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
- Every app on this list charges $0 commission on online US stock and ETF trades, so the real differences sit in research, account types, and extra fees.
- Fidelity and Vanguard suit long term investors who want retirement accounts and low cost funds in the same place as their brokerage account.
- Robinhood and Webull suit people who trade mainly on a phone and want a clean order screen, fractional shares, and extended hours trading.
- Charles Schwab and ETRADE suit traders who want a full desktop platform behind the mobile app, with thinkorswim and Power ETRADE respectively.
- SoFi Invest suits someone who already banks or borrows with SoFi and wants investing, banking, and loans in one app.
- This is not financial advice. Stock prices can fall, and past returns do not predict future returns.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Fidelity Investments | Long term investors and retirement savers | $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs | Yes |
 Robinhood | Mobile first beginners | $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs | Yes |
 Charles Schwab | All round investors who want thinkorswim | $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs | Yes |
 Webull | Active traders who want free charting | $0 commission on US stocks, ETFs, and options | Yes |
 E*TRADE | Research focused traders | $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs | Yes |
 SoFi Invest | SoFi customers who want one app | $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs | Yes |
 Vanguard | Low cost fund investors | $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs | Yes |
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The best apps to buy stocks
#1Fidelity Investments
Best for: Long term investors and retirement savers3.9/5 on
G2 (7 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit fidelity.com
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks and ETFs
Free planYes
Fidelity is the easiest default pick for someone who wants one account that can grow with them. You can open a brokerage account with no minimum, buy fractional shares of US stocks and ETFs from $1, and later add a Roth IRA, a traditional IRA, or a health savings account without moving to another firm. Research is built into the app, with screeners, analyst reports, and educational material that explains terms in plain language.
The catch is choice. Fidelity offers so many account types, funds, and tools that a new investor can spend a long time deciding where to start. That is a good problem to have, and it beats a thin app that runs out of room after a few months. If you plan to invest regularly, set up automatic contributions, and check your account weekly rather than hourly, Fidelity fits that rhythm well.
What we like- No account minimum on core brokerage accounts
- Fractional shares from $1
- Strong research and retirement planning tools
Watch out for- Mobile app can feel crowded for a first time investor
- Some advanced desktop features take time to learn
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks and ETFs
Free planYes
Robinhood still sets the standard for a phone first trading experience. The app opens to your portfolio, a search bar, and a buy button, with little clutter in between. Fractional shares from $1 let a beginner buy part of an expensive stock without waiting to save the full share price. Gold, at $5 per month, adds margin, larger instant deposits, and professional research, but the free account covers basic stock and ETF buying.
The limits matter if you want a traditional mutual fund portfolio or deep company research inside the app. Robinhood does not offer mutual funds, and its research is lighter than Fidelity or Schwab. It works best as a first brokerage account for stocks and ETFs, or as a second account for active trading while a retirement account sits elsewhere.
What we like- Simple order screen and fractional shares from $1
- Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and futures in one app
- 24/5 trading on eligible stocks
Watch out for- No mutual funds
- Research tools are thinner than full service brokers
- Transfer out fees apply to some account moves
#3Charles Schwab
Best for: All round investors who want thinkorswim1.5/5 on
Trustpilot (786 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit schwab.com
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks and ETFs
Free planYes
Schwab pairs a straightforward brokerage account with one of the strongest trading platforms in the US. New investors can buy stocks and ETFs with $0 commission and use Schwab's own app for everyday tasks. Traders who want more can move to thinkorswim, which offers detailed charting, studies, and paper trading. Retirement savers get IRAs, 401(k) rollovers, and planning tools in the same login.
The main costs to watch are options contracts at $0.65 each and margin interest, which runs higher than Interactive Brokers style pricing. Schwab also runs bank accounts and branches, so someone who wants a person to talk to has that option. For a household that wants investing, retirement, and banking links under one roof, Schwab is a strong, steady choice.
What we like- No minimum to open a brokerage account
- Thinkorswim for advanced charting
- Wide retirement account choice
Watch out for- Options cost $0.65 per contract
- Margin rates are higher than some rivals
- The range of platforms can confuse new users
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks, ETFs, and options
Free planYes
Webull gives active traders tools that used to cost a monthly subscription, and it charges $0 commission on US stocks, ETFs, and options. Charts carry many indicators, screeners, and drawing tools, and paper trading lets you practise a strategy with fake money before risking real cash. Extended hours trading runs from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time for eligible securities, which helps people who work during market hours.
That depth comes with a learning curve. The app shows more data on one screen than Robinhood, and a new investor may not need Level 2 quotes or a full indicator library on day one. Webull also lacks mutual funds, so long term fund investors should pair it with another account or choose a different primary broker. For chart driven trading, it is hard to beat at this price.
What we like- Free real time quotes, paper trading, and detailed charts
- $0 commission on stock options
- Extended hours trading
Watch out for- No mutual funds
- Interface can feel dense for a beginner
- Customer support is mainly digital
#5E*TRADE
Best for: Research focused traders4.0/5 on
G2 (24 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit etrade.com
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks and ETFs
Free planYes
ETRADE, now part of Morgan Stanley, suits an investor who reads research before placing a trade. Power ETRADE offers charting, screeners, and strategy tools on web and mobile, while the main app handles everyday buying and account management. Stock, ETF, and mutual fund trades carry $0 commission online, and retirement accounts, bank accounts, and managed portfolios sit alongside the brokerage account.
