2020's Investing
Winners
Best Broker for Stock Trading Platform and Research (tie)
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- No account minimum.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment selection.
Cons
- No fractional shares.
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- No account minimum.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment selection.
Cons
- No fractional shares.
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- No account minimum.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment selection.
Cons
- No fractional shares.
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- No account minimum.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment selection.
Cons
- No fractional shares.
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- No account minimum.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment selection.
Cons
- No fractional shares.
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades.
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- No account minimum.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment selection.
Cons
- No fractional shares.
Why this BROKER made the list
TD Ameritrade offers best-in-class tools for researching and executing trades across a range of investments.
Read our methodologyBest Broker for Stock Trading Platform and Research (tie)
on Interactive Brokers' website
on Interactive Brokers' website
$0.005
per share; as low as $0.0005 with volume discounts
$0
Exclusive!
U.S. residents who open a new IBKR Pro account will receive a 0.25% rate reduction on margin loans. Terms apply.
Pros
- Per-share pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- Large investment selection.
- Extensive tools for active traders.
- Powerful trading platform.
- NerdWallet users who sign up for IBKR Pro get a 0.25% discount on the first $100,000 of a margin loan.
Cons
- Complex pricing on some investments.
Pros
- Per-share pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- Large investment selection.
- Extensive tools for active traders.
- Powerful trading platform.
- NerdWallet users who sign up for IBKR Pro get a 0.25% discount on the first $100,000 of a margin loan.
Cons
- Complex pricing on some investments.
$0.005
per share; as low as $0.0005 with volume discounts
$0
Exclusive!
U.S. residents who open a new IBKR Pro account will receive a 0.25% rate reduction on margin loans. Terms apply.
Pros
- Per-share pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- Large investment selection.
- Extensive tools for active traders.
- Powerful trading platform.
- NerdWallet users who sign up for IBKR Pro get a 0.25% discount on the first $100,000 of a margin loan.
Cons
- Complex pricing on some investments.
Pros
- Per-share pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- Large investment selection.
- Extensive tools for active traders.
- Powerful trading platform.
- NerdWallet users who sign up for IBKR Pro get a 0.25% discount on the first $100,000 of a margin loan.
Cons
- Complex pricing on some investments.
$0.005
per share; as low as $0.0005 with volume discounts
$0
Exclusive!
U.S. residents who open a new IBKR Pro account will receive a 0.25% rate reduction on margin loans. Terms apply.
Pros
- Per-share pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- Large investment selection.
- Extensive tools for active traders.
- Powerful trading platform.
- NerdWallet users who sign up for IBKR Pro get a 0.25% discount on the first $100,000 of a margin loan.
Cons
- Complex pricing on some investments.
Pros
- Per-share pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- Large investment selection.
- Extensive tools for active traders.
- Powerful trading platform.
- NerdWallet users who sign up for IBKR Pro get a 0.25% discount on the first $100,000 of a margin loan.
Cons
- Complex pricing on some investments.
Why this BROKER made the list
Interactive Brokers' IBKR Pro pairs a state-of-the-art platform with numerous research resources.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Low-Cost Investing
on SoFi Invest's website
on SoFi Invest's website
0%
management fee
$0
1% match on IRA contributions
Only offers made via ACH are eligible for the match. ACATs, wires, and rollovers are not included.
Pros
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- Free portfolio management.
- Access to certified financial planners.
- 1% match on IRA contributions.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Limited account types.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Pros
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- Free portfolio management.
- Access to certified financial planners.
- 1% match on IRA contributions.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Limited account types.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
0%
management fee
$0
1% match on IRA contributions
Only offers made via ACH are eligible for the match. ACATs, wires, and rollovers are not included.
Pros
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- Free portfolio management.
- Access to certified financial planners.
- 1% match on IRA contributions.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Limited account types.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Pros
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- Free portfolio management.
- Access to certified financial planners.
- 1% match on IRA contributions.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Limited account types.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
0%
management fee
$0
1% match on IRA contributions
Only offers made via ACH are eligible for the match. ACATs, wires, and rollovers are not included.
Pros
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- Free portfolio management.
- Access to certified financial planners.
- 1% match on IRA contributions.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Limited account types.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Pros
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- Free portfolio management.
- Access to certified financial planners.
- 1% match on IRA contributions.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Limited account types.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Why this ROBO-ADVISOR made the list
SoFi charges no management fee and no administrative fees, and you still get a broad selection of investments and free access to financial advice.
Read our methodologyBest Online Financial Planning Service
on Facet's website
on Facet's website
$2,000 and up
per year (free initial consultation)
$0
Limited time $550 kick-start offer!*
Get $300 into your brokerage account if you invest & maintain $5k within your first 90 days, plus the $250 enrollment fee will be waived for new annual members. Expires Dec 31, 2024
Pros
- Comprehensive, full-service financial planning.
- Meetings are held virtually, via phone or video call.
- Access to a dedicated certified financial planner.
- Flat fee means you pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Wide fee range makes it difficult for potential customers to estimate costs.
Pros
- Comprehensive, full-service financial planning.
- Meetings are held virtually, via phone or video call.
- Access to a dedicated certified financial planner.
- Flat fee means you pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Wide fee range makes it difficult for potential customers to estimate costs.
$2,000 and up
per year (free initial consultation)
$0
Limited time $550 kick-start offer!*
Get $300 into your brokerage account if you invest & maintain $5k within your first 90 days, plus the $250 enrollment fee will be waived for new annual members. Expires Dec 31, 2024
Pros
- Comprehensive, full-service financial planning.
- Meetings are held virtually, via phone or video call.
- Access to a dedicated certified financial planner.
- Flat fee means you pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Wide fee range makes it difficult for potential customers to estimate costs.
Pros
- Comprehensive, full-service financial planning.
- Meetings are held virtually, via phone or video call.
- Access to a dedicated certified financial planner.
- Flat fee means you pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Wide fee range makes it difficult for potential customers to estimate costs.
$2,000 and up
per year (free initial consultation)
$0
Limited time $550 kick-start offer!*
Get $300 into your brokerage account if you invest & maintain $5k within your first 90 days, plus the $250 enrollment fee will be waived for new annual members. Expires Dec 31, 2024
Pros
- Comprehensive, full-service financial planning.
- Meetings are held virtually, via phone or video call.
- Access to a dedicated certified financial planner.
- Flat fee means you pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Wide fee range makes it difficult for potential customers to estimate costs.
Pros
- Comprehensive, full-service financial planning.
- Meetings are held virtually, via phone or video call.
- Access to a dedicated certified financial planner.
- Flat fee means you pay only for what you need.
Cons
- Wide fee range makes it difficult for potential customers to estimate costs.
Why this SERVICE made the list
Facet sets its prices based on the complexity of advice required, offering clients dedicated access to CFPs for less than the cost of a traditional advisor.
Read our methodologyBest Broker for Low-Cost Investing
on Interactive Brokers' website
on Interactive Brokers' website
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large investment selection.
- Strong research and tools.
- Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- High order execution quality.
Cons
- High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large investment selection.
- Strong research and tools.
- Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- High order execution quality.
Cons
- High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large investment selection.
- Strong research and tools.
- Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- High order execution quality.
Cons
- High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large investment selection.
- Strong research and tools.
- Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- High order execution quality.
Cons
- High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large investment selection.
- Strong research and tools.
- Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- High order execution quality.
Cons
- High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large investment selection.
- Strong research and tools.
- Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- High order execution quality.
Cons
- High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Website can be difficult to navigate.
Why this BROKER made the list
Many brokers offer free trades on stocks and exchange-traded funds. Interactive Brokers' IBKR Lite stands out with free trades, no minimum and no account fees.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Portfolio Options
0.40% - 0.50%
management fee
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Access to human advisors.
- Free portfolio analysis.
- Socially responsible investment options.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Higher account management fees.
- Limited personal finance tools.
Pros
- Access to human advisors.
- Free portfolio analysis.
