10 Best Investing Apps of 2026

This list is for first-time investors comparing what a brokerage app costs to open, hold and use. We compared documented features and published prices from each company's own US pages in November 2026; we did not open accounts or place trades. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. For brokers with no subscription, the starting price is shown as none and the pricing line lists the per-trade fees that still apply. For apps with an optional paid tier, such as Robinhood Gold or Public Reserve, the starting price is that tier, and you can invest without it.

1. 01Top value

   

   Fidelity

   9.3/10

   A full-service US brokerage with $0 online stock, ETF and option commissions and no minimum to open an account.

   Price

   Freeno subscription; per-trade fees only on some products

   Free to open and hold; $0 online US stock, ETF and option commissions, plus $0.65 per option contract

   “$0 commissions for online US stock, ETF, and option trades.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 8, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.6

   Features (35%)

   9.2

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forbeginners who want one free account for stocks, funds and retirement

   Fidelity is the strongest starting point for a beginner because it removes the two costs new investors worry about most: commissions and minimums. Its pricing page lists $0 commissions for online US stock, ETF and option trades and states there are no minimums to open an account. Fidelity's own mutual funds also cost $0 to buy online, and US Treasury auctions and secondary Treasury trades are $0 online, which gives a new investor a path from a first index fund to bonds without changing brokers. Costs appear only on specific products: options carry a $0.65 per contract fee, and online secondary bond trades cost $1.00 per bond. There is no paid tier, so nothing is held back behind a monthly fee. The tradeoff is that the full fee schedule is long, so read it before using services such as broker-assisted trades. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not open accounts.

   • ✓No account minimum and no subscription tier to pay for
   • ✓Fidelity funds trade with no transaction fee
   • ✓Secondary bond trades cost $1.00 per bond online

   • ✕Options cost $0.65 per contract on top of the $0 commission
   • ✕No IRA match or cash bonus is listed on its pricing page, unlike Public or E*TRADE
   • ✕The fee schedule is long, with separate charges for less common services

   Stock and ETF commission:

   $0 online

   Account minimum:

   None to open

   Option contract fee:

   $0.65

   Fidelity mutual funds:

   $0 online

   Bottom line: Fidelity is the best investing app for beginners because it charges $0 commissions on online US stock, ETF and option trades and has no minimum to open an account. Pick Robinhood or Public instead if you want a simpler mobile-first app.

   Visit fidelity.com ↗

2. 02

   

   Charles Schwab

   9.2/10

   A large US broker with $0 online stock and ETF trades, $0 account minimums and fractional Stock Slices from $1.

   Price

   Freeno subscription; per-trade fees only on some products

   Free to open and hold; $0 online stock and ETF commissions; options $0.65 per contract

   “$0 Listed Stocks and ETFs online commission” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.5

   Features (35%)

   9.1

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.7

   Best forbeginners who want fractional shares and branch support

   Schwab matches Fidelity on the basics a beginner checks first and adds a clear fractional share program. Its pricing page lists $0 online commissions on listed stocks and ETFs, and the account table shows $0 opening and maintenance fees and $0 minimums for individual, joint and IRA brokerage accounts. Stock Slices let you buy part of a share in more than 7,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs starting at $1, so a small first deposit can still go into a well-known company or index fund. Schwab also lists $0 online trades on thousands of Mutual Fund OneSource funds and on Treasuries. Fees appear on specific products: options are $0 plus $0.65 per contract, US over-the-counter stocks are $6.95 per online trade, and broker-assisted trades add a $25 service charge. There is no subscription tier. It ranks just behind Fidelity on value only because a few side fees are higher; for most beginners the two are close.

   • ✓$0 opening and maintenance fees on brokerage and IRA accounts
   • ✓Fractional shares start at $1
   • ✓Broker-assisted trading is available for a $25 service charge

   • ✕Options carry a $0.65 per contract fee
   • ✕US over-the-counter stock trades cost $6.95 online
   • ✕Automated phone trades cost $5 per trade

   Stock and ETF commission:

   $0 online

   Account minimum:

   $0

   Fractional shares:

   From $1, 7,000+ stocks and ETFs

   Option contract fee:

   $0.65

   Bottom line: Charles Schwab is the best choice for beginners with small deposits because Stock Slices buy fractional shares of 7,000+ stocks and ETFs from $1 with a $0 account minimum. Fidelity is a near tie on price.

