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SUCCESS


One quiet Apple update could matter more than it looks

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

For much of the last two years, Apple (AAPL) has been attempting to convince investors that artificial intelligence will be the next big motivation for people to update their gadgets. But one of its most recent efforts in AI is not aimed against Silicon Valley or even the U.S.It’s happening in China instead.Apple has given directions for qualified Mac users in mainland China to connect Alibaba’s Qwen artificial intelligence service to Siri and Apple’s Writing Tools, providing users access to more advanced AI-powered document analysis, image generation, and writing features.The update may not seem significant at first exemplifies a much wider agenda.China is one of Apple’s toughest markets as local manufacturers like Lenovo and Huawei aggressively roll out AI-powered PCs built around locally designed models and software. Meanwhile, Beijing’s regulatory framework has created an environment where international AI providers find themselves unable to operate freely, so Apple has had to recruit domestic partners if it wants Apple Intelligence to remain competitive.For investors, the recent move suggests that Apple’s AI goals will be more regional collaborations than a one-size-fits-all global deployment. It also casts light on Alibaba (BABA), whose Qwen family of large language models continues to find new fans outside the Alibaba ecosystem.Apple needs China to become an AI success storyApple’s latest update comes amid increased competition pressure in the world’s biggest PC market.Market research firm Omdia said Mac shipments in mainland China declined 9% year on year in the first quarter to nearly 800,000 devices, giving Apple about 9% market share. Lenovo remained the top player with over 31%, while Huawei continued to increase its share to around 16%.Compared to Apple, many domestic manufacturers have integrated AI into their hardware strategy.Lenovo is putting its Tianxi personal AI assistant at the heart of its AI PC offerings, and Huawei is continuing its AI push throughout its HarmonyOS ecosystem. Both have pitched locally produced AI as a major selling factor to consumers and corporations.Apple’s cooperation with Alibaba is a different strategy.Qwen is not meant to replace Apple Intelligence but rather to serve as an extension for qualified users in mainland China, enabling Siri and Writing Tools to handle more advanced requests while still abiding by Chinese restrictions.The move benefits Apple’s larger ecosystem by keeping users within the Mac experience instead of driving them toward third-party AI apps.Related: Apple CEO admits AI causes price troubles for Apple productsThe alliance might be just as essential for Alibaba.Qwen has become one of the fastest-growing generative AI model families in China, capable of producing text and graphics, as well as evaluating documents and photos. By embedding those features within Apple’s software, Alibaba can reach millions of premium gadget owners without having to first install Alibaba’s own apps.More AI:Nvidia just made a move Wall Street wasn’t ready forMicrosoft just took sides in AI policy fightOpenAI just disclosed something genuinely alarmingThe cooperation also places Qwen in a much broader context than just Alibaba Cloud and its current consumer goods.

Apple’s China strategy just took a surprising AI turnKevin Winter/GA / Getty Images

Apple and Alibaba both stand to benefitApple called the update a tutorial for qualifying Mac customers, but investors could see it as further evidence that regional AI partnerships are becoming a necessity for global tech firms.Alibaba’s Qwen models will finally support Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro devices in mainland China, the company has said already. The newly available documentation only pertains to Macs for now, but it shows how that technique is starting to change from announcement to implementation.Key takeawaysApple published instructions allowing eligible Mac users in mainland China to connect Alibaba’s Qwen AI service to Siri and Writing Tools.The move strengthens Apple’s localized AI strategy as it competes with Lenovo and Huawei in China’s AI PC market.Alibaba gains broader exposure for its Qwen models beyond its own apps and cloud services.Apple’s Mac shipments in mainland China fell 9% year over year in the first quarter, according to Omdia.The partnership highlights how regional AI alliances are becoming increasingly important as Apple expands Apple Intelligence globally.The date also follows Alibaba’s introduction of Qwen3.8-Max, its latest flagship model with 2.4 trillion parameters. Apple hasn’t stated which version is powering the Mac integration, but the relationship shows Alibaba’s rising dominance in China’s quickly changing AI scene.Apple’s AI success will probably need a whole lot more than just building great hardware. To win in critical foreign markets, you increasingly need local partners that can meet regulators’ requirements and deliver the AI experiences consumers want.The rivalry is intensifying, but China remains one of Apple’s biggest long-term development opportunities. The business is hinting that responding to local markets may be just as crucial as building the next generation of AI by quietly integrating Alibaba’s AI into Apple Intelligence.Related: Bank of America doubles down on Apple stock for rest of 2026

