Top 6 Stock Brokers in the USA (July 2025 Edition)

In the rapidly evolving world of online trading, a plethora of brokerage platforms cater to investors with varying needs and expertise levels. This article offers a comprehensive comparison of six popular platforms: Interactive Brokers, Firstrade, Moomoo, M1 Finance, Public.com, and TD Ameritrade.

Interactive Brokers, based in the United States, adheres to the strict regulations of the NYSE, FINRA, and SIPC, ensuring a high degree of investor protection and credibility. The platform offers both commission-free and commission-based plans, with the IBKR Lite plan being commission-free for stocks, while the IBKR Pro plan charges very low commissions but offers lower margin rates and bulk discounts on options trades. Interactive Brokers offers access to various global financial markets, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies, making it an attractive choice for advanced traders and institutional clients.

Firstrade, another U.S.-based platform, offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. Suitable for both beginners and active traders looking for low-cost trading options, Firstrade provides a highly-intuitive and proprietary trading platform and a top-rate educational section packed with articles, videos, and tutorials to help traders grow their knowledge.

Moomoo, a FINRA regulated trading platform, offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. It stands out with features such as real-time Level 2 Market Data for free, paper trading, earnings calendar, and stock screening tools, making it appealing to active traders and beginners due to its user-friendly interface and advanced tools.

M1 Finance, a unique stock broker that combines low-cost online trading with a robo-advisor trading experience, offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. Known for its dynamic rebalancing and customizable investment portfolios, M1 Finance is suitable for long-term investors and those interested in automated portfolio management.

Public.com, a fast-growing app-based stock broker with FINRA regulation, offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. It even provides a per-contract rebate for options trades. Public.com allows users to buy fractional shares and invest in cryptocurrencies, making it an attractive choice for beginners and younger investors interested in social trading and fractional share investing.

TD Ameritrade, a well-established platform, offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. Known for its strong research tools and educational content, it also offers a powerful trading platform, thinkorswim. TD Ameritrade's Thinkorswim trading platform is known for its ease of use, power, and detailed charting tools, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced traders due to its comprehensive educational resources and robust trading tools.

In summary, each platform offers unique features tailored to different types of investors, from beginners to advanced traders. Interactive Brokers, with its extensive investment options and robust trading platform, caters to advanced traders and institutional clients. Firstrade, with its commission-free trading across multiple asset classes, is an attractive choice for both beginners and active traders seeking low-cost trading options. Moomoo, with its user-friendly interface and advanced tools, appeals to active traders and beginners. M1 Finance, with its focus on long-term investing and automated portfolio management, is suitable for long-term investors. Public.com, with its social trading features and fractional share trading, caters to beginners and younger investors. Lastly, TD Ameritrade, with its strong research tools, educational content, and robust trading platform, appeals to both beginners and advanced traders.

| Platform | Fees for Stocks & Options | Investment Options | Target Audience | |-------------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------| | **Interactive Brokers**| Commission-free (Lite), low-cost (Pro) | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, cryptocurrencies | Advanced traders | | **Firstrade** | Commission-free | Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds | Beginners and active traders| | **Moomoo** | Commission-free | Stocks, ETFs, options | Active traders and beginners| | **M1 Finance** | Commission-free | Stocks, ETFs, options | Long-term investors | | **Public.com** | Commission-free, rebate on options | Stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies | Beginners and younger investors| | **TD Ameritrade** | Commission-free | Stocks, ETFs, options | Beginners and advanced traders|

Investors seeking the assurance of sturdy regulations in their investment platform may opt for Interactive Brokers, which adheres to strict US regulations like NYSE, FINRA, and SIPC. For those interested in advanced technology features such as real-time Level 2 Market Data, Moomoo's platform may be an appealing choice.