--- title: 8 Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026 description: We review the best online trading platforms of 2026, including Fidelity, E*TRADE, Betterment, Charles Schwab and Vanguard. authors: - name: Gabriel O. Rodriguez Cruz role: Associate Editor url: https://money.com/author/gabriel-rodriguez/ bio: Gabriel Rodríguez is an editor at Money who has been writing and editing crypto content for over five years. His goal is to make crypto less cryptic, helping newcomers avoid common pitfalls and scams present in the industry. education: University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras at_money_since: 2018 articles: 101 covers: - Investing - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Lifestyle - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-rodriguez-cruz/ editors: - name: Jordan Chussler role: Editor, Investing and Banking url: https://money.com/author/jordan-chussler/ bio: Jordan is an investment editor and CPFC who specializes in traditional equities, gold and other precious metals, retirement savings and income investing. He combines his personal and professional interests in finance and education to help readers increase their financial literacy and make better investment choices. education: Lynn University certifications: Certified Personal Finance Counselor at_money_since: 2023 articles: 132 covers: - Investing - Banking - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement also_seen_in: - Weiss Ratings - 24/7 Wall Street - Better Investing - Yahoo Finance - Nasdaq - Investing.com - Marketbeat - MSN Money social: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-chussler-b3597811/ published: '2026-09-11T13:30:32.000Z' modified: '2026-09-11T15:52:40.000Z' section: Investing tags: - Best word_count: 2503 canonical: https://money.com/best-online-stock-trading-platforms/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![8 Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026](https://img.money.com/2025/01/Best-Online-Trading-Platforms-mbci_2aiy3__9i2x8x.png?w=1012&h=569&crop=1) ## Our Partners ### TOP PARTNER ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/20107/medium_fab74697-be3e-49a4-8040-ea434cb0e5c3.png) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/021a5263f253?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759143&ptid=669907314&ptoken=3cc6002ebae1150419aa047b32b6c1b3&zip=20149) **💸 Get Up to $1,000 in Stock when you Open & Fund a New Active Invest Account\*7** - Limited time offer - 1% Match on ACAT.8 - Get a 1% IRA Match on contributions & rollovers. Terms apply.9 - Unlimited 1% match on eligible deposits into non-retirement SoFi Invest® accounts with a SoFi Plus membership10 - Ranks #1 in JD Power 2026 U.S. Investor Satisfaction Study for DIY Investors - Buy & sell stocks with no commissions2 **INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BACK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE**   * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/37704/medium_bb9499f2-9b69-44d9-930a-d80a69dc114d.webp) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/e21a9d835829?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759146&ptid=669907314&ptoken=242711f2aad3c0fe76eb6222bf25c95b&zip=20149) **💸 Earn 3.3%\* APY on your cash** - Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto and more - Earn rebates on your options trades, including with our free active trading API - Turn any idea into an investable index. Just enter a prompt, and put our AI to work - Invest for retirement with a matching 1% bonus on your annual IRA contributions * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/20399/medium_4774dcec-4aba-4810-85b3-843773401646.png) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/4e42a8263986?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759144&ptid=669907314&ptoken=162e4bd8444b201abe654ebe2cbab76b&zip=20149) **Easy and automated investing, starting at $3 a month** - Online banking that automatically saves and invests with no hidden fees - Earn bonus investments from thousands of top brands - Expert-led, bite-sized courses to increase your financial knowledge * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/38704/medium_33d1fef9-951f-43b5-a923-54259b40e275.webp) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/160854d94c19?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759147&ptid=669907314&ptoken=3e27553f26ec92339905cbd34041cfea&zip=20149) **The Plynk® app helps you confidently grow into the investor you want to be** - Trade over 5,000 stocks and nearly 3,400 ETFs with no fees or commissions.\* - Earn 3.33% APY on your uninvested cash. - A simulated trading environment where you can learn the basics without risking real money.\*\* - Customer support provided by knowledgeable professionals and resources. * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/13250/medium_c9611f01-bcbd-403c-812a-763b82dd927f.png) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/59dd0f705448?