Best stock brokers in the US in 2026
- Michael Turner
Our top 5 US stock brokers for 2022
To identify the top stock brokers operating in the US, we began by evaluating 102 qualified firms. We then examined their trading-related and non-trading charges, paying close attention to commissions on stocks, account inactivity fees, and withdrawal costs. We also assessed factors such as the range of available stocks, the quality of trading platforms, and additional features.
From this evaluation, five brokers stood out as the best in the US market, and we confidently recommend each of them. Without further delay, here are our top selections:
Interactive Brokers takes first place. It offers low trading costs, a broad range of investment products, and an extensive set of research tools.
Fidelity secures the second spot. Highlights include commission-free trading on US stocks and ETFs, robust trading platforms, strong research capabilities, and access to both US and international stocks.
Zacks Trade comes in third. It is recognized for its low fees, a wide selection of stocks and ETFs, and high-quality customer support.
Charles Schwab ranks fourth. Key features consist of free stock and ETF trades, excellent research resources, and attentive customer service.
Merrill Edge rounds out the list in fifth place. It stands out for its low trading fees, a smooth and straightforward account opening process, and the strength of its parent company.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
What makes a good stock broker? First, they need to have fair fees. It is especially important that their commissions, inactivity fees and withdrawal fees are low or close to zero. They should also offer a great selection of exchanges and stocks. Finally, it counts for a lot if the overall quality of the broker – platforms, safety or the account opening process – is top notch.
The key factors are easy to list, but hard to figure out. We test brokers along nearly 500 criteria, using real accounts and real money.
Not sure which broker to choose? For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. If you enter the name of your country and your preferences, it will display relevant matches only. Want more details? Compare brokers with the help of our in-depth comparison table.
And now, let’s see the best stock brokers in the US one by one, starting with the winner, Interactive Brokers.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers, one of the biggest US-based discount brokers, was founded in 1977. The broker is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including top-tier ones like the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Given that the broker has licenses from multiple top-tier regulators, Interactive Brokers is considered safe. The fact that it has a long track record and publicly disclosed financials while being listed on a stock exchange all point to IB being a safe service provider.
Interactive Brokers recently launched a new app for global stock trading:Â read our review of IBKR GlobalTrader.
In addition, Interactive Brokers also has an app you can use for ESG investing:Â read our review of IMPACT by Interactive Brokers.
Recommended for traders looking for broad market access and a professional trading environment
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Complicated account opening process |
| • Wide range of products | • Complex desktop trading platform |
| • Many great research tools | • Understaffed customer service |
Stock trading fees
Interactive Brokers stock trading fees are low.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Non-trading fees
Interactive Brokers has low non-trading fees.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Feel free to learn more about brokerage fees if you want to expand yor knowledge.
Mobile trading platform
The Interactive Brokers mobile trading platform boasts a lot of functions and a useful chatbot, but its user interface could be better.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Two-step (safer) login | •  Minor technical glitches |
| • Good variety of order types |  |
| •  Price alerts |  |
Best stock brokers – Interactive Brokers mobile trading platform
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Verdict
Interactive Brokers is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers, regulated by several top-tier regulators globally. We recommend this broker both for advanced traders and for everyday investors who want to have access to many stock markets.
On the plus side, IB offers very low fees, a vast range of markets and products, and diverse research tools.Â
There are some drawbacks, though. We weren’t satisfied with the quaity of the customer service and the account opening process is complicated. Unlike the web and mobile platforms, the desktop platform is complex and hard to get a handle on, especially for beginners.
If you have experience navigating complex platforms and enjoy transparent, low-cost trading, Interactive Brokers is a great fit for you.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Fidelity
Fidelity is a US stockbroker founded in 1946. It is regulated by top-tier authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Fidelity is considered safe because it has a long track record and is regulated by top-tier financial authorities.
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and great trading platforms
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Commission-free US stocks and ETFs | • High mutual fund fees and margin rates |
| •  Great trading platforms and research | • Slower account verification |
| •  US and international stocks | • No crypto&futures |
Stock trading fees
Fidelity stock trading fees are low.
How we compare stock trading fees
Comparing fees for stock trading is not a straightforward task. Rather than presenting lengthy tables of charges, we evaluate brokers by determining the total costs associated with a standard transaction across three key markets: the US, Germany, and the UK.
