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Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Jessica Inskip

Written by Jessica Inskip
Director of Investor Research

Jeff Anberg

Edited by Jeff Anberg
Senior Editor

Blain Reinkensmeyer

Reviewed by Blain Reinkensmeyer
Managing Partner

June 25, 2026
  Fact Checked
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Jessica Inskip Jessica Inskip
Director of Investor Research

Jessica Inskip is Director of Investor Research at StockBrokers.com, bringing 15 years of experience in brokerage and trading strategy. Jessica focuses on investor education and brokerage industry research.

Some investors just want a user-friendly way to buy stocks and ETFs on the subway. Others need advanced charting, complex options chains, and real-time data to monitor their day trades from anywhere. After logging hundreds of hours testing dozens of brokers, I've narrowed down the best stock trading apps of 2026. While Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, and Fidelity top my list, the right mobile platform for you depends entirely on how you trade. Keep reading to find the app that matches your goals.

My picks for the best stock trading apps in 2026

stockbrokers-com-favicon.ico How we tested

Led by Jessica Inskip, Director of Investor Research, the StockBrokers.com research team collects thousands of data points across hundreds of variables. We evaluate features important to every kind of investor, including beginners, casual investors, passive investors, and active traders. We carefully track data on margin rates, trading costs, and fees to rate stock brokers across our proprietary testing categories.

Our researchers open personal brokerage accounts and test all available platforms on desktop, web, and mobile for each broker reviewed on StockBrokers.com. Learn more about how we test.


How Jessica chose the best stock trading apps

When I started testing this year’s crop of mobile trading platforms, I knew that counting features wasn't going to cut it. An app can promise the world, but if the options chain is impossible to navigate on a six-inch screen or quote data lags during the opening bell, it’s not going to pass muster. To get a true feel for performance, I downloaded the apps, logged into live accounts, and stress-tested them during active market hours. I wasn't just clicking around; I placed actual trades to see how intuitive the order tickets are when you're trying to execute on the go.

I focused heavily on the user journey and how well an app can grow with an investor. First, I looked at the "on-ramp" for beginners, testing how easily I could set up recurring fractional share investments and whether the embedded educational tools actually provided contextual help when viewing a quote. Then, I switched gears to see how the apps handle power-user workflows. I tried building multi-leg options spreads, checked for real-time Greeks, and tested whether drawing trendlines and adding technical indicators with a thumb was genuinely viable. Ultimately, I was looking for platforms that don't just process orders, but actively help you understand what's moving the market the moment you unlock your phone.

Broker
Rating
"Best for"
Bullet Points
Overall Score
5.0/5
Best stock trading app
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Why we like it
Review

Charles Schwab delivers one of the most complete and well-rounded mobile investing experiences available today. The flagship app is intuitive and stable, seamlessly blending market research and contextual education to help beginners build confidence. For advanced users, Schwab includes access to its separate, institutional-grade thinkorswim app, ensuring it is a platform you won't outgrow as your needs evolve. Read full review

Pros
  • Two excellent app choices: an intuitive flagship app and the powerful thinkorswim platform.
  • Contextual education built directly into trade tickets, quotes, and portfolio views.
  • Low barrier to entry with fractional shares (Stock Slices) and a dedicated Starter Kit.
Cons
  • No direct cryptocurrency trading currently available on the platform, but bitcoin and ethereum coming soon.
  • Fractional share investing is strictly limited to stocks and excludes ETFs.
Overall Score
5.0/5
Best app for active traders
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65 info
Why we like it
Review

Interactive Brokers is built for self-directed investors who want institutional-grade trading capabilities packed into a highly customizable, mobile-first workflow. The platform offers massive depth, ranging from advanced order algorithms to a data-heavy options chain packed with Greeks and volatility metrics. It also features innovative tools like AI-driven news summaries to help traders quickly digest what is moving a stock. Read full review

Pros
  • Highly customizable home screen modules and advanced quote metrics.
  • Institutional-style analytics, advanced order types, and global asset access.
  • Fantastic "Connections" tool for linking related products, competitors, and themes.
Cons
  • High learning curve that lacks a guided, beginner-first design.
  • Mobile multi-leg options tickets lack net Greeks in the workflow.
Overall Score
5.0/5
Best app for long-term investors
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Why we like it
Review

Fidelity offers a sleek, modern, unified app that balances low costs, strong fundamental research, and powerful long-term planning tools. Rather than isolating educational resources, the app intentionally blends short-form insights and market ideas directly into your regular workflow. It provides a polished environment that accommodates both first-time investors and those managing large portfolios. Read full review

Pros
  • Sleek primary app with an optional "Trader+" layout for active trading.
  • Excellent integration of mobile learning and market context via the Discover tab.
  • Strong fractional share support and comprehensive retirement planning tools.
Cons
  • Mobile multi-leg options trading feels limited compared to desktop.
  • Lacks a true strategy backtesting tool for mobile users.
Overall Score
3.5/5
Best for paper trading
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00
Why we like it
Review

Webull is a fast, modern platform designed specifically for active, technical investors who love charting, market momentum, and community interaction. The mobile experience is highly responsive, making it remarkably easy to add technical indicators, map trendlines, and replay historical price action. It is an excellent ecosystem for executing quick trades and testing ideas on the fly. Read full review

Pros
  • Industry-leading mobile charting with 100+ indicators and price action replay.
  • Built-in paper trading functionality for risk-free strategy practice.
  • Streamlined, rapid order entry with clear, built-in trade explainers.
Cons
  • Light on deep fundamental research and comprehensive long-term retirement planning.
  • Options spreads can feel restrictive, and account types are very basic.
Overall Score
4.5/5
Best dual-app experience for growing traders
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Why we like it
Review

E*TRADE excels at providing an easy entry point for day-to-day investing while offering a clear, built-in upgrade path to sophisticated trading. The flagship app makes setting up wealth-building habits simple through automated, recurring investments in ETFs and mutual funds. When you are ready for complex strategies, the Power E*TRADE app provides a deep options ecosystem and highly visual risk/reward workflows. Read full review

Pros
  • Seamless transition between a beginner-friendly flagship app and Power E*TRADE.
  • Excellent recurring investment features for automated, small-dollar wealth building.
  • High-quality options chains featuring deep Greek columns and risk snapshots.
Cons
  • No true built-in strategy backtesting tools (must rely on paper trading).
  • Chart drawing tools on the mobile layout can feel a bit restrictive.

Top picks for the best stock trading apps

1. Charles Schwab – Best stock trading app

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.65

Charles Schwab delivers one of the most complete mobile investing experiences available today. Whether you’re checking markets on the go or actively placing trades, Schwab’s flagship app feels intuitive, stable, and thoughtfully designed. It answers the two most important questions mobile investors ask: What’s happening in the market right now and what does it mean for me? From live indices and curated market updates to clean quote pages and integrated research, Schwab excels at helping investors stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

A strong on-ramp for new investors: For beginner traders, Schwab’s mobile app makes learning feel natural. Contextual education is built directly into trade tickets, quotes, and portfolio views, with clear explanations available exactly when you need them. Fractional share investing through Stock Slices lowers the barrier to entry, while tools like dividend reinvestment, goal planning, and Schwab’s Starter Kit help new investors build confidence over time. Importantly, Schwab is a platform you won’t outgrow as your needs evolve.

Jessica's take:

"Schwab does a great job meeting investors where they are. The mobile app gives you enough context to make informed decisions without overwhelming you, and when you’re ready for more depth, thinkorswim is there. It’s one of the few brokers where you can grow into the platform instead of growing out of it."

Jessica Inskip
Director of Investor Research

jessica_inskip_170.png

Serious tools for active traders: Active traders will appreciate Schwab’s separate thinkorswim mobile app, which brings institutional-grade tools to your phone. Advanced charting, backtesting, customizable indicators, and powerful options trading capabilities make it one of the strongest mobile platforms for technical and options-focused traders. The learning curve can be steep, but the depth is worth it if you want more control and flexibility.

thinkorswim mobile

Schwab’s options trade ticket on mobile features a trade calculator view with both a P/L diagram and detailed table analysis. In this example, a 30-day-to-expiration at-the-money (ATM) cash-secured put on AAPL is displayed, clearly showing limited profit potential capped at the premium received—regardless of how high the stock rises. The payoff diagram also illustrates the increasing downside risk, mirroring the risk profile of stock ownership and highlighting the neutral to bullish bias of this strategy.

The trade-offs to know: Schwab doesn’t yet offer direct crypto trading (although bitcoin and ethereum are slated to be offered sometime this year), and fractional shares are limited to stocks (not ETFs). Still, with its range of investments, account types, research, and education, Schwab remains one of the most well-rounded stock trading apps for investors at any stage.

2. Interactive Brokers – Best app for active traders

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.65

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is built for investors who want trading capability in a mobile-first workflow. While it doesn’t have a separate “active trader” mobile app, the flagship IBKR Mobile app is extremely comprehensive, and there are additional apps like GlobalTrader, IMPACT, and the newer InvestMentor experience for quick lessons.

Mobile tools, fees, and features: The app is highly customizable right from the home screen (you can toggle on/off modules like watchlists, indices, events, and learning). Quotes go way beyond the basics, with optional fields like forward P/E, options volume metrics, volatility percentile, dividend info, and more. One standout is “Connections,” which links you to related products (ETFs, options ideas, competitors, themes) plus an AI-driven news summary that quickly explains what’s moving a stock.

IBKR mobile platform toolbox

Interactive Brokers’ flagship mobile app puts professional-grade tools at your fingertips with its fully-loaded Toolbox feature. Investors can access AI-powered trade ideas, options strategies, tax optimization tools, auto-investing, crypto trading, and market scanners, all in one place. This mobile experience makes it easy to manage sophisticated strategies on the go, rivaling many desktop platforms.

Advanced trading edge: The mobile options chain includes options statistics right at the top, supports 20+ columns (including Greeks and IV), and makes single-leg execution easy, though you may need to hop back to the chain to change selections. On desktop (TWS), IBKR has a strategy builder for multi-leg trades, advanced order types (including algos and conditional logic), and portfolio tools like Risk Navigator and scenario analysis. ORATS backtesting is also available, but it’s mainly for options strategy backtests.

What’s missing and who it’s best for: This is not the most guided, beginner-first experience, and some mobile workflows (like multi-leg options) lack net Greeks in the ticket. But if your goal is to grow into advanced tools, trade globally, and have institutional-style analytics available when you want them, IBKR is one of the strongest platforms you can choose.

3. Fidelity – Best app for long-term investors

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Fidelity logoFidelity
5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.65

Fidelity is one of those brokers that can genuinely grow with you. Whether you’re investing your first $20 or managing a much larger portfolio, the experience feels designed for long-term investors who still want capable tools as their needs evolve. Fidelity combines strong research, low costs, and thoughtful platform design in a way that feels intentional.

Mobile experience: Fidelity keeps everything in one primary app, with an optional Trader+ mode you can turn on for a more active trading layout. The app feels sleek and modern, and navigation is intuitive across Home, Investing, Transact, Planning, and Discover. It’s easy to get a quick read on the markets, including major indices, futures like oil and gold, and Treasury yields, with helpful context layered in along the way.

Education and usability: Fidelity does a great job blending education into the experience instead of isolating it. The Discover tab mixes short-form educational content, market insights, and investment ideas in a way that’s easy to digest on mobile. You can learn, research, and check your portfolio without jumping between sections or feeling overwhelmed.

Learning center with social media like series

Fidelity’s mobile app makes learning on the go super easy with its “On Our Radar” videos which are quick social media style clips that cover everything from market trends to investing basics. They're short, smart, and actually fun to watch, making it simple to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a great way to pick up insights in just a few minutes.

Advanced trading and what’s missing: On desktop, Fidelity’s Active Trader Pro beta shows progress, especially for beginner options trading. The options chain has full Greeks, customizable columns, and strong multi-leg support, including net Greeks and probability of profit. On mobile, however, multi-leg options trading feels more limited, and I didn’t find a true backtesting tool. It’s a strong platform overall, but advanced traders will still spend more time on desktop than in the app.

4. Webull – Best for paper trading

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Webull logoWebull
3.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Webull is built for people who like charts, momentum, and staying plugged into the market. It’s sleek, fast, and packed with widgets, but it leans more “active trader” than “set-it-and-forget-it” investor.

Mobile tools that stand out: Charting is a real highlight, especially on mobile because it’s easy to add indicators, draw levels, and even replay price action. You also get paper trading for practice, a solid options chain for single-leg trades, and trade tickets that make order entry quick (with helpful explainers).

What to know before choosing it: Webull has strong technicals, order flow, and community chatter, but is lighter on deep research and long-term planning. Options spreads can feel restrictive, education is broad but not very polished, and account types are basic.

5. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley – Best dual-app experience for growing traders

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
4.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.65

E*TRADE is great if you want a simple mobile experience now, with a clear path into more advanced trading later. The flagship app is clean and easy for day-to-day investing, while Power E*TRADE Pro is built for active traders.

Beginner-friendly investing habits: I love how easy it is to set up recurring investing in ETFs and mutual funds (even small amounts like $25/week). That’s the kind of “set it and stick with it” feature that actually builds wealth over time.

Where it shines for traders: Power E*TRADE Pro has a deep options chain (tons of Greeks/IV columns), easy multi-leg building from the chain, and helpful risk/reward snapshots. The economic + earnings calendar is also genuinely useful, with filters and trade-linked workflows.

What’s missing: No true backtesting (paper trading helps), and chart drawing can feel limited.

Other stock trading apps I tested

6. TradeStation - Advanced platform for experienced traders

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
TradeStation logoTradeStation
3.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.80

TradeStation is built for active traders. The new Titan X interface is slick, with excellent charting (105+ indicators, drag-and-drop customization, and drawing tools that snap to price). Options traders will love the upgraded chain and easy multi-leg tickets with net Greeks. The weak spot: no real economic calendar and education leans more toward advanced traders rather than beginners.

7. Robinhood - Mobile-first platform design

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Robinhood logoRobinhood
3.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Robinhood is best viewed as a modern, education-first trading app that prioritizes simplicity and approachability. The platform is exceptionally easy to use, with clean design, intuitive trade flows, and strong support for fractional investing, recurring investments, and basic options trading. Where Robinhood truly stands out is investor education, content is well-structured, clear, and genuinely helpful for learning stocks, options, and long-term planning. That said, advanced traders may find research depth, market data, and portfolio analytics limited compared to more traditional platforms.

8. Firstrade - Beginner-friendly app

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Firstrade logoFirstrade
3.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Firstrade is a solid pick for self-directed investors who care more about broad investing access and research than an “active trader” platform. Where it shines is depth: Morningstar-powered research for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds is genuinely robust, and the options ecosystem is strong thanks to OptionsPlay tools plus strategy education that’s actually useful. The mobile app is especially good for options trading. The biggest gap is macro coverage and beginner-friendly education outside of options, which tends to be dense and high-level.

9. Merrill Edge - Seamless banking integration

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
4.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.65

Merrill Edge is a strong choice if you want an active-trader-style desktop platform with lots of built-in guidance, even if the experience can feel clunky. MarketPro’s charting is feature-rich, with precise drawing tools and Trading Central event markers, and the platform does a nice job helping you learn as you click around. Where Merrill really stands out is fundamentals and portfolio analysis, plus excellent retirement and tax tools. The biggest gaps are a lack of an advanced mobile app and limited macro/technical-analysis education.

10. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing – Long-term investing

Company Overall Minimum Deposit Stock Trades Options (Per Contract)
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing logoJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
3.5/5 Stars $0.00 $0.00 $0.65

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is best for long-term investors who want a clean, full-service brokerage experience through Chase. You get solid market context on mobile, like indices, yield curve, commodities, currencies, and daily briefs, plus helpful security-level research and well-written education. However, it’s not always organized in an intuitive “learning path.” The app and site make it easy to monitor a portfolio and place stock/ETF trades, but options tools are basic and not built for active traders.

Mobile trading apps comparison

Use our comparison table below to evaluate the best mobile trading apps based on the features that matter most for on-the-go investing. Whether you trade on an iPhone or Android device, you can easily compare top brokers side-by-side on essential tools like real-time quotes, technical charting indicators, and after-hours capabilities.

