Stock trading apps make trading accessible to those who may have found entry to the industry difficult. For those who have a grasp of trading, these apps allow you to take your hobby further and create a new stream of income.
Top 14 Free Stock Trading Apps
Let’s take a look at our top picks for 14 of the best online trading apps. It is designed to offer a full replication of an institutional trading environment including depth of market. With advanced risk management and order functionality, this is a detailed platform for trading stocks. The cTrader app offers a premium range of order types, with advanced technical analysis tools. You can set up push and email notifications for the important things that you want to know in relation to your stock trading needs – such as price alerts and trade statistics. Within the app, you can:
Complete a range of order types Work with all your accounts in one app Understand detailed trade analysis Review detailed order tickets – base currency dollar value and pip distance
As a platform, cTrader was created by Spotware to balance simple and complex functionality for both new and advanced traders. There are comprehensive educational videos and explanations of symbols, as well as coding in C# and open API, so you can find optimised processing for expert advisors and indicators. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 78.8% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. 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. Its innovative features include:
Virtual portfolio – You will receive a $100,000 demo investment 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. 80.2% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. It is considered one of the best for CFDs on shares and has a minimum $100 deposit. There are low-cost trading fees but considerable fees for inactive users. Account fees you might see are:
Overnight funding – When holding a position after a certain time. Currency conversion fee – For all trades on instruments in a different currency to your home currency. Inactivity fee – Up to USD 10 per month if you do not log in to your account for a period of 12 weeks. Guaranteed stop order fees
The educational tools offered are 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
It offers a 20% welcome bonus up to $10,000, according to regulation and a free 21-day demo account with $100,000. Instruments include:
Metals Commodities Stocks FX Options Oil ETFs Options trading Cryptocurrency trading CFDs Indexes Shares Spread betting Indices Forex Bonds
AVATrade EU Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. (No.C53877) Ava Trade Markets Ltd. is regulated by the B.V.I Financial Services Commission. It is also highly regulated in Australia, South Africa, Japan, Middle East, Cyprus and Israel You can not trade with AvaTrade in the US, North Korea, New Zealand, Iran or Belgium. Mínimum deposit of $100, no withdraw limit and no fees.
XTB was founded in 2002 and has an excellent reputation for customer service. It has 48 currency pairs available to trade through two brokerage account types:
Standard – Offering market average spreads Pro – Offering much tighter spreads but with added commission
XTB supports the full MT4 suite, and its proprietary platform, xStation 5, offers a user-friendly, intuitive solution that works well on desktop, web and mobile. You’ll need a minimum deposit of £250 to start trading and you’ll find that several educational resources are available, including XTB’s trading academy. XTB’s mobile trading app, xStation, works on all mobile devices (Android, Windows and iOs devices). You can manage your entire account on this app with all features available. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% 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. This community-driven platform is focused on a great mobile trading experience, with sleek interfaces on the web, desktop and a mobile application that gives a consistent user experience. As a broker, Webull has no minimum deposit and does not charge fees for withdrawals or deposits unless made by wire transfer. There are no commissions on stocks, options or ETFs, and no contract fees on options. Webull makes its money through interest rates on margin accounts, and these range from 3.99% up to 6.99% depending on trading volume. The web and desktop platforms are similar in layout and are quite simple to customise so users can create an interface that works for them. There are charting tools available, and a unique ‘Market Replay’ feature that can show the market activity over a certain time frame. Research comes from news headlines, consolidated analyst ratings, a screener and a community-led private Twitter feed, where clients can comment and react to news and price movements, as well as predict future movements. The mobile platform works in much the same way, with fully optimised trading apps for both iOS and Android which makes for an almost seamless user experience across all devices. For new traders, there is not much in the way of education other than some basic articles, but there is a virtual portfolio that can be used to practice new trading techniques. As an options broker, Webull offers access to several option markets, but it is not specified which ones. There is no commission charged on buying options, but there are margin rates to consider.
There are three trading accounts available, depending on whether you want to pay a commission and get tighter spreads or have the trading costs built into the spread. This means that True ECN accounts have a commission cost of $6 per lot, but spreads that start at 0 pips on Forex, while STP and Prime accounts have the fees built into the spread. With Moneta Markets, traders can choose to use MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as the proprietary WebTrader and AppTrader platforms (available for web and mobile use respectively). MT4/5 are well known great platforms for traders with outstanding research, tools and algorithmic trading available. The proprietary platform has a simple user interface. While that is great for beginners, there is not as much depth in the platform for those who are more advanced. Trading tools are not integrated, and both the mobile and web app could do with some updating to be as reliable and usable as other proprietary platforms offered by similar brokers. There is a demo account available, which allows traders to practice their strategies and work out how best to use all the functions of the platform. The research on the platform is almost entirely third-party – other than the Moneta TV YouTube channel which has daily market briefings. However, if you are using the MetaTrader suite there is a lot of research and analytics available through Trader Central, so the lack of in-house research on the Moneta Markets platform might not be too much of a problem. There is an extensive Masters Course, which is a series of more than 100 videos that are suitable for new investors through to advanced traders, covering many topics and in different categories and they can be viewed and used completely independently. The customer service on Moneta Markets is available 24/5, through email, phone and live chat.
