Best Stock Brokers in March 2026

The post Best Stock Brokers in March 2026 by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.

Online stock brokers have evolved fast and in 2026, they’re not just for pros. Your broker matters whether you’re looking to day trade, build a long-term ETF portfolio or finally open that IRA. Fees, features and tools vary wildly and choosing the right one can save (or make) you thousands over time.

We spotlight the best online stock brokers based on cost, usability, investment access, account options and education tools. These brokers check all the boxes from commission-free trades to crypto integrations and retirement readiness.

How We Chose the Best Online Stock Brokers

To surface the top platforms in 2026, we looked at:

• Commission structure: Are trades free? What’s the catch?
• Platform usability: Both web and mobile matter. Intuitive design, quick trade execution and smooth navigation earned extra points.
• Account variety: IRA, Roth, custodial or taxable.
• Investment access: Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto and even alternative assets.
• Customer service: Live support, fast response times and real human help.
• Educational resources: Webinars, articles and tutorials for all experience levels.

All recommendations are based on verified broker data as of March 2026.

Quick Look at the Best Stock Brokers for Beginners:

• Best for AI-powered insights and new user bonuses: moomoo
• Best for leveraged trading: Plus500
• Best for cost-conscious investors: SoFi
• Best for long-term investors and retirement accounts: Fidelity
• Best all-around for beginners and research tools: Charles Schwab
• Best for commission-free mobile trading: Robinhood
• Best for active traders and global access: Interactive Brokers
• Best for Bank of America customers: Merrill Edge

8 Best Stock Brokers

Whether you’re making your first trade or optimizing a seven-figure portfolio, these stock brokers stand out for their low fees, tools and investor-first experience.

1. Best for AI-Powered Insights and New User Bonuses: moomoo

Best For

AI-Powered Insights and New User Bonuses

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Disclosure: *Access to products requires separate accounts with affiliated entities. Cryptocurrencies are not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk and potential loss of principal. For more information, see Moomoo’s Crypto Risk Disclosure: moomoo.com/us/support/topic4_631. Crypto services are offered by Moomoo Crypto Inc. (NMLS Number 2287314). Not available in all states, see our full licensing disclosures here: moommoo.com/us/support/topic4_600. Moomoo AI is an AI tool brought to you by Moomoo Technologies Inc. (“MTI”). The tool is powered by widely used, publicly available AI solutions. The tool’s output should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell or hold a security and should not be used as the basis of any investment decision. MTI and its affiliates make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, completeness, quality, or timeliness of Moomoo AI’s output. $0 commission trading is available only to U.S. residents trading in the U.S. markets through Moomoo Financial Inc. Other fees may apply. For more info, visit moomoo.com/us/pricing

Best For

AI-Powered Insights and New User Bonuses

N/A

1 Minute Review

Investing is a long-term journey, and moomoo can help guide investors of all levels every step of the way. Utilized by over 21 million users worldwide – including in the US, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Canada – moomoo is an investment and trading platform that empowers investors with pro-grade, easy-to-use tools, data and insights.

moomoo provides advanced charting tools, technical analytics and Level 2 data for funded accounts, so investors have the resources to make more informed investment decisions. Users can access educational materials and interactive events, as well as share and learn through the inline community.

With a low-cost, competitive fee structure, moomoo can work for all investors.

Best For

• Novices
• Intermediate and advanced traders
• Active traders

Pros

• Equity and index options trading
• Commission free trading for US options, stocks and ETFs and 6.8% margin rate
• Wealth of free options tools and features, including customizable options chain, options calculator, unusual options activity, implied volatility analysis, 13 options strategies and 0 days to expiration (0DTE) options by volume
• Free Level 2 data for funded accounts
• Advanced charting tools with 100+ indicators, 37+ drawing tools and 20 candle patterns
• No minimum deposit to open an account
• 24/7 online chat support
• 5.1% APY in Cash Sweep program for new and qualified users

Cons

• Does not support crypto
• Does not support retirement accounts or mutual funds

Moomoo is a modern trading platform built to give everyday investors access to professional grade tools without the usual paywalls. The platform stands out for its deep analytics suite, realtime data and advanced charting. It also has Moomoo AI; an intelligent assistant that surfaces insights, trend analysis and risk signals to help assist with your decision-making.