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759145&ptid=669907314&ptoken=0380eda78f7ce769b8db63f3cdd0c295&zip=20149) **Banking, Investing & Advice All In One App** - Get a $25 bonus when you invest your first $5 - Invest in stocks and ETFs with no add-on commission fees\* - Retirement Account options (Roth + Traditional IRA) - Set up automatic investing with any amount you choose - Invest as you spend with the Stock-Back® Visa Card *\*Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee.* * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/34131/medium_19211f94-329b-4bc0-8b52-89938d11aa22.webp) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/b4fdeddb1247?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759142&ptid=669907314&ptoken=73e5daffde5e88f172fc107c11464794&zip=20149) **Invest your way with a Vanguard brokerage account** - Choose from a wide range of options like stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds to help grow your savings. - Options to meet your strategy with access to thousands of non‑Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs. - Withdraw your money anytime with no penalties. - No account minimums and $0 commissions on most online trades. * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/39877/medium_671417c5-ba41-42d3-b750-79e2ebec5efd.webp) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/b2c4fbd1ed97?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759149&ptid=669907314&ptoken=0a4912984b0049995a4e9f203463077c&zip=20149) **Invest Beyond Today** - Invest for your kids, not just yourself — build wealth for education, a first home, retirement, and more. - Unlock tax-advantaged investing with options like the exclusive Junior Roth IRA™. - Put investing on autopilot with personalized, diversified portfolios and automated contributions. - Build wealth together — invite family and loved ones to contribute toward shared financial goals. * * * ![Start Investing](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/37843/medium_3db167f2-006f-4fcd-95f1-8e6a6ab60d97.webp) Our Partner [Start Investing](https://money.com/go/3609dbcde003?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&bidid=4105759148&ptid=669907314&ptoken=07020abfca732656078f7a76c952269e&zip=20149) **Invest in over 11,000 stocks and ETFs – commission-free\* through Kraken Pro** - You can transfer stocks and ETF balances to Kraken. We won’t charge any fees\*. - With our Fully Paid Securities Lending (FPSL) program, you can put your portfolio to work and may be eligible to earn passive yield. - Trade beyond big-name US stocks and ETFs across NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX, and more. ## Key Takeaways - Fidelity is the best overall online trading platform due to its low fees, wide variety of tradable assets and advanced trading tools. If you’re new to trading, E*TRADE may provide a smoother onboarding experience, while seasoned traders will better appreciate Charles Schwab’s sophisticated tools. - Online trading platforms allow you to buy and sell securities like stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options. They usually offer access to real-time market data, interactive charts and news feeds. - Most major brokers now offer commission-free stock and ETF trades. However, there are often still charges associated with options contracts fees, margin interest, mutual fund transactions, transfer fees and advisory fees. - We evaluated online trading platforms based on 34 data points, including available assets, commissions and fees, charting and research tools, automation features and customer support. ## Our top picks for the best online trading platforms - **[Fidelity](#fidelity):** Best Overall Trading Platform - **[E\*TRADE](#etrade):** Best for Beginners - **[Charles Schwab](#schwab):** Best for Active Traders - **[Betterment](#betterment):** Best for Automated Investing - **[Interactive Brokers](#interactive):** Best for International Trading - **[tastytrade](#tastytrade):** Best for Options Trading - **[Vanguard](#vanguard):** Best for Long-Term Fund Investors - **[Public](#public):** Best for Social Investing ## SoFi® is for everyone, including new and seasoned investors ### With SoFi®, you can build a balanced portfolio and trade stocks, ETFs and options as frequently as you want, commission-free. Click your state to start investing today! [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/kaca5eee7c9d?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA / SIPC. ## Best Overall: Fidelity ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/8002/large_f8074594-6a17-47b0-afc5-dcac25949bec.png) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/v790aa355087?