INVESTING
WINNERS for 2021
Best Online Broker for Stock Trading Platform and Research
$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 free access to research from over a dozen high-quality sources as well as a downloadable or web-based professional-level trading platform.
Read our methodologyBest Online Broker for Beginning Investors
on Fidelity's website
on Fidelity's website
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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 offers $0 trading commissions, more than 3,500 no-transaction-fee mutual funds, and earns high marks for customer service and investor education.
Read our methodologyBest App for Investing
on Fidelity's website
on Fidelity's website
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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, ETF and options 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
Aside from an all-star lineup of trading tools and investment research, Fidelity’s mobile apps have the highest average user rating of companies we reviewed.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Low-Cost Investing
on Vanguard's website
on Vanguard's website
0.15%
per year (approximately)
$3,000
No advisory fees
your first 90 days of Vanguard Digital Advisor investment management (Enrollment requires a Vanguard account with a minimum of $3,000)
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low management fee relative to competitors.
- Low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low management fee relative to competitors.
- Low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
0.15%
per year (approximately)
$3,000
No advisory fees
your first 90 days of Vanguard Digital Advisor investment management (Enrollment requires a Vanguard account with a minimum of $3,000)
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low management fee relative to competitors.
- Low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low management fee relative to competitors.
- Low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
0.15%
per year (approximately)
$3,000
No advisory fees
your first 90 days of Vanguard Digital Advisor investment management (Enrollment requires a Vanguard account with a minimum of $3,000)
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low management fee relative to competitors.
- Low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low management fee relative to competitors.
- Low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
Why this Robo-advisor made the list
Vanguard Digital Advisor is an affordable way to invest for retirement with low management fees, low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Cash Management
0.24%
management fee
$500
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Low account management costs.
- Customizable portfolios.
- Goal-based planning tools.
Cons
- Limited account selection.
Pros
- Low account management costs.
- Customizable portfolios.
- Goal-based planning tools.
Cons
- Limited account selection.
0.24%
management fee
$500
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Low account management costs.
- Customizable portfolios.
- Goal-based planning tools.
Cons
- Limited account selection.
Pros
- Low account management costs.
- Customizable portfolios.
- Goal-based planning tools.
Cons
- Limited account selection.
0.24%
management fee
$500
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Low account management costs.
- Customizable portfolios.
- Goal-based planning tools.
Cons
- Limited account selection.
Pros
- Low account management costs.
- Customizable portfolios.
- Goal-based planning tools.
Cons
- Limited account selection.
Why this Robo-advisor made the list
Axos Invest offers goal-based investing with an impressive amount of personalization. Its affiliate company, Axos Bank, offered the highest APY in our analysis.
Read our methodologyBest Online Broker for IRA Investing
on Charles Schwab's website
on Charles Schwab's website
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Four trading platforms with no minimum or fees.
- Above-average mobile app.
- Extensive research.
- Large fund selection.
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Four trading platforms with no minimum or fees.
- Above-average mobile app.
- Extensive research.
- Large fund selection.
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Four trading platforms with no minimum or fees.
- Above-average mobile app.
- Extensive research.
- Large fund selection.
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Four trading platforms with no minimum or fees.
- Above-average mobile app.
- Extensive research.
- Large fund selection.
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Four trading platforms with no minimum or fees.
- Above-average mobile app.
- Extensive research.
- Large fund selection.
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Four trading platforms with no minimum or fees.
- Above-average mobile app.
- Extensive research.
- Large fund selection.
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Cons
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Why this broker made the list
Schwab’s impressive suite of retirement planning tools and deep well of free research and data are packaged in an easy-to-use platform fit for anyone.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for IRA Investing
on Ellevest's website
on Ellevest's website
$12
per month
$0
2 months free
with promo code "nerdwallet"
Pros
- No account minimum.
- Goal-focused investing approach.
- Portfolio mix that factors women’s needs.
- A la carte sessions with coaches and CFPs.
Cons
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Pros
- No account minimum.
- Goal-focused investing approach.
- Portfolio mix that factors women’s needs.
- A la carte sessions with coaches and CFPs.
Cons
- No tax-loss harvesting.
$12
per month
$0
2 months free
with promo code "nerdwallet"
Pros
- No account minimum.
- Goal-focused investing approach.
- Portfolio mix that factors women’s needs.
- A la carte sessions with coaches and CFPs.
Cons
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Pros
- No account minimum.
- Goal-focused investing approach.
- Portfolio mix that factors women’s needs.
- A la carte sessions with coaches and CFPs.
Cons
- No tax-loss harvesting.
$12
per month
$0
2 months free
with promo code "nerdwallet"
Pros
- No account minimum.