Company Mobile Trading Apps iPhone App Android App Charting - Indicators / Studies Quotes (Real-time) Charting - After-Hours
Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
5/5 Stars Yes Yes 374 Yes Yes
Fidelity logoFidelity
4.5/5 Stars Yes Yes 129 Yes Yes
Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
5/5 Stars Yes Yes 155 Yes Yes
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
4.5/5 Stars Yes Yes 121 Yes Yes
Webull logoWebull
4.5/5 Stars Yes Yes 52 Yes Yes

How to get started in mobile stock trading

Choose a trading app

Not all brokerages are built the same, so it’s crucial to compare platforms to find the one that aligns with your specific goals. When evaluating different apps, take the time to compare the core features that will directly impact your day-to-day workflow. Look closely at account minimums, fee structures (such as options contract fees or margin rates), and the availability of fractional shares. If you are a beginner, prioritize platforms with an intuitive interface and built-in guidance. If you plan to trade actively, weigh the quality of their advanced charting, real-time data streaming, and complex order types.

Use research and education to learn the basics

Before putting real money on the line, take advantage of the educational content built into your chosen app. Many of the best brokers offer curated market news, beginner crash courses, and video tutorials right on the home screen. One of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between learning and doing is through paper trading. Trading simulators allow you to execute trades with virtual money using live market data. This lets you test out the platform's order tickets, experiment with new strategies, and get a feel for market volatility with absolutely zero financial risk.

Build good habits to support long-term growth

Successful investing is rarely about simply picking the perfect stock, instead it is heavily reliant on consistency and discipline. One of the best ways to refine your strategy is by keeping a trading journal. Documenting the "why" behind your trades, along with what you were feeling at the time, can help you identify behavioral mistakes and avoid repeating them.

To set yourself up for sustainable success, focus on developing these fundamental habits early on:

  • Start small: Utilize fractional shares to dip your toes into the market without committing large amounts of capital to a single position.
  • Automate your investments: Set up recurring deposits and investments to build your portfolio consistently, which takes the emotion out of trying to time the market.
  • Maintain a trading journal: Log your entry points, exit targets, and the original thesis behind every trade to track your growth as an investor.
  • Diversify your risk: Avoid putting all your money into a single stock or sector. Use ETFs and mutual funds to easily spread your exposure across the broader market. See our guide to passive investing for more tips.
  • Stick to your strategy: Filter out the noise of trending meme stocks on social media and trust your personal long-term plan.

FAQs

What is the best stock trading app for beginners?

The best stock trading app for beginners is Schwab Mobile from Charles Schwab, closely followed by the Fidelity Investments App from Fidelity. Between the two brokers, Schwab has the edge for educational resources and trading tools. Meanwhile, Fidelity stands out for ease of use and an innovative Youth app designed for teens. For a more detailed look on what to look out for as a beginner beyond their mobile apps, check out my full guide on the best stock trading platforms for beginners.

Are mobile stock trading apps safe?

Yes. Every broker in this guide is regulated in the US and a member of SIPC, which protects up to $500,000 in securities, including a $250,000 limit for cash claims, if the firm fails. It is worth knowing what that does and does not cover: SIPC protects against the failure of the brokerage itself, not against market losses. On the app side, the standard protections are encryption and two-factor authentication, both of which I enable during setup. The weakest link is usually the user, not the app, so use a unique password and avoid trading over public Wi-Fi.

What is the best stock trading app overall?

The best stock trading app overall is Schwab Mobile from Charles Schwab, which earns a perfect five stars in my mobile testing. It strikes the best balance I found between everyday usability and serious trading tools, with Interactive Brokers and Fidelity close behind. Schwab works whether you are checking the market on your commute or placing an options trade, and its separate thinkorswim app gives active traders institutional-grade charting and analysis. Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick if you trade globally or want advanced analytics, while Fidelity suits long-term investors who value research and low costs. Your best app still depends on how you trade, so use my full rankings above to match one to your goals.

How much money do I need to start trading on an app?

You can start with very little. Every broker I tested has a $0 account minimum and charges no commission on US-listed stocks and ETFs, so you can open an account and fund it with whatever you are comfortable investing. Fractional shares lower the bar further. Schwab's Stock Slices, for example, lets you buy into S&P 500 companies for a small dollar amount rather than the full share price, so you do not need hundreds of dollars to own a piece of an expensive stock. A practical approach is to begin small, set up recurring deposits where your broker supports them, and add to your positions over time. For more, see my guide to the best brokers for fractional shares.

Is using a mobile trading app as secure as a desktop platform?