As a broker, Vantage Markets is well-regarded and considered safe thanks to regulation by ASIC and the FCA. Vantage Markets offers access to the markets through the popular MT4 and MT5 platforms, and a feature-stuffed mobile app. There are three account types:
Standard STP. Perfect for novices, this is a no-commission account that works across all trading instruments, with a minimum spread of 1.4 pips. The minimum deposit is $200. Raw ECN. Designed for more experienced traders, this account charges commission at $3 per lot per side but the spreads start at 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit is $500. Pro ECN. This is for professional, high volume traders, and offers commission at $2 per lot per side, with spreads from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit is $20,000.
Vantage Markets is seen as a good, reliable broker that offers social and copy trading – without being prohibitively expensive in terms of non-trading costs or commission. The Vantage Markets app is simple yet powerful – and is a native application for both iOS and Android. Designed to be straightforward to use, there are customisation options available including charts, orders, and price and movement notifications. Within the app, there is a suite of trading and investing tools including order management, a custom watchlist, several trading signals, as well as financial news and a calendar. The Vantage Markets app is an all-in-one trading tool – you don’t even need a computer at all as you can even open a trading account from within the app itself. Trading Forex and CFDs involves significant risk of losing of your invested capital and is not suitable for all investors. 64.86% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should not invest more than you can afford to lose and should ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. Before trading, please take into consideration your level of experience, investment objectives and seek independent financial advice if necessary. 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.
Now, it is one of the largest retail stockbrokers in Europe and it has its own banking licence – which is not all that common in brokers. Degiro is regulated by both BaFin and the FCA. Opening an account with Degiro is a simple, fast process that can be completed online – you just need ID and a bank account. There is no minimum deposit for any account type with Degiro. There are five different account types that you can choose from, including Custody, Active and Day Trader. Each account has different features, functions and brokerage services, so you need to choose the one that best suits your trading style. There are no account or inactivity fees, but you can only deposit using your bank account – not with credit or debit cards. You may only open an account in your home currency, so you cannot have a separate account in a different currency. Trading on Degiro is simple and straightforward, whether you are using the web trader or the mobile app. Both are well-designed and easy to use, so they are suitable for the new trader, but they lack customisation and some tools that an advanced trader would want to see. One of the best features, especially for a new trader, is that you can see the total cost of your trade, including fees, before you execute it. You can trade several instruments using Degiro, including:
31 Stock Markets 5,400 ETFs (exchange-traded funds) 63 Bond providers 649 Bonds 12 options markets 14 futures markets
You cannot trade forex, crypto, or CFDs with Degiro. New traders won’t find reams of education, and the lack of demo account can be a problem. However, the ‘knowledge’ tab does have a good selection of educational material, from a 10-lesson Investors Academy to platform tutorials and articles about basic strategies and products.
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. Its UK launch was delayed in 2020 and there are no plans for a UK app currently.
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.
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.
Charles Schwab is a well-established financial services firm that was founded back in 1971 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The proprietary trading platform offered is clean and well-designed, which makes it user friendly – and it is available as a web trader, a desktop download, and a native mobile app. Although the views lack customisation, there are many order types that you can use. Aside from stocks, customers can also trade:
Funds ETFs Bonds Options Futures Cryptocurrency
The customer service is excellent at Charles Schwab, available 24/7 through email, phone and live chat, and similarly the research tools are also helpful and relevant. You get access to trading ideas which are ratings by the experts at Charles Schwab, fundamental data, great charting with 56 technical indicators, screeners, and a news feed. There is a demo account, and other educational tools like videos and articles, but it isn’t particularly well-structured for the beginner trader to use, which makes it more suitable to an experienced customer.
Some of the apps are extensions of banks and brokers, while others are from independent developers. When deciding on which app is best for you, take the following steps: Some apps also have fees for inactive users, so you have to be sure of the time you can commit. When choosing, consider your knowledge level, customer service provision, how much time you can dedicate to trading, your financial goals and what type of trading you will be doing. For UK traders, eToro is a popular choice of stock market app for both beginners and experienced traders. To reduce the risk of cyber security vulnerabilities or downloading a fraudulent app, choose one from Google Play or the App Store. Run an online search on your preferred option to check if there have been any past issues or data breaches. It is best to choose an app with encrypted firewalls and two-factor authentication to protect your transactions and funds from fraud. Ensure you have antivirus and malware protection on all of the devices you will use for trading, and never share your login information with others. Before deciding on the right one for you, take some time to explore them. Most have no download or registration fees. Take advantage of that and have a play with them to see how you feel about the usability. No rule says you have to have only one app. Work with a few and see which one delivers better results. What should sway your decision is where you fall regarding experience. If you are brand new to trading, then look for one with lots of educational resources and that is user-friendly, such as Schwab Mobile or E*Trade. If you consider yourself an advanced and active trader, choose an app with analytical tools to match, such as Interactive Brokers or MetaTrader 5. Don’t choose an app just because others use it, or because someone who has been trading for ten years uses it. Choose one that suits you and your current needs. If you opt for one that doesn’t visually appeal to you or is too complex, you won’t use it as much. If you want to learn about trading, read which day trading courses are best for you. WikiJob does not provide tax, investment or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.
