Choosing the proper on-line inventory dealer in 2026 is about way over $0 trades – that is a baseline. Right now’s high platforms differ dramatically in analysis instruments, long-term investing help, buying and selling expertise, and even behavioral nudges that may have an effect on your returns over a long time.
Primarily based on our 2026 investor survey, hands-on testing, and payment evaluation, we ranked the greatest on-line inventory brokers for several types of buyers: from first-time merchants to superior professionals. Under, we break down which dealer is greatest general, which platforms shine for inexperienced persons, and which instruments matter most in the event you’re investing for the long run.
Greatest On-line Inventory Brokers for 2026 (Survey Outcomes)
- Fidelity – Greatest general
- Charles Schwab – Greatest full-service dealer
- Robinhood – Greatest for mobile-first merchants
- Vanguard – Greatest for low-cost index buyers
- SoFi Invest – Greatest for inexperienced persons & all-in-one finance
- E*TRADE – Greatest buying and selling platform
- Webull – Greatest for data-driven merchants
- TradeStation – Greatest for superior technical merchants
- Interactive Brokers – Greatest for professionals & international entry
- Public – Greatest for community-driven investing
Word: The investing gives that seem on this web site are from firms from which The Faculty Investor receives compensation. This record is ranked based mostly on our annual survey performed with methodology under.
1. Constancy
Fidelity took the highest decide once more this yr amongst all of the brokerage and inventory buying and selling apps. They’ve a considerable amount of commission-free funds, low bills, and a full vary of account sorts to select from. Even in the event you do not make investments with a commission-free fund, they’re $0 for commissions for shares, ETFs, and choices trades.
Moreover, many individuals are acquainted with Constancy as a result of (together with Vanguard) they’re one of many largest 401k plan directors. That is why we title Constancy our Best Online Broker for Retirement.
Plus, not like Vanguard, Constancy has workplaces nationwide. Whereas virtually the whole lot may be completed on-line, with the ability to simply go to an workplace may be useful now and again.
Constancy Bonus Affords: Constancy is providing varied bonus gives for his or her merchandise, together with the Fidelity Youth Account.
2. Charles Schwab
Schwab has been transferring up the rankings for the previous few years – reaching second place this yr in our record of one of the best on-line inventory brokers. Final yr it was third.
What individuals love about Schwab is their nice buying and selling platform (which is commission-free) mixed with a stable banking product, which apart from Constancy, many of the others right here do not supply. Plus, they lastly added an HSA account to their lineup!
With their acquisition of TD Ameritrade, Schwab additionally now has a fantastic buying and selling platform with thinkorswim.
Moreover, they don’t have any buy minimums for his or her mutual funds, so you’ll be able to construct an especially low price portfolio at Schwab utilizing well-liked funds like Schwab Whole Inventory Market Index (SWTSX). They usually additionally moved to $0 account minimums for many merchandise.
3. Robinhood
Robinhood has at all times been a controversial on-line dealer: it has bounced out and in of our high brokerage record a number of occasions. That is doubtless pushed by an enormous surge of merchants who took to investing on the platform within the final yr. Plus, they’re providing cool options like a retirement contribution match!
Robinhood gives really commission-free buying and selling. Like $0. Nada. Nothing. They have been the primary to supply this, however now everybody does.
It does include some drawbacks past the media. You’re restricted in your buying and selling, and the cell app may be annoying to make use of in the event you desire desktop entry.
Nevertheless, it is free!
Robinhood Bonus Affords: Get a random share of inventory if you refer a pal. In addition they have switch and retirement match gives.
4. Vanguard
Vanguard has been seeing rankings plummet during the last – and it is smart for a wide range of causes, from the app usability, to lackluster customer support. Nevertheless, this yr they rose one spot to land at quantity 4.
Vanguard continues to be constantly the low-price index fund chief – and if you make investments straight with Vanguard, you’ll be able to doubtlessly keep away from commissions and charges in your mutual fund purchases. Nevertheless, Vanguard had a number of hiccups with its on-line platform and app (despite the fact that the re-designed app is fashionable and straightforward to make use of). In addition they lately introduced they have been slashing expense ratios on lots of the mutual funds.
Vanguard does supply the total vary of account sorts, from IRAs to Solo 401k’s, to 529 plans and HSAs.
