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Best Online Brokers and Trading Platforms for September 2026

Review Updated
Ryan Wilcox
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.

On the hunt for a new brokerage account? You've come to the right place -- and whether you're a first-time investor or a full-on day trader, there's a great platform out there for you.

Our favorite brokerages combine minimal fees with a wide range of investment options, plus user-friendly platforms that are easy to learn and master. If you're never invested a dime, no worries -- there are lots of brokerages designed to help.

Here are our favorite brokerages available now.

Short on time? Two picks that are great for everyone:

  1. SoFi Active Investing -- zero-commission trading, fractional shares, and a full suite of financial tools in one app. Click here to open an account.
  2. Fidelity -- the rare platform that works equally well for brand-new investors and experienced traders. Click here to open an account.
  • 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

The best online brokers and trading platforms

Broker Best For Fees Special Offer Learn More
Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
SoFi Active Investing 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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= Excellent
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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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= Excellent
= Good
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Best For:

All-in-one financial planning tool

Fees:

$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.

Circle with letter I in it. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. 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.

Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Fidelity 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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= Excellent
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Best For:

Full-service investing at every experience level

Fees:

$0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****.

N/A

Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
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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= Excellent
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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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= Excellent
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Best For:

Deep data analysis

Fees:

Commission-free; other fees apply

Open and fund a brokerage account and get up to $1,500. Terms apply.

Circle with letter I in it. Open a new eligible E*TRADE brokerage account, fund your account within 60 days of opening, and earn a cash credit of up to $1,500, depending on the size of your deposit. Offer good for one use per customer, on a single account. Please read full terms and conditions on our website.

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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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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= Excellent
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Best For:

Low-cost investing with a full-featured 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
Robinhood Offer Image
4.80/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.80/5 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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= Excellent
= Good
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Best For:

Active traders and mobile-first users

Fees:

$0 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply.

N/A

Learn More for Robinhood

On Robinhood'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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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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= Excellent
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Best For:

Low and transparent fees

Fees:

$0 commissions, 1%-2% crypto markups

N/A

Learn More for Public

On Public's Secure Website.

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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= Excellent
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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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= Excellent
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Best For:

$0 commission mutual funds

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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= Excellent
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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 investing

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.

Webull Offer Image
4.80/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.80/5 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:

Advanced trading and analysis on mobile

Fees:

$0 per trade

N/A

Interactive Brokers 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:

Active trading on a feature-rich platform

Fees:

As low as $0 stock trades

N/A

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.

Best for all-in-one financial management: SoFi Active Investing

SoFi Active Investing
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing'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

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

Fees:

$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts

Account Minimum:

$0

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.

Circle with letter I in it. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. 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.
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

SoFi® is the pick if you want to manage your entire financial life in one app. With SoFi® you can trade stocks, invest for retirement, bank, and borrow -- all commission-free.

Fractional shares start at $5, and the platform also gives members access to IPOs, mutual funds, and other extras most beginner-friendly brokerages skip. SoFi Active Investing won our Best Stock Broker for Beginners award for 2026, largely on the strength of that combination.

Who it's best for: Someone who wants banking, investing, and borrowing under one roof, without paying commissions or juggling apps.

Best for investors at any stage: Fidelity

Fidelity
Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

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 makes investing easy with $0 commission trades, powerful tools, and 24/7 support. Trade stocks, ETFs, options, and even crypto -- all in one place. Get expert insights, automate your investing, and potentially earn more on uninvested cash.

Fees:

$0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****.

Account Minimum:

$0****

Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Fidelity earned a perfect 5 out of 5 from our reviews team, and also won Motley Fool Money's Best Stock Broker Overall award for 2026. It somehow works for a brand-new investor and someone managing a seven-figure retirement account without feeling like the wrong tool for either one.

Who it's best for: Anyone -- but especially long-term investors who want one platform they'll never outgrow.

Best for deep data analysis: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

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

E*TRADE offers low fees and tons of account types. If you need it, chances are, E*TRADE has it. You can access advanced features through its popular Power E*TRADE platform. Open an E*TRADE account to trade fee-free mutual funds and do all your investing in one place.

Fees:

Commission-free; other fees apply

Account Minimum:

$0

Open and fund a brokerage account and get up to $1,500. Terms apply.

Circle with letter I in it. Open a new eligible E*TRADE brokerage account, fund your account within 60 days of opening, and earn a cash credit of up to $1,500, depending on the size of your deposit. Offer good for one use per customer, on a single account. Please read full terms and conditions on our website.

E*TRADE is built for people who want to dig into the numbers. You can customize charts with up to 16 columns and 65 metrics, and the mobile app doesn't cut any of that power when you're away from a desktop.

Who it's best for: Research-driven investors who want a platform that keeps up with them.

Best for low-cost investing: Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab
Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

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.

Schwab pioneered the low-cost brokerage model decades ago, and Motley Fool Money named it our Best Stock Broker for IRA Investors for 2026. As a top IRA broker, it offers every major IRA type, a deep library of educational resources, and a full suite of banking products that pair well with an IRA in the drawdown phase.

