How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Robinhood and Webull suit beginners and active traders who want a fast mobile app, while Fidelity and Schwab suit investors who want research, retirement accounts and broad support.
- E*TRADE suits traders who want strong tools without leaving a large bank-backed broker, and SoFi Invest suits readers who already use SoFi for banking.
- Public suits social-minded investors who want to follow themes and other investors, while Moomoo suits data-heavy traders who want deep market tools.
- This is general information only, not financial advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, so consider your goals and risk tolerance before buying any stock.
Quick comparison
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The best apps for buying stocks
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Robinhood suits a beginner who wants to buy a first stock in minutes. The app strips trading down to search, buy and sell, with fractional shares that let a reader own part of an expensive stock for a few dollars. Commission-free stock and ETF trades keep costs low for small accounts, and the interface avoids the clutter that overwhelms new investors on fuller platforms. For a first-time investor, Robinhood lowers every barrier to starting.
Research depth is the limit. Charts, news and analyst tools are thinner than on Fidelity or Schwab, and support during past market outages drew criticism. A reader who wants deep research or retirement planning should pair Robinhood with another broker or pick a fuller platform. For simple mobile stock buying, Robinhood remains the easiest start.
What we like- Very simple mobile app
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Fractional shares for expensive stocks
Watch out for- Research tools are thinner than Fidelity
- Customer support has drawn criticism in past outages
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Fidelity suits an investor who wants research, retirement accounts and support in one place. Stock and ETF trades carry no commission, fractional shares cover many stocks, and research tools include screeners, analyst reports and learning content for every level. Retirement accounts, including IRAs, sit alongside brokerage accounts, so a reader can manage long-term saving and stock buying together. Customer support is strong, with phone, chat and branch help.
The app feels dense at first, since it packs research, accounts and planning tools into one interface. A complete beginner may need a week to feel comfortable. For an investor who wants depth, retirement tools and reliable support, Fidelity is the strongest all-round broker in this list.
What we like- Deep research and screeners
- Strong retirement accounts
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
Watch out for- App feels dense for a complete beginner
- Interface packs many features into small screens
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Charles Schwab suits an investor who wants a large, full-service broker with branch access. Stock and ETF trades carry no commission, fractional shares cover many large stocks, and research plus planning tools help a reader build a long-term portfolio. Branches across the US offer in-person help, which matters for a reader who wants to discuss a rollover or a complex account in person. Schwab also offers banking services alongside investing.
The mobile app experience varies, since some advanced trading tools live on a separate platform rather than the main app. A highly active trader may prefer Webull or E*TRADE tools. For a full-service broker with branches, research and retirement support, Schwab is a safe and strong choice.
What we like- Large broker with branches
- Strong research and planning tools
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
Watch out for- App experience varies by feature
- Some advanced tools sit on a separate platform
#4E*TRADE
Best for: Active trader tools4.0/5 on
G2 (24 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit etrade.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
ETRADE suits an active trader who wants strong tools without moving to a specialist broker. The Power ETRADE platform offers advanced charts, options tools and streaming data, while the main app covers everyday buying and selling. Stock and ETF trades carry no commission, and education content helps a newer trader learn options and technical analysis step by step. For a trader who outgrows Robinhood simplicity, E*TRADE is a natural next step.
Learning the full toolset takes time, and Morgan Stanley ownership means some features overlap with its parent bank offerings. A long-term retirement investor may find Fidelity or Schwab simpler. For active trading tools inside a large broker, E*TRADE earns its place.
What we like- Strong trading tools and Power E*TRADE platform
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Good education content
Watch out for- Owned by Morgan Stanley, so some features overlap with its parent
- Interface takes learning
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Webull suits a mobile-first active trader who wants deep data on a phone. Charts, technical indicators, level 2 data options and extended hours trading give a trader more information than Robinhood, while stock and ETF trades remain commission-free. Fractional shares cover many stocks, and the app feels built for traders who check markets often. For a reader who trades from a phone and wants data depth, Webull is a top pick.
Mutual funds are absent, and long-term planning tools trail Fidelity and Schwab. A retirement-focused investor will need another account for full planning. For active mobile trading with strong charts, Webull offers excellent value at no commission.
