★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
Firstrade vs Rakuten Securities
Pick Firstrade if
Firstrade
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick Rakuten Securities if
Rakuten Securities
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: These two cover the same ground; it really comes down to price and which interface you enjoy using.
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Our take
The bottom line
Firstrade and Rakuten Securities cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
Firstrade
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Rakuten Securities
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Rakuten SecuritiesAdds futures
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East | APAC |
| Try it | Visit Firstrade | Visit Rakuten Securities |
Where each one shines
What Firstrade and Rakuten Securities each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Firstrade and Rakuten Securities each do best.What Firstrade does best
- Online stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and listed options with $0 stated commission.
- Selected stock and ETF fractions using dollar or share orders during market hours.
- U.S. individual, joint, custodial, education, IRA, entity, and club registrations.
- International individual and eligible joint brokerage for 27 named countries and regions.
- Treasuries, agencies, municipals, bonds, and CDs using net-yield or disclosed transaction pricing.
What Rakuten Securities does best
- Japanese cash equities with a conditional ¥0 Zero Course.
- U.S. stocks and ETFs at 0.495%, capped at $22 per trade.
- Kabumini eligible Japanese odd lots from one whole share.
- Mutual funds, bonds, NISA and derivatives in the wider account suite.
- Free eligible real-time deposits and standard domestic withdrawals.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Firstrade and Rakuten Securities, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Firstrade and Rakuten Securities, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle East | APAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: JPExchanges: XTKS, XNAS, and XNYSIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Firstrade Securities Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Phone and Email | Rakuten Securities, Inc.Country: JapanSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Firstrade and Rakuten Securities?
Firstrade leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Rakuten Securities puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Firstrade and Rakuten Securities cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
What asset classes do Firstrade and Rakuten Securities cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. Rakuten Securities adds futures on top.
Can I export data from Firstrade and Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Firstrade or Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.