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Best stock trading apps for day trading

5 best day trading apps

Eric Esposito

Fact checked by Melanie Huddart

Updated May 19, 2025

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Day trading is an ultra-fast trading strategy that carries potential for significant profit — but it also comes with high risks and intense market fluctuations. People who aren’t comfortable with managing risk or volatility should probably stick with long-term investing. However, if you want to capture quick gains with part of your portfolio, dabbling in day trading may be worth a try. You just have to be sure you’re on a trading platform that has attractive fees and effective technical tools.  

With the growth in commission-free brokerages, there are plenty of ways to get started with day trading. Check out a few of the best day trading apps and test your short-term strategies. 

Best day trading apps

  • Methodology: How we rank the best day trading apps

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    Our ranking methodology

    The best day trading apps reviews and ratings are determined by seven Moneywise subject matter experts. We focused on factors that matter most to everyday users, following strict editorial integrity standards to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

    Our team includes fintech journalists, analysts, and investing pros — people who know what matters and what doesn’t.

    While the platforms featured in this article were independently selected, some links may be from our sponsors.

    Our evaluation process

    We collected and evaluated over 7,200 data points and dug deep into more than 27 platforms — from niche players to big names — to find the best options for your money. We want you to confidently choose platforms that match your goals.

    Moneywise.com rates products and services on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the highest rating. Our evaluation considers the most important factors for investors, including: customer support, educational resources, ease of use, app performance and features, brand reputation, assets and investment types offered, after hours support, fees, and hidden fees.

    Our data-driven approach

    Every rating and review is rooted in research. We do compare partners, but we do not accept paid placements — putting readers first.

    Each factor was appropriately weighted to fairly compare providers based on the data points collected, reflecting the needs of both beginner and experienced investors.

    Our goal

    Our mission is to provide independent, transparent reviews so you can confidently choose the best platform for your investment needs.

Best day trading app overall: Fidelity

Fidelity logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, crypto and REITs
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: $0 commission for U.S. stocks, ETFs; $0.65 per options contracts; $1 per bond and CD
  • Margin rates: 8.25% to 12.575%
  • Order execution speed: 0.04 seconds average
  • Advanced trading tools: Active Trader Pro Platforms, advanced order types, margin trading and international stocks.

  • Why we chose Fidelity

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    The financial firm Fidelity has a powerful reputation in wealth management and retirement planning, but don’t discount its potential as a day trading app. A major reason to consider Fidelity is its Active Trader Pro Platform, which offers day traders lightning-fast execution speeds, customizable dashboards and advanced charting tools.1 Fidelity charges no commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs, and it has ways to get involved with assets like crypto, international stocks, and Forex. You'll also enjoy plenty of ways to customize your trades with multiple order types and access to margin.2 But arguably the biggest perk of being a Fidelity client is that traders can rest easy with the security of this long-standing brand.

Fidelity pros and cons

  • Active Trader Pro Platform: Fidelity’s ATP has many tools traders crave, including real-time streaming quotes, customizable layouts, watchlists, hotkeys and advanced charting.
  • Research and scanners: Beyond ATP, Fidelity offers plenty of institutional-grade research from providers like CFRA, LSEG and Zack’s.3
  • Great order execution: Fidelity consistently ranks high for price improvement and execution speed, now clocking in at about 0.04 second finality.4
  • Margin rates aren’t the best: Although Fidelity offers margin trading, the rates are less competitive than some other platforms.5
  • No futures trading: Traders interested in hedging or speculating with futures contracts won’t find them on Fidelity.
  • Mobile app limitations: While reliable, Fidelity’s mobile platform lacks the speed and features day traders need for entering positions on the go.

