8 Best Stock Trading Apps of 2026

1. 1

   Fidelity

   Full-service brokerage with $0 online stock, ETF and option commissions, its own funds and retirement accounts in one app.

   9.4overall

   Full-service brokerage with $0 online stock, ETF and option commissions, its own funds and retirement accounts in one app.

   Best forLong-term investors who want stocks, funds, bonds and retirement accounts under one login with no minimums.

   Adoption data

   $19.9 trillionFidelity reports $19.9 trillion in assets under administration at the end of the second quarter of 2026, up 22% from a year earlier.

   Fidelity Investments, Fidelity Investments Q2 2026 Business Update (2026): “Assets under administration $19.9 trillion Up 22% year over year from Q2 2025”

   Fidelity is the most complete account on this list for investors who want to keep everything in one place. Its commission schedule shows $0 for online US stock, ETF and option trades, with option contract fees applied on top, and there are no minimums to open an account. Fidelity's own mutual funds and its no transaction fee funds cost $0 to buy, new-issue bonds and online Treasury trades are free, and secondary bonds cost $1.00 each. Active traders get the Fidelity Trader+ platforms. The scale is the largest here: Fidelity reports $19.9 trillion in assets under administration and 5.7 million daily average trades in the second quarter of 2026, both up sharply from a year earlier. The trade-offs are a $49.95 purchase fee on transaction fee funds from other managers and option contract fees on top of the $0 commission.

   Strengths

   • +Largest asset base on this list
   • +No account minimums
   • +Broad fund lineup with $0 Fidelity fund trades

   Limitations

   • −Transaction fee mutual funds cost $49.95 per purchase
   • −Option contract fees apply on top of the $0 commission
   • −Reports assets rather than a funded account count, which makes adoption harder to compare

   SummaryFidelity is the best all-round stock trading app for investors who also want funds and retirement accounts. It combines $0 trades and no minimums with the largest asset base on this list.

2. 2

   Charles Schwab

   Large US brokerage with $0 online equity trades, the thinkorswim platform and branch support.

   9.3overall

   Large US brokerage with $0 online equity trades, the thinkorswim platform and branch support.

   Best forInvestors who want a large broker with both a simple app and an advanced trading platform.

   Adoption data

   40.3 millionCharles Schwab reports 40.3 million active brokerage accounts and $13.33 trillion in client assets as of the third quarter of 2026.

   The Charles Schwab Corporation, Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Release (Form 8-K exhibit 99.1) (2026): “with 40.3 million active brokerage accounts, 5.9 million workplace plan participant accounts, 2.4 million banking accounts, and $13.33 trillion in client assets”

   Charles Schwab gives investors one of the widest set of platforms among US brokers. Online listed stock and ETF trades cost $0, options cost $0 plus $0.65 per contract, and there are no account or trade minimums. Investors can trade from the standard Schwab app or switch to thinkorswim for advanced charting and options strategies. More than a broker app, Schwab also offers Mutual Fund OneSource funds with $0 online trades, bonds, futures and banking. Its third quarter 2026 filing shows 40.3 million active brokerage accounts, $13.33 trillion in client assets and 1.2 million new brokerage accounts opened in the quarter. Costs show up at the edges: mutual funds outside OneSource cost up to $74.95 per purchase, broker-assisted trades add a $25 service charge, and OTC equities cost $6.95 online. For most stock and ETF investors those fees never apply.

   Strengths

   • +40.3 million active brokerage accounts
   • +Advanced thinkorswim platform included
   • +Broker-assisted trading available

   Limitations

   • −Mutual funds outside OneSource cost up to $74.95 per purchase
   • −Broker-assisted trades add a $25 service charge
   • −OTC equity trades cost $6.95 online

   SummarySchwab is the best choice for investors who want a large, established broker with an advanced platform included. It trails Fidelity mainly on mutual fund fees outside its OneSource lineup.

3. 3

   Interactive Brokers

   Global broker with $0 IBKR Lite trades, low per-share IBKR Pro pricing and funding in 29 currencies.

   9.2overall

   Global broker with $0 IBKR Lite trades, low per-share IBKR Pro pricing and funding in 29 currencies.

   Best forActive and international traders who want low costs, margin and access to markets outside the US.

   Adoption data

   5.58 millionInteractive Brokers reports 5.58 million customer accounts in the third quarter of 2026, up 35% from a year earlier, with $964.7 billion in customer equity.

   Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Third Quarter 2026 Results (Form 8-K exhibit 99.1) (2026): “Customer accounts increased 35% to 5.58 million.”

   Interactive Brokers is the strongest pick here for traders who care about costs beyond the commission line. IBKR Lite charges $0 on US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs, while IBKR Pro charges from USD 0.0035 per share on tiered pricing or USD 0.005 fixed, with per-order minimums, in exchange for its full routing and execution features. The broker lists up to USD 3.38% on uninvested cash, margin loans from USD 4.38% and funding in up to 29 currencies, which suits investors who hold assets outside the US. Overnight trading, fractional shares and recurring investments are part of the platform. Its third quarter 2026 filing shows 5.58 million customer accounts, up 35% in a year, and $964.7 billion in customer equity. The main drawbacks are complexity: several platforms and pricing plans take time to learn, and Pro's per-share fees add up on large share counts.

