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Best stock trading apps for 2023
XM
Beginner score 4.4/5
FP markets
Beginner score 4.4/5
FXTM
Beginner score 4.3/5
Xtream Forex
Beginner score 4.3/5
IQ options
Beginner score 4.3/5
IC market
Beginner score: 4.2/5
Find below the pros of best stock trading apps available in the United States, updated for 2023:
- Exness – the best broker for beginners in 2023. Free stock and ETF trading. Seamless account opening. Social trading.
- FBS – Commission-free stock and ETF trading. Fast and easy account opening. Quality analytical tools and excellent education services.
- HFM – Real stocks and ETFs are commission-free. Quick and easy account opening. Great trading platforms.
- TOP FX – Free stock/ETF trading and high 5% interest on uninvested cash. Fast and easy account opening. Great trading platforms.
- XM – Free stock and ETF trading. Easy and fast account opening. Great mobile trading platform.
- fp markets – Great API trading service. Free stock & ETF trading. Fantastic charting tools.
- FXTM – Real stocks and ETFs are commission-free. Quick and easy account opening. Excellent education and customer support.
- Xtream Forex – Commission-free real stocks and ETFs. Quick and easy account opening. Great email and phone support.
- iq options – Low trading fees (free stock and ETF trading). Superb desktop trading platform. Great customer support.
- IC market – Low trading fees. Easy and seamless account opening. Strong parent company.
To see the top brokers in another country choose from the list below
Popularity of the best stock trading apps
Interested in what others think? Here’s how many people chose these brokers at The Brokers Rating in the last 6 months.
Mobile trading and stock apps
The explosion of investment apps has gone hand in hand with the way people like to handle their money these days – we’re talking smartphones and tablets.
Stock trading and robo-advisor platforms are totally in on the action, making their apps super sleek and user-friendly. The desktop platforms of online brokers used to have all the bells and whistles, but now, their mobile apps have also become equally efficient in terms of what they can do for you.
And when it comes to proliferation, the numbers are through the roof. It seems that the pandemic in 2020 has prompted millions of people worldwide to start trading stocks online and service providers have rushed to meet this demand.
A stock trading app will allow you to access the stock market from a mobile device. You can buy and sell shares in Apple (APPL), Google (GOOGL) or your secret pick with the touch of a few buttons.
A really good stock trading app will have additional features such as price alerts, searching for various stocks easily, as well as educational and research resources.
Given the multitude of choices when it comes to trading apps, you may feel lost as to which one you should select. To make your life easier, we live tested and researched dozens of such services to come up with the best ones in the industry.
Key features of stock trading apps
Stock trading apps at brokers, designed to make trading and investment on the go more convenient, come with a range of key features that cater to ease of use, accessibility, and functionality. Here are some of the prominent features you should look for in the best stock apps:
- Secure transactions: a reliable app must prioritize the security of financial transactions, employing encryption and authentication measures to ensure safe fund transfers and trades.
- Real-time quotes and charts: Access to real-time market data, stock prices, and interactive charts empowers users to make informed trading decisions on the spot.
- User-friendly interface: intuitive interfaces optimized for mobile devices, making navigation and trading easy even for those new to investing.
- Account management: you should be able to create, manage, and monitor your trading accounts directly from the app. This includes viewing account balances, transaction history, and open positions.
- Order placement: as a default, the app should offer various types of orders, such as market orders, limit orders, and stop-loss orders.
- Alerts and notifications: personalized alerts for price movements, news updates, or specific events can help you stay on top of your investments even when not actively using the app.
- Demo account: if you are a beginner, look for apps that offer virtual trading so you can practice trading strategies without risking real money.
And now, let’s see the top stock trading apps in detail one by one, starting with the winner, Interactive Brokers.
Exness
Recommended for traders interested in social trading (i.e. copying other investors’ trades) and zero-commission stock trading.
FBS
Recommended for investors and traders looking for zero-commission trading and focusing on us markets.
HFM
Recommended for investors and traders looking for zero-commission trading and easy platforms.
TOP FX
Recommended for traders interested in algorithmic stock trading.
XM
Recommended for investors and traders interested in commission-free trading and a focus on us stocks and options.
fp markets
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and a well-equipped desktop trading platform.
FXTM
Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees, quick account opening and simple platforms.
XtreamForex
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research, low fees and great customer service.
iq options
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and great trading platforms.
IC Markets
Recommended for long-term investors looking for great etf and mutual fund selection.
