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With so many brokerage accounts available in the US, it can be hard to decide which one best suits your investment goals. However, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, an easy-to-use and trustworthy brokerage account is essential. We compared stock trading platforms across 35 categories to find six of the best brokerage accounts.
These picks are based on the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards. In 2022, our editors analyzed 40 brokers across 35 categories as part of the Finder Awards. Our aim: find the best stock trading platforms for US investors.
Interactive Brokers took out the top prize as the Best Overall Broker in the 2022 Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards for a number of reasons. Not only does it provide convenient access to US stocks, but it also allows you to trade stocks in over 30 countries worldwide.
Interactive Brokers also offers two types of accounts to suit the needs of different investors — IBKR Lite for beginners and IBKR Pro for experienced traders seeking more advanced features. And with a wide range of research resources and trading tools available, there’s a lot to like about Interactive Brokers’ trading platforms.
| Google Play app reviews | IBKR GlobalTrader: 3.9/5 stars based on 224 reviews IBKR Mobile: 4.4/5 stars based on over 9,300 reviews |
| Apple App Store app reviews | IBKR GlobalTrader: 3.7/5 stars based on 37 reviews IBKR Mobile: 3.9/5 stars based on over 2,900 reviews |
Charles Schwab is a well-known name in the investment world and offers an impressive online brokerage package. Commission-free stock trading is a drawcard for many investors, but you can also use a Charles Schwab account to trade a wide range of other financial instruments.
Detailed research is available for traders who rely on fundamental analysis, with managed portfolios and financial advice available for investors who prefer a hands-off approach. Web, mobile and desktop trading platforms are offered to suit all your trading needs.
| Google Play app reviews | 3.7/5 based on over 23,000 reviews |
| Apple App Store app reviews | 4.8/5 stars based on over 619,000 reviews |
The arrival of low-cost broker Robinhood gave the online brokerage industry a big shake-up. And while its competitors have since responded with a range of enhanced features, there are still plenty of good reasons why Robinhood features among the best brokerage accounts.
With commission-free trades, fractional share trading, instant deposits and a user-friendly platform, Robinhood has lots to offer for beginner investors. Experienced traders, however, may be better suited to other platforms.
| Google Play app reviews | 4/5 stars based on over 468,000 reviews |
| Apple App Store app reviews | 4.2/5 stars based on over 4.1 million reviews |
Fidelity Investments online brokerage services are worth checking out for beginners as well as more advanced investors. You can trade stocks, ETFs and options with zero commissions, while tools like stock and ETF screeners help you choose the right investments.
Human and robo-advisor portfolio management services are also available, while stock ratings and real-time analytics help you make informed trading decisions.
| Google Play app reviews | 4.2/5 stars based on over 118,000 reviews |
| Apple App Store app reviews | 4.8/5 stars based on over 1.9 million reviews |
Next on our list of the best brokerage accounts, eToro offers user-friendly web and mobile trading platforms for US investors. Commission-free trading is available, while customizable charts and research tools help you choose and analyze your investment options.
The social trading features eToro offers also give it a unique point of difference from many other brokers, while its mobile app has generally received positive reviews from users.
| Google Play app reviews | 4.1/5 stars based on over 128,000 reviews |
| Apple App Store app reviews | 4.2/5 stars based on over 5,400 reviews |
E*TRADE is another online broker that provides access to commission-free trading. There’s a paper trading account so you can experiment with virtual money first, and plenty of educational resources to help novice investors.
Robo-advice portfolio management is available if you like to take a hands-off approach to investing, while experienced investors will appreciate the dynamic charting tools and risk-reward analysis of the Power E*TRADE platform.
| Google Play app reviews | 3.9/5 stars based on over 40,000 reviews |
| Apple App Store app reviews | 4.6/5 stars based on over 139,000 reviews |
The best online stock broker won’t necessarily be the same for two people. Compare the following key features:
Many (but not all) of the best stock trading platforms offer $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs. However, brokerage fees apply when you buy and sell international stocks and ETFs on foreign exchanges.
Check out what fees apply to the type of trades you plan on making. Remember that tiered fee structures sometimes apply, so commissions may be lower if you make a specified minimum number of trades per month or maintain your account balance at a certain level.
