Brokerage Accounts
Brokerage accounts provide access to a range of investment options, including stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.
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Vanguard Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Vanguard's low-cost model and large fund selection make the broker a good choice for long-term investors, but the firm lacks the kind of robust trading platform active traders require.
Robinhood Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Robinhood has expanded its offering to target more advanced traders in addition to beginners, with a new desktop trading platform, low margin rates and extended trading hours.
Interactive Brokers Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Interactive Brokers attracts active traders with low per-share pricing, an advanced trading platform, a large selection of tradable securities — including foreign stocks — and ridiculously low margin rates. Its base offering, IBKR Lite, offers commission-free trades of stocks and ETFs.
Fidelity Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Fidelity is one of the most well-rounded brokerages available today. It offers no commissions on stock or ETF trades and a selection of no-expense-ratio index funds suited to both beginner and active investors.
Webull Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Webull offers low costs without skimping on advanced trading tools, but it may not be the best brokerage for investors who like bonds or mutual funds.
SoFi Active Investing Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
SoFi Active Investing is geared toward new investors getting their start in trading, with zero-commission trades of stocks, ETFs and fractional shares.
TD Ameritrade Review 2023: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade in 2019, and is currently working to transition clients. NerdWallet is no longer updating this review.
E*TRADE Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
E*TRADE excels even outside of its $0 commissions, with superb educational resources, portfolio-building tools and a large mutual fund selection.
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Review 2025: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing charges no commissions and offers a highly integrated app, which makes it a solid choice for individuals who want to trade their own investments — especially existing Chase customers.
Ally Invest Review 2024: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
Ally is a good low-cost broker for beginner and intermediate investors. Ally's options trading costs are a bit lower than competitors and it offers a solid if basic trading platform and app. Active traders who want more bells and whistles may want to look elsewhere.