Firstrade
Vanguard UK
VS
Higher Rated
Firstrade
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Firstrade and Vanguard UK depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Firstrade is headquartered in New York, USA, while Vanguard UK operates from London, UK. Firstrade has the longer track record, established in 1985, compared to Vanguard UK 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
Vanguard UK
Firstrade is the better choice overall, scoring 3.4/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Firstrade offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
Firstrade
3.4 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Tied
0 vs 0 pips
Regulation
Firstrade
2 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Firstrade
$0 vs $500
Firstrade
WinnerVanguard UK
Firstrade
Vanguard UK
Firstrade holds licences from SEC, CFTC. Vanguard UK is regulated by FCA.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks markets. Firstrade additionally covers Indices. Vanguard UK adds Etf.
Firstrade supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Vanguard UK offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Firstrade requires no minimum deposit, while Vanguard UK sets a minimum deposit of $500. This makes Firstrade accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Firstrade at 3.41/5 and Vanguard UK at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Firstrade leads overall with a clear advantage.
Firstrade scores higher overall on our independent rating system. Firstrade holds a 3.4/5 rating vs Vanguard UK's 3.2/5. 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 Vanguard UK starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Firstrade requires a minimum deposit of $0. Vanguard UK requires $500.
Firstrade is regulated by SEC, CFTC, while Vanguard UK holds licences from FCA.
Firstrade supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Vanguard UK 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.
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Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Capital at risk. Full risk disclosure.