Best Stock Trading Apps

With so many available options, choosing the right stock trading app may feel overwhelming. The ideal platform can significantly impact your investment journey, influencing everything from the fees you pay to the tools you have at your disposal. 

This guide will give you an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each margin trading platform.   

How We Chose the Best Stock Trading Apps

We evaluated the platforms based on their commission structure and pricing transparency, platform usability and the range of available account types. Educational tools, investor resources and the quality of customer service were also considered.

6 Best Stock Trading Apps

Plus500 — Best Overall

Plus500 is a global multi-asset fintech group that operates trading platforms globally, offering a range of trading products, including CFDs, Share dealing and Futures trading (US).

Key Features:

• Quick onboarding
• Simplified mobile trading
• Easy-to-use platform
• CFDs for indices, ETFs, shares, forex, commodities, options and cryptocurrency
• Free deposits and withdrawals
• $100 minimum investment
• 0.7% currency conversion fee per transaction, when the currency in your account is different from those traded (Overnight Funding, Currency Conversion Fee, Guaranteed Stop Order, and Inactivity Fee)

However, Plus500 is not a platform for novices as it solely makes money from spreads and does not charge a commission. You may start trading Plus500 right away, leverage your experience, expand your portfolio, and start making money right away.

Why We Picked It: Plus500 is at the top of this list because it provides the best selection of tools and assets for a wide range of traders.

Interactive Brokers – Best for Global Reach

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a good choice for investors seeking access to global stock markets. Its reach across many countries and exchanges, combined with low costs and sophisticated trading technology, caters to those looking to diversify their equity holdings internationally.

Key Features: 

• Fees: IBKR offers a competitive commission structure for stock trading across global markets. It offers tiered and fixed pricing plans that are often lower than competitors', especially for international trades. There are no account minimums for most account types. 

• Investment Access: IBKR provides access to stocks listed on exchanges worldwide. Its extensive global reach allows investors to buy and sell shares in companies from many countries. Beyond stocks, it offers an array of other asset classes including options, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), futures, currencies and bonds. 

• Platform Experience: IBKR’s mobile platform offers a more streamlined interface to access international markets than its customizable desktop Trader Workstation platform. 

• Tools/Education Highlights: IBKR provides advanced trading tools for global stock analysis including charting with international market data, technical indicators, news feeds from around the world and risk management tools for multicurrency portfolios. Educational resources cater to experienced traders navigating global markets.

• Drawbacks: Navigating the intricacies of international trading regulations, currency conversions and different market hours can be challenging. 

Who It’s Best For: Experienced investors and traders who want access to global stock markets, appreciate low trading costs and are comfortable with a sophisticated trading platform with extensive features for international investing. 

Webull – Best for Beginners

Webull is an accessible, user-friendly stock trading app that’s particularly appealing to beginners. Its sleek, mobile-first interface combined with commission-free trading and fractional shares provides a straightforward and affordable entry point to stock investing.

Key Features: 

• Fees: Webull offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and options. There are no account minimums to open a standard brokerage account, making it easy for beginners to start with a small amount of capital.

• Investment Access: Webull provides access to a range of U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. It also supports options trading for those looking for more advanced strategies. It offers fractional shares, allowing investors to buy a portion of a stock even with a limited budget.

• Platform Experience: Webull’s intuitive mobile application is designed for easy navigation. Beginners will find the interface clean and straightforward with clear displays of account information, stock quotes and charting tools. 

• Tools/Education Highlights: Webull offers basic charting tools with common technical indicators that beginners can use to understand price movements. Real-time market data is available and the app provides educational resources like introductory articles and videos on investing concepts. 

• Drawbacks: Although it’s excellent for beginners, Webull’s research and analytical tools are less comprehensive than platforms geared toward experienced traders. The range of investment products is also more limited. Customer support options may not be as extensive as those offered by larger, more established brokerages. 

Who It’s Best For: Newer traders who want a commission-free platform with a user-friendly mobile interface and the ability to invest in fractional shares with no account minimums.

NinjaTrader – Best for Active Traders

NinjaTrader’s customizable platform is ideal for active stock traders who want advanced charting, technical analysis tools, backtesting capabilities and algorithmic trading. NinjaTrader can be connected to various brokerage accounts to facilitate active stock trading.

Key Features: 

• Fees: NinjaTrader is a pay-as-you-trade platform with no monthly fees. To trade live, you must connect it to a supported brokerage account. Commission structures depend on the brokerage you choose. NinjaTrader offers different licensing options for its software including a free version with limited features and paid lifetime licenses for full functionality. NinjaTrader doesn’t require an account minimum but the connected broker will have its own requirements.

• Investment Access: When connected to a compatible broker, NinjaTrader provides direct access to a range of futures contracts including all major e-mini and micro e-mini futures. NinjaTrader can be used for other asset classes but its focus is on futures.

