Best App to Buy Stocks in 2026: 9 Apps Compared

Fidelity is the app we would point most new investors to first. You can buy full or fractional shares of US stocks and ETFs with no online commission, set up recurring investments, and open a Traditional, Roth or rollover IRA in the same account. Research tools, screeners and educational content are built in, so you do not need a second app to learn as you go.

The honest catch is complexity. Fidelity does a lot, and the app reflects that range, with many menus and account types to learn. Options traders also pay 0.65 dollars per contract, which is higher than Robinhood or Webull. For long-term investors, though, the combination of zero commissions, fractional shares, low-cost index funds and retirement accounts is hard to beat. This is not financial advice; trading carries risk.

Schwab suits investors who want a full-service broker and a serious trading platform in one place. The main Schwab app covers everyday investing, while thinkorswim, inherited from TD Ameritrade, gives active traders multi-leg options tools, strong charting and paper trading. Fractional shares are available through Stock Slices, starting from small dollar amounts on eligible S and P 500 stocks.

The catch is cash. Uninvested cash left in the default sweep may earn very little, so check your cash settings and consider a money market fund if you hold a large idle balance. Schwab also charges 0.65 dollars per options contract. If you trade options often, that adds up next to a zero-contract-fee broker, but for stock investors who want research, branches and thinkorswim, Schwab is a strong pick.

Robinhood remains the simplest way to buy a first stock. The app is clean, trades are commission-free, and fractional shares let you start with a small amount. Recurring investments and IRA accounts are available, and the optional Gold subscription, at 5 dollars per month or 50 dollars per year, adds features such as a higher IRA match and lower margin rates for eligible users.

The trade-off is depth. Research, screeners and desktop tools are lighter than at Fidelity or Schwab, so active traders may outgrow it. The 100-dollar outgoing transfer fee is also worth noting if you later move your account elsewhere. For beginners who want a low-friction start and a mobile-first routine, Robinhood is still a good choice, provided you understand that investing carries risk.

Webull is the step up from Robinhood for traders who want tools without paying commissions. Charting is far stronger, with many technical indicators, multi-chart layouts and screeners, and paper trading lets you practise with real market data before risking money. Extended hours trading gives active traders more windows than many rivals offer.

The limits are clear. Webull does not support mutual funds, and its education content is thinner than Fidelity or Schwab. A paid Premium tier, at 3.99 dollars per month or 40 dollars per year, adds benefits such as a higher cash rate and IRA match perks, but the free tier already covers core stock and options trading. If charting and active trading matter more than advisory help, Webull is a strong pick.

ETRADE, now part of Morgan Stanley, suits investors who want solid research and a capable options platform. Power ETRADE offers options chains, strategy tools and paper trading, while the main app covers stocks, ETFs and retirement accounts. Managed portfolios are available if you later want help with allocation.

The catch is options pricing for casual traders. At 0.65 dollars per contract, ETRADE is dearer than Robinhood or Webull, though active traders can qualify for 0.50 dollars per contract. Fractional shares are also more limited than at Fidelity or Robinhood. For stock investors who value research and a long-running broker, ETRADE remains a reliable choice.

SoFi Invest fits people who want investing to sit next to their bank account. You can buy stocks and ETFs with no commission, invest fractional amounts, and set up recurring buys, all in an app that also handles banking and other SoFi products. That single-app routine suits beginners who do not want to juggle several providers.

Research is the limit. SoFi offers educational content and basic tools, but it does not match Fidelity or Schwab for deep stock research. The robo-investing option charges 0.25 percent per year, which is fair for automated help but is not free. If simplicity and a combined money app matter most, SoFi is a friendly starting point.

Public suits investors who learn by watching and discussing. The app combines zero-commission trading with community posts, company insights and educational content, which helps beginners understand why a stock moves. Fractional shares and recurring investing make it easy to start small and build a habit.

Premium is the catch to check. Public Premium costs 8 dollars per month, waived at a balance of 50,000 dollars or more, and it adds extra features rather than changing core commission terms. If you do not need Premium, the free tier already covers core trading. Public is a good pick for social learners, but serious researchers may still prefer Fidelity.

Vanguard is built for patience. Its low-cost index funds and ETFs are a natural home for long-term savers, and the app now offers zero-commission US stock and ETF trades alongside mutual fund investing. IRA accounts are straightforward to open, and automatic investing into funds helps you stay consistent.

Active traders will find the app plain. Charting, options tools and fractional stock buying are more limited than at Webull or Schwab, and the experience is geared to holding rather than frequent trading. If your plan is to buy broad index funds, contribute regularly and leave the portfolio alone, Vanguard is one of the most cost-effective choices available.

Moomoo appeals to data-driven traders who want a modern app with strong tools at no commission. Charting, screeners and market data are central to the experience, and paper trading lets you test ideas before committing money. The app also covers options and crypto-related products in some regions, though availability varies.

The limit is breadth. Moomoo does not match Fidelity or Schwab for retirement account choice, banking services or advisory help. It is best as a trading app for self-directed investors who already know what they want to buy. If you want deep data and a low-cost active trading routine, Moomoo deserves a trial alongside Webull.