2025 Best US Stock Trading Apps Ranking: Full Comparison of Fees and Features

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In 2025, if you want to enter the US stock market, you may feel overwhelmed by the many available apps. You can start by checking the overview table below. It quickly highlights the core differences across major platforms to help you form an initial understanding.

2025 Popular US Stock Apps Core Metrics Comparison Overview

Key Points

• When choosing a US stock app, you need to consider trading fees, app features, and your investing habits.
• Many US stock apps offer zero-commission trading, but you should still pay attention to other fees such as platform fees, options fees, and margin interest rates.
• Different US stock apps have different strengths—for example, Futu (Moomoo) is comprehensive, eToro is ideal for social copy trading, and Interactive Brokers suits professional traders.
• Beginner investors can choose apps with high usability and paper trading features, such as eToro, Futu (Moomoo), or Webull.
• In addition to trading apps, you can also use tools like TradingView to help analyze the market and obtain investment information.

In-Depth Reviews of Popular US Stock Apps

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Choosing a platform means choosing an investment style. Below, we provide an in-depth analysis of seven mainstream US stock apps to help you find the one that suits you best. Each review includes key information such as account opening requirements, fund security, and customer support to enable informed decisions.

Futu (Moomoo): All-in-One Investment Ecosystem

Futu (Moomoo) is more than just a trading tool—it is a comprehensive financial ecosystem that integrates trading, quotes, news, and social features. Its user interface is smooth, and the feature design aligns well with the habits of Chinese users.

• Core Advantages:
  • Comprehensive Features: Offers powerful charting tools, visualized financial report data, and rich financial news.
  • Active Community: You can exchange insights and share investment experiences with millions of investors in the “Moomoo Circle.”
  • Broad Market Coverage: In addition to US stocks, it supports Hong Kong stocks, A-shares access, and other markets.
• Account Opening and Fund Security:
  • Account Opening Threshold: In 2025, Futu’s account opening policy for mainland Chinese users has tightened. Currently, you need to provide overseas permanent residency proof along with mainland Chinese ID to open a new account. For Hong Kong and overseas users, the process is relatively straightforward and can be completed via online transfer (minimum requirement USD 1,500 or equivalent HKD), among other methods.
  • Fund Security: Your assets are strictly protected by regulation.

    Fund Protection Overview Your US securities account is protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation SIPC, with coverage up to USD 500,000. Hong Kong securities accounts are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund up to HKD 500,000.

• Disadvantages:
  • Although it offers zero-commission trading, platform fees may apply under certain conditions (e.g., low-priced stocks) or when using advanced features.
  • For users who only need basic trading functions, its rich features may feel overly complex.

Tiger Brokers: Active Investor Community

Tiger Brokers has a similar positioning to Futu (Moomoo), deeply cultivating the Chinese market and known for its active investor community and abundant US stock IPO opportunities. If you enjoy discussing market dynamics and participating in initial public offerings, Tiger Brokers is worth considering.

• Core Advantages:
  • US Stock IPOs: Offers abundant IPO subscription opportunities, making it a popular choice for US stock IPO participation.
  • Active Community: The in-app “Community” module provides a platform to interact with other traders, though depth of engagement still has room for improvement.
  • Chinese Customer Service: Provides comprehensive Chinese-language customer support to help resolve issues easily.
• Account Opening and Customer Support:
  • Account Opening Threshold: The process is friendly for overseas Chinese users and can usually be completed online.
  • Fund Security: Similarly protected by SIPC, providing up to USD 500,000 coverage for US stock assets.
  • Customer Service Channels:

    Channel Type	Details
    Phone	400-603-7555
    Email	service@tigerbrokers.com
    Operating Hours	Weekdays 09:30 - Next Day 05:00

• Disadvantages:
  • Similar to Futu, its business model includes some platform fees—it is not entirely a “free lunch.”
  • The app interface has high information density, which may require some adaptation time for beginners.