Investors can also use the Institutional Tracker to break down a company’s fundamentals through visualized financial data, making research faster and easier.

Cost is another advantage. Moomoo offers $0 stock commissions, a competitive 6.8% margin rate and $0 options contract fees, making it an attractive choice for active traders and long-term investors who want more flexibility with fewer costs. New users also benefit from one of the strongest promotions available. An 8.1% APY cash sweep and tiered Nvidia stock bonuses that reward deposits from $100 up to $50,000.

The platform includes access to stocks, ETFs, options, crypto*, fractional shares and IPOs, along with paper trading and extensive educational resources. With more than 28 million global users and a growing community sharing millions of investing ideas, moomoo continues to expand its ecosystem for investors looking for data, tools and an intuitive interface in one place.

• Commissions: $0 for stocks; $0 options contract fees
• Mobile app: Yes (iOS and Android)

Promo 8.1% APY (as of 02/08/26) for new users only. Actual APY may differ. Rates may change. New user promo subject to terms & conditions. Click the link for Bank Deposit List, Cash Sweep and Promo details. Moomoo Financial Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC

_{*Access to products requires separate accounts with affiliated entities.}

_{Cryptocurrencies are not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk and potential loss of principal. For more information, see Moomoo’s Crypto Risk}

_{Disclosure: moomoo.com/us/support/topic4_631. Crypto services are offered by Moomoo Crypto Inc. (NMLS Number 2287314). Not available in all states, see our full licensing disclosures here: moommoo.com/us/support/topic4_600.}

_{Moomoo AI is an AI tool brought to you by Moomoo Technologies Inc. (“MTI”). The tool is powered by widely used, publicly available AI solutions. The tool’s output should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell or hold a security and should not be used as the basis of any investment decision. MTI and its affiliates make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, completeness, quality, or timeliness of Moomoo AI’s output.}

_{$0 commission trading is available only to U.S. residents trading in the U.S. markets through Moomoo Financial Inc. Other fees may apply. For more info, visit moomoo.com/us/pricing}

2. Best for Leveraged Trading: Plus500

Best For

Leveraged Trading

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Disclosure: 80% of retail accounts lose money

Best For

Leveraged Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Plus500 is an online CFD broker focusing on contracts for difference (CFDs). CFDs are similar to binary options in the U.S. where traders take all-or-nothing speculation on the prices of certain securities like indices, commodities or currencies. While not legal to trade in the U.S., CFDs are legal in many jurisdictions across the globe and Plus500 offers a wide array of tradable markets using these instruments. 

Plus500 doesn’t charge commission and only profits off the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of a specific security. But Plus500 is not a broker for beginners — the education materials are sparse and CFDs are risky derivatives capable of sapping out all of an investor’s capital. Only trade these instruments if you understand how they operate and the risks involved with buying them.

The Plus500 CFD platform is for CFDs. The Plus500 Futures platform offers futures for U.S. customers, and Plus500 Invest offers stock trading.

Best For

• Traders looking for a smooth mobile experience

Pros

• Great mobile app
• Low spreads and commissions
• Unlimited demo account

Cons

• Only derivatives are available
• Not open to U.S. residents

Plus500 is a global multi-asset fintech group that operates trading platforms globally, offering a range of trading products, including CFDs, share dealing and futures trading (US).

Highlights of the platform include:

• Quick onboarding
• Simplified mobile trading
• Easy-to-use platform
• CFDs for indices, ETFs, shares, forex, commodities, options and cryptocurrency
• Free deposits and withdrawals
• $100 minimum investment
• 0.7% currency conversion fee per transaction, when the currency in your account is different from those traded

However, Plus500 is not a platform for novices as it solely makes money from spreads and does not charge a commission. You may start trading Plus500 right away, leverage your experience, expand your portfolio and start making money right away.

