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 is the strongest all-round pick, with $0 online stock and ETF commissions, fractional shares from $1, strong research, and no account minimum.
- Robinhood and Webull suit mobile-first beginners and active traders respectively, with $0 stock commissions and $0 options contract fees.
- Charles Schwab suits investors who want education and practice trading, thanks to thinkorswim and its paper trading mode.
- Interactive Brokers suits experienced and international traders, with access to many global markets and low margin rates on its Pro plan.
- SoFi Invest and Public suit beginners who want a simple app, while E*TRADE suits options traders who want deep education and powerful tools.
This is not financial advice. Trading involves risk, including the possible loss of money, and the right platform depends on personal goals and risk tolerance.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Fidelity | All-round investing | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 Charles Schwab | Education and active trading | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 Robinhood | Simple mobile trading | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 Webull | Active traders and charting | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 E*TRADE | Options trading and education | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 Interactive Brokers | Advanced and global trading | $0 stock and ETF commission (IBKR Lite) | Yes |
 SoFi Invest | Beginners and all-in-one finance | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 Public | Simple multi-asset investing | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
 moomoo | Active traders and paper trading | $0 stock and ETF commission | Yes |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best trading apps for every kind of investor
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
Fidelity is the safest recommendation for most US investors, because it combines low cost with depth. Online US stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission, there is no account minimum, and fractional shares start at $1, so a beginner can start with a small amount and learn without a large deposit. Retirement accounts, including traditional and Roth IRAs, sit in the same app as taxable brokerage accounts.
Research is the other reason Fidelity leads. In-house analysis, third-party research, screeners, and education cover basic investing through advanced options strategies, and customer support is available around the clock by phone and chat. Options cost $0.65 per contract, which is standard among full-service brokers. The app packs a lot into each screen, which can overwhelm a brand-new investor at first. For anyone who wants one account that grows from first trade to retirement, Fidelity is the strongest starting point.
What we like- $0 commissions and no account minimum
- Fractional shares from $1
- Extensive research and education
Watch out for- App can feel dense for a first-time investor
- Advanced active trading tools trail thinkorswim
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
Charles Schwab pairs a beginner-friendly brokerage with one of the most respected active trading platforms, thinkorswim. Online listed stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission, there is no account minimum, and fractional shares through Schwab Stock Slices start at $5. That combination suits an investor who wants to start simple and later move into charting, options, and practice trading without changing brokers.
Paper trading is the standout learning feature: thinkorswim paperMoney lets a new trader practice with real-time market data and no real money at stake. Education, branch offices, and around-the-clock support add a human layer that app-only brokers lack. The breadth of products, from banking to retirement planning, can feel complex on first login. Schwab suits investors who value guidance, practice, and a platform that scales with experience.
What we like- Thinkorswim platform included
- Paper trading with real-time data
- Strong education and 24/7 support
Watch out for- Product range can feel complex at first
- Options cost $0.65 per contract
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
Robinhood is the simplest way to place a first trade. The mobile app is clean, orders take a few taps, and fractional shares from $1 plus recurring investments make it easy to invest a set amount on a schedule. Online stock, ETF, and options trades carry $0 commission, with $0 per options contract, which is cheaper than the $0.65 per contract charged by several full-service brokers.
Crypto trading is available in the same app, and an IRA match is offered on retirement contributions under its Gold and IRA programs, subject to terms. The trade-off is depth: research, screeners, and education are lighter than at Fidelity or Schwab, and the simple interface can encourage frequent trading, which is rarely a good habit. A full account transfer out costs $100, so check that fee before opening an account with plans to move later. Robinhood suits beginners who want simplicity first and are willing to learn research elsewhere.
What we like- Cleanest mobile experience
- $0 options contract fees
- Fractional shares from $1 and recurring investments
Watch out for- Research tools are lighter than full-service brokers
- Transfer-out fee is $100 for a full account transfer
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
Webull sits between a beginner app and a professional platform. Its charting, technical indicators, screeners, and level 2 market data give active traders tools that Robinhood lacks, while $0 stock and ETF commissions and $0 options contract fees keep costs down. Paper trading with real-time pricing lets a new active trader practice strategies before risking money.
Fractional shares start at $5, and crypto, futures, and extended-hours trading are available for traders who want them. Webull does not offer mutual funds, which matters less for stock traders but limits investors who prefer a fund-based retirement plan. Support is mainly digital, without the branch network of Schwab or Fidelity. Webull suits traders who want serious charting on a phone or desktop and who already understand the basics.
What we like- Advanced charting and technical tools
- Paper trading included
- $0 options contract fees
Watch out for- No mutual funds
- Less suited to a simple retirement-only plan
#5E*TRADE
Best for: Options trading and education4.0/5 on
G2 (24 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit etrade.com
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
ETRADE, part of Morgan Stanley, is a strong choice for investors who want to learn options properly. Online stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission, fractional shares start at $1, and there is no account minimum. Power ETRADE provides options chains, strategy builders, and risk analysis that go beyond a basic order ticket, while webinars and education cover options concepts step by step.
A standard options trade costs $0.65 per contract, dropping to $0.50 per contract for active traders who meet volume thresholds. The main drawback is age: parts of the platform look and feel older than Robinhood or Webull, and navigating between the main site and Power ETRADE takes getting used to. ETRADE suits intermediate investors who want education and options tools in one account, backed by a large financial firm.
What we like- Power E*TRADE for options traders
- Strong education and webinars
- Paper trading available
Watch out for- Design feels older than newer rivals
- Options cost $0.65 per contract, or $0.50 for active traders
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission (IBKR Lite)
Free planYes
Interactive Brokers is the professional-grade option on this list. IBKR Lite offers $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs for eligible clients, while IBKR Pro suits active and international traders with direct market access, low margin rates, and trading in more than 160 markets and many currencies. Fractional shares start at $1, and the platform supports stocks, options, futures, forex, and bonds in one account.
That power comes with complexity. The desktop platform, Trader Workstation, has a steep learning curve, and Pro commissions, at $0.005 per share with a $1 minimum, need a calculator for small orders. Customer support is less hand-holding than at Schwab or Fidelity. Interactive Brokers suits experienced traders, international investors, and anyone whose strategy needs markets beyond the US. Beginners should start with Lite, or with a simpler broker, and graduate later.
What we like- Access to more than 160 markets worldwide
- Low margin rates on Pro
- $0 Lite commissions for eligible US clients
Watch out for- Steep learning curve
- Pro pricing charges $0.005 per share with a $1 minimum on US stocks
#7
SoFi Invest
Best for: Beginners and all-in-one finance
Visit sofi.com
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
SoFi Invest suits a beginner who wants investing beside everyday banking, loans, and budgeting in one app. Self-directed Active Investing and automated investing sit side by side, so a user can pick stocks in one account and let an automated portfolio handle another. Online stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission, options carry $0 contract fees, and fractional shares start at $1, with no account minimum for self-directed accounts.
The cost of that simplicity is depth. Research, screeners, and charting are lighter than at Fidelity, Schwab, or Webull, and SoFi does not offer mutual fund trading. That matters little for a beginner buying stocks and ETFs, and more for an investor building a fund-based plan. SoFi Invest is a good front door to investing, especially for existing SoFi customers, with a clear path to a specialist broker later if tools become the limiting factor.
What we like- Self-directed and automated investing in one app
- $0 options contract fees
- Fractional shares from $1
Watch out for- Research and trading tools are lighter than specialist brokers
- No mutual fund trading
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
Public is built for investors who want several asset types without juggling apps. Stocks, ETFs, bonds, Treasuries, and crypto can be held in one place, with recurring plans that invest a set amount on a schedule. Online stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission, options carry no per-contract fee on equity options, and fractional purchases start at $1 for stocks, with a $5 minimum noted for some fractional orders in older listings.
The social layer, including shared portfolios and community discussion, is a distinctive feature, though it should never replace personal research. Some plans, subscriptions, and asset types carry separate fees, so the fee schedule deserves a read before using premium features. Public suits a beginner or casual investor who wants a clean app, automatic plans, and access to bonds and Treasuries alongside stocks. Active options traders will want a specialist platform.
What we like- Stocks, ETFs, bonds, Treasuries, and crypto in one app
- Recurring investment plans
- Simple interface
Watch out for- Some asset types and plans carry separate fees
- Options tools are lighter than specialist platforms
Starting price$0 stock and ETF commission
Free planYes
Moomoo is a strong, lower-profile pick for active traders. Online US stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission, equity options carry $0 contract fees, and the platform supports 12 multi-leg options strategies with up to four legs. Charting, screeners, and real-time data are closer to Webull than to Robinhood, and paper trading lets a new trader test strategies without risk.
