Firstrade vs WellsTrade (2026): Best for Options Trading?
Firstrade and WellsTrade both cover core investing and listed options, but their advantages differ. Firstrade competes aggressively on zero contract fees, while WellsTrade is strongest for customers who want brokerage access inside the Wells Fargo ecosystem.
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Firstrade's zero per-contract fee on options is unique in the industry and represents real savings for active options traders. The platform sacrifices advanced analytics and research depth for pure cost efficiency. If your priority is minimizing trading costs above all else, or if you value bilingual Chinese-English support, Firstrade is the clear winner on price.
WellsTrade is a practical choice for Wells Fargo customers who want banking and investing in one ecosystem, especially for long-term portfolios and occasional options trades. Active derivatives traders will find stronger analytics and workflows elsewhere.
Side-by-Side Comparison
How we review: Our team opens real accounts and tests every platform hands-on. We evaluate on commissions, tools, and execution — never influenced by affiliate relationships. Editorial policy →
| Feature | Firstrade | WellsTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Commissions | Free | $0.65/contract |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Free to Close Options | No | No |
| Paper Trading | — | — |
| Account Types | Individual, IRA, Roth IRA | Individual, Joint, Traditional IRA |
| Regulated | FINRA / SIPC | FINRA / SIPC |
Firstrade — Full Review
Firstrade has operated as a discount brokerage since 1985, well before the commission-free revolution that swept the industry in 2019. When most brokers dropped stock commissions to zero, they retained per-contract options fees — typically $0.65. Firstrade went further, eliminating the per-contract fee entirely. This makes it the cheapest options broker by a clear margin. For context: a trader executing 100 options contracts per month saves $65/month vs. a $0.65/contract broker, or $780 per year. For high-volume traders, the annual savings can reach thousands of dollars. The platform's strong presence in the Chinese-American community dates back decades. Firstrade was one of the first US brokerages to offer full Chinese-language support — including the platform interface, customer service in Mandarin and Cantonese, and Chinese-language educational content. This has built a loyal user base among first-generation Chinese-American investors who prefer conducting financial transactions in their native language. The trading platform itself is web-based and mobile, offering a clean interface for placing trades, viewing options chains, and managing positions. Options chain displays include Greeks, implied volatility, open interest, and volume. Multi-leg options strategies (spreads, straddles, condors) can be entered as single orders. Basic charting with common technical indicators is available, though it lacks the depth and customization of platforms like thinkorswim, TradeStation, or even Webull. Free Level 2 options data gives traders visibility into the order book — bid/ask depth and size at each price level — which is typically a paid add-on at other brokers. Research tools are limited compared to major competitors. Firstrade provides basic stock screeners, market news, and some third-party analyst ratings, but doesn't offer the depth of Morningstar reports (Fidelity), BofA Securities research (Merrill Edge), or Morgan Stanley analysis (E*Trade). Active traders who rely on broker-provided research will likely need to supplement with external sources. Mutual fund access is a hidden strength — Firstrade offers commission-free trading on over 11,000 mutual funds, including funds from Vanguard, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price, and other major families. This is competitive with the largest brokers. Account types include individual taxable accounts, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, rollover IRA, and joint accounts. Customer support is available by phone, email, and chat, with bilingual support in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Response times can be slower than larger brokers during peak periods. The mobile app provides basic trading functionality but feels dated compared to modern fintech interfaces — it gets the job done but won't win any design awards. FINRA-regulated and SIPC-insured up to $500,000, Firstrade operates with the same regulatory protections as the largest US brokerages.
WellsTrade — Full Review
WellsTrade supports standard brokerage accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs, trusts, custodial accounts, education accounts, and business structures. Online stock and ETF trades carry no commission, while listed options cost $0.65 per contract. The platform covers core investing needs, but its charting, strategy analysis, and order workflows are less developed than thinkorswim, Tastytrade, or Interactive Brokers.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Firstrade if minimizing options commissions is the priority and you want broad self-directed account support without needing bank-linked portfolio management.
Choose WellsTrade if you are an existing Wells Fargo customer who values consolidated banking, familiar research, and straightforward occasional options access.