Top 12 Stock Trading Apps

Best for: Learning from others

eToro is one of the most popular online stock brokers in the UK. Over the past 15 years, it has developed a strong reputation for beginners and experienced investors alike.

The eToro app aims to be accessible to all with its easy to navigate interface. It is available on Google Play and the App Store and allows you to move seamlessly between devices.

It's innovative features include:

• Virtual portfolio – You will receive a $100,000 demo account to begin with to help you practice and get used to the system
• Research and analytics including ProCharts
• Pre-programmed one-click trading
• CopyTrader – Copy the trades of others in real-time
• Its own social networking platform
• Preprovided investment strategies which they call CopyPortfolios

The app boasts the ability to allow you to place online trades even if the trading platform is down.

Best for: No commission

AvaTrade is a forex and stock CFD trading platform that is easy to download and use.

You can trade the major corporations listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange without commission.

The web platform offers limited customisation but has good search functionality. The desktop version is poorly designed but offers decent customisation. The mobile app is in English only.

AvaTrade comes with excellent educational tools such as a demo account and trading tips.

Overall, the platform is easy to use, and opening an account is straightforward. However, the product range is limited.

Regarding safety, AvaTrade is regulated by some European banks. However, it is not listed on the stock exchange, nor is its financial information available to the public.

Best for: CFDs

This app is designed for those wanting to trade outside of the US. It is considered one of the best for CFDs on shares and has a minimum $100 deposit.

There are low trading fees but considerable fees for inactive users.

The educational section is average, as are the research tools. However, the app is easy to use overall.

This app is recommended for those familiar with CFDs and who are actively trading. Reviews of the app show that users like the:

• Account-opening process
• Deposit and withdrawal features
• Customer service
• Actual trading platform

Availability subject to regulations

76.4% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Best for: Competitive spreads

A well-established and highly regarded UK forex broker, acquired by parent company GAIN Capital in 2014.

It currently offers 84 currency pairs across major, minor and exotics, with spreads on many majors standing around 0.8 when trading through its proprietary platform. You’ll need to deposit a minimum of £100 to start trading.

City Index provides several platforms, with its Web Trader and Advantage Apps aimed at beginner or casual traders, and MT4 and its own AT Pro platform for more experienced users.

Minimum Deposit: $100
Regulations: CySEC, FMA, FSCA, ASIC, MIFID-ESMA

With a wide range of assets available and several tools to inform profitable trades, Markets.com is another good choice for stockbrokers offering PayPal deposits and withdrawals.

Round the clock customer support is available during weekdays, with the broker’s live chat functionality being highly regarded by account holders.

Users can opt to trade through several platforms including the proprietary Marketsx and Marketsi, as well as MT4, MT5 and Marketsx for mobile.

Be sure to try out the free demos available before choosing your platform as each offers benefits for different trading styles.

There are a few downsides with Markets.com, most notably a lack of weekend support and no automated trading functionality.

However, it does rate fairly in terms of fees and trading costs, with zero commission available for three months if trading through the Marketsi platform.

Best for: Overall use and functions

E*Trade Financial Corporation is a favorite among traders as it offers investing, research, banking, trading and more. Its educational platform makes it ideal for beginners, and the user-friendly interface makes it easy and enjoyable to use.

The E*Trade Mobile and Power E*Trade apps continuously sit at the top of review lists and are often considered ‘best all-round’. Both apps are designed for Apple and Android devices, and E*Trade Mobile is also compatible with Apple Watch.

Features include:

• Protection from fraud with a unique protection program
• Newsfeed with breaking news and notifications
• Customer care
• Unlimited refunds

There is no commission for online stock and ETF, but there is a $25 fee for broker-assisted trades.

The downside of this app is that it is missing forex (foreign exchange) and international trading.

