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11 best stock trading apps of 2023

Finder's analysis identified the best stock apps for trading and investing.

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By

Matt Miczulski

&

Tim Falk

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Reviewed by

Jaclyn Hurst

Updated

Fact checked

Mobile trading apps continue to grow in popularity among traders and investors as more people leverage the power and convenience of their smartphones to access the stock market. With access to real-time market data and advanced trading tools, coupled with the falling costs of investing, mobile trading continues to transform the way individuals invest.

While nearly every broker today offers a mobile trading app in some form, not all are created equal. The best online stock trading apps offer an intuitive interface with ample trading tools and features and favorable customer reviews. We analyzed 19 US brokers to find the best overall stock trading apps for traders and investors. Here are the 11 best online stock trading apps of 2023, according to Finder’s analysis.

Our top picks for trading apps

Best for beginners

  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days

Best for options trading

  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: Get $100-$5,000 when you open an account with $5,000 to $1,000,000+

Best for social investing

  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: [FINDER EXCLUSIVE] Get a $25 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100

11 best trading apps of 2023

Best overall

Interactive Brokers

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

In addition to receiving high marks from both Apple and Android users, IBKR Mobile offers the powerful trading tools that many brokers reserve for their web and desktop trading platforms — things like advanced charts, analyst ratings and price targets, earnings estimates and company financials. In other words, there's little you can't do or access with IBKR Mobile. Meanwhile, its beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader and IMPACT mobile trading platforms offer a more simplified trading and investing experience for those looking for uncomplicated access to the markets.

IBKR's suite of mobile trading platforms, sweeping lineup of tradable assets, commission-free trading on US-listed stocks and ETFs and access to 150 global markets in 33 countries help make it the best app for stock trading.

Best for beginners

SoFi Invest®

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

In addition to trading stocks, options, ETFs and crypto on a beginner-friendly mobile platform, 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 app.

SoFi Invest® offers one of the simplest trading platforms among the brokers we review, offering 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

Best for access to alternative investments

Public.com

4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

If you're looking to trade stocks, treasuries, ETFs, crypto and alternative assets from a single, user-friendly platform, you'll find Public's trading app to be both simple and intuitive. Public prioritizes accessibility, making it easy to get up and running, explore assets and invest.

Public's mobile analysis tools include Morningstar research reports, earnings estimates, in-app earnings calls, analyst ratings and price targets, financial fundamentals and more. Its themed investing makes it easy to identify potential investment opportunities, while its social trading feature lets you interact with other Public traders and see which stocks are popular among the Public community. Public is among the only stock apps we review that offer access to a growing list of alternative assets, along with treasuries, making it a well-rounded app for traders and investors.

Best for mobile experience

Robinhood

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

It wasn't just its offering of commission-free trades that led Robinhood to transform the way people buy and sell stocks over the past decade but also its innovative, beginner-friendly mobile app with its intuitive design and agile interface, which simplified investing for the masses. Nothing's changed on that front. Expanded investment options, 24/5 trading and IRAs that pay matching contributions are just some of the upgrades Robinhood's made since first launching.

It's a uniquely engaging mobile platform for trading stocks, ETFs, options and crypto without commission, with fractional share trading and 24/7 live customer support to boot. As the pioneer of mobile-first trading and investing, Robinhood offers an unmatched mobile experience for effortless investing.

Best for options trading

tastytrade

4.8
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

Designed primarily for derivatives trading, tastytrade boasts an impressive collection of trading products and some of the most competitive pricing on options and futures contracts in the industry. Options have no closing commissions, while stocks and ETFs are commission-free. Its trading platforms are powerful, with advanced trading, research and analysis tools. Some of tastytrade's specific options trading tools include 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 options trading skills.

Best social trading and investing

eToro

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

eToro's app 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 tracking and 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.

Best for stock analysis

Webull

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

Webull's versatile but user-friendly trading app delivers an impressive collection of powerful tools for on-the-go traders without complicating the trading experience. Its trading tools include customizable filters, at least 10 different order types and advanced charts with drawing tools, more than 50 indicators and over 60 on-chart technical signals. Analyst ratings and price targets, a quant rating to evaluate stocks and technical summary scores provide a quick summary of the stock's activity. While other brokers offer similarly powerful analysis tools, few deliver it through an impressively intuitive mobile app like Webull's.

