Brokerage reviews 2024

Firstrade

Firstrade is a solid brokerage offering that may particularly appeal to options traders because of its commission-free options trades. You’ll also get access to quality research and its mobile app, but mutual fund investors may be disappointed by the small number of no-transaction fee funds available.

TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade still offers strong platforms and a range of research for its clients, making it a very solid pick for more advanced traders, even as it is about to merge with Charles Schwab. A wide range of tradable securities and plenty of commission-free mutual funds make this broker interesting for both new and advanced traders, as do the competitive commissions.

WellsTrade

WellsTrade offers a basic trading experience that may appeal to investors who bank with Wells Fargo, but more active traders may be disappointed by the bare bones approach.

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

JP Morgan provides all the core functionality you'll need, and the new ability to buy fractional shares makes it a better fit for beginning investors.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers continues to strengthen its offering, with access to worldwide markets, improved trading platforms, reduced fees and more no-transaction-fee mutual funds.

E*Trade

E-Trade is likely to be a suitable broker choice for many investors who will appreciate its low trading costs, high-quality research and education, and 24/7 access to customer service. However, if you’re starting small and looking to trade fractional shares, you’ll need to find a different option.

Ally Invest

Ally Invest offers all of the core trading functionality, including options, at an attractive price. Existing Ally customers will likely find it to be a great extension of their current relationship.

Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge brings strong research and education to the investing space, offering a solid trading platform for stocks, bonds, options and funds. You’ll likely find some extra things to love here if you’re already a customer of parent Bank of America, with 24/7 phone support and in-branch service potentially making that relationship even more meaningful to clients.

Fidelity

Fidelity Investments is back again with another blowout performance in Bankrate’s reviews. This broker seems to do it all right, from low costs to plenty of research to mutual funds to prompt and courteous customer service. And with so much under the Fidelity roof – banking, credit cards and more – you could capably run your financial life here.

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is a great all-around broker, whether you’re just getting started investing or are more advanced, and it can bring the heat on almost anything you’re likely to need. Add on strong customer support, a wide investment selection, no-commission mutual funds, and tons of research, and you have the makings of a five-star broker.

Webull

Webull is a great pick for mobile trading, not only for no commissions on stocks and options but also for its new addition of futures.

Robinhood

Robinhood has taken its game up a notch or two, pairing its traditional no-cost trading with new IRA accounts (and a special bonus match for clients) as well as improvements in customer service, including 24/7 chat. The mobile app remains an attractive place for options traders but is a no-go for those looking for mutual funds or a wide range of account types.

Vanguard

Vanguard remains a low-cost leader for buy-and-hold investors looking to build wealth over time rather than trading their way to riches.

TradeStation

TradeStation caters to advanced traders, including sophisticated trading platforms and options tools, as well as the ability to trade futures.

SoFi Active Investing

SoFi Active Investing provides commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs and options, and its fractional shares offering should appeal to new investors.

moomoo

Moomoo joins a crowded field of discount brokerages with an appeal to individual traders, offering some atypical features, including access to U.S., Hong Kong and Chinese markets. Competitive pricing on stocks, ETFs and options will prove welcome with traders, though others may find the lack of account types, limited available securities and high transfer fees off-putting.

Zacks Trade

Zacks Trade is a broker that should appeal to active traders with its advanced trading platform and ample research offering. New investors may be turned off by the high account minimum and fees for mutual fund trades.

Lightspeed

Lightspeed is all about active traders who can deliver volume to the broker, and so everything is optimized around making the experience the best for them. That means discounted prices for high-volume trades and multiple high-power trading platforms, but it also means no concern for eliminating the nickel-and-dime costs that other brokers routinely slash.

tastytrade

Tastytrade is an excellent broker for those focused on active trading, especially for options, and its "follow feed" helps you find successful traders to copy.

Axos Self-Directed Trading

—