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The Best iPhone and iPad Apps for Stock Trading
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If you use an iPhone or iPad, stock market apps give you access to live stock market data and trading, with a mobile version of the online trading platform you can use from the brokerage website. No matter if you’re a serious trader or casual investor, stock market apps offer access to critical stock market and investing resources optimized for phone and tablet screens.
When choosing the best stock market apps for your needs, consider some key details, including trading costs and fees, available investments, account minimums, and mobile app features.
Here’s a look at the best stock market apps for iPhones and iPads for 2023 to help you find what’s best for your investment needs.
Best Stock Market Apps for iPhones and iPads for 2023
- Best Overall: TD Ameritrade
- Best for Beginners and Low-Cost Trades: Fidelity Investments
- Best for Options Traders: Tastyworks
- Best for Robo-Advising: Wealthfront
Best Stock Market Apps for iPhones and iPads for 2023 View All Best Stock Market Apps for iPhones and iPads for 2023
- Our Top Picks
- TD Ameritrade
- Fidelity Investments
- Tastyworks
- Wealthfront
- See More (1)
- Final Verdict
- Compare Apps
- FAQs
- Methodology
Best Overall : TD Ameritrade
- Minimum deposit: $0
- Fees: No stock trading commissions or recurring account fees
- Account types: Taxable, retirement, education, specialty (business)
Open Account Why We Chose It
TD Ameritrade is our choice for the best overall stock market app for iPhones and iPads due to its support for a wide range of trading and investments needs at a relatively low cost. Customers can choose from multiple investment apps to meet their investment style and needs with access to active stock, options, ETFs, futures, forex trading, and other investments.
Beginner and passive investors may prefer the main TD Ameritrade mobile app, which gives access to all account features in a convenient mobile format. Active and professional traders may prefer the active trading app thinkorswim, which gives you professional active trading tools and integrated in-app support for your trading strategy.
TD Ameritrade accounts don’t require any minimum deposit or recurring fee outside of certain managed or investment advising products. There are no commissions or fees for regular account use for self-directed traders outside of a $0.65 per contract fee for options trades.
Pros & Cons Pros
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Choice between the regular TD Ameritrade app or thinkorswim active trading app
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No recurring account fees
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No commissions for standard stock and ETF trades
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Support for a wide range of investment products
Cons
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Accounts are being merged into Charles Schwab, a process which should be complete by late 2023
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Thinkorswim can be overwhelming for newer investors
Best for Beginners and Low-Cost Trades : Fidelity Investments
- Minimum deposit: $0
- Fees: No stock trading commissions or recurring account fees
- Account types: Taxable, retirement, education, trust, business
Open Account
Get $100 when you open a new, eligible Fidelity account with $50 or more. Use code FIDELITY100. Limited time offer. Terms apply. Offer Disclosure.
Why We Chose It
Fidelity is our pick as the best stock market app for beginners and low-cost trades due to its easy-to-use platforms and low costs. Fidelity’s mobile apps are user-friendly for newer investors, and the educational tools and resources provided by Fidelity are extensive.
The Fidelity mobile app makes the account management and investing experience simple to follow for beginner investors. You can also consider the Fidelity Spire app. This separate mobile app makes saving and investing easier with automation tools and other resources to help you build your account over time.
Fidelity charges no recurring account fees for self-directed accounts and no commissions on most common trades. Fidelity also offers four index mutual funds with no trade fees or expense ratios. The only fee for common investing activities most users will encounter is $0.65 per option contract. That means many users can trade without paying any Fidelity fees.
Pros & Cons Pros
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Choose the main Fidelity investment app or simpler Fidelity Spire app
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No recurring account fees or commissions for common needs
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Four mutual funds with no expense ratio
Cons
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Fewer tools for advanced and professional traders
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No futures trading
Best for Options Traders : Tastyworks
- Minimum deposit: $0
- Fees: No stock trading commissions or recurring account fees; varying commissions for options trades
- Account types: Taxable, retirement, trust, corporate
Open Account Why We Chose It
Tastyworks is a unique brokerage focused on options traders. With that focus, it has done an excellent job catering to the needs of active options traders, earning a top spot with the best stock market app for iPhones and iPads. While it’s best for options, tastyworks also supports stocks, ETFs, and futures. Tastyworks customers have access to cryptocurrency trading as well.
The tastyworks iOS app gives you all of the main features you get from tastyworks on the computer, with quick access to watchlists, trades, portfolio monitoring, activity trading, and following the trading strategies of other users. The social trading features are unique among many other investment companies.
For pricing, tastyworks doesn’t charge any recurring account fees or commissions on stock or ETF trades. Options contracts cost between $1.00 and $2.50 to open, depending on the asset, with no closing fee. For stock and ETF options, you will pay an average of $0.50 per contract, less than the $0.65 charged by larger competitors. For active stock, ETF, and options traders, tastyworks could be their best choice.
