Skilling
Firstrade
VS
Compare
Skilling
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Skilling and Firstrade depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Skilling is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, while Firstrade operates from New York, USA. Firstrade has the longer track record, established in 1985, compared to Skilling which was founded in 2016. This in-depth comparison covers regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and overall ratings to help you decide which broker is the better fit in 2026.
Skilling
Firstrade
| Skilling | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|
| BrokerRank Score | 3.5/5 ✓ | 3.4/5 |
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $0 ✓ |
| Spread from | 0.7 pips | 0 pips ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 ✓ | 1:2 |
| Regulation | CySEC, FSA | SEC, CFTC |
| Platforms | Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4 | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
Skilling (3.5/5) and Firstrade (3.4/5) are closely matched. Firstrade has lower spreads; the better pick depends on your priorities.
See full side-by-side comparison belowSkilling
Firstrade
WinnerSkilling
Firstrade
Lower feesSkilling holds licences from CySEC, FSA. Firstrade is regulated by SEC, CFTC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks, Indices markets. Skilling additionally covers Forex, Etf, Commodities.
On spreads, Firstrade is more competitive with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips, compared to 0.7 pips at Skilling.
Skilling supports Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4, Skilling App. Firstrade offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Skilling requires a minimum deposit of $100, while Firstrade sets no minimum deposit. This makes Firstrade accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Skilling at 3.45/5 and Firstrade at 3.41/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Skilling leads overall with a marginal advantage.
Skilling
3.5/5
Choose Skilling if you want…
Firstrade
3.4/5
Choose Firstrade if you want…
Skilling (3.5/5) and Firstrade (3.4/5) are closely matched on our independent rating scale. The better choice depends on your priorities — fees, regulation, platforms, or available markets. See the full comparison above.
Skilling offers spreads from 0.7 pips, while Firstrade starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Skilling requires a minimum deposit of $100. Firstrade requires $0.
Skilling is regulated by CySEC, FSA, while Firstrade holds licences from SEC, CFTC.
Skilling supports Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4, Skilling App. Firstrade 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.