Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
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.
4.6 / 5
Best for active, global, and advanced traders. Lowest margin rates in the industry, broadest international access (160+ exchanges, 36 countries), and the most complete API stack in retail brokerage.
Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.
Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.
| Metric | Firstrade | Interactive | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 4.00 / 5 | 4.60 / 5 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 5.00 | 4.80 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 3.50 | 5.00 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 4.00 | 4.00 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 3.50 | 4.20 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 3.50 | 4.00 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 3.60 | 3.80 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 3.80 | 5.00 | Interactive |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 3.60 | 5.00 | Interactive |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 10.75% | 5.83% | Interactive |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | 3.50% | 4.33% | Interactive |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Accepts | Does not accept | Interactive |
| Asset class | Firstrade | Interactive |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / OTCQX / OTCQB | Yes | |
| Options | Yes | |
| Corporate / muni bonds | Yes | |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | |
| International stocks (US app) | No | |
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX) | Yes | |
| OTC / penny stocks | Yes | |
| Options (US + global) | Yes | |
| Corporate / muni bonds, CDs | Yes | |
| Futures / futures options | Yes | |
| International stocks | Yes | |
| IPOs | Yes | |
| Prediction markets | Yes |