We evaluated 15+ platforms on ETF selection, expense ratio access, screener quality, fractional shares, and commission structures. Here are the top 5 brokers for building an ETF portfolio.
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All five brokers offer $0 commissions on ETF trades. Differences lie in ETF selection, screening tools, and fractional share support.
| Broker | Best For | ETFs Available | Commission | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Fidelity | Best Overall for ETF Investing | 2,000+ | $0 | 4.9 | Open Account → |
| Charles Schwab | Best ETF Screener & Research | 2,200+ | $0 | 4.8 | Open Account → |
| Interactive Brokers | Best for Global ETF Access | 13,000+ | $0 (IBKR Lite) | 4.7 | Open Account → |
| SoFi Invest | Best for Beginner ETF Investors | 500+ | $0 | 4.6 | Open Account → |
| Webull | Best Free ETF Charting Tools | 1,500+ | $0 | 4.5 | Open Account → |
Fidelity dominates ETF investing — $0 commissions on all ETF trades, 2,000+ ETFs available, fractional ETF shares, and their own lineup of ZERO expense ratio index ETFs. Unmatched for cost-conscious ETF investors.
Schwab's ETF screener is among the most powerful available — filter by expense ratio, asset class, factor, region, and more. Their proprietary Schwab ETFs start at just 0.03% ER, rivaling even Vanguard.
IBKR offers access to over 13,000 ETFs across 150 markets in 33 countries — by far the most extensive ETF universe available to retail investors. Essential for those building globally diversified portfolios.
SoFi makes ETF investing dead-simple — invest in any ETF from just $1 with fractional shares, or let their free robo-advisor build you a diversified ETF portfolio automatically. Zero friction, zero advisory fees.
Webull pairs $0 commission ETF trades with surprisingly powerful technical analysis tools — making it a great choice for ETF investors who like to time entries and analyze fund trends before buying.
Every broker compared on the features that matter most for ETF investors.
| Feature | Fidelity | Charles Schwab | Interactive Brokers | SoFi Invest | Webull |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs Available | 2,000+ | 2,200+ | 13,000+ | 500+ | 1,500+ |
| ETF Commission | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fractional ETF Shares | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero-ER ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ETF Screener Quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Global ETF Access | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Robo ETF Portfolio | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| DRIP | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| IRA Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Not all ETFs are the same — understanding the categories helps you build a portfolio that matches your goals and risk tolerance.
Track the total US or global stock market. VOO (S&P 500), VTI (Total Market), FZROX (Fidelity Zero). These are the foundation of most long-term portfolios with expense ratios as low as 0.00%.
Examples: VOO, VTI, FZROX, SCHB
Track a specific industry — technology, healthcare, financials, energy, etc. Higher potential returns in bull cycles, higher concentration risk. XLK, XLF, XLV are popular examples.
Examples: XLK, XLF, XLV, SOXX
Provide exposure to non-US markets — developed (Europe, Japan) or emerging (China, India, Brazil). Essential for a globally diversified retirement portfolio. Best accessed through IBKR for maximum selection.
Examples: VXUS, EFA, EEM, VEA
Track government or corporate bond indices. Used to reduce portfolio volatility, generate income, and balance equity risk — especially important as you approach retirement.
Examples: BND, AGG, TLT, VCSH
Invest in REITs — companies that own income-producing real estate. Provides real estate exposure without property ownership. Known for relatively high dividend yields.
Examples: VNQ, SCHH, IYR
Target specific return factors like value, momentum, quality, low volatility, or dividend growth. Evidence-based investing approach — historically outperforms cap-weight over long time horizons.
Examples: MTUM, QUAL, USMV, VIG
Every broker on this list charges $0 to trade ETFs — so the differentiating factors come down to selection, tools, and cost structure.
Make sure your broker carries the specific ETFs you want to hold — especially for niche sectors, international markets, or thematic strategies. Fidelity and Schwab cover most needs. IBKR is best for global.
Even a 0.10% difference in expense ratio costs thousands over 30 years. Look for brokers that carry Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity funds — not just high-ER alternatives.
A quality ETF screener lets you filter by expense ratio, asset class, factor, dividend yield, and performance. Schwab and Fidelity have the best retail screeners. This matters more as your portfolio grows.
If you're investing smaller amounts or want to invest exactly $X in each ETF regardless of share price, fractional shares are essential. Fidelity and SoFi support this; Webull does not.
Holding ETFs inside a Roth IRA eliminates capital gains tax entirely. Make sure your broker supports IRA accounts — most do, but it's worth confirming for SEP IRAs and other specialty accounts.
Fidelity is our #1 pick — 2,000+ commission-free ETFs, fractional shares, and the only broker with zero expense ratio index ETFs.
Read Our Fidelity ReviewIndependent recommendation — no affiliate commission.