The Five Best Apps for Stocks & Crypto Trading
Navigating the world of crypto and stock investing can be challenging, but some platforms now offer the best of both worlds. We’ve reviewed the best apps that allow trading in both asset classes, and we’ve compiled a list of our five top options — but which is best?
Read on to find out more about the benefits and fees of each platform, so you can choose which is best for you.
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Best Apps for Investors Looking to Buy Crypto and Stocks
For investors, anything that streamlines the process should be considered a win right?We definitely agree with that logic.
Apps like Robinhood, eToro, and Wealthsimple have opened up investing to an entirely new demographic that were previously cut off from the traditional markets. Features like fractional stocks and robo-advisors have created an easy entry to the market that didn’t previously exist. These days all you need to invest in the stock market is a phone or computer (and, well… some cash).
What about crypto?
Crypto was invented with the idea of giving average people more control over their finances so it seems like a natural fit for new-school financial companies. In fact the demand for crypto is what made Robinhood and Wealthsimple add crypto to their traditional stock offerings. The top apps for crypto trading were exchanges up until this point.
These days you can use a number of apps as your one-stop shop for stocks, commodities, bonds and trading crypto.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best crypto and stock trading apps for investors who want to do it all on one app:
| App | Best For | Top Rated Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | best no fee crypto exchange | Don’t charge trading fees and no monthly fee |
| Wealthsimple | best crypto app | Low account minimums and investment rewards |
| Webull Pay | Best low fee crypto exchange | 1% fee is lower than the spread charged by other apps on this list |
| Uphold | Best for swapping Crypto and stocks | Swap stocks for crypto and vice-versa |
| eToro | best crypto exchange | Easy deposits and withdrawals for Americans |
- Great for crypto beginners
- Solid crypto/general trading platform
- Reliable company with solid trust in the community
- Fully supports credit cards for deposits and withdrawals
- A great one-stop shop for anyone looking to invest in cryptocurrency or stocks
- Easy onboarding procedure requires very little from user
- Fully regulated financial institution in the United States
- Support for BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, DOGE, ETC, and BSV
- All-in-one app that features banking, stocks and cryptocurrency options
- Wealthsimple Crypto is available to Canadians only
- Wealthsimple is very safe and insured by several regulators
- One of the fastest growing online financial institutions in the world
- Online broker with support for stocks, ETFs, options and cryptocurrencies
- Buy cryptocurrency for as little as $1
- Commission-free trading
- Free stock for signing up
- Simple but effective card for using your crypto for everyday purchases
- Up to 2% (XRP) cashback available to users
- No foreign transaction fees or annual fees
- Spend directly from your Uphold trading account, no need to add funds to the card
Robinhood
Robinhood is an investment platform that rose to popularity, due to their no-commission structure. They added a crypto section on their platform during the huge crypto asset bubble of 2017. It’s important to note that Robinhood is only available to American citizens. Their site boasts zero commission on both stock and crypto trades, but they make money by having price spreads on their markets.
In terms of investment options between stocks and crypto, they offer cash management on uninvested cash, stocks, ETFs, gold, and crypto.
As far as crypto options go, Robinhood offers 35+ coins and tokens for buying and selling, with almost all of them being able to be deposited and withdrawn from the platform.
Why choose Robinhood?
They offer their users a better value for money, in comparriosn to platforms such as Coinbase and Kraken when it comes to buying and selling crypto instantly.
The user experience
I found it easy to sign up for Robinhood and make a trade within the same day.
Available Platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Website
- A great one-stop shop for anyone looking to invest in cryptocurrency or stocks
- Easy onboarding procedure requires very little from user
- Fully regulated financial institution in the United States
- Support for BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, DOGE, ETC, and BSV
Pros
Commission free trades
Buy stocks and crypto from one app
Easy to sign up and use
Cons
Only available to Americans
Somewhat limited crypto selection
Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple was launched in 2014, and the financial technology company is focused on providing ways for their users to easily access and manage investments via automated savings systems. Users are able to buy and sell stocks across a variety of exchanges in a personal or TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account), making them one of the best apps for stock market trading for Canadians.
They added crypto to their offerings, so traders can also buy and sell supported digital assets on the platform. By offering both crypto and traditional investments on one platform, Wealthsimple has become one of the best trading platforms for stocks and crypto for Canadian residents.
This platform offers investment options in the Canadian stock markets such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), while also offering users access to US markets like the NASDAQ, ETFs, and more. In terms of crypto, they currently offer 66 digital assets for buying and selling.
Why choose Wealthsimple?
They offer Canadians a great way to invest in stocks and crypto, while also having access to US markets in addition to Canadian ones.
The user experience
I found Wealthsimple’s instant deposit option to be extremely convenient when looking to buy a dip on my favorite investment assets.