How did The Brokers Rating select the best stock trading apps?
- We checked whether the broker is regulated by a trusted regulator.
- The broker should have superb mobile trading platform.
- Compared stock fees and non-trading fees (e.g. currency conversion, withdrawal or inactivity).
- Compared the number of equity markets.
- Checked minimum deposit requirements.
- Opened an account and tested the platform (charting, features, usability, customer service).
Save hours of research!
Our expert team has done all the work for you, and reviewed brokers based on The Brokers Rating unique methodology.
The Brokers Rating evaluates 9 key areas for all brokers including fees, safety, ease of account opening, education, and trading platforms. We check more than 500 criteria for each broker and finetune our methodology every year based on our own and our users' experiences. We have more than 100 brokers reviewed on our site and our team of analysts examines more than 50,000 data points overall.
FAQ
Mobile stock trading apps use the same security protocols and therefore are just as safe as their web-based counterparts. Many stock trading apps require two-step authentication, where you receive a one-time password or a similar prompt after entering your ID and regular password. A growing number of mobile trading apps also use biometric authentication (such as fingerprint readers) to make the login process more convenient without compromising security.
Mobile trading apps are great for trade execution on the go, especially in cases when you need to react to market-moving news while away from your computer. By contrast, desktop trading apps are better suited for more sophisticated analysis, such as editing trendlines or charts. Otherwise, the mobile and web/desktop trading interfaces of most brokers look very similar and have almost the same functionality.
The main appeal of investing apps for stock trading is all about convenience and accessibility. These apps have harnessed the lightning-fast strides in mobile tech to create a seamless investing and trading experience.
Your mobile phone is now your gateway to seizing trading opportunities, keeping an eye on market twists, and tracking investments like a pro, no matter where you are. No need for a fancy trading setup with multiple screens anymore. The competition between brokers and the emergence of fresh apps and platforms mean the playing field is levelled, costs are friendlier, and learning curves are gentler.
While investing apps offer a range of benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider, such as impulsive trading (the ease of mobile trading can lead to making rash trades without a solid strategy), risk of overtrading (the convenience of trading on-the-go might encourage frequent trading, which can lead to higher transaction costs, taxes, and potential losses over time), market noise (constant access to market data through an app can lead to information overload, making it challenging to distinguish between significant market shifts and short-term fluctuations) or dependence on technology (technical glitches or network issues can disrupt trading, potentially causing missed opportunities or trades executed at unfavorable prices).
In addition to low fees and a user-friendly mobile interface, beginners can also benefit greatly if a broker has excellent educational material, as well as tools such as a demo account. The best way to start your journey in the world of investing is by learning. A great starting point is our education page, where you can find a lot of useful learning materials and some tips on how to start investing. To find the best online broker for your level of expertise and risk tolerance, use our find my broker tool.
Want to learn more about stock investing/trading?
Check out these articles written by our broker and trading experts:
- How to buy shares online.
- How to buy ETFs online.
- Best brokers for free stock trading.
- How to choose your stock order type.
- When to buy stocks.
- Best forex trading apps.
Author of this article
With over a decade in finance, I lead content creation at The Brokers Rating and personally evaluated some of our 100+ listed brokers. I open real-money accounts, execute transactions, and engage with customer services, offering firsthand assessments. Prior to The Brokers Rating, I managed mutual funds in wealth management, trading stocks, ETFs, bonds, commodities, forex, and derivatives. My goal: simplify the hunt for top brokers in a dynamic investment landscape.
Everything you find on The Brokers Rating is based on reliable data and unbiased information. We combine our 10+ years finance experience with readers feedback. Read more about our methodology.
Why Choosing The Right Broker Matters?
Choosing the right broker is the first crucial step in your investment journey. A reliable broker can provide you with the tools, resources, and support needed to make informed decisions and grow your wealth.
Risk Management Made Simple!
The listed brokers make risk management a breeze for new traders. They provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to understand, assess, and mitigate risks effectively.
24/7 Support – Your Safety Net!
The listed brokers offer 24/7 customer support to ensure that you’re never alone on your trading journey.
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises!
We understand how frustrating hidden fees and unexpected charges can be for new traders. That’s why we’ve listed brokers who are committed to fair and transparent trading conditions.
Demo Accounts: Practice Without Risk!
New to trading? No problem! The listed brokers offer demo accounts, allowing you to practice trading without risking your hard-earned money. It’s the ultimate risk-free training ground where you can test strategies, hone your skills, and build confidence.