Buy Stocks, ETFs, and Options From Your Phone: The Best Trading Apps of September 2026

Here's something that probably won't surprise you: You don't need a desktop computer to buy and sell stock these days. All you need is a phone and the right brokerage app -- but which should you pick?

The short answer: Depends what you're looking for. Whether you want simple, streamlined trading options or pro-level tools and analysis, there's a brokerage -- and brokerage app -- out there for you.

Here are three of my favorites available this month, and who they're best for.

1. Fidelity: Great for all-around trading

Fidelity won our award for Best Broker Overall of 2026. That's because it offers $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, no account minimums, and fractional shares starting at $1 across more than 7,000 stocks and ETFs. Then there's the mobile app, which handles everything from quick trades to full portfolio tracking.

What sets Fidelity apart is what happens after you buy. You get research tools, analyst ratings, and access to Fidelity's own zero-expense-ratio index funds, which is rare among major brokers.

Our Motley Fool Money experts also highlight its easy-to-use platform and wide selection of investment options. If you want a do-it-all platform from a trusted broker, it's hard to do better than Fidelity.

2. SoFi Invest®: If you want banking and investing in one app

SoFi Invest® is ideal for anyone who wants to manage all their money in one place. Along with investment options, SoFi® offers checking accounts, saving accounts, loans, mortgages, and more.

With SoFi Invest®, stock, ETF, and options trades are commission-free, and fractional shares start at $5. Terms apply. And because your SoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) account lives in the same app, moving cash into a trade can take literal seconds.

SoFi Active Investing won our awards for Best Stock Broker for Beginners and Best Stock Broker for Fractional Shares in 2026, largely because it keeps the whole experience simple and avoids hidden fees. Just know the platform is built for long-term investing, not day trading -- advanced charting and options analytics aren't the focus here.

3. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley: For active traders who want pro-level tools

E*TRADE earns its spot if you want to trade like a pro without leaving your phone. It charges $0 commissions for stock and ETF trades, and recently added fractional shares with a $5 minimum. The standout platform is Power E*TRADE, which brings advanced charting, options strategy tools, and real-time analytics to mobile.

Morgan Stanley manages $10.0 trillion in total client assets across 20+ million relationships, making it one of the largest brokerage firms in the country, according to Motley Fool Money research. And E*TRADE's Power platform is built to compete with that kind of scale on tools, not just size.

Which investing app should you actually use?

Pick Fidelity if you want the most well-rounded app with no real weaknesses. Choose SoFi Invest® if you want banking and investing under one roof. And pick E*TRADE if you're ready for advanced tools without a steeper learning curve.

Not sure any of these are the right fit? Our best stock trading apps roundup covers more options across every kind of investor.