We compared five popular brokerages so you can see their key facts side by side. Investing involves risk: the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you put in. This page is educational and is not financial advice. Every fact below was taken from the brokerage’s official website — always confirm current terms there before opening an account. For savings accounts, see today’s best APY rates on our homepage.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Top brokerages — checked October 21, 2026
| Brokerage | Best for | Stocks/ETF commissions | Offers IRAs? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | IRA match; simple mobile app | Commission-free stock trading | Yes — Traditional and Roth IRAs; 1% match on annual IRA contributions (3% with Robinhood Gold) |
| Fidelity | $0 account fees; fractional shares from $1 | $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs online | Yes — Roth IRA (plus other retirement accounts) |
| Charles Schwab | $0 online equity trades; fractional shares | $0 online equity trades | Yes — retirement accounts, including IRAs |
| SoFi Invest | Automated investing; no-commission stock and ETF trading | No commissions on stocks and ETFs | Yes — Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs |
| Webull | Zero commissions; advanced charting tools | $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options | Yes — Traditional, Roth, and Rollover IRAs |
Commissions and account terms can change — confirm them on the broker’s official site before you open an account.
What to look for in a brokerage
- Fees and commissions: most major brokerages now offer commission-free stock and ETF trading, but options contracts, margin interest, and account fees can still differ — check the fee schedule.
- Account types, including IRAs: decide whether you want a taxable brokerage account, a Traditional or Roth IRA, or both. IRAs come with annual contribution limits and their own tax rules.
- Fractional shares: several brokerages let you buy slices of expensive stocks with as little as $1, so you can start investing without a large balance.
- App and research tools: a clear mobile app, screeners, charting, and educational content make it easier to manage and understand your investments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robinhood good for beginners?
Robinhood is known for its simple, beginner-friendly app: it advertises commission-free stock trading, lets you start with as little as $1, and offers educational content through Robinhood Learn. It also offers Traditional and Roth IRAs with an IRA match. Whether it is the right choice for you depends on the features, fees, and account types you need.
Do I pay tax on investment gains?
Generally, yes: capital gains taxes generally apply to profits in taxable brokerage accounts when you sell investments. IRAs have their own tax rules — for example, Traditional IRAs are generally funded with pre-tax dollars and taxed on withdrawal, while Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars and can offer tax-free qualified withdrawals. This is general information, not tax advice — talk to a tax professional about your situation.