The 10 Best Investment Apps of 2026 Matched to How You Actually Invest

Mobile trading apps have transformed how people invest — you can fund an account, place a trade and rebalance a portfolio in minutes from your phone. But the best trading app depends entirely on what you’re trying to do.

Our investments team reviewed 18 brokers across 147 data points to identify a single standout strength for each investment app, so you can match an app to the way you actually invest, whether that’s fee-free stock picking, copy trading, retirement saving or active options trading.

Quick picks: Find your best investment app in 30 seconds

Each app below earned its spot for one specific reason. Tap any stock trading app to jump their rank and summary review.

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The 10 best stock trading apps reviewed

• SoFi Active Invest — Best for all-in-one banking and investing: SoFi Active Invest
• eToro — Best for crypto and copy trading: eToro
• Public — Best for yield-focused investors: Public.com
• Robinhood — Best for first-time investors: Robinhood
• Webull — Best for active mobile traders: Webull
• Moomoo — Best for free pro-grade research: Moomoo
• Interactive Brokers — Best for global market access: Interactive Brokers
• E*TRADE — Best for hands-on stock pickers: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
• Fidelity — Best for long-term, low-cost investing: Fidelity Investments
• Charles Schwab — Best for advanced traders: Charles Schwab

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Finder Score	Available asset types	Stock trade fee	Minimum deposit	Cash sweep APY
SoFi Active Invest — Best for all-in-one banking and investing
Finder score 9 Excellent SoFi Active Invest	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives	$0	$0	0.01%	Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account. T&Cs apply.	Important information INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees. Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org). There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information SoFi Plus members can schedule an unlimited number of appointments with a financial planner during periods in which the SoFi Plus member meets the eligibility criteria set forth in section 10(a) of the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions. SoFi members who are not members of SoFi Plus can schedule one (1) appointment with a financial planner. The ability to schedule appointments is subject to financial planner availability. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this benefit at any time with or without notice. Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth's advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth's current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.026%. If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. Terms and conditions apply*. For 401k rollovers, existing SoFi IRA members must complete 401k rollovers via this link See full terms and For SoFi members without a SoFi IRA, a SoFi IRA must first be opened, and 401k rollover must be completed utilizing Capitalize via this link. SoFi and Capitalize will charge no additional fees to process a 401(k) rollover to a SoFi IRA. SoFi is not liable for any costs incurred from the existing 401k provider for rollover. Please check with your 401k provider for any fees or costs associated with the rollover. For IRA contributions, only deposits made via ACH and cash transfer from SoFi Bank accounts are eligible for the match. Click here for the 1% Match terms and conditions. Must be a SoFi Plus member at the time a recurring deposit is received into your SoFi Active or Automated investing account to qualify. Bonus calculated on net monthly recurring deposits made via ACH and paid out as Rewards Points. See Rewards Terms of Service. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time without notice. See terms and limitations. https://www.sofi.com/sofiplus/invest/#disclaimers	$150 REWARD Go to site View details	loading	Why we like it SoFi's strength isn't any single feature, it's SoFi's integration. You can hold a checking account, savings, a credit card, a personal loan, a brokerage account, a Roth IRA and a robo-advisor portfolio under one login, with financial planner access available. For people who hate juggling apps, that's a meaningful upgrade over a standalone broker. Investing-wise, SoFi covers the basics well: $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs and options with no contract fees, fractional shares, IPO access and a small but growing menu of alternative-asset funds. Research tools are light, so it's not built for active traders — but for someone who wants their financial life consolidated, it's the cleanest option. Pros & cons Pros True one-app finances. Banking, lending, investing and advice all in a single interface. $0 commission trading. Stocks, ETFs and options with no contract fees. Complimentary 30 min financial planning session. Rare at this price point. You can also upgrade to SoFi Plus to get unlimited access. IPO access. Retail investors can participate in select IPOs at the offer price. Cons Light research tools. Won't satisfy active traders or stock pickers. Limited cash sweep yield. 0.01% APY unless you opt into SoFi banking. $25 outgoing transfer fee. Charged if you move your account elsewhere.
