Best Trading App 2023 – Top Apps for Beginners Revealed

The best online brokers now offer a dedicated mobile trading app. Typically compatible with both iOS and Android devices, the best trading apps allow you to buy and sell financial instruments at the click of a button. With that said, you need to do a lot of homework before choosing a trading app that meets your needs.

To help point you in the right direction, this guide reviews the best trading apps to consider in 2023.

Top Trading Apps 2023

Looking to download the best trading app right now? If so, below you will find which top-rated trading platform apps we think you should consider. You can find out more about each provider by scrolling down!

1. eToro – Overall Best Free Trading App in 2023
2. Libertex – CFD Trading App with Tight Spreads
3. Robinhood – Best Free Trading App for Buying US Stocks
4. Webull – Best Free Trading App for Small Stock and ETF Investments
5. TD Ameritrade – Best Trading App for Asset Diversity
6. Interactive Brokers – Best Trading App for Long-Term Investors
7. Plus500 – One of the Biggest CFD Brokers in the UK
8. IG – Best Trading App for Technical Analysis
9. Fidelity – Best Trading App for Creating Long-Term Portfolios

Best Online Trading Apps Reviewed

There now are hundreds of trading apps active in the mobile investment scene. This is great, as you are sure to find a provider that allows you to meet your financial goals.

You do, however, need to focus on a set of metrics in finding the best trading app – such as those surrounding tradable markets, commissions, useability, and regulation.

We have done the hard work for you by reviewing the best trading apps currently active in the market!

1. eToro – Overall Best Free Trading App 2023

Put it simply, the eToro trading app is by far the best option in the mobile investment scene. This top-rated platform – which now boasts a customer base of over 17 million investors, allows you to trade in a 100% commission-free trading environment.

You won’t need to pay anything to open a brokerage account, nor you will be charged any ongoing platform fees. Once you go through the 10-minute registration process, you will then have access to thousands of tradable markets.

This includes more than 2,400 shares from 17 international markets, 250+ ETFs, 16 cryptocurrencies, and heaps of CFD instruments. The latter includes everything from gold, silver, and oil to natural gas, wheat, and copper. You can also trade forex on this top-rated investment app – with more than 55+ pairs supported. eToro is also one of the fastest trading platforms on the market.

When it comes to core features, the eToro trading app allows you to invest socially passively. For example, the Copy Trading tool allows you to select from thousands of verified investors and then copy all of their ongoing positions. The trading app also allows you to invest in diversified portfolios that are managed by the team at eToro.

We also like this social trading platform app provider as it offers a fully-fledged demo account that comes pre-loaded with $100,000 in paper funds. Unlike a lot of trading apps that you’ll find on Google Play or Apple Stores, eToro is heavily regulated. This includes a license from the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC.

The app provider is also registered with FINRA in the US. Should you wish to choose eToro as your go-to trading app, you only need to meet a minimum deposit of $200. You can add funds to your account directly from the app – with supported payment methods including debit/credit cards and e-wallets like Paypal.

eToro fees

Your capital is at risk.

2. Libertex – Low Cost CFD Trading App with Tight Spreads

Libertex is different from the likes of eToro and Robinhood, insofar that it specialises exclusively in CFD instruments. This means that you won’t be able to invest in assets in the traditional sense. Rather, you’ll be speculating on the future price of the asset without needing to take ownership.

This does, however, come with several benefits when using the Libertex trading app. For example, Libertex allows you to buy and sell financial instruments without paying any spreads. Commissions on each trader are super low, with major assets costing less than 0.1% per slide.

Libertex also offers leverage of up to 1:600 for professional clients, and less if you’re a retail trader. In terms of what you can trade, this top-rated trading app supports everything from forex, cryptocurrencies, and commodities to stocks and indices.

If you’re looking to place more sophisticated trades, Libertex is also compatible with MT4. All you need to do is download the MT4 trading platform app and then log in with your Libertex credentials. Getting started at Libertex is really easy, as accounts take just minutes to open.

You can then use the Libertex demo facility or deposit a minimum of $100 if you wish to trade with real money. Supported payment types include debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets. In terms of safety, Libertex has a great reputation. It first launched its proportion online trading platform in 1997 and is authorized and regulated by CySEC.

