This year’s best
TIE: 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 wins again for its professional-level trading platform and free access to research from more than a dozen high-quality sources.
Read our methodologyTIE: Best Online Broker for Stock Trading Platform and Research
on TradeStation's website
on TradeStation's website
$0
per trade
$500
Qualify for up to $5,000
when you open and fund a new TradeStation account. Offer Code: NERDAFJO.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- Comprehensive research.
- Advanced tools.
- Active trader community.
Cons
- No transaction-fee-free mutual funds.
- Plans and pricing can be confusing.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- Comprehensive research.
- Advanced tools.
- Active trader community.
Cons
- No transaction-fee-free mutual funds.
- Plans and pricing can be confusing.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
$0
per trade
$500
Qualify for up to $5,000
when you open and fund a new TradeStation account. Offer Code: NERDAFJO.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- Comprehensive research.
- Advanced tools.
- Active trader community.
Cons
- No transaction-fee-free mutual funds.
- Plans and pricing can be confusing.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- Comprehensive research.
- Advanced tools.
- Active trader community.
Cons
- No transaction-fee-free mutual funds.
- Plans and pricing can be confusing.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
$0
per trade
$500
Qualify for up to $5,000
when you open and fund a new TradeStation account. Offer Code: NERDAFJO.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- Comprehensive research.
- Advanced tools.
- Active trader community.
Cons
- No transaction-fee-free mutual funds.
- Plans and pricing can be confusing.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- High-quality trading platforms.
- Comprehensive research.
- Advanced tools.
- Active trader community.
Cons
- No transaction-fee-free mutual funds.
- Plans and pricing can be confusing.
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Why this Broker made the list
TradeStation wins for the extensive capabilities of its desktop platform (best paired with TS Select) and depth of free data and tools available to TS Go users.
Read our methodologyBest Online 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 is a perennial winner here. It offers $0 trading commissions, 3,500-plus no-transaction-fee mutual funds, and extensive investor education.
Read our methodologyBest Online Broker for IRA Investing
$0
no account fees to open a Fidelity retail IRA
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Offers several index funds with no expense ratios.
- Helpful retirement planning tools.
- Strong customer support.
- Free research and data.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Offers several index funds with no expense ratios.
- Helpful retirement planning tools.
- Strong customer support.
- Free research and data.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
$0
no account fees to open a Fidelity retail IRA
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Offers several index funds with no expense ratios.
- Helpful retirement planning tools.
- Strong customer support.
- Free research and data.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Offers several index funds with no expense ratios.
- Helpful retirement planning tools.
- Strong customer support.
- Free research and data.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
$0
no account fees to open a Fidelity retail IRA
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Offers several index funds with no expense ratios.
- Helpful retirement planning tools.
- Strong customer support.
- Free research and data.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Pros
- Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
- Offers several index funds with no expense ratios.
- Helpful retirement planning tools.
- Strong customer support.
- Free research and data.
- High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
- Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Why this Broker made the list
Fidelity’s low fees, retirement tools and expense-ratio-free index funds make it a clear winner for retirement investors.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for IRA Investing
on Wealthfront's website
on Wealthfront's website
0.25%
management fee
$500
Get a $50 customer bonus
when you fund your first taxable investment account
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Digital financial planning tools.
- Low management fee.
Cons
- No access to human advisors.
- No fractional shares.
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Digital financial planning tools.
- Low management fee.
Cons
- No access to human advisors.
- No fractional shares.
0.25%
management fee
$500
Get a $50 customer bonus
when you fund your first taxable investment account
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Digital financial planning tools.
- Low management fee.
Cons
- No access to human advisors.
- No fractional shares.
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Digital financial planning tools.
- Low management fee.
Cons
- No access to human advisors.
- No fractional shares.
0.25%
management fee
$500
Get a $50 customer bonus
when you fund your first taxable investment account
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Digital financial planning tools.
- Low management fee.
Cons
- No access to human advisors.
- No fractional shares.
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Automatic rebalancing.
- Digital financial planning tools.
- Low management fee.
Cons
- No access to human advisors.
- No fractional shares.
Why this Robo-advisor made the list
Wealthfront’s investment lineup, low ETF expense ratios and competitive management fee make it a standout among robos.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Low-Cost Investing
on Vanguard's website
on Vanguard's website
0.15%
per year (approximately)
$100
No advisory fees
your first 90 days of Vanguard Digital Advisor investment management (Enrollment requires a Vanguard account with a minimum of $100)
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low portfolio management fee.
- Low investment expense ratios.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
- $100 account minimum.
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low portfolio management fee.
- Low investment expense ratios.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
- $100 account minimum.
0.15%
per year (approximately)
$100
No advisory fees
your first 90 days of Vanguard Digital Advisor investment management (Enrollment requires a Vanguard account with a minimum of $100)
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low portfolio management fee.
- Low investment expense ratios.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
- $100 account minimum.
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low portfolio management fee.
- Low investment expense ratios.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
- $100 account minimum.
0.15%
per year (approximately)
$100
No advisory fees
your first 90 days of Vanguard Digital Advisor investment management (Enrollment requires a Vanguard account with a minimum of $100)
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low portfolio management fee.
- Low investment expense ratios.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
- $100 account minimum.
Pros
- Access to Vanguard’s investing expertise and ETFs.