   Visit schwab.com ↗

3. 03

   

   Public

   8.8/10

   An investing app with $0 stock and ETF trades, a 1% IRA match and an optional Public Reserve membership.

   Price

   $20per month (Public Reserve, optional)

   $0 US stock and ETF trades without a membership; optional Public Reserve is $20 per month or $200 per year

   “Monthly membership $20 per month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.8

   Features (35%)

   8.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.0

   Best forbeginners who want an IRA match without a subscription

   Public suits beginners who want a clean app and a retirement bonus without signing up for a subscription. Its fee schedule lists $0 for US-listed stock and ETF trades during regular and extended hours, $0 for OTC stocks and $0 for stock and ETF options, and its site advertises a 1% match on annual Traditional and Roth IRA contributions. Options traders can also enroll in a rebate program that pays $0.06 to $0.18 per contract. For later, Public offers direct indexing from $1,000 and fractional access to corporate bonds. The optional Public Reserve membership costs $20 a month or $200 a year, which is far more than Robinhood Gold, so most beginners can ignore it. Watch two small fees: choosing Smart Order or Lit Exchanges routing costs $0.003 per share instead of the $0 default wholesale routing, and index options are $0.35 per contract. We compared documented features and published prices.

   • ✓IRA match is available without paying for a membership
   • ✓OTC stocks trade for $0, unlike $6.95 at Schwab and E*TRADE
   • ✓Fractional access to corporate bonds

   • ✕Public Reserve costs $20 a month, the priciest optional tier here
   • ✕Smart Order and Lit Exchange routing cost $0.003 per share
   • ✕Index options cost $0.35 per contract

   Stock and ETF trades:

   $0

   IRA match:

   1% on annual contributions

   Public Reserve:

   $20 per month or $200 per year

   Direct indexing minimum:

   $1,000

   Bottom line: Public is the best choice for beginners who want an IRA bonus with no subscription because it advertises a 1% match on annual IRA contributions and $0 stock and ETF trades. The optional $20 a month Reserve tier is not needed to start.

   Visit public.com ↗

4. 04

   

   Robinhood

   8.8/10

   A mobile-first brokerage with an optional Robinhood Gold subscription for $5 a month.

   Price

   $5per month (Robinhood Gold)

   Basic account without a subscription; Robinhood Gold is $5 per month with the first 30 days free

   “Do more with your money with high-impact tools, rates, and insights—all with Gold for $5/month.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Free trial

   30 days

   Value (40%)

   9.0

   Features (35%)

   8.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.2

   Best formobile-first beginners who may want a cash yield and IRA match

   Robinhood is built for people who will manage their money from a phone. The headline cost decision is whether to add Robinhood Gold, which Robinhood prices at $5 a month and lets you try free for the first 30 days. Gold adds a 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash with no cap and no minimum, a 3% boost on annual IRA contributions worth up to $225 at the 2026 contribution limit, and a cap on management fees above $100K for its Strategies managed portfolios. Futures trade at $0.50 per contract. For a beginner who would contribute the full IRA amount, the $225 boost alone is more than the $60 yearly cost of Gold, but someone saving a few hundred dollars will not recover the fee. Robinhood notes that terms and limitations apply to each Gold benefit, so read them before paying. We compared documented features and published prices only.

   • ✓Gold costs $5 a month, the lowest paid tier in this list
   • ✓IRA match and cash yield come in the same subscription
   • ✓Gold can be tried free for 30 days

   • ✕The 3.6% APY and 3% IRA boost require the paid Gold plan
   • ✕Gold is billed every 30 days, with no annual price listed
   • ✕Gold benefits carry terms and limitations listed on Robinhood's page

   Gold price:

   $5 per month

   Gold free trial:

   First 30 days

   IRA boost with Gold:

   3%, up to $225 in 2026

   Cash APY with Gold:

   3.6%

   Bottom line: Robinhood is the best choice for mobile-first beginners because Robinhood Gold costs $5 a month and adds a 3% IRA boost and 3.6% APY on cash. Skip Gold if you save less than a few thousand dollars a year.