   Strengths

   • +Fastest account growth among the public brokers here
   • +Low margin rates
   • +Broad international market access

   Limitations

   • −IBKR Pro charges per share with order minimums
   • −Platform choice can feel complex for beginners
   • −IBKR Lite excludes non-exchange-listed US stocks from $0 pricing

   SummaryInteractive Brokers is the best stock trading app for active and international traders. Beginners may prefer a simpler app, but no broker here documents lower margin rates.

4. 4

   Robinhood

   App-first broker with commission-free trading and an optional $5 per month Gold plan.

   9.0overall

   App-first broker with commission-free trading and an optional $5 per month Gold plan.

   Best forMobile-first investors who want stocks, options and crypto in one app and value a cash yield and IRA match.

   Adoption data

   28.7 millionRobinhood reports 28.7 million funded customers at the end of the third quarter of 2026, up 1.9 million from a year earlier, with $396 billion in total platform assets.

   Robinhood Markets, Inc., Robinhood Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results (Form 8-K exhibit 99.1) (2026): “Funded Customers increased by 1.9 million, or 7%, year-over-year to 28.7 million.”

   Robinhood is the most widely used app-first broker on this list. Its third quarter 2026 filing shows 28.7 million funded customers, $396 billion in total platform assets and $15.7 billion of net deposits in the quarter. Stock trades are commission-free, and the optional Robinhood Gold plan costs $5 per month after a 30-day free period. Gold lists 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash, a 3% match on IRA contributions and lower fees of $0.50 per futures contract and $0.35 per index options contract. Gold has 5.2 million subscribers, up 34% in a year. Beyond trading, Robinhood offers managed portfolios through Robinhood Strategies, Robinhood Banking and the Gold Card. The limits are breadth and scale: the app focuses on stocks, options, crypto and futures rather than a deep mutual fund and bond shelf, and its asset base is a fraction of Fidelity's or Schwab's.

   Strengths

   • +Most funded customers among app-first brokers here
   • +Gold perks are clearly priced at $5 per month
   • +Stocks, options, crypto and futures in one app

   Limitations

   • −Best cash yield and IRA match require the paid Gold plan
   • −Fewer mutual funds and bonds than full-service brokers
   • −Total platform assets are far smaller than Fidelity or Schwab

   SummaryRobinhood is the best app-first broker for mobile investors who will use Gold's cash yield and IRA match. Investors who want a deep fund lineup should look at Fidelity or Schwab.

5. 5

   E*TRADE

   Morgan Stanley's self-directed brokerage with $0 stock, ETF and mutual fund trades and discounted options for frequent traders.

   8.7overall

   Morgan Stanley's self-directed brokerage with $0 stock, ETF and mutual fund trades and discounted options for frequent traders.

   Best forFrequent options and futures traders who want a large broker behind the app.

   Adoption data

   8.8 millionMorgan Stanley, which owns E*TRADE, reports 8.8 million households in its self-directed channel in the third quarter of 2026.

   Morgan Stanley, Third Quarter 2026 Financial Supplement (Form 8-K exhibit) (2026): “Self-directed households (millions) 8.8 8.7 8.4”

   E*TRADE is Morgan Stanley's self-directed brokerage and suits investors who trade options and futures often. Its pricing page lists $0 for stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs, with options contracts at $0.65 that drop to 50¢ for customers placing 30 or more trades a quarter. Futures cost $1.50 per contract per side, E-nano Equity Index futures $0.75, online secondary bonds and CDs $1.00 per bond, and crypto 0.50% of each trade's dollar value. Morgan Stanley reports 8.8 million households and $1,802 billion in client assets in its self-directed channel for the third quarter of 2026, though it does not break out E*TRADE accounts on their own. That makes adoption harder to compare with brokers that count funded accounts. For investors who trade options less than 30 times a quarter, the contract fee is the same as at Schwab, so the main draw is the volume discount and futures access.

   Strengths

   • +Options discount for frequent traders
   • +Futures and crypto alongside stocks
   • +Backed by Morgan Stanley's wealth business

   Limitations

   • −Standard options rate matches Schwab at $0.65
   • −Morgan Stanley does not report E*TRADE accounts separately
   • −Crypto costs 0.50% per trade

   SummaryE*TRADE is a strong choice for frequent options and futures traders thanks to its 50¢ volume rate. Occasional traders will find similar pricing at Schwab and Fidelity.

6. 6

   Vanguard

   Investor-owned fund company whose brokerage account offers $0 online stock and ETF trades with no minimums.

   8.6overall

   Investor-owned fund company whose brokerage account offers $0 online stock and ETF trades with no minimums.

   Best forBuy-and-hold investors who mainly want low-cost index funds and ETFs.

