Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
4.0 / 5
For active day traders and short sellers with $27K+ in capital who need multi-source HTB locates, true DMA without PFOF, and a human picking up the phone. Not a fit for buy-and-hold, beginners, or anyone who wants a polished mobile app.
4.0 / 5
Best for OTC and penny-stock buyers who want $0 commissions, plus mainstream mutual-fund and 24/5 access. Smaller platform and research footprint than the big four, but the price floor is uncontested.
Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.
Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.
| Metric | Cobra | Firstrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 4.00 / 5 | 4.00 / 5 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 4.50 | 5.00 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 4.50 | 3.50 | Cobra |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 2.00 | 4.00 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 2.50 | 3.50 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 2.00 | 3.50 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 4.50 | 3.60 | Cobra |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 3.00 | 3.80 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 5.00 | 3.60 | Cobra |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 5.25% | 10.75% | Cobra |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | — | 3.50% | Firstrade |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Does not accept | Accepts | Cobra |
| Asset class | Cobra | Firstrade |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX) | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | |
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
| Options (multi-leg + spreads) | Yes | |
| Mutual funds | No | Yes |
| US Treasuries / bonds | No | |
| Crypto (direct) | No | Yes |
| International stocks / ADRs | No | |
| 24-hour overnight equity trading | No | Yes |
| Hard-to-borrow short locates | Yes | |
| US stocks | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / OTCQX / OTCQB | Yes | |
| Options | Yes | |
| US Treasuries | Yes | |
| Corporate / muni bonds | Yes | |
| International stocks (US app) | No |