• Platform Experience: NinjaTrader’s customizable desktop platform offers advanced charting capabilities, depth of market display and powerful order-entry tools for fast-paced futures trading. It allows trading directly from charts and supports many order types. NinjaTrader doesn’t have a mobile platform but some connected brokers may offer mobile solutions that complement the desktop platform.

• Tools/Education Highlights: NinjaTrader’s technical analysis tools include a library of built-in indicators and the ability to create custom indicators using NinjaScript. Algorithmic traders value its backtesting and strategy automation features. The platform also offers simulated trading for practicing e-mini strategies risk-free. Educational resources focus on platform use and futures trading strategies. 

• Drawbacks: The platform’s complexity may be daunting for new users. Its features and customization options can have a steep learning curve and the need to connect a separate brokerage account adds an extra step to the setup process. 

Who It’s Best For: Experienced stock traders who want advanced charting tools, sophisticated order entry, algorithmic trading capabilities and the flexibility to customize their trading environment.

Fidelity – Best for Educational Resources

Fidelity offers a wealth of resources accessible directly through its user-friendly app and website. Fidelity provides an excellent platform for both new and experienced investors who want to continue learning and stay informed.

Key Features: 

• Fees: Fidelity offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and options. There are no account minimums to open most brokerage accounts, making it accessible to investors of all levels. While some specialized services or transactions may have fees, the core trading experience is cost-effective. 

• Investment Access: Fidelity provides access to a range of investment products including stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and bonds. It also offers fractional shares, allowing investors to buy portions of stocks. 

• Platform Experience: Fidelity’s mobile app and website are designed with a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need. The platforms offer clear account overviews, customizable dashboards and seamless trading capabilities. They avoid overwhelming new users with excessive complexity.

• Tools/Education Highlights: Fidelity’s educational resources include articles, videos, webinars and infographics covering a range of investment topics from basic concepts to advanced strategies. It also offers virtual coaching sessions and learning centers tailored to different investor experience levels. The platforms integrate research and analysis tools from Fidelity and third-party providers, helping users make informed decisions.

• Drawbacks: Active traders may find the charting tools and real-time data streams less advanced than platforms designed for high-frequency trading. The volume of educational content may be overwhelming for beginners.

Who It’s Best For: Investors of all levels who want comprehensive educational resources, in-depth research and a user-friendly platform with commission-free trading. 

Robinhood – Best for Low Cost

Robinhood pioneered commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and options. Its mobile-first platform has made investing more accessible to a new generation of investors who are focused on keeping trading costs to a minimum.

Key Features: 

• Fees: Robinhood offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and options. While there may be fees for some premium features or regulatory transactions, the core trading experience is free. It also doesn’t require an account minimum to open a standard brokerage account. 

• Investment Access: Robinhood offers access to a variety of U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs and options. It also provides access to a limited selection of cryptocurrencies. Fractional shares are available for many stocks, allowing users to invest with smaller amounts of capital.

• Platform Experience: Robinhood’s mobile-first design is simple and easy to use. The intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners to execute trades. 

• Tools/Education Highlights: Robinhood offers basic charting tools and limited data. The educational resources on the app are introductory, focusing on basic investing concepts. Active traders or those seeking in-depth analysis may find the tools and educational content lacking compared to more established brokers.

• Drawbacks: More experienced traders may find Robinhood’s limited research and analytical tools inadequate. The range of investment products offered is also narrower than some full-service brokers. 

Who It’s Best For: Robinhood’s app is best suited for cost-conscious beginners and those who want a simple, commission-free mobile trading experience for U.S. stocks, ETFs and options.

Choosing the Right Stock Trading App

Your stock trading app isn’t just a tool – it’s your investing command center. The right app can shape how you analyze opportunities, manage risk and ultimately grow your wealth. Choosing the best one depends on your experience level, investment goals and the types of assets or markets you want to access.

For global diversification:
Interactive Brokers is hard to beat. Its global reach and competitive pricing make it ideal for investors seeking exposure to international markets, complex order types and multicurrency portfolios.

For first-time investors:
Webull and Robinhood both offer clean, intuitive interfaces with no commissions, making them attractive entry points for new investors. Webull includes more technical tools and fractional shares while Robinhood emphasizes simplicity and accessibility.

For active and algorithmic traders:
NinjaTrader is built for serious traders who want customizable layouts, advanced charting and the ability to backtest and automate strategies. It’s best suited for users who need precision and speed even if it requires more setup.

For lifelong learners and long-term investors:
Fidelity stands out for its education-first approach. With deep research, webinars and coaching tools integrated directly into the app, it’s a strong fit for those who want to grow their knowledge while building a portfolio.

In short, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best stock trading app is the one that meets your needs – whether that means access to global equities, low fees, in-depth analysis or simply a smooth user experience on mobile. Evaluate each platform’s fee structure, asset access, toolset and educational resources before making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions