Webull Review 2025
More powerful than Robinhood, with 3.5% IRA match and paper trading. But Chinese ownership has drawn Congressional scrutiny.
Chinese Ownership
Webull is owned by Fumi Technology, a Chinese holding company. This has drawn Congressional scrutiny regarding data security. Your money is SIPC-insured, but data privacy concerns are valid.
The Bottom Line
Webull offers more features than Robinhood at the same price (free). The 3.5% IRA match (Premium) beats everyone, paper trading is excellent for learning, and the charting tools are genuinely useful.
The question is whether Chinese ownership concerns you. If data privacy matters, consider US-based alternatives like Fidelity or Public.
What Webull Does Best
3.5% IRA Match (Premium)
Webull Premium ($40/year) offers the highest IRA match in the industry—3.5% on contributions and 3% on transfers. On $7,000 contributed, that's $245 free.
Paper Trading
Practice with $1 million in virtual money. This is genuinely valuable for learning without risking real dollars—something most brokers don't offer.
Advanced Charting
More indicators and drawing tools than Robinhood. If you want to learn technical analysis, Webull provides the tools.
Extended Hours Trading
Trade from 4am to 8pm ET—more flexibility than most competitors.
Where Webull Falls Short
Chinese Ownership Concerns
Fumi Technology (parent company) is based in China. Congressional scrutiny has raised questions about data access and potential regulatory risk if US-China relations deteriorate.
Limited Research
Basic news and analyst ratings, but nothing like Fidelity's 20+ research providers.
Minimal Customer Service
Chat-based support with limited availability. No phone support for routine questions.
Webull Premium: Worth $40/Year?
Absolutely if you're opening an IRA:
- 3.5% IRA match = $245 on max contribution
- 5.75% margin rate (vs 6.99% standard)
- 3.85% APY on cash
- Level 2 market data
The IRA match alone is 6x the subscription cost.
Who Should Use Webull
- IRA investors wanting the highest match (3.5%)
- Learners who want paper trading
- Technical traders who want advanced charting
- Those comfortable with Chinese ownership
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Those concerned about data privacy: Use Fidelity or Public
- Research-driven investors: Fidelity and Schwab are better
- Those who need phone support: Fidelity offers 24/7
The Verdict
Webull is a solid broker with excellent features for the price. The 3.5% IRA match is industry-leading, and the trading tools beat Robinhood.
But the Chinese ownership is a legitimate concern. If it bothers you, Robinhood offers similar features (slightly lower IRA match) without the foreign ownership questions.