Webull: Zero Commission with Powerful Charting Tools

Webull has rapidly risen among US-native and younger investors with its zero-commission strategy and professional-grade charting tools. If you are a technical analysis enthusiast, Webull’s desktop and app will feel like a perfect fit.

• Core Advantages:
  • Powerful Charting Features: Provides over 60 technical indicators and more than 20 drawing tools to meet in-depth technical analysis needs. You can use various chart styles from candlesticks to Heikin Ashi and perform multi-chart comparisons.
  • True Zero Commission: No commission on stock and ETF trades, but note its business model.
  • Extended Hours Trading: Offers longer trading windows for more flexible responses to market changes.
• Behind Zero Commission:

  Please Note: Webull’s revenue primarily comes from payment for order flow, routing orders to market makers for rebates. It also profits from stock lending and margin interest. While trading itself is zero commission, certain index options or large option orders may incur small fees.

• Disadvantages:
  • Investment products are relatively limited, mainly focused on stocks, ETFs, and options.
  • Restrictions on purchasing OTC stocks priced below USD 5.
  • Chinese customer support is not as comprehensive as Futu or Tiger.

eToro: Social Investing and Copy Trading Features

eToro has attracted a large global user base with its innovative social investing concept, especially suitable for beginners who want to simplify decision-making. It was named 2025 Best US Stock App by the renowned review site BrokerChooser, highlighting its leadership in user experience and innovation.

• Core Advantages:
  • Copy Trading: This is eToro’s flagship feature. You can one-click copy the portfolios and real-time operations of top traders on the platform. Data shows that in 2021, the top 50 copied traders achieved an average annualized return of 30.4%.
  • Cryptocurrency Trading: In addition to stocks, eToro is a highly popular crypto trading platform.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive design greatly lowers the barrier to entering the US stock market.
• Risks of Copy Trading: High returns often come with high risks. For example, some top traders may achieve impressive gains in one year but suffer significant drawdowns in another. When selecting who to copy, carefully review their historical performance, risk score, and strategy rather than focusing solely on returns.
• Disadvantages:
  • Spreads are relatively high, which is one of its main revenue sources.
  • Professional analysis tools and charting are not as powerful as Webull or IBKR.

Firstrade: Pioneer of True Zero Commission

Firstrade is a long-established US-native broker known for its true zero-commission policy. If you are a cost-sensitive investor seeking the purest low-cost trading, Firstrade is undoubtedly one of the best choices.

• Core Advantages:
  • Ultimate Zero Commission: Online trades of stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds all have USD 0 commission, with even USD 0 per option contract.
  • Diverse Products: Offers a wider range of investment products, including mutual funds, compared to some newer brokers.
  • Quality Chinese Service: As a broker serving the Chinese community for many years, it provides high-quality Chinese website and customer support.
• Points to Note:
  • Zero-commission policy applies only to online trades. Orders placed through customer representatives may incur additional fees.
  • The platform reserves the right to change its fee terms at any time.
• Disadvantages:
  • The app and website interface design is relatively traditional and may not be as modern and smooth as Futu or Webull.
  • Margin rates are relatively high, not ideal for traders who frequently use leverage.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR): Ultimate Choice for Professional Traders

Interactive Brokers is the preferred platform for global professional traders and institutional investors. It offers unmatched market coverage, top-tier trading technology, and highly competitive low fees, serving as the ultimate gateway to global US stock markets.

• Core Advantages:
  • Global Market Access: Trade stocks, options, futures, forex, and more across over 150 global markets.
  • Professional Trading Tools: The flagship TWS (Trader Workstation) platform is extremely powerful, offering complex algorithmic orders, risk analysis, and portfolio management tools.
  • Extremely Low Trading Costs: While not zero commission, its tiered commission structure provides very low costs for high-frequency or large-volume traders.
• Accounts and Thresholds:
  • Account Types: Offers IBKR Pro (professional) and IBKR Lite (lite) versions. The Pro version provides lowest costs and full features but has a suggested minimum deposit of USD 5,000.
  • Target Users: Its complex interface and features are clearly aimed at experienced active traders, professionals, and institutions.
• Disadvantages:
  • The platform is very complex with a steep learning curve, extremely unfriendly to beginners.
  • The IBKR Lite version offers zero-commission US stock trading but compromises on features and order execution quality.

