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Opening a brokerage account is one of the first steps to investing in the stock market and building a personal investment portfolio, but no two brokers are the same — and there are plenty of them out there.
We analyze brokers on the regular to find the best brokerage accounts for traders and investors. Below is a curated list of the best online brokerage accounts of 2023 and where they shine brightest, according to Finder’s analysis.
We observe and uphold strict editorial independence to ensure our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers, partners or other business interests. We apply our subject matter expertise and insights to the development of data-driven methodologies, which we use to evaluate financial products and companies. This ensures all are measured equally and without bias. Our editorial guidelines are available for you to explore further and you can read about our specific investing methodology below.
19 brokers reviewed
147 data points analyzed
8 categories considered
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Fidelity's a full-service broker that's kept up with the times. It offers not only an extensive lineup of investment options and the top-tier research tools and trading platforms that you'd expect to find with a leading broker but also the modern features that have made investing so much more accessible in recent years — things like fractional shares, $0 trading commissions and some of the lowest back-end account fees in the industry. Meanwhile, Fidelity offers industry-leading planning and advice resources, including both human and robo-advisor portfolio management services.
Fidelity caters to investors of all backgrounds, with over 42 million individual investors and over $11 trillion in assets under management. Fidelity is a powerhouse in the brokerage space, and its focus on providing a well-rounded trading and investing experience makes it the best overall brokerage account according to Finder's analysis.
Other winning categories: Best for low costs
Pros
$0 commissions on stocks and ETFs and virtually no account fees
Wide range of investment options
Large selection of top-tier research providers
24/7 customer support
Cons
$25,000 minimum to access a Fidelity financial advisor
Crypto account limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum
The Fidelity Active Trader Pro desktop platform interface looks and feels antiquated
In addition to trading stocks, options, ETFs and crypto on a beginner-friendly interface, SoFi members get access to a free robo-advisor, no-cost financial advice and a range of other financial services that let you invest, bank and borrow from a single, integrated platform.
SoFi Invest offers one of the simplest trading experiences among the brokers we review, providing uncomplicated market access with a no-cost robo-advisor available if you want to automate your investing. It's also one of the only brokers in the industry that offers unlimited, complimentary access to certified financial planners, a service that can cost you several hundred dollars a session elsewhere. SoFi members can consult a CFP professional ahead of any of life's important financial decisions, and we think this is a standout feature worth recognizing.
Other winning categories: Best all-in-one financial app
Pros
Access banking and loan products, insurance, brokerage services and other financial products from one platform
Free robo-advisor
Complimentary access to SoFi's certified financial planners
No investment minimum
Cons
Limited investment options
$25 inactivity fee
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Annual fee
0%
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days
Public offers something most brokers we review have yet to include in their lineup of investments: alternative assets. While crypto's a common offering nowadays and a few brokers let you invest in precious metals, Public's growing list of alternatives makes it a no-brainer for investors who want to diversify their portfolio beyond traditional investments, and do it from a single platform. In addition to stocks, ETFs and US Treasuries, Public lets you invest in crypto, NFTs, fine art, music royalties and collectibles — things like rare comics, game-worn Air Jordans and one of the earliest copies of Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo NES.
Those looking to trade stocks, Treasuries, ETFs, crypto and alternative assets from a single platform will find Public's trading app to be both simple and intuitive. Public prioritizes accessibility, making it easy to get up and running, research assets and invest.
Pros
Alternative assets include crypto, NFTs, fine art and collectibles
Fractional share investing
Access to US Treasuries and other traditional investments
Social trading
Live chat support
Cons
Best tools and features are reserved for Public Premium members for $8 a month
In addition to receiving high marks from both Apple and Android users, Interactive Brokers' (IBKR) main mobile trading platform, IBKR Mobile, offers the powerful trading tools that many brokers reserve for their web and desktop trading platforms. These include advanced, interactive charts with over 90 indicators, analyst ratings and price targets, earnings estimates, company financials and more. In other words, there's little you can't do with IBKR Mobile. What's more, Interactive Brokers offers the more beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader and IMPACT mobile trading platforms for those looking for a more simplified investing experience.
