Knowing which stock trading platform to open an account with can be a challenging process when there is often very little to separate one broker from another.

In order to make the process simple, users may choose to evaluate core metrics – such as those surrounding supported markets, fees, usability, account minimums, and customer service.

In this guide, we review the 9 popular stock trading platforms to watch.

The 9 popular stock trading platforms in the market for 2024 can be found in the list below:

  1. Webull
  2. Interactive Brokers
  3. E*TRADE
  4. Schwab
  5. Fidelity
  6. SoFi
  7. TD Ameritrade
  8. Robinhood
  9. Ally Invest

You will find full and detailed reviews of the 9 stock trading platforms listed above further down in this comparison guide. 

Users may want to review the popular stock trading platforms to buy stocks.

Users can analyze the different options by comparing the fees available, tradable assets, pricing structure and more to make their picks.

1. Webull

webull logo

Webull is a US-based stock trading platform that is popular with both newbies and experienced users. Those with experience in the stock trading space will appreciate the advanced tools and features on offer – which is inclusive of technical indicators and screeners. 

With that said, if you’re a complete beginner, you will like Webull for its straightforward platform, which requires no minimum deposit threshold to get started. Moreover, you can invest in stocks at Webull from just $5 per trade. As such, even if you only have a small amount of money to invest, Webull has you covered.

webull platform screenshot

When it comes to fees, you will not be charged any commissions at Webull. Spreads can be wide on smaller-cap stocks, and ADRs are charged on a per-share basis. You will also be charged an $8 fee if you deposit funds via a domestic bank wire, albeit, ACH is free. Fees are also charged when you trade on margin – which requires a minimum deposit of $2,000.

In terms of supported markets, Webull offers thousands of stocks across the NYSE and NASDAQ. However, access to international stock exchanges is not offered. You can also invest in cryptocurrency here from just $1 per trade, and markets include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano. Webull also supports stock options and funds.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? Yes – $5 minimum
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features $0 account minimum, suitable for all skillsets, selection of retirement accounts

Your capital is at risk.

2. Interactive Brokers 

interactive brokers review

Interactive Brokers was historically a platform utilized only by seasoned investors and traders with a large sum of capital to inject into the financial markets. However, this stock trading platform has since opened its doors to budget investors.

First and foremost, there is no minimum deposit requirement at Interactive Brokers when you open a self-directed account. This simply means that you are required to pick your own stock investments without the assistance of an advisor. Second, this popular stock trading platform allows you to invest in US-listed equities from just $1.

interactive brokers review

This is the lowest fractional share offering that you will find in the US brokerage scene. Another reason why Interactive Brokers is now attracting casual investors is that there are no commissions charged on US-listed stocks and ETFs. As such, investing in the domestic markets can be achieved on both a budget and without breaking the bank.         

We also like Interactive Brokers for its commitment to asset diversity. This covers thousands of stocks and ETFs from the US and international markets, albeit, foreign-listed assets are not commission-free. Interactive Brokers is also one of the popular penny stock trading platforms –  should you require access to the OTC markets.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? Yes – $1 minimum
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features  Thousands of markets, no account minimum, invest in stocks from $1

3. E*TRADE 

E*TRADE review

E*TRADE is another US-based platform that is available in the market. In particular, E*TRADE is favored for its retirement accounts – which covers a wide selection of IRAs. This will suit those of you that wish to invest in the stock markets as part of a long-term retirement plan.

Fees are also very competitive at E*TRADE, with the platform supporting 0% commission investment on all of its US-listed stocks. We should note that unlike the previously reviewed Webull and Interactive Brokers – there is no support for fractional shares at E*TRADE.

E*TRADE review

And as such, investing in expensive stocks like Amazon will require a huge capital outlay. On the other hand, you won’t need to meet a minimum deposit when opening a standard self-directed trading plan, nor are any deposit or withdrawal fees charged. E*TRADE does, however, fall short when it comes to providing access to international stock exchanges.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? No – not supported
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features Vast selection of IRAs, simple investment platform, huge selection of US-listed stocks

4. Schwab 

charles schwab reviewSchwab is an established US-based stock trading platform that gives you access to a huge variety of markets. When investing in foreign stocks here, a premium will be charged. However, Schwab allows you to invest in US-listed stocks without paying any trading commission.

