The main features of the best stock trading apps include low cost and useful options.
Some investors are glad to invest their funds into a dull fund and let them simmer for a long time. Other investors are interested in the practical approach to managing their money by active stock trading. It does not matter whether you sell or buy from time to time, or you want to take part in a deal or, moreover, trade every day, you are sure to find the best stock trading app.
The best stock trading app for your unique needs depends on your experience and trading objectives. We have studied the fees, traded stock and many other points and can tell you about the best apps for day trading that can be used both by started and more experienced investors.
The 2021 Best Stock Trading Apps
Stock Trading App | Reason why we chose it |
---|---|
TD Ameritrade | Best In general |
Webull | Best Free App |
SoFi | Best for Trading Learning |
Fidelity | Best for Beginners |
tastyworks | Best for Trading Options |
Ally | Best With Banking Products |
TD Ameritrade Mobile: Best in General
TD Ameritrade is at the top of our rating, because it suggests something for all investors at great prices. The basic mobile app TD Ameritrade is perfect for beginners and occasional exchange traders who want to manage their investments on the go. As for experienced and advanced traders, they can use the updated app thinkorswim for professionals.
You obtain access to both apps with the broker account of TD Ameritrade that does not set a minimum balance and fees for trading stock and ETF.
The fully-featured apps include such important options as account management and trading regardless of which one you choose. Besides, thinkorswim has the CNBC feed in its app.
In November 2019, Charles Schwab stated about acquiring TD Ameritrade. It is expected that the deal will be completed by the end of 2020. After the closure, it is probable that trading platforms of TD Ameritrade and those of Charles Schwab will be combined into one.
Key peculiarities
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Cheap accounts |
Insecurity in the future after the acquisition |
Extensive research resources |
|
Support of many types of assets and accounts |
|
Fidelity: Best for Beginners
Fidelity is the best broker for beginners and all those who specialize in long-term and retirement investments. This is a full range of services that supports many accounts and investments. When trading stock and ETF for 0 US dollars you obtain a lot of services at a low price.
Fidelity Investments is an app for devices based on Android, iOS, and Amazon. It contains everything you may need to manage investment Fidelity accounts and deals. It does not have many advanced charting features like any other competitive apps, but it is fine for beginners who may not need advanced features.
Key peculiarities
|
Items we find advantageous |
Items we find disadvantageous |
Investment and trading functions comply with the needs of most traders |
Advanced charting options |
Support of many types of accounts |
|
Extended research and training courses |
|
Webull: Best Free App
Webull is a technological trading app which is the best fit for stock traders who have some experience. It does not have many educational resources but it has mane useful functions. Active and experienced traders will like extensive options for charting and additional options for extensive quote data.
Using all these extensive options you can rely on the increased price. However, Webull is a free app. The app does not require any fees for deals including stock and ETF. That’s all you need for trading.
Cryptocurrencies are new on the platform and you will not find mutual funds, bonds or other assets. Webull is a new app as compared to others in this list, but it has no disadvantages in terms of options for active stock traders.
Key peculiarities
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Community area for dealing with other users |
Limited customer service options |
No commissions platform-wide |
Limited assets available |
Paper trading available (virtual currency trading) |
SoFi: Best for Trading Learning
SoFi is short for Social Finance. It suggests loans, banking, and investments by using a convenient mobile app. It is perfect for the investors who want to find out about stock trading. This brokerage firm offers fee free deals and fractional stock (stock bits as they call them). The minimum balance is 1 US dollar.
Training and learning articles are a part of the SoFi Invest tab in the app. Here it is also possible to browse collections of stocks and funds to make decisions of what to buy. Pages for each stock do not contain too many details. This makes it simple for beginners to manage their accounts.
Key peculiarities
|
Items we find advantageous |
Items we find disadvantageous |
Easily trade full or fractional shares |
Few types of accounts |
Low fees |
Limited tradable assets |
Member events |
Tastyworks: Best for Options Trading
The tastyworks app focuses on options trading. Although options are not stock, many of them trade based on the stock cost movement. That is why tastyworks are worth mentioning here.
ETF and stock are traded on the fee free basis. Options on ETF and stock cost 1 US dollar per leg. This mobile app is the best for the experienced traders who know how to work with options, because here there are many functions that can confuse beginners. Tastyworks contain extremely important functions for options traders that make it possible to trade quickly without refusing from many functions of the desk trading.
Key peculiarities
|
Items we find advantageous |
Items we find advantageous |
Advanced options trading features |
Limited education resources as compared to major brokers |
Capped fees for options trades |
Not the cheapest per-contract fee |
Many account types supported |
|
Follow community members for trade ideas |
Ally: Best With Banking Products
Key peculiarities
|
Items we find advantageous |
Items we find advantageous |
Simple and easy to use and manage |
Some experienced traders may find trading tools limited |
User-friendly stock trades |
Limited mobile app research |
Pair bank accounts with your investments in one app |
FAQ
How to use a stock trading app?
It is possible to use a stock trading app for buying and selling stock, as well as other investment products. The stock trading app is simple for use by most people who are aware about the basics of the stock exchange and smartphones.
Start with registering a brokerage account in the brokerage firm at your choice. Except for SoFi with its 1 US dollar minimum, all brokerage accounts in this list do not have the minimum deposit required to start trading and do not charge regular fees. It is often easier to open an account online on your PC, although you can also do it in your smartphone by using the app.
As soon as you open the account, download the mobile app and log into the system to start buying and selling.
Don't forget that the stock cost may increase and decrease. Never invest and trade if you do not entirely understand how to avoid risk.
How much money do I need?
It is possible to open an account with the majority of large brokerage companies without the opening deposit. However, this does not mean that you can sell and buy stock on a free basis. Most brokerages demand traders to have enough money for buying full stock that may vary from 5 US dollars to above 1,000 US dollars per share.
Both Fidelity and SoFi let you buy fractional shares. This means that it is possible to buy less than a full share. Thus, you can start buying stocks with little money.
Last time almost all brokers did not demand any fee for stock trading. This means that you can buy and sell stock without being afraid to spend all your earnings for fees.
Items we find advantageous |
Items we find advantageous |
Trade stocks online |
Sometimes hard to disconnect from investments |
Manage your investments on the go |
Features may differ depending on a desktop browser experience and mobile app experience |
No major drawbacks to stock trading apps |
Small mobile screen may make it difficult for some users to trade |
Monitor your portfolio or investment values |
How to Choose an App?
All investors have different trading objectives and experience. That is why it is important to look at the background of stock trading and define the plan of investments when hiring a brokerage and selecting a stock trading app.
It is the most important to learn about fees, available account types, tradable assets, and peculiarities of using the platform. The user friendliness of the app is important. That is why study the offered screenshots and look through demo accounts before registering.
Recommendations: If you have doubts, it is always possible to try other apps and choose the best for your needs. When no minimum balance is demanded, it is possible to open an account and monitor things before funding it with real money.
How to Choose the Best Stock Trading Apps?
For the purpose of choosing the best stock apps, we have considered 20 various brokerages and their apps subject to the costs, simplicity to use and options for users. We have considered not only types of accounts and assets, but also peculiarities of trading, possibilities to make charts and needs of ordinary beginners and experienced investors.