Cheapest Broker for US Stocks 2026: Zero-Commission Options Compared

The Cheapest Brokers for US Stocks in 2026

Zero-commission trading has become the industry standard in 2026, but the cheapest broker depends on more than just commission rates. Hidden costs like payment for order flow (PFOF), higher margin rates, and limited order types can offset the savings from $0 commissions.

Truly Free Trading Options

Robinhood

The original zero-commission broker. Robinhood offers $0 on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. However, revenue comes from PFOF and margin lending. Best for casual investors who prioritize simplicity.

Webull

Zero commissions with extended hours trading (4 AM - 8 PM). Webull offers a more advanced mobile experience than Robinhood with better charting tools and paper trading. The extended hours window is the longest in the industry.

IBKR Lite

Interactive Brokers' Lite plan offers truly free US stock and ETF trading with no PFOF. The catch: you miss out on IBKR Pro's superior execution, SmartRouter, and lower margin rates. Still, it's the highest-quality free option available.

Low-Cost Paid Options

IBKR Pro — $0.005/share

At $0.005 per share (min $1.00), IBKR Pro is the cheapest paid option and arguably the best overall value. You get the best execution, lowest margin rates (5.33%), and access to 150+ global markets.

tastytrade — $0 stocks, $1/options opening

Free stock trading plus $1.00 per contract for options (closing is free). If you trade options, tastytrade's pricing model is hard to beat.

The Bottom Line

For pure stock trading, IBKR Lite or Webull offer the best value. For options, tastytrade is cheapest. For international markets, IBKR Pro's per-share pricing makes it the most cost-effective option for global diversification.