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Extensive investment selection - Fractional shares starting at $1 - Strong research and screening tools - International market access **Cons** - $49.95 transaction fee for non-Fidelity mutual funds - No futures trading | **Stock and ETF comissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fees** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for online U.S. trades; international commissions vary by market | $0 base; $0.65 per contract | $0 annual/inactivity fee for standard account; product-specific fees can apply | $0 | Stocks, fractional shares, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds/CDs, precious metals, IPOs, crypto, managed portfolios | **Why we chose it**: [Fidelity](https://money.com/pr/v3fdf8429a68?data-trk-company=fidelity-online-stock-brokerage-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=v3fdf8429a68&encoded_id=) features the best combination of low cost and advanced tools. The platform charges no commissions for U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, has no account minimum and offers fractional shares starting at $1. Plus, you can trade everything from mutual funds and options to bonds, crypto and international stocks directly on foreign exchanges — while also getting access to extensive research, screeners and planning tools. This makes Fidelity a strong option for traders of all experience levels regardless of investment strategy. ## Best Brokerage Account for Beginners: E\*TRADE ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/36342/large_7f627d72-410b-4b9a-ab4a-f2cd93decdea.webp) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/v093ddd98331?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&url=) **Pros** - Beginner-friendly educational resources - Two platforms for different experience levels - Fractional shares starting at $5 - Paper trading available **Cons** - International stocks only available via American Depository Receipts (ADRs) - $500 minimum for automated portfolios - Relatively high margin rates | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fees** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for online U.S.-listed trades | $0 base; $0.65 per contract, or $0.50 after 30+ eligible trades per quarter | $0 annual/inactivity fee for standard account; futures, broker-assisted and service fees can apply | $0 self-directed; $500 minimum for Core Portfolios | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, bonds/CDs, IPOs and managed portfolios | **Why we chose it:** [E\*TRADE](https://secure.money.com/branded/splash?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-online-stock-trading%2F&company_alias=e-trade-online-stock-brokerage-review&pcuid=xece06caa21b&redirect_to_top=1&skip_dynamic_offer=true&vertical_alias=online-stock-brokers) makes getting started with investing easy thanks to no minimums on standard brokerage accounts and commission-free stock and ETF trades, with fractional shares available from $5. Investors are given access to extensive educational resources, screeners and paper trading, which lets you test strategies and learn how the platform works without risking actual money. As your skills develop, you can move to Power E\*TRADE for more sophisticated charting and trading tools without having to open an account elsewhere. ## Best Trading App for Retirement Investing: Charles Schwab ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/7985/large_151f8bd3-2751-4955-8aca-65958ad51905.png) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/mcede4f53d40?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Advanced thinkorswim trading platform - Paper trading and customizable charting - Fractional shares starting at $1 - Extended-hours trading **Cons** - Low yield on uninvested cash - No fractional shares for ETFs - Relatively high margin rates | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fee** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for online U.S.-listed stock and ETF trades; trades on foreign exchange may carry commissions | $0 base; $0.65 per contract | $0 annual/inactivity fee for standard account; transaction, service and product fees can apply | $0 standard account minimum; margin borrowing generally requires at least $2,000 equity | Stocks, fractional S&P 500 shares, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, bonds/CDs, forex, international and managed accounts | **Why we chose it:** [Charles Schwab](https://money.com/pr/nb48fc0bd567?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%252F)'s thinkorswim platform is popular among active traders and offers comprehensive charting, order and analysis tools that surpass those of its competitors. Schwab also supports extended-hours trading and a broad selection of investments including stocks, ETFs, options, futures and bonds. Despite its advanced capabilities, Schwab charges no commissions for online-listed stock and ETF trades and has no brokerage account minimum, making its trading technology accessible without the pricing structure of some professional platforms. ## Best for Hands-Off Investors: Betterment ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/19472/large_c7dbe039-19a6-48c7-b58c-847b015c3212.png) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/l0e9a83158f8?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Automatic portfolio management - Built-in tax optimization tools - Goal-based investing features - Access to financial advisors (Betterment Premium) **Cons** - Flat $5 monthly fee for investors with small balances - No individual stock, mutual fund or ETF trading - Limited tools for active traders | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fees** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for self-directed stock and ETF trades; managed portfolios charge an advisory fee | No self-directed options trading | $0 on self-directed accounts; $5 per month on managed accounts, or 0.25% AUM when eligible | $0 minimum for self-directed accounts; Premium advice requires higher balance | Managed ETF portfolios, self-directed stocks and ETFs, IRAs, Cash Reserve and checking | **Why we chose it**: [Betterment](https://money.com/pr/ja5b8b0f104e?