We also like that Schwab has since joined the fractional investment bandwagon – with US-listed stocks available to purchase from just $5. With that said, your chosen stock must be listed on the S&P 500 for this to apply. Another option at Schwab is to invest in a thematic stock portfolio – each of which targets a specific market.

charles schwab review

This will be managed on your behalf, which is ideal for those of you seeking passive investment tools. Moreover, there are no added commissions to pay on thematic portfolios. When it comes to user-friendliness, Schwab seems to have created a stock trading platform that is suitable for all skillsets.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? Yes – $5 minimum
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features Thematic portfolios, $5 minimum stock trade

5. Fidelity 

fidelity reviewFidelity is another stock trading platform that was traditionally favored by large-scale investors. However, this platform now supports fractional share investments from just $1 per trade.

And, on the proviso that your chosen stocks are listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ, you will not pay a single cent in trading commission. Fidelity is also known for its extensive suite of asset classes in addition to just stocks. This includes everything from fixed-rate bonds and mutual funds to ETFs. We also like that Fidelity offers a huge number of passive investment tools.

fidelity review

This includes managed portfolios and even access to a financial advisor.  Additional fees and commissions on these products will apply. If you are opening a self-directed trading plan at Fidelity, you will not need to meet a minimum deposit. On the other hand, managed portfolios come with various minimums – so be sure to check this before opening an account. Fidelity also offers a popular trading app for iOS and Android.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? Yes – $1 minimum
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features Managed portfolios and financial advice, $1 minimum stock trade, popular mobile app

6. SoFi 

SoFi investSoFi was founded in 2011 with the view of allowing Americans to consolidate all of their financial needs via a single platform. Not only does the platform offer stock investment services,  but also digital checking accounts, loans, auto financing, and more.

Furthermore, SoFi has since had its chartered banking application approved, which will open up the doors to even more financial services. In terms of its stock investment wing, SoFi is home to thousands of US-listed equities. There is no support for foreign exchanges, albeit, US stocks can be bought and sold without incurring any commission.

SoFi invest

The minimum stock investment permitted at SoFi is just $5, while for digital currencies, this stands at $10. SoFi also offers access to upcoming IPOs and hundreds of ETFs. We also like SoFi for its automated portfolios, which allow you to build a pre-made basket of investments based on your risk tolerance and long-term financial goals.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? Yes – $5 minimum
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features Consolidation of banking and investing, no minimum deposit, very user-friendly

7. TD Ameritrade 

td ameritrade review

TD Ameritrade is one of the popular stock trading platforms for those that seek to invest large sums of capital and want access to advanced tools. Regarding the former, there is no support for fractional shares on this platform, which will likely be a deal-breaker for budget investors.

Nonetheless, TD Ameritrade offers a proprietary trading suite called thinkorswim, which offers everything you need to research the markets on both a technical and fundamental level. To take things to next level, TD Ameritrade offers its thinkorswim platform as downloadable software – which will particularly suit algorithmic traders.

td ameritrade review

When it comes to supported markets, TD Ameritrade offers thousands of US and international stocks, alongside mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and more. US-based equities can be traded at 0% commission. We also like TD Ameritrade for its customer support, which includes email, telephone, and even via a US branch.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? No – not supported
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features In-branch support, high-level trading suite, ideal for algorithmic traders

8. Robinhood 

Robinhood review

Robinhood is a US based platform that allows you to open an account without meeting a minimum deposit. Moreover, you can invest in stocks from just $1 per trading order.

Robinhood is also popular for its low fee policy. This allows you to buy and sell stocks, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies without paying any trading commissions. You can also deposit and withdraw funds on a fee-free basis. Robinhood does not charge any monthly fees on its standard account. However, any deposits over $1,000 will need to wait 1-3 days.

Robinhood review

If you want to deposit a higher amount of money instantly, then you can open a gold account for just $5 per month. The gold account will also enable you to trade stocks on margin. Ultimately, Robinhood won’t be suitable for serious investors – as the platform lacks trading notable analysis and research tools.

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? Yes – $1 minimum
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features Accessible for casual traders, margin accounts offered, no commissions charged on any supported assets

9. Ally Invest

Ally Invest review

Ally Invest is another popular stock trading platforms in the market. Offering mobile options, the iOS and Android app has been fully optimized for investing on the go, and opening an account rarely takes more than a few minutes.

