The Best Online Brokers for Stock Trading

Looking for the best online brokerage accounts for trading stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles?  Different online brokerages vary widely in terms of the fees associated with each account, so NerdWallet scoured the internet to find the best online brokers by category, whether you’re looking for a deep discount broker, commission free ETF trading, or the best customer service.

NerdWallet’s Top Picks: The Best Overall Online Brokers 

These brokerage accounts combine competitive pricing and usability along with top tier account features and premium services.

The best brokers for overall value:
	eTrade	Provides top tier research for a reasonable price, together with intuitive yet powerful analytics Commission Per Trade: $9.99 Account Minimum: $500 Promotion: Fund a New Account with $10,000 to receive 60 days of free trades and up to $500
	TradeKing	The most affordable no-minimum-deposit account  Commission Per Trade: $4.95 Account Minimum: none Promotion: Refer a friend and both receive $50

Commission Free ETF Trading: 

These brokerages give you access to the greatest quantity and variety of commission-free ETFs.

The best brokers offering ETF trading commission-free:
	TD Ameritrade	Offers 105 commission-free ETFs from 9 fund families, with no annual fee Commission Per Trade: $9.99 Account Minimum: $500 Promotion: Trade free for 60 days + get up to $600 when you make an initial deposit of $2000
	Firstrade	Best commission-free ETF trading with no account minimum: offers 10 of the most popular ETFs designed to be highly diversified Commission Per Trade: $6.95 Promotion: 90 days of free trades if you maintain $2000 in your account for 12 months, up to 250 trades

Most comprehensive customer service:

If you’re looking for 24/7 customer service and broker assistance as you invest, these premium features will get you started out with the help you need.

The brokerages with the best customer service:
	USAA	Consistently ranked for the best customer service, USAA caters to military and veteran needs but is available to any American looking to sign up Commission Per Trade: $8.95 Account Minimum: None Promotion: Trade free up to 90 days (maximum 50 trades) when you open a new account
	Merrill Edge	Offers 24/7 customer service with no account minimum, offering broker assisted market orders, phone trades Commission Per Trade: $6.95 Fees: No annual account fee Promotion: Get 30 free online trades per month if you maintain $25,000 in cash in your account

Access to top tier research and reports:

These brokerages will give you the highest quality research for the lowest price.

If you want the best brokers with free research and research reports:
	Scottrade	Offers free research reports, trading software and tools, and real time data Commission Per Trade: $7.50 Account Minimum: $2,000 Promotion: Transfer your existing brokerage account  and get reimbursed up to $250 of transfer fees
	eTrade	The broadest range of offerings combined with a user-friendly interface and extensive research Commission Per Trade: $9.99 Account Minimum: $500 Promotion: When you fund a new account with $10,000, receive 60 days of free trades & up to $500

The best deep-discount brokers:

If price is more important to you than speed, then your best bet is going with a deep discounter.

If you want the best deep discount brokers:
	Just2Trade	The most affordable alternative to brand name brokers Commission Per Trade: $2.50 Account Minimum: Must maintain at least $2500 of cash and equities
	OptionsHouse	Best value for trading stocks and options Commission Per Trade: $3.95 Account Minimum: $1000 Sign Up Deal: New accounts receive 100 commission-free trades for stock or option trades executed within 60 days

Access to free data analysis software:

These brokerage accounts give you the best data tools and stock analysis software for your money.

If you want the best brokers with free analysis software:
	TradeMonster	Offers top tier free tools, trading software, and real time data Commission Per Trade: $7.50 Account Minimum: $2,000 Promotion: Transfer your existing brokerage account and get reimbursed up to $250 of transfer fees
	TradeKing	Best free research and analysis software option with no account minimum Commission Per Trade: $4.95 Promotion: Switch to TradeKing and they’ll refund your transfer fees up to $150.  When you refer a friend, you both receive $50 after they fund an account

Learn More: How to Find the Right Broker For You

Don’t see what you’re looking for above?  If you need a very specific type of account, then the next step is to look carefully to see if you plan on using any of the following:

• Real-time trades
• Automated orders by phone
• 24/7 customer service
• Research reports
• Data analysis software
• Physical locations
• Mobile access
• Debit card

Using this checklist, you can compare and contrast pricing at all 74 online brokerages available to you using NerdWallet’s free brokerage comparison tool to make sure you’re really finding the best price and account for your needs.

For additional reviews and resources, please visit:

• NerdWallet’s Best Online Brokers, 2013 Edition
• NerdWallet’s Best Day Trading Platforms and Trading Software
• NerdWallet’s Best Accounts for Futures and Options Trading
• NerdWallet’s Best Brokers for Forex and Commodities Trading
• NerdWallet’s Best Online Brokers for Penny Stock Trading