Best App to Buy Stocks in 2026

Fidelity is our pick for most people, and the reason is breadth rather than one flashy feature. You can buy stocks and ETFs with $0 commission, open an IRA, set up recurring investments and read research without juggling several accounts. Fractional shares from $1 also make it easier to start with a modest amount and build a position over time.

The trade-off is choice. Fidelity offers a large set of tools, account types and research reports, and new investors may need a few sessions to find the parts they actually use. That is a fair price for an app that can grow with you, from a first stock purchase to retirement planning, without forcing a switch later.

Schwab suits investors who want a full-service broker at do-it-yourself prices. Its $0 commission structure matches the other leaders here, and its education material explains concepts in plain steps rather than jargon. Support options, including branches in the US, help when a question is easier to settle with a person.

Thinkorswim, now part of Schwab, gives active traders charting and analysis tools that go well beyond a basic app. The catch is fractional share coverage, which is narrower than Fidelity or Robinhood, so check whether the stocks you want are eligible. If you mainly buy large, well-known companies and value guidance, Schwab is a strong choice.

Robinhood remains the easiest app on this list to open and use on a phone. Buying a stock takes a small number of taps, fractional shares start at $1, and the app keeps fees and order details visible before you confirm. For a beginner who wants to learn by doing, with small amounts, that simplicity matters.

The weakness is depth. Robinhood offers less research and fewer account types than Fidelity or Schwab, and its Gold subscription adds features that other brokers include for free. It works best as a straightforward trading app, not as a complete financial planning service, and investors should keep position sizes modest while they learn.

Webull gives active traders professional-looking charts, screeners and extended-hours trading without a commission on US stocks and ETFs. Paper trading is a genuine benefit, since you can test an approach with virtual money before risking real funds. That combination makes it a popular second step after a simpler starter app.

Beginners should be ready for a busier screen. Webull packs indicators, news and order types into a small space, and learning the layout takes time. If you trade often and want data at your fingertips, the effort pays off. If you buy a few ETFs each month, a simpler app will feel calmer.

ETRADE, now part of Morgan Stanley, balances a friendly core app with a more powerful platform for active traders. Power ETRADE adds charting, strategy tools and paper trading, while the main app handles everyday buying, retirement accounts and research. That split lets you start simple and move up without changing brokers.

The split is also the drawback, since features live in different places and it is not always obvious which app holds the tool you need. Options traders should also check contract fees, which are separate from the $0 stock commission. For stock and ETF investors who value research, E*TRADE is a solid middle ground.

SoFi Invest fits people who already use SoFi for banking or loans and want investing in the same app. Active investing starts from a small amount, automated investing builds a diversified ETF portfolio based on your goals, and the interface avoids the clutter that puts beginners off. It is a calm place to start regular investing.

Serious traders will find the limits quickly. Charting and order types are simpler than Webull or thinkorswim, and the product range is narrower than Fidelity. Treat SoFi as a good home for steady, hands-off investing rather than a platform for frequent tactical trades.

Public stands out because it explains investing in public, with company profiles, community discussion and analyst context alongside the buy button. You can hold stocks, ETFs, crypto and bonds in one account, which suits investors who want a broad view without several apps. Fractional shares keep entry costs low.

The social feed needs discipline. Seeing what others buy can be useful for ideas, but it can also push you toward popular trades at the wrong time. Use Public for research and convenience, make decisions on your own plan, and check its fee disclosures for crypto spreads and other charges that differ from stock commissions.

Interactive Brokers is the choice for traders who outgrow a simple app and need global reach. IBKR Lite gives $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs, while the Pro platform adds tiered pricing, advanced order types and access to exchanges around the world. For investors with international holdings or complex strategies, few rivals match its scope.

That scope comes with complexity. Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve, and data subscriptions and exchange fees need careful checking before you trade a new market. Beginners can still use the mobile app for basic trades, but most people should only move here when they have a clear reason to need its extra power.