- Socially responsible investment options.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Higher account management fees.
- Limited personal finance tools.
0.40% - 0.50%
management fee
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Access to human advisors.
- Free portfolio analysis.
- Socially responsible investment options.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Higher account management fees.
- Limited personal finance tools.
Pros
- Access to human advisors.
- Free portfolio analysis.
- Socially responsible investment options.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Higher account management fees.
- Limited personal finance tools.
0.40% - 0.50%
management fee
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Access to human advisors.
- Free portfolio analysis.
- Socially responsible investment options.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Higher account management fees.
- Limited personal finance tools.
Pros
- Access to human advisors.
- Free portfolio analysis.
- Socially responsible investment options.
- No account minimum.
Cons
- Higher account management fees.
- Limited personal finance tools.
Why this ROBO-ADVISOR made the list
Wealthsimple goes beyond the common menu of options with socially responsible investment choices plus a halal investment portfolio of individual stocks.
Read our methodologyBest Broker for IRA Investing (tie)
$0
per trade
$0
Up to $200
in Transfer Fee Rebates
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- $0 contract fee on options trades.
- All mutual funds are commission-free.
- Chinese language options.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- $0 contract fee on options trades.
- All mutual funds are commission-free.
- Chinese language options.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
$0
per trade
$0
Up to $200
in Transfer Fee Rebates
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- $0 contract fee on options trades.
- All mutual funds are commission-free.
- Chinese language options.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- $0 contract fee on options trades.
- All mutual funds are commission-free.
- Chinese language options.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
$0
per trade
$0
Up to $200
in Transfer Fee Rebates
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- $0 contract fee on options trades.
- All mutual funds are commission-free.
- Chinese language options.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- $0 contract fee on options trades.
- All mutual funds are commission-free.
- Chinese language options.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Why this BROKER made the list
Firstrade offers commision-free stock and ETF trades and a wide selection of research tools.
Read our methodologyBest Broker for IRA Investing (tie)
on Charles Schwab's website
on Charles Schwab's website
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- Strong retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
- High fee for transaction-fee funds.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- Strong retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
- High fee for transaction-fee funds.
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- Strong retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
- High fee for transaction-fee funds.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- Strong retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
- High fee for transaction-fee funds.
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- Strong retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
- High fee for transaction-fee funds.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
- Strong retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
- High fee for transaction-fee funds.
Why this BROKER made the list
Charles Schwab delivers a robust array of low-cost investment options, plus $0 stock and ETF trade commissions.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for IRA Investing
0%
management fee
$5,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- No portfolio management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Customizable portfolios.
Cons
- $5,000 account minimum.
- Portfolios hold a large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Pros
- No portfolio management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Customizable portfolios.
Cons
- $5,000 account minimum.
- Portfolios hold a large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
0%
management fee
$5,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- No portfolio management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Customizable portfolios.
Cons
- $5,000 account minimum.
- Portfolios hold a large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Pros
- No portfolio management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Customizable portfolios.
Cons
- $5,000 account minimum.
- Portfolios hold a large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
0%
management fee
$5,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- No portfolio management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Customizable portfolios.
Cons
- $5,000 account minimum.
- Portfolios hold a large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Pros
- No portfolio management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Customizable portfolios.
Cons
- $5,000 account minimum.
- Portfolios hold a large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Why this ROBO-ADVISOR made the list
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios charges no management fee, draws from more than 50 low-expense-ratio ETFs and boasts excellent goal-tracking tools.
Read our methodologyBest Broker for Beginning Investors
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Why this BROKER made the list
Fidelity charges no account fees, requires no minimum balance and earned high marks for customer service, both on its website and in nearly 200 local branches.
Read our methodologyBest Index Funds Overall
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Large selection of research providers.
- Strong customer service.
- Expense-ratio-free index funds.
- Highly rated mobile app.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Why this PROVIDER made the list
Fidelity's lineup of index funds offers investors a broad range of options at exceptionally low costs.
Read our methodologyWant to compare brokers?
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Frequently Asked Questions
