Firstrade
Sarwa
VS
Higher Rated
Firstrade
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Firstrade and Sarwa depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Firstrade is headquartered in New York, USA, while Sarwa operates from Dubai, UAE. Firstrade has the longer track record, established in 1985, compared to Sarwa which was founded in 2017. This in-depth comparison covers regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and overall ratings to help you decide which broker is the better fit in 2026.
Firstrade
Sarwa
| Firstrade | Sarwa | |
|---|---|---|
| BrokerRank Score | 3.4/5 ✓ | 3.3/5 |
| Min. Deposit | $0 ✓ | $500 |
| Spread from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1:2 ✓ | 1:1 |
| Regulation | SEC, CFTC | DFSA, SEC |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
Firstrade is the better choice overall, scoring 3.4/5 vs 3.3/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Firstrade offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowFirstrade
WinnerSarwa
Firstrade
Sarwa
Firstrade holds licences from SEC, CFTC. Sarwa is regulated by SEC, DFSA.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks markets. Firstrade additionally covers Indices. Sarwa adds Etf, Crypto.
Firstrade supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Sarwa offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Firstrade requires no minimum deposit, while Sarwa sets a minimum deposit of $500. This makes Firstrade accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Firstrade at 3.41/5 and Sarwa at 3.34/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Firstrade leads overall with a clear advantage.
Firstrade
3.4/5
Choose Firstrade if you want…
Sarwa
3.3/5
Choose Sarwa if you want…
Firstrade scores higher overall on our independent rating system. Firstrade holds a 3.4/5 rating vs Sarwa's 3.3/5. The best choice ultimately depends on your trading style — see our full verdict above for a detailed breakdown.
Firstrade offers spreads from 0 pips, while Sarwa starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Firstrade requires a minimum deposit of $0. Sarwa requires $500.
Firstrade is regulated by SEC, CFTC, while Sarwa holds licences from DFSA, SEC.
Firstrade supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Sarwa supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Yes, you can hold accounts at multiple brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across platforms to access different markets and tools.
Only 26% of Brokers Are Truly Fee-Free
BrokerRank Research — Hidden costs across 345 brokers
58% of Brokers Hold a Single Licence
BrokerRank Research — Regulation quality analysis
71% of Retail Traders Lose Money
BrokerRank Research — Loss rates across 50 EU brokers
76% of Brokers Use Proprietary Platforms
BrokerRank Research — MT4 vs MT5 vs proprietary
Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Capital at risk. Full risk disclosure.