Pros & Cons Pros
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Platform focused on options and active traders
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Average $0.50 per contract fee for stock and ETF options trades
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Cryptocurrency investing and trading support
Cons
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Fewer supported investment products than some competitors
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Higher fees for options on futures
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1% fee for cryptocurrency trades
Best for Robo-Advising : Wealthfront
- Minimum deposit: $500
- Fees: 0.25% annually
- Account types: Taxable, retirement, education
Open Account
Fund your first taxable Investment Account and get a $50 bonus.
Why We Chose It
Wealthfront is our top choice as the best stock market app for iPhones and the best stock market app for iPads for robo-advising, or automated investment management, due to its combination of flexible robo-advisor offerings and competitive pricing for a fully managed investment account.
When you sign up at Wealthfront, you can choose between a suggested portfolio created by professional investors for those with similar investment goals, or customize and tweak your portfolio to your preferences. Wealthfront works to automatically keep your investment account holdings in line with your target.
The only cost with Wealthfront you’re likely to encounter is the 0.25% annual account fee, which is lower than many other robo-advisor offerings.
Wealthfront fees may be an expense worth considering when deciding between managed investing or doing it yourself. For many investors, 0.25% is a reasonable price to pay to manage their entire investment portfolio. But keep in mind that Wealthfront also requires a $500 account minimum.
Pros & Cons Pros
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Fully managed portfolios by professional investors
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Option to customize holdings to your preferences
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Tax-loss harvesting adds an average 1.8% return to taxable accounts
Cons
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0.25% fee required for all accounts
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$500 account minimum
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Few investment choices
Final Verdict
A stock market investment app is your gateway to your money and investments while on the go, on the couch, or sitting in your bed watching a show at the end of a long day. Choosing an investment account with the right combination of features and fees for your needs will likely help you find the best stock market app for your iPhone or iPad.
Compare the Best Stock Trading Apps for iPhones and iPads
| Company | Account Minimum | Fees | Investments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD Ameritrade | $0 | No stock trading commissions or recurring account fees | Stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, futures, forex, cash management, bonds, CDs |
| Fidelity | $0 | No stock trading commissions or recurring account fees | Stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, bonds, CDs, precious metals |
| Tastyworks | $0 | No stock trading commissions or recurring account fees; varying commissions for options trades | Options, stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, futures |
| Wealthfront | $500 | 0.25% annually | Managed portfolios, ETFs |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Stock Trading App Work?
Stock trading apps give you access to manage your investment accounts through your mobile device—in this case, an iPhone or iPad. Once logged in, you can generally take actions such as adding or withdrawing funds, entering trades, and researching potential investments.
In many cases, mobile stock trading apps include the exact features you get from the full online website experience. However, the smaller screen and lack of a mouse and keyboard may lead to a shorter feature list in other cases. If you’re looking for a specific investment or feature, it’s wise to verify that it’s available before opening an account.
How Much Money Do You Need To Use a Stock Trading App?
Most stock trading apps allow you to register and create an account with no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance requirement. The exception is managed investment accounts and those where you work with an advisor, which typically require a specific starting balance. Fractional share offerings often start at around $1 to $5 per investment.
How Should You Choose the Best Stock Trading App for Your iPhone or iPad?
Look beyond the mobile app features if you’re looking for the best iPhone stock trading app. Consider the fees, investment availability, and other account offerings. Even if a brokerage has the flashiest iOS app, it may not be the most suitable choice for your investment needs.
Are Stock Trading Apps Safe To Use?
Investment companies employ top-level security practices to keep customer accounts and assets safe. As long as you use a unique, complex password for your investment account and understand the risks associated with your investments, stock trading apps are safe.
Methodology
We are dedicated to providing readers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews and ratings of online brokers. Our reviews are the result of months of evaluating all aspects of an online broker’s platform, including the user experience, the quality of trade executions, the products available on its platforms, costs and fees, security, the mobile experience, and customer service. A rating scale was established based on the criteria, collecting thousands of data points that were weighed into a scoring system.We also took into account reviews on the Apple App Store.
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Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.
There is an Options Regulatory Fee that applies to both option buy and sell transactions. The fee is subject to change. See Fidelity.com/commissions for details.
Dotdash Meredith receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Advisers LLC (“Wealthfront Advisers”) for each new client that applies for a Wealthfront Automated Investing Account through our links. This creates an incentive that results in a material conflict of interest. Dotdash Meredith is not a Wealthfront Advisers client, and this is a paid endorsement. More information is available via our links to Wealthfront Advisers.
Article Sources
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TD Ameritrade. "Our Award-Winning Online Investing Experience, Now Commission-Free."
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Fidelity. "Straightforward Pricing."
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Wealthfront. "Fees for Investment Accounts."
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Wealthfront. "Account Minimums to Invest with Wealthfront."