You can deposit any amount of your choosing – as Ally Invest does not stipulate any account minimums. All of the stocks listed on the Ally Invest app can be traded commission-free.

Ally Invest review

Ally Invest also allows you to trade other asset classes – which includes ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. If you want to trade stocks on margin, this is also supported by the platform. We should also note that just like SoFi, Ally Invest offers checking accounts, loans, mortgages, and more – all via a single hub.     

Minimum Deposit $0
Fractional Shares? No – not supported
Pricing System 0% commission on US-listed stocks
Core Features Financial and investing services combined, thousands of US stocks and ETFs, simple user interface

For a comparison of the 9 popular stock trading platforms reviewed on this page – check out the table below.

Stock Brokers Minimum Deposit Fractional Shares? Pricing System
Webull $0 Yes – $5 minimum
0% commission on US-listed stocks
Interactive Brokers $0 Yes – $1 minimum
0% commission on US-listed stocks
E*TRADE $0 No – not supported
0% commission on US-listed stocks
Schwab $0 Yes – $5 minimum
0% commission on US-listed stocks
Fidelity $0 Yes – $1 minimum
0% commission on US-listed stocks
SoFi $0 Yes – $5 minimum
0% commission on US-listed stocks
TD Ameritrade $0 No – not supported
0% commission on US-listed stocks
Robinhood $0 Yes – $1 minimum
0% commission on US-listed stocks
Ally Invest $0 No – not supported
0% commission on US-listed stocks

We briefly explained earlier that there are a select number of core factors that we look for when reviewing the popular stock trading platforms in the market. 

We have talked about some of these features in the sections below:

Regulation

The first thing to check when searching for the popular stock trading platform for you is the provider’s regulatory standing.

You don’t need to have any concerns if you go with one of the platforms discussed on this page – as each is approved to offer brokerage services in the US.

However, if you come across a platform that didn’t make our list of the 9 popular stock brokers for 2024, be sure to check whether or not it is licensed by a body like the SEC.

Range of Stock Markets

If you have your heart set on specific stocks or exchanges – you’ll want to check whether or not the platform supports it before proceeding.

As per our reviews, platforms like Interactive Brokers, Schwab, and Fidelity not only give you access to thousands of US-based stocks but plenty of international exchanges too.

This will give you the best chance possible of diversifying across a wide number of markets. 

Minimum Deposit Requirement

The minimum deposit required by your chosen stock trading platform is another factor to analyze. In most cases, standard self-directed accounts require a minimum deposit of just a few dollars – or nothing at all. 

However, if you’re looking to open a specialist account that gives you access to retirement products, margin trading, or managed portfolios – then higher limits will likely come into play.

Fractional Ownership

If you’re thinking about investing in expensive stocks like Amazon or Berkshire Hathaway and you’re on a budget, then you’ll want to choose a stock trading platform that offers fractional shares.

This will enable you to buy just a small fraction of one share – often for a few dollars. 

Trading Fees

Popular stock trading platforms that we came across allow you to deposit funds for free. Moreover, most platforms in this industry now offer 0% commissions on US-listed stocks and ETFs. 

etoro supported stocks

Trading Tools and Features

When searching for the popular stock trading platform for beginners, users can look at whether the provider offers any tools or features that can help you make better investment decisions.

Demo Trading

If you are looking to trade stocks for the very first time, then users may want to see if the platform that offers demo accounts. This will enable you to trade in a risk-free environment until you get more comfortable with how the stock markets function.

Mobile App

Users can also see whether their chosen stock trading platform also offers a mobile app for your operating system. This will connect to your main trading account and thus – you will be able to buy and sell stocks on the move.

Payment Methods

All of the other platforms that we discussed today will support traditional payment methods – such as ACH, bank wires, and a check, but no PayPal options. 

Customer Support

The popular stock trading platforms in the market offer a solid customer experience. This means offering customer support around the clock across email and live chat. Some platforms also offer a telephone support line.

Conclusion

The popular stock trading platforms in the market today allow you to invest in US-listed equities at 0% commission and without needing to purchase a full share.

Frequently Asked Questions on Stock Trading Platforms

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