What Kroger Customers Should Do Now That the Grocer’s Credit Card Is Gone

Filed Under: Clark Howard, SUCCESS

Do you grocery shop at Kroger regularly?

If so, you were likely aware that Kroger had one of the best co-branded grocery credit cards on the market, offering up to 5% on your purchases with the grocer. Unfortunately, that is soon to be a thing of the past.

The Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard has been discontinued due to the end of the partnership between Kroger and U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bank will no longer issue this Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard

U.S. Bank, the card issuer, stopped taking new applications for the card in May 2026. And reports indicate that existing cardholders will have their Kroger credit cards replaced with a U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature® Card sometime between August and October 2026. Keep an eye out for a notification about this change if you’re an existing Kroger cardholder.

The Smartly card does offer unlimited 2% cash back, which meets money expert Clark Howard’s recommended cash back target for everyday spending, so it may be worth keeping open. And those of you who do your regular banking with U.S. Bank’s Smartly checking and savings accounts may be eligible to earn even more cash back thanks to their tiered rewards program.

But, for most Kroger customers, this change will result in a steep drop in cash back earnings on grocery purchases.

In this article, I’m going to show you a few credit cards that you could pivot to in an effort to maximize your spending at Kroger.

4 Cards That Could Replace Your Old Kroger Credit Card

If you’re a Kroger loyalist, I’ll be upfront and honest: You’re probably not going to completely replace the benefits you enjoyed with the U.S. Bank co-branded card. It was a very good card for regular Kroger shoppers.

But there are still some good credit cards on the market that reward spending in U.S. Supermarkets. And Kroger’s merchant code should qualify for the bonus rewards for most of them.

Here is a rundown of the cards I like best as a potential grocery spender replacement for your wallet:

The Top Pick

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

card_name

Annual Fee:

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See Rates & Fees)

Rewards Program Details:

Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

Terms apply.

If you’re serious about getting the most cash back from your U.S. supermarket spending, the card_name offer is going to be extremely hard to beat. Though this card does carry a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (See Rates and Fees), you’ll make that money back — and then some — if you’re a regular shopper at U.S. supermarkets such as Kroger.

The cap for annual spending on the 6% cash back reward is $6,000 in eligible purchases. If you spend an average of $500 per month, you’ll earn $360 in a year. Once you’ve crossed the $6,000 threshold, rewards drop to 1% on grocery purchases.

This card also offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. Terms apply.

Others To Consider

card_name →

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Annual Fee $0

Rewards Program: 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. 5% Cash Back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.

card_name →

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Annual Fee $0 (See Rates & Fees)

Rewards Program: Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

Terms apply.

Learn More →

NIH Credit Union Visa® Signature Cash Rewards

Annual Fee $0

Rewards Program: Earn 4% cash back rewards points in the first 12 months, and 3% thereafter in these categories:

Automated Fuel Dispensers and Service Stations
Electric Vehicle Charging
Groceries
Rideshare/Taxi/Limo
Utilities (including streaming)
Wholesale Clubs

All other purchases earn 1%.

Bottom Line for Kroger Shoppers

The 5% back offered by the co-branded U.S. Bank card was great. But, like most really good things in the credit card world, it is coming to an end.

If you were earning a significant amount of cash back on your Kroger purchases, you are likely a good candidate to consider one of the cards above to continue maximizing your spending with the grocer.

But if you found that you didn’t use the co-branded card as much as you anticipated, you may actually be a candidate to simply stick with the Smartly card for everyday spending.

Did you have this Kroger credit card? What is your plan for replacing it? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Clark.com community.

Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website.

To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees.

The post What Kroger Customers Should Do Now That the Grocer’s Credit Card Is Gone appeared first on Clark Howard.

188-year-old Dividend King just unlocked unexpected growth engine

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

There are stocks you own for growth. There are stocks you own for income. And then there are the rare ones where a business that appeared to be doing the slow, reliable work of a dividend compounder suddenly shows you something you were not expecting. Procter and Gamble has done exactly that with its Beauty segment.Procter & Gamble Company (PG) just extended one of the most remarkable dividend streaks in American business history to 70 consecutive years of increases. The company has paid a dividend every single year since its incorporation in 1890, and the current quarterly payment of $1.0885 per share adds to a planned $10 billion in total dividends for fiscal 2026, according to its third-quarter fiscal 2026 results statement.Only five other publicly traded companies have matched 70 consecutive increases: American States Water Company (AWR), Dover Corporation (DOV), Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN), Genuine Parts Company (GPC), and Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH), according to The Motley Fool dividend numbers report. PG currently trades at $145.79, up 3.99% year-to-date, according to Yahoo Finance.But the income story is only half of what is happening here. The growth story is in the Beauty segment, and it’s worth paying attention to.Also Read: History of Procter & Gamble: Timeline and FactsBeauty’s breakout — the segment leading Procter & GambleP&G operates five divisions: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric and Home Care, and Baby, Feminine and Family Care. In the fiscal third quarter of 2026, ended March 31, Beauty was the top performer by every meaningful metric.Beauty reported net sales of $3.866 billion, up 11% on a reported basisOrganic sales grew 7% year over year, led by 5% volume growth. Pre-tax earnings rose 11% to $761 million.
Source: P&G Fiscal Year 2026 Third Quarter Results
I took some time to even look at the sub-category breakdown. And it is even more telling. Personal Care organic sales grew in the high single digits, driven by innovation-based volume gains. Skin Care Organic sales also grew in the high single digits, supported by a favorable premium product mix and higher volumes. Related: Dividend King Coca-Cola is suddenly acting like a growth stockHair Care grew into the mid-single digits, led by innovative pricing in North America and Europe.For a company whose detergent, diaper, and paper towel businesses are the perennial assumptions in consumer staples coverage, a segment growing organically at 7% with 11% earnings growth stands out. That is not steady compounding, but acceleration.The overall Procter & Gamble Q3 results and what they tell investorsThe broader Q3 fiscal 2026 financial picture from the April 24 earnings release was solid, if not spectacular by P&G’s historical standards.Total net sales reached $21.2 billion, up 7% year-over-yearOrganic sales grew 3%, driven by 2% volume and 1% price Core EPS grew 3% to $1.59Operating cash flow was $4 billionThe company returned $3.2 billion to shareholders in the quarter, including $2.5 billion in dividends and over $600 million in buybacks.Management maintained its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance despite absorbing $400 million in after-tax tariff headwinds and $150 million in commodity cost increases. Full-year organic sales growth is expected to be up to 4%, with core EPS in the $6.83 to $7.09 range, though toward the lower end.CEO Shailesh Jejurikar framed the quarter in the earnings release when he said;We delivered a solid acceleration in top-line results with broad-based growth across product categories and regions.”We continue to believe the best path to sustainable, balanced growth is by strengthening the execution of our integrated growth strategy.” Shailesh continued.