Libertex fees

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.

4. Robinhood – Best Free Trading App for Buying US Stocks

Robinhood is now one of the largest trading app providers in the US. In fact, not only is the app home to over 10 million traders, but it is rumoured that the company is planning to go public this year.

Perhaps the main attraction of the Robinhood app is that it allows everyday Americans to invest in the stock markets in a burden-free manner and is the best trading platform for penny stocks. In terms of supported markets, this top-rated trading app gives you access to over 5,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs.

You can also invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and trade stock options. Irrespective of which asset interests you, Robinhood is a 100% commission-free broker. The app instead makes its money from the spread, as well as margin trading fees. Americans also like this top-rated trading app as it does not have a minimum account balance policy in place.

This is ideal if you want to invest in a few stocks but you won’t want to trade large volumes. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Robinhood app is really simple to use. It’s straightforward to find the stock, ETF, or cryptocurrency that interests you, as is the process of placing an order.   When it comes to accounts, most day traders opt for the free account which comes with no ongoing fees.

This allows you to deposit up to $1,000 instantly, with the balance taking a few days. If you’re planning to invest larger amounts and want access to advanced pricing data, the Robinhood gold account will cost you $5 per month. This allows you to instantly deposit funds at an amount equal to your portfolio value, as well as trade with margin.

Robinhood fees

Your capital is at risk.

5. Webull – Best Free Trading App for Small Stock and ETF Investments

Webull is another top-rated trading stock trading platform app that is popular with Americans. In a similar nature to Robinhood, the Webull app is really simple to use and it allows you to invest with small amounts. In fact, one of the main attractions of the Webull app is that it supports fractional ownership.

This means that you can invest in companies like Amazon and Tesla with just a few dollars. This popular trading app also allows you to invest in a good range of ETFs and cryptocurrencies. You can also access stock options trading on the Webull app – all of which focus on US-listed stocks.

There are no trading commissions charged by Webull, but there is a small monthly fee. This starts at just $1 per month on the standard account and goes up to $9 per month if you seek additional features and tools. We also like Webull as the app supports margin trading of up to 4x.

This means that a $3,000 account balance would allow you to buy $12,000 worth of stocks. When it comes to payments, the Webull trading app supports ACH and wire transfers. The former is processed free of charge while the latter will cost you $8 and $25 for deposits and withdrawals, respectively.

Webull fees

75% of retail investors lose money trading CFDs at this site.

6. TD Ameritrade – Best Trading App for Asset Diversity

Launched in 1975, TD Ameritrade is arguably one of the most trusted US-based brokerage firms in the online space. The platform – which allows you to trade online or via its top-rated mobile app, is a great option if you want access to an abundance of markets.

In fact, the TD Ameritrade covers both traditional investments and short-term trading instruments. Regarding the former, the trading app allows you to invest in thousands of stocks. This not only covers stocks listed in the US. but dozens of international exchanges, too.

You can also invest in thousands of ETFs and mutual funds – again, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the TD Ameritrade app supports bonds and even dedicated retirement accounts.

If short-term trading is more your thing, TD Ameritrade is also worth considering if you are seeking an app that supports asset diversity. This is because the provider gives you access to dozens of forex trading pairs, futures, agricultural commodities, indices, metals, energies, and interest rates.

Ultimately, if there is a market that interests you, it’s all-but-certain that you’ll find it on the TD Ameritrade app. When it comes to trading fees, this will depend on which financial markets you decide to access. For example, TD Ameritrade allows you to buy US-listed stocks and ETFs on a commission-free basis.

Stock options are also competitive at just $0.065 per contract. Futures can be traded at $2.25 per contract and over-the-counter stocks at $6.95 per slide. There are no ongoing fees and you won’t be charged to access data. Plus, there is no minimum account balance on the app, which is great for active traders risking small volumes.

TD Ameritrade fees

Your capital is at risk.

7. Interactive Brokers – Best Trading App for Long-Term Investors

If you looking for the best trading app for making long-term investments, Interactive Brokers is a good choice. Launched in 1978, the age-old brokerage firm is now traded on the NASDAQ as a PLC.