eToro — Best for crypto and copy trading
Finder score 8.2 Great eToro	Finder score 8.2 Great	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Investments	$0	$0	3.25%	Important information eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finder is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.	$150 REWARD Go to site View details	loading	Why we like it eToro is the only app on this list that combines two distinct offerings other brokers split apart: native crypto trading and CopyTrader. This feature lets you automatically mirror the trades of any of more than 5,000 users on the platform. You can allocate any portion of your portfolio to copy a specific investor — no other US broker offers automated copy trading at this scale — and you can also copy crypto trades specifically, which is unique to eToro. Beyond CopyTrader, eToro provides $0 commission trading on stocks, options and ETFs with no per-contract options fees and 3.25% APY on options account cash balances. TipRanks-powered analyst ratings, hedge fund activity and insider transaction data are built in — useful even if you ignore the social features. The catch: no IRAs and crypto isn't available in NY, NV, HI, PR or US VI. Pros & cons Pros CopyTrader is genuinely unique. No US competitor offers automated copy trading at this scale. Crypto plus stocks plus copy trading in one app. Rare combination on US-regulated brokers. $0 commission trading. Stocks, ETFs and options with no contract fees. 3.25% APY on options account cash. Earns yield on idle balances. TipRanks data built in. Analyst ratings, insider trades and hedge fund activity included. Cons No IRAs. Can't use eToro for tax-advantaged retirement saving. Crypto unavailable in NY, NV, HI, PR and US VI. State restrictions apply. No robo-advisor. Copy trading isn't a substitute for an automated portfolio.
Public — Best for yield-focused investors
Finder score 9 Excellent Public.com	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Treasury Bills, High-yield cash account	$0	$0	3.3%	Earn a 1% match when you transfer your portfolio to Public. T&Cs apply.	Important information *Yield as of 04/09/2025. Learn more.	Go to site View details	loading	Why we like it Public packs more yield-generating products into a single app than any other broker on this list. You get a bond account that locked in a 5.5% yield as of February 2026, the ability to buy individual treasuries and corporate bonds directly, a 3.3% APY high-yield cash account (opt-in) and options rebates that can pay you to trade rather than charging contract fees. No other app on this list combines all four in one place. On the equity side, Public offers $0 commission stock, ETF and options trading with no per-contract option fees. It's also one of the few brokers that doesn't accept payment for order flow on equities — a transparency point that matters if you're trading any meaningful size. The trade-offs: the 3.3% APY isn't automatic (you have to opt into the high-yield cash account), the best research tools sit behind an $8/month Premium tier and there are no mutual funds or robo-advisor. Pros & cons Pros Bond account with locked-in yield. 5.5% yield as of February 2026. Individual treasuries and corporate bonds. Direct access in one app, rare among mobile-first brokers. 3.3% APY high-yield cash account. Highest-rate option available, with an opt-in sweep. No payment for order flow on equities. Better execution transparency than most apps. Options rebates. Get paid to trade options instead of paying contract fees. Cons High-yield cash isn't automatic. Default brokerage cash earns less — you have to opt in to get 3.3% APY. Best tools sit behind Premium. Costs $8/month to unlock advanced data. No robo-advisor. You'll need to build your own portfolio. No mutual funds. Limits options for retirement and 401(k) rollovers.
Robinhood — Best for first-time investors
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Robinhood	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Event contracts, High-yield cash account	$0	$0	3.35%	Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details	loading	Why we like it Robinhood has built its reputation on making investing approachable. The onboarding takes minutes, the interface strips out everything a brand-new investor doesn't need, and you can start with as little as $1 thanks to fractional shares. It's also one of the few apps where you can trade stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, event contracts and futures from the same app — without paying a commission on stocks, equity options, ETFs or crypto. Upgrading to Robinhood Gold ($5/month) adds a 3% IRA contribution match, up to 3.35% APY on uninvested cash, Level 2 market data, Morningstar research and discounted futures and index options commissions. The trade-off: mutual funds aren't available, and while standard accounts include active trading tools and access to Legend, the deeper research features like Morningstar reports require Gold. Pros & cons Pros Easiest onboarding on this list. Account opening to first trade in under 10 minutes. $0 commission across stocks, ETFs, options and crypto. Few brokers cover all four. Fractional shares from $1. Start with any amount, even on expensive stocks. 3% IRA match with Gold. One of the highest matches available at any retail broker. Cons No mutual funds. Limits use for 401(k) rollovers and traditional retirement saving. Light research on the standard tier. Most analytics require Robinhood Gold.
