We have prepared a list of some best stock trading apps in 2020. Some investors are happy putting their money into a boring fund and letting it simmer for the long term. Others are more interested in taking a hands-on approach to managing their money with active stock trading. Whether you buy and sell once in a while or want to enter a trade or more every day, there’s definitely a stock trading app for you.
The best stock app for your unique needs depends on your experience and trading goals. After reviewing fees, tradable assets, and more across several brokerages, we rounded up the best stock trading apps for both beginner and advanced investors to consider.
Best Stock Trading Apps of 2020
TD Ameritrade: Best Overall
Fidelity: Best for Beginners
Webull: Best Free App
SoFi: Best for Learning About Trading
tastyworks: Best for Options Trading
Ally: Best With Banking Products
TD Ameritrade Mobile: Best Stock Trading Apps
TD Ameritrade gets the top spot because it offers something for everyone and excellent pricing. The basic TD Ameritrade Mobile app is great for beginners and casual stock traders who want to manage their investments on the go. Advanced and expert traders can use the upgraded thinkorswim mobile app for a professional-style experience.
You get access to both apps with a TD Ameritrade brokerage account, which has no minimum balance requirements and no fees to trade stocks and ETFs. The fully-featured apps combine important account management features and trading features regardless of which one you choose. thinkorswim also includes a live CNBC feed inside the app.
In November 2019, Charles Schwab announced that it is acquiring TD Ameritrade. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2020. Once closed, it’s likely that TD Ameritrade trading platforms and Charles Schwab trading platforms will be combined into one.
Key Features
App names: TD Ameritrade Mobile and thinkorswim
Account minimum: No minimum deposit required
Fees: $0 commission for online stock, ETF, and options trades, but there is a 65 cent flat fee per options contract; $25 for broker-assisted trades; $49.99 for no-load mutual funds; additional fees may apply
Tradable assets: Wide range, including stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and more
Account types: Supports standard, retirement, education, and other types of accounts
What We Like
- Low-cost accounts
- Beginner and advanced mobile apps
- Support for a wide range of assets and account types
- Extensive research resources
What We Don't Like
- Uncertainty of future after Schwab acquisition
- Fidelity: Best for Beginners
Fidelity: Best for Beginners - Best Stock Trading Apps
Fidelity is a top brokerage for beginner investors and anyone with a focus on long-term and retirement investments. It’s full-service, with a wide range of account and investment types supported. With $0 stock and ETF trades, you get a lot of services at a low cost.
Fidelity Investments is the app for Android, iOS, and Amazon devices. It includes anything you need to manage your Fidelity investment accounts and enter trades. It doesn’t have as many advanced charting features as some competing mobile apps, but that’s just fine for beginners who may not want or need advanced features.
Key Features
App name: Fidelity Investments
Account minimum: No minimum deposit required
Fees: $0 commission fees on stock, ETF, and options trades, but there is a 65 cent flat fee per options contract; $32.95 for broker-assisted trades; $49.95 for transaction-fee bearing mutual funds; no recurring fees for most accounts; additional fees may apply
Tradable assets: Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, fractional share investing, and more
Account types: Supports brokerage, retirement, education accounts, and more
Other important details: Intuitive screens to enter trades and track performance, and social media style feed of custom-tailored account and investment information
What We Like
- Investment and trading features meet the needs of most traders
- Support for a wide range of account types
- Extensive research and education resources
What We Don't Like
- Few advanced charting options
Webull: Best Free App - Best Stock Trading Apps
Webull is a technology-centric trading app that’s best for stock traders with at least some experience. Webull isn’t heavy on educational resources, but it’s filled with tons of useful features. Active and expert traders will enjoy advanced charting and optional add ons for advanced quote data.
With all of these advanced features, you may expect an advanced price tag. However, Webull is almost completely free to use. There are no commissions for any trades on the app, including stocks and ETFs. However, that’s all there is to trade in the app. Cryptocurrencies are new to the platform, but you won’t find bonds, mutual funds, or other assets. While Webull is a newer app than most others on this list, it doesn’t lack in features for active stock traders.
