Whether you’re a novice looking for a simple app or a hands-on investment pro looking for more specialized trading options, there’s an app out there for you.
Which stock trading app is best for you depends on its trading options, but also its mobile features and fees.
With so many options out there, it can be tough to pick the best app. The apps below are my top picks overall, and each one brings something different to the table.
15 Best Stock Trading Apps of 2024
Here are the best stock trading apps you can use today:
- 🏆 J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
- SoFi Invest
- TD Ameritrade
- E*TRADE
- Fidelity
- Public.com
- Webull
- Robinhood
- Interactive Brokers
- Ally
- TradeStation
- Acorns
- Stash
- Charles Schwab
- Vanguard
1. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
- Fees: $0 commissions for stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is at the top of our list of stock trading apps for its streamlined digital user experience, accessibility, and low cost.
The platform and mobile app make it easy for new investors to learn the ins and outs of stock trading. While it isn’t for crypto, forex, and future traders, it is equipped to meet new and seasoned investors’ stock trading needs.
You can enjoy unlimited commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options. The platform also lets you create watchlists, build a wealth plan, and access a library of investing research and analysis.
The account is especially rewarding for existing Chase customers, who get seamless access to all of their banking and investing products in one place.
For a limited time, you can earn up to $700 when you sign up and fund your account.
INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
2. SoFi Invest
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
While it might be best known for its student loans, SoFi Invest should be on your shortlist of investment apps if you’re a new investor looking for basic trading tools and a great user experience.
Social Finance, aka SoFi, packs full financial products and services into its app, allowing users to bank, borrow, and invest in the app.
SoFi offers both active investing and automated investing, making it work for active and hands-off investors.
You can also invest in fractional shares of popular companies with as little as $5. These are great small investments to make money for you.
You can invest in stocks, ETFs, IPOs, and crypto like Bitcoin and Ethereum. SoFi also offers a range of retirement accounts so you can save for the future.
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SoFi Invest
Sign up for a SoFi Wealth account and get started trading stocks, ETFs, crypto and more.
3. TD Ameritrade
- Fees: $0 for Stock Trades
- Account Minimum: $0
TD Ameritrade caters to casual traders and professionals alike, offering two trading platforms:
- Web Platforms: The basic version lets you make trades and access independent third-party research and investment tools.
- Thinkorswim Platform: Experienced investors can use the more advanced Thinkorswim version, which integrates all the features of TD’s website and allows for more complex analysis, strategy, and trading.
TD Ameritrade doesn’t have an account minimum. They were also the first stockbroker to completely eliminate commission fees on stocks, options, and ETFs, forcing most of their competitors to do the same.
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4. E*TRADE
- Fees: $0 Stock Trades
- Account Minimum: $0
E*TRADE, the original online investing platform, is another digital brokerage that offers impressive stock trading apps.
E*TRADE has a basic mobile app and the more advanced Power E*TRADE app.
Both apps are loaded with features, allowing you to trade stocks, options, futures, and ETFs on the go. You also get live market updates, interactive charts, and access to Bloomberg TV.
Just keep in mind that some types of trades come with higher fees, such as commissions when you don’t meet a certain amount of trades per quarter.
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5. Fidelity
- Fees: $0 Commission for Online US Stock Trades
- Account Minimum: $0
Fidelity is perfect if you’re new to the investment world and looking for a clean, easy-to-use platform for mobile and online trading.
Though it doesn’t have all of the advanced features of an app like Thinkorswim, it has everything a basic investor needs, beating out the competition in terms of user experience.
You can start trading in the app, manage your account, and easily track investments. Fidelity is a fee-free broker with no minimum balance requirement.
The app also lets you manage workplace investments, deposit checks, pay bills, and more.
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6. Public
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
Public is an app worth considering if you’re looking to invest in a diverse lineup of investment products with fractional shares.
