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Broker Commissions and Fees Comparison in 2026
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Stock Broker Commissions Comparison
1 - fees charged in some cases; see broker reviews for details.
How We Assess Broker Costs
When choosing an online broker, one of the key factors for retail traders and investors is the cost of buying and selling securities. Brokerage fees can vary widely, and these cost differences often reflect the broker’s size, range of services, and level of customer support. Many investors focus on finding the lowest commissions, but that may not always be the best approach, as it might overlook shortcomings in service or platform technology, or even a broker’s ability to support frequent trades.
Since most retail traders focus on stocks and ETFs for trading, the commissions for these tend to be the main point of comparison for brokers. Many brokers advertise their stock and ETF commission rates, but there is only a small difference in the commission rates among the largest brokers.
Stock Commission Comparison of Major Brokers
The five largest brokers (Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, and E*Trade) all offer commission-free trades for stocks and ETFs.
However, differences in service quality and the trading platforms available must be considered when comparing these brokers.
Charles Schwab offers an exceptional trading platform for all users, while Fidelity is known for its long-standing reliability.
Many large brokers also offer full-service banking, including bill pay, checking accounts, and ATM cards, which can be a deciding factor for certain clients. These additional benefits might lead some customers to accept slightly higher commission fees.
Cost Comparison: Cheapest and Most Expensive Stock Commission Brokers
For brokers of all sizes, Robinhood stands out for offering the lowest commission on stock, ETF, and options trades at $0. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to buy and sell securities, Robinhood is the clear choice.
Following closely behind in terms of low fees is Moomoo, which also charges $0 for stocks, ETFs, and options.
On the other side, Muriel Siebert charges significantly higher commissions, with a flat fee of $14.95 per trade. This results in almost $30 to complete a buy and sell transaction for a single security. Despite the higher costs, there are no major differences in service or account features to justify the higher fee.
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Average Stock Commissions: Industry Standard
Many brokers have similar commission structures that are typically based on the number of shares in a single trade.
If a broker’s commission exceeds $1 per trade, they are likely offering additional services or playing a larger role than just facilitating trades.
Ultimately, every trader or investor must assess their individual needs. If all you want is to make trades at an affordable price, there is little reason to pay more than the absolute minimum. For long-term holders of stocks or ETFs, the broker is simply a gateway to the market, and as long as they offer financial stability and regulatory compliance, there’s no reason to ignore deep discount brokers.
Updated on 1/22/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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