Firstrade vs eToro

Firstrade or eToro – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare Firstrade and eToro in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Firstrade vs eToro Comparison Table 2025
Firstrade eToro
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4
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4
Firstrade is ranked #49 among UK brokers. eToro is ranked #12 among CFD brokers.
Review
Review
Firstrade, based in the US, operates as a discount broker-dealer and is authorised by the SEC. The firm is a member of both FINRA and SIPC. Firstrade Securities stands out as a leading online brokerage, offering enticing welcome bonuses, robust tools and apps, and commission-free trading. Opening a new account is straightforward and efficient. eToro is a leading multi-asset platform providing trading services across numerous CFDs, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. Since its 2007 inception, it has attracted millions of traders worldwide. It operates with authorisation from top regulators such as the FCA and CySEC. Its social trading feature is especially well-regarded. Crypto investments are high-risk and possibly unsuitable for retail investors. There's a potential to lose all invested capital. Familiarise yourself with the risks. 61% of retail CFD accounts incur losses.
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading with this provider. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
Pros
  • Improved trading conditions now include overnight trading and the option to purchase fractional shares.
  • Among the initial brokers to integrate AI-driven analysis via FirstradeGPT.
  • Ideal broker for cost-aware traders, offering competitive low fees on OTC trades.
  • A reputable US-regulated broker and SIPC member
  • The trading app provides a top-tier social environment featuring an engaging feed and community chat, which we enjoy using.
  • The entry requirements for eToro Club have been reduced. For $4.99 monthly, members enjoy 18 benefits, including a debit card that converts purchases into stocks with a 4% share return.
  • In 2025, eToro altered its fee structure by separating crypto trading fees from the spread. A distinct commission is now listed separately, providing traders with increased transparency while maintaining consistent overall costs.
  • eToro now offers accounts in EUR and GBP, with recent additions of BTC and ETH payment options. This reduces conversion costs and delivers a tailored trading experience.
  • In 2025, eToro enhanced its trading experience by incorporating insights from over 10 million Stocktwits users, enabling better assessment of market sentiment.
  • The broker offers excellent services for beginners, featuring commission-free stock trading, a low minimum deposit, and an unlimited demo account.
  • eToro has launched automated crypto staking, offering a pathway to passive income. However, Ethereum requires users to opt in.
  • Utilising TradingView, the charts provide robust tools for technical analysis, featuring nine chart types and more than 100 indicators.
  • eToro secured second place in DayTrading.com's 'Best Crypto Broker' for 2025, offering a vast selection of tokens, dependable service, and competitive fees.
  • There is an extensive online training academy offering a range of accessible resources, from concise articles to detailed courses.
  • eToro has enhanced its investment portfolio by frequently introducing new crypto assets. It currently offers a selection of over 100 digital currencies.
  • The web platform and mobile app receive higher user reviews and app rankings compared to leading competitors like AvaTrade.
  • Leading traders participating in the broker's Popular Investor Programme can earn yearly compensation of up to 1.5% of the copied assets.
  • Diverse investment portfolios are accessible, encompassing traditional markets, technology, cryptocurrency, and beyond for traders.
  • eToro is a globally recognised brand, operating under top-tier international regulations. It boasts a community of over 25 million users.
Cons
  • Firstrade prioritises stocks over forex, restricting opportunities for portfolio diversification.
  • Over 90% of the options assessed lack a demo trading account.
  • Customer support requires improvement after testing revealed the absence of 24/7 assistance.
  • Deposits and withdrawals via Visa credit or debit cards are not available.
  • The absence of extra charting platforms such as MT4 may deter experienced traders who rely on external software.
  • There are no assured stop-loss orders, which could be a valuable risk management tool for novice traders.
  • The minimum withdrawal is set at $30, accompanied by a $5 fee. This may impact traders with limited funds, particularly those just starting out.
  • The only significant contact option, besides the in-platform live chat, is limited.
Awards
  • Best for ETF & Active Investor Commission & Fees - 2019
  • Best Crypto Broker Runner Up 2025 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Cryptocurrency Trading Platform 2022 - Finder
  • Education Materials/Program 2022 - Investment Trends
  • Best Copy Trading Platform 2021 - Ultimate Fintech Awards
  • Best Multi-Asset Trading Platform 2021 - Ultimate Fintech Awards
  • Best Stockbroker 2021 - Ultimate Fintech Awards
  • Best Social Trading Platform 2019 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
FCA Regulated
No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Yes
Instruments
Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs
Demo Account
No Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0 $50
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
$1 $10
Regulator
SEC, FINRA FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App
eToro offers a mobile social trading platform, allowing users to replicate trades, manage accounts, and invest using Android or iOS. Trade major forex pairs conveniently from your mobile device.
iOS App Rating
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4.7
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4
Android App Rating
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4.2
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3.8
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
4.50% 1%
MetaTrader 4
No No
MetaTrader 5
No No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No No
Autochartist
No No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
Yes Yes
STP Account
No Yes
ECN Account
No No
DMA Account
No No
MAM Account
No No
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No Yes
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
No Yes
Market Maker
Yes Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Automate your trades via CopyTrader - follow profitable traders. Open and close trades automatically when they do.
