Looking for the best online broker? Start your search with our list of the best online brokers to find one that best fits your investment needs. You can easily compare brokers by costs, investment options, deposit requirements, ratings and more.
Whether you’re ready to open your first brokerage account or looking for a new broker, keep a few things in mind. A top online broker not only has competitive trade commissions, but also great trading and research tools, offers a variety of investment choices, and provides great customer service. Keep all these things in mind when you compare each broker.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out our guide on how to compare online brokers or if you have a broker in mind see if it’s running a promotion.
Since brokers can change their commissions and fees at any given time, it’s best to visit the site and review all the information carefully before opening an account.
TD Ameritrade
- Rated #1 for Long Term Investors and Novices by Barron’s
- Award winning trading tools and support
- Free independent third-party research and educational resources
- Over 100 Commission Free ETFs
- Mobile App for investors on the go
- Read the TD Ameritrade review or find current TD Ameritrade promotions
Stock Trade | ETF Trade | Mutual Fund Trade | Options Trade | Options Contract | Minimum Deposit | IRA Annual Fees |
$6.95 | $0 – $6.95 | $0 – $49.95 | $6.95 | $0.75 | None | None |
Ally Invest
- One of the lowest-Cost self-directed trading platforms
- Ally Invest Managed Portfolios – automated investing for a low 0.30% annual fee
- Mobile App for investors on the go
- Formerly TradeKing (bought by Ally Financial in 2016)
- Find current Ally Invest promotions
Stock Trade | ETF Trade | Mutual Fund Trade | Options Trade | Options Contract | Minimum Deposit | IRA Annual Fees |
$4.95 | $4.95 | $9.95 | $4.95 | $0.65 | None | None |
Scottrade
- Offers a full line of investment products
- Over 500 local branches nationwide for that face-to-face service
- Trade or research anywhere with the mobile app or mobile website
- $2,500 to open an account
- Find current Scottrade promotions
Stock Trade | ETF Trade | Mutual Fund Trade | Options Trade | Options Contract | Minimum Deposit | IRA Annual Fees |
$7.00 | $7.00 | $0 – $17 | $7.00 | $0.70 | $2,500 | None |
E*TRADE
- Industry leader for over 20 years
- Offers free easy-to-use research, education and investing tools
- Over 100 Commission Free ETFs
- Trade on the go with the E*TRADE Mobile Pro app for all mobile platforms
- Offers discounted commissions for high volume traders
- Find current E*Trade promotions
Stock Trade | ETF Trade | Mutual Fund Trade | Options Trade | Options Contract | Minimum Deposit | IRA Annual Fees |
$6.95 | $0 – $6.95 | $0 – $19.99 | $6.95 | $0.75 | $500 | None |
Betterment
- Betterment is a broker alternative offering simple asset allocations to fit your needs
- Straightforward annual fee of 0.25%
- No transaction fees
- No minimum balance
- No IRA fees
- Automatic account rebalancing
- Read the Betterment review or find current Betterment promotions
Wealthfront
- Wealthfront is a tax efficient investment solution offering automated portfolios built for you
- Straightforward annual fee of 0.25% (first $10,000 managed free)
- No transaction fees
- $500 account minimum
- No IRA fees
- Automatic account rebalancing and dividend reinvestment
- Find current Wealthfront promotions
optionshouse
- Rated “Best for Options Traders” by Barron’s in ’09, ’10, ’11
- Trade with an award-winning cutting edge trading platform developed by professionals
- Virtual stock and options trading platform to test your strategies first
- Find current Optionshouse promotions
Stock Trade | ETF Trade | Mutual Fund Trade | Options Trade | Options Contract | Minimum Deposit | IRA Annual Fees |
$4.95 | $4.95 | $20.00 | $4.95 | $0.50 | None | None |
optionsXpress
- Free trading education with XpressMethod
- Full access trading on the go from any mobile device with OX Mobile
- Rated at least 4 stars out of 5 by Barron’s from 2002 – 2011
- Find current OptionsXpress promotions
Stock Trade | ETF Trade | Mutual Fund Trade | Options Trade | Options Contract | Minimum Deposit | IRA Annual Fees |
$9.95 | $9.95 | $9.95 | $0 | $1.50 | None | None |