Read the fine print to find out about any other fees that may apply. These can include:
Some brokerages have minimum deposit requirements while others offer a bonus just for opening an account. While a signup bonus may not make or break your decision to open an account, it’s worthwhile to know which platforms offer the best signup perks in the industry.
| Provider | Signup bonus | Finder rating | Learn more | Sign up now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Get up to $1,000 when you fund a new account within 30 days. | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
| FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $15 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100 | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
 | Get up to $300 in either stocks or crypto when you use code FINDERUS to sign up and fund a new account. | ★★★★★ | Read review | |
 | Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account. | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
 | Get $50 - $700 when you open and fund an account with $10,000 - $250,000+ | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
 | Get up to $600 or more when you open and fund a new account. | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
 | Get $100 - $2,000 when you you open and fund an account with $5,000 to $100,000+ | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
 | $10 bonus investment when you open an account with at least $5 | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
 | Get up to 12 free stocks valued up to $30,600 when you open an account and make a deposit. T&Cs apply. | ★★★★★ | Read review | |
| No signup bonus | ★★★★★ | Read review | Go to site |
Saving money makes no sense if a platform is difficult to use. You should look for a platform that allows you to make trades quickly and accurately with minimal hassle.
Think about how you will be placing your trades — online via your computer, via a mobile app or using desktop software — and make sure your chosen platform offers a user-friendly interface.
The best online trading platforms allow you to trade more than just US markets. Check whether you can trade on other major exchanges like the London and Tokyo Stock Exchanges, plus access other markets in Europe, Asia and developing economies worldwide.
Check whether the brokerage account allows you to trade all the assets you want, such as:
Does the platform offer dynamic, real-time or delayed market updates? Having access to up-to-date data can help you take advantage of market movements as they happen.
Some platforms also offer research and broker analysis on individual stocks that can be useful. Check what information you can access and whether you’ll need to pay an additional fee to do so.
As well as market and limit orders, are other order types, such as stop/loss orders, an option to add more flexibility to your trading? These should be considered when choosing a brokerage account.
Consider any other important features you want in a stock trading platform, such as:
Check the reporting tools on each platform to help you track how your trades are performing. Also check what tax reporting features are included to help make it easier to fulfill your obligations to the IRS.
Look for phone, email and live online chat support. Does it offer 24/7 customer service if you have problems placing a transaction?
Some platforms also have a range of educational tools and resources, such as how-to guides and webinars, to help you get more out of your trading account. If you don’t have access to the education you need through your broker, there may be additional costs, so keep that in mind.
Check customer reviews for the broker on independent sites like the Better Business Bureau. If you’ll be trading via a mobile app, see what sort of reviews it has in the app store.
What Tim thinks about the best brokerage accounts
Choosing a brokerage account is one decision you definitely want to get right. The best online brokers can make your trading experience much easier and more affordable, so don't rush it. Take your time to compare a range of options first.
— Tim Falk, Writer
| Finder rating | Asset types | Stock trade fee | Minimum deposit | Signup bonus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 FINDER AWARD |
★★★★★ | Stocks Options ETFs Cryptocurrency |
$0 | $0 | Get up to $1,000 when you fund a new account within 30 days. | Go to site Read review |
 FINDER AWARD |
★★★★★ | Stocks Options ETFs Cryptocurrency |
$0 | $0 | FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $15 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100 | Go to site Read review |
 |
★★★★★ | Stocks Options ETFs Cryptocurrency Futures |
$0 | $0 | Get $100 - $2,000 when you you open and fund an account with $5,000 to $100,000+ | Go to site Read review |
 |
★★★★★ | Stocks Options ETFs Cryptocurrency |
$0 | $0 | Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account. | Go to site Read review |
 |
★★★★★ | Stocks Bonds Options Mutual funds ETFs Treasury Bills |
$0 | $0 | Get $50 - $700 when you open and fund an account with $10,000 - $250,000+ | Go to site Read review |
 |
★★★★★ | Stocks Bonds Options Mutual funds ETFs Futures |
$0 | $0 | Get up to $600 or more when you open and fund a new account. | Go to site Read review |
Paid non-client promotion. Finder does not invest money with providers on this page. If a brand is a referral partner, we're paid when you click or tap through to, open an account with or provide your contact information to the provider. Partnerships are not a recommendation for you to invest with any one company. Learn more about how we make money.
Finder is not an adviser or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.
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