Commissions: No
Mobile app: Yes

3. Best for Cost-Conscious Investors: SoFi

Best For

IPO Investing

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Disclosure: Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees. Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage andActive investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org). There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see: https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Terms and conditions apply*. For 401k rollovers, existing SoFi IRA members must complete 401k rollovers via this link For SoFi members without a SoFi IRA, a SoFi IRA must first be opened, and 401k rollover must be completed utilizing Capitalize via this link. SoFi and Capitalize will charge no additional fees to process a 401(k) rollover to a SoFi IRA. SoFi is not liable for any costs incurred from the existing 401k provider for rollover. Please check with your 401k provider for any fees or costs associated with the rollover. For IRA contributions, only deposits made via ACH and cash transfer from SoFi Bank accounts are eligible for the match. Click here 3. for the 1% Match terms and conditions. For full promotion terms please visit: https://www.sofi.com/acatoffer. SoFi does not accept cryptocurrencies and has limitations on some mutual funds and OTC stocks. Brokerage and Active Investing Products offered by SoFi Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Best For

IPO Investing

N/A

1 Minute Review

SoFi®’s mission is simple: to help reach clients like you reach their financial independence and realize their ambitions. SoFi knows that this independence comes from making decisions that help your money start to work for you in the long run. The brand helps individuals make these decisions through personal financial products such as personal loans, student loans and automated and active investing. 

The brand additionally provides in-person experiences such as educational and networking events, personalized guidance from experienced financial planners. SoFi’s services have been highlighted in outlets such as Forbes, Medium, and CNBC’s Make It.

SoFi Plus is a premium membership that gives members access to our best APY, discounts, rewards, and more when they set up Eligible Direct Deposit, receive $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits, or pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. Benefits are subject to change and may not be available to everyone. All terms and conditions <> applicable to the use of SoFi Plus apply. To learn more about SoFi Plus and available benefits and terms, please see the SoFi Plus page.

Best For

• IPO Investing
• Investors

Pros

• No Contract Fees
• Highly-rated mobile app for iPhone and Android
• No account fees; Transfer and Inactivity Fees are easily avoided
• More than most tradable securities included alternative asset funds

Cons

• Only available in the U.S.
• Limited selection of research and tools.

SoFi Invest is there to help you plan for the future, including saving for a house down payment or paying for college and investing for large purchases. The platform will help rebalance your investments, avoid risk and help you stay “hands-off” with your investments.

You can start investing through SoFi with as little as $1 and make one-time or recurring payments depending on what works best for your investment goals. Plus, you can take an active role in your investing, if you choose to use the Active Invest side of the platform.

Commissions: No
Mobile app: Yes

4. Best for Long-Term Investors and Retirement Accounts: Fidelity

Best For

Stock Research

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Best For

Stock Research

N/A

1 Minute Review

Fidelity is a comprehensive and responsive brokerage suitable for both new and experienced traders alike. With complete access to the full U.S. stock and options markets, a set of state-of-the-art education and research tools, as well as a wide fee-free fund selection, Fidelity is equally useful for the veteran swing traders to novices opening their first accounts. Mobile traders will be especially happy with Fidelity’s app, which mirrors full capabilities of the platform. Though there isn’t much to criticize about Fidelity, the broker does have a few areas where it can afford to improve. Margin rates are significantly higher than most other brokers, especially for traders borrowing less than $25,000. It also doesn’t offer any access to the futures markets. Despite these minor flaws, Fidelity remains a strong choice for most investors.

Best For

• Easy-to-navigate yet functional platform strikes the perfect balance between expert tools and comfort for beginners
• Mobile trading app is fully-optimized and mirrors full functionality of the desktop platform
• Wide range of education and research options make learning more about securities and the market easier and less time-consuming

Pros

• Complete range of both independent and managed services available at exceptionally affordable prices
• Offers access to both domestic markets and 25 foreign markets, as well as a wide range of options contracts and over 10,000 mutual funds
• Mobile app that is well-integrated and works just as well as the desktop platform
• Wide selection of education tools and resources available free of charge

Cons

• Margin rates higher than many other competing brokerages
• No access to futures trading
• High fees for buying a non-Fidelity mutual fund (with over 3,300 fee-free funds available)

Fidelity continues leading the pack as a well-rounded broker for beginners and seasoned investors. Its commitment to low costs is evident through $0 commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs and no minimums to open an account. Beyond pricing, Fidelity gives investors access to various assets including mutual funds, bonds and options. The platform also excels in research support, offering proprietary analysis and third-party insights from providers like Morningstar.