- Low portfolio management fee.
- Low investment expense ratios.
Cons
- Limited portfolio options and customization.
- $100 account minimum.
Why this Robo-advisor made the list
Vanguard Digital Advisor wins again for its low management fees, low investment expense ratios and no additional account fees.
Read our methodologyBest Robo-Advisor for Portfolio Options
on Wealthfront's website
on Wealthfront's website
0.25%
management fee
$500
Get a $50 customer bonus
when you fund your first taxable investment account
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Low ETF expense ratios.
- Daily tax-loss harvesting.
- DIY and automated investing options.
- Low portfolio management fee.
Cons
- $500 account minimum.
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Low ETF expense ratios.
- Daily tax-loss harvesting.
- DIY and automated investing options.
- Low portfolio management fee.
Cons
- $500 account minimum.
0.25%
management fee
$500
Get a $50 customer bonus
when you fund your first taxable investment account
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Low ETF expense ratios.
- Daily tax-loss harvesting.
- DIY and automated investing options.
- Low portfolio management fee.
Cons
- $500 account minimum.
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Low ETF expense ratios.
- Daily tax-loss harvesting.
- DIY and automated investing options.
- Low portfolio management fee.
Cons
- $500 account minimum.
0.25%
management fee
$500
Get a $50 customer bonus
when you fund your first taxable investment account
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Low ETF expense ratios.
- Daily tax-loss harvesting.
- DIY and automated investing options.
- Low portfolio management fee.
Cons
- $500 account minimum.
Pros
- Get $50 customer bonus when you fund your first taxable investment account (NerdWallet promotion).
- Low ETF expense ratios.
- Daily tax-loss harvesting.
- DIY and automated investing options.
- Low portfolio management fee.
Cons
- $500 account minimum.
Why this Robo-advisor made the list
Wealthfront offers ETFs from 12 asset classes, a socially responsible portfolio and access to cryptocurrency trusts. Clients can customize their portfolios.
Read our methodologyBest Online Financial Advisor
on Zoe Financial's website
on Zoe Financial's website
Varies by Advisor (free initial consultation)
$150,000
3-Month Satisfaction Guarantee
Pros
- Advisors offer free initial consultations.
- Access to a range of services, including investment management and financial, tax and estate planning.
- No fee for using Zoe Financial to find an advisor.
Cons
- Difficult to know financial advisor fees upfront.
- $150,000 investment minimum.
Pros
- Advisors offer free initial consultations.
- Access to a range of services, including investment management and financial, tax and estate planning.
- No fee for using Zoe Financial to find an advisor.
Cons
- Difficult to know financial advisor fees upfront.
- $150,000 investment minimum.
Varies by Advisor (free initial consultation)
$150,000
3-Month Satisfaction Guarantee
Pros
- Advisors offer free initial consultations.
- Access to a range of services, including investment management and financial, tax and estate planning.
- No fee for using Zoe Financial to find an advisor.
Cons
- Difficult to know financial advisor fees upfront.
- $150,000 investment minimum.
Pros
- Advisors offer free initial consultations.
- Access to a range of services, including investment management and financial, tax and estate planning.
- No fee for using Zoe Financial to find an advisor.
Cons
- Difficult to know financial advisor fees upfront.
- $150,000 investment minimum.
Varies by Advisor (free initial consultation)
$150,000
3-Month Satisfaction Guarantee
Pros
- Advisors offer free initial consultations.
- Access to a range of services, including investment management and financial, tax and estate planning.
- No fee for using Zoe Financial to find an advisor.
Cons
- Difficult to know financial advisor fees upfront.
- $150,000 investment minimum.
Pros
- Advisors offer free initial consultations.
- Access to a range of services, including investment management and financial, tax and estate planning.
- No fee for using Zoe Financial to find an advisor.
Cons
- Difficult to know financial advisor fees upfront.
- $150,000 investment minimum.
Why this online advisor made the list
Zoe Financial will help you find a carefully vetted advisor who can assist you with retirement planning, investing, tax strategy and more.
Read our methodologyBest App for Investing
$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 wins again for its all-star lineup of trading tools and research. Fidelity’s mobile apps have the highest average user rating of companies we reviewed.
Read our methodologyBest Crypto Exchanges and Platforms for Beginners
0.5% - 3.49%
depending on payment method and platform
$0
$20 of BTC
for new users after trading $100 or more within 30 days
Pros
- Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Available in all U.S. states.
Cons
- Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.
- Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.
Pros
- Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Available in all U.S. states.
Cons
- Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.
- Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.
0.5% - 3.49%
depending on payment method and platform
$0
$20 of BTC
for new users after trading $100 or more within 30 days
Pros
- Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Available in all U.S. states.
Cons
- Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.
- Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.
Pros
- Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Available in all U.S. states.
Cons
- Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.
- Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.
0.5% - 3.49%
depending on payment method and platform
$0
$20 of BTC
for new users after trading $100 or more within 30 days
Pros
- Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Available in all U.S. states.
Cons
- Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.
- Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.
Pros
- Strong selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Available in all U.S. states.
Cons
- Higher fees than some other crypto exchanges.
- Unresolved legal issues regarding Gemini Earn.
Why this crypto platform made the list
Gemini’s easy-to-use platform and strong tools make it a top pick for beginners and serious traders alike.
Read our methodologyWant to compare brokers?