You can access a variety of long-term investments on the app – which covers stocks and funds from over 33 countries. This is perfect if you’re planning to build a diversified portfolio of international assets.

The Interactive Brokers app is also useful if you want to invest small amounts into the stock markets. This is because you only need to buy 0.0001 of one share. On top of stocks, other popular long-term investments supported by Interactive Brokers include mutual funds, ETFs, and bonds.

There are plenty of account types to choose from, too. This includes individual accounts, retirement accounts, trust accounts, and institutional accounts. When it comes to fees, this top-rated trading app doesn’t charge any commission when you invest in US-listed stocks and ETFs.

Commissions on non-US stocks/ETFs and other asset classes will vary depending on the market and whether you opt for a fixed-rate or tiered-rate account plan. Finally, although Interactive Brokers is one of the best trading apps for long-term investments, you can also access more sophisticated financial products – like options, futures, and forex.

Interactive Brokers fees

Your capital is at risk.

8. Plus500 – One of the Biggest CFD Brokers in the UK

If you’re looking for the best CFD trading platform app you might want to consider Plus500. This top-rated mobile app allows you to trade a wide variety of currencies in a low-cost manner. This includes most major and minor pairs, as well as a number of exotics.

For example, you can trade currencies like the Mexican pesos, South African rand, and even the Thai bath. Each and every forex pair available on the Plus500 app can be traded without paying any commission.

We also found spreads to be of good value – especially during standard market hours. This starts at just 0.01% on major pairs like EUR/USD, which is particularly attractive when you factor in the commission-free offering. We should, however, note that the Plus500 app isn’t suitable just for currency traders.

On the contrary, this top-rated trading app supports thousands of other CFD markets. Whether you’re interested in stocks, indices, hard metals, energies, or indices – Plus500 has you covered. All of these markets are also commission-free on the Plus500 app.

Plus500 is also worth considering if you are looking to trade with leverage. In accordance with the ESMA regulations, the maximum leverage that Plus500 offers is 1:30. The Plus500 app – which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, supports a wide range of payment methods.

This covers debit/credit cards issued by Visa and MasterCard, Paypal, and bank wires. The minimum deposit on this top-rated trading app is just $100. Finally, not only is Plus500 a publicly-traded company, but it is heavily regulated. It holds licenses in various jurisdictions – including the UK, Australia, and Singapore.

Plus500 fees

72% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

 

9. IG – Best Trading App for Technical Analysis 

If you are a pro trader that seeks a top-rated app for performing technical analysis, IG is worth considering. This UK-based broker –  which was first launched in 1974, is now home to a huge global following. You can trade a wide variety of assets on the app – which covers over 17,000 markets.

This includes forex, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, commodities, and more. Perhaps the biggest attraction of choosing IG as your go-to trading app is that it offers an abundance of tools that will suit technical traders.

This includes more than 29 technical indicators and 19 charting drawing tools. You can also compare four different timeframes on a single chart, and you’ll benefit from super-fast execution times. In fact, IG claims that the average execution speed on its platform is just 0.014 seconds.

The IG trading app is also great if you seek access to news and analysis. This includes a news feed that updates throughout the day – so you’ll never miss an important development. The app also allows you to set up alerts – which you can set up to cover price levels and changes, important economic events, and technical indicator findings.

When it comes to commissions, all CFD asset classes can be traded fee-free – apart from stocks. The specific fee that you’ll pay when trading stocks will depend on the location of the equity. For example, UK and European stocks typically come with a commission of 0.10% per slide, while US-listed stocks cost $0.02 per share.

If you want to start trading on the IG app, you will first need to open an account and meet a minimum deposit of $250. You can fund your account with a debit card or bank transfer. Finally, we should note that US-based traders will be limited to forex on the IG app. With that said, if currency trading is what interests you – you’ll have access to over 80 pairs.

IG fees

Your capital is at risk.

10. Fidelity – Best Trading App for Creating Long-Term Portfolios 

Fidelity is another established US-based broker that offers a popular trading app. Available on both iOS and Android, the app is particularly appealing to those that are looking to build decade-long investment plans.

