Ally Invest is the brokerage arm of Ally Financial, offering self-directed trading and managed portfolios integrated with Ally Bank accounts. Ally Invest Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Best Online Brokers (2026)
The brokerage you choose determines what you pay to invest and what tools you get for it — and in 2026, the differences that matter aren't the ones in the ads. We track 27 online brokers, from full-service giants like Charles Schwab and Fidelity to leaner trading-first platforms, covering stock and ETF trading, options, futures, and margin. Most major US brokers now offer commission-free stock and ETF trades, so the real comparison has moved elsewhere: options contract fees, margin interest rates, the quality of research and screeners, and whether the mobile app is a genuine trading tool or a toy. Fractional shares have lowered the entry bar — you no longer need thousands to start — but account minimums, transfer fees, and customer service quality still separate the good from the merely cheap. Where SIPC coverage is standard for an entity we note it; SIPC protects securities up to $500,000 if a brokerage fails, but it never protects against market losses. Where we couldn't confirm a fee, the field stays blank rather than guessed. Day trading and options carry real risk of loss — a broker comparison tells you about costs and platforms, not which trades to make. If you're new, prioritize low all-in costs, fractional shares, and educational resources over advanced charting tools you'll never open, and be wary of any broker whose fee schedule you can't find in full.
Charles Schwab is one of the largest US brokerage firms, offering self-directed stock, ETF, options, and futures trading alongside banking and wealth management. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
CMC Markets is a UK-based trading provider offering CFDs and spread betting across forex, indices, and shares. It is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
DEGIRO is a European online broker offering low-cost access to stocks, ETFs, options, and futures across global exchanges. It is part of flatexDEGIRO and operates under European regulation.
E*TRADE, now part of Morgan Stanley, is a US online brokerage offering stock, ETF, options, and futures trading plus managed portfolios. E*TRADE Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
eToro is a global social trading platform offering stocks, ETFs, crypto, and CFDs with copy-trading features. It is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC in its operating regions; US services run through eToro USA.
Fidelity Investments is a major US financial services company offering brokerage accounts, retirement plans, mutual funds, and cash management. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Firstrade is a US online brokerage offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. Firstrade Securities Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Freetrade is a UK investment app offering commission-free stock and ETF investing with ISA and SIPP accounts. Freetrade is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
IG is a UK-based global trading provider offering CFDs, spread betting, and share dealing across 17,000+ markets. IG is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK.
Interactive Brokers is a global electronic brokerage serving active traders, investors, and institutions across 150+ markets. Interactive Brokers LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is Chase's online brokerage, offering commission-free stock and ETF trades integrated with Chase banking. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Merrill Edge is Bank of America's online brokerage, offering self-directed investing and guided portfolios integrated with BofA banking. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Moomoo is a trading app offering commission-free US stock, ETF, and options trading with free Level 2 market data. In the US it operates through Moomoo Financial Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
NinjaTrader is a futures trading platform and brokerage used by active futures traders, known for advanced charting and low commissions.
Plus500 is a global CFD trading platform offering leveraged trading on forex, stocks, indices, and crypto. Plus500 is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and other regulators.
Public is a US investing app offering fractional shares of stocks and ETFs plus crypto and alternative assets. Brokerage services are provided by a registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.
Robinhood is a US brokerage app known for commission-free stock, ETF, options, and crypto trading. Robinhood Financial LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank offering multi-asset trading across stocks, ETFs, bonds, forex, and derivatives in 26 countries. It is regulated by the Danish FSA and other regulators globally.
SoFi Invest is the investing arm of SoFi, offering commission-free active investing and automated portfolios alongside SoFi's banking and lending products. SoFi Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
tastytrade is a US brokerage focused on options and futures traders, known for its trader education content. tastytrade, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
TradeStation is a US brokerage built for active traders, offering equities, options, futures, and crypto trading on its desktop platform. TradeStation Securities, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Trading 212 is a UK/EU investment platform offering commission-free stock and ETF investing, CFDs, and cash ISAs. It is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK.
Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment managers, known for low-cost index funds and ETFs, plus a brokerage platform. Vanguard Marketing Corporation is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
Webull is a US brokerage app offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, and options with advanced charting tools. Webull Financial LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC.
XTB is a Polish-listed global broker offering forex, CFD, stock, and ETF trading via its xStation platform. XTB is regulated by the FCA, KNF, CySEC, and other regulators.
Zacks Trade is an online brokerage affiliated with Zacks Investment Research, aimed at active traders with professional-grade tools.
Frequently asked questions
Are these brokers safe to use?
We note SIPC membership where it's standard for an entity — SIPC protects securities up to $500,000 if a brokerage fails, but it doesn't protect against market losses. Always verify a broker's current regulatory standing yourself.
What does commission-free really mean?
Most brokers dropped commissions on stock and ETF trades, but options contracts, margin interest, and account fees still vary widely — that's where the comparison matters now.
Which broker is best for beginners?
Beginners generally do best with low costs, fractional shares, and strong educational content. Compare our listings on those dimensions rather than chasing advanced trading tools.