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12 best stock apps of July 2024 to elevate your mobile trading

Our picks of the best stock trading apps for beginners, options traders, hands-off investors and more.

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.

You’re about to see some the best stock apps on the market.

We determined these picks using an unbiased rating system that considers everything from trading costs and fees to investment options, trading platforms, features, customer support availability and more.

In fact, I use several of these exact stock trading apps to invest.

With that, it’s time to reveal our picks of the best stock apps of July 2024.

Our top picks for trading apps

Top pick for advanced traders

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Get up to $5,000 cash
  • Trade options, futures, options on futures, stocks, ETFs
  • $0 commission to close options
  • Pro-grade platform and risk analysis tools

Our pick for transfer bonus

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Get up to $10,000 cash
  • Trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, alternative asset funds
  • $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options, with no options contract fees
  • No-cost financial planning and automated investing

Our pick for Investing by theme

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Earn up to $300 on new deposits
  • Trade $0 commission stocks & ETFs with as little as $1
  • Theme and ETF screener
  • Discover new opportunities with Opto's AI-driven classification system

12 best stock apps of July 2024

Why trust Finder

  • 15+ online brokers reviewed and rated by our team of experts
  • Evaluated under our unbiased rating system covering eight categories
  • 20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics

We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.

Best overall

Interactive Brokers

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Best for beginners

SoFi Invest®

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to $10,000 cash

Best for mobile experience

Robinhood

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

3% IRA match with Robinhood Gold
Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet a free stock

Best for options trading

Tastytrade

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet $50-$5,000

Best day trading stock app

Moomoo

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Get 8.1% APY for 3 months on idle cash and up to 15 free stocks with qualified deposits. T&Cs apply.
Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to 15 free stocks

Best for alternative investments

Public.com

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public
Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered

Best for social trading and investing

eToro

4
★★★★★

Finder score

Copy crypto picks from top traders
Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusFINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $15 bonus

Best for stock analysis

Webull

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to 70 free fractional shares

Best for micro-investing

Acorns

4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet a $20 bonus

Best for market news

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to $1,000
terms apply

Best for low fees

Fidelity Investments

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Best for stock research

Charles Schwab

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet a $101 bonus

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 advisor 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 18 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.

How we weigh the overall rating

CategoryWeighting
Investment options20%
Trading platforms and technology26%
Trading costs10%
Account fees5%
Account types and minimums5%
Customer support6%
Mobile app ratings and security7%
Features and amenities21%

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.

How to choose the best stock trading app

Choosing the best stock trading app isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Along with costs and investment options, you’ll want to know what an app looks like and how it performs on your device. Android and iOS versions of trading apps can have subtle differences. Trading features and research tools may also be different on mobile versions of trading platforms compared to browser and desktop versions.

Factors you should consider when choosing the best trading app include:

  • Costs and fees. Most brokers on the market today are free to sign up, free to use and offer commission-free stock and ETF trading. However, brokers have other costs and fees to be aware of. For example, some brokers charge a fee for periods of account inactivity or a fee to transfer your account to another broker.
  • Investment options. A key part of choosing a trading app is determining which investment options you’re interested in adding to your portfolio. While the big brokers like Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers offer the most traditional investment options, mobile-first trading apps are starting to step up their game when it comes to asset offerings. Most of the big brokers still don’t offer access to crypto. Choose a platform that offers tradable assets that align with your strategy and goals.
  • Platform availability. Mobile trading apps are growing in popularity for several reasons: time spent on mobile devices is increasing; mobile apps tend to offer a better user-experience; and mobile trading apps are increasingly becoming more powerful and are starting to include many of the same features you’d find on browser and, sometimes, desktop versions of the trading platform.
  • Reliability, security and customer reviews. Review the app’s security features, regulatory status and history of outages. Consider the number of reviews and how existing and previous users rate the app and platform.
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

On what type of platform do you do the majority of your investing?

According to Finder’s Consumer Confidence Index, nearly a quarter of our survey respondents say they do a majority of their investing on a mobile app.

What to do now that you’ve found the right trading app

Now that you’ve found the right trading app for your goals, it’s time to put it to work. Dive into the app, sign up for an account and get comfortable with its features. You’ll need to deposit money to your new trading account via bank transfer to start investing, unless you choose to transfer assets from another broker.

Having accounts with multiple stock apps is an option if you aren’t completely satisfied with a single platform. Maybe it offers the tools and resources you need to research stocks but not the assets you want to build out your portfolio.

Define your investment goals, develop a strategy that suits your style and stay informed about market trends. Use any educational resources the app offers to learn how to invest and sharpen your skills. Regularly review your portfolio and adjust your strategy as needed.

The right trading app makes investing easier. But you also need a solid plan and the discipline to invest regularly and consistently to give you the best chance at building your wealth.

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

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.

Is Robinhood a good app?

Robinhood is among the best trading apps. It’s beginner-friendly, making it incredibly easy to start trading stocks, ETFs, options and crypto. It also has some of the lowest fees in the industry and offers the best mobile experience according to Finder’s analysis.

Are stocks a good investment?

In general, stocks are a good investment. Stocks are widely regarded as offering the greatest potential for growth over the long-term. But that doesn’t mean any stock is worth buying. Do you due diligence before investing.

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

Editor, Investments

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. See full bio

Matt's expertise
Matt has written 192 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Trading and investing
  • Broker and trading platform reviews
  • Money management

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