Compare Online Stock Brokers
This online broker comparison covers ten platforms — evaluated on commissions, platforms, hotkeys, margin, and extended hours. Filter by what matters most to you, or scroll to compare all ten side by side.
If you're trying to compare online brokers without reading a dozen different sites, you're in the right place. I've researched all ten of these and have accounts open with several of them — notes marked "I use this" reflect actual experience, not just published specs. Scroll past the cards to the full side-by-side table, or use the filters to narrow by the features that fit your trading style.
I use this
Webull
Webull hits the sweet spot between accessibility and power. $0 commissions, no account minimum, advanced charting with 50+ indicators, free Level 2 data (with Premium plan), paper trading, full custom hotkey support, and a polished desktop app (inluding Mac version). Approachable for new traders, deep enough to grow with you for years. Webull gives you real tools from day one. I also just prefer the interface — it feels like the most modern of the bunch — and I can switch between my individual, margin, and IRA accounts without logging into a separate app for each one.
Why not Robinhood or Public? Both are simpler and genuinely fine for casual investing, but that simplicity becomes a limitation once you're trading actively.
I use this
TradeZero
TradeZero offers fast and highly customizable order execution, particularly geared towards active day trading and short selling. It has one of the best short locate tools in the retail space. Direct market access, Level 2 quotes, real-time short locates, and fully customizable hotkeys make it a favorite among momentum traders. It does not offer a native Mac desktop app so I run it using the Parallels emulator running Windows 11 on my Mac.
Also consider: Interactive Brokers for short selling with broader market access. One honest note on feel: ZeroPro is the classic, retro-style professional broker interface — plenty of serious traders love that no-frills layout, but it's not my personal favorite. TradeZero's newer TZ1 platform runs entirely in the browser and feels considerably more modern, if that matters to you.
Interactive Brokers
No other broker on this list comes close for international access — 90+ global market centers across stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, and bonds from a single account. IBKR Lite gives US residents $0 commissions; IBKR Pro switches to per-share pricing with lower margin rates for higher-volume traders. More complex to set up than most retail brokers, but it's the one platform built from the ground up for global access rather than bolted on later.
Why not just use Webull or Moomoo internationally? Both work in select countries, but neither matches IBKR's breadth. If you're trading from outside the US, this is usually the right call — it's the broker Kev points international traders toward in his live sessions whenever someone asks for a recommendation based on where they're located.
thinkorswim or TradeStation
thinkorswim is a powerhouse — advanced charting, real-time scanning, full hotkey support, and paper trading at no extra cost. TradeStation's TITAN X pushes further with algorithmic capabilities, EasyLanguage scripting, and lightning-fast execution. Both are free platforms tied to a $0-commission broker, so there's no extra software fee layered on top of what you're already paying to trade.
Why not stick with Webull? Webull covers most active traders well, but once you're building custom indicators, running multi-leg backtests, or scripting your own strategies, thinkorswim and TradeStation give you depth Webull isn't built for. Also consider: Interactive Brokers for the most powerful platform overall.
Tastytrade
Built from the ground up for options. Probability-of-profit overlays, live Greeks, and capped commissions ($1/contract, max $10/leg) make it the go-to for serious derivatives traders. If options are your focus, nothing on this list comes close.
Also consider: thinkorswim and TradeStation.
Moomoo
Moomoo delivers more free analytical firepower than most brokers charge extra for — 63 technical indicators, 38 drawing tools, free Level 2 data, AI-driven alerts, and a built-in trading simulator included at no cost.
Also consider: TradeStation for professional scanning and back-testing.
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Fidelity
Fidelity sets the bar for long-term investors — $0 commissions, no minimum, award-winning educational resources, strong research tools, and a platform that genuinely grows with you. The most well-rounded starting point for someone serious about learning properly.
Also consider: Webull if you want more charting tools from day one.
Public
Public pairs $0 commissions with genuine asset breadth most competitors don't match — stocks, options (with per-contract rebates up to $0.18), bonds, Treasuries, crypto, and a high-yield cash account, all in one place.
Also consider: Robinhood for a similarly simple, beginner-friendly app.
- All 10 brokers support browser-based trading and a Windows desktop app — left out of the table below to keep it scannable.
- Every broker has a native Mac desktop app except TradeZero, which I run via Windows emulation (Parallels).
- Acct min = cash account minimum (mostly $0). Margin accounts need a separate $2,000 FINRA-wide floor everywhere — TradeZero requires $2,500 just to open an account at all, cash or margin.
- FINRA's $25,000 Pattern Day Trader minimum was eliminated as of June 4, 2026, replaced by a real-time intraday margin framework — your broker's cutover date may vary.
- Hours below are listed in US Eastern Time (ET). Quick primer if this is new to you: premarket and after-hours just mean trading before the 9:30am open or after the 4:00pm close — useful for reacting to news or earnings before everyone else can, but volume is much thinner, so prices can swing harder and fills aren't guaranteed.
- Referral links below may earn Bullish Tools a commission — full disclosure in the footnote under the table.
| # | Broker | Commissions ↕ | Platform & tools | Acct min ↕ | Hotkeys | Intl | SIM | IRA | Hours | Beginner ↕ | Mobile ↕ | Referral |
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This comparison was put together through a combination of AI-assisted research and manual review against each broker's own published terms. We've made a real effort to get it right, but brokerage fees, account minimums, and promotions change often and without notice — please confirm current details directly with the broker before opening an account. International availability varies by country — check each broker's site. Referral links may earn Bullish Tools a commission. * TradeStation inactivity fee waived with $5,000 avg balance or 10 trades per 90 days.
I use this
Honorable mention — Robinhood. Not really the preferred choice among more serious active traders, but a fine fit for beginners wanting simple fractional-share investing, or for syncing with a copy-trading app. I personally run my Robinhood Legend account synced with Autopilot and the Pelosi Tracker, to mirror disclosed congressional trades. Open a Robinhood account →
What is the best online broker for day trading?
Webull is my starting recommendation for most day traders — $0 commissions, full hotkey support, and a native Mac app that doesn't require emulation. TradeZero edges it out for pure execution speed and short-locate tools if you're actively scalping small caps. Both are in the top two on this page for a reason.
Do I still need $25,000 to day trade in 2026?
No. FINRA eliminated the $25,000 Pattern Day Trader minimum effective June 4, 2026, replacing it with a real-time intraday margin framework. Each broker's cutover date may vary — check with your broker directly. The PDT rule had been in place since 2001, so this is a meaningful change for retail traders who were previously locked out of active trading below that threshold.
Which online brokers offer $0 commissions?
Webull, Moomoo, Fidelity, Public, thinkorswim (via Schwab), and Robinhood all offer $0 commissions on US equities. IBKR Lite is also $0 for US-listed stocks. TradeZero and TradeStation charge per-trade but give you direct market access in return — worth it for specific active-trading strategies where execution quality matters more than commission savings.
Which broker is best for beginners?
Fidelity or Webull, depending on your goal. Fidelity has the best educational resources on this list — a strong foundation before you move to active trading. Webull gives you real charting and screening tools from day one if you're ready to learn by doing. Either way, use paper trading (SIM mode) before putting real money at risk.