IBKR Mobile is the most feature-rich mobile platform according to Finder's analysis, while IBKR GlobalTrader is a solid option for beginners. Tack on its wide range of investment options, low trading costs and access to global markets and you can see why IBKR is not only the best broker for mobile trading but also one of the best brokerage accounts on the market.
Other winning categories: Best brokerage account for day trading, Best for international trading
Pros
Three mobile trading platforms, including the versatile IBKR Mobile and the beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader
With commission-free trades — no commission on crypto trades — fractional share trading, instant deposits and a user-friendly platform, Robinhood has lots to offer investors looking to build a portfolio of cryptocurrencies alongside their equity holdings.
Buy and sell more than two dozen cryptocurrencies for as little as $1 and access up to $1,000 instantly to trade. Unlike most other brokers that offer digital assets, you also have complete control of the crypto in your account. Transfer crypto into and out of your Robinhood Crypto account with ease. And what better complement to nonstop crypto trading than 24/7 customer support?
Pros
No crypto commissions
15 supported cryptos
Transfer crypto into and out of your Robinhood Crypto account
24/7 customer support
Assets are held mostly in cold storage
Cons
Limited advanced tools unless you upgrade to Robinhood Gold
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Annual fee
0%
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Designed primarily for derivatives trading, tastytrade boasts an impressive collection of trading products and some of the best pricing on options and futures contracts in the industry. Stocks and ETFs are commission-free, options have no closing commissions and its trading platforms are powerful, with advanced trading, research and analysis tools, including profit and loss visualizations and a quick roll feature to roll your option position into the future.
Meanwhile, tastytrade offers a comprehensive learning center with video and live demos to help you level up your trading.
Pros
Highly customizable trading platform
Extensive lineup of tradable derivative assets
Competitive options fee structure
Helpful educational resources and live programming
eToro's accessible trading platform doesn't skimp on features. TipRanks-powered analyst ratings and price targets, hedge fund activity, insider transactions and advanced charts, all on an easy-to-use interface. Stocks and ETFs trade commission-free and options are free of both commissions and contract fees — something we don't see often.
But its eToro's unique blend of cutting-edge technology and social networking that helped it popularize social investing and foster a dynamic community of traders and investors. Specifically, CopyTrader. CopyTrader lets you leverage the expertise of other eToro users by automatically replicating their crypto trades in your portfolio, and get paid when others copy you. While CopyTrader is currently only available for crypto, it's a defining feature of the platform and one that helps it stand out as the best broker for social investing.
Pros
$0 fees for stock trading and no annual fee
Fractional share trading
Interact with over 25 million social traders
Access 20 cryptocurrencies
CopyTrader feature
Cons
Not available in NY, NV, MN and HI
Limited account types
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Annual fee
0%
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $25 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $25 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100
One of the most trusted names in finance, an account with J.P. Morgan gives you access to a range of traditional investment options, including stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and fixed income, with zero commissions on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options trades. It provides access to an extensive selection of mutual funds from top fund families, robust research tools and educational resources and a straightforward user interface that makes research and trading a breeze.
Combine all that with access to a robo-advisor and seamless integration with J.P. Morgan's broader financial services ecosystem and you've got a standout broker for fund investors.
Pros
Commission-free stocks, options ETFs and mutual funds
Over 3,000 ETFs and over 2,890 mutual funds
Self-directed and automated investing options
Convenient app and mobile banking integration for existing Chase customers
Cons
$500 minimum deposit and a $250 minimum balance required for Automated Investing
Automated portfolio management with a level of customization unlike many other robo-advisors, Acorns has redefined how people save and invest their spare change. With its innovative 'round-up' feature, Acorns automatically invests spare change from your everyday purchases, effortlessly growing your portfolio. Its user-friendly app simplifies investing for beginners, while also offering a degree of freedom to investors who want to retain control over their portfolio. And Acorns' flat-fee subscription structure means the cost for portfolio management never changes, with minimal back-end fees and no account minimums.
