Online stock brokers have evolved fast and in 2025, they’re not just for pros. Your broker matters whether you’re looking to day trade, build a long-term ETF portfolio or finally open that IRA. Fees, features and tools vary wildly and choosing the right one can save (or make) you thousands over time.
We spotlight the best online stock brokers based on cost, usability, investment access, account options and education tools. These brokers check all the boxes from commission-free trades to crypto integrations and retirement readiness.
How We Chose the Best Stock Brokers
To surface the top platforms in 2025, we looked at:
- Commission structure: Are trades free? What’s the catch?
- Platform usability: Both web and mobile matter. Intuitive design, quick trade execution and smooth navigation earned extra points.
- Account variety: IRA, Roth, custodial or taxable.
- Investment access: Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto and even alternative assets.
- Customer service: Live support, fast response times and real human help.
- Educational resources: Webinars, articles and tutorials for all experience levels.
All recommendations are based on verified broker data as of May 2025.
Quick Look at the Best Stock Brokers:
- Fidelity – Best for long-term investors and retirement accounts
- Charles Schwab – Best all-around for beginners and research tools
- Robinhood – Best for commission-free mobile trading
- Interactive Brokers – Best for active traders and global access
- Merrill Edge – Best for Bank of America customers
- Public – Best for beginner-friendly investing
Best Stock Brokers
Whether you're making your first trade or optimizing a seven-figure portfolio, these stock brokers stand out for their low fees, tools and investor-first experience.
Fidelity – Best for Long-Term Investors and Retirement Accounts
- Best For:Stock ResearchVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Fidelity Investments's website
Fidelity continues leading the pack as a well-rounded broker for beginners and seasoned investors. Its commitment to low costs is evident through $0 commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs and no minimums to open an account. Beyond pricing, Fidelity gives investors access to various assets including mutual funds, bonds and options. The platform also excels in research support, offering proprietary analysis and third-party insights from providers like Morningstar.
Planning tools are where Fidelity truly shines. Their retirement score calculator and goal-setting features help investors clarify long-term performance. Fidelity's mobile app mirrors the web experience, offering trading, research and bill payment everywhere. Some beginners may initially find the sheer volume of tools and research overwhelming.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile App?: Yes
Charles Schwab – Best All-Around for Beginners and Research Tools
- Best For:Fund InvestingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Charles Schwab's website
Charles Schwab strikes a smart balance between deep functionality and user-friendly design, making it an excellent pick for investors at all levels. Schwab offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, access to over 4,000 no-load mutual funds and a wide selection of retirement accounts including IRAs and solo 401(k)s. The platform is also known for its excellent customer support and intuitive planning tools.
The Schwab mobile app provides everything from investment tracking to fund research and live support. For hands-off investors, the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-advisor offers automated rebalancing at no advisory fee. While Schwab doesn’t have the flashiest interface or most advanced charting, it delivers consistent value and reliability in every key category.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile App?: Yes
Robinhood – Best for Commission-Free Mobile Trading
Robinhood remains one of the most accessible stock trading platforms on the market, especially for beginners who prefer a mobile-first experience. Known for pioneering commission-free trading, Robinhood has maintained its appeal by offering an intuitive interface that strips away much of the complexity of traditional brokerage platforms. Investors can trade stocks, ETFs, options and even crypto directly from their phone without worrying about minimum account balances or trading fees.
Where Robinhood excels is ease of use. The platform is clean, streamlined and fast which is great for users who just want to buy, sell and monitor their portfolio without navigating a maze of tools. It’s not ideal for those seeking in-depth research or professional-grade charting (other brokers are better suited for that). Still, for casual or newer investors, it delivers a no-frills experience that just works. The app also includes fractional shares and instant deposit access, making it one of the most approachable entry points into the stock market.
