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Best IRA Accounts: Our 8 Top Picks of 2026

Review Updated
Joel O'Leary
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

The best IRA is the one that's easy to use, has low fees, and offers the investments you actually want. For most people starting out, that's Charles Schwab or SoFi® -- but the right fit depends on how hands-on you want to be.

An individual retirement account (IRA) is one of the simplest ways to build wealth for retirement. The tax breaks alone can save you thousands over the years. Anyone with earned income can open one, and 44% of U.S. households already have -- holding a combined $19.2 trillion as of late 2025, according to the Investment Company Institute.

Below are our favorite IRAs right now, plus how to pick and open the one that fits you.

  • Our team of experts assessed 45+ trading platforms
  • We evaluate all brokerage accounts across the same 4 key criteria: user experience, cost efficiency, product variety, and support and security
  • Our brokerage ratings are never influenced by our advertising partners
  • We strictly feature products that offer federal insurance and high customer satisfaction, keeping our recommendations unbiased

Choosing an IRA can feel overwhelming, but these two options make it easy to get started:

Charles Schwab: Best for many features on one platform

  • Charles Schwab makes opening and managing an IRA simple, even if you’re new to investing. The app guides you through setting up your retirement account, offers clear educational resources, and charges $0 commissions. As your confidence grows, you can explore tools like research features and fractional shares, all from your phone.

SoFi Invest®: Best for managing all your money in one place

  • SoFi® keeps your checking, savings, investing, and even student loan refinancing under one roof. It's also one of the few brokers that matches your IRA contributions -- currently 1% on eligible contributions and rollovers, up to the annual limit. Terms apply.

Our 8 top IRA accounts

Broker Best For Fees Special Offer Learn More
Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Charles Schwab Offer Image
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

All-in-one investing platform

Fees:

$0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares.

N/A

Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
SoFi Invest® Offer Image
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

IRA matching and user-friendly app

Fees:

$0 commission, $0 per trade, other fees may apply

SPECIAL OFFER

Get a 1% IRA Match on contributions & rollovers. Terms apply.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Fidelity IRA Offer Image
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Beginner-Friendly Tools and Research

Fees:

No account fees to open a Fidelity IRA

N/A

Learn More for Fidelity IRA

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Robinhood Retirement Offer Image
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Gentle learning curve

Fees:

$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold

N/A

Learn More for Robinhood Retirement

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Offer Image
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Active traders and advanced tools

Fees:

Commission-free; other fees apply

N/A

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Offer Image
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Chase customers

Fees:

$0 per trade

N/A

Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website.

Vanguard Offer Image
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Passive investors using mutual funds and ETFs

Fees:

$0 online; $25 broker-assisted fee for some phone trades of stocks and ETFs from other companies (Less than $1 million)

N/A

Learn More for Vanguard

On Vanguard's Secure Website.

Public Offer Image
4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Options trading and crypto in a retirement account

Fees:

$0 commissions, 1%-2% crypto markups

N/A

Learn More for Public

On Public's Secure Website.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

    • Account fees: Every dollar you don't pay in fees is a dollar that stays in your pocket and keeps compounding.
    • Range of investment options: Look for lots of index funds, ETFs, and low-cost mutual funds so you can build a diversified portfolio easily.
    • Minimum balance requirements: Lower minimums make it easier for beginners to start right away.
    • An easy-to-use platform: An intuitive app or website makes it simple to monitor your holdings and make changes.
    • Strong customer support: When something goes wrong or you have a question, fast, helpful support is worth a lot.

    Carefully weigh these factors and the best IRA brokers start to separate themselves -- and the right pick gets a lot clearer. Next, let's break down what each of our top picks does best.

Detailed IRA broker reviews

Best for an all-in-one investing platform: Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab
Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Charles Schwab pioneered the low-cost brokerage model decades ago, and that legacy continues with its lineup of no-commission-fee offerings. The robust lineup of account types, investment vehicles, and high quality app round out the stacked feature set.

Fees:

$0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares.

Account Minimum:

$0

Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Charles Schwab lets you manage your IRA right alongside your brokerage, checking, and banking -- all under one roof. Its low-cost index funds, deep research suite, and $0 stock and ETF commissions pack a lot of value into one account.

Schwab is a strong fit if you want everything in one reliable, well-supported ecosystem. It earned our 2026 award for Best Stock Broker for IRA Investors for good reason.

Best for IRA matching and user-friendly app: SoFi Invest®

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

This brokerage is a clear standout for its well-rated mobile app and has unique investment offerings like IPOs, options, and fractional shares.

Fees:

$0 commission, $0 per trade, other fees may apply

Account Minimum:

$0

SPECIAL OFFER

Get a 1% IRA Match on contributions & rollovers. Terms apply.

SoFi® is one of the few brokers that matches your IRA contributions -- currently 1% on eligible contributions and rollovers, which is free money toward your retirement. Terms apply. The platform also folds checking, savings, budgeting tools, and coaching into one true all-in-one money hub.

SoFi® suits newer investors who want streamlined automation and perks, and it took our 2026 award for Best Stock Broker for Beginners.

