Compare the best stock trading apps in 2023

By:

James Knight

James is a lead editor for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets. His ... read more.

Reviewed by:

Richard Stutely

Richard is a Fact Checker for Invezz who ensures all our reviews and guides are accurate and unbiased. He is a best-selling international business author whose... read more.

Updated: Aug 5, 2023

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9/10

82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

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The amount of people using trading platforms on their phones has tripled since the outbreak of the pandemic. The battle to attract all these new users has been fierce, which means there are now hundreds of stock trading apps to choose from. Use this guide to compare the best stock apps and pick one that suits you.

Best stock trading apps overall for 2023

What is the best stock trading app?

These are our favourite stock trading apps ranked so you can get started quickly. If you want a more detailed comparison between the apps and the service they offer, then keep reading to learn more about each one.

Most Popular

1

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Min. Deposit

$ 10

Best offer

User Score

10

Up to $240 bonus!

Deposit with ACA, Wire, Pay with my bank

Invest for dividends and get payout on stocks on Ex-Dividend day

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Full Regulations:

CySEC, FCA

77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

2

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Min. Deposit

$ 0

Best offer

User Score

9.9

Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts

Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place

No minimum deposit

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Wire, Check, Debit Card, Wire Transfer

Full Regulations:

Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

3

Min. Deposit

-

Best offer

User Score

9.4

Scope Markets is a regulated entity, following strictly the segregated accounts principal by offering a wide range of products together with Multi-Platform trading facilities.

Scope Markets offers one of the most comprehensive multimedia trading education libraries for traders all levels.

We commit to full transparency, excellence and continuous innovation.

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Full Regulations:

Top 7 stock trading apps, reviewed

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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2900

No. assets

$10

Minimum deposit

Stocks

Platform type

Pros & Cons

Great for beginners, simple to set up and get started Zero commission stock trading Popular ‘CopyTrader’ function lets you follow top traders Excellent customer service, with live chat support provided Over 2,000 CFDs available to trade

Comparatively high fees for withdrawals and account inactivity Does not integrate with the MetaTrader platform High spreads on some assets

Overview

We love eToro because you can trade more than 3,000 stocks, commission free. When you buy stocks on eToro, you’re buying the underlying asset, which means you can earn dividends. Or you can trade fractional shares, which means you can invest in even the most expensive stock from just $10.

As well as being a broker that offers lots of investor protection, eToro offers a very social trading experience. You can easily see what’s trending on the stock market every day, browse the latest analyst opinion about every one of those stocks, and copy other people’s trade suggestions from your desktop or the eToro app.

The fees: Stock and ETF trades are commission free. Stock CFDs are charged a 0.15% spread and overnight fees can apply. You can deposit money for free but you have to pay $5 per withdrawal, and there’s a minimum withdrawal of $30. A $10 per month activity fee is charged if you don’t log in for a year.

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77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

2. Public. Best for sharing beginner trading ideas

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...

No. assets

...

Minimum deposit

Stocks

Platform type

Pros & Cons

Commission free stock and ETF investing Share and compare your portfolio on a social trading platform Trade crypto, fractional shares, and alternative investments

You can't trade on margin or use leverage No forex, options, funds, metals, or bonds

Overview

We love Public because it’s a social platform where you can share trading tips and get ideas from other people. Public offers 9,000+ financial instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks from around the world.

Alongside a community of other investors all sharing their ideas, Public offers real time news and information so that you can see the full picture before you invest. And the assets don’t just include your run-of-the-mill assets; you can make alternative investments in things like handbags and comic books as well.

The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours.

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Different types of stock apps

Best stock app for beginners

When you’re new to the stock market, it’s a good idea to choose an app that’s inexpensive and easy to use. The best stock trading platforms for beginners boast features like copy trading services and plenty of educational material to help you learn how to trade.

Most Popular

1

• Save

Min. Deposit

$ 10

Best offer

User Score

10

Up to $240 bonus!

Deposit with ACA, Wire, Pay with my bank

Invest for dividends and get payout on stocks on Ex-Dividend day

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Full Regulations:

CySEC, FCA

77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Top day trading app

If you plan to trade quickly and often, you want an day-trading platform with low fees that gives you as many options as possible. That way, you can use tools and charts to time your entry and exit from the market, without paying out lots of money in fees every time.

