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Comparison Guide

Best Online Brokerages (2026)

We compared commissions, account types, tools, and ease of use across the top online brokerages. All picks have $0 stock trading commissions.

Last updated: February 2026
BrokerageCommissionsMin. DepositBest For
Fidelity$0$0Long-term investors who want the broadest range of account types and the lowest possible costs
Charles Schwab$0$0Investors who value in-person support and want banking + investing under one roof
Robinhood$0$0Beginners and mobile-first investors who want stocks + crypto in one simple app
Webull$0$0Active traders who want advanced charts and extended-hours trading without paying for a premium platform
Vanguard$0$0Buy-and-hold index fund investors who prioritize the lowest possible fund costs above all else
Top Pick
#1

Fidelity

The best all-around brokerage. Zero-fee index funds, excellent research, and every account type.

Commissions
$0
Minimum
$0
Account Types
Individual, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401(k), HSA, 529
Pros
✓ Zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX)
✓ No account minimums
✓ Excellent research and tools
✓ Fractional shares starting at $1
✓ Strong retirement account options
Cons
✗ Trading platform less intuitive than some competitors
✗ Mutual fund selection can be overwhelming
✗ No crypto trading
Best for: Long-term investors who want the broadest range of account types and the lowest possible costs.
Open Fidelity Account →Affiliate link
#2

Charles Schwab

Physical branches + online banking + brokerage. Best for people who want everything in one place.

Commissions
$0
Minimum
$0
Account Types
Individual, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401(k), Trust
Pros
✓ 300+ physical branches for in-person help
✓ Excellent checking account with ATM fee rebates
✓ Strong research and education
✓ 24/7 customer service
✓ Schwab Intelligent Portfolios (robo-advisor)
Cons
✗ No fractional shares for all stocks
✗ Platform can feel dated
✗ No crypto
Best for: Investors who value in-person support and want banking + investing under one roof.
Open Charles Schwab Account →Affiliate link
#3

Robinhood

Sleekest app, crypto trading included, 1% IRA match on transfers.

Commissions
$0
Minimum
$0
Account Types
Individual, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA
Pros
✓ Best mobile app experience
✓ Crypto trading built in
✓ 1% match on IRA contributions
✓ Fractional shares
✓ Cash card with round-ups
Cons
✗ Limited research tools
✗ No mutual funds
✗ Controversial past (2021 GME halt)
✗ Limited account types
Best for: Beginners and mobile-first investors who want stocks + crypto in one simple app.
Open Robinhood Account →Affiliate link
#4

Webull

Advanced charting and technical analysis tools for free. Paper trading to practice.

Commissions
$0
Minimum
$0
Account Types
Individual, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA
Pros
✓ Advanced charting for free
✓ Paper trading simulator
✓ Extended trading hours (4am-8pm)
✓ No minimum deposit
✓ Good for active traders
Cons
✗ Limited educational content
✗ No mutual funds or bonds
✗ Customer service can be slow
✗ Newer platform
Best for: Active traders who want advanced charts and extended-hours trading without paying for a premium platform.
Open Webull Account →Affiliate link
#5

Vanguard

The gold standard for index fund investing. Owned by its fund shareholders — lowest costs in the industry.

Commissions
$0
Minimum
$0
Account Types
Individual, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401(k), 529, Trust
Pros
✓ Pioneered index fund investing
✓ Owned by fund shareholders (unique structure)
✓ Lowest expense ratios on many funds
✓ Strong retirement account options
✓ Trusted name in long-term investing
Cons
✗ Dated user interface
✗ Slow to add features
✗ No fractional shares on most stocks
✗ $1,000-$3,000 minimums on some funds
Best for: Buy-and-hold index fund investors who prioritize the lowest possible fund costs above all else.
Open Vanguard Account →Affiliate link

How to Choose an Online Brokerage

In 2026, all major online brokerages offer $0 stock and ETF commissions — so price alone isn't a differentiator. The real differences are in account types, investment selection, tools, and user experience. Here's what to consider when choosing.

What do you want to invest in?

If you want index funds and ETFs, any of these brokerages will work. If you want crypto, you'll need Robinhood or a separate crypto exchange. If you want access to mutual funds, skip Robinhood and Webull. If you want zero-expense-ratio index funds, Fidelity is the only option.

What account types do you need?

If you just need a taxable brokerage and an IRA, any platform works. But if you need a 401(k), HSA, 529, or trust account, your options narrow to Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard. Think about where you want to be in 5-10 years, not just today.

Do you value simplicity or power?

Robinhood has the best beginner experience — clean, simple, and mobile-first. Webull offers powerful charting for active traders. Fidelity and Schwab are feature-rich but can feel overwhelming at first. Vanguard is deliberately minimal because they want you to buy and hold, not day-trade.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you open an account through our links, Pulsafi may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our rankings — our editorial team evaluates each brokerage independently. All information is accurate as of the date listed and subject to change.
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