5 picks · editor's ranking

Best Online Brokers of 2026

Most major brokers now charge $0 for online stock and ETF trades, so the real differences are in fund choices, tools, account types and support.

If you're just starting, any of these will do the job. Pick the one whose app and fund lineup you'll be happy using for decades.

Last reviewed October 23, 2026

Advertiser disclosure. Some listings may include affiliate links. If you apply through one, TheMoneyCraze may be compensated at no extra cost to you. This never changes our editorial coverage. Terms change — always confirm current details with the provider. How we make money

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Best for	Management fee	Action
1Fidelity Investments	Best overall	None (self-directed)	Visit site — Fidelity Investments (opens in a new tab)
2Charles Schwab	Best for research and support	None (self-directed)	Visit site — Charles Schwab (opens in a new tab)
3Vanguard	Best for index investors	None (self-directed)	Visit site — Vanguard (opens in a new tab)
4E*TRADE	Best for active traders	None (self-directed)	Visit site — E*TRADE (opens in a new tab)
5SoFi Invest	Best for beginners	None (self-directed)	Visit site — SoFi Invest (opens in a new tab)

#1Best overall

Fidelity Investments

Online broker

Best for: Best all-around broker

$0 trades, no minimum, fractional shares and zero-expense-ratio index funds.

Stock & ETF trades: $0
Account minimum: $0
Accounts: Taxable, IRA, Roth, HSA and more

Fractional shares
IRA accounts
No account minimum
Crypto trading
In-person branches

Show pros & cons

$0 stock and ETF trades
ZERO expense-ratio index funds
Fractional shares from $1
24/7 support and branches

Feature-rich platforms can feel complex at first

Some ETFs carry a transaction fee and sell orders have a small regulatory fee.

Management fee

None (self-directed)

Visit site

Official site · not a sponsored link

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026

#2Best for research and support

Charles Schwab

Online broker

Best for: Research and full-service investing

Top-tier tools, thinkorswim and hundreds of branches.

Stock & ETF trades: $0
Account minimum: $0
Accounts: Taxable, IRA, Roth and more

Fractional shares
IRA accounts
No account minimum
In-person branches

Show pros & cons

$0 stock and ETF trades
thinkorswim for active traders
400+ branches and 24/7 service

Fractional shares limited to S&P 500 stocks

Management fee

None (self-directed)

Visit site

Official site · not a sponsored link

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026

#3Best for index investors

Vanguard

Online broker

Best for: Long-term index fund investors

The home of low-cost index investing, built for buy-and-hold.

Stock & ETF trades: $0 online
Account minimum: $0
Accounts: Taxable, IRA, Roth and more

IRA accounts
No account minimum

Show pros & cons

Very low-cost index funds
$0 online trades
Ideal for buy-and-hold investing

Basic trading tools
Fees on some broker-assisted phone trades

Management fee

None (self-directed)

Visit site

Official site · not a sponsored link

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026

#4Best for active traders

E*TRADE

Online broker (Morgan Stanley)

Best for: Hands-on traders and options

Power E*TRADE and strong options tools.

Stock & ETF trades: $0
Account minimum: $0
Accounts: Taxable, IRA, Roth and more

Fractional shares
IRA accounts
No account minimum

Show pros & cons

Power E*TRADE for active traders
Strong options tools
$0 stock and ETF trades

Fractional shares limited to select stocks and ETFs

Management fee

None (self-directed)

Visit site

Official site · not a sponsored link

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026

#5Best for beginners

SoFi Invest

Online broker

Best for: Beginners who bank with SoFi

Investing, banking and loans in one simple app, with an IRA match.

Stock & ETF trades: $0
Account minimum: $0
Accounts: Taxable, IRA, Roth

Fractional shares
IRA accounts
No account minimum

Show pros & cons

Everything in one app
1% IRA match (terms apply)
Beginner-friendly

Fewer research tools than the big brokers

Management fee

None (self-directed)

Visit site

Official site · not a sponsored link

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Fees and features are as published by each provider on the review date and can change. Other fees (fund expense ratios, transfer and specialty fees) may apply.

How we compare platforms

Our methodology

We review each provider's published terms and compare them on what matters most. Rankings are editorial: partners can't pay for a better position, and any sponsored link is labelled. Terms change, so every entry shows the date it was last reviewed.

Cost

Commissions, management fees and the funds' own expense ratios.

Accessibility

Account minimums, fractional shares and ease of getting started.

Account choice

Taxable, IRA and other account types available.

Tools & support

Research, automation, tax features and access to human help.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is my money safe at an online broker?

Brokerage accounts at SIPC-member firms are protected up to $500,000 (including $250,000 in cash) if the firm fails. SIPC doesn't protect against market losses.

Should I open a taxable account or an IRA?

If you're saving for retirement and eligible, an IRA's tax advantages usually make it the better first choice. A taxable account has no contribution limits or withdrawal restrictions.

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Before you decide

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