TheU.S.-based Firstrade has rolled out a redesigned version of its browser-basedtrading platform, Invest 3.0, adding a floating Quick Trade ticket, updatedoptions chain and refreshed portfolio dashboards. With thismove, the commission-free online broker aims to catch up with competitors suchas Interactive Brokers and Schwab, which already offer similar options toretail traders.Firstrade Revamps WebPlatform With Invest 3.0 RolloutThe newrelease centers on a “Quick Trade Anywhere” panel that lets users place ordersfrom most pages across the site, including positions, watchlists, stockoverview pages, research tools and the options chain. The one-click ticket isaimed at customers who want to move faster between research and executionwithout navigating back to a single trading screen.Firstradehas also reworked its options chain, introducing a clearer layout with supportfor multi-leg strategies and more prominent data displays. The firm says theupdated design is meant to help retail traders read pricing and volatility datamore easily while building complex trades.“Our priority at Firstrade has always been to deliverself-directed investors user-friendly features and advanced tools that elevatethe entire user experience,” said John Liu, CEO of Firstrade. “Invest 3.0brings research, analysis, trading, and portfolio management together in oneintegrated platform, we aim to make it easier for investors to stay informedand act with confidence.”The changes are notable, though they are not groundbreaking in an increasingly crowded and competitive retail trading industry.Dashboards Catch Up WithRivalsBeyondorder entry, Invest 3.0 adds sharper charts and a revamped dashboard thathighlights portfolio performance and basic analytics in a single view. Theplatform now supports both light and dark modes, reflecting a standard featureset already common at larger US brokers.Firstradeis keeping its pricing structure in place, including zero-commission trading onstocks and ETFs and no per-contract fees on options. The company is pitchingthe visual and workflow changes as a way to make research, trading and accountmonitoring feel more integrated without altering costs for clients.The weboverhaul lands after a busy stretch for the New York-based broker, which hasbeen building out features to defend its position in a crowded US retailmarket. In October, Firstrade introduced 20/5 overnighttrading on around 1,200 securities, extending access from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Eastern and adding24-hour real-time quotes and extended support for customers trading outsideregular hours.A monthlater, the firm launched an OptionsBuilder tool that integrates Trading Central analytics to help retail traders designand visualize options strategies before sending them to market. The latestInvest 3.0 option chain redesign sits on top of that effort, giving Firstrade amore complete options workflow aimed at active users.Retirement And FractionalShares In FocusOn theretirement side, Firstrade recently teamed up withCapitalize tohelp clients locate and transfer old 401(k) accounts, a pool often described as“orphaned” assets spread across former employers. The integration mirrors movesby other brokerages that see rollover flows as an important source of newassets.Earlier, inApril 2024, the broker finally launched fractionalshare trading after a four-month delay, allowing customers to buy slices ofhigher-priced US stocks and ETFs. That brought Firstrade in line withcompetitors that had already used fractional trading for years to attractsmaller-ticket and younger investors.The brokercontinues to offer no-fee IRA accounts alongside its core lineup of stocks,ETFs, options, mutual funds and fixed income products. Firstrade SecuritiesInc. is registered with FINRA and is a member of SIPC.This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.