The top 7 online brokers, side by side.
We tested every major US brokerage on commissions, account minimums, app quality, asset coverage, and research depth. Here is the honest grid, with reviews on each.
Brokerage comparison table
Ranked by overall Fintiex score. Click any row to read the full review.
Fidelity Investments
Online BrokerTop pickBest overall full-service brokerage
- +Industry-leading research tools and reports
- +Fractional shares starting at $1
- +Zero-fee index funds (FZROX, FZILX)
Charles Schwab
Online BrokerDeep research and branch access
- +300+ physical branch locations nationwide
- +thinkorswim platform (acquired from TD Ameritrade)
- +Extensive third-party research (Morningstar, Credit Suisse)
Interactive Brokers
Online BrokerProfessional traders and global investors
- +Access to 150+ global markets in 33 countries
- +Industry-lowest margin rates (5.83% as of 2026)
- +Broadest asset class coverage including forex and futures
E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley)
Online BrokerOptions traders and Morgan Stanley clients
- +Power E*TRADE platform built for active options trading
- +Morgan Stanley research available to all customers
- +Paper trading to practice without real money
Vanguard
Online BrokerLow-cost passive investing and retirement
- +Industry's lowest-cost mutual funds and ETFs
- +Client-owned structure aligns incentives with investors
- +Target-date retirement funds best in class
Webull
Online BrokerActive traders wanting advanced charting free
- +Advanced charting tools available free (TradingView-level)
- +Commission-free options trading
- +Paper trading for practice
Robinhood
Online BrokerMobile-first beginners and crypto investors
- +Truly commission-free options trading
- +Crypto trading alongside stocks in one app
- +Fractional shares starting at $1
How we ranked the brokers.
Five factors, weighted. No broker paid for placement. No affiliate priority.
Cost (30%)
Stock and ETF commissions, options per-contract fees, mutual fund transaction fees, account minimums, and inactivity fees. Brokers that publish clean schedules with zero hidden gotchas score highest.
Account types (20%)
Coverage of taxable, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) rollover, joint, custodial (UGMA/UTMA), and trust accounts. Full-service brokers (Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard) cover everything. App-first brokers often drop joint and custodial accounts.
Asset coverage (20%)
Range of investable assets: stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, futures, forex, and crypto. Interactive Brokers leads on breadth (33 countries, 8 asset classes). Robinhood is narrower but uniquely combines stocks and crypto in one account.
App and platform (15%)
Mobile app App Store rating, desktop platform power, charting depth, paper trading, and customer service responsiveness. Fidelity tops the chart at 4.8 mobile rating, with Schwab and E*TRADE not far behind.
Research and education (15%)
Quality of stock research, third-party reports (Morningstar, Argus, Credit Suisse), educational content, screeners, and analyst recommendations. Fidelity, Schwab, E*TRADE, and Interactive Brokers all score excellent. Robinhood remains light on research.
Which broker supports which accounts?
A quick reference. If you need joint, custodial, or trust accounts, stick with the full-service brokers. App-first brokers (Robinhood, Webull) limit you to individual taxable and IRAs.
What can you actually trade?
Most brokers cover stocks, ETFs, and options. Mutual funds, bonds, futures, forex, and crypto split the field. Pick a broker that covers what you actually plan to buy.
Common brokerage questions.
Which is the best online broker overall?
For most US investors, Fidelity is the best all-around choice. It pairs zero-commission trades with the strongest research, top-rated mobile and desktop apps, zero-fee index funds (FZROX, FZILX), and full retirement account support. Schwab is a close second, especially if you value branch access. Vanguard wins on pure cost for buy-and-hold index investors.
Are commission-free brokers really free?
Stock and ETF trades are genuinely $0 at every broker on this list. Brokers earn revenue from payment for order flow, margin interest, securities lending, and the spread on idle cash balances. Options usually cost $0.65 per contract (Robinhood and Webull are exceptions at $0). Mutual funds and bonds may carry transaction fees.
What is SIPC insurance and is it the same as FDIC?
SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) insures securities and cash up to $500,000 per account if a broker fails (including up to $250,000 in cash). It is not the same as FDIC, which insures bank deposits. SIPC does not protect against losses from market declines. Many brokers carry additional private excess insurance for amounts well above the SIPC limits.
Do I need an IRA or a taxable account?
If retirement is the goal, an IRA (Traditional or Roth) is more tax-efficient. The 2026 contribution limit is $7,000, or $8,000 if you are 50 or older. For shorter-term goals or amounts above the IRA limit, use a taxable brokerage account. Most investors hold both.
Can I move my account from one broker to another?
Yes. The ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) system moves stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds in kind, usually within 5 to 7 business days. You do not have to sell anything, which means no capital gains event. Most brokers will reimburse transfer fees (typically $75) to win your business.
Why does Vanguard have a higher options commission?
Vanguard charges $1.00 per options contract because its business is built around buy-and-hold index investing, not active trading. The pricing is intentional: it signals that Vanguard is not the right venue for options strategies. If you trade options regularly, consider Robinhood (free), Webull (free), or Fidelity (at $0.65).
Got your shortlist? Read the full reviews.
Each review covers pros, cons, fees, who it fits, and how to open.