Longbridge Securities: Emerging Smart Investment Platform

Longbridge Securities is a new-generation internet broker built by a former senior Alibaba technical team, featuring AI-driven smart investment tools to help investors discover opportunities more efficiently.

• Core Advantages:
  • Smart Investment Tools:
    • AI Investment Assistant: An AI assistant that helps interpret market trends, analyze financial reports, and summarize news highlights.
    • Panoramic Maps and Industry Chain Maps: Visualize company relationships and industry upstream/downstream to quickly understand corporate ecosystems.
    • In-Depth Data Parsing: Clearly displays complex financial statements in chart form.
  • Clean Interface: Modern and refreshing app design focused on core information presentation.
  • Social Learning Features: Provides a content community and online courses to enhance investment knowledge.
• Market Positioning: Longbridge targets the younger generation of investors who want to leverage technology for smarter investing. It aims to balance professional features with user-friendliness.
• Disadvantages:
  • As a newer platform, its brand recognition and user base are still growing.
  • Market coverage and product diversity currently cannot match established giants like Interactive Brokers.

US Stock App Trading Fees Comparison

Trading costs directly impact your investment returns. In 2025, “zero commission” has become mainstream, but this does not mean trading is completely free. You need to carefully distinguish commissions, platform fees, and other potential costs. Below, we break down each cost in detail.

Stock and ETF Trading Commissions

Most apps offer zero-commission US stock and ETF trading, but their fee models differ. Some platforms charge a small “platform fee” to sustain operations. Futu’s overall trading fees are considered moderate.

Partial App Stock Trading Fee Comparison

Broker App	Stock/ETF Commission	Platform Fee Notes
Tiger Brokers	USD 0	USD 0.005 per share, minimum USD 1 per order
Webull	USD 0	Minimum USD 1 per order or 0.5% of trade value
Firstrade	USD 0	No platform fee

Options Contract Fees

Options trading has a more complex cost structure, typically including commissions and per-contract fees.

• Firstrade: Stands out in this area with USD 0 commission and USD 0 per contract.
• eToro: Also offers zero-cost options trading at USD 0.00 per contract.
• Interactive Brokers (IBKR): Uses professional tiered pricing. IBKR Pro accounts charge about USD 0.65 per contract, adjusted based on volume and premium, with large traders enjoying lower rates.

Please Note: Even if the broker waives contract fees, you still pay small exchange regulatory fees charged by regulators.

Margin Interest Rates

If you plan to use leverage (margin trading), margin rates become a significant cost. Rates vary widely across brokers.

• Interactive Brokers: Typically offers the most competitive rates in the industry, with margin rates around 5.83% - 6.83%, depending on borrowed amount.
• Tiger Brokers: Also offers margin trading. Log in to the app or website and check the latest tiered rates on the “Margin Rates page.”

For investors who rarely use leverage, this fee has minimal impact.

Account Management and Other Fees

Beyond direct trading costs, watch for hidden fees.

• Inactivity Fees: Most mainstream apps (e.g., Futu, Tiger, Webull) have eliminated this fee.
• Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: This is the most common additional cost. While brokers may not charge for deposits/withdrawals, intermediary banks do charge fees. For example, wiring funds from a Hong Kong licensed bank account typically incurs a wire transfer fee. Withdrawals may involve fees from both the broker and bank.

Core Features and Tools Comparison

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Choosing an app is not just about fees—it’s about whether the provided tools match your investment style. Powerful features can help you make better decisions, while missing key tools may cause you to miss opportunities.

Trading Products and Market Coverage

How broad your investment horizon is determines how comprehensive a platform you need.