Best for beginner-friendly tools and research: Fidelity IRA

Fidelity IRA
Learn More for Fidelity IRA

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Our Rating:

5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Fidelity IRAs are a smart choice for anyone looking to invest for retirement. You get tax advantages, free online tools to help you build a retirement plan and access to financial professionals if you have retirement planning questions, and access to support when you need it. Plus, there are no account fees or minimums to open—making it easy to start investing today.

Fees:

No account fees to open a Fidelity IRA

Account Minimum:

$0

Learn More for Fidelity IRA

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Fidelity has a beginner-friendly interface, but there are still plenty of features for investors who want to dig deeper. Its research, planning tools, stock screeners, and customer support are all top-tier, and it offers a huge range of account types.

Fidelity is a regular on our list of the best stock brokers (and one I use personally). It earned our 2026 award for Best Stock Broker Overall.

Best for a gentle learning curve: Robinhood Retirement

Robinhood Retirement
Learn More for Robinhood Retirement

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Our Rating:

4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Robinhood is a simple, low-cost brokerage with a few rare perks. It matches retirement deposits like an employer, the interface is gorgeous, and it's extremely affordable. No matter what or how you trade, Robinhood fees tend to match or beat the competition. It's worth a look.

Fees:

$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold

Account Minimum:

$0

SPECIAL OFFER

Earn up to 3% extra on annual IRA contributions with Robinhood Gold. Subscription and terms apply.

Circle with letter I in it. The 3% matching on contribution requires a subscription with Robinhood Gold (fees apply), must be subscribed to Gold for 1 year after your contribution to keep the full 3% match. You must have compensation (wage income) in order to contribute to an IRA. The funds that earned the match must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid a potential Early IRA Match Removal Fee. For more information refer to the IRA Match FAQ.
Learn More for Robinhood Retirement

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

Robinhood is a crowd favorite for younger investors, with an intuitive app that's easy to learn as you go. Robinhood also matches your IRA contributions -- 1% for everyone, or 3% with Robinhood Gold -- on top of helpful in-app education.

Newer investors get a smooth, mobile-first experience, and Robinhood won our 2026 award for Best Online Trading Platform.

Best for active traders and advanced tools: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

E*TRADE is a strong option for IRAs with hundreds of commission-free ETFs and over 5,000 mutual funds. Additionally, there are no account minimums for Roth IRA accounts.

Fees:

Commission-free; other fees apply

Account Minimum:

$0

SPECIAL OFFER

Get up to $10,000 when you open and fund a new eligible E*TRADE retirement account. Terms apply.

Circle with letter I in it. Open a new eligible E*TRADE retirement account, fund your account within 60 calendar days of opening, and earn a cash credit of up to $10,000, depending on the size of your deposit. Offer good for one use per customer, on a single new eligible E*TRADE retirement account. Please read full terms and conditions on our website.

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley is built for confident, hands-on investors, with deep charting, screeners, and advanced order types. The platform also brings a broad fund lineup and $0 commissions on online stock and ETF trades.

E*TRADE is great for people who enjoy digging into data and fine-tuning their strategy.

Best for Chase customers: J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Our Rating:

4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

A no-frills platform with $0 mutual fund fees, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offers easy trading, an optional robo-advisor, and seamless Chase integration.

Fees:

$0 per trade

Account Minimum:

$0

Get a cash bonus up to $1,000 when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account.

Circle with letter I in it. $1,000 when you fund with $250,000 or more; $325 when you fund with $100,000-$249,999; $150 when you fund with $25,000-$99,999; $50 when you fund with $5,000-$24,999. Cash promotion is limited to one per customer and can only be applied to one new J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account (General Investment, Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA). To enroll in the up to $1,000 offer, you must open an account through this page.
Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website.

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing keeps everything connected if you already bank with Chase. The interface is clean, the fees are minimal, and it plugs straight into the Chase mobile app.

It's a natural fit for loyal Chase customers who value convenience. And it earned our 2026 award for Best Stock Broker for Mutual Funds, thanks to $0 commissions on every mutual fund.

Best for passive investors using mutual funds and ETFs: Vanguard

Vanguard
Learn More for Vanguard

On Vanguard's Secure Website.

Our Rating:

4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Vanguard is one of the best brokerages for passive investors who want to buy low-cost index fund ETFs. It also offers thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds, and excellent zero-commission options for buying stocks online, with no account minimums for brokerage accounts. Vanguard tries to keep its costs and expense ratios low so investors (like you) can keep more of your returns.

Fees:

$0 online; $25 broker-assisted fee for some phone trades of stocks and ETFs from other companies (Less than $1 million)

Account Minimum:

$0

Learn More for Vanguard

On Vanguard's Secure Website.

Vanguard is home to some of the lowest-cost index funds and ETFs on the planet, which makes it a favorite for long-term, buy-and-hold investors. Its focus on simplicity keeps fees down and helps your money compound more efficiently.

Vanguard is a perfect fit for "set it and forget it" retirement savers.

Best for options trading and crypto in a retirement account: Public

Public
Learn More for Public

On Public's Secure Website.