The massive disadvantage to Vanguard is that they don’t seem to be as nice to make use of for merchandise exterior of their very own. Plus, their web site and customer support has been struggling to maintain tempo the final yr. Additionally, in the event you dive into the small print of a few of their merchandise (like their Solo 401k), it is not at all times probably the most sturdy out there.
Vanguard Bonus Affords: Vanguard would not run any bonus gives… possibly they’re simply too good for that they needn’t entice you?
5. SoFi
SoFi moved up into the quantity 5 spot this yr, and it has been gaining plenty of traction on-line with buyers. Whereas we’re not followers of SoFi, it is clear that lots of people are.
SoFi permits you to make investments as little as $1, has fractional shares, and even gives some crypto buying and selling.
The downside with SoFi is that they do not actually do something higher in comparison with the highest brokers, whereas on the similar time in addition they proceed to face FINRA and SEC scrutiny. Their banking merchandise even have good, however not nice charges.
Honorable Mentions
These honorable mentions did not make the highest 5, however they’re actually price a glance if you’d like another person to do the be just right for you in terms of investing and establishing your portfolio.
These are firms that bought votes and curiosity from our viewers however not sufficient to crack the highest of the record.
E*TRADE by Morgan Stanley
E*TRADE dropped one other spot this yr within the rankings. E*TRADE has been working arduous to compete with the opposite firms on this record, dropping to commission-free pricing and enhancing its interface.
Nevertheless, we might say they nonetheless typically lag by way of usability in comparison with the businesses above, and their customer support is missing (they even eradicated on-line chat final yr for a lot of options).
Webull
Webull continues to be a well-liked app for on-line buying and selling. Should you’re not acquainted, Webull is an investing app similar to Robinhood, the place you’ll be able to commerce shares, choices, ETFs, and restricted crypto.
In contrast to Robinhood, they provide a way more sturdy set of analysis options, superior buying and selling instruments, and extra.
In addition they supply retirement accounts in addition to common taxable investing.
Webull Bonus Supply: One free inventory valued from $3 to $300 in the event that they open Webull brokerage account and one other valued from $8 to $2,000 in the event you direct deposit a minimum of $5.
Tradestation
TradeStation is a an honorable point out this yr, and it’s good to see that their platform enhancements have been resonating with prospects.
TradeStation is most well-known for its lively buying and selling options. Their buying and selling instruments and skill to combine with charting and computerized software program make it a best choice for lively merchants.
The downside is that it could really feel “superior”, and the pricing may be obscure for top quantity customers.
TradeStation Bonus Supply: Earn as much as $3,500 if you switch funds into your TradeStation account.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Interactive Brokers is one other platform that constantly makes our record, albeit not as well-liked as different platforms. They’ve been getting plenty of optimistic suggestions for his or her buying and selling instruments, paper buying and selling platform, and their margin account – with constantly among the lowest charges in the marketplace.
In actual fact, in the event you go into any fatFIRE forums, you’ll see IBKR constantly listed as among the best locations to carry a considerable amount of securities if you wish to borrow in opposition to them.
In addition they launched IBKR Lite with commission-free buying and selling for US shares and ETFs, with commissions on different merchandise. Ensure you take a look at their full commission schedule as it may be a bit complicated.
Public.com
Public dropped to the underside spot on our record of one of the best brokerage firms this yr. Public is an investing app that focuses on commission-free investing with a social facet.
Within the final couple years, Public has launched choices buying and selling, a strong financial savings product with a high rate of interest, and fractional share buying and selling.
They delight themselves on the very fact they don’t settle for fee for order move (which is likely one of the principal methods Robinhood makes cash).
Remaining Ideas
This yr, SoFi has continued its rise, breaking into the highest 5 spots this yr. The 1-4 spots have held regular, with Constancy persevering with to take the highest spot.
Public continued to fall, ending on the backside of the record.
I believe many individuals understand that since virtually all pricing is similar, the full-service options, means to open completely different account sorts and reliability are much more well-liked elements to contemplate than an app-only investing agency.
Bear in mind, this was based mostly on an annual survey. We hold this record up to date all year long with options and pricing, and revisit the rankings yearly with a brand new survey.
Methodology
The Faculty Investor commissioned Pollfish to conduct a web based survey of 600 People who self-selected that they have been acquainted with investing and investing instruments. The survey was fielded on January 2, 2026.
The submit Best Online Stock Brokers for 2026 (Ranked by Real Investor Survey) appeared first on The College Investor.
