Compare brokerage accounts
Use the StockBrokers. Compare trading commissions, account fees, trading tools and platforms, market research functionality, mobile apps, beginner education, and current special offers. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply. TD Ameritrade, Inc. View terms. Exclusive Offer New clients that open an account today receive a special margin rate Open Account.
Compare online stock trading
At NerdWallet, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, many or all of the products featured here are from our partners. Our opinions are our own. The first step in choosing an investment account is understanding your investing strategy. Investors who trade individual stocks and advanced securities like options are looking for exposure to specific companies or trading strategies.
Mutual funds and ETFs are typically best suited to investing for long-term goals that are at least 5 years away, like retirement, a far-off home purchase or college. Beginners and long term investors often look to get exposure to whole markets and don't have a preference on which type of securities to trade. Some brokers have minimum deposit requirements, while others may require a minimum balance to access certain advanced features or trading platforms. If a broker is offering a new account promotion, there may be a minimum initial deposit requirement to qualify.
Like most things, when it comes to stock brokers, you often get what you pay for — which means there may be a trade off between price and quality. Some brokers charge more per trade but offer access to a high-quality platform and premium research for free. Others have lower commissions, but offer fewer tools and services or charge to access certain tools. If you're trading frequently — more than weekly — you'll want an advanced broker that has powerful platforms, innovative tools, high-quality research and low commissions.
Those who trade monthly or yearly will want a well-rounded broker with a user-friendly interface, helpful customer support and competitive pricing. Yes, it's true — you don't have to manage your own investments. In fact, these days it's not only possible, but inexpensive to get the kind of management that was previously only available to investors with very high balances read: mostly millionaires. Thank the robo-advisor : These services use algorithms to build and manage investor portfolios.
For a very low fee, they'll create a portfolio of ETFs based on your investing goals and risk tolerance, then rebalance it as needed. Many also offer tax-loss harvesting for taxable accounts. If that sounds too hands-off for you and you want to manage your own investments , choose a self-directed account at an online broker. Low Cost: Mutual fund and ETF investors want access to funds without commissions or transaction fees; stock or options traders want low commissions and no added fees for inactivity, tools or research.
Platform and tools: If you plan to trade frequently, you likely know what kind of tools you'll use most and what you want out of a platform. User interface: Website and tools should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Premium research: Investing, particularly frequent trading, requires analysis. The broker should provide extensive information to help you select the investments for your portfolio.
Promotions: This shouldn't be your primary concern, but it might be a tie breaker if you're stuck between two options. Offers access to human advisors for additional fee. Professional-level trading platform and tool. Tiers apply. Morgan's secure website.
SoFi Active Investing: Cryptocurrency trading; fractional shares. SoFi Automated Investing: Low costs across the board, free access to certified financial planners. Sophisticated platform; exceptional research and analytical tools. Customized portfolios; access to financial advisors. Per-share pricing; strong trading platform. Dedicated financial advisors; customized portfolios. Advertiser disclosure. Online Brokerage Comparison Use our online brokerage comparison tool to find the right stock broker for your needs.
Our team has spent more than hours comparing leading online brokers. Our selections include top online brokers , which offer DIY investors low costs and convenience, and the top robo-advisors , which offer portfolio management at a fraction of the cost of human advisors. What do you want to invest in? How much will you deposit to open the account? How often will you trade? At least once a week Every month or so A few times a year.
Who will manage your investments? You An advisor. What is most important to you? Recommended stock brokers for you. Show Details. Account Minimum. Current Offers. Open account. Up to 1 year. Interactive Brokers. You Invest by J. Free trades; app-based. SoFi Invest. Zacks Trade. Personal Capital. Wealthfront Show Details. Commissions 0. Open account on Wealthfront's secure website. Betterment Show Details. Current Offers Up to 1 year of free management with a qualifying deposit.
Open account on Betterment's secure website. Interactive Brokers Show Details. Current Offers Exclusive! Open account on Interactive Brokers's secure website. Ellevest Show Details. Current Offers 1 month free of Ellevest Digital. Open account on Ellevest's secure website. Morgan Show Details.
Open account on You Invest by J. SoFi Invest Show Details. Current Offers Free career counseling plus loan discounts with qualifying deposit. Open account on SoFi Invest's secure website. TradeStation Show Details. Open account on TradeStation's secure website. Vanguard Show Details. Current Offers None no promotion currently offered.
Open account on Vanguard's secure website. Zacks Trade Show Details. Current Offers None no promotion at this time. Open account on Zacks Trade's secure website. Personal Capital Show Details. Open account on Personal Capital's secure website.
Online Brokerage Comparison. Use our online brokerage comparison tool to find the right stock broker for your needs. Account Minimum. $ Current Offers. brokers? These are our picks for the best brokerage firms for stock trading. investment minimum, high-quality trading tools, robust access to customer service and no hidden account fees. Want to compare more options?
Your investments are not guaranteed; they can decrease in value as well as increase and you may not get back the full amount you put in. It's sometimes called share dealing. A 'share' is a unit of ownership in a particular company. Find out more about stock trading here. If you're interested in online trading, you'll need to open a stock trading or share dealing account online.
Important legal information about the email you will be sending. By using this service, you agree to input your real email address and only send it to people you know.
At NerdWallet, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, many or all of the products featured here are from our partners.
Best online brokers for 2020
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Our articles, interactive tools, and hypothetical examples contain information to help you conduct research but are not intended to serve as investment advice, and we cannot guarantee that this information is applicable or accurate to your personal circumstances. Any estimates based on past performance do not a guarantee future performance, and prior to making any investment you should discuss your specific investment needs or seek advice from a qualified professional. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us.
Online Broker Comparison
You can use time as a huge ally when planning your investments. These play-it-safe investments are a good fit for you. Though similar in name, these accounts have major differences you should know. Investors may want to consider these top exchange-traded funds ETFs in The year bond is back. Have some extra cash you want to invest? Brokerages are rewarding new clients. These apps can help get your finances organized and invested.
Want to trade stocks? On these measures, the brokerage firms below earned their place on our list of the best online brokers for stock trading.
With so many different types of online stock brokers available to investors, it can be tough to choose one that works best for you. When we started our online broker reviews in the fall of , no one knew how the world would change. We recognize that we all are living through a particularly volatile time as we deal with this global crisis, and financial markets have also seen unprecedented change, impacting all investors.
11 Best Online Brokers for Stock Trading of May 2020
This online broker comparison is designed to bring more clarity into your broker selection. You can compare online brokerages side by side across 9 main categories that saves you tens of hours of research. Due to the complexity of this online broker comparison tool, it is best viewed on devices with larger screen size. If you are using a mobile device, please use landscape mode for the best experience. Data collected based on Brokerchooser's structured online broker review methodology , a work of 8 people. The online brokers compared don't know they are being reviewed. Brokerages are featured independently of any compensation they might give to Brokerchooser. Toggle navigation. Online Broker Comparison. Device with small screen detected. Lucia St. Methodology: Data collected based on Brokerchooser's structured online broker review methodology , a work of 8 people. Interactive Brokers. Best online broker. Visit broker.
Compare Online Brokers
To find the best online brokers in , we went ahead and did the research for you. After testing, analyzing and comparing 61 brokers, 5 made it to the top. We highly recommend all 5 to you. And now, without further ado What makes a good online broker? First of all, they need to offer fair fees and to have a good safety score. It must also be easy to open an account and deposit money.