Who it's best for: Cost-conscious investors who want low fees and the option to eventually manage their whole financial life in one place.

Best for simple, fee-free trading: Robinhood

Robinhood
Learn More for Robinhood

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner

Our Rating:

4.80/5 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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= Excellent
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Bottom Line

A top pick for beginners, Robinhood combines $0 commission trades, an easy-to-use app, and a rare retirement deposit match.

Fees:

$0 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply.

Account Minimum:

$0

Learn More for Robinhood

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

Robinhood changed the investing world when it launched zero-commission trading. And it still stands strong today, taking home the Best Online Trading Platform award for 2026 in the most recent Motley Fool Money Awards. The feature that surprises people most is the IRA match. You can get a 1% contribution match added to your traditional or Roth IRA automatically (3% if you're a Robinhood Gold member), which is basically free money. The app is clean, fast, and genuinely one of the easiest platforms to use.

Who it's best for: Beginner investors and mobile-first traders who want a no-frills, low-cost platform that makes it easy to start with whatever you have.

Best for low and transparent fees: 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.

Most brokers profit quietly from transactions. Public charges upfront fees instead, so you always know what you're paying and why -- on top of a wide range of assets including fractional shares.

Who it's best for: Fee-conscious investors who want full transparency on how trades are handled.

Best for mutual funds: 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.

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 won our Best Stock Broker for Mutual Funds award for 2026 for offering $0 commissions on all mutual funds -- most brokers only waive fees on a limited list. It's an easy add-on if you're already a Chase customer, too.

Who it's best for: Mutual fund investors, especially those who want everything under one banking roof.

Best for passive investing: 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's founder is known as the father of index funds, and his impact still resonates. If you want low-cost index funds and ETFs held for decades, Vanguard remains the standard.

Who it's best for: Long-term, buy-and-hold investors who care more about low costs than active-trading features.

Best for advanced mobile trading: Webull

Our Rating:

4.80/5 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

Webull is a standout mobile investing app. You can access advanced trading tools on desktop and mobile. Basic trades are commission-free, so it's competitive with similar apps. The mobile app offers Lite mode, a simpler interface for beginner investors. Consider opening a Webull account for its advanced toolset, more powerful than its closest competitors'.

Fees:

$0 per trade

Account Minimum:

$0

Webull won our Best Stock Broker for Options Trading award for 2026. As a top broker for options trading, it offers advanced charts, a fully customizable interface, and no per-contract options fees, which most platforms still charge for.

Who it's best for: Active traders and options investors who want desktop-level power in a mobile app.

Best for active trading: Interactive Brokers

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

A great low-cost option for small trade volume. While the interface isn't as clean or modern as that of other brokers, it gets the job done. Interactive Brokers is also a great choice for options investors, traders, and those trading on margin.

Fees:

As low as $0 stock trades

Account Minimum:

$0

Interactive Brokers won our Best Stock Broker for International Trading award for 2026 -- stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, crypto, and mutual funds across 150+ global markets, with some of the lowest margin rates we've reviewed.

Who it's best for: Experienced, active traders who want maximum market access and don't need hand-holding.

What to consider when choosing a brokerage

Think about how you actually plan to invest before you compare features.

  • Starting small? Look for no minimum deposit and fractional shares.
  • Just want to buy and hold? A basic discount broker covers everything you need.
  • Investing in mutual funds, bonds, or options? Not every platform supports these, and fees vary -- compare before you commit.
  • Need human help? Some brokers offer phone support and branches; many don't.

Step-by-step: How to open a brokerage account

Opening a brokerage account works a lot like opening a bank account.

  1. Compare brokers based on your goals.
  2. Choose your account type -- individual, joint, IRA, or custodial.
  3. Apply online with your Social Security number and basic personal info.
  4. Fund your account by linking a bank account for transfers.
  5. Start investing once your funds land.

Most brokers let you open an account free, with no minimum deposit required.

TIP

Buying your first stocks: Do it the smart way

Once you’ve chosen one of our top-rated brokers, you need to make sure you’re buying the right stocks. We think there’s no better place to start than with Stock Advisor, the flagship stock-picking service of our company, The Motley Fool. You’ll get two new stock picks every month, plus 10 starter stocks and best buys now. The average stock pick inside Stock Advisor is up 930% — more than 4x that of the S&P 500! (as of 7/17/2026). Learn more and get started today with a special new member discount.

  • 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.

FAQs

  • A brokerage account lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFs, bonds, and other investments. Unlike a bank account, it holds investments rather than cash, and any gains are generally taxable unless the account is a retirement account like an IRA.

  • Most brokers on this list have no minimum deposit. Fractional shares let you start investing with as little as $1 to $5, so you don't need a large sum to open an account or buy your first stock.

  • Yes. Major online brokers use bank-level encryption and identity verification, and accounts typically carry SIPC protection up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash claims, if the brokerage fails.

  • Brokers earn revenue from interest on uninvested cash, margin loan interest, payment for order flow, and fees on premium tools or advisory services -- not from per-trade commissions.