Still broke but dreaming big? You are not alone if your bank app laughs at you every morning.
But here is the good news: you don’t need a Wall Street suit or a mountain of cash to start investing in 2025. The Best Free stock trading apps are smarter, easier, and more fun than ever. You can buy shares in Tesla or your favourite pizza chain while chilling in pajamas with zero commissions. These apps are built for beginners, yet powerful enough to make you feel like a mini Warren Buffett. They teach, guide, and grow with you.
Sure, you might lose a few bucks at first, but you will gain financial skills, confidence, and maybe even a new money-making habit. Investing doesn’t need to be scary; it just needs the right app. That’s why we have rounded up the Best free stock trading apps of 2025 to help you trade smarter, not harder.
14 Best Free Stock Trading Apps of 2025 in the US
Category | App Names |
Best for Beginners | RobinhoodSoFi InvestBetterment |
Best for Active Traders | WebullmoomooE*Trade |
Best for Long-Term & Passive Investors | FidelityVanguardM1 Finance |
Best for API & Algo Trading | Alpaca |
Best for Integrated Banking + Investing | Charles SchwabMerrill Edge |
Best for Social Trading | eToro |
Best for Global Investing with US Access | Trading 212 |
Below each entry, you will find the Best Free Stock Trading Apps, along with details.
Best for Beginners
These apps are user-friendly and perfect for first-time investors.
1. Robinhood
Robinhood is one of the Best Free Stock Trading Apps, especially for beginners. It offers commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. The app has a clean interface that’s easy to use, even if you’ve never traded before. You can buy fractional shares, trade during extended hours, and set up alerts. While it’s fun and simple, it lacks deep research tools. Sometimes, it faces outages during busy trading times. Still, its popularity keeps growing. Robinhood is great for mobile-first users who want fast, no-fee trading.
- Broker/Advisor: Robinhood Markets
- Best for: Mobile-first beginner traders
- Commissions: $0 for stocks, ETFs, and options
- Pros: Easy to use, fractional shares, clean interface
- Cons: Limited research tools, outages reported
- Download: iOS, Android, Web.
- Link: https://robinhood.com/us/en/
2. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest makes investing easy for beginners. This is the Best Free Stock Trading app for young users and casual investors. You can trade stocks and ETFs for free with no commissions. SoFi also offers auto-investing, where your money gets invested automatically. The app has a sleek design, helpful guides, and access to financial advisors. You also earn member perks like career support and cashback offers. It’s not ideal for advanced traders who need charts. But for beginners, it’s a safe and helpful place to start.
- Broker/Advisor: SoFi
- Best for: Young and new investors
- Commissions: $0 stock and ETF trading
- Pros: Fractional shares, auto-invest features
- Cons: Limited tools for advanced traders
- Download: iOS, Android.
- Link: https://www.sofi.com/invest/
3. Betterment
Betterment is a robo-advisor that helps you grow your money automatically. The Best Free Stock Trading Apps for Passive Investors. You don’t pick stocks here; instead, Betterment invests in ETFs based on your goals. It offers automatic rebalancing, tax-saving strategies, and long-term planning. There’s a small advisory fee, but no trading commissions. The interface is very easy to use. It’s perfect if you want to set it and forget it. It may not suit hands-on traders, but it’s a winner for long-term growth.
- Broker/Advisor: Betterment LLC
- Best for: Automated investing for beginners
- Commissions: $0 trading on underlying ETFs
- Pros: Goal tracking, auto-rebalancing, tax loss harvesting
- Cons: Limited control over stock selection
- Download: iOS, Android.
- Link: https://www.betterment.com/
- Best for Active Traders
Ideal for users who frequently buy and sell and want powerful tools.
4. Webull
Webull is packed with tools for active traders. This app is for users who want detailed charts and real-time data. You can trade stocks, options, and crypto without paying commissions. The app also supports pre-market and after-hours trading. It includes technical indicators, watchlists, and paper trading for practice. The design is sleek but might feel complex for beginners. Still, once you get the hang of it, Webull gives you full control. It’s ideal for serious traders who love data and speed.
- Broker/Advisor: Webull Financial LLC
- Best for: Active traders and chart enthusiasts
- Commissions: $0 for stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options
- Pros: Real-time data, advanced charts, pre-/post-market
- Cons: The Interface may be complex for beginners
- Download: iOS, Android, Desktop.
- Link: https://www.webull.com/
5. Moomoo
Moomoo is a powerful app built for traders who love analysis. It ranks high among the Best Free Stock Trading Apps for its real-time market data. You can trade US stocks and ETFs for free. Moomoo also includes advanced charts, financial news, and Level 2 data. Its tools are great for spotting trends and making informed trades. While it has a learning curve, it rewards you with precision and depth. For data lovers and pro-level traders, Moomoo is a strong choice in 2025.
