Offered? | Yes |
| Total Mutual Funds | 11,000+ |
| NTF Mutual Funds | 11,000+ |
| Non-NTF Fund Fee | $0 online; $19.95 broker-assisted (no-load) |
| Early Redemption Fee? | No ($19.95 if held <90 days) |
| Redemption Hold (Days) | 90 days |
| Early Redemption Fee | $19.95 |
| Accounts: Margin Accounts? | Yes (approval; $2,000 min assets; not IRAs/custodial/ESA) |
| IRAs Offered? | Yes (Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, Rollover) |
| HSAs Offered? | No |
| Money Market Sweep? | Yes (FDIC sweep via Apex; 0.15%; not margin/SIMPLE IRA/ESA) |
| CDs Offered? | Yes (primary $30; secondary net yield) |
| Robo-Advisor: Offered | No |
| Robo-Advisor Service | N/A |
| Robo-Advisor Fees | N/A |
| Basics: Headquarters | Flushing, NY |
| Year Founded | 1985 |
| Clearing Firm | Apex Clearing Corporation |
| Local Branches? | Yes (Flushing, NY HQ office, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm ET); no nationwide network |
| New Account Minimum | $0 |
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