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$0 commissions for U.S.-listed stocks; regulatory and other fees may apply
Commission on US stocks
$0 commissions for U.S.-listed stocks; regulatory and other fees may apply
ETF commissions
$0 commissions for U.S.-listed ETFs; regulatory and other fees may apply
Deposit fee
$0 for ACH and debit card deposits
Withdrawal flat fee
ACH: $0; domestic wire: $25; international wire: $45
Inactivity fee
$5/month after more than 12 months inactive, effective August 1, 2026; exemptions apply
Investing
Minimum deposit
$0
Demo account
Yes
Interest on uninvested funds
Yes
Robo Advisor
Yes
Copy Trading
No
Fractional shares
Yes
Debit Card
Yes
Platforms & support
Web
Yes
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Desktop
Yes
Live chat
No
Email
Yes
Phone
Yes
24/7 Support
No
Community forums
Yes
Additional fields
Recommended company
No
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Support channels
Product Statistics
A complete breakdown of all data points across the products in this comparison to help you make the right decision.
Currency exchange fee
0% - 1.5% (0.53%)
Minimum deposit
$0 - $75 ($16.33)
Demo account
4 (44.4%)
Interest on uninvested funds
7 (77.8%)
Robo Advisor
5 (55.6%)
Copy Trading
1 (11.1%)
Fractional shares
8 (88.9%)
Debit Card
8 (88.9%)
Web
9 (100%)
iOS
9 (100%)
Android
9 (100%)
Desktop
6 (66.7%)
Live chat
8 (88.9%)
Email
9 (100%)
Phone
7 (77.8%)
24/7 Support
6 (66.7%)
Community forums
6 (66.7%)
Statistics based on 9 Stock brokers products in our database.
Financer's Choice
Top Rated
SoFi Invest
$0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options with no per-contract fees. Automated investing charges a 0.25% annual management fee. Crypto trading carries a 1% spread. Margin rate is 10.5%. No account minimums.
Support available via phone, chat, and email. Chat tends to be faster, while email can take several days. Free access to certified financial planners is a strong perk. Response quality varies based on representative.
Regulated by FINRA and SEC with SIPC protection up to $500,000. Transparent fee disclosures. Multiple account types including individual, joint, and IRAs. No lock-in periods or early withdrawal penalties on brokerage accounts.
Users praise the clean, intuitive interface and easy account setup. Beginners find the app accessible, while experienced traders criticize the lack of advanced charting and research tools. The integrated financial ecosystem is a standout feature.
Get exclusive conditions from the best financial companies
Best Investments in 2026
The S&P 500 delivered strong returns in 2025, marking three consecutive years of double-digit gains. High-yield savings accounts still pay up to 5% APY, and Treasury yields hover around 3.5% to 4.9% depending on maturity.
Whether you're investing for retirement, building an emergency fund, or growing wealth over decades, picking the right investment type and the right account matters. This guide breaks down the best investments for 2026, what each one actually gives you, and how to choose.
Why Investing Beats Saving
A dollar sitting in a standard checking account loses purchasing power every year to inflation. Over the past decade, inflation has averaged about 3% annually in the U.S. A traditional savings account paying 0.39% APY (the current national average) actually shrinks your wealth in real terms.
Investing flips that equation. Even a conservative portfolio of index funds has historically returned 7% to 10% annually after inflation adjustments. The difference compounds dramatically over time.
Here's a concrete example: $10,000 invested in a savings account at 0.39% grows to roughly $10,400 after 10 years. That same $10,000 in an S&P 500 index fund averaging 10% annually grows to about $25,900. Over 30 years, the gap widens to $11,200 vs. $174,500.
That's the power of compound interest at work. Your returns generate their own returns, and the effect snowballs over time.
Best Investments for 2026
Not every investment fits every situation. If you're wondering where to invest money to get good returns, the answer depends on your timeline, risk tolerance, and financial goals. Here are the best investment options right now, ranked from lowest to highest risk.
High-Yield Savings Accounts
Best for: Emergency funds and short-term savings goals (under 2 years)
Current rates: Up to 5.00% APY (as of February 2026)
High-yield savings accounts from online banks pay 10x to 12x the national average. Your money stays fully liquid, meaning you can withdraw anytime without penalty. All deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank.
Rates float with the Federal Reserve's decisions. When the Fed cuts rates, your APY drops too. But right now, with top accounts paying 4% to 5%, they're one of the best places to park cash you might need soon.