   Visit robinhood.com ↗

5. 05

   

   E*TRADE

   8.7/10

   Morgan Stanley's brokerage with $0 stock, ETF, mutual fund and option commissions and integrated Morgan Stanley research.

   Price

   Freeno subscription; per-trade fees only on some products

   No subscription; $0 stock, ETF and options commissions plus $0.65 per option contract ($0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter)

   “Standard commissions for stock and options trades are $0 (plus an additional $0.65 per options contract).” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.0

   Features (35%)

   8.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best forbeginners who plan to learn options later

   E*TRADE, owned by Morgan Stanley, charges $0 commissions on stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs, with a $0.65 option contract fee that falls to $0.50 once you place 30 or more trades in a quarter. That tiering matters little to a beginner today, but it makes E*TRADE a good place to grow into options. Its Dime Buyback Program removes the contract fee when closing short options priced at 10 cents or less, and Morgan Stanley research is built into the platform. For income investors, US Treasury auction and online secondary trades are $0, while online secondary bond trades cost $1 per bond with a $10 minimum. A promotion pays up to $1,500 for new accounts funded with a qualifying deposit by February 28, 2027, but the money must stay for twelve months. Costs to note: OTC stocks are $6.95 per trade and crypto is 0.50% of each trade. The platform has more screens than Robinhood or Public, so it takes longer to learn.

   • ✓Cheaper options contracts for frequent traders
   • ✓$0 on no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds
   • ✓US Treasury auction and online secondary trades cost $0

   • ✕OTC stock trades cost $6.95
   • ✕Crypto trades cost 0.50% of the dollar value
   • ✕Bonus money must stay in the account for twelve months

   Stock and ETF commission:

   $0

   Option contract fee:

   $0.65, or $0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter

   Futures:

   $1.50 per contract, per side

   New account offer:

   Up to $1,500 by 2/28/2027

   Bottom line: E*TRADE is the best choice for beginners who expect to trade options because its contract fee drops from $0.65 to $0.50 at 30 trades per quarter. Pure buy-and-hold investors lose nothing by picking Fidelity instead.

   Visit etrade.com ↗

6. 06

   

   Interactive Brokers

   8.6/10

   A global broker whose IBKR Lite plan offers $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs with no account minimum.

   Price

   Freeno subscription; per-share commissions on IBKR Pro

   No subscription; IBKR Lite has $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs; IBKR Pro charges per share

   “$0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs with IBKR Lite.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   9.3

   Ease of use (25%)

   6.8

   Best forbeginners who want global markets and interest on cash

   Interactive Brokers has the deepest feature set in this list and a free path in through IBKR Lite. Its stock commission page lists $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs with IBKR Lite and states there are no added spreads, ticket charges, platform fees or account minimums. Uninvested cash earns up to USD 3.38%, margin loans start at USD 4.38%, and a fee-waived program covers over 150 ETFs. The same account can reach stock markets across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, which the US-only apps here cannot. The cost for beginners is complexity: you choose between Lite and Pro, where Pro uses tiered or fixed per-share pricing with minimums per order, such as USD 1.00 on the fixed plan, and the platform offers far more tools than a first-time investor needs. It scores high on value and features, and lowest among the brokers here on ease of use. Pick it if you expect to invest outside the US.

   • ✓No account minimum or platform fee
   • ✓Interest paid on uninvested cash
   • ✓Access to stock markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific

   • ✕Choosing between IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro adds a decision beginners do not face elsewhere
   • ✕IBKR Pro Fixed has a USD 1.00 minimum per order
   • ✕Trader Workstation and the wider platform take time to learn

   IBKR Lite US stock commission:

   $0

   Account minimum:

   None

   Interest on cash:

   Up to USD 3.38%

   Margin rate:

   From USD 4.38%

   Bottom line: Interactive Brokers is the best choice for beginners who want international markets because IBKR Lite charges $0 on US stocks and ETFs with no account minimum and pays up to 3.38% on cash. Expect a steeper learning curve than any other app here.