What we like- Advanced mobile charts and data
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Extended hours trading
Watch out for- No mutual fund support
- Research leans toward trading rather than long-term planning
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
SoFi Invest suits a reader who already uses SoFi for banking or loans and wants investing in the same app. Stock and ETF trades carry no commission, fractional shares are available, and an automated investing option builds a diversified portfolio for readers who prefer not to pick stocks. Seeing banking, investing and credit in one place simplifies money management for a busy professional.
Research and active trading tools are thinner than on Fidelity, Schwab or Webull, so a serious trader will want another platform. A reader who wants one app for most money tasks, with simple investing included, will find SoFi Invest convenient and easy to start.
What we like- Investing alongside banking, loans and credit tools
- Simple automated investing option
- Commission-free trades
Watch out for- Research tools are thinner than Fidelity
- Active trader tools are limited
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Public suits an investor who learns by following themes and other investors. The app shows what other investors are buying, organizes stocks into themes, and lets readers discuss ideas in a social feed. Fractional shares and commission-free stock and ETF trades keep starting costs low, and the interface feels friendly for a new investor. For a reader who wants investing to feel social rather than solitary, Public offers a distinct experience.
Social features carry a risk. Following other investors without your own research can lead to copy trading in stocks you do not understand, so treat social content as ideas, not advice. Tools also trail Fidelity and Schwab for research depth. For social, theme-based investing with a clear research habit, Public is a good choice.
What we like- Social features for following investors and themes
- Fractional shares
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
Watch out for- Social content can encourage copy trading without research
- Tools trail larger brokers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Moomoo suits a data-heavy trader who wants deep market tools on a phone. Screeners, advanced charts, level 2 data options and market news give a trader a large information set, while paper trading lets a new trader practice without real money. Stock and ETF trades carry no commission, and fractional shares cover many stocks. For a reader who studies markets closely, Moomoo offers more data than most free apps.
The interface is dense and can overwhelm a beginner, and account features vary by region. A long-term investor who wants retirement planning should look at Fidelity or Schwab. For deep data and practice trading at no commission, Moomoo is a strong specialist pick.
What we like- Deep market data, screeners and charting
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Paper trading to practice
Watch out for- Interface is dense for beginners
- Support and account features vary by region
How we chose
We compared vendor pricing pages, feature lists and public reviews for stock trading apps serving US investors. We looked for commission-free trading, fractional shares, research depth, retirement accounts, app quality and support. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we treated this article as general information, not financial advice, since investing involves risk and individual goals differ.
How to pick the right stock app
Start with your goal. A beginner buying a first few stocks should pick Robinhood, Public or SoFi Invest for simplicity. A long-term investor who wants research and retirement accounts should pick Fidelity or Schwab. An active trader should compare Webull, E*TRADE and Moomoo on charts, data and extended hours. Do not pick an app for a single feature you will rarely use.
Next, check account types and costs beyond commissions. Options, margin, wire transfers and account fees can differ, and margin trading carries extra risk. Start with money you can afford to lose, use fractional shares to diversify small amounts, and avoid copying social trades without research. A simple diversified approach beats frequent trading for most long-term investors. Keep an emergency fund separate from investing money, since selling stocks in a downturn to cover bills locks in losses. Review your portfolio once a quarter rather than daily, since daily checks often lead to emotional trades.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy stocks with a small amount of money?
Yes. Most apps in this list offer fractional shares and commission-free trades, so you can start with a few dollars. Diversify across many stocks or funds rather than putting a small amount into a single stock.
Is stock trading free on these apps?
Stock and ETF trades carry no commission on the apps in this list, but other costs can apply, such as options fees, margin interest, wire fees and regulatory fees. Read the fee schedule for the exact trades you plan to make.
Which app is best for beginners?
Robinhood is the simplest for a first trade, while Fidelity offers the best learning path into research and retirement accounts. A beginner who wants social learning may prefer Public, provided social ideas are checked with independent research.
Do I need a lot of research to buy stocks?
You need basic research, including what the company does, how it earns money and what risks it faces. An app with research tools, such as Fidelity or Schwab, helps, but no app removes the risk of loss, so never invest money you need soon.
What is fractional share investing?
Fractional share investing lets you buy part of a share, such as $10 of a stock that trades at $300 per share. It helps small investors diversify across expensive stocks without needing the full share price.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://robinhood.com
- https://www.fidelity.com
- https://www.schwab.com
- https://www.etrade.com
- https://www.webull.com
- https://www.sofi.com
- https://public.com
- https://www.moomoo.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Robinhood
Fidelity
Charles Schwab
Webull
SoFi Invest
Public
Moomoo