• Basic Options: Most apps support US stocks and ETF trading.
• Cryptocurrencies: If interested in digital assets, eToro and Webull provide channels for trading major cryptocurrencies, such as:
  • Bitcoin (BTC)
  • Ethereum (ETH)
  • Dogecoin (DOGE)
• Global Markets: For global investing, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers unmatched advantages, accessing over 150 global markets.
• Alternative Assets: Some platforms are expanding into broader alternative assets, providing more diversification options, including:
  • Commodities
  • Real Estate
  • Collectibles

Charting Analysis and Technical Indicators

Charts are the core of technical analysis. Capabilities vary significantly across apps.

Webull provides powerful built-in tools ideal for technical analysis enthusiasts. It includes around 60 technical indicators and multiple drawing tools to meet most analysis needs.

However, for ultimate professional analysis, TradingView is the industry benchmark. It is a pure charting and social platform with features far exceeding most broker apps.

• Indicator Library: Offers over 400 technical indicators and thousands of community-created scripts.
• Programming Capability: Use its proprietary Pine Script language to create custom indicators and strategies.
• Professional Tools: Provides advanced tools like volume profile, often paid features elsewhere.

Smart Orders and Execution Speed

How you place orders directly affects costs and success rates. All platforms offer market and limit orders. Professional platforms like Interactive Brokers (IBKR) provide more complex algorithmic orders to optimize large trade execution.

Note that some zero-commission brokers profit from payment for order flow, which may slightly impact execution prices. Though minor, it adds up for high-frequency traders.

Fractional Share Trading Support

Want to buy high-priced stocks like Amazon but have limited funds? Fractional share trading solves this by allowing you to purchase a portion of a share with small amounts.

eToro excels here. You can invest as little as USD 100 to buy a fraction of a stock, significantly lowering the barrier for high-priced shares. This is very useful for budget-limited beginners.

Supplementary Tools: Market Data and News App Recommendations

A good trading app is your sword, while powerful market data and news tools are your map and compass. They help you spot opportunities and make smarter decisions. In addition to built-in news features in trading apps, use the following professional tools to enhance analysis.

Futu (Moomoo) and Tiger Brokers: Integrated Trading and News

For efficiency, Futu (Moomoo) and Tiger Brokers are excellent choices. These platforms seamlessly integrate trading, quotes, news, and community discussions. You can jump directly to the trading page after reading an analysis article or earnings report. This all-in-one experience is highly convenient for quick market responses.

Xueqiu and Investing.com: Community Discussions and Global Data

Sometimes you need broader perspectives and deeper discussions.

• Xueqiu: A investment community gathering many professional investors and opinion leaders. Its core value lies in high-quality discussions that help understand the deeper “reasons” behind market price movements. Observing community sentiment and views provides valuable insights beyond pure data analysis.
• Investing.com: For a free global data source, Investing.com is powerful. It provides massive information on global indices, commodities, forex, and economic calendars to build a macro view.

TradingView: Professional-Grade Charting Powerhouse

For traders serious about technical analysis, TradingView is an indispensable ultimate tool. It is a pure charting and social platform with features far surpassing most broker apps.

Core Features Overview

• Advanced Charting System: View multiple charts synchronously in one interface and use professional types like Heikin Ashi and Renko.
• Massive Technical Indicators: Provides hundreds of built-in indicators like MACD and volume profile. The redesigned technicals tab aggregates multiple signals into visual dashboards for greater efficiency.
• Powerful Alert System: Create highly customized alerts based on price, indicators, or even drawings.
• Programming Language: Its flagship feature—use Pine Script to write exclusive indicators and strategies.

While TradingView’s free version is powerful, paid plans unlock its full potential. The Premium plan is often considered the best value, offering more historical data for backtesting and professional volume footprint charts.