Extended-hours trading, fractional shares, and crypto are available, and the app is free to open with no account minimum for most accounts. Moomoo lacks mutual funds and the branch network of older brokers, and its US brand is newer, which may matter to investors who value a long track record. For an active trader who wants $0 options fees and serious charting, moomoo deserves a place on the shortlist beside Webull.
What we like- $0 options contract fees
- Advanced charting and 12 multi-leg options strategies
- Paper trading included
Watch out for- Newer US brand with a smaller support footprint
- No mutual funds
How we chose
We compared vendor fee schedules, account terms, documentation, and public reviews, keeping only platforms that are currently available to US investors and that genuinely support stock trading. Each platform was judged on commissions, options fees, account minimums, fractional shares, research, education, and platform depth, with extra weight on the costs that appear after the first trade, such as transfer fees and margin rates. This is not financial advice, and fee figures should be confirmed on each broker's own fee schedule before opening an account, since terms change.
Costs beyond the $0 headline
Zero commission on stocks and ETFs is now standard, so the real cost differences sit elsewhere. Options contract fees range from $0 at Robinhood, Webull, SoFi, Public, and moomoo to $0.65 at Fidelity, Schwab, and ETRADE, which adds up quickly for frequent options traders. Transfer-out fees also vary: Fidelity charges $0 for a full transfer, Schwab charges $50, Webull and ETRADE charge $75, and Robinhood charges $100, according to 2026 fee comparisons.
Account types and minimums
Every platform on this list allows opening an account with $0, but the minimum to start investing differs by feature. Fractional shares start at $1 at Fidelity, Robinhood, Interactive Brokers Lite, SoFi, and Public, and at $5 at Schwab and Webull. Retirement accounts, margin accounts, and options approval levels carry their own requirements, and margin borrowing adds interest costs that can exceed any commission saving. Check the fee schedule for the exact account type planned, not just the headline commission.
Risk and trading habits
A trading app should support a plan, not replace one. Frequent trading, options, margin, and crypto carry higher risk than a diversified, long-term portfolio, and losses can exceed the original investment when borrowed money is used. Paper trading, position sizing, and a written plan help, but they do not remove risk. Anyone unsure about risk tolerance or retirement planning should consider speaking with a qualified financial adviser before trading. This is not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best trading app for beginners?
Fidelity is the best all-round starting point, with $0 commissions, fractional shares from $1, strong education, and retirement accounts in one app. Robinhood is simpler for a first mobile trade, and Schwab is stronger for investors who want practice trading and in-person support. Beginners should start with a small amount, learn the basics, and avoid margin until they understand the risks.
Is trading really free on these apps?
Stock and ETF trades carry $0 commission at every platform listed here, but trading is not free in every sense. Options contract fees, margin interest, transfer-out fees, and spreads on crypto still apply, and some premium features carry separate charges. Read the full fee schedule, not just the headline, before choosing a platform.
What is the best trading app for options?
Webull, Robinhood, SoFi, Public, and moomoo charge $0 per equity options contract, which suits frequent options traders on cost alone. ETRADE and Schwab offer deeper options tools and education, at $0.65 per contract, or $0.50 for active traders at ETRADE. Cost matters, but options approval levels, strategy support, and risk tools matter just as much.
Do I need a minimum amount to start trading?
No account minimum applies at any platform on this list for a standard brokerage account, and fractional shares allow starting from $1 at several brokers. Some mutual funds, managed portfolios, and margin accounts carry their own minimums. Starting small is sensible: it allows learning the platform and the market without risking an amount that would cause real hardship if lost.
Can I trade on my phone safely?
Yes, provided basic security steps are followed. Use a strong, unique password, turn on two-factor authentication, keep the app updated, and avoid trading on public Wi-Fi for account changes. All platforms listed here use encryption and account protections, and US brokerage accounts at SIPC-member firms carry SIPC protection up to applicable limits, which covers missing securities in a firm failure, not losses from market moves.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://www.fidelity.com
- https://www.schwab.com
- https://www.robinhood.com
- https://www.webull.com
- https://www.etrade.com
- https://www.interactivebrokers.com
- https://www.sofi.com
- https://www.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.