Best day trading app for options trading: Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: Tiered and fixed options for stocks and ETFs (including commission-free for IBKR Lite for US residents); tiered for options
  • Margin rates: Start at Benchmark plus 1.5% for IBKR Pro, Benchmark plus 2.5% for IBKR Lite
  • Order execution speed: Uses SmartRouting for immediate execution
  • Advanced trading tools: Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, APIs, Algos, and Risk Navigator

  • Why we chose Interactive Brokers

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    Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a frequent favorite among day traders for its wealth of offerings, low fees and consistently quick execution rates. A major reason IBKR is so efficient at placing orders is that it uses advanced SmartRouting technology as well as Direct Market Access (DMA) to fill orders, which provides near-immediate execution.6 IBKR’s signature Trader Workstation is a “workhorse” in terms of technical analysis and charting data, giving traders everything they need to analyze multiple markets and create their preferred positions.

    While IBKR’s fee schedules are complicated, they’re often among the most competitive — especially for margin rates — and offer customizability with tiered and fixed offerings. You could even test out your strategies on IBKR without real money by taking advantage of its paper trading portal.7 With all of these advanced features and attractive fees, IBKR will likely remain a solid pick for anyone looking for a strong option for short-duration strategies.

Interactive Brokers pros and cons

  • Powerful technical tools: IBKR’s Trader Workstation is a robust tool with advanced charting, hotkeys and algos.
  • Fast execution and extensive order types: IBKR estimates it offers roughly 100 different order types, all of which enjoy near-instant execution thanks to SmartRouting.8
  • Tight spreads, low fees and competitive margin rates: Traders appreciate IBKR’s low average fees and the customization between using an IBKR Lite or IBKR Pro account.9
  • Wide range of assets: IBKR offers many assets in addition to traditional stocks and ETFs, including options, futures, Forex and crypto.
  • Data pricing fees: One sneaky fee to watch out for in IBKR accounts is streaming data charges for select assets.10
  • No social trading: Unlike competitors like eToro, IBKR doesn’t emphasize copy trading or social trading features.
  • Some complaints about customer care: Average Trustpilot scores for IBKR are in the 2.8-star range, with most customers complaining about slow customer service responses.11

Best day trading app for low fees: Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and bonds
  • Minimum investment: $0 for self-directed
  • Fees: $0 commission for online stock and ETF trades; $0 + $0.65 per options contract
  • Margin rates: Margin rates range from 4.83% to 5.83%, depending on the loan amount.
  • Order execution speed: 0.007 seconds average for market orders
  • Advanced trading tools: Merrill Edge MarketPro, BofA Global Research Ratings, OptionsPlay, market depth, alerts and web feeds

  • Why we chose Merrill Edge

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    Merrill Edge might not spring to mind for day trading, but it holds its own thanks to the backing of its parent, Bank of America, and its MarketPro platform.12 While MarketPro may not be as advanced as competitors like IBKR’s TWS or Fidelity’s ATP, it offers a user-friendly interface with technical analytics and unlimited layout customizability.

    The connection to BofA gives you easy integrations with banking services as well as access to this institution’s acclaimed Global Research Ratings for macrotrends and various asset categories.13 In terms of fees, Merrill Edge also has a lot to like, with zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs and competitive contract rates for options.

Merrill Edge pros and cons

  • MarketPro platform: Although MarketPro isn’t the most sophisticated offering, it has many options for customizability and technical analysis.
  • Solid research tools: Thanks to its connection with BofA, you’ll enjoy access to high-quality research from BofA Global Research.14
  • No commissions and low options fees: Merrill Edge offers zero-commission fees on stocks, ETFs and options, plus competitive rates for option contract fees.
  • Limited range of assets: There’s no way to access popular markets like forex, futures or crypto with a Merrill Edge account.
  • Margin rates aren’t transparent: The percentages for borrowing on Merrill Edge are constantly changing and you need to speak to a BofA representative to learn the latest numbers.15
  • Limited advanced order types: While Merrill Edge supports basic order types like market, limit, stop-limit and trailing stop orders, it lacks some of the more advanced conditional orders day traders might prefer.