Meanwhile, Webull's learning center boasts over 500 courses, and its paper trading feature lets you hone your trading skills with virtual money.

Best for micro-investing

Acorns

4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review

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 through its Custom Portfolios 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.

Best for market news

E-Trade

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review

Pioneer of online trading, E-Trade offers its E-Trade Mobile app for on-the-go investing and the Power E-Trade app for serious traders who need a convenient but powerful mobile trading platform. Watchlists and alerts, advanced charts, earnings estimates and high-quality research reports are just some of the features E-Trade delivers to mobile users.

E-Trade's dedicated 'Markets' section in its app highlights market performance, market movers, upcoming earnings, futures quotes, today's news and live BloombergTV.

Best for low fees

Fidelity Investments

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review

Few brokers come close to Fidelity in terms of overall cost. No minimums to open an account, no commissions for online US stock, ETF and options trades and no inactivity fees. Plus, an avoidance of miscellaneous account fees that we just don't see anywhere else.

With Fidelity, you'll find:

  • No IRA closing fee
  • No statement or confirmation fees
  • No wire fees
  • No mandatory reorganization fees

Should you decide to take your business elsewhere, no account transfer fees. Need an overnight check delivery? It's free. Hit with a returned check or need to stop a payment? No fees. Its robo-advisor has no advisory fees on balances under $25,000 and there's no minimum to use the service. Fidelity says it delivers on value, and we've got to agree.

Best for stock research

Charles Schwab

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review

Charles Schwab's mobile trading app offers the same look and feel as its web-based platform — sophisticated and easy to navigate, with many modern trading features. Its 40+ thematic stock lists — everything from artificial intelligence to caffeinated drinks to water sustainability — provide a convenient way to identify new investing ideas, while its educational resources offer mobile traders quick access to timely market commentary, podcasts and articles.

Charles Schwab also offers no shortage of big broker research for its mobile traders and investors, with access to Schwab Equity Ratings Report, Morningstar Equity Analyst Report, CFRA Stock Report and research reports from Argus.

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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.

Methodology: How we choose the best stock trading apps

Finder’s investments experts review 19 brokers available on the market to find the best stock apps for specific types of traders and investors and different investing strategies, while also granting special recognition to brokers who offer exclusive standout features that none of their competitors have.

We analyze each platform based on 147 key metrics we collect directly from brokers and assess each provider’s performance across 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 within each category.

A photo of Bob Haegele

Find the app that works for you.

Stock trading apps are a dime a dozen these days, but a few apps stand out above the rest. Even so, a strong rating doesn't necessarily mean a trading app will be the best pick for you.

For example, if a stock trading app has complex charts and metrics you don't understand, it probably won't work well for you. Finding an app that serves your purposes is just as important as finding one that's highly rated.

— Bob Haegele, Personal finance writer and expert

What investment platform has the lowest fees?

Trading comes with certain costs and fees that can eat into your investable funds and portfolio gains. We’ve listed a variety of fees you may expect to pay when investing, transferring funds or even switching providers. This isn’t an exhaustive list and won’t include all the charges.

Compare some of the most popular brokers and their fees, as of December 2023. Find the lowest fees for your investment needs.

ProviderStock trading feeAnnual feePremium subscription fee (monthly)Inactivity fee (monthly)Wire transfer feeCrypto trade feeAccount transfer fee
Interactive Brokers$0$0$0$0$100.18%$0
SoFi Invest®$0$0$0$25$251.25%$75
Public.com$0$0$10$10$251.25%$75
Robinhood$0$0$5$0$00%$100
Tastytrade$0$0$0$0$251%$75
eToro$0$0$0$10$251%$75
Webull$0$0$0$0$251%$75
eTrade$0$0$0$0$25N/A$75
Fidelity$0$0$0$0$01%$0
Charles Schwab$0$0$0$0$15N/A$50

How to choose a trading app or platform

According to Finder’s Consumer Confidence Index, 56% of Americans plan to buy stocks in 2023. We love to see this at Finder, because stocks offer investors some of the greatest potential for growth.

The first step? Choosing a broker.

Choosing the best stock trading app isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Along with your individual style of investing, you’ll also want to know what an app looks like and how it performs on your device. There can be subtle differences between the Android and iOS versions of trading apps. But it’s not all about good looks.

