Buying and selling stocks in the United States used to mean working through a broker or logging into a clunky desktop platform. That shifted quickly once a wave of US trading apps made investing possible from a phone screen, often with no commission charged per trade. This article will look at seven platforms that have shaped the rise of mobile investing across the country.
Robinhood
Robinhood is widely credited with popularizing commission free trading in the United States, built from the ground up as a mobile app.
Key Features
- Commission free trading on stocks, options, and exchange traded funds
- Fractional shares, allowing investors to buy a portion of an expensive stock
- A simple, minimal interface aimed at newer investors
- Access to cryptoasset trading within the same app
Robinhood tends to appeal to investors who want a fast, mobile first way to start trading, though its simplicity means it offers fewer research tools than some older platforms.
Fidelity
Fidelity is a long established brokerage that has built out a strong mobile app alongside its traditional desktop platform.
Notable Features
- Commission free trading on stocks and ETFs
- A wide range of research tools and market analysis
- Retirement account options, including IRAs
- Access to mutual funds alongside individual stocks
Fidelity suits investors who want the convenience of a mobile app without giving up the research depth of a more established brokerage.
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab combines a full featured trading platform with a mobile app, giving investors flexibility in how they manage their accounts.
What Sets It Apart
- Commission free trading on stocks and ETFs
- A wide selection of account types, including brokerage and retirement accounts
- Access to Schwab’s thinkorswim platform for more advanced traders
- Strong customer support, including access to physical branches
Charles Schwab works well for investors who want the option to move between a simple mobile app and a more advanced trading platform as their needs change.
E*TRADE
E*TRADE was one of the earlier online brokerages to offer self directed trading, and it now operates as part of Morgan Stanley with a modern mobile app.
Common Uses
- Commission free trading on stocks and ETFs
- Options trading tools built into the mobile app
- Retirement and general investment account options
- Educational content aimed at newer investors
E*TRADE tends to suit investors who want a mix of educational resources and straightforward mobile trading in one place.
Webull
Webull is a mobile focused trading app known for its charting tools and data heavy interface, aimed at investors who want more detail on the screen.
Key Features
- Commission free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
- Advanced charting tools built directly into the mobile app
- Paper trading, allowing users to practice with simulated funds
- Extended hours trading outside standard market times
Webull appeals to investors who want more technical detail than a simplified app typically provides, without needing a full desktop setup.
SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest is part of the broader SoFi financial app, combining investing with other features such as banking and lending in one place.
How It Fits Into Mobile Investing
- Open an investment account alongside other SoFi financial products
- Trade stocks and ETFs commission free
- Buy fractional shares with smaller amounts of money
- Access financial planning resources within the same app
SoFi Invest can appeal to users who want their investing account to sit alongside banking and other financial tools, rather than managing everything separately.
Public
Public is a trading app that combines investing with a social feed, allowing users to see what others are investing in and share their own reasoning.
Notable Features
- Commission free trading on stocks and ETFs
- A social feed where users can share investment ideas
- Fractional shares for building a position gradually
- Access to a range of asset classes within the same app
Public suits investors who want a more community driven experience, where discussion sits alongside the trading tools themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Best for a simple, mobile first start: Robinhood.
- Best for research depth alongside mobile access: Fidelity.
- Best for flexibility between simple and advanced tools: Charles Schwab.
- Best for educational resources: E*TRADE.
- Best for detailed charting and technical data: Webull.
- Best for combining investing with other financial products: SoFi Invest.
- Best for a social, community driven experience: Public.
FAQs
Are US trading apps regulated?
Most major US trading apps are regulated by bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA, though investors should confirm a platform’s registration before using it.
Is commission free trading really free of all costs?
Not entirely, since platforms can still generate revenue through other means, such as interest on uninvested cash or payment for order flow.
Can beginners use these apps safely?
Many of these apps are designed with beginners in mind, though investing always carries risk regardless of how simple the app feels.
Do these apps support retirement accounts?
Several platforms, including Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and E*TRADE, offer retirement account options such as IRAs.
Is fractional share investing available on most of these apps?
Yes, Robinhood, SoFi Invest, and Public are among the apps that support buying fractional shares.
Conclusion
Mobile investing has reshaped how people in the United States buy and sell stocks, and these seven platforms show different sides of that shift. Robinhood helped kick off the commission free trend, while Fidelity and Charles Schwab bring established research tools into a mobile format. E*TRADE and Webull each serve a specific type of investor, from those wanting education to those wanting detailed charts, and SoFi Invest and Public show how investing can now sit alongside other financial tools or community features. This article is for general information only and is not financial advice, so it is worth researching each option carefully before choosing among US trading apps.