Best for: Long-term goals

With over 70 years of trading experience, the Fidelity trading app offers:

• Full-service brokerage
• In-depth market research
• Customizable feeds
• Tailor-made content and news
• Other functions such as savings accounts and paying bills
• Excellent customer service
• Commission-free trading

This app's clean, user-friendly design promises to be bug-free and has received high praise for its trade execution.

It comes recommended by CNBC for its convenience and meets the needs of almost any investor. There are 16 different currencies to choose from. The app also allows you to invest in non-US stocks and bonds.

What makes this app unique, though, is its goal-setting partner app, Fidelity Spire. Combined, the apps allow you to make both long-term and short-term investments to achieve your financial goals.

If you are looking to make investments and plan for retirement, it would be worth considering these trading apps.

Best for: Professionals

Provided by one of the largest stockbrokers, the Interactive Brokers app is designed for active and advanced traders and boasts many global stocks.

Strictly speaking, there are no commission fees. However, to keep all users active, there are high charges for inactive accounts.

The interface is not so easy to use, but it is supported across all iOS and Android devices and comes with an exceptional chat tool, IBot.

This AI-based chatbot can be set to execute and close orders, set price alerts, and find niche assets.

Best for: Android users

This app comes with:

• Real-time data for over 70 global exchanges
• Personalized portfolios
• Multiple investment tools
• In-depth analysis

Investing.com is used by millions of users per day. It tracks live events happening worldwide so you can keep up with your favorite markets.

It is free to use and has a widget feature that allows you to add a watchlist to your home screen. The features of the app benefit Android users more than iOS users.

Best for: Advanced traders

MetaTrader was initially designed for forex trading only, but with the new MetaTrader 5, CFD (contract for differences) trading and stocks are now included.

The app also comes with real-time trading and various advanced technical analysis, which may be difficult for beginners. For advanced traders, the comprehensive suite of tools is among the best in the app market.

This app also allows for eight different types of pending orders.

The algorithmic and copy trading features are a favorite among users.

Find out if you can get rich by trading forex

Best for: Millennials

This app is a favorite among millennials wanting to practice trading with small budgets. It is free to use with no commission fees.

Features include:

• Real-time market data
• Various investment options
• Zero balance requirement to open an account
• Instant access to deposited cash

While it does make trading accessible, the app lacks research and educational resources.

It is a straightforward app with limited portfolio analysis and customer service, but it does meet a trader's basic needs.

Best for: Beginners

Schwab Mobile is a free-to-use app that offers real-time trading and easily manageable broking.

What makes this app great for beginners is its media center, which features various educational podcasts and videos.

It is ideal for those wanting a wide range of account types as there are no recurring fees and no minimum accounts.

The app also features:

• No inactivity fees
• Free stock/ETF (exchange-traded fund) trading
• No minimum deposit to open an account
• A variety of account types including retirement, charitable and educational
• Customizable features and feeds
• Intelligent portfolio robo-advisor

Schwab is also set to take over the TD Ameritrade and thinkorswim trading apps.

Best for: Finding funding

The unique selling point of the Stash trading app is that it helps find extra cash for you to invest with its Auto-Stash and Smart-Stash features. For example, if you buy a coffee for $3.45, the app will round up that amount and remove an extra $0.55 from your account to be used in an investment.

The app also comes with a wealth of educational material and $50 to invest when you sign up.

The negatives of this app are:

• It is optimized for iOS (only a negative if you are an Android user).
• Monthly pricing costs can quickly add up.
• The AI adviser is for advice only; it will not execute any orders.
• It is not free to use. There are several subscription plans starting from $1.

Best for: Free app

There are two TD Ameritrade apps: Mobile and Mobile Trader.

Mobile is for everyday traders and users, while Mobile Trader is for more advanced, active users.

Features include:

• Real-time dashboards
• News and updates
• Educational content
• Customer support
• Functions to control finances
• Well-designed dashboard
• Different apps and features for different trading styles

Though the apps are free to use, broker-assisted trades can be pricey.

The app is considered safe and reliable. However, in August 2020, TD Ameritrade reported a considerable number of unexplained outages.