Only five other publicly traded companies have matched P&G’s 70 consecutive dividend streaks increases. Most of its growth story is in the Beauty segment.Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Thorne acquisition and what it reveals about P&G’s ambitionThe 70-year dividend streak is a rearview mirror story. The forward-looking signal came on August 4, when P&G announced a $3.8 billion all-cash acquisition of Thorne HealthTech, a science-backed vitamin and supplement company with a strong base among healthcare professionals and younger demographics.Thorne was taken private by L Catterton in 2023. P&G is paying a significant premium to re-enter it into the public company ecosystem under its consumer health umbrella. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2026, pending regulatory clearance.Also Read: Procter & Gamble Company Latest News and StoriesMy read of this acquisition is that it’s P&G signaling where its next growth chapter lives. Premium wellness, preventive health, and practitioner-trusted supplements are fast-growing categories that the company’s existing distribution scale can amplify. The Thorne brand fits naturally alongside the dermatology and personal care products already driving the Beauty segment’s outperformance.Related: Procter & Gamble Stock: A Dividend King with a $10 billion payout in fiscal 2026If you think of P&G as a “park it and collect the dividend” stock, the combination of 7% growth in its beauty segment and a $3.8 billion wellness bet suggests management is not content with simply steady compounding.In fact, Fortune named P&G America’s most innovative household products company for the third consecutive year in April 2026. The Thorne deal is the latest evidence that the innovation ranking is, of course, not honorary.At $145.79 with a 70-year dividend-raise streak, 3% organic growth in a tariff-pressured environment, a Beauty segment outperforming every other division, and a wellness acquisition that extends the premium portfolio, P&G remains exactly what Cramer’s “own don’t trade” description was built for.Related: Disney’s big bet on the NFL is already paying major dividends

6 Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026

Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

*Rates are subject to change. All information provided here is accurate as of July 15, 2026.
Online trading platforms let you invest in securities like stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds so you can build an investment portfolio that meets your goals. However, each platform offers a unique set of features and sometimes complicated fee structures, which can make it hard to choose one.
Read on to find the best online trading platforms and our guide on how to choose the right one for you.
What to know about online trading platforms

Online trading platforms allow users to buy and sell securities (stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, forex). They also offer access to real-time data, research and charting tools.
While traditional stocks and ETFs still predominate, trading platforms are increasingly broadening their offerings to include newer asset classes like cryptocurrency.
Many major platforms in the U.S. advertise zero-commission trades for stocks and ETFs, but the cost of using them can slowly add up over time due to hidden costs or fees.
Stock brokers accounts in the U.S. are typically insured up to $500,000 by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, including up to $250,000 in cash.

How we chose our top picks
Our team of writers and editors at Money has been researching trading platforms and the assets you can trade on them for years. To identify the best of the bunch, we evaluated platforms based on more than 18 data points, including range of available assets, fees, charting tools, automation features, order types and customer support channels.
Read our full methodology to learn more.
Our top picks for the best online trading platforms

Fidelity – Best Overall
Betterment – Best for Hands-Off Investors
E*TRADE – Best for Beginners
Charles Schwab – Best for ETF Trades
Webull – Best Investment App
Vanguard – Best for Low-Cost Funds

Pros

Broad selection of assets at various risk levels
Commission-free stock, ETF and options trading
Extensive research tools and educational resources
Reliable trade execution

Cons

No futures trading

Trading Fees
Account Minimums
Tradable Securities
Account Types
Robo-Investing

$0 commission for US stocks, ETFs and options trades
No minimum
Stocks, Fractional Shares, Mutual Funds, IPOs, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Precious Metals, Index, Bonds, Crypto
Individual, IRA, 529 College Savings
Yes

Why we chose it: Fidelity offers a wide range of investment choices, low margin rates and commission-free trades for stocks, options, ETFs, bonds and mutual funds.
From self-directed brokerage accounts to an affordable robo-advisor for investors who prefer hands-off investing, Fidelity supports many different ways of investing. Those interested in a more diverse investing strategy and holding larger portfolios can also choose from two different wealth management plans assisted by personal investment advisors.
Fidelity features a wide variety of investment products including domestic and international stocks, precious metals, cryptocurrencies and fractional shares. The platform doesn’t charge account fees or require a minimum deposit for opening any of its brokerage accounts, and it’s one of the few brokers that offers mutual funds with a zero expense ratio.
The platform’s robo-advisor also stands out from its competitors. There’s no minimum amount required to open an account and no advisory, trading or rebalancing fees for accounts under $25,000. Although it does charge a relatively high 0.35% annual advisory fee for accounts with balances greater than that, Fidelity also throws in financial planning and coaching services.