Key Features
App name: Webull: Stocks, Options & ETFs
Account minimum: No minimum deposit required
Fees: $0 commission or contract fees for online stock, ETF, or options trades; $8 to $45 for wire transfers; additional fees may apply
Tradable assets: Stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies
Account types: Supports brokerage and IRA accounts
Other important details: Generous free stock promotions for new users and for customers who refer others, advanced charting features, and global markets and news
What We Like
- No commissions platform-wide
- Community area for interacting with other users
- Paper trading available (virtual currency trading)
What We Don't Like
- Limited assets available
- Limited customer service options
SoFi: Best for Learning About Trading
SoFi, short for Social Finance, offers loans, banking, and investments through a convenient mobile app. It’s ideal for investors looking to learn about stock trading. This brokerage offers commission-free trades and fractional shares (it calls them “Stock Bits”) in an account with a low $1 minimum balance requirement.
Learning section articles are a part of the SoFi Invest tab in the app. You can also browse collections of stocks and funds to help you decide what to buy. The individual pages for each stock don’t include too many details, but that makes it easier for beginners to manage their accounts without getting overwhelmed.
Key Features
App name: SoFi Invest Money & Buy Crypto
Account minimum: $1 minimum deposit required
Fees: No fees for online stock or ETF trades; 1.25% markup on crypto transactions; expense ratios vary on SoFi-branded ETFs; additional fees may apply
Tradable assets: Stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, fractional shares
Account types: Supports self-directed and managed portfolios, plus retirement and cryptocurrency accounts
Other important details: SoFi also offers loan products and cash management accounts; clean, uncluttered, and easy-to-use app; and integrated learning resources great for beginner investors
What We Like
- Low fees
- Easily trade full or fractional shares
- Member events
What We Don't Like
- Limited tradable assets
- Few types of accounts
tastyworks: Best for Options Trading
tastyworks isn’t a household name like some of the biggest brokerage firms, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the best at what it does. Its app is ultra focused on options trading. While those are not exactly shares of stock, many options trade based on stock price movements, so tastyworks earns a mention on this list.
Stock and ETF trades are fee-free. Options on stocks and ETFs cost $1 per contract with a $10 maximum per leg. The mobile app is best for traders with some options experience, as there are many features that can distract and overwhelm newer traders. tastyworks has essential features for options traders that make trades fast without giving up many desktop trading features.
Key Features
App name: tastyworks
Account minimum: No minimum deposit required
Fees: No fees for stock or ETF trades; $1 per option on stocks or ETFs, with $10 maximum; $2.50 per option on futures; $1.25 per futures contract; $0.85 per futures e-micros contract; additional fees may apply
Tradable assets: Options for stocks, ETFs, and futures
Account types: Individual and joint margin or cash accounts, and retirement, corporate, trust, and international accounts
What We Like
- Capped fees for options trades
- Advanced options trading features
- Follow community members for trade ideas
- Many account types supported
What We Don't Like
- Not the cheapest per-contract fee
- Limited education resources compared to major brokers
Ally: Best With Banking Products
Ally is best stock trading app its features high-quality checking, savings, and investment accounts all in one mobile app. While you can definitely get bank accounts from some other brokers on this list, Ally Bank is one of the very best for online checking and savings regardless of investment needs. Once you factor in the low-cost, easy-to-use brokerage accounts, you get a winning bank/investment combo.
Ally charges no commissions for stock or ETF trades. Charts and data are fairly basic, but offer anything a beginner investor may want. It’s not the best for advanced features, but it covers most common needs with excellent pricing.
Key Features
App name: Ally
Account minimum: No minimum deposit required
Fees: $0 commission fees for online stock, ETF, or options trades, but there is a 50 cent flat fee per options contract; $20, plus regular commission fee, for broker-assisted trades; $9.95 for no-load mutual funds; additional fees may apply
Tradable assets: Stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds, and more
Account types: Supports self-directed and managed portfolios
Other important details: Full-service, online-only bank and brokerage with no physical locations
What We Like
- Pair bank accounts with your investments in one app
- User-friendly stock trades
- Simple and easy to use and manage
What We Don't Like
- Mobile app research somewhat limited
- Some advanced traders may find trading tools limited
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