Wealthy PotOnline Brokers Compared
A side-by-side look at the online stock brokers worth using in 2026. Nearly all charge $0 stock and ETF commissions now, so the real differences are options fees, account minimums, fractional shares, and what each is genuinely best at. Filter and sort to find the one that fits how you invest.
Last updated: September 2026
There is no single "best" broker — it depends on whether you invest for the long term or trade actively, whether you want IRAs and index funds or options and charting, and whether you value branches, an app, or the lowest costs. The table below compares 15 US brokers on what matters. Use the filters for beginners, options, IRAs, fractional shares, or advanced tools. We focus on the brokers, not stock tips — nothing here is investment advice.
Compare online brokers
| Broker | Type | Stock/ETF | Options | Account min | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FidelityFidelity InvestmentsFractional | Full-service | $0 | $0.65/contract | $0 | Most investors — beginners, IRAs, and index-fund buyers who want one strong all-rounder |
| Charles SchwabCharles SchwabFractional | Full-service | $0 | $0.65/contract | $0 | IRA and long-term investors who also want a serious options platform (thinkorswim) |
| VanguardThe Vanguard Group | Discount | $0 | $1.00/contract | $0 | Buy-and-hold index investors who live in Vanguard funds and rarely trade |
| RobinhoodRobinhood MarketsFractional | App-first | $0 | $0.50/contract ($0.35 with Gold) | $0 | Mobile-first beginners who want the simplest possible way to buy stocks and options |
| WebullWebullFractional | App-first | $0 | $0 | $0 | Intermediate active traders who want more charting muscle than Robinhood, still mobile-first |
| E*TRADEMorgan StanleyFractional | Full-service | $0 | $0.65/contract | $0 | All-round investors and options traders who want the Power E*TRADE platform |
| Interactive BrokersInteractive BrokersFractional | Advanced | $0 (IBKR Lite) | $0.65/contract | $0 | Advanced and international traders who need the broadest global market access |
| Merrill EdgeBank of America | Bank-owned | $0 | $0.65/contract | $0 | Bank of America customers who want brokerage and Preferred Rewards in one place |
| SoFi Active InvestSoFiFractional | App-first | $0 | $0 | $0 | Beginners who want investing, banking, and an IRA match in one all-in-one app |
| M1 FinanceM1Fractional | App-first | $0 | n/a (no options) | $100 ($500 for IRAs) | Hands-off investors who want automated, pie-based portfolios that rebalance for them |
| PublicPublic HoldingsFractional | App-first | $0 | $0 (rebate model) | $0 | Multi-asset beginners who want stocks, bonds, and alternatives in one modern app |
| MoomooMoomooFractional | App-first | $0 | $0 (equity options) | $0 | Charting-heavy active traders who want free Level 2 data on a slick app |
| TastytradetastytradeFractional | Advanced | $0 | $1 to open / $0 to close ($10 max/leg) | $0 | Active options traders — especially premium sellers who close positions often |
| Ally InvestAlly Financial | Bank-owned | $0 | $0.50/contract | $0 | Ally Bank customers who want investing and a strong fixed-income lineup alongside banking |
| J.P. Morgan Self-DirectedJPMorgan ChaseFractional | Bank-owned | $0 | $0.65/contract | $0 | Chase customers who want investing built into the app they already bank in |
No brokers match those filters.
How to choose a broker
- New to investing? Fidelity and SoFi are the friendliest starting points; Robinhood is the simplest app.
- Retirement / IRAs? Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard lead for low-cost, long-term accounts.
- Index-fund buy-and-hold? Vanguard and Fidelity have the cheapest funds.
- Options trading? Schwab (thinkorswim), tastytrade, and E*TRADE (Power E*TRADE) are built for it.
- Active / advanced trading? Interactive Brokers, Webull, and Moomoo offer the deepest tools.
- Already bank somewhere? Merrill Edge (BofA), Ally Invest, and J.P. Morgan (Chase) integrate with your bank.
Once you have picked a broker, put it to work: plan contributions with the free compound interest calculator, and if you are choosing funds, see our ETF comparisons and stock analysis tools.
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How we compare
We track each broker's current commissions, options per-contract fees, account minimums, platforms, and what it is genuinely best at, and summarize the experience of using it rather than reprinting marketing copy. Pricing and features change often; figures are re-checked regularly against each broker's official page. Some links may be affiliate links; that never changes which brokers we include or how we rank them. Nothing here is investment advice.