For everyday use, the two are effectively equal. A broker's mobile app and its desktop platform connect to the same accounts and the same regulated, SIPC-member infrastructure, so the underlying protections are identical. Mobile can even add a layer that desktop often lacks, since most apps support biometric login through Face ID or a fingerprint. The main difference is practical rather than technical. It is easier to lose a phone than a desktop computer, so I set a device passcode and enable remote wipe as a backup. Trade on a network you trust and the security gap between the two is minimal.

Can I trade options or cryptocurrency on standard stock trading apps?

Options, almost always. Cryptocurrency, it depends. Every app in this guide supports options trading once you apply and are approved for the appropriate level, though the depth of the tools varies. For multi-leg strategies and full Greeks on mobile, I leaned on Interactive Brokers and the more advanced platforms. Crypto is less consistent. Some brokers offer direct spot crypto trading, including Webull, Robinhood, Interactive Brokers, and Fidelity, while others such as Charles Schwab and E*TRADE do not yet offer it directly, so many investors get exposure through ETFs instead. If digital assets are a priority, check each broker's current offering before you commit. My best crypto trading guide breaks down which platforms support it.

Our testing

Why you should trust us

Jessica Inskip is Director of Investor Research at StockBrokers.com, bringing 15 years of experience in brokerage and trading strategy. A former FINRA-licensed rep, she held Series 7, 63, 66, and 4 licenses. Jessica focuses on investor education and brokerage industry research, appears regularly on CNBC, Bloomberg, The Schwab Network, Fox Business, and Yahoo! Finance, and hosts the Market MakeHer podcast.

Blain Reinkensmeyer, co-founder of StockBrokers.com, has been investing and trading for over 25 years. After having placed over 2,000 trades in his late teens and early 20s, he became one of the first in digital media to review online brokerages. Today, Blain is widely respected as a leading expert on finance and investing, specifically the U.S. online brokerage industry. Blain has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Fast Company, among others. Blain created the original scoring rubrics for StockBrokers.com and oversees all testing and rating methodologies.

How we tested

  • We used our own brokerage accounts for testing.
  • We collected thousands of data points across the brokers we review.
  • We tested each online broker's website, desktop platforms, and mobile app, where applicable.
  • We maintained strict editorial independence; brokers cannot pay for inclusion or a higher rating.

Our research team meticulously collected data on every feature of importance to a wide range of customer profiles, including beginners, casual investors, passive investors, and active traders. We carefully track variables like margin rates, trading costs, fees, and platform features and use them to help rate brokers across a range of categories measuring ease of use, range of investments, research, education, and more.

At StockBrokers.com, our reviewers use a variety of computing devices to evaluate platforms and tools. Our reviews and data collection were conducted using the following devices chosen to reflect the everyday hardware our readers are likely to be using rather than top-tier configurations: iPhone SE running the latest iOS version, MacBook Pro M1 with 8 GB RAM running the current MacOS, and a Dell Vostro 5402 laptop i5 with 8 GB RAM running Windows 11 Pro.

Each broker was evaluated and scored on over 200 different variables across seven key categories: Range of Investments, Platforms & Tools, Research, Mobile Trading, Education, Ease of Use, and Overall. Learn more about how we test.

Trading platforms tested

We tested 14 online trading platforms for this guide:

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About the Editorial Team

Jessica Inskip

Jessica Inskip is Director of Investor Research at StockBrokers.com, bringing 15 years of experience in brokerage and trading strategy. A former FINRA-licensed rep, she held Series 7, 63, 66, and 4 licenses. Jessica focuses on investor education and brokerage industry research, appears regularly on CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg, and hosts the Market MakeHer podcast.

Jeff Anberg

Jeff Anberg is a Senior Editor at StockBrokers.com. Along with years of experience in media distribution at a global newsroom, Jeff has a versatile knowledge base encompassing the technology and financial markets. He is a long-time active investor and engages in research on emerging markets like cryptocurrency. Jeff holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy from San Francisco State University.

Blain Reinkensmeyer

Blain Reinkensmeyer has 20 years of trading experience with over 2,500 trades placed during that time. He heads research for all U.S.-based brokerages on StockBrokers.com and is respected by executives as the leading expert covering the online broker industry. Blain’s insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Chicago Tribune, among other media outlets.

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