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%252F) handles many of the tasks involved in maintaining a diversified portfolio with little ongoing effort required, which makes it ideal for passive investors. Its managed portfolios include automatic rebalancing, dividend reinvestment plans and tax-loss harvesting, with additional tax-coordination features available to eligible customers. Betterment also offers goal-based investing, retirement planning and access to financial advisors for investors who want additional guidance. ## Best for International Trading: Interactive Brokers ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/7993/large_4f394cf4-adac-48d0-a864-373b8c2b91fa.webp) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/c228b887199f?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Extensive global market access - Advanced order and trading tools - Fractional shares starting at $1 - Low margin rates **Cons** - Complex pricing and market-data presentation - Steep learning curve | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fees** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for U.S.-listed trades with IBKR Lite; IBKR Pro and international commissions vary | $0.15-$0.65 per contract on tiered schedule; fixed pricing ~$0.65 plus exchange fees | $0 account maintenance or minimum fee on Lite and Pro; market data and specialized services can cost extra | $0 standard account minimum; margin accounts require regulatory equity levels | Global stocks, fractional shares, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, mutual funds, metals, prediction/event products | **Why we chose it:** [Interactive Brokers](https://money.com/pr/icb66c1f4a98?data-trk-company=interactive-brokers-online-stock-brokerage-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=icb66c1f4a98&encoded_id=) combines a variety of investment options and advanced trading tools with unmatched access to global markets. Investors can trade stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and other securities across markets in dozens of countries from a single account. Interactive Brokers’ currency-trading capabilities make investing overseas easier than with most mainstream U.S. brokerages. The platform also offers competitive margin rates and highly sophisticated order, charting and research tools. ## Best for Options Trading: tastytrade ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/27236/large_a55877bb-5ace-4a86-b0e0-f5cfe84bb9b1.png) [Get App](https://money.com/pr/ma6a5ed819da?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Options-focused trading tools - Capped options commissions - Futures and futures-options trading - Fractional shares starting at $5 **Cons** - Smaller selection of traditional investment products - Research is geared heavily toward active traders - Limited appeal for passive investors | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fees** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for stock and ETF trades | $1 per contract to open stock and ETF options, $0 to close, capped at $10 per leg | $0 base self-directed annual fee; service and transaction fees apply by product | $0 self-directed; Personal Advisors generally around $25,000 recommended/minimum | Stocks, fractional eligible shares, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds/CDs, IRAs and managed/advisory portfolios | **Why we chose it:** [tastytrade’s](https://money.com/pr/pceccdf700da?data-trk-company=tastytrade-online-stockbrokers-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=pceccdf700da&encoded_id=) platform and pricing structure are built around active derivatives traders. Stock and ETF options cost $1 per contract to open, with commissions capped at $10 per leg, and there is no commission to close those positions. The platform also offers strategy-building tools, probability analysis, backtesting and other features designed to specifically evaluate multi-leg options trades. ## Best for Low-Cost Funds: Vanguard ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/7995/large_9a5c0e8c-02b5-49bf-819e-dae0c5a9c4c8.png) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/e3f7ac1600e0?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Extensive selection of low-cost funds - Fractional Vanguard ETF investing - Automated and human advisory services - Strong selection of retirement accounts **Cons** - No fractional shares for stocks or non-Vanguard ETFs - Annual account service fee may apply - Limited selection of factional shares - Basic trading and charting tools | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fees** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for online stock and ETF trades | $1 per contract for standard clients; qualifying high-asset tiers may receive reduced or free contracts | $25 annual account service fee with common waivers like e-delivery | $0 brokerage minimum; many Vanguard mutual funds have their own investment minimums | Stocks, Vanguard and third-party ETFs and mutual funds, options, bonds/CDs, money markets, 529 and managed/advisory portfolios | **Why we chose it:** [Vanguard](https://money.com/pr/u2d3b15bcef0?