Planning tools are where Fidelity truly shines. Their retirement score calculator and goal-setting features help investors clarify long-term performance. Fidelity’s mobile app mirrors the web experience, offering trading, research and bill payment everywhere. Some beginners may initially find the sheer volume of tools and research overwhelming.

Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs. $0.65 per contract for options.
Mobile app: Yes

5. Best All-Around for Beginners and Research Tools: Charles Schwab

Best For

Fund Investing

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Best For

Fund Investing

N/A

1 Minute Review

Charles Schwab is a solid choice for traders of all skill levels. It offers full access to the U.S. equity and options markets as well as 30 international markets. Traders can create a diverse portfolio with $0 commissions and no account minimums. Schwab’s margin trading is expensive but Schwab makes up for it with affordable futures and options trades, along with a comprehensive mobile offering.

Best For

• 3 trading platforms perfectly in sync makes matching your platform to your skill level a snap
• Excellent futures trading education for new traders
• $0 account minimum means anyone can start trading

Pros

• Wide range of available assets to trade, including futures and 30 global markets
• SmartStreet Edge platform is powerful enough for advanced traders, yet easy enough for new traders to utilize
• Unique educational resources (like infographics and podcasts) make learning fun

Cons

• Margin rates are more expensive than competitors
• More limitations on available margin than competitors
• Expensive mutual funds

Charles Schwab strikes a smart balance between deep functionality and user-friendly design, making it an excellent pick for investors at all levels. Schwab offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, access to over 4,000 no-load mutual funds and a wide selection of retirement accounts including IRAs and solo 401(k)s. The platform is also known for its excellent customer support and intuitive planning tools.

The Schwab mobile app provides everything from investment tracking to fund research and live support. For hands-off investors, the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-advisor offers automated rebalancing at no advisory fee. While Schwab doesn’t have the flashiest interface or most advanced charting, it delivers consistent value and reliability in every key category.

Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs. $0.65 per contract for options.
Mobile app: Yes

6. Best for Commission-Free Mobile Trading: Robinhood

Best For

Commission-Free Mobile Trading

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Best For

Commission-Free Mobile Trading

N/A

1 Minute Review

Robinhood is a popular trading platform known for its commission-free trades and user-friendly mobile app. Ideal for novice investors, Robinhood makes it easy to buy and sell stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a straightforward, no-frills experience, making it accessible for users new to investing. With features like fractional shares and a sleek interface, Robinhood lowers the barriers to entry for investing, allowing users to start with just a few dollars. It lacks the advanced tools and research options that more experienced investors might seek. Overall, Robinhood is a great choice for beginners seeking a simple way to invest.

Best For

• Beginners looking for simplicity
• Mobile-first investors
• Commission-free trades

Pros

• User-friendly mobile app
• Instant double
• Cash management
• Access to cryptocurrencies

Cons

• Limited research tools
• No mutual funds available
• Basic customer support options

Robinhood remains one of the most accessible stock trading platforms on the market, especially for beginners who prefer a mobile-first experience. Known for pioneering commission-free trading, Robinhood has maintained its appeal by offering an intuitive interface that strips away much of the complexity of traditional brokerage platforms. Investors can trade stocks, ETFs, options and even crypto directly from their phone without worrying about minimum account balances or trading fees.

Where Robinhood excels is ease of use. The platform is clean, streamlined and fast which is great for users who just want to buy, sell and monitor their portfolio without navigating a maze of tools. It’s not ideal for those seeking in-depth research or professional-grade charting (other brokers are better suited for that). Still, for casual or newer investors, it delivers a no-frills experience that just works. The app also includes fractional shares and instant deposit access, making it one of the most approachable entry points into the stock market.

