First Trade
Uphold
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
First Trade was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in USA, while Uphold was established in 2013 and is based in United States. First Trade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while Uphold is regulated by FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited among others. First Trade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Uphold has 4,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $5 at First Trade and $1 at Uphold.
| Feature | First Trade | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited, Reg No. 09281410. Uphold HQ Inc. NMLS ID No. 1269875 |
| Founded | 2008 | 2013 |
| Country | USA | United States |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 4,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between First Trade and Uphold, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Uphold has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $5 at First Trade). First Trade charges withdrawal fees while Uphold does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. First Trade charges deposit fees; Uphold does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | First Trade | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
First Trade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Uphold supports a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. First Trade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | First Trade | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4,WEB | Web, Desktop & Mobile Apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how First Trade and Uphold compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. First Trade publishes daily market commentary; Uphold does not. First Trade integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); Uphold does not. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. First Trade scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | First Trade | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. First Trade accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Uphold supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | First Trade | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| 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 First Trade and Uphold offer live chat support. First Trade offers phone support; Uphold does not. Email support is available at both brokers. First Trade supports 2 languages and Uphold supports 1, giving First Trade broader global reach. First Trade scores higher overall on customer support in our assessment.
| Feature | First Trade | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English |