Available platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Website
- All-in-one app that features banking, stocks and cryptocurrency options
- Wealthsimple Crypto is available to Canadians only
- Wealthsimple is very safe and insured by several regulators
- One of the fastest growing online financial institutions in the world
Pros
No commissions on trades
Easy CAD deposits
Canadians have access to American and Canadian markets
Cons
Not available to American users
Spread for fees is higher than what you would get with an exchange
eToro
eToro originally launched in 2007 for trading stocks and other traditional investments. Today, they are one of the top investment apps by offering traditional investment options, along with fiat to crypto exchange/investment. They accept credit, debit and wire transfers as payment methods with no deposit fees. Their platform is available for US, UK, and many European users, but not Canadians.
eToro offers investment options for stocks, ETFs and more, with a social trading aspect. This means that traders can copy each others’ strategies for free.
Currently, they offer 130 crypto coins and tokens on their platform, however, they don’t offer any stablecoins. They offer staking for three crypto assets: Ethereum, Cardano, and Tron. The platform supports deposits and withdrawals of crypto through a money wallet.
Why choose eToro?
They have a large selection of both crypto and traditional investment options, and over 15 years of experience.
The user experience
The app is super conveneint. I also found it easy to buy both stocks and crypto through the website, it’s quite user friendly.
Available platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Website
- Great for crypto beginners
- Solid crypto/general trading platform
- Reliable company with solid trust in the community
- Fully supports credit cards for deposits and withdrawals
eToro
eToro originally launched in 2007 for trading stocks and other traditional investments. Today, they are one of the top investment apps by offering traditional investment options, along with fiat to crypto exchange/investment. They accept credit, debit and wire transfers as payment methods with no deposit fees. Their platform is available for US, UK, and many European users, but not Canadians.
eToro offers investment options for stocks, ETFs and more, with a social trading aspect. This means that traders can copy each others’ strategies for free.
Currently, they offer 130 crypto coins and tokens on their platform, however, they don’t offer any stablecoins. They offer staking for three crypto assets: Ethereum, Cardano, and Tron. The platform supports deposits and withdrawals of crypto through a money wallet.
Why choose eToro?
They have a large selection of both crypto and traditional investment options, and over 15 years of experience.
The user experience
The app is super conveneint. I also found it easy to buy both stocks and crypto through the website, it’s quite user friendly.
Available platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Website
Pros
Large selection of crypto and stocks
Staking available for 3 crypto assets
Reasonable fees
Cons
Not available to Canadians
Can only deposit and withdraw through eToro money wallet
Uphold
Uphold Exchange is somewhat unique among the apps on this list. Why? Well, on Uphold, you can convert any of their assets to any of their other supported assets from the same trading page. For example, you can convert something like Bitcoin to a US stock like Apple from the same account.
You just enter what you want to trade and what you want to receive, and they will do the work. The other apps on this list would require you to swap Bitcoin for cash, then cash for the stock.
Why choose Uphold?
They let you convert anything to anything… seriosuly. You can convert crypto to stock, or vice versa, all on their app.
The user experience
Firstly, the fact that I was able to convert any of their supported assets to another one, all from a single interface is just amazing. Their platform is extremely convenient, fast and tailored for investors who want quick solutions.
Available platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Website
- The ultimate anything-to-anything exchange with support for foreign currencies, crypto, precious metals and more
- Easy sign-up process with streamlined UI
- Remarkably secure with proof of assets feature
- Available to people in over 150 different countries
Pros
Reserves are updated regularly
Esily convert stock to crypto, vice versa or more
Great user interface for trades
Cons
Fees charged as spreads
High withdrawal fees
Webull
Webull is a crypto and stocks trading platform that targets newer traders who are looking for a mix of convenience and functionality. The were founded by Fumi Technology, back in 2017 and now, they boast a zero-commission model. Essentially, they have a competitive adavange, in comparrison to most brokerage platforms. Unlike other platforms, they offer margin trading for their users.
A quick update for those who didn’t know, but Webull no longer offers their crypto and stocks products from the same app. They now have a Webull app (for stock trading) and a Webull Pay app (for crypto trading).
Webull Pay supports 8 cryptocurrencies and has the lowest fees on this list, as they charge 100bps, or about 1%. Most other apps on this list charge a spread which is often much higher than 1%.
Why choose Webull Pay?
This app has an extremely user-friendly interface that makes it easy to make your first crypto purchase.
The user experience
It’s easy to use, but to be honest, I wish they had a few more assets to choose from, considering their low fees.
Available platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Website
- Online broker with support for stocks, ETFs, options and cryptocurrencies
- Buy cryptocurrency for as little as $1
- Commission-free trading
- Free stock for signing up
Pros
Low fees at 1%
Convenient, easy to use and user freindly
Very intuitive user interface
Cons
They split crypto and stocks into 2 different apps
Only 8 assets available
What to Look for: Comparing the Top Apps to Buy Crypto and Stocks
| App | Crypto Assets Supported | Fees | Available Platforms | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | 37 | Spread | iOS, Android, Web | Robinhood Credit Card |
| Wealthsimple | 66 | Spread | iOS, Android, Web | