Mobile trading apps keep getting smarter, cheaper and more persuasive. That’s great — but it also makes choosing the right app confusing. In this guide I’ll walk you through the features that actually matter, compare the apps people use most in 2025, and finish with clear, real-world recommendations based on different goals and experience levels. I’ve drawn on recent platform metrics, expert reviews and regional examples so you can pick a winner without doomscrolling through forums.
Quick TL;DR (choose by profile)
- Beginner, low funds, want simple investing: Fidelity, Moomoo (Malaysia) — easy onboarding, educational tools, low/no commissions.
- Active trader, fast execution, advanced tools: Interactive Brokers or Webull — pro-level order types, margin, deep market data.
- Social/copy trading or international diversification: eToro — social features and multi-market access.
- Malaysian investor wanting local + US markets: Moomoo MY or Rakuten Trade — local licensing, low commissions, fractional US shares. (Moomoo)
Why the choice matters (short)
A trading app is the interface between you and the financial markets. Different apps make different trade-offs between cost, tools, data, and education. Pick the wrong one and you either pay too much, miss a feature you need, or get nudged into risky behaviour by a flashy UI. Pick the right one and you save fees, learn faster, and build wealth more reliably.
6 questions to ask yourself before you download anything
- Which markets do I need? (Local stocks, US, ETFs, crypto, options, futures)
- How often will I trade? (Once a month vs multiple times per day)
- Do I need advanced order types or margin? (Pro traders)
- Do I want educational content / built-in portfolios? (Beginners)
- How important is regulation and custody? (Safety)
- What are the explicit and hidden costs? (commissions, FX spreads, inactivity, data)
Answer these first — they narrow the field faster than reading SEO headlines.
What to look for in a great stock app (the practical checklist)
Fees & execution
- Zero commission is common for US stocks, but watch FX, spreads, and withdrawal fees.
Data & tools - Real-time quotes, charting, technical indicators, alerts — essential for traders.
Order types - Market, limit, stop-loss, stop-limit, bracket orders and conditional orders: useful for risk control.
Fractional shares - Let you buy partial shares of expensive stocks (good for small accounts).
Research & education - Analyst ratings, screeners, tutorials and model portfolios are a big plus for beginners.
Regulation & custody - Make sure the app is regulated in your country and that cash/securities are custodied with reputable institutions.
UX & support - App stability, simple deposit/withdrawal flows and responsive customer service matter — a lot.
Robinhood — the mass-market app that still leads in reach
Robinhood transformed retail investing and still has tens of millions of funded accounts and large assets under custody; it’s positioned for active, commission-sensitive traders and continues expanding product lines (crypto, futures, cards). It’s sleek and easy for beginners, though some advanced traders prefer platforms with deeper order capabilities and more research. (investors.robinhood.com)
Webull — cheap, fast, and feature rich for active traders
Webull has a large registered user base and offers advanced charts, paper trading, and many order types. In 2025 they’ve been adding subscription tier features (premium research) and continue to be a favorite for traders who want institutional-style tools on mobile. If you trade actively, Webull is worth testing.
Interactive Brokers — pro tools, global markets, best for serious traders
IBKR supports dozens of markets, low margin rates and highly customisable order routing. The interface can feel dense to beginners, but if you need multi-market access, advanced order types, or low financing costs, IBKR often beats rivals on raw capability.
Fidelity (and big legacy brokerages) — best for long-term investors and trusted custody
Fidelity pairs no-commission trades with strong research, retirement planning tools and robust customer support — a top pick for buy-and-hold investors or those building taxable/retirement portfolios. Its mobile app is widely praised for balancing power with simplicity. (NerdWallet)
eToro — social and copy trading, international reach
eToro’s “social” feed and copy-trading features let you watch and mimic other investors, which appeals to novices wanting community signals and to people seeking diversified global exposure in one app. In 2025 eToro continued to grow its registered base and expand regulated footprints worldwide.
Regional picks: Moomoo and Rakuten Trade (Malaysia example)
Malaysia’s retail investing boom has produced competent local options. Moomoo MY (Futu) brings professional charts and low US/MY trading commissions to Malaysian users; Rakuten Trade offers ultra-competitive local and US fees with simple sign-up and fractional US shares — both are licensed locally and are tailored to Malaysian needs. If you live in Malaysia, these are sensible first ports of call.
Real numbers that matter (what recent data shows)
- Big retail platforms report tens of millions of registered/funded accounts; scale matters because it affects liquidity, product investment and pricing power. (Robinhood, eToro and Webull continue to report large user bases in 2025.)
- In many countries, commission competition has driven fees to near zero for simple stock/ETF trades — but FX, custody and add-ons remain revenue sources for platforms, so always check the full fee schedule.
Case study — a beginner in Kuala Lumpur (how the choices play out)
A 28-year-old in KL wants to invest RM500 monthly across Malaysian blue-chips and US ETFs. Practical path:
- Open a licensed local broker (Rakuten Trade or Moomoo MY) for easy Bursa access and lower FX friction. Rakuten’s low commission and fractional US share offering make the RM500 monthly plan feasible.
- Use the app’s educational resources and set automated reminders for monthly buys.
- Keep a backup account at a global broker (Fidelity or IBKR) if you later want tax-efficient US retirement products or deeper research tools.
Safety and behavioural tips (so you don’t lose money to the UI)
- Disable push notifications for “hot picks” — most platforms use behavioural nudges.
- Set limit orders on thinly traded stocks to avoid slippage.
- Use two-factor authentication and check custody details (who holds your securities).
- Start with paper trading (available in many apps) or very small positions to learn the flow.
Final recommendation: pick by purpose, not hype
- If your priority is learning and building wealth slowly → pick a regulated, full-service app with strong research (Fidelity, Moomoo MY).
- If you’re an active trader who needs fast execution and charting → test Webull or Interactive Brokers.
- If you want social/copy trading or easy international diversification → try eToro.
- If you live in Malaysia and want a low-cost entry with local support → Moomoo MY or Rakuten Trade are excellent local options. (Moomoo)
How to test an app in 30 minutes (practical checklist)
- Sign up and verify identity.
- Explore deposit and withdrawal flows (time and fees).
- Search, price and place a small buy order—use limit order.
- Open a chart and set a basic alert.
- Check help/education and find the fee schedule.
If the app fails any of these, uninstall.
Closing — the smart mindset
The “best” app is the one that matches your needs and temperament — tools don’t make winners, habits do. Start with a simple, safe app; master the basics (diversification, cost control, consistency), and then graduate to advanced platforms only when your strategy requires them.