Best Free Stock Trading Apps (2022)

Free stock trading apps provide an excellent opportunity to maximize your returns with simple interfaces and research tools.

Stock trading is another way of making money from the stock market. With stock trading, you’re actively buying and selling stocks or funds. It requires you to research stocks and plan your trades.

Unlike other investing apps, the goal of stock trading apps is to help you earn money through trades in the short term instead of holding stocks for a long time. It means you bought a stock at $10 today and sold it the following week for $15 with a gain of $5 or 50% return.

There is more risk involved in stock trading, but that doesn’t mean you can’t figure out a system that works for you. The following are the best stock trading apps we’ve quickly reviewed in 2021.

Now, if you’re seeking a more passive approach, consider using a Robo-advisor or micro-investing app instead.

Welcome to the phroogal 5, a series of the five best apps. We learned how important it is to help you narrow down your choices. So we’ve done the work to share the best. Want more options? Check the marketplace.

5 Best Free Stock Trading Apps of 2021

I’ve tried many stock trading platforms as a newbie investor in stocks. So what makes this list of apps worthy of your attention? They have user-friendly interfaces, robust research tools, no account minimums, commission-free trading, and other unique feature.

You can choose one or try them all. The best free stock trading apps listed below all have pros and cons depending on your personal preferences and financial needs.

Public: Best Community Feature

Public investing app is a zero-commission stock trading platform with a mission of making investing accessible to everyone. Follow other investors and learn from their portfolios and knowledge. Public does not allow day-trading.

• Invest in fractional shares called a slice
• Access original ETFs from Vanguard, BlackRock, and others
• Follow other Public investors and view their investment portfolio

Account Fees: $0
Investment minimum: $0
Trading Fees: $0

New Account Bonus: Get $10 worth of stock upon signup and deposit (any amount).

Read the Public review.

Webull: Best Research Tools

Webull is an online brokerage offering free stock trading and zero-commission trades on a robust platform. It’s best for the intermediate and expert level investor, but a newbie can benefit too. The app offers a comprehensive toolset to help you make trades like a pro.

• Advanced and intelligent tools and services.
• Free real-time quotes provided are Nasdaq Last Sale.
• Community forum to chat with other traders.

Account Fees: $0
Investment minimum: $0
Trading Fees: $0

New Account Bonus: Get a free stock for opening an account with $100.

Read the Webull review.

Robinhood: Best Free Stock Trading

Robinhood is an online brokerage offering zero commission trading. It provides a streamlined investing app for beginners and seasoned investors who desire simplicity and ease of use. Make trades of stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and crypto.

• Buy and sell shares with no commission fees.
• Easy to join and intuitive platform.
• Access stock performance history.

Account Fees: $0
Investment minimum: None
Trading Fees: None

New Account Bonus: Get a free stock for opening an account and completing the signup process.

Read the Robinhood review.

SoFi Active Investing: Best for Fractional Shares

SoFi Active Investing is an online brokerage enabling you to make free stock trading and zero-commission trades. You can buy fractional shares of stocks and index funds called Stock Bits.

• A commission-free online brokerage account.
• Ability to buy fractional shares.
• Get benefits of SoFi Membership.

Account Fees: $0
Investment minimum: $1
Trading Fees: $0

New Account Bonus: Get $25 in stocks to start your portfolio when you fund your SoFi Invest account with at least $1,000.

Read SoFi Active Investing review.

Charles Schwab: Best Traditional Stock Trading Platform

Charles Schwab gives you decades of experience with a highly recognized name. Speak with financial professionals anytime and get local support at a branch near you.

• Trade stocks, options, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and other financial products.
• Get online tools to evaluate investments.
• Access to investment professionals.

Account Fees: $0
Investment minimum: $0
Trading Fees: $0

New Account Bonus: Make a qualifying deposit and earn a bonus reward. Learn more here.

Don’t want to trade stocks and looking for long-term investing? Consider M1 Finance. With M1 Finance, you get a micro-investing platform with a Robo-advisor. Access automated and free investing without trading fees and commissions. Choose to invest in what you want or choose portfolios (M1 Pies) created by their experts. Read more about M1 Finance and get started here.

My Smile Summary: Get started with free stock trading apps

Choose one from our list of best free stock trading apps or try them all. Then decide which app or apps you help accomplish your goal of stock trading. It helps that these free stock trading apps have no minimums, account fees and offer account opening bonuses too!