   Visit interactivebrokers.com ↗

7. 07

   

   Webull

   8.5/10

   A trading app with $0 commissions on US-listed stocks, ETFs and options, plus fractional shares, ADRs and OTC stocks.

   Price

   Freeno required subscription

   Free to use; $0 commissions on US-listed stocks, ETFs and options; $0.50 per contract on certain index options

   “Webull does not charge commissions for trading stocks, ETFs and options listed on U.S. exchanges.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.0

   Features (35%)

   8.5

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.8

   Best forbeginners who want fractional shares, ADRs and OTC stocks for free

   Webull charges no commission on stocks, ETFs and options listed on US exchanges, and its pricing page lists a $0.50 per contract fee only on certain index option trades. The platform covers exchange-listed US stocks, international stocks through ADRs, fractional shares and OTC stocks, which gives a beginner more to explore than Acorns or Stash. Moving an existing account in costs $0.00 on Webull's side. Webull lists SIPC protection up to $500,000 with a $250,000 cash sublimit, plus an excess policy through its clearing arrangement. An optional Webull Premium subscription adds benefits on cash returns, margin rates and IRA matching, but the price was not shown in USD on the pages we fetched, so we rank Webull on its free tier. Smaller costs include $0.0050 per share for equity algo orders and pass-through regulatory fees on sales. Its product range, including options and OTC stocks, aims at active traders, so it rates lower on ease of use than Robinhood or Public.

   • ✓No commission on US stocks, ETFs or options
   • ✓Incoming account transfers cost $0.00
   • ✓Fractional shares available

   • ✕Certain index options cost $0.50 per contract
   • ✕Equity algo order types cost $0.0050 per share
   • ✕Webull Premium pricing was not shown in USD on the pages we checked

   Stock, ETF and option commission:

   $0

   Index option fee:

   $0.50 per contract on certain trades

   Transfer in:

   $0.00

   SIPC coverage:

   Up to $500,000

   Bottom line: Webull is the best choice for beginners who want a wide free product range because it charges $0 commissions on US-listed stocks, ETFs and options and supports fractional shares. Long-term savers will find Fidelity or Schwab simpler.

   Visit webull.com ↗

8. 08

   

   M1 Finance

   8.2/10

   A pie-based investing app with no commission or management fees for self-directed accounts and a $3 monthly platform fee below $10,000.

   Price

   $3per month platform fee (waived above $10,000)

   $3 per month platform fee, waived for clients with more than $10,000 on the platform; no commissions

   “M1 charges a platform fee of $3/month, which is waived for clients with more than $10,000 on the platform.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.4

   Features (35%)

   7.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.4

   Best forhands-off beginners who will build a fixed portfolio

   M1 is built for investors who pick a target portfolio once and then let automatic deposits fill it. M1 says it charges no commission, trading or management fees for self-directed brokerage accounts, and you choose from 6,000+ US-listed stocks and ETFs, with fractional shares filling each slice to its exact percentage. The catch for beginners is a $3 monthly platform fee, waived once you have more than $10,000 on the platform. On a $500 balance that fee equals 7.2% a year, so M1 makes sense only if you plan to pass $10,000 soon. M1 Advisor, which M1 describes as a fiduciary AI financial advisor, is included at no cost, and margin loans at 5.90% open up once a brokerage account holds at least $2,000 in eligible securities. M1 reports $14B+ in client assets and 400,000+ clients as of September 2026. It offers taxable, retirement and custodial accounts but fewer products than Fidelity or Schwab.

   • ✓Fee disappears once you hold more than $10,000
   • ✓Fractional shares let you hit exact target percentages
   • ✓Free AI advice included

   • ✕$3 a month is 7.2% a year on a $500 balance
   • ✕No robo-advisor picks the portfolio for you
   • ✕Fewer products than a full-service broker

   Platform fee:

   $3 per month, waived above $10,000

   Investments:

   6,000+ US stocks and ETFs

   Margin:

   5.90%, from $2,000 invested

   Clients:

   400,000+ as of September 2026

   Bottom line: M1 Finance is the best choice for hands-off investors with more than $10,000 because the $3 monthly platform fee is waived at that level and trades are commission-free. Smaller accounts pay less at Fidelity or Schwab.

