Bridges Financial Services
First Trade
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Overview
Bridges Financial Services was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Australia, while First Trade was established in 2008 and is based in USA. Bridges Financial Services holds licences including ABN 60 003 474 977, while First Trade is regulated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) among others. Bridges Financial Services serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; First Trade has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Bridges Financial Services and $5 at First Trade.
| Feature | Bridges Financial Services | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Regulation | ABN 60 003 474 977, AFSL No. 240837 | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2008 |
| Country | Australia | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Bridges Financial Services and First Trade, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Bridges Financial Services has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $5 at First Trade). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. Bridges Financial Services charges deposit fees; First Trade does not. Overall, First Trade scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Bridges Financial Services | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Bridges Financial Services offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while First Trade supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Bridges Financial Services supports social and copy trading features, which First Trade does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Bridges Financial Services | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | MT4,WEB |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Bridges Financial Services and First Trade compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Bridges Financial Services | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Bridges Financial Services accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while First Trade supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Bridges Financial Services | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Bridges Financial Services and First Trade offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Bridges Financial Services | First Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |