Best Online Brokers of 2026
Compare top online brokers for stocks, ETFs, and more. We've reviewed the leading platforms to find the best for every investor.
| Brokerage Account | Stock/ETF Trades | Account Minimum | Open Account |
|---|---|---|---|
$0 for stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds; $0.65/options contract | $0 | Open Account On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's secure site | |
$0 for stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto | $0 | Start Investing On SoFi Active Investing's secure site | |
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; $0.65/options contract | $0 | Open Account On Merrill Edge (Bank of America)'s secure site | |
$0 for stocks and ETFs; $0.50/options contract; $0 for 17,000+ no-load mutual funds | $0 | Open Account On Ally Invest's secure site | |
$0 | $0 | Start Investing On Stash's secure site | |
IBKR Lite: $0, IBKR Pro: $0.005/share or $0.0005-$0.0035/share | $0 | Open Account On Interactive Brokers's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 | Open Account On Webull's secure site | |
N/A - Crypto only | $1 | Open Account On Coinbase's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 | Open Account On Charles Schwab's secure site | |
$0 commission for stock investing account | $500 for automated investing, $1 for cash accounts | Start Investing On Wealthfront's secure site | |
Not specified | Not specified | Open Account On TastyTrade's secure site | |
N/A - Portfolio management | $0 ($10 to start investing) | Start Investing On Betterment's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 | Start Investing On SoFi Invest's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 | Open Account On E*TRADE's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 (funds: $1-$3,000 minimums) | Open Account On Vanguard's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 | Open Account On Fidelity Investments's secure site | |
$0 commission | $0 | Start Investing On Robinhood's secure site | |
$0 | $0 | Start Investing On Acorns's secure site |
Commission-Free Mutual Funds
Yes, $0 trades
Fractional Shares
Yes, available
Chase Bank Integration
Seamless account linking
Mobile App Rating
Very Good
Why We Like It
- $0 mutual fund trades — rare among brokers
- Seamless Chase banking integration
- Clean, beginner-friendly interface
Where It Falls Short
- Limited research tools vs. Fidelity or Schwab
- No crypto or futures trading
Pro Tip
Look beyond commission fees — factors like investment selection, research tools, and platform reliability matter just as much for long-term investing success.
Fractional Shares
Yes
IPO Access
Yes (rare among smaller brokers)
Mobile App
Excellent
Financial Planning
Free CFP sessions for members
Why We Like It
- Fractional shares and IPO access for beginners
- Free certified financial planner sessions
- Clean, easy-to-use mobile app
Where It Falls Short
- Basic platform lacks advanced trading tools
- No bonds, futures, or international trading
BofA Integration
Preferred Rewards perks & bonus trades
Research & Tools
Excellent, incl. BofA Global Research
Crypto Trading
Not available
Mobile App Rating
Very Good
Why We Like It
- Seamless Bank of America integration with Preferred Rewards benefits
- Exceptional in-house and third-party research
- Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options trades
Where It Falls Short
- No cryptocurrency or futures trading
- Limited advanced charting tools for active traders
Pro Tip
Many brokers offer paper trading (simulated investing) so you can practice strategies with fake money before risking real capital.
Options Contract Fee
$0.50 (lowest among major brokers)
No-Load Mutual Funds
17,000+ funds, $0 trade fee
Forex Trading
Yes, available
Mobile App
Very Good
Why We Like It
- Lowest options contract fee at $0.50 vs $0.65 industry standard
- Seamless integration with Ally Bank accounts
- One of the largest no-fee mutual fund lineups (17,000+)
Where It Falls Short
- No cryptocurrency trading available
- Research tools and platform lag behind Fidelity and Schwab
Fractional Shares
Yes, start with any amount
Robo-Advisor
Automated portfolios included
Mobile App Rating
4.7 / 5
Research & Tools
Beginner education & guidance
Why We Like It
- Fractional shares let you invest with any dollar amount
- Automated portfolios built into subscription
- Strong educational content for new investors
Where It Falls Short
- Monthly subscription fee can outweigh returns on small balances
- Limited investment selection, no crypto
Pro Tip
Check if your broker offers fractional shares — this lets you invest in high-priced stocks like Amazon or Tesla with as little as $1.
