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.
4.4 / 5
The #1 retail options broker in 2026. Industry-leading $1-to-open / $0-to-close pricing capped at $10/leg, purpose-built derivatives platform, and integrated Tastylive education. Avoid if you hold meaningful idle cash, want OTC, or are a buy-and-hold investor.
Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.
Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.
| Metric | Firstrade | tastytrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 4.00 / 5 | 4.40 / 5 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 5.00 | 4.60 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 3.50 | 4.70 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 4.00 | 4.20 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 3.50 | 3.50 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 3.50 | 5.00 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 3.60 | 4.00 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 3.80 | 3.50 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 3.60 | 5.00 | tastytrade |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 10.75% | 8.00% | tastytrade |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | 3.50% | 0.01% | Firstrade |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Accepts | Accepts | Tie |
| Asset class | Firstrade | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / OTCQX / OTCQB | Yes | |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | |
| Mutual funds | Yes | No |
| US Treasuries | Yes | |
| Corporate / muni bonds | Yes | |
| Futures | No | |
| International stocks (US app) | No | |
| 24-hour overnight equity trading | Yes | |
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq) | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / penny stocks | No | |
| Equity options (single + multi-leg) | Yes | |
| Index options (SPX/NDX/RUT/XSP/VIX + Cboe Bitcoin/Mini Bitcoin US ETF Index) | Yes | |
| US Treasuries / bonds | Limited | |
| Futures (equity index, energy, metals, currency, rates, ag, livestock, crypto, volatility, micros) | Yes | |
| Options on futures | Yes | |
| International stocks | No | |
| IPOs | No | |
| 24/5 overnight equity trading | Yes |