   Adoption data

   50 millionVanguard reports more than 50 million investors as of December 31, 2025.

   Vanguard, Fast facts about Vanguard (2025): “More than 50 million investors, as of December 31, 2025”

   Vanguard is the natural home for investors who plan to buy index funds and ETFs and hold them for years. The Vanguard Brokerage Account charges $0 commissions on online stock and ETF trades, has $0 account minimums and holds stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds, with a settlement fund for cash between trades. Vanguard says it serves more than 50 million investors as of December 31, 2025, and its fact page lists a 0.07% asset-weighted average expense ratio across US mutual funds and ETFs and 241 US funds. That cost base is the main reason to choose it. The trade-off is depth for traders: the brokerage account page focuses on long-term investing and lists no futures or crypto trading, and its tools are simpler than thinkorswim or Interactive Brokers' platforms. The investor count also covers all Vanguard investors, including workplace plans, rather than brokerage app users alone.

   Strengths

   • +More than 50 million investors
   • +Low average fund costs
   • +No account minimums

   Limitations

   • −Brokerage page lists no futures or crypto trading
   • −Fewer active trading tools than Schwab or Interactive Brokers
   • −Adoption figure counts all investors, not only brokerage users

   SummaryVanguard is the best fit for buy-and-hold index investors who want low fund costs. Active traders will find more tools at Schwab, Fidelity or Interactive Brokers.

7. 7

   Webull

   Trading app for active investors with commission-free US stocks, ETFs and options plus futures and crypto.

   8.4overall

   Trading app for active investors with commission-free US stocks, ETFs and options plus futures and crypto.

   Best forActive mobile and desktop traders who want charts, paper trading and options without commissions.

   Adoption data

   5.13 millionWebull reports 5.13 million funded accounts in the second quarter of 2026, up 8% from a year earlier, with $28.5 billion in customer assets.

   Webull Corporation, Webull Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results (Form 6-K exhibit 99.1) (2026): “Funded accounts increased to 5.13 million, representing 8% year-over-year growth.”

   Webull is built for investors who trade often and want tools in a mobile or desktop app. Its pricing page says it does not charge commissions on stocks, ETFs and options listed on US exchanges, and it charges a $0.50 per contract fee on certain index option trades. The platform covers futures, crypto, index options, prediction markets, IRAs and recurring investing, with paper trading, charts and screeners for practice and research. Webull's second quarter 2026 report shows 5.13 million funded accounts, 28.2 million registered users and $28.5 billion in customer assets, up 79% in a year, and says it is licensed in 35 markets. Adoption is real but smaller than the largest brokers: customer assets are a small fraction of Robinhood's platform assets. Investors who want banking and branch support under one roof will find more at Schwab or Merrill Edge.

   Strengths

   • +$0 options commissions
   • +Built-in paper trading
   • +Wide product set for active traders

   Limitations

   • −Smallest customer assets on this list
   • −Index options carry a $0.50 per contract fee
   • −Registered users far outnumber funded accounts, 28.2 million to 5.13 million

   SummaryWebull is a good low-cost app for active traders who want $0 options commissions and paper trading. Its asset base is the smallest here, which lowers its adoption score.

8. 8

   Merrill Edge

   Bank of America's self-directed brokerage with $0 online stock, ETF and option trades linked to BofA banking.

   8.3overall

   Bank of America's self-directed brokerage with $0 online stock, ETF and option trades linked to BofA banking.

   Best forBank of America customers who want investing and banking in one login and Preferred Rewards benefits.

   Adoption data

   $664 billionBank of America reports $664 billion in consumer investment assets in the third quarter of 2026, up 14%, a figure that includes client brokerage assets in its Consumer Banking segment where Merrill Edge sits.

   Bank of America Corporation, Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results (Form 8-K exhibit 99.1) (2026): “$664 billion in consumer investment assets, up 14%”

   Merrill Edge is the obvious choice for people who already bank with Bank of America. Merrill Edge Self-Directed charges $0 for online stock, ETF and option trades with no minimum, though options contract and other fees may apply. Accounts link to Bank of America checking and savings and count toward BofA Preferred Rewards, and investors who want help can move to Merrill Guided Investing or an advisor at the same firm. Bank of America reports $664 billion in consumer investment assets for the third quarter of 2026, up 14% with $18 billion of net client flows, but that figure covers several Consumer Banking products and does not isolate Merrill Edge accounts. Fees are where it falls behind: a full account transfer costs $49.95 and wires cost $24.95, while partial transfers are $0. For investors with no Bank of America relationship, Fidelity or Schwab offer similar trading prices with more scale.

   Strengths

   • +One login for banking and investing
   • +No minimum to start
   • +Managed and advisor options inside the same firm

   Limitations

   • −$49.95 full account transfer fee
   • −$24.95 wire transfer fee
   • −Bank of America does not report Merrill Edge accounts separately

   SummaryMerrill Edge is the best stock trading app for Bank of America customers who want banking and investing in one place. Others will get more from Fidelity or Schwab.

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