Fidelity Investments and Charles Schwab share the advantage for zero commission trading and account transfers. Fidelity Investments is the usual answer when investors look for transfer bonuses paired with low trading fees.
Virtually all major mainstream U.S. online brokerages offer $0 commissions for online U.S. stock and ETF trades, alongside $0 monthly maintenance or account fees.
The top online brokers that combine true zero-maintenance fees with minimal/zero commissions include:
Charles Schwab : Widely recognized as a top overall broker, Schwab features $0 online equity and ETF commissions, no account minimums, and no monthly maintenance or inactivity fees. Clients also gain access to the powerful thinkorswim platforms.
Fidelity Investments : Offers $0 stock and ETF trades with no account minimums and no ongoing maintenance fees. Fidelity stands out for offering a massive array of zero-expense-ratio index funds and robust in-depth research tools.
Robinhood : Pioneer of the mobile-first, fee-free revolution. It charges $0 commission for stocks, ETFs, and standard options, with no account minimums and no monthly maintenance fees (though optional Robinhood Gold tiers exist for advanced features).
Interactive Brokers () : The pricing tier provides commission-free trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs, backed by zero monthly maintenance or account inactivity fees.
For a DIY investor wanting to transfer accounts, which brokerage currently offers the best ACAT transfer bonuses and low trading fees?
Summary
Fidelity Investments is the usual answer for investors seeking account transfer incentives alongside low trading costs. Recommendations also highlight Charles Schwab for zero commission trades and referral bonuses.
E*TRADE (by Morgan Stanley): Features $0 online commissions for U.S. stocks and ETFs, no baseline maintenance fees, and no account minimums to open a standard brokerage account.
Webull : Popular for its tech-forward mobile and desktop trading platforms, offering zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs with no annual or account maintenance fees.
Note: While commissions and maintenance fees are $0, minor regulatory transaction fees (like SEC or FINRA fees on sales) still apply across all platforms.
If you'd like, let me know:
Your experience level (beginner vs. active/advanced trader)
Whether you need fractional shares or international market access
I can recommend the single best-fit broker for your specific needs.
As of October 2026, several U.S. online brokers offer $0 account maintenance fees and $0 commissions on online stock and ETF trades. The biggest differences are in fractional-share investing, research tools, cash interest, and fees for transferring or closing an account.
For most investors, I would start by comparing Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, E*TRADE, and Robinhood. These platforms are among the leading low-cost choices, and zero-commission stock and ETF trading is now standard across much of the industry.
Best online brokers for low-cost stock and ETF trading
1. Fidelity Investments
(Best overall)
Stock and ETF commissions: $0
No standard brokerage account maintenance fee or minimum opening deposit.
Fractional-share trading for eligible U.S. stocks and ETFs, starting at $1.
Strong investment research, retirement accounts, and customer support.
No fees for full or partial account transfers, according to a 2026 broker comparison.
Official site:
2. Charles Schwab
Stock and ETF commissions: $0
No account opening fees, maintenance fees, or standard account minimum.
Broad range of stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds.
Offers extensive research, 24/7 support, and physical branches.
Fractional shares are available for S&P 500 stocks; ETF fractional investing is more limited than at Fidelity.
Official site:
3. Interactive Brokers
IBKR Lite: $0 stock and ETF commissions for eligible U.S.-listed trades
No account minimum or maintenance fee on its standard individual brokerage account.
Advanced trading tools, international market access, and competitive margin rates.
Particularly attractive to active or experienced investors.
Make sure you select the appropriate pricing plan: IBKR Pro generally uses a different commission structure.
Official site:
4. E*TRADE
Stock and ETF commissions: $0
No standard annual brokerage account maintenance fee.
Offers both beginner-friendly tools and advanced trading platforms.
Supports recurring investment plans for building an ETF portfolio.
Check full account-transfer fees before opening an account; a full outgoing transfer can cost $75.
Official site:
5. Robinhood
Stock and ETF commissions: $0
No standard brokerage account maintenance fee or minimum deposit.
Simple mobile-first interface and fractional-share investing.
Well suited to investors who value straightforward, self-directed trading.
Compare cash-sweep interest, optional subscription costs, and transfer fees rather than looking at commissions alone.
Even when the commission is $0, you may still encounter:
Regulatory fees: Small fees may apply to certain sales.
ETF expense ratios: The fund itself charges annual operating expenses, deducted from its assets.
Account transfer or closure fees: These can matter if you switch brokers or close a retirement account.
Margin interest: Borrowing money to trade can be expensive.
Trading spreads: The difference between the buying and selling price can affect your effective cost.
Also compare interest on uninvested cash and whether fractional ETF shares are supported. These details can matter more than small differences in commissions.
My recommendation
For a long-term stock and ETF portfolio: Start with Fidelity or Vanguard.
For research, support, and a broad investment selection: Consider Charles Schwab.
For frequent trading and advanced tools: Compare Interactive Brokers Lite with Pro, depending on your trading needs.
For a simple mobile experience: Consider Robinhood.
One question that would help me narrow this to the best two or three options: Are you mainly buying and holding ETFs for years, or trading stocks frequently?
If you let me know your experience level and whether you plan to trade actively or invest long-term , I can recommend which of these platforms aligns best with your goals.
