For entrepreneurs looking to launch their own app startup ideas in the investment space, there are several key factors to consider. With hundreds of hours of rigorous research, data analysis, and live platform demos, we've found that the best trading and investing apps provide an optimal mix of intuitive navigation, robust portfolio analysis, risk management capabilities, complex trading tools, and more – all on a clean, intuitive platform.
When it comes to choosing the right app for your needs, there are several options available. Here, we'll explore some of the top investment apps for traders and investors in 2026, including our top picks for best overall, full-service investing, automated investing, active trading, options trading, low-cost trading, and saving.
Best Overall: E*TRADE
ETRADE's mobile platform is the best overall for both investors and traders due to its optimal mix of intuitive navigation, robust portfolio analysis, risk management capabilities, complex trading tools, and more. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from no commission for stock, ETF, and mutual fund trades to options at $0.50-$0.65 per contract, depending on trading volume, ETRADE offers a solid choice for investors looking for a comprehensive mobile experience.
Tip: Open and fund a new brokerage account and get up to $1,000. Terms apply.
Why We Chose It: E*TRADE's two well-designed mobile apps offer investors and traders the right mix of what matters most in an intuitive mobile experience, including robust portfolio and risk management capabilities, deep research, easy-to-digest education, innovative tools and features, and more.
Pros & Cons:
- Top-tier research
- Wide range of well-designed tools and resources
- Pre-built and automated portfolio options
- Strong educational resources
- Lacks international exchange trading
- No direct crypto investing
- Fractional shares only available through a robo-advisor portfolio or dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)
Best Full-Service Investing App: Fidelity
Fidelity's newly designed app offers investors access to key full-service features like a top-tier investment offering, a large selection of available account types, brick-and-mortar support centers, and more. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from free online commission trading on stock and ETFs to options at $0 plus $0.65/contract, Fidelity offers a solid choice for investors looking for a comprehensive mobile experience.
Why We Chose It: Fidelity's app opens the door for all types of investors and traders to access key full-service features like a top-tier investment offering, a large selection of available account types, brick-and-mortar support centers, and more.
Pros & Cons:
- Extensive research and screeners
- Excellent order execution
- Strong portfolio analysis and account features
- No payment for order flow on stocks and ETFs
- Top-tier educational content, screening tools, and research capabilities
- The virtual assistant needs improvement
- Just three digital coins available for trading
- Minimum balance required for some index trading
- Multiple platforms may be required to access all tools
Best Automated Investing App: Wealthfront
Wealthfront's automated investing app offers investors a range of pre-built and customizable portfolios, as well as investment advice and portfolio management. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from 0.25% per year on managed assets to 0.5% per year for self-directed investments, Wealthfront offers a solid choice for investors looking for a hands-off approach.
Why We Chose It: Wealthfront's app offers investors a range of pre-built and customizable portfolios, as well as investment advice and portfolio management – all at an affordable price point.
Pros & Cons:
- Pre-built and customizable portfolios
- Investment advice and portfolio management
- Affordable pricing
- Limited availability of certain investment options
Best App for Active Traders: Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers' app offers active traders a range of complex trading tools, including real-time market data, charting functionality, and advanced order types. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from 0.25% per year on managed assets to 0.5% per year for self-directed investments, Interactive Brokers offers a solid choice for active traders looking for a comprehensive mobile experience.
Why We Chose It: Interactive Brokers' app offers active traders a range of complex trading tools, including real-time market data, charting functionality, and advanced order types – all at an affordable price point.
Pros & Cons:
- Complex trading tools
- Real-time market data
- Charting functionality
- Advanced order types
- Limited availability of certain investment options
Best App for Options Traders: Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers' app offers options traders a range of advanced order types, including conditional orders and bracket orders. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from 0.25% per year on managed assets to 0.5% per year for self-directed investments, Interactive Brokers offers a solid choice for options traders looking for a comprehensive mobile experience.
Why We Chose It: Interactive Brokers' app offers options traders a range of advanced order types, including conditional orders and bracket orders – all at an affordable price point.
Pros & Cons:
- Advanced order types
- Conditional orders
- Bracket orders
- Limited availability of certain investment options
Best Low-Cost Trading App: Webull
Webull's app offers investors a range of low-cost trading options, including commission-free stock and ETF trades. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from 0% on commission-free trades to 0.5% per year for self-directed investments, Webull offers a solid choice for investors looking for a budget-friendly mobile experience.
Why We Chose It: Webull's app offers investors a range of low-cost trading options, including commission-free stock and ETF trades – all at an affordable price point.
Pros & Cons:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Affordable pricing
- Limited availability of certain investment options
Best App for Saving: Acorns
Acorns' app offers investors a range of savings features, including automatic investments and diversified portfolios. With an account minimum of $0 and fees ranging from 0.25% per year on managed assets to 0.5% per year for self-directed investments, Acorns offers a solid choice for investors looking for a hands-off approach.
Why We Chose It: Acorns' app offers investors a range of savings features, including automatic investments and diversified portfolios – all at an affordable price point.
Pros & Cons:
- Automatic investments
- Diversified portfolios
- Affordable pricing
- Limited availability of certain investment options