Online Stock Brokers · 2026 guide

The best brokers to start investing. Picked for you.

Top-rated brokers. Most offer $0 commissions.

I've been investing for years and these are the platforms I'd actually point my own community to. No fluff — just the ones worth your time and money.

Top Pick

💸 Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open & fund a new Active Invest account.⁷

✓ Get a 1% IRA Match on contributions & rollovers. Terms apply.⁸
✓ SoFi Plus members earn an unlimited 1% match on recurring deposits to a SoFi InvestⓇ account, paid in rewards points.¹⁰
✓ Buy & sell stocks with no commissions*
✓ Buy fractional shares starting at $5*
✓ Access to alternative investments, including commodities

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💸 Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open & fund a new Active Invest account.⁷

✓ Get a 1% IRA Match on contributions & rollovers. Terms apply.⁸
✓ SoFi Plus members earn an unlimited 1% match on recurring deposits to a SoFi InvestⓇ account, paid in rewards points.¹⁰
✓ Buy & sell stocks with no commissions*
✓ Buy fractional shares starting at $5*
✓ Access to alternative investments, including commodities

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💸 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

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💸 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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Investment calculator

See what your money could grow into.

Run the numbers in 5 seconds — then pick a broker above to get started.

Current age

30yrs

1870

Invested assets today

$0$1M

Target retirement age

60yrs

3180

Expected annual return

Retirement target

Annual retirement spending

$0$300K

Safe withdrawal rate

4.0%

2%6%

Expected inflation

0.0%

0%6%

Your 7% return is treated as already inflation-adjusted.

Monthly contribution optional

$1,000

$0$5,000

Your Coast FIRE number

Invested today at 7%, this grows to your $1,500,000 FIRE number by age 60 — with no further contributions.

You're $134,809 short of Coast FIRE. At $1,000/mo you'd get there in 22.2 years.

Invested today

$50,000
Still needed

$134,809

Close my $134,809 gap

No fees · Takes 5 minutes · Most major brokers offer $0 commissions

Coasting from age 30 to 60

Current assets, no new contributions FIRE number

With no further contributions, $50,000 today becomes $405,825 by age 60 — against a $1,500,000 FIRE number. That leaves $1,094,175 to close.

Based on historical data, the S&P 500 has returned an average of 11.85% annually over the last 50 years with dividends reinvested. Figures shown are in today's dollars, using a return adjusted for the inflation rate you select.

Why open a brokerage account?

The earlier you start, the more compounding works in your favor.

Your money works while you sleep.

Every dollar invested today has decades to multiply. A $1,000 starting balance at 8% becomes $10,062 over 30 years — without touching it.

No fees to start. Keep every dollar you earn.

Most top-rated brokers no longer charge per-trade fees on stocks or ETFs. The barrier to start has never been lower.

Your investments are protected up to $500K.

SIPC insurance covers brokerage accounts at member firms — protecting your cash and securities if a broker fails.

Questions I get asked all the time.

Everything you need to know before opening your first account.

What is a brokerage account?

A brokerage account is an investment account that lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and other securities. You deposit money, then use it to invest — gains stay in the account and can compound over time. Unlike a retirement account, there are no contribution limits and no early-withdrawal penalties, though you'll owe taxes on realized gains.

Is investing in a brokerage account safe?

Brokerage accounts at SIPC-member firms are protected up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash) if the broker fails. SIPC does not protect against market losses — the value of your investments can still go up or down. Stick to well-known, regulated brokers and you're protected against the most catastrophic failures.

How do I open a brokerage account?

Most online brokers let you open an account in under 10 minutes. You'll need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and a bank account to fund the deposit. Once open, you can transfer money in via ACH (usually free) and begin investing right away. Many brokers also offer fractional shares so you can start with any dollar amount.

How much money do I need to start?

Most top brokers have no account minimum and let you buy fractional shares — so you can start with as little as $1. The amount you contribute matters less at the beginning than the habit of contributing consistently. Even $50 a month, invested at 8% over 30 years, becomes nearly $75,000.

What's the difference between brokers?

Brokers differ on commission structure (most are $0 for stocks/ETFs), available investments (some offer crypto, options, futures), research tools, mobile apps, customer service, and account types (taxable, IRA, Roth IRA, custodial). For most beginners, the differences in cost are small — pick a broker whose interface you find intuitive and whose research tools fit how you like to learn.

Compounding rewards the early starter.

Every year you wait is a year your money isn't working for you. Pick a broker, start small, and let time do the rest.

See Top Brokers

Broker disclosures

SoFi® Invest

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

Probability of a Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; 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.

Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA / SIPC.

1. *Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; 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.

2. *There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.

3. Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).

4. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks Standardized Options https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdf

5. Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information

6. SoFi Plus members can schedule an unlimited number of appointments with a financial planner during periods in which the SoFi Plus member meets the eligibility criteria set forth in section 10(a) of the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions. SoFi members who are not members of SoFi Plus can schedule one (1) appointment with a financial planner. The ability to schedule appointments is subject to financial planner availability. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this benefit at any time with or without notice. Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth's advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth's current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov

7. For 401k rollovers, existing SoFi IRA members must complete 401k rollovers via this link For SoFi members without a SoFi IRA, a SoFi IRA must first be opened, and 401k rollover must be completed utilizing Capitalize via this link. SoFi and Capitalize will charge no additional fees to process a 401(k) rollover to a SoFi IRA. SoFi is not liable for any costs incurred from the existing 401k provider for rollover. Please check with your 401k provider for any fees or costs associated with the rollover. For IRA contributions, only deposits made via ACH and cash transfer from SoFi Bank accounts are eligible for the match. Click here for the 1% Match terms and conditions.

8. Must be a SoFi Plus member at the time a recurring deposit is received into your SoFi Active or Automated investing account to qualify. Bonus calculated on net monthly recurring deposits made via ACH and paid out as Rewards Points. See Rewards Terms of Service. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time without notice. See terms and limitations. https://www.sofi.com/sofiplus/invest/#disclaimers

Public

1. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Open to the Public Investing, member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.

2. *Rate as of 6/10/2026. APY is variable and subject to change

3. *A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. The 5.74% yield is the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across all ten bonds in the Bond Account, before fees, as of 6/10/2026. A bond's yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond's YTW is not "locked in" until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The "locked in" YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See Bond Account Disclosures to learn more.

Kraken Online Stockbrokers

*Other fees may apply. Securities and brokerage services offered by Kraken Securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Calculator disclosures

Illustrative only. The compound growth calculator is provided for educational and illustrative purposes. It does not constitute investment, tax, or financial advice and should not be used as the sole basis for any investment decision.

Hypothetical returns. Projected values assume a constant annual rate of return, compounded monthly, with the inputs you select. Actual returns vary widely, are not guaranteed, and can be negative. The 7% / 11% / 14% presets are modeling assumptions — not predictions of any specific broker, fund, or security.

Costs not included. Calculations do not reflect taxes (capital gains, dividends), inflation, account or advisory fees, fund expense ratios, trading costs, or withdrawals. Real-world outcomes will differ.

Past performance. Historical market averages do not guarantee future results. The U.S. stock market has averaged roughly 7–10% annually over long periods, but individual years can be substantially higher or lower and prolonged drawdowns are possible.

SIPC. SIPC insurance covers eligible securities and cash at member firms up to $500,000 (with a $250,000 cash sublimit) in the event of broker failure. SIPC does not protect against market losses.

Advertising disclosure. Money.com may receive compensation when you click on or are approved for offers from our advertising partners. Rankings reflect our editorial judgment and may be influenced by these partnerships; we do not represent every broker available.

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