Webull — Best for active mobile traders
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Webull	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Futures, Money market funds	$0	$0	3.35%	Deposit or transfer $100,000+ to earn a 4% Match Bonus, or $2,000+ to earn a 3% Match Bonus. Plus: Get a $100 transfer fee reimbursement on your first brokerage transfer of $2,000 or more. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details	loading	Why we like it Webull is built for the trader who wants serious tools but doesn't just want to use a desktop. The mobile app packs in 10+ order types, 50+ technical indicators, 60+ on-chart signals, customizable charts with drawing tools and futures trading — all in an interface that doesn't feel cluttered. It's the closest thing to a pro platform that fits in your pocket. Pricing is $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and equity options with no per-contract fees on equity options. Webull Premium ($2.99/month) unlocks Level 2 data, a 3.5% IRA match, discounted futures commissions and a 3.35% APY cash sweep. Paper trading is included so you can test strategies risk-free before committing real money. Pros & cons Pros Pro-grade charting on mobile. 50+ indicators, 60+ signals, multiple drawing tools. Futures trading available. Rare in a mobile-first broker. 3.35% APY cash sweep with Premium. Competitive yield on idle cash. Free paper trading. Practice strategies with virtual money. Cons $2.99/month for Level 2 data. Most competitors include it free. No mutual funds. Limits long-term retirement strategies. Customer support skews chat-only. Phone support is limited.
Moomoo — Best for free pro-grade research
Finder score 9 Excellent Moomoo	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency	$0	$0	3.35%	Up to $1,000 in Nvidia stock plus 8.1% APY on uninvested cash. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details	loading	Why we like it Some brokers charge for Level 2 market data, analyst ratings or institutional-style research. Moomoo gives most of it away free. The app includes real-time Level 2 data for accounts with a minimum 30-day average account value of $100+, capital flow tracking, position cost distribution, short-sale analysis, an Indicator Sentiment summary and analyst ratings — the kind of toolkit you'd normally pay $30+/month for elsewhere. Trading is $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options with no per-contract fees. Moomoo also includes a desktop platform, a high-yield cash sweep and free paper trading with $1 million in virtual currency. The catch: no IRAs and no mutual funds, so it's a research-and-trading tool rather than a long-term retirement home. Pros & cons Pros Free Level 2 data for eligible accounts. Some competitors charge $2-$3/month for the same thing. Capital flow and short-sale analysis. Pro-grade signals available without a subscription. $1 million in paper trading. Test strategies before committing real money. Desktop platform included. Many mobile-first brokers don't offer one. Cons No IRAs or mutual funds. Not suitable as a primary retirement account. Limited tradable assets. No bonds, futures or forex. No robo-advisor. Self-directed only.
Interactive Brokers — Best for global market access
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Interactive Brokers	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Forex, Treasury Bills, Precious metals	$0	$0	2.14%	View details	loading	Why we like it No other broker on this list comes close to Interactive Brokers' international reach. You can trade stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds and metals across 170+ markets, with trading available in 29 currencies. For investors who want exposure to UK, European, Japanese or Hong Kong-listed companies directly — not via ADRs — IBKR is essentially the only retail option in the US. The mobile app comes in two versions: IBKR GlobalTrader for casual investors and the full IBKR mobile platform for advanced traders. Pricing is competitive too: $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs, with low per-contract options fees and some of the cheapest margin rates in the industry. The trade-off is complexity — the platform has a steeper learning curve than a SoFi or Robinhood. Pros & cons Pros 170+ global markets in 29 trading currencies. Direct access, not ADRs. Industry-leading margin rates. Among the lowest available to retail investors. Two mobile apps for different skill levels. GlobalTrader for beginners, full IBKR for pros. Robo-advisor included. Hands-off option alongside the active trading platform. Cons Steeper learning curve. Interface and order tickets feel professional, not consumer. Cash sweep limited to Pro accounts. Lite users miss out on competitive yields. Live chat support is hit or miss. Phone is more reliable for urgent issues.