Best for: Money you won't need for 6 months to 5 years
Current rates: Up to 4.15% APY for 12-month terms
CDs lock in your interest rate for a set period. That's an advantage right now because the Fed is expected to continue cutting rates in 2026. A 12-month CD at 4.15% guarantees that rate even if savings account yields drop.
The tradeoff is liquidity. Withdraw early and you'll typically pay a penalty of 3 to 6 months of interest. A CD ladder (splitting your money across multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates) gives you regular access to portions of your cash while locking in today's rates.
CDs are FDIC-insured, just like savings accounts.
Treasury Securities
Best for: Tax-advantaged income and near-zero default risk
Current yields:3.5% to 4.9% depending on maturity
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. They're considered the safest investments in the world.
Key advantage: Treasury interest is exempt from state and local income taxes. If you live in a high-tax state like California or New York, that makes the effective yield higher than a comparable CD or savings account.
T-Bills (4-52 weeks): Currently yielding around 3.6% to 3.7%. Good for short-term parking.
T-Notes (2-10 years): Yields around 4.0% to 4.5%. Solid for intermediate-term goals.
I-Bonds: Adjust for inflation. The fixed rate plus inflation component protects your purchasing power.
You can buy Treasuries directly through TreasuryDirect.gov with no fees.
Bond Funds and Bond ETFs
Best for: Income-focused investors and portfolio diversification
Bonds pay you regular interest and return your principal at maturity. Bond funds and ETFs bundle hundreds of individual bonds into one investment, giving you instant diversification.
With the Fed expected to continue cutting rates, bond prices could rise (bond prices move inversely to interest rates). That makes 2026 a potentially strong year for bond fund total returns. See our guide on the best bond ETFs for specific fund picks.
Main bond categories:
Investment-grade corporate bonds: Higher yields than Treasuries, slightly more risk.
Municipal bonds: Tax-free interest at the federal level (and often state level). Best for investors in high tax brackets.
Total bond market ETFs: Broad exposure to U.S. investment-grade bonds. Low fees, high liquidity.
Index Funds and ETFs
Index funds and ETFs are the foundation of most successful investment portfolios and widely considered the best investments for long-term wealth building. They track a market index like the S&P 500, giving you exposure to hundreds of companies in a single purchase.
Why they work so well:
Extremely low fees. Many S&P 500 ETFs charge 0.03% or less in expense ratios. That's $3 per year on a $10,000 investment.
Built-in diversification. Owning 500 companies means no single stock can tank your portfolio.
Consistent performance. Over any 20-year period in history, the S&P 500 has delivered positive returns.
Best for: Experienced investors comfortable with higher risk
Buying individual stocks means owning a piece of one specific company. The potential returns are higher than index funds, but so is the risk. One bad earnings report can drop a stock 20% or more overnight.
If you want to invest in individual stocks, keep these principles in mind:
Only invest money you won't need for at least 5 years.
Never put more than 5% to 10% of your portfolio in a single stock.
Focus on companies with strong fundamentals: consistent revenue growth, healthy profit margins, and manageable debt.
Consider building a core portfolio of index funds first, then adding individual stocks as a smaller "satellite" allocation.
Many brokers now offer $0 commission trades on U.S. stocks and fractional shares, so you can start building positions with as little as $1. Robinhood and eToro are popular choices for commission-free stock trading.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Best for: Passive real estate exposure and dividend income
REITs let you invest in real estate without buying property. They own and operate income-producing real estate like apartment buildings, office complexes, data centers, and cell towers.
By law, REITs must distribute at least 90% of their taxable income as dividends. That makes them one of the highest-yielding investment categories. Many REITs pay 3% to 6% dividend yields.
You can buy publicly traded REITs through any brokerage account, just like stocks. REIT ETFs offer diversified exposure across hundreds of properties and real estate sectors.
Cryptocurrency
Best for: Risk-tolerant investors looking for high-growth potential
Crypto remains one of the most volatile asset classes available. Bitcoin and Ethereum are the two largest by market cap and the most established.
Crypto can play a role in a diversified portfolio, but most financial advisors suggest limiting it to 5% or less of your total investments. The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, and prices can swing 10% or more in a single day.
Investment Account Types: Where to Hold Your Investments
The type of account you invest through matters just as much as what you invest in. The right account can save you thousands in taxes over your investing lifetime. Compare IRA accounts and 401(k) plans to find the best fit.
How to Build Your Investment Strategy
Your investment strategy should match your life stage, income, and goals. There's no single "best" approach, but there are proven frameworks that work.
Steps to Start Investing
Define your goals and timeline
Are you investing for retirement in 30 years, a house down payment in 5 years, or an emergency fund? Your timeline determines your risk tolerance. Longer timelines can handle more stock exposure.
Build an emergency fund first
Before investing in stocks or bonds, set aside 3 to 6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account. This prevents you from selling investments at a loss during an unexpected expense.
Capture your employer match
If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contribute enough to get the full match before investing elsewhere. A 50% match on 6% of salary is an instant 50% return on your money.
Choose the right account type
Max out tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), Roth IRA) before using a taxable brokerage. The tax savings compound over decades and can add hundreds of thousands to your retirement.
Set your asset allocation
A common rule of thumb: subtract your age from 110 to get your stock allocation percentage. A 30-year-old might target 80% stocks and 20% bonds. A 55-year-old might shift to 55% stocks and 45% bonds. Adjust based on your personal risk tolerance.
Automate and stay consistent
Set up automatic contributions on a regular schedule. Dollar-cost averaging (investing a fixed amount at regular intervals) smooths out market volatility and removes the temptation to time the market.
Investment Sectors to Watch in 2026
Beyond broad market index funds, certain sectors show strong momentum heading into 2026:
Technology and AI: Communication Services led all S&P 500 sectors in 2025 with 33.7% gains, followed by Information Technology at 24%. AI-related companies continue to attract significant capital.
Financials: Banks and financial services posted 15% gains in 2025. Higher interest rates have boosted net interest margins for major banks.
Healthcare: A 14.6% return in 2025, driven by biotech innovation and an aging population. This sector tends to be more defensive during downturns.
Clean energy: Government incentives and corporate sustainability goals continue to drive investment into solar, wind, and battery technology.
Remember that sector investing carries concentrated risk. Most investors are better served by a core portfolio of broad index funds supplemented with smaller sector allocations.
Common Investment Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced investors make these errors. Recognizing them upfront can save you real money.
Timing the market. Missing just the 10 best trading days over a 20-year period can cut your returns by more than half. Stay invested.
Ignoring fees. A 1% annual fee might seem small, but it can cost you hundreds of thousands over a lifetime. Choose low-cost index funds when possible.
Putting all your eggs in one basket. Concentrating your portfolio in a single stock or sector amplifies risk. Diversify across asset classes and geographies.
Panic selling during downturns. Market drops are normal and temporary. The S&P 500 has recovered from every crash in history. Selling during a downturn locks in losses.
Skipping your employer match. Not contributing enough to get your full 401(k) match is leaving free money on the table.
Waiting to start. Time in the market beats timing the market. Even small amounts invested early compound into significant wealth.
Compare Investment Accounts
Ready to start investing? Use the comparison tool above to compare investment accounts side by side. Filter by commission fees, minimum deposits, available assets, and more.
You can start investing with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares. Many popular platforms have no account minimums. The most important thing is to start, even if you can only invest $25 or $50 per month.
What are the best investments right now?
The best investments depend on your timeline. For short-term goals (under 2 years), high-yield savings accounts and CDs paying 4% to 5% APY are strong options. For long-term goals (5+ years), low-cost index funds tracking the S&P 500 remain the best investment for most people, with historical average returns around 10% annually.
What's the difference between saving and investing?
Saving means putting money in low-risk accounts like savings accounts or CDs where your principal is protected. Investing means buying assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate that can grow in value but also carry risk of loss. Saving is best for short-term goals and emergency funds. Investing is best for long-term wealth building.
Should I buy individual stocks or index funds?
For most investors, index funds are the better choice. They provide instant diversification, have lower fees, and historically outperform the majority of actively managed funds. Individual stocks can supplement an index fund core, but most of your portfolio should be in broadly diversified funds.
What is the best place to invest money right now?
Start with tax-advantaged accounts. If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contribute enough to get the full match first. Then fund a Roth IRA (up to $7,500 in 2026). After maxing out these accounts, use a taxable brokerage account. Within these accounts, low-cost S&P 500 or total stock market index funds are solid choices for long-term investing.
What is the safest investment with the highest return?
Treasury securities and FDIC-insured high-yield savings accounts are among the safest investments. High-yield savings accounts currently offer up to 5% APY. Treasury bonds yield 3.5% to 4.9% depending on maturity. For slightly higher returns with very low risk, investment-grade bond funds are worth considering.
What is dollar-cost averaging?
Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule regardless of market conditions. For example, investing $500 every month into an index fund. When prices are high, you buy fewer shares. When prices are low, you buy more. Over time, this averages out your purchase price and removes the stress of trying to time the market.