Best for banking and investing in one platform: Ally Invest

Ally Invest logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, bonds and mutual funds
  • Minimum investment: $0 for self-directed
  • Fees: $0 commission for eligible U.S. stocks and ETFs; $0.50 per options contract
  • Margin rates: Tiered, starting at 12% for balances under $10,000, decreasing to 7.5% for $1,000,000+
  • Order execution speed: Not publicly stated
  • Advanced trading tools: Charting tools, company news, real-time quotes via Ally Invest LIVE, and options chains

  • Why we chose Ally Invest

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    Day traders who prioritize simplicity over sophistication may find the financial platform Ally has all they need for their trade setups. While you won’t get the same degree of charting tools or advanced order types on Ally Invest, it does offer commission-free trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs, as well as attractive rates for options contracts, bonds and mutual funds. Ally Invest really shines with its easy-to-understand interface on both desktop and mobile that integrates with all of Ally’s other financial offerings. Ally Invest also has margin trading and real-time quotes thanks to its Ally Invest LIVE feature.16 While Ally Invest isn’t the ideal pick for advanced day traders, it’s a decent option for beginners or people who just want an easy-to-use interface with low fees and traditional assets.

Ally Invest pros and cons

  • Real-time trading quotes: Ally doesn’t boast instant finalization or direct market access, but it does have real-time trading quotes through its Ally Invest LIVE integration.
  • Decent trading fee schedule: With an Ally Invest account, you don't have to pay commissions on stocks, ETFs, or options, and the per contract rate for options isn't high.
  • Highly-rated mobile app: Ally consistently ranks high for its intuitive mobile experience on iOS and Android.
  • Subpar margin rates: Compared with platforms like IBKR, the quoted margin rates on Ally aren’t as attractive.17
  • No advanced derivatives or alternative markets: Anyone searching for assets like foreign currencies, commodities, futures or crypto won’t find them on Ally Invest.
  • Poor review for customer service: Many Trustpilot scores suggest issues with Ally’s customer care division.18

Best day trading app for crypto investing: Robinhood

Robinhood logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, futures and crypto
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: Commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. For index options, contract fee of $0.50 per contract for non-Gold members and $0.35 for Gold members
  • Margin rates: Tiered between 5.75% to 4.7% (lower for Gold members)
  • Order execution speed: Not publicly stated
  • Advanced trading tools: Robinhood Legend charting platform, real-time data, custom and preset layouts, linked widgets and options chains.

  • Why we chose Robinhood

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    Robinhood has carved out a niche for novice day traders. Why? First off, it’s easy to download this app and start using it on day one. It’s also cheap to trade on Robinhood thanks to zero-commission trades and low fees for options and margin. There are also ways to lower trading fees with perks like an IRA match contribution and preferential rates with a Gold subscription.

    One feature that separates Robinhood from other day trading brokerages is it offers direct access to dozens of cryptocurrencies, including hot coins like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). Robinhood also launched its “Legend” platform with advanced technical indicators and customizable layouts to put even more analytics at a trader’s fingertips.

Robinhood pros and cons

  • Includes crypto and futures: Unlike many other brokers, Robinhood gives you direct access to digital assets, plus futures contracts.
  • Low trading fees: Robinhood made a name for itself with commission-free trading, and it also boasts some of the lowest contract rates for options.
  • Competitive margin rates: In addition to the attractive trading fees, margin rates on Robinhood are extremely competitive.19
  • Robinhood Legend: This advanced desktop app boasts the most cutting-edge tech for technical analysis and order execution.20
  • Limited track record for Legend: While impressive, the Robinhood Legend platform was only announced in 2024, and it has a limited track record versus more established tools like Thinkorswim.
  • Lacks some sophisticated order types: Robinhood offers a few order types for different assets but lacks more advanced options like bracket orders and OCO for seasoned traders.21
  • Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule: For margin accounts with less than $25,000, you’re limited to day trading no more than four day trades within a rolling five business day period (totaling 6% of your portfolio’s value).22 This could be a major restriction for active day traders with smaller accounts.