Pros

No minimum account balance
Option to work with qualified financial advisors
Tax-saving tools available

Cons

No individual stock, mutual fund, or ETF trading

Trading Fees
Account Minimums
Tradable Securities
Account Types
Robo-Investing

$5 monthly fee, or a 0.25% annual advisory fee once your balance reaches $24,000 (or you set up $200+/month in recurring deposits).
No minimum
ETFs
Individual, Joint, Trust,Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Inherited IRA, Cash Reserve, Checking Account
Yes

Why we chose it: Betterment features the easiest way to configure automated investing based on target goals and tax-loss harvesting capabilities.
Betterment is another robo-advisor that makes it easy to set it and forget it with your investments. The company uses cutting-edge technology guided by the help of financial advisors in order to help secure the maximum return based on your risk tolerance, investment timeline and other factors.
While it may not be ideal for investors who want to actively trade stocks, Betterment is a great choice for more cautious, beginner or hands-off investors. Upon opening an account you can pick an upfront tax-smart investing strategy that runs on autopilot, and keeps you informed with projections of potential returns.
Other noteworthy account features include automatic rebalancing of your portfolio and reinvestment of dividends. You can also set up recurring deposits and earn cash back when you pay with the Betterment Visa Debit Card.

Pros

0 commissions on stocks, options, ETFs and mutual funds

$0.50 per options contract with 30+ trades per quarter
Advanced mobile app for trading on the go
Customized stock screening

Cons

$500 minimum for automated investment accounts
High margin rates

Trading Fees
Account Minimums
Tradable Securities
Account Types
Robo-Investing

$0 commission for online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trades
$0 for self-directed brokerage account
Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Mutual Funds, Bonds
Brokerage, Custodial Account, Coverdell ESA, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Managed Portfolios
Yes

Why we chose it: E*TRADE offers a wide array of investment options, an intuitive platform and access to educational materials, research tools and market analysis to help beginners make informed decisions.
E*TRADE has over 9,000 mutual funds to invest in, over 4,000 of which are no-load, no-transaction-fee funds, making it easy for new investors to start building their portfolios. There are also managed portfolios with a flat 0.30% annual management fee for those who are seeking more guidance.
The platform offers checking and savings accounts that allow you to transfer funds between all your accounts seamlessly. It also provides latest market news recaps, daily insights and a comprehensive online library to help newer investors understand key trading and investing concepts.
Another highlight of E*TRADE are its options fees. For options trades, there is a standard contract fee of 65 cents per contract. But for customers who execute at least 30 stock, ETF, and options trades per quarter, this fee goes down to a low rate of 50 cents per contract.

Pros

No fees on ETFs, stocks, options and Schwab mutual funds trades
Ability to invest in foreign markets
Large variety of research tools

Cons

Relatively high margin rates
No cryptocurrency trading

Trading Fees
Account Minimums
Tradable Securities
Account Types
Robo-Investing

$0 commission on listed stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options
No minimum
Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Futures, Annuities, International Stocks
Individual, Joint, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Intelligent Portfolios
Yes

Why we chose it: Charles Schwab’s wide selection of over 3,000 commission-free ETFs from multiple asset classes and fund companies makes it one of the best online trading platforms for ETFs trades.
With Charles Schwab, investors can open a brokerage account without a required account minimum and enjoy zero-commission trades on online-listed stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds. The company also offers broker-assisted trades, and traditional, Roth and Rollover IRAs.
Through Schwab’s Global Account you can trade stocks in 12 foreign markets in their local currencies without an account minimum. You also get access to international stock screeners, third-party research and Schwab’s proprietary international equity ratings. Schwab also provides automated trading as well as investment planning with an expert advisor.
Self-directed investors can choose a vast variety of ETFs, including equity and non-equity ETFs from a range of fund companies in the United States. Some ETFs options include international ETFs, market-cap index ETFs, bond ETFs and currency ETFs. While all U.S. exchange listed ETFs are commission-free, some operating fees may apply to some funds.

