The first thing you need to know before choosing a brokerage account is what your needs will be as an investor or trader. In addition to trading in U.S. markets, you can also invest in the Hong Kong and China-A-shares markets. Plus, Moomoo’s paper trading feature allows you to practice your strategies with virtual funds, right from the same place.

Best for User-Friendly Platform

Investing can feel a lot like setting sail across a wide-open ocean. Just like a savvy captain adjusts course based on weather patterns, every investor needs a strategy to handle the inevitable risks and steer their portfolio toward long-term success. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.

We’ve picked the 10 best companies for you to consider, along with the criteria you should be looking at. Fidelity is best if you’re looking for a full-service brokerage with a long-term approach. It’s a strong choice if you want a brokerage that can handle almost any investment need you might have. If you’re an advanced trader who needs enhanced research capabilities and access to international trading, you may prefer Interactive Brokers over TradeStation. I have found TradeStation to have the best combination of power and user-friendliness of all trading-centric brokerages.

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This resource is great for beginners looking to build foundational knowledge. While it lacks the advanced features of some competitors, its streamlined design makes it ideal for beginners who want a no-frills experience. If your primary focus is straightforward stock and ETF investing, SoFi® provides everything you need without unnecessary complexity. An expense ratio is a fee charged annually to investors which covers the administrative and operating expenses of ETFs or mutual funds.

The Vanguard Digital Advisor® platform is designed to simplify goal-based investing with an intuitive interface. Users can easily track their progress, adjust financial plans, and access personalized guidance tailored to their needs. Integration with existing Vanguard accounts adds convenience, creating a seamless experience for both new and seasoned investors. J.P. Morgan’s trading platform is integrated into the Chase mobile app, providing a unified experience for Chase customers. If you already bank with Chase, consolidating your financial accounts in one place can be convenient. Since then, Robinhood has worked to rebuild its reputation, addressing past issues and enhancing its platform.

Robinhood – Best for Simplicity and Mobile-First Investing

Beginners should consider learning the ropes first by buying and holding stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds. Delving immediately into day trading or complicated investing strategies like options before getting the hang of basic order types is a recipe for disaster. Wait until you have more experience before using options, short selling, or buying on margin.

Futures trading is another area that requires a specialized platform. You’ll want access to a wide range of futures contracts, as well as tools for analyzing market trends. Margin requirements can be high, so make sure you understand the risks involved. Some brokers also offer access to educational resources to help you learn about futures trading. Online trading is safe if you use a regulated online stock broker and never invest more than you are willing to lose. A good rule of thumb is to never invest more than you can afford to lose or that you might need within the next three months.

• For example, an online broker may not have an account minimum, but they may also offer a limited range of investment products.
• Among others, this may include access to market data, analyst ratings, charting tools, and latest financial reports.
• We deducted points from Firstrade for its lack of certain features, including a trade simulator and human or robo-advisory services.
• Brokerage accounts were selected based on requiring no account minimum, charging minimal trading fees, including for options, and offering investment options, including at least stocks, ETFs and options.

Michael is a full-time senior editor of investing and trading products for Investopedia. He has 20+ years of mutual fund, macro market research, institutional trading desk, and trading education experience. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and is a chartered member and subject matter expert (SME) for the industry-leading Chartered Market Technicians (CMT) Association.

• This brokerage is a clear standout for its well-rated mobile app and also has unique investment offerings like IPOs, options, and fractional shares.
• Fidelity earns its spot as the third-best brokerage account for 2025 and distinguishes itself as one of the most versatile online trading platforms I’ve tested.
• If you want someone to manage your money for you, you will want to hire a financial advisor.
• Companies administer these plans according to internal rules, and some are only open to company employees.

Best app with no mutual fund commissions: J.P. Morgan

By utilizing SmartAdvisor by SmartAsset, individuals can navigate the process of finding the ideal financial advisor in a convenient and seamless manner. Commission-free trading of Vanguard ETFs applies to trades placed both online and by phone. All ETFs are subject to management fees and expenses; refer to each ETF’s prospectus for more information. See the Vanguard Brokerage Services commission and fee schedules for full details. Opening an online brokerage account is usually quick and straightforward. For active traders, the desktop platform delivers advanced charting and technical analysis tools that few competitors can match.

Best Brokerage Accounts of 2025

Through Fidelity Investments, you can trade stocks, ETFs, options and fractional shares, as well as invest in mutual funds. Fidelity offers thorough access to investment research tools, including stock screening tools, stock trading recommendations and market commentary. Whether you’re a beginner, an active trader looking for institutional-grade tools, or a long-term investor building a retirement portfolio, a great broker can make all the difference. I spent hundreds of hours testing online trading platforms and mobile apps, placing trades, exploring tools, and gathering thousands of data points; here are my picks for the best stock brokers of 2025. The breadth of assets and instruments available to trade determines how flexible your investment portfolio or trading strategies can be.

Best for Advanced Charting and Customization

Vanguard has been around for a long time, and it’s the best online broker for long-term investing thanks to its low costs and a large variety of investments to pick from. Plus, Vanguard’s expense ratio on mutual funds falls well below the industry standard. IBKR has the most expansive selection of investment offerings on our list, letting you trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options, futures, cryptocurrency and more. There’s no minimum fee to open a Firstrade account, so you can start investing with just a few dollars. When it comes to what you can invest in, you have plenty to choose from, including fractional or whole shares in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, crypto and options. Options trading can be complex, so you want a platform with good tools and data.

Although Fidelity is also very good for this, I have to give Schwab the slight edge here. TradeStation is my top choice for those interested in day trading or swing trading. Get a better understanding of how the markets work with our easy to ready “how-to” guides. Always stay within your comfort zone and never invest money you cannot afford to lose.

Robinhood: Best for Cryptocurrency Trading

Take your time, do your research, and pick a broker that aligns with your investment goals and preferences. Don’t be afraid to switch brokers if you find a better fit down the road. If you’re interested in trading currencies, you’ll need a broker that specializes in forex.

Robinhood is Investopedia’s choice as the best traditional broker for trading cryptocurrency because of its industry-leading selection of available digital assets and sleek, user-friendly platform. Brokerage best brokers for stock trading firms aren’t insured by the FDIC, but they are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). However, unlike the FDIC, the SIPC doesn’t provide blanket coverage. The SIPC protects investors if the brokerage firm fails and provides coverage of up to $500,000 in securities and up to $250,000 in cash.