Our Rating:

4.70/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Public is an investing platform that simplifies trading stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, and crypto. With zero fees on many trades, Public stands out as a low-cost brokerage, while also providing yield-focused products to help you earn returns on your cash.

Fees:

$0 commissions, 1%-2% crypto markups

Account Minimum:

$1

Learn More for Public

On Public's Secure Website.

Public stands out for letting you trade options and crypto right inside your IRA. These are features not all brokers offer in a retirement account. Public rounds that out with stocks, ETFs, bonds, and U.S. Treasuries, all in an easy-to-navigate app with transparent pricing.

Public is a strong fit if you want more flexibility than a standard stock-and-fund lineup, and it matches 1% of your eligible IRA contributions on top.

What an IRA is and why it's important

An individual retirement account is a tax-advantaged account built to help you save for retirement. With the best IRAs, you can invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and more -- all while saving on capital gains taxes and other costs along the way.

With steady contributions, even small ones, an IRA can grow into one of your biggest assets over the long haul.

Types of IRAs

Traditional IRA: A traditional IRA works a lot like a traditional 401(k). Contributions may be tax-deductible, and your money grows tax-deferred. You pay income taxes when you withdraw funds in retirement, which can help if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket later.

Roth IRA: A Roth IRA flips the timing of when you pay taxes. You contribute after-tax dollars, and then qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Roth accounts are a great fit for younger earners or anyone expecting higher taxes down the road. See our picks for the best Roth IRA accounts.

Other IRAs: SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs are built for self-employed people and small businesses, with higher contribution limits than standard IRAs. Rollover IRAs let you move money from a 401(k) or another employer plan into an IRA while keeping your savings tax-advantaged.

IRA contributions and withdrawals

IRA rules are pretty simple once you get the hang of them. For 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500 across your traditional and Roth IRAs. If you're 50 or older, you get an extra $1,100 catch-up, bringing your total to $8,600.

Withdrawals depend on the type of IRA. Traditional IRAs tax your withdrawals in retirement, while Roth IRAs let you take qualified withdrawals tax-free. Both come with rules and penalties for tapping the money before age 59 1/2, which is why IRAs work best when you treat them as long-term, hands-off savings.

Setting up your IRA, step by step

Opening an IRA is a lot easier than most people think. The whole process usually takes five to 10 minutes. Here's the quick version:

  1. Choose a broker. Pick a platform with low fees, strong investment options, and tools that match your comfort level. You can't go wrong with any of our top IRA brokers above.
  2. Open the account. You'll enter basic info (name, address, Social Security number) just like opening a bank account. Then you'll pick your IRA type: traditional, Roth, or another option if you're self-employed.
  3. Fund your IRA. Here's where you link your bank account and make your first contribution. You can send a lump sum, set up recurring deposits, or do both. There's no harm in starting small and increasing later.
  4. Choose your investments. Beginners do well starting with broad, low-cost index funds or ETFs, like an S&P 500 index fund. They're simple, diversified, and built for long-term growth.
  5. Automate your plan. Every year brings a fresh chance to contribute and grab those tax perks. Successful investors set up automatic contributions and invest a little at a time. It removes the guesswork, keeps you consistent, and turns investing into a habit instead of a year-end scramble.

Open your IRA and start today

The biggest investing regret most people have is not starting sooner. Opening your IRA and making that first contribution is the hardest part.

Once you're in motion, compounding takes over and does the heavy lifting for you.

So get started today, even if you begin small. When you're ready to take that step, the IRAs above are some of the strongest places to begin.

TIP

Buying your first stocks: Do it the smart way

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FAQs

  • Yes. You can open multiple IRAs at different brokers. Your total annual contributions across all of them can't exceed the IRS limit.

  • A traditional IRA may give you a tax deduction now, and you pay taxes when you withdraw later. A Roth IRA offers no upfront deduction, but your qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free.

  • A backdoor Roth IRA is a legal way for high earners to fund a Roth even if they earn too much to contribute directly. You put money in a traditional IRA, then convert it to a Roth. Taxes may apply to any gains, so check with a tax pro first.

  • No. Many brokers have no minimums, so you can open an IRA with a small deposit and build from there. Even $25 or $50 a month can create real momentum.

  • Yes. You can move your IRA from one broker to another without triggering taxes, as long as it's done as a trustee-to-trustee transfer.

Brokerages we evaluated for consideration on this page: Acorns, Ally Invest, Axos Self-Directed Trading, Betterment, Cash App Investing, Charles Schwab, Delphia, Domain Money, Ellevest, Empower, eToro Brokerage, E*TRADE Core Portfolios from Morgan Stanley, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, Fidelity, Fidelity Cash Management, Fidelity Go®, Firstrade, FOREX.com, Interactive Brokers, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, M1 Finance, Magnifi, Marcus Invest, Merrill Edge® Self-Directed, Moomoo, NinjaTrader, Personal Capital, Plynk, Prosperi Academy, Public, Robinhood, Rocket Dollar, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, SoFi Active Investing, SoFi Robo Investing, Stash, Stockpile, tastytrade, Titan, Tornado App, TradeStation, Tradier, Vanguard, Vanguard Digital Advisor®, Wealthfront, Webull, Zacks Trade.