ReviewUpdated
By:Cole Tretheway
Cole Tretheway
Cole Tretheway is a full-time personal finance writer whose articles have been featured on The Ascent and The Motley Fool. He has a degree in English with a Certificate in Professional and Technical Communication from California Polytechnic University, SLO.
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Our BrokeragesExpert
Fact CheckedNathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Fact checker
Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
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If you're ready to get started with buying stocks, mutual funds, or other investments, you'll first need a brokerage account.
Below, you'll find links to all of our brokerage account reviews. Our experts have reviewed a wide range of stock brokers, trading platforms, and investing apps to help you find the best option for your needs.
Brokerage and trading platform reviews
- Acorns Review
- Ally Invest Review
- Ally Invest Managed Portfolios Review
- Axos Self-Directed Trading Review
- Betterment Review
- Cash App Investing Review
- Charles Schwab Brokerage Review
- Delphia Review
- E*TRADE Review
- E*TRADE Core Portfolios Review
- Ellevest Review
- Empower Review
- eToro Review
- Fidelity Review
- Fidelity Go Review
- Firstrade Review
- FOREX.com Review
- Interactive Brokers Brokerage Review
- J.P. Morgan Investing Review
- M1 Finance Review
- Magnifi Review
- Marcus Invest Review
- Merrill Edge Review
- Moomoo Review
- Plynk Review
- Public App Review
- Robinhood Review
- Robinhood Gold Review
- Rocket Dollar Review
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Review
- SoFi Active Investing Review
- SoFi Automated Investing Review
- Stash Review
- Stockpile Review
- Tastytrade Review
- TD Ameritrade Review
- TD Ameritrade Essential Portfolios Review
- Titan Review
- Tornado App Review
- TradeStation Review
- Tradier Brokerage Review
- Vanguard Review
- Vanguard Digital Advisor Review
- Wealthfront Review
- Webull Review
- Zacks Trade Review
Want to compare brokers?
Once you've narrowed down your search, take a look at our head-to-head comparisons to choose which brokerage account is right for you.
Explore our brokerage comparisons
Best of brokerage lists
- Best Brokers for Fractional Share Investing
- Best Brokers for Mutual Funds
- Best Custodial Accounts
- Best ETF Brokers
- Best Free Stock Trading Apps
- Best Futures Trading Platforms
- Best Investment Apps
- Best IRA Accounts
- Best Online Stock Brokers for Beginners
- Best Options Trading Platforms
- Best Robo-Advisors
- Best Robo-Advisors for Beginners
- Best Roth IRA Accounts
- Best Stock Brokers and Trading Platforms
Related content
- How to Open a Brokerage Account
- How to Choose an Online Brokerage
- How a Brokerage Account Works
- How to Invest Money
- What to Invest In
- How to Invest in Stocks
Methodology
The Ascent strives to provide useful and up-to-date brokerage reviews. Our financial experts rate products based on the following features: fees, ease of use, and quality of the trading platform and research offerings.
To learn more about how we go about reviewing brokers, read our ratings methodology.
Top Brokers of 2024
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Fees:
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold
Account Minimum:
$0
Highlights:
With no commissions, access to trade fractional shares and cryptocurrency through Robinhood Crypto, Robinhood is a no frills but efficient brokerage account.
Open Account for Robinhood
OnRobinhood'sSecure Website.
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Fees:
$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts
Account Minimum:
$0
Highlights:
A clear standout for a modern investing experience, particularly for beginner and long-term investors. The ability to buy fractional shares, as well as the ability for everyday investors to participate in IPOs, bolsters our overall opinion.
Open Account for SoFi Active Investing
OnSoFi Active Investing'sSecure Website.
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Fees:
Commission-free; other fees apply
Account Minimum:
$0
Highlights:
E*TRADE offers low fees and tons of account types. If you need it, chances are, E*TRADE has it. You can access advanced features through its popular Power E*TRADE platform. Open an E*TRADE account to trade fee-free mutual funds and do all your investing in one place.
Open Account for E*TRADE
OnE*TRADE'sSecure Website.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Charles Schwab is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Ally is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Cole Tretheway has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Axos Financial, Charles Schwab, and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Interactive Brokers Group and recommends the following options: short June 2024 $65 puts on Charles Schwab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Robinhood disclosure
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Securities are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. For more information see the Robinhood Crypto Risk Disclosure.
Trades of stocks, ETFs and options are commission-free at Robinhood Financial LLC. Other fees may apply. Please see Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule to learn more.
Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement.
Robinhood Gold is an account offering premium services available for a $5 monthly fee. Not all investors will be eligible to trade on Margin. Margin investing involves the risk of greater investment losses. Additional interest charges may apply depending on the amount of margin used. Bigger Instant Deposits are only available if your Instant Deposits status is in good standing.
E*TRADE services are available just to U.S. residents.
