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
- Fidelity and Charles Schwab are the best all-round brokerages, combining $0 stock trades with research, retirement accounts, and support.
- Robinhood and Webull suit active mobile traders who want a fast, simple app and extended-hours trading.
- Interactive Brokers suits experienced traders who need global markets, advanced tools, and low margin rates.
- Vanguard suits long-term index investors who prioritize low-cost funds over trading tools.
- Most major brokerages now charge $0 for stock and ETF trades, so compare tools, account types, and other fees instead.
Quick comparison
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The best stock companies
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Fidelity is the best all-round brokerage for most investors, with $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, strong research, a wide range of retirement accounts, and customer service that consistently ranks highly. Its mobile app and website cover everything from a first IRA to active trading, with fractional shares for expensive stocks.
The interface packs in a lot, which can overwhelm beginners, and its active trader platform is less deep than Interactive Brokers'. For an investor who wants one brokerage for retirement, taxable investing, and occasional trading, Fidelity is the default recommendation.
What we like- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Excellent research and retirement accounts
- Strong customer service
Watch out for- Interface can feel busy
- Active trader tools lag Interactive Brokers
- Some advanced features need higher tiers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Charles Schwab combines $0 stock and ETF trades with a wide range of accounts, strong research, and a branch network for investors who want in-person help. Its thinkorswim platform, acquired with TD Ameritrade, serves active traders, while its core app serves long-term investors.
Cash sweep yields on uninvested cash run low, and the experience varies between the main app and thinkorswim. Schwab suits investors who want a full-service brokerage with branches, research, and retirement planning in one place.
What we like- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Wide account types
- Strong research and branch network
Watch out for- Cash sweep yields are low
- Interface varies by platform
- Some tools need StreetSmart Edge
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
ETRADE, now part of Morgan Stanley, offers $0 stock and ETF trades with a strong Power ETRADE platform for active traders and solid options tools. Its mobile app is polished, and its account types cover taxable, retirement, and managed portfolios.
Integration with Morgan Stanley continues to change parts of the experience, research is solid rather than best-in-class, and some transactions still carry fees. E*TRADE suits active traders who want a strong trading platform with a recognizable brand.
What we like- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Strong Power E*TRADE platform
- Good options tools
Watch out for- Now part of Morgan Stanley, with integration changes
- Research is solid but not best-in-class
- Fees apply to some transactions
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Robinhood made mobile trading simple, with a clean app, $0 stock and ETF trades, extended-hours trading, and crypto access in the same account. For a beginner who wants to place a first trade in minutes, Robinhood's onboarding is the fastest here.
Research and education are thinner than Fidelity's or Schwab's, support is mainly digital, and past outages during volatile markets drew criticism. Robinhood suits mobile-first traders who value simplicity and speed over research depth.
What we like- Simplest mobile trading experience
- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Extended-hours trading
- Crypto access
Watch out for- Research and education are thinner
- Customer support is mainly digital
- Past outages drew criticism
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Interactive Brokers is the professional's choice, with access to markets worldwide, advanced order types, low margin rates, and platforms built for serious traders. Its pricing and tooling suit high-volume and international traders who need more than a basic app.
The learning curve is steep, the interface is complex for beginners, and market data fees can apply on some plans. Interactive Brokers suits experienced traders who will use its global reach and advanced tools, not first-time investors.
What we like- Global market access
- Advanced trading tools
- Low margin rates
- Professional-grade platforms
Watch out for- Steep learning curve
- Interface is complex
- Inactivity and data fees can apply on some plans
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Vanguard's investor-owned structure keeps fund costs among the lowest in the industry, and its brokerage offers $0 stock and ETF trades alongside its famous index funds. For a long-term investor who buys and holds index funds, Vanguard's costs are hard to beat.
Trading tools are basic, the app experience lags Fidelity's and Schwab's, and service wait times vary. Vanguard suits buy-and-hold investors who prioritize fund costs over trading features.
What we like- Lowest-cost index funds
- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Investor-owned structure
Watch out for- Trading tools are basic
- App experience lags rivals
- Customer service wait times vary
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Webull offers $0 stock and ETF trades with extended-hours trading and charting that is stronger than most mobile rivals, making it a favorite among active mobile traders. Its desktop platform adds depth for traders who start on mobile and grow.
Research is thinner than Fidelity's or Schwab's, there are no branches, and some features sit on higher tiers. Webull suits active traders who want a mobile-first experience with serious charting, without paying for full-service features.
What we like- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Extended-hours trading
- Strong charting for a mobile app
Watch out for- Research is thinner than Fidelity
- No full-service branches
- Some features need higher tiers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
SoFi Invest targets beginners with a simple app, $0 stock and ETF trades, fractional shares, and automated portfolios for hands-off investors. Its integration with SoFi's banking and lending products suits users who want one financial app for several needs.
Research and trading tools are basic, active trader features are limited, and SoFi is a newer brokerage than Fidelity or Schwab. SoFi Invest suits beginners who want a gentle start and automated options, rather than active traders.
What we like- Simple beginner-friendly investing
- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Automated portfolios available
Watch out for- Research and tools are basic
- Active trader features are limited
- Newer brokerage than rivals
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Merrill Edge, Bank of America's brokerage, offers $0 stock and ETF trades with tight integration to Bank of America accounts, making transfers and cash management smooth for existing customers. Guided investing options suit hands-off investors, and Preferred Rewards members can earn extra benefits.
The best value comes inside the Bank of America relationship, tools lag specialist brokers, and research is solid rather than leading. Merrill Edge suits Bank of America customers who want investing alongside their banking.
What we like- $0 stock and ETF trades
- Integration with Bank of America
- Guided investing options
Watch out for- Best value inside Bank of America
- Tools lag specialist brokers
- Research is solid but not leading
How we chose
We compared brokerages that offer stock and ETF trading to retail investors, excluding pure robo-advisors without self-directed trading and crypto-only exchanges. Pricing figures come from each company's own pricing page, checked in October 2026, and most major brokerages now charge $0 for online stock and ETF trades, with other fees applying to options, margin, and special services. We weighed commissions and fees, trading tools, research, account types, mobile experience, and customer service.
With $0 stock trades standard, the real differences are tools, research, account types, and secondary fees. Options contract fees, margin rates, account transfer fees, and cash sweep yields all affect total cost. Check the fee schedule for the transactions you actually make, not just the headline commission.
Match the brokerage to your investing style
Buy-and-hold index investors should prioritize fund costs and retirement accounts, favoring Vanguard or Fidelity. Active traders should prioritize platforms and extended hours, favoring Interactive Brokers, E*TRADE, or Webull. Beginners should prioritize simplicity, favoring Robinhood or SoFi Invest.
This is not financial advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and the right brokerage depends on your goals, experience, and financial situation.
Account types: taxable, IRA, and joint
Choosing a brokerage is only half the decision. The account type shapes taxes, access, and estate handling just as much as the investments inside it. A taxable brokerage account offers full flexibility: you can withdraw anytime, but dividends and capital gains are taxed yearly. A traditional IRA defers taxes until withdrawal, while a Roth IRA grows tax-free and allows tax-free withdrawals in retirement, subject to income limits and rules. For most long-term investors, filling tax-advantaged accounts before taxable ones saves significant money over decades.
Joint accounts suit couples who manage money together, with rights of survivorship that pass assets directly to the surviving owner in most states. Custodial accounts let adults invest for minors, and trust accounts suit estate planning needs. Each type carries different tax and legal implications, so the choice deserves the same attention as the brokerage itself. Many brokerages on this list support all of these types, but transfer rules and fees vary, so confirm before opening.
Contribution limits and deadlines also matter. IRA contributions follow annual limits and a tax filing deadline, while 401(k) plans have separate limits through employers. Investors who change jobs should compare rolling an old 401(k) into an IRA against leaving it, since fees, investment options, and creditor protection differ. A brokerage's education center can explain these choices, but for complex situations, a tax professional's advice pays for itself quickly.
A final point is fees that are easy to miss. Commission-free trading does not mean cost-free investing: options contracts often carry per-contract fees, mutual fund transaction fees vary, margin interest rates differ widely, and account transfer fees apply when moving assets elsewhere. Read the fee schedule for the specific activities you plan, not just the headline commission rate, and compare margin rates if you ever borrow against your portfolio. Small fee differences compound over years, so a brokerage that looks free can still be expensive for your particular mix.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stock brokerage overall?
Fidelity, for the combination of $0 trades, research, retirement accounts, and service, with Charles Schwab as a close alternative for investors who want branches and thinkorswim.
Is there a free stock brokerage?
Yes, in the sense that account opening and online stock and ETF trades are $0 at most major brokerages here. Other fees, such as options contract fees and margin interest, still apply.
Which brokerage is best for beginners?
Fidelity or SoFi Invest, for simple onboarding and education, with Robinhood as the simplest mobile start. Beginners should favor brokerages with strong education and support over advanced trading tools.
Which brokerage is best for active traders?
Interactive Brokers, for global markets and professional tools, with E*TRADE and Webull as strong mobile and desktop alternatives. Active traders should compare margin rates and platform fees, not just commissions.
Should I use more than one brokerage?
It can make sense: one for retirement and long-term investing, another for active trading. Multiple accounts add complexity at tax time, so consolidate when the benefit is small.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://www.fidelity.com
- https://www.schwab.com
- https://us.etrade.com
- https://robinhood.com
- https://www.interactivebrokers.com
- https://investor.vanguard.com
- https://www.webull.com
- https://www.sofi.com/invest
- https://www.merrilledge.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.
Fidelity
Charles Schwab
E*TRADE
Robinhood
Interactive Brokers
Vanguard
Webull
SoFi Invest
Merrill Edge