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Best Brokerage Firms in 2026
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Best Brokerage Companies
In 2026, we selected Charles Schwab and Webull as the 2 Best Brokerage Firms for
self-directed (do-it-yourself) investors. Below are their scores in several
categories, along with commissions and fees, current promotions, and links to complete reviews.
Pricing
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Margin
Rate |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
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Charles Schwab
|
$0
|
$49.95 ($0 to sell)
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12.075%
|
$0
|
$0
|
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Webull
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$0
|
na
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8.74%
|
$0
|
$0
|
Services
| Broker Review |
Cost |
Investment Products |
Trading Tools |
Customer Service |
Research |
Overall Rating |
|
Charles Schwab
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Webull
|
|
|
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Promotions
Charles Schwab:
$0 commissions + ACAT fee rebates + a satisfaction guarantee with Charles Schwab.
Webull:
Claim 12 free stocks worth up to $3,600 + a 5.00% APY on cash + a 3.5% IRA match with Webull.
Key Takeaways
• Webull and Schwab both provide a wide variety of financial and investing services.
• Both brokerage firms offer investment-advisory accounts.
• Webull, unlike Schwab, currently provides direct cryptocurrency trading.
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Schwab approaches investing, active trading, and financial management differently from Webull. Even so, it delivers a long list of advantages, including:
Large selection of securities: Schwab provides an especially broad investment lineup that includes
bonds, preferred securities, mutual funds, annuities, closed-end funds, stocks, ETFs, and options. Its fixed-income marketplace includes commercial paper, Treasuries, TIPS and STRIPS, foreign bonds, corporate debt, and mortgage-backed securities. Many products come with low trading costs. For example, online trades of listed stocks and ETFs have $0 commissions, while many secondary-market bond trades cost $1 per bond, subject to applicable minimum and maximum charges.
Global and OTC stocks: Schwab gives investors access to both foreign and over-the-counter securities. A Schwab Global Account supports direct online trading in 12 foreign markets using seven supported local currencies. Commissions for foreign-market trades depend on the exchange and method used to place the order, and currency-conversion costs can also apply. Online trades of U.S. over-the-counter equities cost $6.95 per trade.
Futures and forex: Schwab’s lineup also includes futures and foreign-exchange trading. Futures transactions cost $2.25 per contract, per side, and options on futures carry the same commission. Online forex trades have no separate commission because Schwab’s compensation is built into the bid-ask spread.
Lots of account types: Schwab offers clients a very large range of account registrations and tax structures. Along with individual and joint accounts, the broker provides IRAs, including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, custodial accounts, trusts, charitable accounts, 529 plans, Coverdell accounts, estate accounts, and more.
International accounts: Schwab is one of the U.S.-based brokerage firms
that accepts eligible investors who live outside the United States. Its international-account program is offered to residents of numerous qualifying countries. A U.S. residential address is not necessary, but applicants need to provide identification, such as a valid passport or another permitted government-issued document, proof of residence, and other requested information.
High-powered software: Schwab supplies advanced
digital trading technology to eligible domestic and international customers. Its thinkorswim platform comes in web, mobile, and desktop formats. The desktop software is the most advanced version and includes an extensive collection of professional-level tools. Backtesting, paperMoney, advanced charting, and sophisticated options-analysis tools are just a few examples.
Advisory service: Investors who would prefer professional portfolio assistance can use Schwab’s
extensive investment-advisory lineup. Available services include automated portfolio management, human financial professionals, financial-planning services, and programs with different fee structures and minimums. For wealthier households, Schwab Wealth Advisory provides a dedicated advisor and planning support for areas such as taxes, estates, and legacy needs.
Branch locations: Schwab maintains a nationwide network of physical offices where investors can receive in-person assistance. The company has more than 400 branches. Schwab also maintains operations outside the continental United States, including locations serving clients in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
Great education and research tools: Schwab has a substantial library of educational and research resources for both brokerage and advisory customers. Content is available through Schwab’s website and its trading platforms. Many articles and videos can be viewed without logging in, while additional resources are available to account holders. Onward, Schwab’s investing publication, covers markets, investing, and financial planning. Schwab Network also delivers live financial programming through Schwab.com, thinkorswim, mobile devices, and supported television platforms.
