Best Online Brokers and Promotions of 2026

New Account Bonus

Up to $1,000

When you open and fund a new account with qualifying deposits through April 21, 2026

Bonus Structure

$100,000 – $249,999

$325

Important Information: Cash promotion is limited to one per customer and applies to one new J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account (General Investment, Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA). Must open account through this page with qualifying new money. Offer does not apply to J.P. Morgan Automated Investing or accounts opened with a J.P. Morgan Advisor. Offer expires April 21, 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

Online investing has never been more accessible but with so many platforms to choose from, finding a reliable, trustworthy broker can feel like a challenge. Whether you’re building wealth for the first time or optimizing a seasoned portfolio, choosing the right brokerage can make all the difference.

In this guide, we break down the best online brokers available today, comparing features, fees, and standout tools so you can invest with confidence and clarity.

Top Online Brokerage Accounts for Every Type of Investor

Choosing the right brokerage is one of the most important steps in your investing journey, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, carefully reviewing the most reputable platforms based on what matters most: low fees, strong investment options, easy-to-use trading tools, responsive customer support, and overall reliability.

Whether you’re new to investing or looking for a better experience, you can feel confident knowing these top picks are backed by solid reputations and trusted by millions. Our goal is to help you invest smarter and feel secure every step of the way.

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is a good fit if you want an easy, low-friction way to invest with a brand you already trust.

You get $0 commission trades on stocks, ETFs, and options, plus seamless integration with Chase checking and savings accounts. That means fast transfers, one login, and simple money management if you already bank with Chase.

The platform also includes research and market insights from J.P. Morgan analysts, making it a solid option for long-term investors who want guidance without complicated tools.

Right now, the bonus is the main reason to open an account. You can earn up to $1,000 in cash when you open and fund a new self-directed account with qualifying new money. Smaller deposits still qualify for a bonus, and the offer works for both taxable brokerage accounts and IRAs.The current promotion is available through April 21, 2026.

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

Commission-free trades and competitive rates

Limited Time Offer

Up to $1,000

When you open and fund a new account with qualifying deposits

Bonus Tiers

$250,000 or more
$1,000

$100,000 – $249,999
$325

$25,000 – $99,999
$150

$5,000 – $24,999
$50

Open Account and Get Up To $1,000

Important Information: Cash promotion is limited to one per customer and applies to one new J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account (General Investment, Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA). Must open account through this page with qualifying new money. Offer does not apply to J.P. Morgan Automated Investing or accounts opened with a J.P. Morgan Advisor. Offer expires 4/21/2026. Terms and conditions apply.

Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments is another well-established name in the world of finance, with over 35 million customer accounts and $10.4 trillion in assets.

The company offers a wide range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options.

Fidelity also offers a variety of managed account options, including robo-advisors and professionally managed accounts.

Like Charles Schwab, Fidelity offers commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options. The company’s educational resources are also excellent, providing clients with access to research and analysis from a team of experts.

Additionally, Fidelity’s customer service is highly rated, with support available 24/7.

E-Trade

E-Trade is a well-established online broker, offering a wide range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options.

The company’s trading platform is user-friendly and provides clients with access to a variety of research tools and educational resources.

E-Trade also offers commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options, making it an affordable option for investors.

Additionally, the company’s mobile app is highly rated, providing clients with access to their accounts on-the-go.

Robinhood

Robinhood is a free stock trading app that offers commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency.

Robinhood’s straightforward and user-friendly interface is attractive to individuals new to investing. The platform provides an easy entry point for those who want to start with smaller amounts of money.

Robinhood offers the following: 

• Free stock, options, ETF, and cryptocurrency trades
• IRAs with a 1% match
• Trading of 17 cryptocurrencies with no commissions, fees, or markups and markdowns
• No support for mutual funds, bonds, futures, commodities, or forex

To open an account with Robinhood, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and have a U.S. address. If you’re new to investing, you can start with a small amount of money you’re comfortable losing.

Robinhood offers no fee for bank transfers, but instant withdrawals to a debit card or bank account can incur a 1.5% fee.

Charles Schwab

Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab is a well-known and established name in the world of finance.

With over 12 million active accounts and $6.7 trillion in assets, the company has earned a reputation for its high-quality trading platform and excellent customer service.

The company offers a wide range of products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

One of the standout features of Charles Schwab is its commission-free trading, which applies to stocks, ETFs, and options.

The company also offers a low minimum account balance, making it accessible to investors of all levels.

Additionally, Charles Schwab’s research tools and educational resources are top-notch, providing clients with the information they need to make informed investment decisions.

SoFi Invest

SoFi offers a range of financial products including student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal loans, credit card, insurance, and banking services.

When it comes to investing, SoFi Invest offers a variety of investment options, including stocks, bonds, fractional shares, ETFs, options, IPOs, retirement accounts, and robo-advising. 

SoFi Invest provides competitively low fees and typically has minimal account requirements, apart from margin accounts. It’s an ideal choice for traders keen on $0 commission stocks and ETFs, alongside options with no commission.

The platform boasts a diverse range of account options, offering a self-directed brokerage account, a robo-advisor, and various retirement savings accounts, both in active and automatic formats.

Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge is a subsidiary of Bank of America, offering a wide range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options.

The company’s trading platform is user-friendly and provides clients with access to a variety of research tools and educational resources.

Merrill Edge also offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, making it an affordable option for investors.

Additionally, the company’s mobile app is highly rated, providing clients with access to their accounts on-the-go.

Ally Invest

Ally Invest is a popular online broker, offering a wide range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, and forex.

The company’s trading platform is user-friendly and provides clients with access to a variety of research tools and educational resources.

Ally Invest also offers commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options, making it an affordable option for investors.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is a popular choice for advanced traders, offering a wide range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options, futures, and forex.

The company’s trading platform is highly advanced, providing clients

with access to sophisticated charting and analysis tools. Interactive Brokers is also known for its low trading fees, making it a cost-effective option for high-volume traders.

While Interactive Brokers may not be the best choice for new investors, the company does offer a variety of educational resources to help clients improve their investing skills.

There are several companies out there that will give you free money for signing up when you invest in stocks or are currently offering stock broker promotions:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the online brokers listed above are all excellent choices for investors looking to trade stocks, ETFs, and other investment products. When choosing an online broker, be sure to consider the fees, investment products, trading platform, and level of customer service offered by each broker.

With the right online broker, you can achieve your investment goals and make informed investment decisions for the future.

We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.