The world of retail investing keeps moving fast. In 2025, mobile trading apps are no longer just “fun to use” — they’re full-fledged financial platforms that combine low costs, powerful tools, and fast execution. Whether you’re a weekend DIY investor, an options trader, or someone building a long-term retirement portfolio, the right app matters. This deep-dive compares the leading stock trading apps available in the U.S. in 2025 — strengths, weaknesses, pricing quirks, advanced features, and which investor each app suits best. Where relevant, I cite up-to-date sources so you can follow up and verify details. NerdWallet+2Forbes+2
At-a-glance comparison (quick reference)
| App | Commission on US stocks/ETFs | Fractional shares | Best for | Notable advanced features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | $0 commission. | Yes (dollar-based) | Beginner traders, crypto + simple options | Very simple UI, crypto trading, new robo-advisor & banking expansions. Robinhood+1 |
| Webull | $0 commission (stocks/ETFs). | Yes | Active traders who want advanced charts | Extended-hours trading, advanced charting, paper trading, options chains. Webull+1 |
| Fidelity | $0 commission (most US stocks/ETFs). | Yes (dollar-based fractional shares) | Long-term investors, retirement savers | Deep research, retirement tools, no account minimums. Fidelity+1 |
| Charles Schwab | $0 commission for US stocks/ETFs. | Yes (fractional shares via Stock Slices) | Full-service investors, serious traders transitioning from TD Ameritrade | thinkorswim availability, strong customer service, bank integration. Schwab Brokerage+1 |
| Interactive Brokers (IBKR Mobile) | $0 commission for IBKR Lite on many US stocks/ETFs; tiered/pricing for Active traders. | Yes | Professional / global traders | Low-latency routing, global markets, advanced order types. Investopedia |
| E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley) | $0 commission on US stocks/ETFs | Limited fractional options | Option-friendly and research-focused investors | Powerful tools, solid options desk, strong research. Forbes |
| SoFi Invest | $0 commission (stocks/ETFs) | Yes | Simple investing + banking integration | Fractional shares, automated investing (robo), student-loan/income features. The Motley Fool |
| Public / Cash App | $0 commission | Public offers fractional; Cash App supports fractional buying | Social investors (Public), casual peer-to-peer buyers (Cash App) | Social feed (Public), simplicity and cash transfer (Cash App). NerdWallet+1 |
(This table highlights common, up-to-date product realities: many major players continue to offer zero commission on listed U.S. stocks and ETFs — but differences remain in research, execution, global access, and order types.) NerdWallet+1
Why the “zero commission” era doesn’t mean all apps are the same
When brokers eliminated base commissions on U.S. stock and ETF trades, retail investing changed. Zero commissions are now expected — but revenue models and features diverge:
- Order routing and price improvements: Some apps route orders to market makers for payment for order flow (PFOF), which can impact execution quality and price improvement. Others emphasize smart routing to exchanges. Execution quality matters to frequent traders. (See brokerage comparison reviews for execution discussions.) StockBrokers.com+1
- Non-trading fees: Look for margin interest rates, options contract fees, ACH/wire fees, or account transfer charges. Some platforms subsidize trading via other revenue streams (premium subscriptions, banking services, margin lending). Wall Street Survivor+1
- Product breadth: Crypto, fractional shares, international markets, futures, and retirement accounts vary widely between apps. If you want global equities or futures, choose Interactive Brokers or a full-service platform. Investopedia
Deep comparisons — features, fees, and real use cases
Below I dig into the leading apps, comparing feature sets and real-world trade-offs.
1) Robinhood — simplest onboarding + crypto for beginners
Why people pick it: ultra-simple UX, fast sign-up, strong brand recognition. Robinhood remains a top choice for first-time investors and crypto traders. It offers commission-free stock & ETF trades, fractional shares (dollar-based), basic options trading, and crypto trading inside the same app. In 2024–25 Robinhood expanded into robo-advisory (Robinhood Strategies) and banking-like offerings, signaling a push beyond simple brokerage. Robinhood+1
Weaknesses: limited research tools compared with Fidelity or Schwab; execution/price-improvement debates remain a consideration for heavy traders.
Best if: you’re starting small, prioritize a frictionless mobile experience, and want crypto + stocks in one place. Robinhood
2) Webull — low-cost + powerful mobile tools for active traders
Why people pick it: deeper charting and technical tools than Robinhood, plus pre-market and after-hours trading. Webull offers paper trading (great for practice), advanced indicators, and a trader-focused UI while keeping basic commissions at $0 for stocks/ETFs. It also supports margin and more complex option strategies. Webull tends to attract intermediate-to-advanced active traders. Webull+1
Weaknesses: customer service and long-term retirement features are not as strong as Fidelity/Schwab. Some fee lines (regulatory pass-throughs, contract fees for index options) can show up for specific instruments. Wall Street Survivor
Best if: you want advanced charts on mobile, extended-hours access, and low-friction active trading.