The app lets you trade stocks, ETFs, crypto, and even alternative assets like collectibles, royalties, and artwork.
It’s also a top pick if you’re looking for a community-based trading platform. Public is all about social engagement, letting you in on live shows with analysts, town halls with execs, and conversations with other investors.
Public’s app is highly rated by iOS and Android users, and it offers a streamlined user experience with useful tools to help you invest with ease.
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7. Webull
- Fees: $0 per Trade
- Account Minimum: $0
Webull is a brokerage for stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. With this app, it’s all about the features.
This platform might not have as much educational content as some of its competitors, but it’s chock full of the advanced tools active traders need. And Webull is highly rated in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
While other stock trading apps offer these types of analytical features, they usually come at a high cost.
Some miscellaneous fees might pop up, but the tech-savvy platform and its features are free, with an optional subscription for extra advanced features.
And you can currently earn up to twelve free stocks when you open an account and fund it.
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8. Robinhood
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
If you’re looking for a similar experience to the ones offered by Acorns and Stash without paying a subscription fee, Robinhood could be worth your while.
Robinhood doesn’t come with subscription or commission fees, making it one of a few truly free stock apps.
The app provides market research, easy real-time trade updates, and customization. Each account also comes with a cash card that gives you weekly bonuses on your round-ups to invest in stocks and crypto.
While there are no bonds or mutual funds, you can invest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency. You can also invest in fractional shares of stocks for only $1.
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9. Interactive Brokers
- Fees: $0 for Lite Plan/$.0005 to $.0035 for Pro Plan
- Account Minimum: $0
Interact Brokers is a top-notch global investing platform for international investors. It’s worth considering if you’re interested in forex trading.
You get access to streaming data, charts, stock screeners, and a lot of market research on the app, but also the ability to initiate new trades.
Interactive Brokers is competitively priced, too, with commission-free stocks and ETFs, and a selection of over 4,800 mutual funds.
More experienced investors can invest with IBKR Pro, which comes with features like extended outside trading hours and institutional accounts.
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10. Ally Invest
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0 for self-directed accounts, $100 for managed portfolios
If you’re looking for an all-in-one banking and investing app, Ally does it best.
You can manage your checking and savings accounts, which are some of the most rewarding ones out there, and invest within the Ally app.
While the Ally app doesn’t have as many complex tools for advanced traders as some of its competitors do, it has everything you need to make trades, manage your bank accounts, and track your investments.
And it offers both self-directed trading and managed portfolios. Ally’s app is simple to navigate and performs all the services basic investors need, at prices that are hard to beat.
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11. TradeStation
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
TradeStation is another impressive app for active and experienced stock traders, providing all the tools you need for mobile trading.
Even though the TradeStation app can serve more complex traders, it’s laid out in a way that beginners can easily navigate and use to learn the basics.
The app has lightning-fast execution and its advanced trading features are hard to match. You get real-time data, trading strategies, notifications of price changes, and more.
Investors have access to stocks, options, ETFs, futures, crypto, and mutual funds.
12. Acorns
- Fees: $3 – $5 Per Month
- Account Minimum: $0
Acorns is a great option for novice investors who want to be less hands-on. The mobile-friendly investment app works by rounding up your purchases, offering a low-cost solution for investors on a budget.
With its robo-advisor functionality and round-up strategy, Acorns can help you reach your saving and investing goals with little experience or effort on your part.
You also get educational content, a debit card, and bonus investments for shopping with hundreds of popular brands.
Acorns offers two subscriptions—a personal plan and a family plan.
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13. Stash
- Fees: $3 – $9 Per Month
- Account Minimum: $0
Stash is another great option if you’re new to investing and looking for an app to help you learn the ropes.
The app combines banking and investing, giving new investors the resources they need to start saving and growing, at a low monthly rate.
The seamless app provides tools to assist you in setting and reaching financial goals, which includes investing in a range of stocks, ETFs, and crypto and fractional share investing.