TradingView Subscription Plans Feature Comparison

Feature	Free	Essential	Plus	Premium ⭐	Ultimate
Charts per Tab	1	2	4	8	16
Indicators per Chart	2	5	10	25	50
Historical Bars	5,000	10,000	10,000	20,000	20,000
Active Alerts	1	20	40	400	400
Volume Footprint	✘	✘	✘	✓	✓
Ads	Yes	No	No	No	No
Monthly Fee	USD 0	USD 14.95	USD 29.95	USD 59.95	USD 239.95

In short, investing in a TradingView premium account is highly worthwhile if you want to elevate technical analysis to a professional level.

How to Choose: Find Your Ideal US Stock App

With so many options, the key is finding the tool that best matches your investment style. Below, we offer clear app recommendations based on four typical investor profiles.

Beginners New to the US Stock Market

If you are just starting to explore the US stock market, your priority is learning and practicing while controlling risk.

Beginner Recommendations: eToro, Futu (Moomoo), Webull

• Ease of Use and Learning: Choose eToro—its copy trading lets you mimic experts and learn through practice.
• Paper Trading: Use Webull, which offers a powerful paper trading account to practice with virtual funds in real market conditions without risk of loss.
• Educational Resources: Platforms like Fidelity or Charles Schwab provide comprehensive courses and articles to systematically build investment knowledge.

Cost-Conscious High-Frequency Traders

For those making multiple trades daily, trading costs and execution speed determine profitability.

High-Frequency Trader Recommendations: Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Firstrade

• Low Costs: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers highly competitive margin rates and tiered commissions—the higher the volume, the lower the cost.
• Zero Commission: Firstrade provides true zero-commission trading, ideal for extremely cost-sensitive traders.
• Professional Tools: For ultimate execution speed, consider platforms like R | Trader Pro, which offer millisecond-level execution but typically higher barriers.

Long-Term Investors Focused on Fundamentals

As a long-term investor, you care more about intrinsic company value and need strong research tools and comprehensive financial data.

Long-Term Investor Recommendations: Futu (Moomoo), Longbridge, Firstrade

• Data and Research: Futu (Moomoo) and Longbridge offer excellent data visualization and industry chain maps to deeply analyze fundamentals.
• Low Holding Costs: Firstrade has zero commission and no account management fees, perfect for buy-and-hold strategies.

Options and Derivatives Specialists

Options trading requires more professional tools to build and evaluate complex strategies.

Options Trader Recommendations: Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Firstrade

• Professional Analysis: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) TWS provides institutional-grade options tools, including probability analysis and multi-leg strategy builders.
• Best Value: Firstrade offers zero commission and zero contract fees for options—excellent for cost control.
• Strategy Support: Use third-party tools like OptionStrat for strategy backtesting and risk analysis, then execute in the broker app.

In the 2025 US stock market, zero-commission competition has intensified, while platform feature differences have become more pronounced. Choosing the app that best suits you comes down to balancing these three core elements:

• Trading Costs: Are your expenses minimized?
• Feature Match: Do the tools meet your needs?
• Investment Habits: Does it align with your operating style?

We hope this analysis helps you take your first step confidently. Remember, investing involves risk—enter the market with caution.

FAQ

How much money do I need to start investing in US stocks?

You don’t need much. Many apps have no minimum deposit requirement. You can also use fractional shares to buy a portion of high-priced stocks with as little as USD 100. This greatly lowers the investment barrier.

Is my money safe in these apps?

Yes, your funds are protected. In the US, compliant brokers’ securities accounts are covered by SIPC. In case of broker bankruptcy, your account can receive up to USD 500,000 in compensation. This provides an important safety net.

How do I fund my US stock account?

You can use wire transfer from an overseas bank account in your name. For example, transferring from a Hong Kong licensed bank account is common. Note that banks may charge fees. Check detailed instructions in the app before depositing.

Do I need to pay US taxes when investing in US stocks?

As a non-US resident, you typically need to fill out W-8BEN form. This generally exempts capital gains (stock sale profits) from US tax. However, dividends received are subject to withholding tax.

Important Reminder: Tax rules can be complex. We recommend consulting a professional tax advisor for personalized advice.