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-online-stock-trading%2F) is the largest U.S. issuer of ETFs. The brokerage features an extensive lineup of low-cost index funds, ETFs and actively managed funds, as well as a strong selection of retirement accounts and advisory services. Online stock and ETF trades are also commission-free, but you can only purchase fractional shares of proprietary Vanguard ETFs. With more ETF assets under management than any other brokerage, Vanguard is particularly well suited for buy-and-hold investors with long-term investment horizons. ## Best for Social Investing: Public ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/14533/large_8dcb3924-6392-4f32-bb3a-5e046db0c1b2.png) [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/i7981098fa0c?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) **Pros** - Follow other investors and their trading activity - Built-in investing community - Fractional shares starting at $5 - Access to alternative assets **Cons** - Paywalled date and market metrics - Limited mutual fund selection | **Stock and ETF commissions** | **Options fee** | **Account fee** | **Account minimum** | **Range of assets** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | $0 for stock and ETF trades during regular market hours; extended-hours and routing fees may apply | $0 base; Public shares option-order rebate on eligible contracts; index/options fees can differ | $0 base brokerage fee; Premium and product-specific service/market fees may apply | $0 brokerage minimum; some products have product-specific minimums | Stocks, fractional shares, ETFs, options, bonds and Treasuries, crypto, margin, high-yield cash and direct indexing | **Why we chose it:** [Public](https://money.com/pr/uf4539848454?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-online-stock-trading%2F&apnavid=b532a85afe035925f35be630f4c51979) integrates community features directly into the investing experience rather than treating them as a separate discussion forum. You can follow other investors, see trading activity from people you follow, comment on trades and see which members of your network own or watch a particular security. Those features sit alongside access to thousands of stocks as well as ETFs, options, bonds and more than 60 cryptocurrencies. Public also offers access to collectibles, including fractional investments in contemporary art, sports cards, vintage comic books and luxury goods, though these assets can be illiquid at times. ## Invest and trade in real time with SoFi® ### SoFi® allows you to invest commission-free in individual companies or bundles of investments (ETFs). Click below to start investing today! [Start Investing](https://money.com/pr/a9e682b26a90?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F) ### Other online trading platforms we considered The online trading platforms below are all strong options worth considering. However, they didn’t make it into our top list either because they lack a strong niche, offer products within a limited scope or simply did not come out ahead of a similar platform. #### Acorns [Acorns](https://money.com/pr/nc0fdc938274?data-trk-company=acorns-online-stock-broker-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=nc0fdc938274&encoded_id=) is designed for people who want to build an investing habit with minimal effort. Its signature Round-Ups feature invests spare change from everyday purchases made in its checking accounts into a diverse portfolio of ETFs, while its managed portfolios include automatic rebalancing and recurring investments. Acorn subscriptions range from $4 to $12 per month — a relatively high cost for investors with small balances — and the platform offers fewer self-directed trading tools than our top picks. #### FutureMoney [FutureMoney](https://money.com/pr/z10a43a12264?data-trk-company=futuremoney-online-stock-broker-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=z10a43a12264&encoded_id=) is an automated investing platform meant for parents building wealth for their children. Its offerings include 529 plans, general investment accounts and products designed around long-term family investing, including its Junior Roth IRA, which begins as a 529 and can later roll eligible funds into a Roth IRA (lifetime maximum rollover of $35,000 per 529 beneficiary). While FutureMoney’s family-focused approach is innovative, the service is centered on children's long-term savings rather than self-directed securities trading. As such, it isn't directly comparable with the traditional online trading platforms in our rankings. #### Plynk [Plynk](https://money.com/pr/n3486fdf8506?data-trk-company=plynk-invest-online-stock-brokers-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=n3486fdf8506&encoded_id=) is a beginner-friendly app focused on lowering the barrier to entry for new investors, with no account minimum and fractional shares starting at $1. Users can choose from more than 5,000 stocks and 2,000 funds and practice with $100,000 in virtual money through its simulated trading feature. That said, Plynk is currently available on mobile only and lacks advanced tools available from more comprehensive brokers. #### Robinhood [Robinhood](https://money.com/pr/p44f1c8c6654?