E*TRADE — Best for hands-on stock pickers
Finder score 8.6 Great E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley	Finder score 8.6 Great	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs, Futures	$0	$0	0.01% to 0.15%	View details	loading	Why we like it E*TRADE has been a go-to for self-directed stock pickers for two decades, and being part of Morgan Stanley since 2020 has only sharpened its research advantage. The Power E*TRADE platform — available on web and mobile — combines pro-grade options chains, technical analysis tools and screening with Morgan Stanley equity research and analyst ratings most retail brokers can't match. You get $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs and options (with $0.65 per contract, dropping to $0.50 for active traders), every major account type including custodial and small business retirement accounts, and access to mutual funds, bonds and CDs. There's no crypto and no fractional share purchasing on individual stocks, which dings it slightly for younger investors. Pros & cons Pros Morgan Stanley equity research included. Analyst ratings and reports rival full-service brokers. Power E*TRADE platform. Pro-grade screening, charts and options tools. Full account-type lineup. IRAs, custodial, solo 401(k) and small business plans. Strong mutual fund and bond selection. Full one-stop shop for traditional investing. Cons No crypto trading. Investors wanting bitcoin will need a separate account. No fractional shares for individual stocks. Available only via mutual funds. Low cash sweep APY by default. Better yields require manually moving cash to money market funds.
Fidelity — Best for long-term, low-cost investing
Finder score 9 Excellent Fidelity Investments	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Gold/Commodities, CDs, Treasury Bills	$0	$0	3.29%	View details	loading	Why we like it If you're building a portfolio you plan to hold for decades, Fidelity is the default answer for most people — and for good reason. It offers $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, options and Fidelity mutual funds, including four zero-expense-ratio index funds you literally can't buy anywhere else. The cash sweep automatically pays 3.29% APY, with your uninvested money held in a money market fund It's also the only broker on this list that combines crypto access (bitcoin and ether), custodial accounts for kids, a fee-free robo-advisor under $25,000, a human financial advisor at $25K+ and 24/7 phone support — all in one place. The desktop trading platform feels dated compared to Schwab's thinkorswim, which is the main reason it's not the pick for active traders. Pros & cons Pros Zero-expense-ratio index funds. Four Fidelity ZERO funds with no expense ratio at all. 3.29% default cash sweep APY. Competitive among major brokers. Custodial accounts and Youth Account. Strong family investing options. 24/7 phone support. Rare in the industry. Cons Dated active-trading platform. Active Trader Pro lags behind thinkorswim. $25,000 minimum for human advisor. Robo-only below that threshold. Crypto limited to bitcoin and ether. No altcoin access.
Charles Schwab — Best for advanced traders
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Charles Schwab	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Futures, Treasury Bills	$0	$0	0.45%	View details	loading	Why we like it Charles Schwab's edge is the thinkorswim platform — the active-trader software it inherited when it acquired TD Ameritrade. thinkorswim is widely regarded as the best retail trading platform on the market, with elite-level options chains, technical analysis, paper trading and a customizable layout that pros actually use professionally. It's available on desktop, web and mobile, and it's included free with any Schwab account. Beyond thinkorswim, Schwab gives you $0 commissions on stocks, options, ETFs and Schwab mutual funds, full account-type coverage including custodial and small business retirement accounts, direct indexing and a no-fee robo-advisor. The biggest weakness: no crypto trading and a low default cash sweep APY (0.45%). Pros & cons Pros thinkorswim included free. Pro-grade trading platform on desktop, web and mobile. $0 commission on Schwab mutual funds. Strong fund lineup at no cost. No-advisory-fee robo-advisor. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is free above the $5K minimum. Direct indexing available. Tax-loss harvesting on individual stocks, not just funds. Cons No cryptocurrency trading. Need a separate account for bitcoin or ether. 0.45% default cash sweep APY. Significantly below Fidelity, Public or Webull Premium. thinkorswim has a learning curve. Powerful, but not beginner-friendly.