Which day trading app is right for you?

Day traders tend to prioritize similar features like fees, execution speed and access to multiple assets — but that doesn’t mean every broker offers a carbon-copy experience. Even if a platform caters to day traders, be sure you understand the intricacies of its offerings. 

Brokerage
Who is it for and why?
Standout day trading feature
Fidelity
A balanced option for traders of all skill levels who want reliable tools, quality research, and strong support with a long-term financial partner
The Active Trader Pro platform with real-time data and advanced charting
Interactive Brokers
Ideal for professional and high-volume traders who need access to advanced order types, diverse and global assets and ultra-fast trade execution 
Direct Market Access (DMA) and low margin rates
Merrill Edge
Best for Bank of America clients seeking a smooth and low-fee experience with decent research articles 
MarketPro platform with real-time data and BofA insights
Ally Invest
Great for casual traders who prioritize a clean UI/UX and mobile experience with competitive fees 
Highly-rated mobile app experience 
Robinhood
Ideal for mobile-first traders most interested in low fees and attractive margin rates, as well as access to assets like crypto and futures
Direct access to digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum 

What to consider when choosing a broker for day trading

Even the most successful trading strategy can get undercut by hefty commissions and margin rates. Commission fees for a single day of high-volume trading can run more than a few thousand dollars. So, before potentially wasting a ton of money, factor these costs into how much you’re hoping to net from profitable trades. 

Speed is also of paramount importance. Day traders tend to target volatile stocks on momentum or miniscule movements in which every second counts. An execution delay of only a few seconds can cost big money —  most stock trading platforms offer real-time trading, but with fast-moving trades, any lag in execution or data feeds can make or break positions.

Fees associated with day trading

While day trading can be profitable, its fees are costly. Even with the commission-free revolution, there are numerous extra charges to consider when you calculate your potential profits: 

Direct day trading costs:

  • Commissions: Many brokers offer commission-free trading nowadays for U.S. stocks and ETFs, but these fees may still apply on some platforms — especially for other asset categories like futures or international stocks.
  • Per-contract fees (options): This is a small fee charged when you open and/or close an option contract.
  • Exchange fees: Some exchanges charge service fees for transaction processing.
  • Regulatory fees: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulation Authority impose fees on sales of securities (typically well below a penny per trade).23
  • Margin interest: If you borrow from your platform to augment a trading position, you’ll have to pay this interest until you repay the loan.

Indirect and hidden costs of day trading:

  • Bid-ask spreads: This is the difference between the buying and selling price; wider spreads can reduce profit, especially in less liquid assets like penny stocks or low-volume altcoins.
  • Platform and data fees: Advanced trading platforms with real-time data feeds may have subscription costs for streaming data.
  • Inactivity fees: Some brokers charge you this sneaky fee if you don’t open or trade in your account within a specific period.
  • Withdrawal/deposit fees: Fees for transferring money in or out of your account (less common, but can occur with some payment methods).
  • Currency conversion fees: If you’re trading assets in a currency different from your account base currency, you may have to pay to make the swap.

What are some general day trading strategies?

Day trading is much different from investing. In general, long-term investors prioritize fundamental analysis (for example, a company’s earnings and revenue), while day traders focus on technical chart patterns to gauge how a stock’s price may move within a few seconds, minutes or hours.

To be a true day trader, you must close all positions by the end of every trading session. However, there are a few variations of how short-term trading can play out:

  • Swing trading: This strategy involves holding onto a position for a few days instead of selling out of it by the end of the day. Due to the longer time horizon, swing trading requires a mix of fundamental and technical analysis.
  • Momentum trading: Traders use a figure like the 50-day moving average to assess a stock’s current momentum and buy or sell shares accordingly. Besides looking at long-term trends, momentum traders may watch for breakouts above or below key levels and ride this heightened volatility.
  • Scalp trading: Traders who use this strategy look for small profits in every trade. They immediately sell after realizing their desired profit and may repeat the strategy, or put the cash into another stock.
  • Market and limit orders: Placing market and limit orders allows you to buy and sell stocks at your desired price points. These orders make it easier to walk away from your computer screen while day trading. However, there’s the risk that a stock doesn’t reach your desired price point, resulting in neither a buy nor a sell.