Schwab Bank: Schwab’s services extend beyond brokerage accounts because the company also operates FDIC-insured Schwab Bank. Banking products include checking and savings accounts that can be connected with investment accounts, simplifying transfers between brokerage and banking services. Schwab checking includes a debit card and free standard checks. Its debit card provides unlimited rebates of eligible ATM fees charged for cash withdrawals around the world.
Insurance: Schwab also makes several insurance products available to clients. Options include term and permanent life insurance, disability coverage, and long-term-care insurance. These products are offered through Schwab’s relationship with Crump Life Insurance Services.
Review
Read Charles Schwab Review
Website
Visit Schwab Website
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Webull’s self-directed brokerage accounts include an impressive assortment of trading technology, research tools, and other features. Some of the highlights include:
Low-cost securities trading: Webull customers can trade stocks, ETFs, options, and other investments that
are listed on major U.S. exchanges. The broker charges $0 commissions on online U.S. stock and ETF trades. Options trading is also available, although certain regulatory, exchange, and contract fees can apply.
Advanced trading tools: Webull’s platforms offer powerful charting, technical indicators, screeners, watchlists, customizable workspaces, and sophisticated order-entry features. Options investors also receive option chains and tools that can be used to construct and evaluate multi-leg strategies.
Cryptocurrency trading: Webull provides direct access to more than 70 cryptocurrencies through Webull Pay LLC. Available assets include major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, Cardano, and Avalanche. Crypto accounts can be accessed directly through the Webull app. Webull does not impose a separate crypto commission, but a 1% spread is incorporated into most cryptocurrency purchases and sales.
Powerful software: Webull supports trading through its mobile application, WebTrade browser platform, and downloadable desktop software. These platforms provide real-time market information, advanced charting, technical studies, stock and ETF screeners, watchlists, alerts, simulated trading, and customizable trading layouts.
Extended hours: Webull’s platforms are available during both the regular trading day and
extended sessions. Pre-market trading in eligible securities begins at 4:00 a.m. ET. After-hours trading starts
when the regular market closes and continues until 8:00 p.m. ET. Webull also provides
24/5 trading in qualifying stocks and ETFs. Its overnight session operates from 8:00 p.m. ET until 4:00 a.m. ET, Sunday through Thursday. Cryptocurrency trading is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, subject to a brief daily maintenance period for many U.S. customers.
Fractional-share trading: Webull investors can purchase eligible stocks and ETFs using fractional shares, allowing purchases by dollar amount rather than requiring a full share. Eligibility and minimum-order requirements vary according to the security and order type.
Initial Public Offerings: Webull gives eligible customers access to selected initial public offerings before those shares begin secondary-market trading. Current deals can be viewed through Webull’s IPO Center, where investors can review available offerings and submit orders for qualifying IPOs.
Cash management: Webull’s Cash Management program pays interest on eligible uninvested brokerage cash. Qualifying balances can earn interest automatically without requiring customers to purchase a money-market fund. Webull Premium subscribers can receive a higher cash-management rate in eligible accounts.
Paper trading: Webull provides a paper-trading simulator that allows investors to practice without putting actual money at risk. The simulator is available through Webull’s mobile, desktop, and web platforms and can be used to test strategies or learn the broker’s trading tools.
Promotions: Webull regularly runs bonus and matching offers for eligible customers who open, fund, contribute to, or transfer accounts. Specific bonuses, funding thresholds, holding requirements, and promotional periods vary from one offer to another.
Retirement accounts: Along with standard taxable brokerage accounts, Webull offers Individual Retirement
Accounts in Traditional, Roth, and Rollover formats. All three are available as self-directed accounts, while managed retirement accounts are offered in Traditional and Roth formats. Eligible Webull Premium customers can receive a 3.5% match on qualifying IRA contributions, subject to the program’s eligibility and holding-period requirements.
Review
Read Webull Review
Website
Claim 12 free stocks worth up to $3,600 + a 5.00% APY on cash + a 3.5% IRA match with Webull.
Visit Webull Website
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Charles Schwab and Webull are the two brokerage companies we rank highest in 2026. Each has
significant advantages, although their strongest features are concentrated in different areas. Selecting the
right broker can make a major difference in the investing and trading experience you receive.
Using the comparisons in this article should make it easier to determine which company better fits your needs.
Updated on 8/3/2026.
Chad Morris has been analyzing investment firms for Brokerage-Review.com since 2015. Backed by FINRA Series 65, 66, and SIE credentials, his work reflects a deep knowledge of the retail brokerage industry and digital trading tools.
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