Looking for the best stock trading platform to start investing or improve your portfolio management? In this post, we’ll show you how we compared different platforms and selected the top choices for 2025.
This guide will walk you through the features, fees, and tools you need to look out for, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader. With hundreds of trading platforms available, we’ve narrowed down the top 7 that can help you succeed.
Why You Can Trust Our Reviews:
We thoroughly evaluate each platform, considering factors like fees, usability, tools, and customer service. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions.
Table of Contents
Summary
- TD Ameritrade — Best Overall
- Fidelity — Best for Beginners
- E*TRADE — Best for Mobile Trading
- Interactive Brokers — Best for Advanced Traders
- Charles Schwab — Best for Low Fees
- Robinhood — Best for No-Fee Trades
- Webull — Best for Active Traders
1. TD Ameritrade
Our Verdict — Best Overall
Fees: $0 per trade
TD Ameritrade offers a comprehensive platform with tools for both beginners and advanced traders. Its powerful ThinkorSwim platform is particularly loved by experienced traders for its charting tools and research capabilities.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.8/5
- Trading Tools: 5/5
- Fees: 4.7/5
Pros
- No commission on stock and ETF trades
- Robust educational resources
- Advanced trading tools with ThinkorSwim
Cons
- Platform can be overwhelming for beginners
- Slightly higher margin rates
The Best Part: ThinkorSwim’s advanced charting and analysis tools.
The Worst Part: Steep learning curve for new users.
Get it if: You want access to advanced trading tools and research.
Don’t get it if: You’re looking for a super simple platform.
2. Fidelity
Our Verdict — Best for Beginners
Fees: $0 per trade
Fidelity is known for its user-friendly platform and excellent customer service, making it a great option for beginners. It offers a wide range of educational resources and a clean, easy-to-navigate interface.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.9/5
- Trading Tools: 4.5/5
- Fees: 4.8/5
Pros
- Easy-to-use platform
- No commissions on stock trades
- Strong customer support
Cons
- Limited options for advanced traders
- Fewer charting tools compared to competitors
The Best Part: The platform is easy to navigate, even for new traders.
The Worst Part: Lacks some advanced tools for experienced traders.
3. E*TRADE
Our Verdict — Best for Mobile Trading
Fees: $0 per trade
E*TRADE offers a powerful mobile app for traders who like to manage their portfolios on the go. With its easy interface and solid trading tools, it’s perfect for investors who prioritize convenience without sacrificing features.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.7/5
- Trading Tools: 4.6/5
- Fees: 4.6/5
Pros
- Excellent mobile trading app
- Free stock and ETF trades
- Great for active traders
Cons
- Options contracts are pricier than some competitors
- Learning curve for new users
The Best Part: E*TRADE’s mobile app is one of the best for trading on the go.
The Worst Part: Its fees for options trading can add up.
4. Interactive Brokers
Our Verdict — Best for Advanced Traders
Fees: $0.005 per share (or lower with volume discounts)
Interactive Brokers is a great choice for advanced traders who want low-cost trading and access to a broad range of assets, including global markets. It offers highly customizable trading tools and competitive margin rates.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.2/5
- Trading Tools: 5/5
- Fees: 4.9/5
Pros
- Low fees, especially for high-volume traders
- Access to international markets
- Customizable trading platform
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners
- Complex platform with a steeper learning curve
The Best Part: Great for high-volume traders seeking the lowest fees.
The Worst Part: The platform is complex and might overwhelm less experienced users.
5. Charles Schwab
Our Verdict — Best for Low Fees
Fees: $0 per trade
Charles Schwab is one of the best platforms for traders who want low fees and commission-free trading. It also offers a broad range of investment products, including stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.5/5
- Trading Tools: 4.4/5
- Fees: 5/5
Pros
- No commissions on stock trades
- Wide range of investment options
- Strong customer support
Cons
- Mobile app isn’t as powerful as others
- Not as many advanced tools for seasoned traders
The Best Part: Schwab offers low fees with great access to a variety of investment options.
The Worst Part: The mobile app lacks some advanced features compared to competitors.
6. Robinhood
Our Verdict — Best for No-Fee Trades
Fees: $0 per trade
Robinhood is popular for its no-fee trades and straightforward platform, making it a great choice for beginners and casual traders who want a no-fuss, cost-effective way to invest in stocks and crypto.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.6/5
- Trading Tools: 4.2/5
- Fees: 5/5
Pros
- No commissions or fees
- Easy-to-use interface
- Supports crypto trading
Cons
- Limited research and analysis tools
- Less customer support than competitors
The Best Part: Completely fee-free trades.
The Worst Part: Lacks the research tools and features needed by serious traders.
7. Webull
Our Verdict — Best for Active Traders
Fees: $0 per trade
Webull is a solid choice for active traders who want powerful tools and commission-free trading. With advanced charting options, real-time market data, and extended trading hours, Webull offers a great experience for frequent traders.
Ratings
- Ease of Use: 4.4/5
- Trading Tools: 4.7/5
- Fees: 4.8/5
Pros
- No commissions on trades
- Advanced charting tools
- Extended hours trading
Cons
- Limited customer service options
- Not as beginner-friendly as some competitors
The Best Part: Advanced tools for frequent, active traders.
The Worst Part: It can be overwhelming for casual investors.
Our Top Three Picks
- TD Ameritrade — Best overall, thanks to its balance of tools and ease of use
- Fidelity — Best for beginners who need a simple platform
- Interactive Brokers — Best for advanced traders looking for low fees and global access
What Is a Stock Trading Platform?
A stock trading platform is an online or app-based service that allows you to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, options, and other securities. These platforms also provide research, charting, and analysis tools to help you make informed trading decisions.
How to Choose the Best Stock Trading Platform: When selecting a trading platform, consider:
- Fees: Look for platforms with low or no commission on trades.
- Tools: Does the platform offer advanced charting, research, and real-time data?
- Usability: Is the platform easy to navigate for your skill level?
- Customer Service: How easy is it to get help when you need it?
FAQs
What is the best trading platform for beginners?
Fidelity is the best choice for beginners due to its easy-to-use interface and helpful resources.
Which trading platform has the lowest fees?
Interactive Brokers offers some of the lowest fees for high-volume traders, but Robinhood is the best choice for completely fee-free trading.
Can I trade crypto on these platforms?
Platforms like Robinhood and Webull offer crypto trading, while others focus more on stocks and ETFs.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best stock trading platforms you should consider in 2025:
- TD Ameritrade — Best overall
- Fidelity — Best for beginners
- E*TRADE — Best for mobile trading
- Interactive Brokers — Best for advanced traders
- Charles Schwab — Best for low fees
- Robinhood — Best for no-fee trades
- Webull — Best for active traders