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Honorable mentions

• Stash — Best for investing $5 at a time
• Opto — Best for thematic investing
• Tastytrade — Best for options and derivatives traders

Stash — Best for investing $5 at a time

Stash

Stash is built for people who want to invest small, recurring amounts — $5 here, $5 there — rather than fund a full account. It offers fractional shares, themed portfolios, a debit card that rewards you with stock instead of cashback and a built-in custodial account, all designed to make consistent micro-investing automatic. The trade-off is a monthly subscription fee ($3 or $12 depending on the tier) that erodes returns at small balances, so it works best as a habit-building tool rather than a primary brokerage.

Pros:

• Commission-free stocks and ETFs
• Active and automated investing options
• Custodial brokerage accounts and custodial IRAs
• Debit card that rewards with stock

Cons:

• Limited investment options
• No high-yield cash account
• Monthly subscription fee

Opto — Best for thematic investing

Opto

Opto’s 50+ thematic portfolios — covering Robotics, AI, Blockchain, Clean Energy, Pet Care and more — let you invest in trends rather than picking individual companies. It’s a clean, mobile-only experience with $0 commission stock and ETF trading and a 4% annual equivalent rate on cash. Limited assets and no IRAs make it a complement to a primary brokerage, not a replacement.

Pros:

• Commission-free stocks and ETFs
• Themed investing focus
• Few account fees
• Earn 4% annual equivalent rate on your cash

Cons:

• Limited investment options
• Only available via mobile app
• Limited account types, with no IRAs

Tastytrade — Best for options and derivatives traders

Tastytrade

Tastytrade is purpose-built for derivatives. It offers competitive per-contract pricing, no closing commissions on options, and tools like profit-and-loss visualizations and quick rolls that experienced options traders rely on. The educational content from Tastylive (formerly Tastytrade) is some of the best in the industry. It’s overkill for buy-and-hold investors but ideal if you trade options or futures regularly.

Pros:

• Highly customizable trading platform
• Extensive lineup of tradable derivative assets
• Competitive options fee structure
• Helpful educational resources and live programming
• Commission-free stocks and ETFs

Cons:

• Complex trading platform
• No robo-advisor
• No cash sweep program

• Methodology

  Methodology: How we choose the best stock trading apps

  We reviewed 18 brokers across 147 data points to identify the best app for each type of investor. Each broker is scored across eight categories, weighted by importance to the typical retail investor.

  How we weight the overall Finder Score

  Category	Weighting
  Investment options	20%
  Trading platforms and technology	20%
  Trading costs	15%
  Features and amenities	15%
  Account types and minimums	10%
  Customer support	10%
  Account fees	5%
  Mobile app ratings and security	5%

  The Finder Score determines which apps qualify for our list. To assign each app a single “best for” category, we layer a second methodology on top.

• How we choose the 'best for' category for each app

  Every app on this page earns one specific “best for” designation. We do this highlight a genuine differentiation for that app to help you quickly identify the investor type that is most similar to you.

  Each app is scored against ten investor profiles using the criteria below to assign it a single category. The category an app wins outright (or wins by the largest margin) becomes its designation. If apps tie, the winner is the one with the higher overall Finder Score.

  The 10 investor profiles we score against

  • First-time investors. This category prioritizes onboarding speed, interface simplicity, fractional share availability, account minimums, in-app educational content and how few decisions a brand-new investor has to make to place their first trade.
  • All-in-one banking and investing. This category prizes the number of products a user has access to in single-login experience within an app. In addition to investing, can a user simply access checking, savings, loans, cards, advice, etc. and can they easily move their money between these products.
  • Yield-focused investing. This category focuses on the breadth of fixed-income products in a single app (bond accounts, individual treasuries, corporate bonds), high-yield cash sweep options (default or opt-in), options account interest and rebates, and transparency on order execution for fixed-income trades.
  • Crypto and copy trading. Native crypto trading, number of supported coins, crypto spreads, ability to transfer crypto to self-custody, copy-trading functionality and built-in social features.
  • Global market access. Number of international markets, number of supported currencies, direct foreign-exchange listings (not just ADRs), forex trading, and competitive margin and FX conversion rates.
  • Active mobile trading. Order types available on mobile, technical indicators, drawing tools, on-chart signals, paper trading, options chain depth and futures availability.
  • Free pro-grade research. Cost of Level 2 data, analyst ratings, capital flow analysis, short-sale data, fundamental research and earnings tools without a paid subscription.
  • Hands-on stock picking. Quality of equity research, screener depth, mutual fund and bond selection, account-type breadth and dedicated active-trader platforms.
  • Long-term, low-cost investing. Mutual fund expense ratios, fund minimums, default cash sweep APY, custodial and youth accounts, robo-advisor fees and human advisor access.
  • Advanced trading tools. Quality of dedicated trading platforms (such as thinkorswim or Trader Workstation), customization, scripting, advanced order types, paper trading depth and integration with research.