For example, the app is home to thousands of mutual funds, ETFs, and bonds. Or, if you want to pick and choose stocks on a DIY basis, Fidelity supports thousands of shares from 25 different markets. This allows you to invest in companies from several regions – which is perfect for diversification purposes.

Additionally, the Fidelity trading app also supports retirement accounts for those based in the US. If you like to perform in-depth research, the Fidelity trading app offers top-notch analysis tools. This includes heaps of market insights, news developments, and real-time data feeds.

The Fidelity app is also a great option if you’re seeking a low-cost provider. This is because you can invest in US-listed stocks and ETFs on a commission-free basis. This is also the case with mutual funds – but you must avoid selling your investment within 60 days of making the purchase.

If you do sell before the cut-off point, Fidelity will charge you a hefty fee of $49.95. Nevertheless, Fidelity is suitable for long-term investors of all budgets – as there is no minimum account balance. When it comes to payments, you’ll need to transfer funds from your bank account as the provider does not support in-app debit card deposits.

Fidelity fees

Your capital is at risk.

How to Choose the Best Trading App for You

We have reviewed 10 of the best mobile trading apps to consider in 2023 and beyond. As no two trading apps are the same, each provider will appeal to a certain type of investor.

For example, while some apps are great long-term investments, others are more suitable for short-term CFD trading.

With this in mind, below we discuss some of the most important metrics that need to be considered in your search for the best trading app.

Regulation

Irrespective of which trading app takes your fancy, you must ensure that it is authorized and regulated by a reputable financial body. The regulator in question doesn’t need to be based on your home country per-say, as many of the trading apps discussed on this page have a global presence.

• For example, eToro – which is our top-rated trading app of 2023, is regulated by three tier-one bodies.
• This includes the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC (Cyprus) – meaning you have regulatory oversight on three fronts.
• For those of you based in the US, the eToro trading app is registered with FINRA.

By choosing a regulated trading app, you can feel safe in the knowledge that your funds are secure. You can also be certain that the app provider offers transparent fees and fair trading conditions for all clients.

Assets

There is often a vast disparity in the types of assets that you can trade or invest in when choosing an app provider. Firstly, you need to consider whether you are looking to invest in traditional assets like stocks and mutual funds – or if you see yourself as a short-term day trader.

If it’s the latter, then you’ll likely want to use a CFD trading platform app. In doing so, you’ll be able to trade assets on your phone without needing to own them. Not only will this result in low trading fees and spreads, but you’ll potentially have access to thousands of assets. This might include forex, metals, energies, bonds, interest rates, stocks, indices, and more.

On the other hand, if you want to create a long-term investment plan, be sure to check that the trading app offers traditional ownership. This means that by investing in stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds – you will be entitled to your share of dividend payments. This is also the case with bonds, albeit, you’ll be receiving fixed-income coupon payments.

Our top-rated trading app – eToro, actually covers both long-term and short-term strategies. This is because it offers thousands of traditional stocks and ETFs, as well as CFDs instruments.

Fees

Once you have checked that your chosen trading app supports your preferred financial market and strategy, it’s then time to explore how much you will be charged in fees.

Once again, the type and amount of fees that you pay can vary quite wildly from app to app, so we’ve broken down the main charges to look out for below.

Dealing Fees

Dealing fees are associated with long-term traditional assets – like stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. The best trading apps will usually charge a flat dealing fee – for example, $10 per trade.

This means that irrespective of how many stocks you buy, you’ll always pay $10. You would again pay $10 when you cash out your stocks. Although at first glance a flat fee might sound appealing, it won’t be if you are looking to trade frequently or you wish to invest small amounts.

For example, if you bought $40 worth of stocks at a dealing fee of $10, this means that you are paying 25% in commission just to enter the market. At eToro, you can invest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies without paying a single cent in dealing fees.

Commission Fees

If using a CFD trading app, then you will likely pay a variable commission. This means that you are charged based on how much you stake.

• For example, if the trading app charges a commission of 0.2% on gold CFDs and you stake $500, you would pay $1 to enter the market.
• Then, if you sold your gold CFD position when it was worth $900, you would pay a commission of $1.80.