   Visit m1.com ↗

9. 09

   

   Acorns

   7.6/10

   A subscription app that invests spare change through Round-Ups into expert-built diversified portfolios.

   Price

   $4per month

   Bronze $4 per month, Silver $8 per month, Gold $12 per month

   “Acorns Bronze $4/mo.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   6.6

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.3

   Best forbeginners who want to invest spare change automatically

   Acorns is the easiest way on this list to start investing without making any decisions. Round-Ups invest your spare change every time you make a purchase, so a $2.50 purchase adds $0.50, and the money goes into an expert-built, diversified portfolio, so there are no stocks to pick. Acorns says its customers have invested over $7.3 billion in spare change. The price is the issue for a beginner comparing fees: Bronze costs $4 a month, Silver $8 and Gold $12, and there is no free tier. A $4 monthly fee is $48 a year, which takes a large bite from a small starting balance compared with $0 at Fidelity or Schwab. Gold adds a 3% IRA match on new contributions during your first year, worth up to $225 if you max out, and Acorns Early Invest accounts for children. Acorns also offers a checking account with no minimum balance. Pick it for automation, not for low cost.

   • ✓Investing happens automatically from purchases
   • ✓No investment choices to research
   • ✓Acorns says customers have invested over $7.3 billion in spare change

   • ✕No free plan; the cheapest tier is $4 a month
   • ✕The IRA match needs the $12 Gold plan and covers the first year
   • ✕$48 a year is a large share of a small balance

   Bronze:

   $4 per month

   Silver:

   $8 per month

   Gold:

   $12 per month

   IRA match:

   3% in first year, Gold only

   Bottom line: Acorns is the best choice for beginners who will only invest if it happens automatically because Round-Ups move spare change into a diversified portfolio from $4 a month. Anyone who can set up a recurring transfer pays less at a free broker.

   Visit acorns.com ↗

10. 10

    

    Stash

    7.2/10

    A one-plan investing and advice app at $12 per month or $108 per year, with fractional shares from $5 or less.

    Price

    $9per month, billed annually ($108 per year)

    The Stash Plan: $12 per month, or $108 per year ($9 per month) billed annually; 7-day trial

    “The Stash Plan $ 12 / month or $108 billed annually (save 25%)” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

    Free plan

    No

    Free trial

    7 days

    Value (40%)

    6.0

    Features (35%)

    7.4

    Ease of use (25%)

    8.8

    Best forbeginners who want guidance bundled with investing

    Stash sells one plan, The Stash Plan, for $12 a month or $108 billed annually, which Stash says saves 25%. A 7-day trial is offered. The plan bundles a personal brokerage account, a retirement account and a managed Smart Portfolio with 24/7 financial guidance, a 3% retirement match worth up to $225 a year, Stock-Back card rewards worth up to $120 a year and a $10,000 life insurance policy. You can buy fractional shares with $5 or less across thousands of stocks and ETFs, and there are no minimums. On top of the subscription, Stash charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more and on managed retirement accounts. For a beginner comparing fees, that makes Stash the most expensive app here: $108 a year before any advisory fee, against $0 at Fidelity, Schwab or Public. The value case rests on using the guidance and the bundled extras, not on investing costs.

    • ✓Annual billing saves 25% versus monthly
    • ✓No minimums to start
    • ✓Retirement match and life insurance included in the one plan

    • ✕$108 a year is the highest required fee in this list
    • ✕A 0.25% annual advisory fee applies to Smart Portfolios of $1,000 or more
    • ✕No free tier

    Monthly price:

    $12

    Annual price:

    $108

    Retirement match:

    3%, up to $225 a year

    Advisory fee:

    0.25% on Smart Portfolios from $1,000

    Bottom line: Stash is the best choice for beginners who want guidance in the same app as their investments because The Stash Plan includes 24/7 guidance and a 3% retirement match for $108 a year. Fee-focused investors should start at a $0 broker.

    Visit stash.com ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.