Most Popular

1

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Min. Deposit

$ 100

Best offer

User Score

9.7

Choose over 100 popular stock CFDs

Buy and Sell Stock CFDs with as little as £100

Zero Commissions - no hidden fees

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

American Express, Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Discover, Mastercard, MoneyBookers, PayPal, Rapid Transfer, SEPA, Visa, WebMoney, Wire Transfer, neteller, , skrill

Full Regulations:

ASIC, FSA, FSCA, MiFID

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top penny stocks app

To trade penny stocks you need a penny stock platform that offers the widest possible range of stocks. Find an app where you can access every stock on leading exchanges like the FTSE100 or the NYSE, as well as small-cap stocks and emerging markets.

Most Popular

1

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Min. Deposit

$ 100

Best offer

User Score

9.9

Licensed and regulated by CySEC and FCA authorised UK Branch

Trade CFDs with tight spreads on big-name companies like Amazon, Facebook, Apple and many more

Offers 800+ instruments

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

American Express, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Discover, Google Pay, Klarna, Mastercard, PayPal, SEPA, Trustly, Visa, Volt, Wire Transfer, neteller, skrill

Full Regulations:

CySEC, FSA

82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

What is a stock trading app?

It’s an application that allows you to trade the stock market from your mobile device. Most brokers offer the ability to use their platforms via an app and can be accessed by either a smartphone or tablet. When using a stock trading app you will usually be able to carry out the same functions as you can on a broker desktop platform. 

How does a stock trading app work?

To use a stock trading app you need to first register with an online broker. Once your account is created you simply download an app to access your account on the go. Stock trading apps let you monitor and analyse the markets from your mobile device. You can buy and sell stocks as well as carry out technical analysis on price charts. 

How should I choose the best stock trading app for me?

Safety, security, and an easy-to-use interface are three of the most important things to look for. While specific features might affect those that you choose from, take all these factors into consideration before you make a final choice. That way you’ll get the best experience in the end.

Design and ease of use

One of the main advantages of using an app is making it easy to purchase and sell company shares. You want to be able to find your way around and use all the features available. If you’re a beginner this is even more important, you want useful information to be laid out in a way you can understand as you learn.

Reputation and regulation

You want to be confident in the app you’re using. As with anyone you trust with your money, you want to be sure they aren’t going to disappear with it. Stock brokers have to abide by strict regulations, from the FCA in the UK and FINRA in the US, so look for proof of this before you sign up.

Similarly, brokers should have insurance to protect the customer in case they go bankrupt. Longer-term investments like ISAs and IRAs are protected by government regulation too, check your chosen service abides by all of this before you download.

Tools and charts

These can be very useful when you start trading. If you’re going to do the work yourself, you want to be able to study a stock’s performance before you invest. Look out for apps that offer charts you can do some technical analysis on. Other tools worth looking for are comparison features, say between a fund’s performance and the market average.

Fees and commissions

Many apps advertise themselves as free but they have to make money somewhere. Usually, it’s with fees for specific actions, like trading, deposits, or withdrawals. Other companies will make money on the ‘spread’, the difference between the buy and sell price they offer on a share. Comparing the size of the spread can be a good way of choosing the best platform – the smaller the better.

Security

You want to keep your money and assets secure all the time. Look out for the different security features that are offered; do they use encryption? Two-factor authentication? What about protection against fraud? And how do they deal with your private data? Be wary of any service that skimps on these features.

Trading options

You want flexibility on your stock app, with lots of different trading options. New traders just getting started might want to stick to simply buying and selling shares but as you get more experience there are lots of ways to trade. Here are some popular ones you should look out for:

• Share dealing is the standard way of playing the stock market. You purchase shares in a company, with the aim of making money either from it going up in value or in the form of dividends. When you sell it, ideally you make a profit on the difference in price.
• Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a way of speculating on how an asset is going to perform without owning it. They’re popular on retail trading apps like eToro and Robinhood and can be a way of trading cryptocurrencies and commodities as well as stocks.
• Trading with leverage means making bigger trades by putting up only a small amount of the overall value as a deposit. You borrow the rest from your broker but remain liable for the entire trade. You can make big wins this way but it’s very risky as losses can escalate quickly.
• Spread betting is a way of betting on the performance of an entire market, rather than individual stocks within it. You place a bet on whether it’s going to go up or down, and earn a profit of your stake multiplied by the amount of points the market moved. The reverse is also true: you lose your stake multiplied by how much it goes the other way.

Additional features

These are just the most important features to look out for. The ideal app is packed with even more that can help you make money. Demo accounts, where you trade with fake money to start with, are great for beginners. So are educational tools, tutorials, and push alerts to let you know how your shares are performing.