- Goal-focused investing approach.
- Portfolio mix that factors women’s needs.
- A la carte sessions with coaches and CFPs.
Cons
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Pros
- No account minimum.
- Goal-focused investing approach.
- Portfolio mix that factors women’s needs.
- A la carte sessions with coaches and CFPs.
Cons
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Why this Broker made the list
Ellevest considers how external factors such as life span affect retirement investors, particularly women. The a la carte advisor access makes it a standout.
Read our methodologyBest Online Financial Advisor
on Betterment's website
on Betterment's website
0.40%
management fee
$100,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Unlimited access to a team of certified financial planners.
- Low management fee.
- Innovative savings and retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Clients don't receive a dedicated advisor.
- Advisors available by phone and email only.
- High account minimum.
Pros
- Unlimited access to a team of certified financial planners.
- Low management fee.
- Innovative savings and retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Clients don't receive a dedicated advisor.
- Advisors available by phone and email only.
- High account minimum.
0.40%
management fee
$100,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Unlimited access to a team of certified financial planners.
- Low management fee.
- Innovative savings and retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Clients don't receive a dedicated advisor.
- Advisors available by phone and email only.
- High account minimum.
Pros
- Unlimited access to a team of certified financial planners.
- Low management fee.
- Innovative savings and retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Clients don't receive a dedicated advisor.
- Advisors available by phone and email only.
- High account minimum.
0.40%
management fee
$100,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Unlimited access to a team of certified financial planners.
- Low management fee.
- Innovative savings and retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Clients don't receive a dedicated advisor.
- Advisors available by phone and email only.
- High account minimum.
Pros
- Unlimited access to a team of certified financial planners.
- Low management fee.
- Innovative savings and retirement planning tools.
Cons
- Clients don't receive a dedicated advisor.
- Advisors available by phone and email only.
- High account minimum.
Why this online financial advisor made the list
Betterment Premium provides a well-rounded service with many features, including unlimited phone access to CFPs for a 0.40% fee and $100,000 account minimum.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Portfolio Options
0%
management fee
$5,000
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- No management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Customizable portfolio.
Cons
- High account minimum.
- Large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Pros
- No management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Customizable portfolio.
Cons
- High account minimum.
- 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 management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Customizable portfolio.
Cons
- High account minimum.
- Large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Pros
- No management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Customizable portfolio.
Cons
- High account minimum.
- 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 management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Customizable portfolio.
Cons
- High account minimum.
- Large cash allocation.
- Tax-loss harvesting only available on balances of $50,000 or more.
Pros
- No management fee.
- Wide ETF selection.
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Customizable portfolio.
Cons
- High account minimum.
- 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 offers 81 portfolios, including Global, U.S. Focused and Income Focused portfolios. Clients can also exclude up to three ETFs.
Read our methodologyBest Real Estate Crowdfunding Investment Platform
1%
other fees may apply
$10
Advisory fee waiver
for 12 months
Pros
- Low minimum investment.
- Open to all investors.
- Easy-to-use website.
- IRA accounts available.
Cons
- Highly illiquid investment.
- Fees can be difficult to understand.
- Complex investments that require investor due diligence.
Pros
- Low minimum investment.
- Open to all investors.
- Easy-to-use website.
- IRA accounts available.
Cons
- Highly illiquid investment.
- Fees can be difficult to understand.
- Complex investments that require investor due diligence.
1%
other fees may apply
$10
Advisory fee waiver
for 12 months
Pros
- Low minimum investment.
- Open to all investors.
- Easy-to-use website.
- IRA accounts available.
Cons
- Highly illiquid investment.
- Fees can be difficult to understand.
- Complex investments that require investor due diligence.
Pros
- Low minimum investment.
- Open to all investors.
- Easy-to-use website.
- IRA accounts available.
Cons
- Highly illiquid investment.
- Fees can be difficult to understand.
- Complex investments that require investor due diligence.
1%
other fees may apply
$10
Advisory fee waiver
for 12 months
Pros
- Low minimum investment.
- Open to all investors.
- Easy-to-use website.
- IRA accounts available.
Cons
- Highly illiquid investment.
- Fees can be difficult to understand.
- Complex investments that require investor due diligence.
Pros
- Low minimum investment.
- Open to all investors.
- Easy-to-use website.
- IRA accounts available.
Cons
- Highly illiquid investment.
- Fees can be difficult to understand.
- Complex investments that require investor due diligence.
Why this real estate platform made the list
With Fundrise, nonaccredited investors can access private commercial and residential real estate deals with minimum investment tiers suitable for anyone.
Read our methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
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