New investors find the $0 account minimum, fractional shares, and $0 trading commission offered by SoFi Active Investing appealing. Users of SoFi enjoyed unlimited free access to a financial planner, provided that direct deposits were set up into their SoFi accounts. Nevertheless, access to mutual funds beyond its IRA offerings is not available.
If you’re new to investing, you’ll appreciate the broker’s extensive educational resources available on the app. Webull is best for active traders who want a powerful stock app with no fees, advanced charting tools and margin investing. Schwab also offers fractional shares, so all your money gets invested right away.
Purpose-built for first-time investors, Plynk removes several barriers that typically discourage beginners. The company is working on a new product that will allow customers to direct funds straight from their paychecks into investments. In 2025, eToro expanded that feed by incorporating data from Stocktwits’ over 10 million users, giving the platform one of the most robust market-sentiment signals available to retail investors. Performance data going back multiple years, risk scores and monthly return breakdowns make it easy to evaluate who you’re copying. Schwab also gives its investment customers access to thinkorswim (trading platforms that offer charting), analysis and simulation tools. That level of accessibility combined with 24/7 customer support directly inside the app makes Robinhood the most forgiving platform for investors who are still learning the basics.
Vanguard
The brokerage also delivers an impressive array of tools for active traders and a wide investment selection, including stocks (plus fractional shares), options, ETFs, crypto, commodities and futures. The company’s $0 commissions and strong trading platforms appeal to active traders, while intermediate investors benefit from a large library of educational resources. Fidelity won the StockBrokers.com 2026 Annual Award for #1 Beginners due to its intuitive mobile app (vast library of “Life Event” educational resources), and the ability to trade fractional shares for as little as $1. While the absence of futures trading and a limited crypto selection may deter a specific niche of active traders, these are minor gaps in an otherwise exhaustive offering.
Whether you’re a novice looking for a mutual fund or a pro analyzing yield curves, Fidelity’s research library is unmatched. Upon launching the platform — I was presented with a tutorial which helped alleviate any learning curve. This could be a friction point for technical analysts or active traders, but if drawing on charts isn’t a priority for you, you’ll still love Fidelity’s charting tools.
Rather than isolating educational resources, the app intentionally blends short-form insights and market ideas directly into your regular workflow. Interactive Brokers is built for self-directed investors who want institutional-grade trading capabilities packed into a highly customizable, mobile-first workflow. I tried building multi-leg options spreads, brent crude oil price checked for real-time Greeks, and tested whether drawing trendlines and adding technical indicators with a thumb was genuinely viable. We evaluate features important to every kind of investor (including beginners), casual investors, passive investors, and active traders. I tested 14 brokers for this guide, comparing commissions, account minimums, account types, and investment selection alongside how each app performed during market hours. If you haven’t set up your online access — you can register to create your username and password to log in.
Charles Schwab
For the current rate (check the 7-day SEC yield for Fidelity’s SPAXX money market fund), its default account for idle cash. We revisit our list of products often and stop reviewing platforms if their offerings get worse over time. We look at everything from fees and investment minimums to educational resources and customer service hours. When you’re looking for a broker to start investing, don’t let the number of choices slow you down. Detailed information about how we rate brokers and the factors we consider in our assessments is available in our full ratings methodology.
But they still make the bulk of their revenue from strategies antithetical to proven long-term investing practices, and they push these strategies on app users. Robinhood has long been known for its mobile-friendly interface, and for good reason. That said (all the new offerings are undoubtedly a good thing), and likely offset the declining UX. As Webull has continued to add new offerings (retirement accounts, access to cryptocurrency, IRA matching, advanced trading features, etc.), it feels like the app is literally filling up.
This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Trade event contracts tied to economic indicators, elections, technology trends, and environmental metrics. Integrate custom models — connect trading systems, and build proprietary workflows.
However (if you’re starting small), be aware of Vanguard’s mutual fund investment minimums, which are generally around $3,000. All users get a 1% match on contributions, but the $5-per-month Gold subscription bumps your match up to 3%. Robinhood’s educational resources are a bit thinner than those of other brokers on this list, but there’s no denying that the broker makes investing fun and incredibly accessible. Although it doesn’t have a paper trading platform (the educational support offered is truly exceptional), making it easy for novices to learn about every facet of investing.
But it also has additional benefits that make it stand out to users. Fidelity is a well-established, highly regarded international name within the financial sector and has years of experience within it. First-time users will find it easy to use — and it will be of interest to clients who want to know more about trading and investing. Touch ID and Face ID are available via any apple device by activating it in app settings , on enabled Apple devices with iOS 10.3,, so you can get account information without needing to log in. The Fidelity app also has an enhanced voiceover experience (dynamic type), and you can simply tap to connect with a company representative in an instant. IG combines market education, analysis and an established trading platform, giving you the tools to keep learning as you develop your trading skills.
Webull: Best for paper trading
But here are our five favorite apps — including the best offerings they bring to the table. As long as the investing app you choose offers the above, you’re likely in good hands. For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology. Treasury money market funds will not impose a fee upon the sale of your shares.
Whether you’re looking for a high-yield home for your cash — a tax-efficient way to trade options, or the best economic calendar in the business, Fidelity delivers a comprehensive, professional-grade experience that few can match. Along with years of experience in media distribution at a global newsroom, Jeff has a versatile knowledge base encompassing the technology and financial markets. Interactive Brokers and Fidelity lead our 2026 ranking of the best free stock trading platforms — tested on the true cost of $0 commissions and hidden fees. Explore the best international brokers for U.S. investors. Read our Charles Schwab review to learn why its platforms, research, and investor resources make it one of the top-ranked brokerages.
Fidelity offers a robust selection of order types designed for both long-term investors and active traders. Fidelity also earns revenue from managed products and advisory services, including its Fidelity Go robo-advisor and private wealth management offerings. The Fidelity Trader+ platform offers new order capabilities — watchlist features, and the ability to trade directly from the chart for more active users. If you would like a tailored recommendation you can use our broker finder tool, or you can learn more about investing your money. Whether the mobile app supports biometric login , fingerprint or face recognition,