Best practices for starting out with day trading:

  • Only day trade with a little money first: It’s better to learn harsh lessons in the beginning with $50 instead of $5,000. You can also use a stock market simulator or paper trading platform in the beginning.
  • Stick with a strategy: Although day trading involves short-term positions, you still need a comprehensive plan and vision. Changing the strategy too often, especially based on a red day, can make it more difficult to succeed as a day trader.
  • Know when to cut your losses: Determine how much you are willing to lose for each trade before closing the position. Not every trade ends can be profitable, but you can control when you limit your downside.

What are the risks in day trading?

Day trading stocks online has the potential to create behavioral risks. These are not the types of problems that can be solved with advanced firewalls or passcodes. They require a keen awareness of the risks involved in online trading, a commitment to investment fundamentals, and a strong dose of self-discipline. Here are a few to watch out for:

  • Can be addictive. Perhaps the biggest risk is the potential for day trading to become an addiction. The Internet makes trading super accessible nowadays. This could tempt you to trade more than is necessary — or reasonable. Anyone with an addictive personality needs to be extra careful and stay disciplined.
  • Profit is not guaranteed. Whether or not day trading is profitable is questionable. One fact that isn't debatable, however, is that it generates many trading fees, which is why brokerage firms often make trading so enticing. Frequent trading can cause investor profits to plummet by a large volume of small fees. Over time and with excessive trading practices, these additional fees can seriously reduce the return on investment.
  • Easy to underestimate risks. Another significant threat is that online trading — like almost everything on the Internet — is deceptively easy. It may cause you to underestimate the risks you’re incurring with your investing activities.
  • Rushed investment choices without proper research. In the end, the quality of your investments is what drives success. The speed and ease of online trading could cause you to ignore important research in favor of the perceived pursuit of quick profits.

A word of caution about day trading

If you’re not currently a day trader — but are thinking about becoming one — make sure that you understand the risks before diving in. Becoming a day trader is a big commitment, both of time and money.

The SEC requires a $25,000 minimum margin requirement for anyone who executes four or more “day trades” within five consecutive business days.

If you have less than $25,000 and want to invest, we suggest that you check out this practical guide instead.

FAQs

  • What is the best day trading stock app?

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    Picking the best day trading app depends on your experience and preferences. Some apps are more beginner-friendly, such as Robinhood or Merrill Edge, while others cater to more advanced traders, like IBKR or Tastytrade.

  • Can you make $1,000 a day with day trading?

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    While making $1,000 daily is possible, it’s difficult and risky. Unless you get lucky, you’ll need a large account size to start off with, a solid strategy with an exit plan, and a high tolerance for stress to make this work.

  • Can I day trade with $100?

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    Many brokerages don’t have a minimum requirement to start trading, so you could use $100 to day trade.

  • Is day trading ever profitable?

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    Day trading can be profitable, but many traders lose money, especially when starting out.24 To increase the prospects of profitability, you need extreme discipline, a well-thought-out methodology, and a backtested strategy. Consider trying simulated trading with a paper account before diving into real-life day trading and see if you feel comfortable with this method.

Eric Esposito Freelance Contributor

Eric Esposito is a freelance contributor on MoneyWise with an interest in financial markets, investing, and trading. In addition to MoneyWise, Eric’s work can be found on financial publications such as WallStreetZen and CoinDesk. When not researching the latest stock market trends, Eric enjoys biking, walking his dog, and spending time with family in Central Florida. Eric holds a BA in English from Quinnipiac University.

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