There are lot of different things that you should consider when choosing the best trading app, such as:

  • Fees. There are a few different fee structures on investing platforms. Some are commission-free (but not fee-free), some platforms charge a flat fee, while others charge based on how much you invest. It’s not all about commission, either — look at withdrawal fees, deposit fees, foreign exchange fees and inactivity fees.
  • What you can trade. You might want to buy individual shares, ETFs and funds; or you might prefer a ready-made portfolio. Make sure you can invest in all the stock exchanges and markets you want to.
  • How easy the platform is to use. Some platforms are designed for more experienced investors, while others are perfect for beginners looking for a simple click-to-invest approach. For instance, Cash App Investing is one of the best stock apps for Android and iPhone users because it offers a stripped down investing experience that prioritizes simplicity.
  • Market research and tools. The tools available on the platform can be helpful in understanding your investments, but be careful not to pay more for a platform that has tools you won’t use.
  • Demo account. If there’s a demo account available, you can try out the platform without risking any real money. This is a nice touch if you’re a newbie to investing.

Compare trading app reviews and ratings

Comparing user reviews is a great way to make an informed choice about a new product. In the digital age, the latest reviews can be the most important — since recent updates to an app can completely change the user's experience. Here, we've compiled a helpful chart to compare top trading apps through up to date Android and iOS app reviews and ratings. See how these apps stack up against competitors according to their users and find the right choice for you.

*App store reviews and ratings are updated daily.
Provider App store reviews App store ratings Google Play reviews Google Play ratings
Acorns 4.70 879,547 4.64 290,853
Charles Schwab 4.80 754,186 2.54 24,881
Chase 4.80 5,232,105 4.37 1,797,083
eToro 4.20 5,910 4.05 134,813
Fidelity 4.80 2,197,804 4.35 124,648
Moomoo 4.60 19,104 4.31 16,429
Public.com 4.70 66,620 4 46,754.00
Robinhood 4.20 4,222,142 4.11 478,710
SoFi 4.80 305,487 4.05 31,899
tastytrade 4.80 10,354 3.94 1,704
Wealthfront 4.80 16,509 4.83 6,393
Webull 4.50 549 4.33 186,870

Are stock trading apps safe?

Yes, provided you deal with a reputable broker. US brokers are highly regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to ensure that they follow best practices when managing client money. Your investments are also protected by the Security Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC) in case your brokerage firm fails.

Apps from licensed, established brokers also feature high-level security features to help protect your privacy and your money. They use encryption and strong firewalls to protect your data and features like biometric logins and two-factor authentication to help keep your account safe.

Of course, you can also take measures to maximize your funds’ safety. Choose a strong password and don’t share it with anyone, and remember to take advantage of protective measures like biometric login before you start trading. Finally, be careful to only download apps from the official app store for your smartphone operating system — Google Play for Android and Apple’s App Store for iOS — not from a third-party app store.

Which stock trading app offers zero commissions?

Lots of them. While Robinhood might have made a name for itself by offering zero-fee trading, a host of other brokers have since followed suit.

Many of the most popular stock trading apps offer zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, so you’re spoiled for choice if you want to keep brokerage fees to a minimum. Compare a range of options to find the best stock trading app for your needs.

However, it’s worth remembering that trades often won’t be completely free of fees. For example, while a broker may offer $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs, it may charge brokerage and currency conversion fees when you trade on foreign exchanges. Management fees also apply if you’re investing in ETFs or mutual funds, while an account fee may apply if you want to access certain app features (like real-time market data or market analysis).

Compare and find the broker that's right for you

Match your experience level with your trading and investing goals to find the right broker for you.
If you're a And want to Consider this
Beginner investor Do most or all of your trading on your mobile device Best stock trading apps
Beginner investor Trade and invest with as few fees as possible Best discount stock brokers
Beginner investor Outsource portfolio management automatically and at a low cost Best robo-advisors
Beginner investor Gain exposure to multiple assets like stocks, bonds or gold through a single fund Best ETF brokers
Experienced investor Get an overall idea of providers on the market and what they're best for Best brokerage accounts
Experienced investor Invest internationally in stocks, ETFs and other assets Best international stock brokers
Retirement saver of any experience level Save for retirement with upfront tax benefits Best (traditional) IRA
Retirement saver of any experience level Save for retirement and enjoy tax-free withdrawals Best Roth IRA

Frequently asked questions about the best stock trading apps

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