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The post Best Stock Brokers in 2025 by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.
Online stock brokers have evolved fast and in 2025, they’re not just for pros. Your broker matters whether you’re looking to day trade, build a long-term ETF portfolio or finally open that IRA. Fees, features and tools vary wildly and choosing the right one can save (or make) you thousands over time.
We spotlight the best online stock brokers based on cost, usability, investment access, account options and education tools. These brokers check all the boxes from commission-free trades to crypto integrations and retirement readiness.
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How We Chose the Best Stock Brokers
To surface the top platforms in 2025, we looked at:
- Commission structure: Are trades free? What’s the catch?
- Platform usability: Both web and mobile matter. Intuitive design, quick trade execution and smooth navigation earned extra points.
- Account variety: IRA, Roth, custodial or taxable.
- Investment access: Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto and even alternative assets.
- Customer service: Live support, fast response times and real human help.
- Educational resources: Webinars, articles and tutorials for all experience levels.
All recommendations are based on verified broker data as of October 2025.
Quick Look at the Best Stock Brokers:
- Best for cost-conscious investors: SoFi
- Best for leveraged trading: Plus500
- Best for long-term investors and retirement accounts: Fidelity
- Best all-around for beginners and research tools: Charles Schwab
- Best for commission-free mobile trading: Robinhood
- Best for active traders and global access: Interactive Brokers
- Best for Bank of America customers: Merrill Edge
- Best for beginner-friendly investing: Public
8 Best Stock Brokers
Whether you’re making your first trade or optimizing a seven-figure portfolio, these stock brokers stand out for their low fees, tools and investor-first experience.
1. Best for Cost-Conscious Investors: SoFi
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The wealth management arm, which aids in both passive and active investing, provides personalized advice based on the client’s unique financial situation and goals. Advisors offer assistance and robo-advising is also available through portfolio building and auto rebalancing.
Best For
- Beginners
- Passive investors
- Cost-conscious investors
- Portfolio builders
- Tools for goal setting and retirement analysis
- Access to financial advisors
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing
- Limited product options
- Doesn’t possess tax-optimization features such as tax los harvesting
SoFi Invest is there to help you plan for the future, including saving for a house down payment or paying for college and investing for large purchases. The platform will help rebalance your investments, avoid risk and help you stay “hands-off” with your investments.
You can start investing through SoFi with as little as $1 and make one-time or recurring payments depending on what works best for your investment goals. Plus, you can take an active role in your investing, if you choose to use the Active Invest side of the platform.
Commissions: No
Mobile app: Yes
2. Best for Leveraged Trading: Plus500
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82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Plus500 is an online CFD broker focusing on contracts for difference (CFDs). CFDs are similar to binary options in the U.S. where traders take all-or-nothing speculation on the prices of certain securities like indices, commodities or currencies. While not legal to trade in the U.S., CFDs are legal in many jurisdictions across the globe and Plus500 offers a wide array of tradable markets using these instruments.
Plus500 doesn’t charge commission and only profits off the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of a specific security. But Plus500 is not a broker for beginners — the education materials are sparse and CFDs are risky derivatives capable of sapping out all of an investor’s capital. Only trade these instruments if you understand how they operate and the risks involved with buying them.
Best For
- Traders looking for a smooth mobile experience
- Great mobile app
- Low spreads and commissions
- Unlimited demo account
- Only derivatives are available
- Not open to U.S. residents
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).
Highlights of the platform include:
- 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
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.
Commissions: No
Mobile app: Yes
3. Best for Long-Term Investors and Retirement Accounts: Fidelity
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Fidelity is a comprehensive and responsive brokerage suitable for both new and experienced traders alike. With complete access to the full U.S. stock and options markets, a set of state-of-the-art education and research tools, as well as a wide fee-free fund selection, Fidelity is equally useful for the veteran swing traders to novices opening their first accounts. Mobile traders will be especially happy with Fidelity’s app, which mirrors full capabilities of the platform. Though there isn’t much to criticize about Fidelity, the broker does have a few areas where it can afford to improve. Margin rates are significantly higher than most other brokers, especially for traders borrowing less than $25,000. It also doesn’t offer any access to the futures markets. Despite these minor flaws, Fidelity remains a strong choice for most investors.
Best For
- Easy-to-navigate yet functional platform strikes the perfect balance between expert tools and comfort for beginners
- Mobile trading app is fully-optimized and mirrors full functionality of the desktop platform
- Wide range of education and research options make learning more about securities and the market easier and less time-consuming
- Complete range of both independent and managed services available at exceptionally affordable prices
- Offers access to both domestic markets and 25 foreign markets, as well as a wide range of options contracts and over 10,000 mutual funds
- Mobile app that is well-integrated and works just as well as the desktop platform
- Wide selection of education tools and resources available free of charge
- Margin rates higher than many other competing brokerages
- No access to futures trading
- High fees for buying a non-Fidelity mutual fund (with over 3,300 fee-free funds available)
Fidelity continues leading the pack as a well-rounded broker for beginners and seasoned investors. Its commitment to low costs is evident through $0 commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs and no minimums to open an account. Beyond pricing, Fidelity gives investors access to various assets including mutual funds, bonds and options. The platform also excels in research support, offering proprietary analysis and third-party insights from providers like Morningstar.