Commissions: $0 on stocks, ETFs and options
Mobile app: Yes, iOS and Android

7. Best for Active Traders and Global Access: Interactive Brokers

Best For

Active and Global Traders

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Best For

Active and Global Traders

N/A

1 Minute Review

Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.  

IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings.

Best For

• Access to international markets
• Active traders
• Detailed mobile app that makes trading simple
• Wide range of available account types and tradeable assets

Pros

• IB SmartRouting provides significant price improvement vs. industry
• Fractional trading allows investing regardless of share price
• Industry’s lowest margin rates
• Earn more by lending your fuly-paid shares

Cons

• Beginner investors might prefer a broker that offers a bit more hand-holding and educational resources

​​Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has long been the go-to platform for experienced traders, institutional investors and global market participants. The broker offers access to stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds and forex across over 150 markets worldwide – making it one of the most comprehensive platforms on the planet. Its flagship desktop platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), supports everything from advanced charting and algorithmic trading to in-depth options strategies. For investors who demand deep analytics and tight trade execution, IBKR sets the gold standard.

Despite its professional reputation, Interactive Brokers has made strides to appeal to retail investors through its IBKR Lite program, which includes $0 commissions on U.S. stock and ETF trades. Investors can also access fractional shares, margin loans with low interest rates and research tools powered by Morningstar, Zacks and more. Newer traders may find the platform overwhelming, especially on desktop and should consider starting with IBKR’s mobile app or the simplified IBKR GlobalTrader. It’s built for scale but also priced and structured for serious investors.

Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks/ETFs (IBKR Lite); low per-share pricing for active/pro options/futures
Mobile app: Yes, IBKR Mobile & GlobalTrader available on iOS and Android

8. Best for Bank of America Loyalists: Merrill Edge

Best For

Bank of America Customers

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Best For

Bank of America Customers

N/A

1 Minute Review

Merrill Edge is the discount brokerage wing of Merrill Lynch, who now operates under the umbrella of Bank of America. Bank of America customers get unique perks with Merrill Edge thanks to its fully-integrated system. Customers can jump back and forth between brokerage and banking services instantly and perform tasks like transferring money and paying bills.

Merrill Edge doesn’t provide access to advanced derivatives like futures and forex, but stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options and fixed income securities can still be traded in a variety of accounts and vehicles. Additionally, Merrill Edge earns high marks for its research and customer service, although the asset class selection and mobile trading features aren’t as dynamic as some competitors.

Best For

• Retirement savers
• Bank of America customers
• Beginner traders and new investors

Pros

• Free research from reputable sources
• Powerful Merrill Edge MarketPro platform
• Bank of America customers can easily link accounts

Cons

• Limited derivatives trading
• No OTC stocks

Merrill Edge offers a seamless bridge between banking and investing, especially for customers already using Bank of America. The platform gives you commission-free access to stocks and ETFs, thousands of mutual funds and a range of retirement accounts. You can manage your cash, credit and investment portfolio from a single dashboard, streamlining your entire financial life.

Merrill integrates with Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, adding value through perks and reduced fees. While the mobile app is intuitive and well-designed, it’s built more for traditional investors than those looking for gamified or socially driven investing. Merrill offers unmatched convenience and synergy for those already within the BofA ecosystem.

Commissions: $0 for U.S. stocks and ETFs
Mobile app: Yes

Why Choosing the Right Broker Matters

It’s not just about trading stocks. The right brokerage platform becomes your financial command center for budgeting, retirement planning, tax-loss harvesting and more. And with more brokers offering access to fractional shares, alternative investments and high-yield cash accounts, what you get goes well beyond simple trades.

Even a $5 fee per trade can add up quickly, especially for active investors. On the other hand, planning tools and research access can add real value over the long run.

Choose What Matches Your Strategy

Choosing the right stock broker depends on how you invest and what tools matter most. Fidelity or Schwab might be your best bet if you’re in it for the long haul. Robinhood or Public could fit the bill if you’re looking for low-cost access and simplicity. For pros, Interactive Brokers delivers serious horsepower.

Whatever your goals, prioritize transparency, usability and investor education and you’ll set yourself up for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Best Stock Brokers in March 2026 by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.