Best Online Brokerages of 2026

Q: How do I transfer my account to a new brokerage?

Most brokerages offer free ACAT transfers that move your investments without selling them. The process typically takes 5-7 business days. Many brokerages will even reimburse transfer fees charged by your old brokerage.

Side-by-side comparison of the top platforms for investing

UPDATED April 6, 2026

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Choosing the right brokerage is one of the most important financial decisions you will make. The best platforms offer $0 commissions, strong research tools, and robust retirement account options. We tested and compared 8 of the most popular online brokerages to help you find the best fit.

Online Brokerage Comparison

Brokerage	Commission	Acct Min	Mutual Funds	ETFs	Research	Mobile App
Fidelity Best Overall	$0	$0	10,000+	2,000+	Excellent	Excellent
Charles Schwab	$0	$0	8,000+	2,000+	Excellent	Very Good
Vanguard	$0	$0	3,000+	1,800+	Good	Good
*ETRADE**	$0	$0	6,500+	2,200+	Very Good	Very Good
Robinhood	$0	$0	N/A	500+	Basic	Excellent
Interactive Brokers	$0*	$0	40,000+	13,000+	Advanced	Good
Merrill Edge	$0	$0	5,000+	2,000+	Very Good	Good
TD Ameritrade	$0	$0	11,000+	2,300+	Excellent	Excellent

* Interactive Brokers IBKR Lite has $0 commissions; IBKR Pro has tiered pricing starting at $1.

Best for Beginners — Fidelity

Fidelity is our top overall pick and the best choice for beginners. It offers a complete investing platform with $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options; no account minimums; and fractional shares starting at just $1. Fidelity's research tools are among the best in the industry, powered by 20+ independent providers including Morningstar, Argus, and Zacks.

What sets Fidelity apart for beginners is its Learning Center, which offers structured courses, webinars, and articles organized by experience level. Combined with 24/7 phone support and over 200 physical branches, Fidelity provides the hand-holding that new investors need while offering the depth that experienced investors demand.

Additional highlights: zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX), excellent retirement planning tools, and automatic investing features that make building wealth on autopilot simple.

Best for Active Traders — TD Ameritrade (thinkorswim)

TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim platform is the gold standard for active traders. The desktop application offers professional-grade charting with 400+ technical indicators, customizable screeners, paper trading, and real-time Level II quotes — all for free. No minimum balance or trading requirements.

The mobile version of thinkorswim is equally impressive, offering nearly the full feature set of the desktop version. For options traders, the platform's risk analysis tools, probability calculators, and multi-leg order entry are unmatched in the retail space.

Note: TD Ameritrade was acquired by Charles Schwab, and accounts are gradually being migrated. New accounts are opened through Schwab, but the thinkorswim platform remains available.

Best for Retirement — Vanguard

Vanguard invented the index fund and remains the best choice for long-term, buy-and-hold retirement investing. Its Target Retirement Funds automatically rebalance your portfolio as you age, making retirement investing completely hands-off.

Vanguard's unique ownership structure (the funds own the company, and shareholders own the funds) means the company is structurally incentivized to keep costs low. Average expense ratios are among the lowest in the industry. For retirement accounts specifically, Vanguard's IRA offerings, required minimum distribution (RMD) calculators, and retirement income planning tools are excellent.

The tradeoff: Vanguard's website and app feel dated compared to competitors, and it lacks some of the advanced trading tools offered by Fidelity or Schwab. But for retirement-focused investors who value low costs above all else, Vanguard is hard to beat.

How to Choose a Brokerage

Investment style: Buy-and-hold investors should prioritize low-cost index funds (Vanguard, Fidelity). Active traders need advanced charting and fast execution (TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers).
Account types: Make sure the brokerage offers the account types you need: IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) rollover, 529 plan, custodial accounts, etc.
Research and education: Beginners should look for strong educational content and research tools. Fidelity and Schwab excel here.
Mobile experience: If you primarily invest on your phone, test the mobile app before committing. Robinhood and Fidelity have the best mobile apps.
Customer support: Consider whether you want 24/7 phone support, chat, or in-person branches. Fidelity and Schwab offer all three.

Ready to start investing? Use our compound interest calculator to see how your investments could grow over time, or try our retirement calculator to build a plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best brokerage for beginners?+

Fidelity is the best brokerage for beginners due to its $0 commissions, no account minimums, fractional shares starting at $1, excellent educational resources, and 24/7 customer support. It offers a complete platform that grows with you as your investing knowledge increases.

Are online brokerages safe?+

Yes. All brokerages on our list are members of SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation), which protects your investments up to $500,000 (including $250,000 in cash) if the brokerage fails. This is separate from investment risk — your stock and fund values can still go up or down.

Do I need a minimum amount to start investing?+

Most brokerages on our list have $0 account minimums. Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, and E*TRADE all let you open an account with any amount. With fractional shares, you can start investing with as little as $1.

What is the difference between a brokerage account and a retirement account?+

A brokerage account is a taxable investment account with no contribution limits or withdrawal restrictions. A retirement account (IRA, 401k) offers tax advantages but has annual contribution limits ($7,000 for IRAs in 2026) and early withdrawal penalties before age 59½. Most investors should use both: max out retirement accounts first, then invest additional savings in a taxable brokerage account.

How do I transfer my account to a new brokerage?+

Most brokerages offer free ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer) transfers that move your investments without selling them. The process typically takes 5-7 business days. Many brokerages will even reimburse transfer fees charged by your old provider — just ask.

Related Tools & Comparisons

Robinhood vs Fidelity — In-depth comparison of the two most popular brokerages
VOO vs VTI — Compare the two most popular Vanguard ETFs to start investing
Compound Interest Calculator — See how your brokerage investments grow over time
Retirement Calculator — Plan your retirement savings across brokerage and IRA accounts
Roth vs Traditional IRA — Choose the right retirement account type
Stock Screener — Find stocks and ETFs that match your criteria

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