Mobile apps have become how most people get into the stock market. Whether you’re building a retirement fund or you’ve been trading for years, picking the right app matters. This guide looks at the best investing apps of 2024—their features, fees, and what they do well—so you can pick one that actually fits what you need.
How We Evaluated These Apps
We tested each platform ourselves and checked what real users say about them. We looked at fees, ease of use, security, what you can invest in, and how good the customer support actually is. We also paid attention to account minimums, commission structures, and whether there are hidden costs that don’t show up in the marketing.
Our team keeps tabs on fee changes and new features throughout the year, so our picks reflect what’s actually available right now, not what was true six months ago.
Our Top Picks
Here are the apps that stood out after all the testing and comparison.
Fidelity Investments – Best Overall
Fidelity is our top pick because it nails the basics while also offering features that even experienced investors need. Stock and ETF trading is commission-free, and you get access to just about everything—stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and fractional shares.
The research tools are genuinely good. You get real market analysis, company profiles, and planning resources that you’d normally only find at expensive brokerages. Customer support is solid too—24/7 phone support and over 200 physical branches if you prefer talking to someone in person.
The fractional share program is worth mentioning. You can buy tiny pieces of expensive stocks without having to fork over $200+ per share. That’s a big deal if you want to build a diverse portfolio without a lot of money up front.
Security is solid: two-factor authentication, fingerprint login, and fraud protection are all standard.
Charles Schwab – Best for Low Costs
Schwab keeps things simple on fees. No commissions on stocks, ETFs, or options. No account minimums. No inactivity fees. If you’re trying to maximize returns without worrying about hidden costs eating into your profits, this is the one.
The mobile app is clean and easy to use. You can track your portfolio, read research reports, and make trades without fighting the interface. One nice perk: Schwab bundles banking with investing, so you can manage your checking, savings, and investments all in one app.
Their robo-advisor, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, manages your money automatically with no advisory fees if you meet the minimum. It builds a portfolio based on your risk tolerance and rebalances as needed. They also have physical branches, which matters if you ever want to sit down with someone face-to-face.
Robinhood – Best for Beginners
Robinhood made its name by making stock trading feel as easy as sending a text. The interface is minimalist—no clutter, no confusing menus. You tap a few times and your trade goes through.
They added fractional shares, extended trading hours, and cash management over the years, so it’s grown beyond just “buy your first stock.” Robinhood Gold gives you access to professional research, margin trading, and bigger instant deposits for about $5 a month.
Here’s the thing, though: Robinhood has gotten criticism for making trading feel like a game. The app pushes notifications, confetti pops up when you trade—things that more experienced investors might find annoying or even irresponsible. They’ve cleaned up their act after the 2021 controversies, added better educational content, and improved risk disclosures. But if you’re brand new, just know that the excitement is by design. Trade thoughtfully.
TD Ameritrade – Best for Advanced Trading
If you know what you’re doing and want serious tools, TD Ameritrade delivers. Their thinkorswim platform (web and mobile) has advanced charting, options analysis, customizable interfaces—the kind of stuff active traders actually want.
Commissions are $0 for stocks, ETFs, and options. Research is extensive: third-party analysis, news from multiple sources, and screening tools to find what you’re looking for. The paper trading feature lets you test strategies with fake money before putting real cash on the line.
One thing to know: TD Ameritrade is merging with Charles Schwab. The transition is happening now, and eventually all TD Ameritrade accounts will move to Schwab’s system. Existing users will want to watch how this plays out, though the company says service quality will stay high during the switch.
E*TRADE – Best for Retirement Planning
E*TRADE has built a reputation for helping people think long-term. Their retirement account options are thorough—Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs for self-employed folks. The retirement planning tools let you play around with projections and scenarios to see if you’re on track.
Core Portfolios is their robo-advisor. Answer a few questions about your goals and risk tolerance, and they build you a diversified portfolio and manage it automatically. They handle rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting, which is nice if you don’t want to think about this stuff every day.
The educational content is actually good—webinars, articles, videos covering basics and advanced strategies. If you’re still learning, E*TRADE is a solid choice because the help is there when you need it.
What Actually Matters When Picking an App
Don’t just look at who has the flashiest marketing. Here’s what actually makes a difference:
Fees add up. Many apps advertise commission-free trading, but dig deeper. Some charge for things you’d never expect—expense ratios on their own funds, margin rates, transfer fees. Small annual costs compound over decades.
Security matters. Mobile investing means your money lives on your phone. Look for encryption, two-factor authentication, and make sure they have SIPC insurance (protects up to $500,000 if the company fails). The major players all have this, but double-check anyway.
What you can actually invest in varies. Some apps only do stocks and ETFs. Others let you trade mutual funds, bonds, options, even crypto. If you know what you want to buy, check that it’s available first. Fractional shares are increasingly common—helpful if you want diversification without huge upfront cash.
Don’t ignore customer service. When something goes wrong—or you just have a question—you want help fast. Check if they have phone support, live chat, and whether anyone actually responds.
Conclusion
Fidelity is our top pick overall because it works well for almost anyone—beginners, retirement savers, people who want research tools. But the other apps all have real strengths. Robinhood’s simplicity is great if you’re just starting out. Schwab is unbeatable on fees. TD Ameritrade has the best tools for active traders. E*TRADE shines for retirement planning.
Pick based on what you actually need, not what’s most popular. Your needs will change as you learn more, so don’t be afraid to switch later if your situation evolves.
FAQ
What’s the best investing app for beginners?
Robinhood is the easiest to use. But Fidelity and Schwab have better educational resources if you actually want to understand what you’re doing. Think about whether you want hand-holding or just a clean interface.
Are these apps safe?
The major ones—Fidelity, Schwab, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Robinhood—all use bank-level encryption, offer two-factor authentication, and carry SIPC insurance. Your investments are protected up to $500,000 if something goes wrong.
Do they really charge zero commissions?
For stocks and ETFs, yes—most top apps are commission-free now. Watch out for other costs though: mutual fund expense ratios, margin interest, and premium subscriptions can still add up.
Can I start with $10?
Yes. Fractional shares let you invest in pieces of stocks with almost any amount. Fidelity, Schwab, and Robinhood all support this.
Which has the best research?
TD Ameritrade’s thinkorswim is the most powerful—advanced charting, options analysis, professional data. Fidelity and Schwab are close behind and plenty for most people.
Can I use more than one app?
Sure. Plenty of people have accounts on multiple platforms. Just stay organized so you know your overall portfolio picture and don’t accidentally double up on investments.