- Broker/Advisor: Futu Holdings
- Best for: Advanced analytics and data
- Commissions: $0 for US stocks and ETFs
- Pros: Powerful charts, live news, Level 2 data
- Cons: Learning curve for newcomers
- Download: iOS, Android.
- Link: https://www.moomoo.com/us/
6. E*Trade
eTrade offers a mix of beginner-friendly and pro-level features. It stands out in the Best Free Stock Trading Apps for flexibility. You can trade stocks and ETFs for free and access powerful research tools. The app includes learning videos, market insights, and news alerts. You can also explore futures and options trading. Some features cost extra, like broker-assisted trades. But overall, ETrade is trustworthy and robust. It’s backed by Morgan Stanley and suits both new and advanced investors.
- Broker/Advisor: Morgan Stanley
- Best for: Active traders who also want research
- Commissions: $0 for stocks, ETFs, $0.65/options contracts
- Pros: Quality research tools, webinars, and education
- Cons: Fees for broker-assisted trades
- Download: iOS, Android, Desktop.
- Link: https://us.etrade.com/home
- Best for Long-Term & Passive Investors
Focus on goal planning, robo-advising, and cost efficiency.
7. Fidelity
Fidelity is a reliable name in investing and is best suitable for long-term investors. You get zero-commission stock and ETF trading with tons of research tools. Fidelity supports retirement accounts, goal setting, and budgeting tools. The app isn’t flashy, but it’s solid and dependable. You can also access customer support 24/7. It’s perfect for investors who want quality service and detailed planning. If you’re saving for the future, Fidelity is a top choice.
- Broker/Advisor: Fidelity Investments
- Best for: Long-term investors, retirement savers
- Commissions: $0 stock/ETF trades
- Pros: Excellent research, strong support, 24/7 help
- Cons: The App interface is more traditional
- Download: iOS, Android, Web.
- Link: https://www.fidelity.com/
8. Vanguard
Vanguard is known for low-cost investing. This app is for index fund lovers and buy-and-hold investors. The app offers free stock and ETF trading, especially on its funds. Vanguard’s focus is on long-term wealth, not daily trading. It doesn’t have flashy charts or advanced tools. But if you want to invest slowly and steadily, it’s ideal. The app is simple, and customer trust is high. Vanguard helps you build a strong portfolio without the noise.
- Broker/Advisor: Vanguard Group
- Best for: Index fund investing and buy-and-hold
- Commissions: $0 for stocks and Vanguard ETFs
- Pros: Trusted brand, low-cost funds
- Cons: Limited real-time features
- Download: iOS, Android.
- Link: https://corporate.vanguard.com/
9. M1 Finance
M1 Finance combines automation and control. For hands-off investors, this is the Best Free Stock Trading app. You build a custom portfolio, and the app rebalances it automatically. M1 offers free stock and ETF trading with fractional shares. You can choose your investments or follow expert-built pies. While it doesn’t support real-time trading, it’s great for long-term growth. There’s also a Plus version with extra features. M1 Finance is perfect for those who want structure with freedom.
- Broker/Advisor: M1 Holdings
- Best for: Automated investing with stocks
- Commissions: $0 trades (subscription for extras)
- Pros: Auto-rebalance, pie-based investing, fractional shares
- Cons: Not ideal for high-frequency traders
- Download: iOS, Android, Web.
- Link: https://m1.com/
- Best for API & Algo Trading
Perfect for coders, developers, and data-savvy users.
10. Alpaca
Alpaca is a dream app for coders and developers. It offers free access to US stock trading via APIs. You can create custom bots and automate your trades fully. Alpaca doesn’t have a standard user interface; it’s made for tech-savvy investors. There’s no human support, but it’s great for automation and backtesting. If you are into custom strategies and programming, Alpaca gives you full control over your trades.
- Broker/Advisor: Alpaca Securities
- Best for: Algorithmic and API-based trading
- Commissions: $0 for US stocks and ETFs
- Pros: Free APIs, great for bots
- Cons: No human customer support
- Download: Web-based platform
- Link: https://alpaca.markets/
- Best for Integrated Banking + Investing
These apps merge stock investing with bank-level support.
11. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab blends banking and trading in one app. This is the Best Free Stock Trading app for full-service investors. You get zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, plus rich research tools. The app connects easily with your Schwab bank account. It supports retirement planning, tax strategies, and advisor access. Though the interface isn’t modern, the features are deep. It’s perfect for investors who want a trusted name with everything under one roof.
- Broker/Advisor: Charles Schwab & Co.