  Tie-breakers and disqualifiers

  • An app is disqualified from a category if a key feature for that profile is missing — for example, an app without IRAs cannot win “long-term investing”, and an app without options cannot win “active mobile trading”
  • If two apps are statistically tied, the higher overall Finder Score wins.
  • If an app would win two categories, we assign it the category where its lead is largest and award the second category to the runner-up.

  We update these designations whenever an app launches a major new feature, changes pricing or loses access to a key product. The list is reviewed quarterly at minimum.

How to choose the right stock trading app for you

The “best for” index above does most of the work, but a few personal factors are worth thinking through before you sign up.

• Asset coverage matches your strategy. If you want bitcoin, you need an app that offers it natively (Robinhood, Fidelity, eToro). If you want bonds, you need Public, Fidelity or Schwab. The cheapest app isn’t the best one if it doesn’t offer what you actually want to buy.
• Account types you need. Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, custodial accounts and solo 401(k)s aren’t universal — eToro and Moomoo have no IRA support. If retirement saving is a priority, lean toward Fidelity, Schwab, E*TRADE, SoFi or Robinhood.
• How you actually use a phone. Some apps (Webull, Moomoo, IBKR) put pro-grade tools on mobile. Others (SoFi, Stash) deliberately strip features back. Match the experience to how you trade, not how someone else does.
• Cash drag matters. If you keep a meaningful cash balance, the difference between a high APY and a low APY compounds quickly. Always check the default APY, not the promotional rate.
• App reliability. Read recent app store reviews, check outage history and confirm the broker is regulated by FINRA and a member of SIPC.

Compare the best stock trading apps of 2026

Didn’t find what you need with our top picks? The table below includes apps we evaluated for this guide and some we didn’t that could still be worth considering depending on your situation.

8 of 8 results

Finder Score	Available asset types	Stock trade fee	Minimum deposit	Cash sweep APY
Promoted Finder score 8.2 Great eToro	Finder score 8.2 Great	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Investments	$0	$0	3.25%	No commission stock, ETF and options trades, with 3.9% interest on your options account balance and no options contract fees. See full disclosure.	Important information eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finder is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.	$150 REWARD Go to site View details	loading
Promoted Finder score 9 Excellent SoFi Active Invest	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives	$0	$0	0.01%	Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account. T&Cs apply.	Trade stocks, ETFs, and options with zero commissions, invest in IPOs or automate your portfolio, with exclusive perks available through SoFi Plus.	Important information INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees. Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org). There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information SoFi Plus members can schedule an unlimited number of appointments with a financial planner during periods in which the SoFi Plus member meets the eligibility criteria set forth in section 10(a) of the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions. SoFi members who are not members of SoFi Plus can schedule one (1) appointment with a financial planner. The ability to schedule appointments is subject to financial planner availability. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this benefit at any time with or without notice. Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth's advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth's current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.026%. If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. Terms and conditions apply*. For 401k rollovers, existing SoFi IRA members must complete 401k rollovers via this link See full terms and For SoFi members without a SoFi IRA, a SoFi IRA must first be opened, and 401k rollover must be completed utilizing Capitalize via this link. SoFi and Capitalize will charge no additional fees to process a 401(k) rollover to a SoFi IRA. SoFi is not liable for any costs incurred from the existing 401k provider for rollover. Please check with your 401k provider for any fees or costs associated with the rollover. For IRA contributions, only deposits made via ACH and cash transfer from SoFi Bank accounts are eligible for the match. Click here for the 1% Match terms and conditions. Must be a SoFi Plus member at the time a recurring deposit is received into your SoFi Active or Automated investing account to qualify. Bonus calculated on net monthly recurring deposits made via ACH and paid out as Rewards Points. See Rewards Terms of Service. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time without notice. See terms and limitations. https://www.sofi.com/sofiplus/invest/#disclaimers	$150 REWARD Go to site View details	loading
Promoted Finder score 8.2 Great Zacks Trade	Finder score 8.2 Great	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs	$0.01	$250	2.83%	Leverage powerful trading tools and low margin rates to trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds.	Go to site View details	loading
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Robinhood	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Event contracts, High-yield cash account	$0	$0	3.35%	Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account. T&Cs apply.	Trade stocks, options, crypto and more, with advanced trading tools, fractional shares and exclusive perks for Gold members.	Go to site View details	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent Public.com	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Treasury Bills, High-yield cash account	$0	$0	3.3%	Earn a 1% match when you transfer your portfolio to Public. T&Cs apply.	Build a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, ETFs and crypto, with a high-yield cash account and options contract rebates.	Important information *Yield as of 04/09/2025. Learn more.	Go to site View details	loading
Finder score 8.4 Great J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing	Finder score 8.4 Great	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Treasury Bills	$0	$0	0.01%	Get a cash bonus up to $1,000 when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account. T&Cs apply.	Get $0 commission online trades.	Important information INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE	Go to site View details	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent Wealthfront	Finder score 9 Excellent	Stocks, ETFs, High-yield cash account	$0	$500	3.30%	Get a $50 bonus when you sign up and fund a taxable automated investing account with at least $500. T&Cs apply.	Automate your stock and bond portfolio or trade individual stocks for as little as $1 apiece. Plus, earn 3.50% APY on your cash.	Go to site View details	loading
Finder score 9.4 Excellent Webull	Finder score 9.4 Excellent	Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Futures, Money market funds	$0	$0	3.35%	Deposit or transfer $100,000+ to earn a 4% Match Bonus, or $2,000+ to earn a 3% Match Bonus. Plus: Get a $100 transfer fee reimbursement on your first brokerage transfer of $2,000 or more. T&Cs apply.	Trade stocks, ETFs and equity options commission-free, with access to futures, advanced charting tools, a robo-advisor and event trading powered by Kalshi.	Go to site View details	loading