Planning tools are where Fidelity truly shines. Their retirement score calculator and goal-setting features help investors clarify long-term performance. Fidelity’s mobile app mirrors the web experience, offering trading, research and bill payment everywhere. Some beginners may initially find the sheer volume of tools and research overwhelming.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile app: Yes
4. Best All-Around for Beginners and Research Tools: Charles Schwab
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Charles Schwab is a solid choice for traders of all skill levels. It offers full access to the U.S. equity and options markets as well as 30 international markets. Traders can create a diverse portfolio with $0 commissions and no account minimums. Schwab’s margin trading is expensive but Schwab makes up for it with affordable futures and options trades, along with a comprehensive mobile offering.
Best For
- 3 trading platforms perfectly in sync makes matching your platform to your skill level a snap
- Excellent futures trading education for new traders
- $0 account minimum means anyone can start trading
- Wide range of available assets to trade, including futures and 30 global markets
- SmartStreet Edge platform is powerful enough for advanced traders, yet easy enough for new traders to utilize
- Unique educational resources (like infographics and podcasts) make learning fun
- Margin rates are more expensive than competitors
- More limitations on available margin than competitors
- Expensive mutual funds
Charles Schwab strikes a smart balance between deep functionality and user-friendly design, making it an excellent pick for investors at all levels. Schwab offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, access to over 4,000 no-load mutual funds and a wide selection of retirement accounts including IRAs and solo 401(k)s. The platform is also known for its excellent customer support and intuitive planning tools.
The Schwab mobile app provides everything from investment tracking to fund research and live support. For hands-off investors, the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-advisor offers automated rebalancing at no advisory fee. While Schwab doesn’t have the flashiest interface or most advanced charting, it delivers consistent value and reliability in every key category.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile app: Yes
5. Best for Commission-Free Mobile Trading: Robinhood
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Robinhood is a popular trading platform known for its commission-free trades and user-friendly mobile app. Ideal for novice investors, Robinhood makes it easy to buy and sell stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a straightforward, no-frills experience, making it accessible for users new to investing. With features like fractional shares and a sleek interface, Robinhood lowers the barriers to entry for investing, allowing users to start with just a few dollars. It lacks the advanced tools and research options that more experienced investors might seek. Overall, Robinhood is a great choice for beginners seeking a simple way to invest.
Best For
- Beginners looking for simplicity
- Mobile-first investors
- Commission-free trades
- User-friendly mobile app
- Instant double
- Cash management
- Access to cryptocurrencies
- Limited research tools
- No mutual funds available
- Basic customer support options
Robinhood remains one of the most accessible stock trading platforms on the market, especially for beginners who prefer a mobile-first experience. Known for pioneering commission-free trading, Robinhood has maintained its appeal by offering an intuitive interface that strips away much of the complexity of traditional brokerage platforms. Investors can trade stocks, ETFs, options and even crypto directly from their phone without worrying about minimum account balances or trading fees.
Where Robinhood excels is ease of use. The platform is clean, streamlined and fast which is great for users who just want to buy, sell and monitor their portfolio without navigating a maze of tools. It’s not ideal for those seeking in-depth research or professional-grade charting (other brokers are better suited for that). Still, for casual or newer investors, it delivers a no-frills experience that just works. The app also includes fractional shares and instant deposit access, making it one of the most approachable entry points into the stock market.
Commissions: $0 on stocks, ETFs and options
Mobile app: Yes, iOS and Android
6. Interactive Brokers – Best for Active Traders and Global Access
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Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.
IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.
Best For
- Access to international markets
- Active traders
- Detailed mobile app that makes trading simple
- Wide range of available account types and tradeable assets
- IB SmartRouting provides significant price improvement vs. industry
- Fractional trading allows investing regardless of share price
- Industry’s lowest margin rates
- Earn more by lending your fuly-paid shares
- Beginner investors might prefer a broker that offers a bit more hand-holding and educational resources
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has long been the go-to platform for experienced traders, institutional investors and global market participants. The broker offers access to stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds and forex across over 150 markets worldwide – making it one of the most comprehensive platforms on the planet. Its flagship desktop platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), supports everything from advanced charting and algorithmic trading to in-depth options strategies. For investors who demand deep analytics and tight trade execution, IBKR sets the gold standard.
