We tested and compared the top online brokerages so you can find the right fit for your portfolio.
Choosing the right brokerage can save you thousands in fees over a lifetime of investing. We spent over 60 hours testing each platform's mobile app, web experience, research tools, and customer support. Here's how they stack up.
Last updated: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Golden Leaf Research Team
| Broker | Rating | Stock/ETF Fees | Account Min. | Options | Fractional Shares | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Editor's Pick | ★★★★★ | $0 | $0 | $0 + $0.65/contract | Yes ($1 min) | Overall best | Open Account |
| Charles Schwab | ★★★★★ | $0 | $0 | $0 + $0.65/contract | Yes ($5 min) | Full-service | Open Account |
| Vanguard | ★★★★★ | $0 | $0 | $0 + $1/contract | Yes (select ETFs) | Index investors | Open Account |
| Robinhood | ★★★★★ | $0 | $0 | $0 (no per-contract) | Yes ($1 min) | Beginners | Open Account |
| E*Trade | ★★★★★ | $0 | $0 | $0 + $0.65/contract | No | Options traders | Open Account |
Fidelity is our top pick for most investors. The platform combines zero commissions, no account minimums, and fractional shares starting at $1 with some of the best research tools in the industry. Their actively managed zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX) are genuinely unique.
Customer support is available 24/7 by phone, and the mobile app handles everything from basic trades to complex options strategies. The only real drawback is that the web interface can feel cluttered for brand-new investors.
Standout features: Zero-fee index funds, fractional shares, 24/7 phone support, Fidelity Go robo-advisor (0.35% fee), extensive retirement planning tools.
Schwab is as close to a "does everything well" broker as you'll find. Since acquiring TD Ameritrade, they've integrated thinkorswim's powerful trading platform while maintaining their own clean web and mobile experience.
The Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-advisor is free (no advisory fee) for accounts over $5,000, making it a strong choice for hands-off investors. Physical branch locations are a plus if you prefer in-person support.
Standout features: thinkorswim platform, free robo-advisor (no advisory fee above $5K), 300+ physical branches, Schwab Bank integration with free ATM withdrawals worldwide.
Vanguard practically invented low-cost index investing, and their funds remain among the cheapest on the market. VOO (S&P 500) charges just 0.03%, and VTI (Total Stock Market) is the same.
The tradeoff is a trading platform that feels utilitarian. It's been improving, but active traders will find better tools elsewhere. For buy-and-hold investors who want rock-bottom fund expenses and a company with a unique investor-owned structure, Vanguard is hard to beat.
Standout features: Lowest fund expense ratios in the industry, investor-owned company structure (no outside shareholders), strong retirement account options, Personal Advisor Services starting at 0.30%.
Robinhood's clean, intuitive interface makes it the easiest platform for someone making their first investment. The app strips away the complexity and lets you buy fractional shares of any stock or ETF for as little as $1.
Robinhood Gold ($5/month) adds 3% IRA match, professional research from Morningstar, and a higher APY on uninvested cash (currently 4.00%). The biggest weakness remains limited customer support and a less robust research library compared to Fidelity or Schwab.
Standout features: Simplest mobile experience, free options trading (no per-contract fees), 3% IRA match with Gold, cash card with round-ups, crypto trading.
Now part of Morgan Stanley, E*Trade has gotten even stronger on the research and advisory front while keeping the Power E*Trade platform that options traders love. The options chain interface, built-in strategy scanner, and risk analytics are among the best available.
For frequent options traders (30+ trades/quarter), the per-contract fee drops to $0.50. The standard web experience is solid for everyday investors, too.
Standout features: Power E*Trade options platform, reduced fees for active traders ($0.50/contract), Morgan Stanley research integration, prebuilt portfolios, strong education center.
Our ratings are based on six weighted factors: commissions and fees (25%), account features (20%), trading platform and tools (20%), research and education (15%), mobile experience (10%), and customer service (10%). We open real accounts, make real trades, and contact support to test response times. Ratings are reviewed and updated quarterly.