1️⃣Fidelity Investments
Fidelity sets the standard for long term investors and active traders who want rock solid protection. It delivers $0 US stock trades, deep research, and fast execution in one clean dashboard. If you want a single home for cash, retirement, and trading, this is it.
Address: 245 Summer St, Boston, USA
- Top tier protection and security
- zero commission US stock and ETF trades
- deep research and screeners
- lightning fast order execution
- stellar customer support
- powerful mobile and desktop apps
- no account minimum
- Crypto access limited
- advanced options tools can overwhelm beginners
2️⃣Charles Schwab
Schwab blends trust, low pricing, and real perks into a platform that just works. Expect $0 trades, excellent education, and the StreetSmart and mobile combo for smooth execution. Great for building wealth with minimal friction.
Address: 3000 Schwab Way, Westlake, USA
- Zero commission US stocks and ETFs
- seamless integration with Schwab Bank
- superb customer service
- fractional shares via Stock Slices
- broad fund lineup
- low margin rates
- robust education
- Desktop platform has a learning curve
- some international markets are not directly accessible
3️⃣Vanguard
Vanguard is the king of low cost index investing and long term wealth building. The platform is simple and dependable, best for buy and hold strategies. Traders seeking fast tools or complex orders may feel limited.
Address: 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, USA
- Ultra low cost index funds
- investor first reputation
- easy automatic investing
- great for retirement accounts
- Website and app feel dated
- limited trading tools and order types
- slower customer response at peak times
- fewer fractional share options
- higher minimums on some mutual funds
4️⃣Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers global market access, rock bottom margin rates, and professional grade platforms. It is a powerhouse for sophisticated traders who value precision and reach. Beginners may find the learning curve steep.
Address: One Pickwick Plaza, Greenwich, USA
- Access to 150 plus markets worldwide
- ultra low margin rates
- advanced order types and routing
- excellent execution quality
- powerful desktop and API integrations
- Complex interface for newcomers
- pricing tiers can be confusing
- funding and withdrawals can be slow with some banks
- support experience can feel impersonal
- some features require additional approvals
5️⃣eToro
eToro makes investing social with copy trading and a clean app that lowers the barrier to entry. It is beginner friendly and great for discovering ideas from top performers. Active traders may dislike the spreads and product limitations in some regions.
Address: One Canada Square, London, United Kingdom
- Simple account opening
- copy trading to mirror top investors
- sleek and intuitive mobile app
- wide range of assets including stocks and crypto
- transparent feed and community features
- Spreads can be higher than pro brokers
- limited advanced order types
- some products unavailable in certain countries or states
- withdrawal and inactivity fees may apply
- customer support can be slow during spikes