- Best for: Full-service banking and investing
- Commissions: $0 stocks/ETFs, $0.65 per options contract
- Pros: Trusted brand, strong service
- Cons: The App is less flashy than newer competitors
- Download: iOS, Android, Desktop.
- Link: https://www.schwab.com/
12. Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge is built for Bank of America customers and is considered the Best Free Stock Trading app for banking integration. You can trade stocks and ETFs with no fees. It offers research from Merrill Lynch and easy cash transfers between a bank and a brokerage. The app is secure and straightforward. Broker-assisted trades cost more, but self-directed investors pay $0. It’s great for BoA clients who want smooth, connected investing without juggling apps.
- Broker/Advisor: Bank of America
- Best for: BoA customers wanting stock access
- Commissions: $0 for stocks/ETFs
- Pros: Banking + investing in one app
- Cons: Broker-assisted trades carry extra fees
- Download: iOS, Android.
- Link: https://www.merrilledge.com/
- Best for Social Trading
These apps combine investing with a social media-like experience.
13. eToro
eToro turns trading into a social experience. The Best Free Stock Trading Apps for people who like learning from others. You can follow top investors and copy their trades automatically. The app offers zero-commission stock and ETF trading. It also supports crypto and foreign stocks. eToro’s interface is colorful, simple, and fun. It’s not as detailed as others for research, but it’s perfect for social and global trading. If you want to see what others are buying, eToro is the place.
- Broker/Advisor: eToro USA
- Best for: Copying other investors’ trades
- Commissions: $0 stock/ETF trading
- Pros: Social feed, global assets
- Cons: Limited US-specific tax support
- Download: iOS, Android, Web.
- Link: https://www.etoro.com/
- Best for Global Investing with US Access
Access global markets even if not based in the US.
14. Trading 212
Trading 212 offers free global stock access. For international investors trading US stocks, this is the Best Free Stock Trading app of 2025. You can invest in stocks, ETFs, and use their AutoInvest tool for regular investing. There are no trading fees, but currency conversion charges apply. The app is modern, simple, and ideal for long-term investing. It’s not directly US-regulated but is trusted in the UK and Europe. For international users, it’s a smooth way to enter the US markets.
- Broker/Advisor: Trading 212 UK Ltd
- Best for: International users trading US stocks
- Commissions: $0 for stocks/ETFs
- Pros: Auto-investing, interest on uninvested cash
- Cons: Currency conversion fees for USD
- Download: iOS, Android.
- Link: https://www.trading212.com/
How to Choose the Best Free Stock Trading Apps of 2025?
Choosing comes down to goals and features.
- Cost transparency: Zero commission is good. Check other fees like withdrawal, margin, and FX. Example: Trading 212 has no commission but charges for currency conversions.
- Tools and ease: Robinhood wins for simplicity. Webull and Charles Schwab offer research and charting.
- Investment style: Passive investors may prefer Fidelity, Vanguard, or Betterment. Active traders lean toward Robinhood or Webull.
- Support and regulation: US‑regulated status matters. Only use apps overseen by FINRA/SIPC for safety. BrokerChooser methodology includes regulation checks.
- Extra perks: Fractional shares, high interest on idle cash (Webull), robo‑advisor automation (M1 Finance, Betterment).
Market Growth for the Best Free Stock Trading Apps in the US
Retail trading boomed in recent years. The global online trading platform market was valued at US$10.15 billion in 2024. It’s projected to grow to $10.82 billion in 2025 and reach $16.71 billion by 2032, with North America holding roughly 40% market share.
Worldwide, the stock trading app market reached $13.6 billion in 2022 and is forecast toward nearly $89.8 billion by 2033.
Robinhood has grown to serve 25.9 million active accounts by 2025 and reached $73 billion market cap after its first profitable year, driven by a zero‑commission model and mobile focus.
Webull had ~24 million users by early 2024 and expanded globally. Growth tied to commission‑free model.
Facts, case studies, and testimonials
- Fact: Robinhood’s revenue jumped 23% to 38% year-over-year in Q4 2024, and more than 20 million users trade via its app.
- Case study: Webull’s global launch in markets like Singapore, the UK, and Canada drove user growth beyond 20 million users by early 2024.
- Testimonial excerpt from Reddit:
“Robinhood UI experience is great,” and “Fidelity is great for passive investing” show real user sentiment.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be rich, wear a suit, or understand every market chart to start building your future. As we have seen, the best free stock trading apps of 2025 give everyday people real tools to grow their money. These apps are easy to use, full of smart features, and totally free. Whether you are saving for a dream vacation, planning early retirement, or just want to stop letting your cash sit idle, the right app can get you started today. Trading isn’t just for experts anymore; it is for anyone brave enough to tap, swipe, and try.