Copy Trading
No Yes
Copy Trading Platform
eToro consistently provides an outstanding proprietary trading platform for clients, free of charge. The web-based system is both intuitive and engaging, complemented by a community chat that appeals to novice traders. The recent 'Live Trades' feature grants immediate access to real-time insights on securities purchased by top investors on the platform.
Social Trading
No Yes
Trade Signals
Yes
VPS Hosting
No No
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
Yes No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$0 $10
Islamic Account
No Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Oil
  • Copper
  • Cotton
  • Coffee
  • Livestock
  • Wheat
  • Precious Metals
  • Platinum
  • Gasoline
  • Cocoa
  • Sugar
  • Palladium
  • Corn
  • Aluminium
  • Soybeans
  • Nickel
  • Lead
  • Iron
  • Lithium
  • Cannabis
  • Natural Gas
  • Orange Juice
  • Zinc
  • Cattle
  • Lean Hogs
CFD
Trade CFDs across more than 3,000 assets with access to detailed market data through integrated TradingView charts. The eToro Academy provides extensive free learning resources for beginners, featuring specific courses and guides on CFD trading. In 2025, eToro enhanced flexibility for UK clients by enabling direct CFD trading on US assets with GBP.
Leverage
1:30
FTSE Spread
1.5
GBPUSD Spread<
1.9
Oil Spread
0.05
Stocks Spread
$0 per trade 0.57 (Apple)
Forex
A broad range of 55 currencies is offered, with competitive spreads averaging 0.9 pips on EUR/USD during peak trading hours. Traders can refine their forex strategies by seamlessly transitioning between demo and live accounts, retaining full access to over 100 technical indicators provided by the broker.
Assets
55
GBPUSD Spread
1.9
EURUSD Spread
0.9
EURGBP Spread
1.3
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
Engage in trading across a wide range of top cryptocurrencies with minimal fees and all-day access. Traders can begin speculating on popular tokens such as Bitcoin with as little as £1. Additionally, clients can purchase cryptocurrencies instantly through a few simple steps. eToro excels in crypto trading with competitive spreads and a 1% fixed commission, alongside its own wallet service. The platform lists over 100 tokens, updated regularly. It added 29 new tokens in April 2025, spanning AI to memecoins. Crypto staking was introduced in 2025, enabling users to earn rewards for holding digital assets. Be aware, crypto investments are risky and may not be suitable for retail investors. You could lose all your capital. Understand the risks.
Spread
Variable BTC 1%
Coins
  • ALGO
  • AVAX
  • BAT
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • ADA
  • LINK
  • ATOM
  • CRO
  • CRV
  • MANA
  • DOGE
  • ETH
  • ETC
  • FTM
  • LTC
  • LRC
  • MATIC
  • REN
  • SHIB
  • SOL
  • XLM
  • SUSHI
  • GRT
  • UNI
  • YFI
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • BCH
  • XRP
  • DASH
  • LTC
  • ETC
  • API3
  • CRO
  • SKL
  • IMX
  • ADA
  • MIOTA
  • XLM
  • EOS
  • NEO
  • TRX
  • ZEC
  • BNB
  • XTZ
  • DOT
  • MKR
  • COMP
  • LINK
  • UNI
  • YFI
  • DOGE
  • AAVE
  • FIL
  • ALGO
  • ATOM
  • MANA
  • APE
  • LRC
  • ENJ
  • BICO
  • BAT
  • BNT
  • OGN
  • MATIC
  • FLR
  • GALA
  • ALICE
  • CHZ
  • HBAR
  • DYDX
  • SOL
  • THETA
  • FTM
  • GRT
  • 1INCH
  • CRV
  • ANKR
  • OXT
  • REN
  • SNX
  • STORJ
  • ZRX
  • CELO
  • SUSHI
  • QNT
  • BAL
  • FET
  • SHIBxM
  • AMP
  • AXS
  • SGB
  • CTSI
  • ENS
  • UMA
  • LUNC
  • FTT
  • SRM
  • LPT
  • KNC
  • ARB
  • RNDR
  • OP
  • LDO
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No Yes
Auto Market Maker
No No
Firstrade eToro
Review
Review
61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading with this provider. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
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