Best App to Buy Stocks in 2026: 8 Apps Compared

Fidelity is the most complete choice for a typical US investor. It charges no commission on online US stock and ETF trades, has no account minimum, and offers fractional shares from $1, which lets a beginner start with a small amount in a large company. Research draws on in-house and third-party sources, and retirement accounts, including traditional and Roth IRAs, sit alongside taxable accounts in the same app. Support by phone, chat and in branches adds reassurance when a question is urgent.

The main drawback is density. The breadth of tools, accounts and research can feel overwhelming at first, especially for someone who only wants to buy one or two ETFs. Some users will prefer the simpler flow of Robinhood for that reason. For most investors, though, Fidelity's combination of low cost, research depth and retirement options makes it the default shortlist pick.

Charles Schwab pairs a full-service broker with one of the best-known trading platforms in the US. Online stock and ETF trades are commission-free, there is no account minimum, and Stock Slices offer fractional investing in eligible S&P 500 stocks. Thinkorswim, now part of Schwab, adds advanced charting, paper trading and custom studies for active traders, while branch and phone support help investors who want a human answer. Automatic investment plans also suit regular, long-term buyers.

The catch is that breadth again, plus options costs. Options trades cost $0.65 per contract, which is standard for large brokers but higher than Robinhood or Webull. Beginners who only need simple stock buying may find Schwab's many tools distracting at first. Investors who want research, education and a path to more advanced trading without switching brokers will value that depth.

Robinhood remains the easiest app to learn for a first-time stock buyer. The mobile design is clean, buying a stock or ETF takes only a few taps, and recurring investments and fractional shares help small, regular buyers build a position over time. IRA accounts are offered, and an optional Gold subscription adds features for a monthly fee. For someone who has never bought a stock before, that simplicity removes a real barrier.

The trade-offs are research depth and exit costs. Research and education tools are thinner than at Fidelity or Schwab, and the full account transfer-out fee is higher than at some rivals, so check that fee before funding a large account. Robinhood is best for simple, mobile-first buying and learning, while serious researchers may want a second account at a larger broker for deeper analysis.

Webull suits investors who have moved past basic buying and want better charts, technical tools and paper trading without paying commissions on stocks and ETFs. The desktop and mobile apps offer detailed charting, screeners and extended-hours trading information, and fractional shares help smaller accounts diversify. Paper trading lets new active traders practise without risking real money, which is a useful step before trading with larger sums. Crypto trading is also available, with spread-based fees.

The limits are scope and exit cost. Webull does not offer mutual funds, so long-term fund investors may need another account for that part of a portfolio. A transfer-out fee applies if you move a full account elsewhere. For chart-focused stock and ETF traders, Webull offers strong tools at zero stock commission, but pure beginners may prefer Fidelity or Robinhood first.

ETRADE, part of Morgan Stanley, is a strong middle ground for investors who want education alongside trading. Online stock and ETF trades are commission-free, there is no account minimum, and the education library, webinars and paper trading tools help intermediate traders build skill before increasing position size. Power ETRADE offers a more advanced platform for active traders, while the main app stays approachable for regular buying. Thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds also suit fund investors.

Options pricing is the main cost note. Standard options cost $0.65 per contract, with a lower $0.50 rate only for active traders who meet volume thresholds. A transfer-out fee also applies for a full account move. For investors who value education and a clear upgrade path to active trading, E*TRADE is a solid, well-rounded choice.

Vanguard is built for patience. Its low-cost index funds and ETFs have long appealed to buy-and-hold investors, and online stock and ETF trades are commission-free with no account minimum for brokerage accounts. Traditional, Roth and rollover IRAs are a core strength, and automatic investments into funds suit regular retirement savers. Investors who want a simple, low-cost portfolio and rarely trade will find Vanguard's philosophy and fund costs attractive.

The trade-off is trading experience. The app and research tools are less advanced than Fidelity or Schwab, and fractional share options for stocks are more limited than at rivals. Some mutual funds require $1,000 to start, which can slow a very small starter portfolio. Vanguard is best as a long-term home for index and retirement investing, not as a first choice for frequent active trading.

Public combines commission-free stock and ETF trading with a community and education layer that helps beginners understand why other investors are buying or selling. Fractional shares from $1, recurring investments and IRA accounts cover the basics well, and the app design is clean and approachable. For a new investor who learns by reading context and discussion, Public can make the first months of investing less lonely and more informed.

The limits are scale and depth. Research tools are thinner than at Fidelity or Schwab, and some premium features require a paid tier. Public is also a smaller broker, so investors who want branch support, deep research or a wide fund range may prefer a larger firm. As a learning-focused first account, or as a second account for fractional investing, Public works well.

SoFi Invest suits beginners who already use, or want to use, SoFi for banking or lending and prefer one login for several money tasks. Active Investing offers zero-commission stock and ETF trades with no account minimum, while Automated Investing builds a diversified portfolio for 0.25% per year with a $50 starting amount. That split lets a new investor choose between picking stocks and letting a portfolio run automatically. The app is clear, and support covers the wider SoFi relationship.

The drawback is specialisation. Research and trading tools are thinner than at Fidelity, Schwab or Webull, so active traders will outgrow SoFi Invest faster. Automated investing also costs an annual fee, unlike buying ETFs yourself at a commission-free broker. For a beginner who values simplicity and one app for banking and investing, SoFi Invest is a convenient starting point.