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-online-stock-trading%2F) offers an intuitive, easy-to-use trading platform that is popular with new and experienced investors alike. It offers a wide range of investment options that includes ETFs, IPOs, fractional shares from $1 and crypto, and like many other discount brokers, has no commission on stock and option trades. International stocks can’t be traded on foreign exchanges — only via ADRs on U.S. exchanges — and a lack of educational resources and advanced tools on its free version kept Robinhood out of our top list. The platform is still a good choice for anyone looking to trade quickly and for less, or take advantage of its Roth IRA match, which is a rarity among brokerages. #### SoFi Invest [SoFi Invest](https://money.com/pr/x00f9061e638?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-online-stock-trading-platforms%2F&encoded_id=W5W7Q) combines self-directed stock and ETF trading with fractional shares starting at $5, options trading and a robo-advisor, all within the company’s broader ecosystem of banking and lending products. SoFi has also featured Composer, an AI-powered investing platform which lets investors create and test automated strategies using natural-language prompts. Although SoFi’s traditional brokerage tools and research aren't as extensive as those offered by other platforms on our list, the platform does make for a strong all-in-one option. *Disclosure*: **INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED** • **ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED** • **MAY LOSE VALUE**. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA / SIPC. ## What you need to know about online trading platforms Online trading platforms, or online brokers, let you buy and sell assets like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options and crypto via a mobile app or website. These platforms are designed for you to easily open an account, deposit money and start trading within just a few minutes. Online brokers also offer various research tools you can use to evaluate stocks and market activity in real time. For instance, many of them have built in stock screeners that allow you to find securities based on preferences like market capitalization, earnings per share or expense ratio. ### Types of brokers Although every trading platform is different, they can be split into two broad categories: discount brokers and full-service brokers. #### Discount brokers With a discount broker, you’re in complete control of your securities and when you’d like to trade them. They offer self-directed portfolios, which require a hands-on investment approach, meaning you pick stocks, bonds and ETFs yourself. [Robinhood](https://money.com/how-to-use-robinhood-beginners/) and [Webull](https://money.com/how-to-use-webull-beginners/) are examples of discount brokers. These platforms typically offer accounts that require low to no account minimums and may waive some of their fees for executing a certain amount of free trades per month, which makes them ideal for active or frequent traders. #### Full-service brokers Offering a more traditional approach, full-service brokers often pair clients with a financial adviser, who can offer advice about what stocks to buy or even manage your entire portfolio for you. Examples of full-service brokers include Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch. Many full-service brokers feature other services too, such as retirement and estate planning, wealth management and tax planning. Consequently, account minimums and fees are much higher, so they are best suited for high-net-worth investors who want a more personal level of service. ### How to choose the best trading platform for you Before comparing online trading platforms, ask yourself: - **What are my investment experience and needs?** Beginners should look for platforms that offer educational resources, responsive customer support and trading practice. Experienced traders may benefit more from platforms that let them issue specific types of trades and offer more complex analytic tools. - **What are my financial goal(s)?