Options traders pay $0.65 per contract, dropping to $0.50 per contract with 30 or more trades in a quarter, plus regulatory fees. Futures carry a separate per contract charge. Those fees are standard for full service brokers, and they only matter if you trade options or futures often. For stock and ETF investors who value research, E*TRADE is a polished middle ground between a simple app and a professional terminal.
What we like- Power E*TRADE web and mobile platforms
- Strong research from Morgan Stanley
- $0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds
Watch out for- Options cost $0.65 per contract, $0.50 with 30 or more trades per quarter
- Futures cost extra per contract per side
#6
SoFi Invest
Best for: SoFi customers who want one app
Visit sofi.com
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks and ETFs
Free planYes
SoFi Invest is built for convenience rather than depth. Active investing starts from $5, automated investing starts from $50, and fractional shares let small amounts buy into larger companies. If you already hold a SoFi checking account, a loan, or a credit card, seeing investments in the same app saves logins and makes transfers simple. The app also covers crypto through SoFi Bank, subject to its own terms.
The trade off is research. SoFi does not match Fidelity, Schwab, or E*TRADE for analyst reports, screeners, and desktop charting. That matters less for someone who buys broad ETFs on a schedule and checks in monthly. If you want to analyse individual companies in detail, use SoFi for simplicity and keep a research source elsewhere, or pick a fuller broker as your main account.
What we like- Active investing from $5 and automated investing from $50
- Banking, loans, and investing in one app
- Fractional shares
Watch out for- Research tools are lighter than Fidelity or Schwab
- Options and futures choice is narrower than specialist brokers
Starting price$0 commission on US stocks and ETFs
Free planYes
Vanguard built its name on low cost funds, and that focus still shapes its brokerage account. Investors who buy broad market index funds and ETFs, hold them for years, and add money on a schedule will find the costs and fund choice hard to fault. Retirement accounts are a strength, with IRAs and rollovers handled in the same account structure as taxable investing.
Active traders will notice the difference. The app is clean but not built for fast charting, complex options strategies, or frequent trading research. That is not a flaw if your plan is to buy funds and leave them alone. It is a mismatch if you trade daily. Choose Vanguard when low fund costs and a long horizon matter more than trading tools.
What we like- Low cost index funds and ETFs
- $0 commission on online US stock and ETF trades
- Strong retirement account support
Watch out for- Trading app is simpler than rivals
- Individual stock research is thinner
- Some services suit fund investors more than active traders
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, account minimums, fractional share rules, available account types, and platform features, and we read public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit for recurring complaints about support, transfers, and app reliability. We kept only brokers that offer US stock and ETF trading to US residents, charge $0 commission on those trades, and run a live mobile app. We favoured a mix of full service brokers and mobile first apps, so a beginner, a retirement saver, and an active trader can each find a fit in the same list.
What to check before you open an account
Start with the account you actually need
A taxable brokerage account suits flexible investing, while a Roth IRA or traditional IRA suits retirement saving with tax rules attached. Check that the app offers the account type you want before you fund it, and confirm whether fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, and automatic contributions are available in that account.
Read the fees beyond commission
Stock and ETF commissions are $0 at every broker here, but options contracts, margin interest, wire transfers, and full account transfers still cost money. If you plan to trade options, compare the per contract fee. If you plan to borrow on margin, compare the margin rate at your likely balance, because that gap can cost far more than a commission ever did.
Test the app with a small first trade
Open the account, link your bank, and place a small fractional share order before moving a large sum. Check how long a deposit takes to clear, how easy it is to set a limit order, and how clearly the app shows fees, order status, and tax documents. A broker that feels clear on a $10 trade will usually feel clear on a $10,000 trade.
Plan for leaving as well as joining
Ask about full transfer out fees and how long a transfer takes. Fidelity charges $0 for a full transfer out, while some rivals charge $50 to $100. That fee should not decide your choice alone, but it is worth knowing before you consolidate accounts later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to buy stocks for a beginner?
Fidelity is a strong starting point because it combines $0 commissions, fractional shares from $1, retirement accounts, and research in one account. Robinhood is simpler on a phone, but it lacks mutual funds and deeper research, so many beginners outgrow it as a sole account.
Can I buy stocks with $5?
Yes, at brokers that offer fractional shares. Fidelity, Robinhood, and SoFi Invest all let you buy part of a share with a small dollar amount, subject to each broker's minimum. That lets you start with a broad ETF or a single company without saving the full share price first.
Are stock trading apps free?
Trading US stocks and ETFs is commission free at the apps on this list, but other costs still apply. Options contracts, margin borrowing, wire transfers, and account transfers can carry fees, and regulatory fees apply to some trades. Read the broker's fee schedule before you trade an asset type beyond stocks and ETFs.
Is my money safe in a trading app?
US brokerage accounts at SIPC member firms carry SIPC protection up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash claims, if the firm fails. That protection covers missing securities and cash, not losses from market moves. Check that a broker is a SIPC member and keep your login credentials and two factor authentication secure.
Should I use one app or several?
One main broker keeps tax documents, contributions, and retirement accounts simple. A second app can make sense for a specific job, such as active trading or a separate savings goal, but each extra account adds statements, logins, and transfer steps. Start with one, and add a second only when it fills a gap your main broker cannot.
Do I need a lot of money to start investing?
No. Most apps here have no account minimum for a standard brokerage account, and fractional shares let you start with a few dollars. Regular small contributions, plus reinvested dividends, matter more over time than a large first deposit. This is not financial advice, and you should only invest money you can leave invested for your planned horizon.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://www.fidelity.com
- https://robinhood.com
- https://www.schwab.com
- https://www.webull.com
- https://www.etrade.com
- https://www.sofi.com
- https://www.vanguard.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.