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Showing 8 of 8 results

What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 147 key metrics we collected directly from 18+ brokers and assessed each provider’s performance based on nine different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then scored and ranked each provider to determine the best brokerage accounts.

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.

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

What to do once you’ve picked an app

Open the account, link your bank and fund it — or initiate an ACATS transfer if you’re moving from another broker. There’s no rule against running two apps in parallel: many investors keep one for long-term retirement (Fidelity, Schwab) and another for active trading or experimentation (Robinhood, Webull, eToro).

Before you place your first trade, get clear on your goals and your strategy. Set up automatic recurring deposits if you’re investing for the long term — consistency matters more than timing. Use the educational content most of these apps include to learn the basics and research stocks properly.

Compare other types of brokers

If a mobile-first stock app isn’t the right fit, here are other guides to help match a broker to your situation.

Frequently asked questions

• Are stock trading apps safe to use?

  Yes, provided you stick with a regulated US broker. Every app in this guide is registered with FINRA and the SEC, and accounts are protected up to $500,000 (with a $250,000 limit for cash) by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation if the broker fails. Apps also use bank-level encryption, biometric login and two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access. SIPC protection doesn't cover investment losses from market movements, only the failure of the brokerage firm itself.

• What's the cheapest stock trading app?

  Most apps in this guide offer $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, so "cheapest" depends on what else you trade. For long-term investors, watch for inactivity fees, transfer-out fees and low cash sweep APYs — these often cost more than commissions over time.

• Can I open multiple stock trading apps at the same time?

  Yes and many investors do. There's no legal limit on how many brokerage accounts you can open. A common setup is one app for long-term retirement and a second for active trading or asset types the first doesn't offer. Just be aware that wash-sale rules apply across all your accounts at tax time.

• What's the difference between a stock trading app and a brokerage account?

  A stock trading app is the mobile interface you use to access a brokerage account. The brokerage account itself is a regulated financial account where your cash and securities are held.

• Is Robinhood a good app for beginners?

  Yes, Robinhood is our pick as the best app for first-time investors specifically because of its easy onboarding, simple interface and $0 commission trading on stocks, ETFs, options and crypto.

• Are stocks a good investment in 2026?

  Stocks have historically delivered the highest long-term returns of any major asset class, but past performance doesn't guarantee future results, and not every stock is worth buying. Most retail investors are best served by a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds rather than picking individual stocks. Always do your own research, understand what you own and only invest money you can afford to leave invested for at least five years.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings and reviewed by Laura Adams, MBA, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Matt Miczulski

Investments editor and market analyst

Matt Miczulski is an investments editor and market analyst 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 Yahoo Finance, CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

Matt's expertise

Matt has written 232 Finder guides across topics including:

• Trading and investing
• Broker and trading platform reviews
• Money management