Best Stock Trading Apps in the USA — Top Platforms for 2025 Investors
The world of stock trading has evolved dramatically over the last decade. While traditional brokerages still hold ground, modern mobile trading apps have revolutionised how everyday investors access the markets. In the USA, a mix of zero-commission platforms, powerful research tools, and social investing features means there’s something for everyone — whether you're a complete beginner, a swing trader, or a long-term investor.
In this guide, we explore the best stock trading apps in the USA (2025) — highlighting their strengths, target users and potential drawbacks.
What Makes a Great Stock Trading App?
Before diving into the list, it's worth taking a moment to consider what separates a decent trading app from a great one. The hallmarks of a top-tier app usually include:
- Low or zero commissions and fees for stock and ETF trades.
- User-friendly mobile and web interface, making it easy to buy, sell or track investments on the go.
- Fractional shares support, enabling investment even with small capital.
- Research, charting and analytics tools — especially important for active traders.
- Flexibility of account types (e.g., retirement accounts) or additional features like options, long-term investing, or broader asset classes.
- Educational resources and customer support — helpful for beginners.
Top Stock Trading Apps in the USA (2025)
Robinhood — Best for Beginners & Casual Investors
Robinhood remains one of the most popular stock trading apps in the United States, thanks to its straightforward design and zero-commission structure.
Why it stands out:
- $0 commission on US stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Fractional shares — allows investing with small amounts.
- Clean interface and easy account setup with no minimum balance.
Best for: Beginners, small-capital investors, people who want a quick and simple way to start investing.
Drawback: Research and advanced charting tools are limited compared with more sophisticated apps.
Webull — Best for Intermediate / Active Traders
For those who want more than just buy-sell, Webull offers a balance between simplicity and advanced trading tools.
Why it stands out:
- $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs.
- Strong charting capabilities and technical analysis tools — ideal for active traders.
- Extended-hours trading (premarket & after-hours), plus practice “paper trading” mode.
Best for: Swing traders, users comfortable with analysing charts, or those testing trading strategies.
Drawback: Doesn’t support mutual funds or bonds; may be overwhelming for total beginners.
Fidelity Investments — Best for Long-Term Investing & Research
For investors focused on long term growth, retirement, or building a diverse portfolio, Fidelity brings a deep feature set and strong reputation.
Why it stands out:
- $0 commission on U.S. stocks and ETFs.
- Excellent research tools, portfolio analysis, and customer support.
- Fractional shares and tools for long-term & retirement planning.
Best for: Long-term investors, retirement-oriented users, or those who value strong analysis and support over active trading.
Drawback: Less suited to frequent traders or those seeking advanced charting — geared more toward buy-and-hold strategies.
Charles Schwab — Trusted All-Rounder for Investors at All Levels
Charles Schwab strikes a balance — offering commission-free trades, dependable service and a comprehensive platform suited to both new and experienced investors.
Why it stands out:
- $0 stock and ETF trades.
- Fractional shares (via “Schwab Stock Slices”), strong customer service, and educational resources.
- Trusted institution — good for building a long-term investing base.
Best for: Investors who want a reliable app backed by a well-known brokerage — especially helpful when scaling from small to larger portfolios.
Drawback: The mobile app interface may feel less modern compared to newer competitors.
TD Ameritrade (Thinkorswim) — Best for Advanced & Technical Traders
For serious traders — especially those interested in options, futures, or deep technical analysis — TD Ameritrade remains a go-to, largely via its Thinkorswim platform.
Why it stands out:
- $0 commission for US stocks and ETFs.
- Advanced charting, indicators, strategy testing, paper trading and real-time data.
- Rich educational resources — helpful even for traders transitioning from beginner to advanced.
Best for: Active traders, options/futures users, technical analysts.
Drawback: Steeper learning curve; may be overwhelming for total beginners.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) — Best for Professional & Global Traders
If you are serious about trading — perhaps in large volumes, multiple markets, or seeking advanced automation — Interactive Brokers provides a powerful, global-ready platform.
Why it stands out:
- $0 commission on U.S. stocks under IBKR Lite.
- Access to 135+ global markets, a wide variety of asset classes, and advanced APIs for automation/trading tools.
- Competitive margin rates and professional-grade trade execution.
Best for: Professional traders, global investors, high-volume or frequent traders, algorithmic traders.
Drawback: Steeper learning curve; interface can feel complex and less beginner-friendly.
Honourable Mentions: Emerging & Niche Picks
- eToro — Notable for social trading and “copy trader” features, combining investing with community/social aspects.
- SoFi Invest — Growing among younger investors for combining investing with financial-planning and simplified user experience.
These may not suit heavy technical traders, but they offer interesting value for social, automated or casual investing.
How to Choose the Right App for You
Selecting the right app depends heavily on your investing style, goals, and experience level. Here’s a quick cheat-sheet:
| Your profile / goal | Best app(s) |
|---|---|
| Total beginner, small capital, want simplicity | Robinhood, eToro, SoFi Invest |
| Intermediate trader — care about charts/analysis | Webull, TD Ameritrade (Thinkorswim) |
| Long-term investor / retirement focus / want security & research | Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers |
| Active trader with global exposure, margin, or advanced strategies | Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade, Webull |
Also consider factors like whether you care about fractional shares, research tools, retirement-planning features, and whether you plan frequent trades or buy-and-hold strategies. Comfort with the app interface and complexity also matters.
Conclusion
There is no one “best” stock-trading app that suits every investor. The best platform depends on what you need: a simple gateway into markets, a powerful trading workstation, or long-term portfolio management tools.
- For beginners and those on a budget, Robinhood remains a top choice.
- If you're ready to engage more deeply with the markets — analysing charts, testing strategies — Webull or TD Ameritrade (Thinkorswim) offer compelling tools.
- For long-term investors looking for robust research, support and retirement-friendly features — Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Interactive Brokers stand out.
- For serious traders and global investors, Interactive Brokers remains hard to beat for depth and flexibility.
Many investors combine a user-friendly app for occasional trades with a powerful brokerage account for long-term or serious investing.