Quick answers to key questions

Can I trade stocks on Android and iOS devices?

Yes. Most apps are available on both operating systems. A few are exclusive to one or the other, but you can easily find out which ones are available on your phone by going to the Google Play store or the App Store.

How much do stock apps cost?

To download: usually nothing. Setting up an account is also usually free for trading apps but once you get into the realm of long term investing you might need to subscribe before you can use all the services. Even for free stock apps, there’s usually a cost somewhere in the form of additional fees or commissions.

Do I have to verify my identity with a stock app?

Yes, usually there is some form of verification but the methods vary. Expect to have to provide some contact details and a form of photo ID to prove who you are before you can trade.

Do apps charge fees for trading stocks?

Some do, some don’t. Those aimed at retail investors have led the charge towards free trading. Traditional stock brokers have been forced to reduce their fees to compete but often do still charge. 

Exactly how they charge varies widely, It could be a fixed rate, a percentage of the trade value, or some let you perform a certain amount of trades a month for free. It’s very important to check this before you start.

What are the fees for stock trading apps?

Each app will have its own fees and it will depend on your broker’s terms and conditions. Most modern apps are free to download and offer zero-fee trading. More established brokers tend to charge a flat fee per trade, or a monthly subscription. The cost of using that type of broker to trade can range from £5 to £12.

You need to decide what you want the app to do before you choose one. There are services aimed at day traders, others for long term investors, and still more that use artificial intelligence to invest your money for you. Here are some of the top stock apps, whatever your goals are.

Can I use multiple apps at the same time?

Yes. You can have as many as you like. Some traders prefer to have a few different apps for different asset classes. However, it’s usually easiest to use just one app so that all of your investments are in one place.

Is a mobile stock trading app better than a desktop version?

That will depend on your own requirements. Desktop versions sometimes have more features and are generally easier to use. However mobile apps give a lot of flexibility and you can check on your trades even on the go. 

Are stock apps regulated?

Yes, in a manner of speaking. The stockbrokers themselves are strictly regulated by financial authorities across the world and have to put in place lots of consumer protections. So if you choose a respected, established company then you can be confident their app is regulated too.

Should I use a stock trading app?

If you plan on trading the stock market then using an app to do so is a good idea. Most traders use a combination of both desktop and mobile applications and both have their benefits. A desktop app may offer a few more features that are not available on a mobile app, however, mobile apps offer a great deal of flexibility. 

The best stock trading apps incorporate most of the functionality of their desktop versions and make buying and selling stocks from your device an easy process. These apps offer the freedom to check on your trades even when you’re not at your computer and make it easy to spot new opportunities very quickly. 

What are the risks of using a stock trading app?

There is a high risk of losing money from trading, particularly if you’re new or inexperienced. That risk applies whether you trade via an app or on your desktop. The convenience and ease of using an app to trade can add more risk, because you can open and close a trade from anywhere.

It’s important to stay disciplined when you trade. Create a list of rules in advance to set out the conditions that must be met before you open a trade and the maximum you’re prepared to lose on any one trade. Similarly, set hard and fast rules for when to take profit.

In short, you should make stock trading decisions based on strict guidelines set when you have a clear head. Trading becomes significantly more risky when you make emotional decisions in the heat of the moment. Below is a short summary of the risks, as well as the benefits, of using an app to trade stocks.

If you’re still undecided on if you want to use a stock trading app then you can use the pros and cons below to help you make up your mind.

The best stock trading apps: How did we choose them?

Helping people make better financial decisions is at the heart of our mission at Invezz. 

We periodically test more than 63 stock trading platforms to provide our users with clear, accessible guidance on the investing options available. All testing is carried out by our panel of stock market experts, analysts, and active traders who sign up to each broker, conduct research, and score each service.

Our tests are designed to find stock brokerages that offer a beginner-friendly, secure investing experience at a fair price. To supplement our practical testing and experience, we research each trading platform to gather any further relevant information. We read online customer reviews, app reviews on the Play Store and App Store, and conduct user surveys to get feedback from real people about what works, and what doesn’t.

Each stock broker is awarded a final score based on 130+ data points across 8 ranking categories: cost, reliability, user experience, deposit & withdrawals, investing options, range of products/markets, research & analysis tools, and the availability of educational & learning resources.

We work closely with individual brands to ensure all factual information displayed here is accurate. All data is then fact-checked by an independent reviewer. You can learn more about our expert panel and how we test, rate, and review platforms in our review process.

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