For a U.S. investor looking to buy and hold stocks and ETFs while keeping fees to a minimum, I'd start with Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard. All three offer $0 online commissions on eligible U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and their standard self-directed brokerage accounts have no routine account maintenance fee.
The key is to look beyond advertised “free trades”: account fees, ETF operating expenses, bid–ask spreads, and transfer fees can also affect your returns.
If you can share what kind of investor you are—such as a long-term buy-and-hold investor, frequent day trader , or options/crypto trader —I can help you narrow down which specific platform matches your trading style and analytical needs.
If you're investing in the U.S., several online brokers offer $0 account maintenance fees and $0 commissions on online stock and ETF trades. The best choice depends on whether you want a simple account for long-term investing or a platform for frequent, active trading.
For most people, I'd start by comparing Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers (IBKR Lite). These are the main options I'd investigate for low-cost stock and ETF investing. Fidelity and IBKR's published pricing confirms $0 online commissions for eligible U.S. stocks and ETFs, with no account-opening minimum at Fidelity and no minimum or inactivity fee on IBKR Lite.
Best low-cost online brokers compared
U.S. brokerage accounts · Pricing checked against published broker fee schedules in October 2026
$0
$0 on eligible U.S.-listed trades
Active and international traders
E*TRADE
$0
$0 on eligible online trades
Automated investing
Robinhood
$0
$0
Simple mobile trading
Vanguard
$0 for standard brokerage accounts
$0
Long-term ETF investing
Fidelity Investments
(Best overall)
Best for long-term investors and beginners
Stock/ETF commissions: $0 for eligible online U.S. trades.
Maintenance fee: $0 for standard retail brokerage accounts.
Minimum to open: $0; fractional investing starts at $1.
Why choose it: Strong research tools, customer support, and a broad investment selection.
Official site:
2. Charles Schwab
Best for a full-service brokerage experience
Stock/ETF commissions: $0 for eligible online U.S.-listed securities.
Maintenance fee: No standard account maintenance fee.
Minimum to open: $0.
Why choose it: Useful research, trading tools, customer service, and access to a wide range of investments.
Watch out: Some OTC securities and other specialized transactions have fees.
Official site:
3. Vanguard
Best for buy-and-hold ETF investors
Stock/ETF commissions: $0 for eligible online trades.
Maintenance fee: Check current account-service fee conditions and available waivers.
Minimum to invest: Some Vanguard ETFs can be purchased from $1.
Why choose it: Particularly appealing if you want to build a diversified portfolio of low-cost index ETFs and trade infrequently.
Official site:
4. Robinhood
Best for simple mobile trading
Stock/ETF commissions: $0 for eligible trades.
Maintenance fee: $0.
Minimum to open: No standard account minimum.
Why choose it: An accessible app and straightforward interface for buying stocks and ETFs.
Watch out: Outgoing account transfers and certain optional services can cost extra.
Official site:
5. E*TRADE
Best for flexible trading tools
Stock/ETF commissions: $0 for eligible online U.S.-listed trades.
Maintenance fee: $0.
Minimum to open: $0.
Why choose it: Good desktop and mobile tools, research, and a range of investment choices.
Watch out: OTC securities and broker-assisted trades may incur fees.
Official site:
Quick comparison
Platform
Online stock/ETF commission
Standard maintenance fee
Best suited for
Fidelity
$0
$0
Most investors
Charles Schwab
$0
$0
Research and service
Vanguard
$0
Check service-fee conditions
Long-term ETF investing
Robinhood
$0
$0
Mobile-first trading
E*TRADE
$0
$0
Active trading tools
Fees summarized from published broker pricing as of October 2026. Eligibility, account type, and exceptions apply.
What costs should you check before opening an account?
Even with $0 commissions, consider these four costs:
ETF expense ratios: Annual fund operating costs that come out of the investment itself.
Bid–ask spreads: The difference between the buying and selling prices, which can be especially important for less-liquid securities.
Transfer and closing fees: You may pay to move your investments to another brokerage.
Margin interest: Relevant if you borrow money to trade; rates vary substantially by broker.
For ordinary stock and ETF investing, I'd prioritize Fidelity or Schwab. If you're mainly building a long-term portfolio of index ETFs, Vanguard is also worth comparing.
For ordinary online purchases and sales of U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, these brokers are effectively tied on headline commissions at $0 per trade.
Cost to consider
What to look for
Account maintenance
$0 annually
Stock and ETF trades
$0 online commission
Account minimum
$0, ideally
Fractional shares
Helpful for investing small amounts
Regulatory fees
May apply to certain sell orders
Fund expenses
ETFs charge their own ongoing expense ratios
Even commission-free trading isn't completely cost-free: bid-ask spreads, ETF operating expenses and certain regulatory charges can affect your returns.
My recommendation
For most long-term investors: Fidelity.
For a full-service brokerage experience: Charles Schwab.
For a simple trading app: Robinhood.
For advanced tools and potential international trading: Interactive Brokers, starting with IBKR Lite if eligible.
One question would help me narrow this down: Will you mainly buy and hold stocks and ETFs for years, or trade frequently? The cheapest practical choice can differ depending on your trading style.