3) Fidelity — best for long-term investors and retirement savers
Why people pick it: industry-leading research, robust retirement accounts, and trustworthy execution. Fidelity offers $0 commissions on many stock and ETF trades, dollar-based fractional investing (so you can buy slices from $1), no account minimums, and top-tier customer service. Their mobile apps are polished and integrate savings and retirement planning. Fidelity+1
Weaknesses: The app is powerfully featured, so beginners might find it busier than Robinhood. But that also means you get institutional-grade research for free.
Best if: you want to build a diversified retirement portfolio, use deep research tools, or manage taxable + retirement accounts in one place.
4) Charles Schwab — a full-service choice (and TD Ameritrade features merged)
Why people pick it: Schwab is a safe choice for investors who want both consumer banking and high-quality trading features. Schwab folded TD Ameritrade’s clients and some of the thinkorswim features into its ecosystem, giving serious traders access to professional-grade tools while keeping retail accessibility. Schwab’s mobile app supports deposits, trading, and client service. Schwab Brokerage+1
Weaknesses: UI changes after large integrations can feel transitional; very active traders sometimes prefer dedicated execution platforms.
Best if: you want a one-stop shop with excellent customer service, bank integration, and access to advanced tools like thinkorswim.
5) Interactive Brokers (IBKR Mobile) — global reach, professional-grade execution
Why people pick it: if you trade international equities, need low-latency routing, or manage a bigger portfolio, IBKR scales well. IBKR Lite gives commission-free trades for many US stocks/ETFs, while the Pro/tiered pricing is for heavy, professional traders who want tighter spreads and advanced order options. The mobile app mirrors IB’s serious desktop capabilities. Investopedia
Weaknesses: learning curve—IBKR is powerful but less beginner-friendly.
Best if: you trade internationally, use advanced order types, or need institutional-style execution.
6) E*TRADE & SoFi & Social apps (Public, Cash App) — varied choices for niches
- E*TRADE: strong research and options tools (now part of Morgan Stanley), suitable for educated investors who want a mature platform. Forbes
- SoFi: blends banking and investing with a friendly UI and automated investing options — good for newer investors who also want banking features. The Motley Fool
- Public: social features, fractional shares, community-driven discovery — great if you like social investing. NerdWallet
- Cash App: ultra-simple buy/sell within a payments app — convenient but limited as a full brokerage. The Motley Fool
Practical checklist — pick the app that fits your needs
Below are practical questions to ask yourself, plus which apps tend to match the answer.
- Are you a complete beginner who wants simplicity? — Robinhood, SoFi, Cash App. Robinhood+1
- Do you want deep research and retirement tools? — Fidelity, Charles Schwab. Fidelity+1
- Are you an active trader who needs advanced charts and extended hours? — Webull, IBKR Mobile. Webull+1
- Do you need global market access? — Interactive Brokers. Investopedia
- Are social features or fractional micro-investing a priority? — Public, Robinhood, Fidelity. NerdWallet+1
Fee & safety primer (what to watch for)
- Regulatory and clearing fees: Even “free” trades can include small regulatory pass-throughs (SEC, FINRA) or clearing charges. Those are usually tiny but worth checking. Wall Street Survivor
- Margin interest: Margin rates vary widely — for borrowing on margin, the interest can quickly eliminate any cost advantage. Compare margin APRs if you plan to trade on leverage. Webull
- Customer protections: Most major U.S. brokers are SIPC-insured for brokerage account asset protection (up to limits) and follow SEC rules; check additional bank sweep protections if you use cash/banking features. Schwab Brokerage
Example scenarios (deciding in the real world)
Scenario A: You’re 25, starting a $50/month investment habit — Fractional shares and dollar-based investing matter. Fidelity and Robinhood make it easy to buy fractional slices; SoFi also works well if you want banking bundles. Fidelity+1
Scenario B: You day-trade options and need pre-market access — Webull or IBKR give the extended hours and professional charting and order types you’ll need. Webull+1
Scenario C: You’re rolling over a 401(k) and want a trusted custodian — Fidelity and Schwab offer strong retirement tools, excellent customer service, and educational resources. Fidelity+1
Final verdict — which app is “best”?
There is no single “best” app for everyone in 2025. The landscape is mature: many platforms offer $0 stock/ETF commissions and fractional shares, but they differ along these axes:
- Simplicity vs power: Robinhood & SoFi prioritize simplicity; Webull, IBKR, and Schwab/thinkorswim prioritize power. Robinhood+2Webull+2
- Research & retirement: Fidelity and Schwab remain leaders for long-term, research-driven investors and retirement savers. Fidelity+1
- Global reach: Interactive Brokers is the pick for global markets and professional execution. Investopedia
If you want one recommendation to start with: Fidelity for long-term investing and retirement reliability; Webull if you want low-cost active trading with strong mobile tools; Robinhood if you want the lowest-friction onboarding and integrated crypto. These represent three common use-cases: saver, active trader, and beginner.