Global Market Access
150+ markets in 33 countries
Research & Tools
140+ research providers + TWS platform
Fractional Shares
Yes, US & Canadian stocks/ETFs
Crypto Trading
11 cryptocurrencies, capped at 1% fee
Why We Like It
- Ultra-low margin rates vs. industry average
- Professional-grade tools including Trader Workstation
- 21,000+ no-transaction-fee mutual funds
Where It Falls Short
- Complex interface not suited for beginners
- Mobile app can be laggy with performance issues
Options Trading
$0 equity options commissions
Research & Tools
12+ providers, advanced charting, paper trading
Fractional Shares
Yes, select stocks & ETFs
Crypto Trading
Yes, 6 cryptocurrencies available
Why We Like It
- Free equity and options trading with $0 minimum
- Advanced charting and 12+ research providers
- 24/5 trading with robo-advisor and IRA options
Where It Falls Short
- No mutual funds; limited OTC stock access
- Best features locked behind Premium subscription
Cryptocurrencies Available
350+ coins, 550+ pairs
Trading Fees
2.9% – 5.2% (varies)
Educational Content
Coinbase Learn included
Withdrawals
Immediate available
Why We Like It
- Huge crypto selection with 350+ supported assets
- Beginner-friendly interface with multiple platform tiers
- Earn staking rewards on eligible assets
Where It Falls Short
- High and opaque fees (up to 5.2%)
- No stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
Research & Tools
thinkorswim + multiple research providers
No-Fee Mutual Funds
7,700+ funds at $0
Robo-Advisor
Free via Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Fractional Shares
S&P 500 stocks, $5 minimum
Why We Like It
- Powerful thinkorswim platform for active traders
- 24/7 support with 400+ physical branches
- Free robo-advisor with no management fee
Where It Falls Short
- Clunky standard mobile app experience
- Very limited crypto access and low cash interest rate
Advisory Fee
0.25% annually
Tax-Loss Harvesting
Automated, all accounts
Cash Account APY
3.30% APY
Direct Indexing
Available ($100K+)
Why We Like It
- Sophisticated tax optimization including direct indexing
- Broad account types including 529 plans and IRAs
- High-yield cash account with competitive APY
Where It Falls Short
- $500 minimum for automated investing
- No access to human financial advisors
Specialty
Options-focused platform
Research & Tools
Advanced options trading tools
Platform Style
Built for active traders
Robo-Advisor
Not available
Why We Like It
- Purpose-built tools for options traders
- Streamlined interface for active trading
- Strong community and educational content for options
Where It Falls Short
- Not ideal for passive or beginner investors
- Limited information on fractional shares and crypto offerings
Management Fee
0.25% annually
Tax Optimization
Auto tax-loss harvesting
Mobile App Rating
4.8/5 on iOS
Crypto Trading
Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs
Why We Like It
- Automatic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting included
- Wide range of IRA and retirement account types
- No account minimum to open; start investing with $10
Where It Falls Short
- Flat $5/month fee can be costly for very small balances
- No direct indexing or individual stock picking
IRA Match
1% match on contributions
Financial Advisor Access
Free, unlimited access
Fractional Shares
Yes
Robo-Advisor
Yes – SoFi Automated Investing
Why We Like It
- 1% IRA match boosts retirement savings
- Free certified financial planner access
- No options contract fees
Where It Falls Short
- No crypto, futures, or forex trading
- Limited research tools vs. competitors
Options Discount
$0.50/contract (30+ trades/quarter)
Robo-Advisor
Yes – E*TRADE Automated Investing
Research Providers
9 providers incl. Moody's & Morningstar
IPO Access
Yes – available to eligible clients
Why We Like It
- Two powerful trading platforms including Power E*TRADE
- 24/7 phone support with extensive educational resources
- Options trading discount for active traders
Where It Falls Short
- No crypto trading available
- Very low cash sweep interest rate (0.01%–0.15%)
Avg. Expense Ratio
0.09% (industry-leading low)
Robo-Advisor
Yes – Vanguard Digital Advisor
Fractional Shares
Vanguard ETFs only, from $1
Cash Rate
4%+ on uninvested cash
Why We Like It
- Pioneer of index investing with 3,600+ no-fee mutual funds
- No payment for order flow – better trade execution
- Trusted, investor-owned structure keeps costs ultra-low
Where It Falls Short
- Basic trading platform and mobile app lag competitors
- Fund minimums up to $3,000 and $25 annual fee apply
Fractional Shares
Yes
Crypto Trading
BTC, ETH, SOL, LTC
Mobile App
Best App for Investing 2026
Research Providers
Argus, Zacks, CFRA, S&P Global
Why We Like It
- Zero expense ratio index funds available
- Robo-advisor (Fidelity Go) included
- Exceptional research tools and educational resources
Where It Falls Short
- No futures trading
- $0.65 per options contract fee
Fractional Shares
Yes, from $1
Crypto Trading
40+ coins, $0 fees
IRA Match
1% free, 3% with Gold
Extended Hours
24/5 stock trading
Why We Like It
- Free crypto trading with 40+ cryptocurrencies
- IRA match bonus up to 3% with Gold membership
- Intuitive mobile app ideal for new investors
Where It Falls Short
- No mutual funds or bonds available
- Limited research tools and customer service issues
Round-Up Feature
Invests your spare change automatically
Robo-Advisor
Yes, from $3/month
Fractional Shares
Yes
Mobile App Rating
4.7 / 5
Why We Like It
- Effortless automated investing with round-ups
- Simple interface ideal for beginners
- Supports IRAs, Roth IRAs and custodial accounts
Where It Falls Short
- Monthly fee is costly for small balances
- No crypto trading and limited investment choices
Finding the Best Online Broker
What Are Online Brokers?