With that said, the best trading apps that we reviewed on this page – such as eToro, and Plus500 – charge no commissions at all when you buy and sell CFD instruments.

Overnight Financing Fees

Regardless of whether or not your chosen trading app charges commission, if you’re accessing CFD markets then you will always need to factor in an overnight financing fee. As the name implies, this is a fee charged by the trading app for each evening that you keep your position open.

• For example, let’s suppose that the overnight financing fee kicks in at 11 pm GMT
• If you opened a position on Tuesday at 10 am GMT, your first overnight financing fee would be charged at 11 pm GMT on the same day
• If you then kept the position open for another day, the overnight financing fee would again kick in at 11 pm GMT

The reason that this is the case is that CFDs are leveraged financial products – meaning that you are only required to stake a small percentage of the asset’s value. In turn, this means that you are effectively borrowing the surplus capital from the trading app provider – which results in a daily interest charge.

Spreads

Spreads are charged by all trading apps – apart from Libertex. The spread is the difference between the bid and ask price of the asset, and it’s how trading app providers endure that they always make money.

The larger the difference between the two prices, the more you are indirectly paying. The best trading app providers discussed on this page offer very competitive spreads – especially on highly liquid marketplaces.

It can, however, be difficult to know what spreads you are actually paying if the app doesn’t provide this information. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to calculate it yourself to ensure that you are not overpaying to access your chosen market.

Trading Tools & Features

Once you have assessed the fees that your chosen trading app provider charges, it’s then worth spending some time exploring what tools and features you’ll have access to.

As many trading apps in the space now offer zero commissions and competitive spreads, providers will look to stand out from the crowd by offering several notable features that can enhance your trading experience.

Some of the best features to look out for are as follows:

Leverage and Margin Trading

If you’re planning to trade via your phone but you don’t have access to a sizable amount of capital, you might want to consider an app that offers leverage.

As we briefly discussed earlier, leverage allows you to trade with more than you have in your account. Most top-rated trading apps that offer CFD markets will provide leverage facilities.

The specific amount that you can get will vary depending on the app provider, your location, and the respective asset class.

But, to give you an idea:

• UK and European clients are capped to a maximum leverage limit of 1:30, meaning you can trade with 30 times the amount you have in your account.
• US clients, although not having access to CFDs, can trade forex with leverage of up to 1:50.
• Residents of other countries – such as those in Asia and the Middle East, can often trade with leverage of up to 1:300.

Some of the best trading apps in the market will also offer margin facilities on stock investments. This works in a similar way to leverage, albeit, you are not trading CFDs or forex.

For example, Webull permits a margin of up to 4x on stock trades, subsequently increasing your purchasing power by a factor of 4. You will, however, need to have at least $2,000 in your margin account to be eligible.

Fractional Stocks

Most investors in the retail client space will not want to outlay over $3,000 on a single Amazon stock. The good news is that you no longer need to – as the best trading apps support fractional ownership.

Your capital is at risk.

This means that you can invest much smaller amounts, resulting in you owning a fraction of one share. eToro permits fractional ownership from just $25 on cryptocurrencies and $50 on stocks.

Copy Trading

The best trading app providers of 2023 offer automated trading tools. eToro, for instance, allows you to copy another trader like-for-like.

For example, you might decide to copy a successful stock trader with an impeccable track record at the platform. If the trader risks 10% of their balance on Square stocks, you would do the same. Ultimately, this allows you to invest and trade without needing to put any of the legwork in.

The eToro Copy Trading tool is also ideal for those that have no knowledge or understanding of how to research financial instruments. Best of all, this tool comes at no extra charge, so you’ll be able to invest in a 100% commission-free manner.

Education, Research & Analysis

Trading app providers fully recognize that many investors are new to space. In turn, the best apps come packed with a variety of education tools.

This might include:

• Trading guides
• Webinars
• Market insights
• Podcasts
• Trading tips
• Social trading tools
• Video explainers
• Mini-courses

If you already have some knowledge of how the trading scene works, you’ll want access to research and analysis tools. The best trading app providers that we have reviewed on this page offer everything from technical indicators and chart drawing tools to financial news and real-time data feeds.