A standard transaction is defined as purchasing $2,000 worth of shares (or the equivalent in euros for German stocks, or pounds for UK stocks).
The first piece of information displayed is the number of stock exchanges accessible through the broker. A higher count is preferable, since many investors appreciate the ability to trade across multiple markets.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Non-trading fees
Fidelity has low non-trading fees.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Feel free to learn more about brokerage fees if you want to expand yor knowledge.
Mobile trading platform
Fidelity has a great mobile trading platform. It is user-friendly and well-designed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No two-step (safer) login |
| • Good search function |  |
| •  Good variety of order types |  |
Best stock brokers – Fidelity mobile trading platform
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Verdict
Fidelity is one of the biggest US stockbrokers and is regulated by top-tier authorities.
Fidelity offers commission-free US stocks and ETFs. The trading platforms and research are outstanding, with many tools including trading ideas and detailed fundamental data. The offered range of products includes international stock exchanges in addition to the US market, which is not common among US brokers.
Fidelity has some drawbacks, though. Some mutual funds have high fees, and the margin rates are high as well. You can’t trade cryptos or futures.
As it has great research tools, a user-friendly web trading platform, and charges no inactivity fee, feel free to try Fidelity’s services.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade is a US-based discount broker and a division of LBMZ Securities. LBMZ Securities was founded in 1978 and is regulated by the top-tier US financial authorities SEC and FINRA.
LBMZ Securities’s clearing and execution services are provided through Interactive Brokers, a global stockbroker regulated by many top-tier financial authorities globally.
If you’re familiar with the services of Interactive Brokers, you might notice that many of Zacks Trade’s services are the same. To sum up:
- Zacks Trade has its own, different fee structure, product selection, educational tools and customer support. Unlike at Interactive Brokers, trading forex, CFDs and futures is not supported.
- The account opening and deposit/withdrawal processes, trading platforms and research tools are the same as at Interactive Brokers.
Zacks Trade is considered safe because it has a long track record and is overseen by top-tier regulators.
Since Zacks is more expensive than IB, why would anyone favor Zacks over Interactive Brokers? We found two possible reasons:
- Zacks falls under SEC regulation and users have SIPC protection, no matter where they live
- Zacks provides free broker-assisted trading
Recommended for traders and investors looking for comprehensive research tools, a wide product selection and low fees
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low fees | • Complex desktop platform and research tools |
| • Extensive stock and ETF selection | • Slow and complicated account opening |
| • Great customer service | • No futures and forex |
Stock trading fees
Zacks Trade stock trading fees are low.
How we evaluate stock trading fees
Comparing stock trading fees is no simple task. Rather than listing lengthy fee schedules, we assess brokers by calculating the total costs involved in a representative trade across three major markets: the US, Germany, and the UK.
A representative trade consists of buying $2,000 worth of shares (or the equivalent in euros for German equities, or pounds for UK equities).
The first figure shown indicates how many stock exchanges are accessible through the broker. A larger number is preferable, since many investors value the ability to trade across multiple markets.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Non-trading fees
Zacks Trade has low non-trading fees.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Feel free to learn more about brokerage fees if you want to expand yor knowledge.
Mobile trading platform
The Zacks Trade mobile trading platform, called Handy Trader, has a lot of functions and a useful chatbot, but its user interface could be better.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Two-step (safer) login | • User interface is a bit complex |
| • Good search function |  |
| • Good variety of order types |  |
Best stock brokers – Zacks Trade mobile trading platform
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Verdict
Zacks Trade is a great US discount broker. It is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by the SEC and FINRA.
On the plus side, Zacks Trade has low fees, outstanding stock and ETF selections and great customer service.
There are some drawbacks though, as its desktop trading platform and research tools are quite complex. The account opening is complicated and slow. Unlike Interactive Brokers, Zacks doesn’t support trading CFDs, futures and cryptos.
As Zacks Trade provides a demo account and doesn’t require any minimum deposit, feel free to try it.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is a US discount broker that was founded in 1971 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
It is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research, low fees and great customer service
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Free stock and ETF trading | •  High fees for some mutual funds |
| • Outstanding research | • Only US/Canada markets available |
| • Great customer service |  |
Stock trading fees
Charles Schwab stock trading fees are low.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Non-trading fees
Charles Schwab has low non-trading fees.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Feel free to learn more about brokerage fees if you want to expand yor knowledge.
