Best Brokerage Accounts of 2026

A brokerage account is your gateway to investing in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and more. With most major brokers now offering $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, the decision comes down to platform quality, research tools, and additional features.

Quick Summary: Fidelity offers the best overall experience with exceptional research, $0 commissions, fractional shares, and no account minimums. For active traders, Interactive Brokers provides the lowest margin rates and most advanced tools.

Detailed Reviews

1. Fidelity

Fidelity consistently ranks as the best broker for most investors, offering exceptional research, low costs, and a full suite of investment products.

The Good:

• $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
• Fractional shares starting at $1
• Best-in-class research and screeners
• No account minimums
• Excellent mobile and desktop platforms
• 24/7 customer support
• Zero-expense-ratio index funds
• Retirement planning tools
• Cash management account with 2.69% yield

The Not-So-Good:

• Website can feel overwhelming
• No futures trading
• Fewer cryptocurrencies than competitors
• International trading limited

Best For: Investors of all levels who want comprehensive research, excellent customer service, and rock-bottom costs in one platform.

Research Quality: Fidelity provides research from 20+ independent firms plus proprietary analysis—among the most comprehensive in the industry.

3. Charles Schwab

Schwab combines excellent educational resources with full-service banking and investment capabilities, ideal for those building long-term wealth.

The Good:

• $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
• Schwab Stock Slices (fractional shares)
• Excellent educational content
• 24/7 phone support
• Physical branch locations
• Integrated banking products
• Schwab Intelligent Portfolios (free robo-advisor)
• Free financial planning consultations

The Not-So-Good:

• Platform less cutting-edge than competitors
• Mobile app could be more intuitive
• Research not quite as deep as Fidelity
• Fewer trading tools for active traders

Best For: New investors who want education and support, plus access to physical branches when needed.

Education Edge: Schwab’s learning center includes courses, webinars, and one-on-one coaching—all free.

5. Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge integrates seamlessly with Bank of America, offering strong research and meaningful Preferred Rewards benefits.

The Good:

• $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
• Morningstar research included
• Bank of America integration
• Preferred Rewards perks (credit card, mortgage bonuses)
• Strong customer service
• Excellent educational resources
• Access to Merrill advisors
• Comprehensive retirement planning

The Not-So-Good:

• Platform less modern than competitors
• No cryptocurrency
• Limited international trading
• Best perks require BofA relationship

Best For: Bank of America customers who can leverage Preferred Rewards for credit card bonuses and mortgage discounts.

Preferred Rewards: Platinum Honors tier ($100K+) gets 75% bonus on Bank of America credit card rewards.

Choosing the Right Brokerage

For Different Investor Types

Beginner Investor

• Best: Fidelity or Schwab
• Why: Educational resources, intuitive platforms, excellent support

Active Trader

• Best: Interactive Brokers
• Why: Lowest costs, best tools, global access

Long-Term Investor

• Best: Fidelity or Vanguard
• Why: Low-cost index funds, retirement tools, research

Mobile-First

• Best: Robinhood
• Why: Best app experience, instant deposits

Bank of America Customer

• Best: Merrill Edge
• Why: Integration, Preferred Rewards benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best brokerage for beginners? Fidelity or Schwab for their educational resources and customer support. Robinhood for the simplest interface but less education.

Are my investments safe if the broker fails? Yes. SIPC insurance protects up to $500,000 per account ($250,000 cash). Your investments are held separately from broker assets.

How do I transfer to a new broker? Initiate an ACAT transfer from your new broker. Most transfers complete in 5-7 business days. Avoid selling and transferring cash (triggers taxes).

Should I have multiple brokerage accounts? Many investors do. Reasons include: different platforms for different purposes, exceeding SIPC limits, or taking advantage of various tools.

What’s the difference between market and limit orders? Market orders execute immediately at current price. Limit orders only execute at your specified price or better. Use limits for less liquid stocks.

Do I need a lot of money to start investing? No. Fractional shares let you start with as little as $1. Many brokers have no minimums. Start small and invest consistently.

Bottom Line

Fidelity offers the best overall brokerage experience for most investors. Its combination of $0 commissions, excellent research, fractional shares, and zero-expense-ratio funds is unmatched.

Active traders should choose Interactive Brokers for the lowest margin rates and most advanced tools.

Beginners benefit from Schwab’s educational resources and 24/7 support, plus physical branches when needed.

The bottom line: All major brokers now offer $0 commissions. Choose based on platform quality, research, and the features that matter to your investing style.