User Experience

The user experience offered by trading apps can vary quite wildly. As such, you must ensure that the application is simple to use and that your investment endeavours are not hindered by a smaller screen.

This is especially the case if you are looking to engage in short-term trading as opposed to investing in the long run. By this, we mean buying and selling assets as a day trader or swing trader. After all, you are going to need to enter and exit the market at the click of a button – so you don’t want to choose an app that is clunky and difficult to navigate.

Similarly, you’ll be performing technical analysis and researching pricing trends if you’re a short-term trader, so a top-notch user experience is crucial.

Your capital is at risk.

Even if you are simply looking to add a few stocks or mutual funds to your portfolio, the trading app should still make the process a seamless one. For example, the app should offer a clean and crisp search facility, and placing an order should be a breeze.

Payment Methods

Once you go through the process of opening an account with your chosen trading app, you will be required to make a deposit. The best trading app providers allow you to do this instantly and most importantly – via the app.

For example, the eToro trading app allows you to deposit funds instantly via your debit/credit card, Paypal, Neteller, Skrill, and more.

Other app providers discussed on this page – such as International Brokers and TD Ameritrade, only support traditional bank transfers. This means that you will need to log in to your online or mobile bank account and manually transfer the money.

Customer Service

If there comes a time when you need assistance on your account, you’ll want to be able to contact a member of the support team with ease.

The best trading app providers offer an in-house Live Chat facility – meaning you can speak with a support agent in real-time. You should also check to see what hours of the day the support team works.

Most trading app providers offer customer service Monday to Friday, during standard market hours. eToro goes one step further by offering support on a 24/5 basis.

Getting Started with the Best Free Trading App

If you’re planning to use a trading app for the first time – we are now going to show you how to get started. Although you are free to use any provider of your choosing, the guidelines below will show you the ropes with the commission-free trading app eToro.

Step 1: Visit the eToro Website and Open an Account

Even if you want to start off with the eToro demo trading facility, you’ll still need to open an account. The process takes just minutes and simply requires some personal information from you.

Your capital is at risk.

After heading over to the eToro website and clicking on the ‘Join Now’ button, you’ll need to provide the following:

• Name
• Home Address
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Mobile Number
• Tax Identification Number
• Username/Password

Step 2: Download the eToro Trading App

Once you have registered with eToro, the platform will then redirect you to the official download page as per your operating system. To clarify, the app is available on both iOS and Android.

Once you have downloaded and installed the eToro trading app, open it.

Step 3: Log In

You can now log in to your eToro account through the app. You’ll need to use the username and password that you created when you registered.

Step 4: Deposit Funds

Once you have logged into the app, you can trade for free via the eToro demo account. If you want to invest or trade with real money, you can deposit funds directly from within the app.

Instantly deposited payment methods include:

• Debit Cards
• Credit Cards
• Paypal
• Neteller
• Skrill

The minimum deposit is $50 for US citizens and $200 for all other nationalities.

Step 5: Invest or Trade

As soon as you have made a deposit with one of the payment methods listed above, you can start trading straight away.

To find your desired asset, use the search facility at the top of the app screen. Or, you can browse the asset library by clicking on the respective financial instrument – such as crypto or ETFs.

Then, it’s just a case of placing an order. All you need to do is click on the ‘Trade’ button next to the asset and enter your stake in US dollars. To place your order, click on the ‘Open Trade’ button.

Top Trading Apps 2023 – Conclusion

In summary, selecting a top-rated trading app can be challenging – as there are many factors that need to be considered. For example, not only does the app need to have a great reputation and offer competitive fees, but it must support your chosen financial market.

And of course – you need to look at what features and tools are offered and whether or not the app offers a good user experience. In taking all of these important considerations into account, we found that the best trading app provider of 2023 is eToro.

The regulated brokerage app allows you to invest in traditional assets and trade CFDs – both of which are commission-free. The app is simple to use and getting started takes just 10 minutes. Plus, we really like the Copy Trading features, which allows you to actively trade but in a completely passive nature.

eToro – Best Trading App with 0% Commission

Your capital is at risk.

75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

FAQs