Best Brokers for Range of Investments

A true multi-asset lineup: During testing, what jumped out was how far IBKR goes beyond “full-service” expectations. In addition to U.S. stocks and ETFs, IBKR gives investors access to foreign exchanges, options, futures, bonds and other fixed income, currencies, and cryptocurrencies. It also supports more specialized offerings like U.S. Spot Gold, hedge funds, plus forecast and event contracts, which is not something you’ll see at most mainstream brokerages. If you’re the type of investor who likes to branch out as you learn, IBKR makes that progression possible without needing to open new accounts elsewhere.

Interactive Brokers offers one of the most comprehensive watchlists in the industry, available on both its web and desktop trading platforms. This screenshot highlights the desktop experience, where investors can track real-time quotes, market data, and customizable columns across multiple asset classes.

Jessica's take:

"IBKR goes well beyond the basics. From global markets to fixed income, options, and even more specialized products, it’s one of the few brokers where you can truly grow into new asset classes without outgrowing the platform."

Jessica Inskip
Director of Investor Research

Not just variety, it’s usable: IBKR doesn’t just pile on investment choices and call it a day. The platform does a solid job of connecting the experience so you can actually find what you need and act on it. The detailed quote pages are loaded with data and research, and the “connections” features help surface related products and ideas in a way that feels practical (not random). It’s a big platform, but it’s organized enough that you can build real workflows around it.

Best fit for investors who want flexibility: If your investing is strictly “buy a couple ETFs and chill,” IBKR might feel like overkill. But if you want broad access, global reach, and the ability to invest across markets from one broker as your needs evolve, IBKR sets the bar for range of investments.

Strong lineup across traditional asset classes: In testing, Fidelity impressed most with the depth of its traditional offerings. You get access to stocks, ETFs, options, fixed income, precious metals, and international trading, plus a massive mutual fund lineup (including plenty of no-transaction-fee options). If you’re a long-term investor building a diversified portfolio, Fidelity gives you a lot of flexibility without forcing you to open multiple accounts at different firms.

Fixed income and retirement are real differentiators: Fidelity’s fixed income experience is a standout, especially for investors who want more than a basic bond quote. You can screen a huge inventory of bonds and CDs, participate in Treasury auctions online, and use tools like the CD ladder builder and fixed income dashboard to plan and manage income. On the retirement side, Fidelity is a powerhouse, with a wide variety of retirement account types and strong support for ongoing account maintenance (beneficiaries, conversions, distributions, permissions, and more).

A broker you can grow with: Fidelity also does a great job serving investors at different life stages. Families get excellent options like custodial accounts, 529 plans, and genuinely innovative choices like Roth IRAs for kids and the Fidelity Youth Account (built for teens with parental oversight). Add in Fidelity Go (robo-advisor), basket trading, and wealth management solutions, and you’ve got a broker that can scale with you, whether you’re investing your first $20 or managing something much larger.

Interactive Brokers’ Connections tab, shown here for NVIDIA (NVDA), gives investors a 360° contextual research view by linking the selected stock to related competitors, thematic sectors like AI infrastructure and data centers, and tradable products such as Forecast Contracts and ETFs. Connections helps traders uncover peers, trends, and broader market relationships beyond just the price quote.

Range across markets and products: In testing, Schwab stood out for offering access points that many brokers either don’t support or put behind extra steps. Beyond traditional investments, Schwab supports futures trading and access to forex through thinkorswim, and it also offers 24/5 trading on hundreds of securities. On the equity side, you’ll also find IPO access and the ability to invest in foreign markets (including local currency trading), which adds meaningful flexibility for globally minded investors.

This screenshot showcases a desktop chart of U.S. unemployment rates alongside a live news feed and streaming headlines, enabling traders to track macroeconomic trends in real time. Access to this level of economic insight helps investors connect data with market movement.

Fixed income depth: Schwab’s fixed income offering is more than “here are some bonds.” It’s built to help you make decisions. You get broad access to CDs, Treasuries, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds, plus practical tools like CD and Treasury ladder builders that make it easier to structure income. Schwab also does a nice job bridging market context with product selection, with market insights and educational resources integrated into the fixed income experience.

Customization and account features: Schwab offers a lot of ways to personalize your investing experience, from fractional share trading in stocks via Stock Slices (note: not ETFs) to robo-advice through Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, plus premium planning support if you want it. With strong support for trusts and small business accounts, a wide range of retirement options, and solid self-service account tools, Schwab is well suited for investors whose needs may get more complex over time.

Tools that support active decision-making: Where E*TRADE really shines is in how it supports active traders and strategy builders. Power E*TRADE Pro includes a customizable workspace with tools like advanced charting, a robust options chain (with lots of adjustable columns), and a surprisingly useful calendar that blends earnings, economic events, and trade-building shortcuts.

A few tradeoffs to know: There’s no true backtesting tool, but you can use paper trading mode. And while the platform has strong charting and options capabilities, drawing tools can feel finicky, which is great if you’re indicator-heavy, less ideal if you rely on precise chart annotations.

Strong research for funds: In testing, Firstrade’s fund research was the real surprise. Its ETF and mutual fund quote pages are packed with Morningstar-powered data, including category comparisons, performance, risk metrics, sustainability details, and even portfolio-level breakdowns (sector/region exposure and fixed income characteristics). Firstrade also leans into options with OptionsPlay integration and education that helps traders move from idea generation to strategy selection.

What to know going in: Firstrade doesn’t offer futures, forex, crypto, or advisor services. Instead, it’s built for self-directed investors who want a range of options in traditional products and strong fund research.