Pros

No commissions, trading fees or account fees
Research data for basic and technical investment strategies
Paper trading to practice before investing real money
70+ cryptocurrencies to buy and sell

Cons

Advanced charting settings can be overwhelming
No automatic dividend reinvestment

Trading Fees
Account Minimums
Tradable Securities
Account Types
Robo-Investing

$0 commissions for U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs and options trades
No minimum
Stocks, Fractional Shares, ETFs, Crypto, Options, OTC
Individual Brokerage Account, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA
Yes

Why we chose it: Webull’s in-depth analysis tools and integrated trading paper functions makes it one of the best investment apps for active trading.
A mobile app-based brokerage, Webull offers commission-free stocks, ETFs and newer asset classes like cryptocurrency. The platform supports advanced order types and provides a combination of in-depth charting and market research data for users to develop personalized investment strategies.
Webull also offers a trading simulator, which is a great tool to practice strategies with virtual cash before risking your own money. Webull Paper Trading provides real-time data, integrated charting tools and over 50 customizable technical indicators. The company even holds competitions with cash prizes to encourage new traders to practice.
In addition, Webull features a news feed, where you can check top market news, other user’s posts and corporate actions of stocks in your watchlist. You can also write posts, create polls and share insight with the Webull community.

Pros

Low pricing
No management fees
Pairs investors with financial advisors
Large variety of index funds

Cons

$25 annual account service fee
$100 minimum to qualify for robo-advisor

Trading Fees
Account Minimums
Tradable Securities
Account Types
Robo-Investing

$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds or options online trades
$0
Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Bonds, CDs, Money Market
Individual, Joint, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 529 Savings, UGMA/UTMA, Trusts Accounts
Yes

Why we chose it: Vanguard’s wide selection of low cost mutual funds makes it the best option for investors looking to diversify their portfolios with index and actively-managed funds.
Vanguard manages one of the largest selections of low-cost mutual funds in the industry, offering a strong lineup of index funds and actively managed funds. It also offers stocks, ETFs, bonds, CDs and money markets.
Aside from individual and joint brokerage accounts, Vanguard offers retirement accounts and education savings accounts. It also has wealth management and multiple advisory services, including digital and personal advisors. However, these have account minimum requirements, ranging from $3,000 to $5 million.
Though Vanguard doesn’t have a minimum amount requirement to open an account, there are minimum investment requirements for some accounts. For instance, Vanguard Target Retirement Funds require a minimum of $1,000, whereas most actively managed funds have a $3,000 minimum.

Other online trading platforms we considered
While we evaluated the companies below, they did not make the cut for different reasons, namely a limited range of assets, higher rates than average, and controversies surrounding business practices.
Robinhood

Pros

Streamlined, easy-to-understand platform

No account minimum
Low trading costs

Cons

Limited educational materials and trading tools
High margin rate for non-premium users
Poor customer support

Robinhood is a popular online trading platform among new and experienced retail investors. Its intuitive and easy-to-use web and mobile platform offers a streamlined experience, known for gamifying the way people invest. Like many other discount brokers, Robinhood features no commission fees and access to stocks, ETFs, options, IPOs, fractional shares and crypto.
Why it didn’t make the cut: Robinhood’s educational resources and research tools aren’t as comprehensive as other brokers, and only offers real-time market data and professional research if you subscribe to its Gold plan. The broker has also been involved in controversies related to company reliability, data breaches and trustworthiness.
SoFi

Pros

No account minimum
Barely any fees

Cons

Only stocks and ETFs available
No tax loss harvesting

SoFi’s user-friendly platform lets you manage banking and investing accounts all from one place. You can choose between DIY investing, automated investing or tax-optimized retirement accounts. In addition, you can get counseling from the company’s financial planners.
Why it didn’t make the cut: Compared to competitors in our list, SoFi selection of investment products is somewhat limited. For instance, its ETFs offering is mainly limited to SoFi’s own funds and Vanguard. However, it’s a good option for newer investors, especially if you’re already familiar with SoFi’s banking products.
Disclosure: INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA / SIPC.
Public