Mobile trading platform
Charles Schwab offers a great mobile trading platform with order confirmation and biometric login. In functionality and design, it is very similar to the web trading platform.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No price alerts |
| •Touch/Face ID login |  |
| •  Order confirmation |  |
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Verdict
Charles Schwab is one of the biggest discount US brokers, regulated by top-tier authorities.
It was one of the first brokers, starting in late 2019, to charge no commissions for stock and ETF trades. Its research is outstanding, covering many tools, including trading ideas, Morgan Stanley analyst reports on equities, and detailed fundamental data. Customer service is great, providing relevant answers within a short time.
It does have some drawbacks, though. Except for the around 4,000 mutual funds that are free to trade, mutual fund costs are high and the product portfolio covers only US and Canadian markets. Lastly, the educational platform is not well-structured.
As trading and non-trading fees are generally low, research tools are great and the account opening is seamless, feel free to try Charles Schwab.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge is a US-based stockbroker founded in 2010 by Bank of America (BofA). BofA acquired Merrill Lynch during the 2008 financial crisis, and the rationale for launching Merrill Edge was to combine its online investing arm and Merrill Lynch’s investment expertise. Merrill Edge offers US stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. It is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Merrill Edge is considered safe because its parent company is a bank with a long track record and solid reputation, it discloses its financials, and is regulated by top-tier regulators.Â
Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees, quick account opening, and simple platforms
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Limited to US clients and products |
| • Easy and seamless account opening | • No demo account |
| • Strong parent company | • Few options for deposit/withdrawal |
Stock trading fees
Merrill Edge stock trading fees are low.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Non-trading fees
Merrill Edge has low non-trading fees.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Feel free to learn more about brokerage fees if you want to expand yor knowledge.
Mobile trading platform
The Merrill Edge mobile app, available for iPhone and Android devices, is easy to use and provides a safe and easy login. On the other hand, the search functions could be improved.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • Poor search function |
| • Two-step (safer) login |  |
| • Touch/Face ID login |  |
Best stock brokers – Merrill Edge mobile trading platform
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Verdict
Overall, Merrill Edge is a solid, easy-to-use trading platform created by Bank of America, one of the US’s largest banks.
We rated Merrill Edge highly due to its low fees, easy process of account opening, and safety.Â
Some of the drawbacks include limited product offerings, research capabilities, and deposit/withdrawal options.
As trading and non-trading fees are generally low, the research tools are great and the account opening is seamless, feel free to try it.
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
What makes a good online stock broker?
How we selected the top 5 brokers
Now that you know which five brokers made the list, you may be curious about how we arrived at these selections. Let’s briefly go over a few key points.
Are these brokers trustworthy?
Yes, every broker featured on this list is considered reliable and well-established. You can rest assured that none of them are fraudulent. Each one is overseen by at least one highly respected regulatory authority.
What was our selection process for identifying the best online stock brokers?
We evaluate online brokers using nearly 500 different criteria, conducting our assessments with real accounts and real funds. To keep things simple, we will highlight only the five most important criteria here.
5 key criteria for the best international stock brokers
| Interactive Brokers | Interactive Brokers is a US discount broker. It is listed on a stock exchange and regulated by several authorities, including top-tier ones like the FCA and the SEC. | Visit broker |
| Alpaca Trading | Alpaca Securities LLC is US-based broker providing commission-free API stock trading. The company is regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA: | Visit broker |
| TradeStation Global | TradeStation Global is an introducing broker of Interactive Brokers. This practically means that assets and cash are held with Interactive Brokers, but services like fees and customer support are provided by TradeStation Global. TradeStation Global is regulated by the top-tier UK FCA. | Visit broker |
| Zacks Trade | Zacks Trade is a US discount broker that also allows international clients to open an account. Zacks Trade is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by SEC and FINRA. Customers are protected by the SIPC scheme, up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash). | Visit broker |
| Saxo Bank | Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank. It is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including the top-tier UK FCA. | Visit broker |
Bottom line
You have seen the details, now let’s zoom out. Here are the best stock brokers of 2022 in the US:
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Interactive Brokers is our winner, having been selected the best stock broker in the US in 2022. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
We believe that all the stock brokers on our Top 5 list are a great choice. Pick the winner or one of the runners-up, and take the next step in your investment journey. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Still unsure? Use our broker finder tool to find the best broker for you, or learn more about investing your money.