** If your goal is to save for retirement, you should look for a broker that offers the right type of account for it, like a traditional or Roth IRA. But if you mainly want to throw a wrench in the system and invest in meme stocks or crypto, then you might want a platform with a greater variety of available assets. Once that’s clear, you can continue with the following: - **Compare account fees and charges**. Most online trading platforms offer commission-free trading stocks and ETFs. However, there are other fees and charges you should watch out for, such as account fees, options contract fees and monthly memberships. - **Look for a variety of assets**. Some trading platforms limit their selection to popular choices, while others offer a wider range of assets, including futures, cryptocurrency and international stocks. Choose a platform that has the right choices for your investment strategy, not just the one with the most options. - **Check brokers’ background**. Online trading platforms and brokers should be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). You can check a broker’s information and registrations with search tools like the SEC’s [Investment Adviser Public Disclosure](https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/) and FINRA’s [BrokerCheck](https://brokercheck.finra.org/). - **Figure out deposit and withdrawal methods**. Most trading platforms let you fund your account by linking a checking or savings account, but there are a few that allow you to use alternate methods, such as a debit or credit card and digital wallets. - **Evaluate security and customer support options**. Look for platforms with security features like two-factor authentication or biometrics and that have multiple customer support channels, for example, via phone, email and live chat. You can also check if the company has been involved in any recent data breaches or legal proceedings. - **Try different trading platforms**. Many online trading platforms let you open an account for free and without minimum deposits. This will help you evaluate its features, the process for placing orders and its research tools. ### Online trading platforms vs. robo advisors Self-directed online trading platforms give you the freedom to choose your own assets and develop an investment strategy. Yet this can often be time consuming and requires some basic knowledge of [how to buy stocks](https://money.com/how-to-buy-stocks/) — especially if you’re a first-time investor. Robo-advisors offer a hands-off solution to investors who would rather pass off investment decisions to professional managers, a computer algorithm or a combination of both. In fact, the [best robo-advisors](https://money.com/best-robo-advisor/) typically offer advanced management algorithms and user-friendly interfaces, requiring little how-to knowledge. Below are some key differences between online brokerages and robo-advisors. | **Online trading platform** | **Robo-advisor** | | --- | --- | | Allows you to create your own portfolios and manage trades according to your knowledge and investment strategy. | Uses computer algorithms to create and automatically manage a diversified portfolio on your behalf. | | Lets you decide how passively or actively you want to invest and how much risk you are willing to take. | Creates personalized portfolios based on your income, age, risk tolerance and investment goals. | | Grants access a wide selection of assets, such as stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds. | Only features ETF portfolios in most cases. | | Leaves you responsible for rebalancing your portfolio by buying or selling assets to keep in line with your desired allocation. | Automatically rebalances your portfolio and performs tax-harvesting techniques to help you keep in line with your desired asset allocation. | | Provides free financial counseling in some cases. | Sometimes offers human portfolio managers, although generally at an extra fee. | ## Best Online Stock Trading FAQs ### How much money do I need to start investing? Many trading platforms have low or no investment minimums, meaning you can generally start investing in stocks with any amount — as little as $1. However, minimums can vary depending on the type of investment you choose. For instance, mutual funds and ETFs sometimes have minimums ranging from a few hundred to a thousand dollars. ### How do I buy stocks online? You can buy stocks online in four steps: open a brokerage account, fund it with a transfer from your checking or savings account, search for the stock's ticker symbol and place an order for the number of shares you want. You can open most types of account in minutes and with no minimum investment. ### Which online trading platforms have fractional shares? Fractional shares are a common among leading online trading platforms, including Fidelity, Charles Schwab and Robinhood. Buying a slice instead of a whole share means you can start with as little as $1 at some platforms, putting high-priced stocks within reach on almost any budget. The selection of eligible stocks and ETFs varies by platform. ### What's the difference between a market order and a limit order? A market order tells your broker to buy or sell an investment right away at the best available price, while a limit order lets you set the highest price you’re willing to pay when buying or the lowest price you’ll accept when selling. Market orders can work well for heavily traded stocks and ETFs, where prices tend to be more stable, while limit orders give you more control over the price. ### Which platform is best for a managed or robot-advised account? Betterment is our pick for hands-off investors. It charges $5 per month, or a 0.25% annual advisory fee once your balance reaches $24,000 or you set up $200+ per month