Commissions: $0 on stocks, ETFs and options
Mobile App?: Yes, iOS and Android
Interactive Brokers – Best for Active Traders and Global Access
- Best For:Active and Global TradersVIEW PROS & CONS:Securely through Interactive Brokers’ website
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has long been the go-to platform for experienced traders, institutional investors and global market participants. The broker offers access to stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds and forex across over 150 markets worldwide – making it one of the most comprehensive platforms on the planet. Its flagship desktop platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), supports everything from advanced charting and algorithmic trading to in-depth options strategies. For investors who demand deep analytics and tight trade execution, IBKR sets the gold standard.
Despite its professional reputation, Interactive Brokers has made strides to appeal to retail investors through its IBKR Lite program, which includes $0 commissions on U.S. stock and ETF trades. Investors can also access fractional shares, margin loans with low interest rates and research tools powered by Morningstar, Zacks and more. Newer traders may find the platform overwhelming, especially on desktop and should consider starting with IBKR’s mobile app or the simplified IBKR GlobalTrader. It’s built for scale but also priced and structured for serious investors.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks/ETFs (IBKR Lite); low per-share pricing for active/pro options/futures
Mobile App?: Yes, IBKR Mobile & GlobalTrader available on iOS and Android
Merrill Edge – Best for Bank of America Loyalists
- Best For:Bank of America CustomersVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Merrill Edge's website
Merrill Edge offers a seamless bridge between banking and investing, especially for customers already using Bank of America. The platform gives you commission-free access to stocks and ETFs, thousands of mutual funds and a range of retirement accounts. You can manage your cash, credit and investment portfolio from a single dashboard, streamlining your entire financial life.
Merrill integrates with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, adding value through perks and reduced fees. While the mobile app is intuitive and well-designed, it’s built more for traditional investors than those looking for gamified or socially driven investing. Merrill offers unmatched convenience and synergy for those already within the BofA ecosystem.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile App?: Yes
Public – Best for Beginner-Friendly Investing
Public is one of the few brokers blending commission-free trading with social investing and it continues to carve out a unique niche. Designed with beginner investors in mind, Public offers access to stocks, ETFs, alternative assets (like crypto and collectibles) and even Treasury bills all in one clean, intuitive app. But what sets Public apart is its built-in community features: users can follow other investors, read real-time commentary and share their investment ideas all from within the platform. It’s investing meets social media in a good way.
Public also earns points for transparency and education. The app avoids payment-for-order-flow by routing trades directly to exchanges and clearly discloses how it makes money. It offers educational content including explainer videos and market insights, which helps new investors understand what they're buying and why. While it lacks the depth of tools you'd find at a platform like Fidelity or Interactive Brokers, Public’s mobile-first simplicity and social approach make it a standout for those just starting or seeking an interactive learning experience.
Commissions: $0 on stock and ETF trades; no payment for order flow
Mobile App?: Yes, available on iOS and Android
Why Choosing the Right Broker Matters
It’s not just about trading stocks. The right brokerage platform becomes your financial command center for budgeting, retirement planning, tax-loss harvesting and more. And with more brokers offering access to fractional shares, alternative investments and high-yield cash accounts, what you get goes well beyond simple trades.
Even a $5 fee per trade can add up quickly, especially for active investors. On the other hand, planning tools and research access can add real value over the long run.
Choose What Matches Your Strategy
Choosing the right stock broker depends on how you invest and what tools matter most. Fidelity or Schwab might be your best bet if you’re in it for the long haul. Robinhood or Public could fit the bill if you’re looking for low-cost access and simplicity. For pros, Interactive Brokers delivers serious horsepower.
Whatever your goals, prioritize transparency, usability and investor education and you’ll set yourself up for success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners start investing with these brokers?
Yes. Platforms like Robinhood, Schwab and Public are beginner-friendly and offer lots of educational content to help you start.
Do all brokers support IRAs?
No. While most major brokers do, always check for Roth, traditional and rollover IRA support if you’re saving for retirement.
Are $0 commission trades really free?
Mostly, yes but keep an eye on spreads, order routing and hidden fees like transfer costs or margin interest.