Pros

Social media features
Crypto and fractional shares available
Account funding via debit card

Cons

No mutual funds or options trading
Paywalled date and market metrics

Public stands out as one of the few investing platforms that offers engaging social media features. You can follow other Public users, exchange trading ideas and share market news all within the same platform. Aside from its social features, Public offers similar features to those of most discount brokers.
Why it didn’t make the cut: Public doesn’t let you invest in mutual funds, options, OTC securities or fixed income securities, like CDs or bonds.
What you need to know about online trading platforms
Online trading platforms, or online brokers, let you buy and sell assets like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options and crypto via a mobile app or website. These platforms are designed for you to easily open an account, deposit money and start trading within just a few minutes.
Online brokers also offer various research tools you can use to evaluate stocks and market activity in real time. For instance, many of them have built in stock screeners that allow you to find securities based on preferences like market capitalization, earnings per share or expense ratio.
Types of Brokers
Although every trading platform is different, they can be split into two broad categories: discount brokers and full-service brokers.
Discount brokers
With a discount broker, you’re in complete control of your securities and when you’d like to trade them. They offer self-directed portfolios, which require a hands-on investment approach, meaning you pick stocks, bonds and ETFs yourself.
Robinhood and Webull are examples of discount brokers. These platforms typically offer accounts that require low to no account minimums and may waive some of their fees for executing a certain amount of free trades per month, which makes them ideal for active or frequent traders.
Full-service brokers
Offering a more traditional approach, full-service brokers often pair clients with a financial adviser, who can offer advice about what stocks to buy or even manage your entire portfolio for you. Examples of full-service brokers include Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch.
Many full-service brokers feature other services too, such as retirement and estate planning, wealth management and tax planning. Consequently, account minimums and fees are much higher, so they are best suited for high-net-worth investors who want a more personal level of service.
Types of Orders
Orders are instructions sent by investors to their brokerage directing them to buy or sell a security. This can be done on the phone with a stock broker or through an online trading platform. The three most common types of orders are market orders, limit orders and stop-loss orders.

Type of Order
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Best used by…

Market Order
An order to trade at the best possible price available in the current market.
Trades are issued and executed almost immediately. Low cost.
Investors have no control over the price of the security.
Investors interested in very liquid large-cap U.S. stocks and ETFs.

Limit Order
An order to trade at a specified price or better.
Trades are issued at a price of the investor’s own choosing.
Trades might not take place if there is no price match. Higher commissions.
All types of traders. Patient investors with no rush to trade.

Stop-loss Order
An order to trade at the best available price after a specified price is triggered.
No risk of missing trading opportunities. May help reduce potential losses.
Trades might be executed at a way worse price than expected.
More advanced traders.

How to choose the best trading platform for you
Before comparing online trading platforms, ask yourself:

What are my investment experience and needs? Beginners should look for platforms that offer educational resources, responsive customer support and trading practice. Experienced trades may benefit more from platforms that let them issue specific types of trades and offer more complex analytic tools.
What are my financial goal(s)? If your goal is to save for retirement, you should look for a broker that offers the right type of account for it, like a traditional or Roth IRA. But if you mainly want to throw a wrench in the system and invest in meme stocks or crypto, then you might want a platform with a greater variety of available assets.

Once that’s clear, you can continue with the following:

Compare account fees and charges. Most online trading platforms offer commission-free trading for securities like stocks, ETFs and options. However, there are other fees and charges you should watch out for, such as account maintenance fees, options contract fees, margin rates and monthly memberships.
Look for a variety of assets. Some trading platforms limit their selection to popular choices like stocks and ETFs, while others offer a wider range of assets, including futures, cryptocurrency and international stocks. Choose a platform that has the right choices for your investment strategy, not just the one with the most options.
Check brokers’ background. Online trading platforms and brokers should be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). You can check a broker’s information and registrations with search tools like the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure and FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Figure out deposit and withdrawal methods. Most trading platforms let you fund your account by linking a checking or savings account, but there are a few that allow you to use alternate methods, such as a debit or credit card and digital wallets.
Evaluate security and customer support options. Look for platforms with additional security features, such as two-factor authentication or biometrics, and that have multiple customer support channels, for example, via phone, email and live chat. You can also check if the company has been involved in any recent data breaches.
Try different trading platforms. Many online trading platforms let you open an account for free and without minimum deposits. This will help you evaluate its features, the process for placing orders and its research tools.

