The Best Apps for Day Trading
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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

Logo Ameritrade Mobile

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

  • Apps: TD Ameritrade Mobile and thinkorswim.
  • Account minimum: no minimum deposit demanded
  • Fees: no for online stock, options trades, and ETF, but there is a $25 fee for broker-assisted trades; a 65 cents flat fee per options contract; and $49.99 for no-load mutual funds; additional fees are possible
  • Tradable assets: Wide range, including options, ETFs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more
  • Account types: Supports standard, education, retirement, etc.

 

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 investment logo

 

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

  • Apps: Fidelity Investments
  • Account minimum: No minimum deposit demanded
  • Fees: $0 fees on stock, options trades, and ETF, but there is a $32.95 fee for broker-assisted trades; a 65 cents flat fee per options contract; and $49.95 for transaction-fee bearing mutual funds; no recurring fees for most accounts; additional fees can be applied apply
  • Tradable assets: ETFs, stocks, fractional share investing, mutual funds, and others
  • Account types: retirement, education accounts, supports brokerage, and others
  • Important details: Intuitive screens for entering trades and monitoring performance, as well as social media style feed of custom-tailored account and investment information.

 

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 logo

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

  • App: Webull: Options & ETFs, Stocks
  • Account minimum: No minimum deposit demanded
  • Fees: $0 commission or contract fees for online stock, options trades, or ETF; $8 to $45 for wire transfers; additional fees can be applied
  • Tradable assets: ETFs, stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies
  • Account types: IRA accounts and brokerage
  • Important details: advanced charting features, extended free stock promotions for new users and for customers who refer others, and global markets and news.

 

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 logo

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

  • App: SoFi Invest Money & Buy Crypto
  • Account minimum: $1 minimum deposit demanded
  • Fees: No fees for online stock or ETF trades demanded; expense ratios vary on SoFi-branded ETFs; 1.25% markup on crypto transactions; additional fees can be applied
  • Tradable assets: ETFs, stocks, fractional shares, and cryptocurrencies
  • Account types: Retirement and cryptocurrency accounts, self-directed and managed portfolios
  • Important details: loan products and cash management accounts are offered; uncluttered, clean, and easy-to-use app; integrated learning resources for beginners

 

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

Tastyworks logo

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

  • App name: tastyworks
  • Account minimum: No minimum deposit demanded
  • Fees: No fees for ETF trades or stock; $1.25 per futures contract; $2.50 per option on futures; $0.85 per futures e-micros contract; $1 per option on stocks or ETFs, with $10 maximum; additional fees can be applied
  • Tradable assets: Options for ETFs, stocks, and futures
  • Account types: retirement, trust, corporate, individual and joint margin or cash accounts, and international accounts

 

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

Allly logo

 

Key peculiarities

  • App name: Ally
  • Account minimum: No minimum deposit demanded
  • Fees: $0 commission fees for online ETF, stock, or options trades, but there is a 50 cents flat fee per options contract; $9.95 for no-load mutual funds; $20, plus regular commission fee, for broker-assisted trades; additional fees can be applied
  • Tradable assets: ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, options, and others
  • Account types: Managed portfolios and supports self-directed
  • Important details: Online-only bank and brokerage with no physical locations, full-service

 

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.