1. Charles Schwab
Founders: Charles R. Schwab
Founded Year: 1971
Headquarters: Westlake, Texas, USA
Product Categories: Stock trading, ETFs, options, futures, banking, financial advisory
Description:
Charles Schwab is a leading financial services company offering a wide range of investment and banking solutions. It provides commission-free stock and ETF trades, making it a strong competitor to Robinhood. Schwab also caters to active traders and long-term investors with extensive research and retirement planning tools.
Key Features:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading
- Robust research tools and market analysis
- Extensive banking and wealth management services
- Advanced trading platform for professional investors
- 24/7 customer support
2. Fidelity Investments
Founders: Edward C. Johnson II
Founded Year: 1946
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Product Categories: Stock trading, mutual funds, retirement accounts, advisory services
Description:
Fidelity is one of the largest asset managers globally, offering a range of investment services. Known for its extensive research, zero-commission trading, and strong retirement planning tools, Fidelity attracts both beginners and experienced investors.
Key Features:
- Zero-commission stock and ETF trading
- Industry-leading research and analysis tools
- Strong retirement and wealth management services
- AI-driven investing tools and robo-advisors
- High-interest cash management accounts
3. E*TRADE (A Morgan Stanley Company)
Founders: William A. Porter, Bernard A. Newcomb
Founded Year: 1982
Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia, USA
Product Categories: Stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, futures
Description:
E*TRADE is a well-established brokerage known for its advanced trading platform, extensive educational resources, and commission-free trading. Acquired by Morgan Stanley, it continues to serve both beginners and active traders with a range of investment options.
Key Features:
- User-friendly mobile and desktop platforms
- No commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options
- Paper trading for practice
- Advanced trading tools for professional traders
- Extensive financial education resources
4. TD Ameritrade
Founders: Joe Ricketts
Founded Year: 1975
Headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Product Categories: Stock trading, ETFs, options, futures, forex
Description:
TD Ameritrade, now part of Charles Schwab, is known for its powerful Thinkorswim trading platform, which caters to active traders. It offers a range of investment tools, educational resources, and commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs.
Key Features:
- Thinkorswim platform with advanced trading tools
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Extensive educational content for beginners
- 24/7 customer service
- Customizable charting and analysis tools
5. Webull
Founders: Wang Anquan
Founded Year: 2017
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product Categories: Stocks, options, ETFs, cryptocurrencies
Description:
Webull is a commission-free trading platform offering a feature-rich experience for both new and experienced investors. Known for its advanced charting tools, real-time market data, and extended trading hours, Webull competes directly with Robinhood.
Key Features:
- Commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading
- Extended trading hours
- Advanced charting and technical analysis tools
- Cryptocurrency trading support
- Paper trading for beginners
6. SoFi Invest
Founders: Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, James Finnigan, Ian Brady
Founded Year: 2011
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Product Categories: Stocks, ETFs, automated investing, crypto
Description:
SoFi Invest is part of SoFi’s broader financial ecosystem, offering commission-free trading, automated investing, and cryptocurrency trading. It stands out with its unique financial products, including loans and banking services.
Key Features:
- Zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs
- Robo-advisory services for passive investors
- Cryptocurrency trading options
- Fractional shares for small investments
- No account minimums
7. Acorns
Founders: Jeffrey Cruttenden, Walter Cruttenden
Founded Year: 2012
Headquarters: Irvine, California, USA
Product Categories: Micro-investing, automated portfolios, retirement accounts
Description:
Acorns is a micro-investing platform that rounds up spare change from everyday purchases and invests it automatically. It is ideal for beginners looking to enter the stock market with small investments.
Key Features:
- Automated investing with spare change round-ups
- Diverse, pre-built portfolios for different risk levels
- Retirement and ESG (socially responsible) investment options
- Educational resources for beginners
- Cash-back rewards with partnered brands
8. M1 Finance
Founders: Brian Barnes
Founded Year: 2015
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Product Categories: Automated investing, stocks, ETFs, retirement accounts
Description:
M1 Finance offers commission-free investing with customizable portfolios and automated rebalancing. It combines the flexibility of self-directed investing with the ease of robo-advisory services.
Key Features:
- Commission-free investing with personalized portfolios
- Automated portfolio rebalancing
- Fractional share investing
- No management fees for basic accounts
- Integrated banking and lending options
9. Public.com
Founders: Jannick Malling, Leif Abraham
Founded Year: 2019
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product Categories: Stocks, ETFs, crypto, alternative assets
Description:
Public.com is a commission-free investing platform that integrates social networking features, allowing investors to share insights and strategies. It promotes transparency and community-driven investing.
Key Features:
- Zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs
- Fractional shares for small investments
- Community-driven investing with public portfolios
- No payment-for-order-flow model (unlike Robinhood)
- Crypto and alternative asset investments
10. Interactive Brokers
Founders: Thomas Peterffy
Founded Year: 1978
Headquarters: Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
Product Categories: Stocks, ETFs, forex, futures, options, bonds
Description:
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a top choice for professional traders due to its advanced trading tools, extensive global market access, and competitive margin rates. It caters to experienced investors looking for low-cost trading options.
Key Features:
- Access to global markets in over 150 countries
- Advanced trading tools and research
- Low-cost margin trading
- Professional-grade charting and analysis
- High-level security and risk management features