Outside of the app, you get a Stock-Back® card that rewards you with stocks at the stores where you shop.
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14. Charles Schwab
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
Charles Schwab’s Schwab Mobile app is a solid pick for beginner investors and experienced stock traders.
You can invest in a wide variety of investment accounts and assets with no commissions on stocks and no minimum account balance requirements. Schwab offers self-directed accounts, automated investing, and hands-on advice from financial consultants.
The app itself is user-friendly and customizable, making it simple to check up on your investments and manage your brokerage account. It also comes with a ton of educational resources, like market indexes, news, and insights on stocks.
Now Schwab offers Schwab Assistant, a handy tool that lets you conduct research, manage your accounts, and make trades using voice commands.
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15. Vanguard
- Fees: $0 for Stocks
- Account Minimum: $0
Vanguard has it all in terms of account options, from IRAs to index funds to margin accounts to 529 Plans.
You can invest with Vanguard’s Digital Advisor (a robo-advisor), do it yourself, or consult with an actual financial advisor.
Vanguard’s mobile app and website are chock-full of educational resources and market analysis tools fit for novices and experienced traders.
The mobile app lets you make trades, track your performance, manage your account, and explore different investment options.
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How To Choose the Best Stock Trading App
The best stock market apps allow you to trade stocks and other products from your phone.
The best stock trading apps should give you access to:
- Education resources
- Stock market data
- Tools to help you map out investment strategies
- Tools to help you track your investments
Since you don’t have to worry about a minimum deposit with the apps above and most don’t have any subscription fees, getting started can be as easy as downloading the app and signing up for an account online or on the mobile platform.
From there, you just need to follow the steps, enter your information, and start trading. The best investing apps for stock traders make getting started and navigating their platforms easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do you need to start using a stock trading app?
The amount of money you need to start investing depends on what types of stocks you’re buying. You could spend anywhere from $1 to thousands of dollars to invest in a share.
If you want to get your feet wet but don’t have the money to buy full shares, consider a stock app that lets you invest in fractional shares, like:
- SoFi
- Stash
- Robinhood
- Public
How are stock trading fees so low?
Technology has transformed stock trading, eliminating the need for a broker to make every trade happen.
Apps like Robinhood have led the industry in robo-advising, taking the need for human assistance on basic trading tasks out of the equation.
Today, most major online brokers offer commission-free trades. In addition to profiting more, you don’t have to worry about comparing transaction fees when you shop for the right investment app.
Which stock app is best for beginners?
Fidelity tops our list of the best stock brokers for beginners for its educational resources, access to fractional shares, and highly rated mobile app.
If you’re just getting started investing in stocks, look for an app that doesn’t have steep commission fees or minimum investment requirements.
What are the advantages of using a stock trading app?
The biggest benefit of stock trading apps is that you can invest on the go. Investing apps conveniently let you buy stocks, track your portfolio, and research real-time market data from anywhere.
Online and mobile-first brokers also tend to have lower costs and fewer account minimum requirements than brick-and-mortar establishments.
Are stock trading apps safe?
Stock trading brokers in the US are highly regulated and your funds are insured up to $500,000 by the Security Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC) in the event that your broker is financially insolvent.
When you research investment apps, take a look at their cybersecurity measures and download apps from the App Store or Google Play Store rather than third-party platforms for maximum security.
Which is the Best Stock Trading App for You?
It really boils down to what you’re looking to get out of the app.
If you’re searching for an advanced app that puts all the advanced features of a brokerage in the palm of your hand, an app like Thinkorswim or TradeStation is a good call.
But if you’re looking for the best stock app for beginners, your neighbor who’s been trading for decades probably won’t be the right fit for you. In that case, you have plenty of options that are a little easier to navigate and learn from, like J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, Public.com, or Robinhood.
And if you’re looking for an app that lets you invest on a budget, you might opt for Acorns or SoFi.
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