Whether you're new to investing or simply want to automate portfolio management, Acorns is the go-to platform for turning small change into substantial savings.
Pros
Invest your spare change automatically
Automated stock and ETF investing
Multiple investment account options
Beginner-friendly app with educational resources
Customize your portfolio with individual stocks with Acorns Premium
Cons
No tax-loss harvesting
Limited investment options
Available asset types
Stocks, ETFs
Annual fee
$36 per year
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get a $20 bonus when you set up an account and make your first recurring investment (min. $5)
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get a $20 bonus when you set up an account and make your first recurring investment (min. $5)
Betterment introduced the world to robo-advisors when it first launched onto the scene in 2010 with its automated portfolios of stocks and bonds, and it's been at the top of the robo-advisory service pack ever since. Today, Betterment's refined automated investing platform includes numerous curated portfolio options, a high-yield cash account and access to a human advisor, which has helped it rack up over 800,000 customers and more than $40 billion in assets under management.
Pros
Wide range of account options
Automatic portfolio rebalancing
Automatic dividend reinvestments
Tax-loss harvesting
Cons
0.25% annual management fee
$100,000 minimum balance to access its premium service tier and personalized financial planning
Available asset types
ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Annual fee
0.25% on balances up to $99,999 0.4% on balances of $100,000+
Minors and parents with children needn't look further than E-Trade to get started investing. Pioneer of online trading, E-Trade offers one of the most diverse lineups of account types among brokers we review, and it includes custodial brokerage accounts, custodial IRAs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts.
Investments options include $0 commission stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trades, with no account minimums. Tack on its robo-advisor, Core Portfolios, for a straightforward, automated portfolio option.
Pros
Custodial brokerage and IRA accounts
No account minimums
Commission-free stock, option, ETF and mutual funds trading
Robo-advisor
Cons
No company financials like balance sheet or income statement
Methodology: How we choose the best brokerage accounts
Finder’s investments experts review 19 brokers available on the market to narrow down the best brokerage accounts for trading and investing.
We analyze each platform based on 147 key metrics we collect directly from brokers and assess each provider’s performance based on eight different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then score and rank each provider depending on how it performs in each category.
Investment options
Trading platforms
Trading costs
Account fees
Account types
Customer support
Mobile app reviews
Features
20%
12%
14%
9%
5%
7%
8%
25%
We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.
Online brokers have gone a long way in reducing fees, such as expense ratios for exchange-traded funds. However, there can still be significant fees, especially if you are trading actively. Even the best brokers can have high fees when making certain trades, such as when making stock/bond trades over the phone or when making rep-assisted trades. Be sure to pay attention to these fees when choosing a broker.
— Bob Haegele, Personal finance writer and expert
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Frequently asked questions about the best brokerage accounts
A brokerage account is an investment account that allows you to buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other securities. It is managed by a brokerage firm, which acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. When you open a brokerage account, you deposit money into the account, which you can then use to make transactions.
The best overall stock broker is Fidelity Investments, according to Finder's analysis, for it offers the best combination of low costs, features, platform functionality and investments options. But, ultimately, you need to decide which broker is best for you.
The top three brokers overall according to Finder's analysis are Fidelity Investments, Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab. These three brokers offer the best combination of investment options, low trading costs and fees, and trading tools, resources and features.The best way to open a brokerage account is online. This is the quickest and most convenient way to open a brokerage account and can be completed in minutes.
Many brokerage accounts allow you to buy a portion of a share, known as fractional share investing. Happily, it's now a common feature on many of the best brokerage accounts. All the online trading platforms featured above support fractional share trading in some way, but be aware that some terms and conditions may apply. For example, ETRADE doesn't support fractional share purchases but does allow you to reinvest dividends in fractional shares.
Most platforms don't charge fees to open an account. But you'll need to fund your account before you can begin trading, while brokerage and account admin fees may also apply.
The best way to open a brokerage account is likely online. The online application process for most brokers is quick and can be completed in minutes.
Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions.
Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University.
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