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Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a straightforward, low-cost investment option that can diversify a portfolio without requiring much market knowledge. ETFs are a standard tradable asset for most brokers. Every broker we review offers ETFs, which means they’re widely accessible. And they trade throughout the day just like stocks. Because a single share of an ETF gives you exposure to every stock or asset in the fund, they’re also relatively low-risk, diversifying your portfolio with a single purchase.
If you’re looking for a platform to trade these pooled money funds, we put together a list of the best ETF brokers of 2023 and where they shine brightest, according to Finder’s analysis.
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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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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
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.
Fidelity Investments is a broker driven by value and designed with low costs in mind, which is evident through its commission-free ETFs, stocks and options trades, as well as its industry-low account and miscellaneous fees. Built for investors of varying experience levels and infused with beginner-friendly and advanced trading tools and features — things like fractional share trading, an active trader platform and top-tier research tools — Fidelity Investments offers a refreshingly modern trading platform, and it's the best broker overall for ETF investing.
Other winning categories: Best for low costs
Pros
$0 commissions on ETFs and virtually no account fees
Large selection of top-tier research providers
24/7 customer support
Cons
$25,000 minimum to access a Fidelity financial advisor
The Fidelity Active Trader Pro desktop platform interface looks and feels antiquated
In addition to trading ETFs, stocks, options 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
Commission-free ETFs
Free robo-advisor
Complimentary access to SoFi's certified financial planners
Access banking and loan products, insurance, brokerage services and other financial products from one platform
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.
Versatile, with an unrivaled selection of asset types, meet Interactive Brokers and its powerful mobile trading platform, IBKR Mobile. Interactive Brokers is an ETF broker that punches above its weight class, offering a lineup of tradable assets that outpace even the biggest brokers in the space as well as a sweeping range of trading tools that many brokers reserve for their web and desktop trading platforms. 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.
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
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 that we hope to see include ETFs in the near future, and one that helps it stand out as the best broker for social investing.
Pros
$0 fees for ETF 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
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 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)
Automated, with a level of customization we just don't see with many robo-advisors, M1 Finance is the ideal companion for passive investors who want to leverage automation but not relinquish total control over their portfolios. Built with powerful, automated tools and driven by commission-free trading, no management fee approach, M1 combines the flexibility of stock picking with the convenience of automated investing. Build your own portfolio of ETFs, stocks and crypto, or choose from M1's collection of at least 40 themed portfolios.
Either way, M1 handles the day-to-day maintenance of your account. Upgrade to M1 Plus for even greater control, like multiple trading windows, access to custodial accounts and on-demand crypto trading.
Pros
Robo-advisor with customizable investments
No trading or management fees
Automatic rebalancing
Automatic dividend reinvestment
Access to custodial accounts and IRAs
40 pre-built portfolios
Cons
No tax optimization strategies
No access to a human advisor
Retirement account types
Roth, Traditional, SEP
Available asset types
Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Annual fee
0%
Minimum deposit
$100
Signup bonus
Get $75 - $500 when you sign up and deposit min. $10,000 within 14 days. Terms and conditions apply
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$100
Signup bonus
Get $75 - $500 when you sign up and deposit min. $10,000 within 14 days. Terms and conditions apply
Minors and parents with children needn't look further than E-Trade to get started investing in ETFs. 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 ETF, stock 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 ETF, stock, option 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 online brokers for ETF 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 and technology
Trading costs
Account fees
Account types
Customer support
Mobile app ratings and security
Features and amenities
25%
25%
7%
8%
5%
5%
5%
20%
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.
Frequently asked questions about the best ETF brokers
The best ETF broker is Fidelity Investment, according to Finder's analysis. It offers the best combination of low trading costs, account fees, investment options and research tools.
Yes, you need to open an account with a broker to buy ETFs.
The best ETF for beginners may be either the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) or the Vanguard 500 Index Fund ETF (VOO) if you're looking for broad market exposure. Both are S&P 500 index funds and give you exposure to 500 of the largest US publicly traded companies.
The biggest ETF companies are BlackRock Financial Management, Vanguard, State Street, Invesco and First Trust, according to VettaFi.
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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