Online trading platforms vs. robo advisors
Self-directed online trading platforms give you the freedom to choose your own assets and develop an investment strategy. But this can often be time consuming and requires some basic knowledge of how to buy stocks — especially if you’re a first-time investor.
Robo-advisors offer a hands-off solution to investors who would rather pass off investment decisions to professional managers, a computer algorithm or a combination of both. In fact, the best robo-advisors typically offer advanced management algorithms and user-friendly interfaces, requiring little how-to knowledge.
Below are some key differences between online brokerages and robo-advisors.

Online trading platform
Robo-advisor

Allows you to create your own portfolios and manage trades according to your knowledge and investment strategy.
Uses computer algorithms to create and automatically manage a diversified portfolio on your behalf.

Lets you decide how passively or actively you want to invest and how much risk you are willing to take.
Creates personalized portfolios based on your income, age, risk tolerance and investment goals.

Grants access a wide selection of assets, such as stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds.
Only features ETF portfolios in most cases.

Leaves you responsible for rebalancing your portfolio by buying or selling assets to keep in line with your desired allocation.
Automatically rebalances your portfolio and performs tax-harvesting techniques to help you keep in line with your desired asset allocation.

Provides free financial counseling in some cases.
Sometimes offers human portfolio managers, although generally at an extra fee.

Best Online Stock Trading FAQs
How to buy stocks online?
First, choose an online broker that offers the services you need and open a brokerage account. Once the account is open, you’ll need to fund it by transferring money from a checking or savings account. Then, you can research stocks of your choice and place an order based on the numbers of shares you want to buy.
How much money do you need to start investing?
Many trading platforms have low or no investment minimums, meaning you can generally start investing in stocks with any amount — as little as $1. However, minimums can vary depending on the type of investment you choose. For instance, mutual funds and ETFs sometimes have minimums ranging from a few hundred to a thousand dollars.
What trading platforms have an OSO?
Order-sends-order (OSO), a type of order that triggers a second trade once a primary order is filled, is generally available in more advanced trading platforms, like Fidelity and TD Ameritrade. These platforms may also let you place multi-contingent orders, one-cancels-the-other (OCO) and one-triggers-a-one-cancels-the-other (OTOCO) orders.
What are the best FOREX trading platforms?
The most well-known and popular Forex brokers — MetaTrader 4, cTrader and ZuluTrade, to name a few — have developed platforms that function differently from regular discount brokers. These platforms excel in the breadth and depth of their product offerings, customer support, trading education and trustworthiness.
Which brokerage has the best online platform for managed accounts?
The best online brokerage platform for managed accounts depends on multiple factors, such as account management fees, portfolio customization and the investing strategies and features the platform offers. Most trading platforms in our top rated list feature robo-investing and managed accounts.

Methodology
The best online trading platforms make it easy for investors to seamlessly trade securities without charging commissions or high fees for their services.
We looked at the following factors when evaluating trading platforms:

Online access – We favored companies with easy-to-use platforms that provide investors with multiple means of managing their account(s).
Fees schedules – We looked for online trading platforms that charge low trading fees — or none at all.
Investment research and tools – We favored online trading platforms with a wealth of tutorials, educational content and different investment tools.
Automation technology – We considered the kind of technology each platform uses and gave higher rankings to those with efficient automated investing tools.

Summary of Money’s Best Online Trading Platforms of 2026

Fidelity – Best Overall
Betterment – Best for Hands-Off Investors
E*Trade – Best for Beginners
Charles Schwab – Best for ETF Trades
Webull – Best for Mobile
Vanguard – Best for Low-Cost Funds