in recurring deposits, with no account minimum. Fidelity is a more affordable option for smaller balances — no advisory fee under $25,000, then 0.35% annually above it. ## Methodology We evaluated 21 online trading platforms against 34 data points, grouped into five criteria: cost, trust, asset and account selection, trading tools and resources and customer experience. All pricing, rates and ratings were verified against primary sources — brokerage fee schedules, FINRA/SEC registrations and App Store listings — as of September 8, 2026. ### Costs The costs associated with a trading platform can largely be attributed to its fees. While most platforms charge no commissions on stock and ETF trades, the numbers start to look different when it comes to other types of service fees, such as options contracts and maintenance fees. In addition to those mentioned above, we compared account minimums, inactivity fees, outbound ACAT transfer fees, margin rates at every tier, spread and markup costs, advisory pricing, the yield paid on uninvested cash and any current transfer or new-account bonuses. ### Trust There’s no point in trading on a platform that you can’t trust with your money — or your personal information. Stock brokers accounts in the U.S. are insured up to $500,000 by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, but there’s more to trust than insurance. After confirming SEC and FINRA registration and SIPC membership for all companies on our list, we reviewed their payment-for-order-flow practices and order-routing disclosures and considered each platform’s reliability, years in operation, account security features and independent third-party ratings. ### Asset and account selection Generally speaking, the more types of asset or security you can trade on a given platform, the better, since that lessens the likelihood of having to switch platforms just for a specific trade. And while you may not need every single type of investing account, having the option to open a different one as your circumstance changes is worth considering. ​​We looked at each platform’s range of tradable assets, fractional share availability, extended and overnight trading hours, direct access to international markets and the account types they offered — taxable, IRA, custodial, 529, HSA, trust and business, for example. ### Trading tools and resources What type of tools and resources you value most will depend on your level of experience when trading. A beginner may want to have paper trading to practice trading before they try the real thing, whereas an experienced trader might prefer extensive charts and data analysis tools to get a better understanding of the market. We evaluated supported order types, including conditional and multi-leg orders, charting and technical analysis tools, proprietary and third-party research, automated investing options and tax tools, such as cost-basis tracking and tax-loss harvesting. ### Customer experience Ultimately, a trading platform needs to be usable regardless of how many features it may have. Beginners and experts alike benefit from platforms that are responsive and offer guides or helpful content on how to use their tools. We compared the platforms’ support channels, service hours, depth of educational content, and banking integration for moving cash in and out. ## Summary of Money’s Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026 - **[Fidelity](#fidelity):** Best Overall Trading Platform - **[E\*TRADE](#etrade):** Best for Beginners - **[Charles Schwab](#schwab):** Best for Active Traders - **[Betterment](#betterment):** Best for Automated Investing - **[Interactive Brokers](#interactive):** Best for International Trading - **[tastytrade](#tastytrade):** Best for Options Trading - **[Vanguard](#vanguard):** Best for Long-Term Fund Investors - **[Public](#public):** Best for Social Investing ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/best-online-stock-trading-platforms/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Investing", "item": "https://money.com/investing/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Online Stock Trading Apps", "item": "https://money.com/online-stock-trading-apps/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "8 Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/best-online-stock-trading-platforms/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/best-online-stock-trading-platforms/", "name": "8 Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2026-09-11T13:30:32.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/best-online-stock-trading-platforms/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/best-online-stock-trading-platforms/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2026-09-11T15:52:40.000Z" }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "8 Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026", "articleSection": "Investing", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2025/01/Best-Online-Trading-Platforms-mbci_2aiy3__9i2x8x.png", "width": 1348, "height": 898 } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gabriel O. 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