Despite its professional reputation, Interactive Brokers has made strides to appeal to retail investors through its IBKR Lite program, which includes $0 commissions on U.S. stock and ETF trades. Investors can also access fractional shares, margin loans with low interest rates and research tools powered by Morningstar, Zacks and more. Newer traders may find the platform overwhelming, especially on desktop and should consider starting with IBKR’s mobile app or the simplified IBKR GlobalTrader. It’s built for scale but also priced and structured for serious investors.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks/ETFs (IBKR Lite); low per-share pricing for active/pro options/futures
Mobile app: Yes, IBKR Mobile & GlobalTrader available on iOS and Android
7. Best for Bank of America Loyalists: Merrill Edge
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Merrill Edge is the discount brokerage wing of Merrill Lynch, who now operates under the umbrella of Bank of America. Bank of America customers get unique perks with Merrill Edge thanks to its fully-integrated system. Customers can jump back and forth between brokerage and banking services instantly and perform tasks like transferring money and paying bills.
Merrill Edge doesn’t provide access to advanced derivatives like futures and forex, but stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options and fixed income securities can still be traded in a variety of accounts and vehicles. Additionally, Merrill Edge earns high marks for its research and customer service, although the asset class selection and mobile trading features aren’t as dynamic as some competitors.
Best For
- Retirement savers
- Bank of America customers
- Beginner traders and new investors
- Free research from reputable sources
- Powerful Merrill Edge MarketPro platform
- Bank of America customers can easily link accounts
- Limited derivatives trading
- No OTC stocks
Merrill Edge offers a seamless bridge between banking and investing, especially for customers already using Bank of America. The platform gives you commission-free access to stocks and ETFs, thousands of mutual funds and a range of retirement accounts. You can manage your cash, credit and investment portfolio from a single dashboard, streamlining your entire financial life.
Merrill integrates with Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, adding value through perks and reduced fees. While the mobile app is intuitive and well-designed, it’s built more for traditional investors than those looking for gamified or socially driven investing. Merrill offers unmatched convenience and synergy for those already within the BofA ecosystem.
Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile app: Yes
8. Best for Beginner-Friendly Investing: Public
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Public is the only investing platform that lets you trade stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, options and alternative assets—like fine art and collectibles—all in one place. Public also provides access to custom company metrics, live shows about the markets, and insights from a community of millions of investors, creators, and analysts.
Today, Public provides more ways to create a diversified portfolio than nearly any other online broker. Members can engage in sophisticated investing strategies and access a wealth of investing insights—from company-specific analysis to live audio shows and town hall-style Q&As. In addition, Public offers a premium membership tier with unique company KPIs, detailed performance metrics, and institutional-grade research.
Best For
- Stock and ETF investors
- Crypto investors
- Investors looking to diversify with alternative assets or bonds and options
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading
- Fractional share investing
- Advanced data, tools, and insights with Public Premium
- You can’t transfer crypto to another wallet
- No mutual funds or precious metals
- At this time, only offers individual brokerage accounts and not IRAs
Public is one of the few brokers blending commission-free trading with social investing and it continues to carve out a unique niche. Designed with beginner investors in mind, Public offers access to stocks, ETFs, alternative assets (like crypto and collectibles) and even Treasury bills all in one clean, intuitive app. But what sets Public apart is its built-in community features: users can follow other investors, read real-time commentary and share their investment ideas all from within the platform. It’s investing meets social media in a good way.
Public also earns points for transparency and education. The app avoids payment-for-order-flow by routing trades directly to exchanges and clearly discloses how it makes money. It offers educational content including explainer videos and market insights, which helps new investors understand what they’re buying and why. While it lacks the depth of tools you’d find at a platform like Fidelity or Interactive Brokers, Public’s mobile-first simplicity and social approach make it a standout for those just starting or seeking an interactive learning experience.
Commissions: $0 on stock and ETF trades; no payment for order flow
Mobile app: Yes, available on iOS and Android
Why Choosing the Right Broker Matters
It’s not just about trading stocks. The right brokerage platform becomes your financial command center for budgeting, retirement planning, tax-loss harvesting and more. And with more brokers offering access to fractional shares, alternative investments and high-yield cash accounts, what you get goes well beyond simple trades.
Even a $5 fee per trade can add up quickly, especially for active investors. On the other hand, planning tools and research access can add real value over the long run.
Choose What Matches Your Strategy
Choosing the right stock broker depends on how you invest and what tools matter most. Fidelity or Schwab might be your best bet if you’re in it for the long haul. Robinhood or Public could fit the bill if you’re looking for low-cost access and simplicity. For pros, Interactive Brokers delivers serious horsepower.
Whatever your goals, prioritize transparency, usability and investor education and you’ll set yourself up for success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners start investing with these brokers?
Yes. Platforms like Robinhood, Schwab and Public are beginner-friendly and offer lots of educational content to help you start.
Do all brokers support IRAs?
No. While most major brokers do, always check for Roth, traditional and rollover IRA support if you’re saving for retirement.
Are $0 commission trades really free?
Mostly, yes but keep an eye on spreads, order routing and hidden fees like transfer costs or margin interest.
The post Best Stock Brokers in 2025 by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.
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