An online broker is a platform that lets you buy and sell investments — stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, and sometimes options or crypto — through a website or mobile app. Think of them as the middleman between you and the financial markets. Before these platforms existed, you had to call a human stockbroker and pay steep commissions, sometimes $50 or more per trade. Today, most online brokers charge $0 per stock trade and let you open an account in under 15 minutes. When you place an order to buy 10 shares of a company, your broker executes that transaction on a stock exchange like the NYSE or NASDAQ on your behalf. Your money and securities are held in your brokerage account, which is typically insured up to $500,000 through SIPC protection. Some brokers are pure execution platforms — they just place your trades. Others offer research tools, educational content, robo-advisor features, and even human financial advisors. The type you need depends entirely on how hands-on you want to be with your money.
Why Do People Use Online Brokers?
The most common reason people open a brokerage account is to build long-term wealth outside of a workplace retirement plan. A 401(k) is great, but it has contribution limits — $23,000 in 2025 — and restricted investment options. A taxable brokerage account gives you more flexibility and no contribution ceiling. People also use brokers to invest a windfall, save for a goal that's 5–10 years away, or generate dividend income. First-time investors often start because they want their cash to work harder than a savings account earning 0.5% APY. More experienced investors use brokers to access specific asset classes their retirement accounts don't cover, like individual international stocks or sector ETFs. Active traders use them for the speed, charting tools, and margin access. The common thread is control — online brokers give you direct ownership of your investments and let you act on your own timeline, rather than waiting for a fund manager or advisor to make decisions for you.
What to Consider When Choosing
Online BrokersStart with costs, but go deeper than the headline "$0 commissions" pitch. Look at options contract fees (usually $0.50–$0.65 per contract), margin interest rates, and account minimums. Some platforms charge for data feeds or advanced charting tools that competitors include for free. Next, match the platform to your experience level. Beginners need clean interfaces, fractional shares (so you can buy $50 of a $400 stock), and solid educational resources. Experienced investors should prioritize research tools, screeners, and order types like stop-limit orders. If you plan to trade frequently, test the mobile app — a clunky app will cost you more in frustration than any fee. Consider account types too: do you need a Roth IRA, a joint account, or a custodial account for a child? Not every broker offers all three. Finally, check how the platform makes money. Many brokers earn through "payment for order flow," which means your trades are routed to market makers who may not always give you the best price. It's legal, but worth knowing.
How to Get the Most Out of Online Brokers
Once your account is open, set up automatic contributions — even $100 a month invested consistently beats a larger lump sum invested sporadically. Most platforms let you automate recurring purchases of ETFs or fractional shares, which removes emotion from the process and keeps you invested through market dips. Take advantage of every free tool your broker offers before paying for anything external. Many platforms include screeners, earnings calendars, analyst ratings, and tax-loss harvesting reports that investors completely ignore. If your broker offers a paper trading mode — a simulated account using real market data — use it to test strategies without risking real money. Keep your account organized by understanding your asset allocation: if you intended to hold 80% stocks and 20% bonds, check quarterly and rebalance if you've drifted more than 5% in either direction. Also, review your tax situation before December 31 each year. Selling losing positions to offset gains — tax-loss harvesting — can meaningfully reduce your tax bill without changing your long-term strategy.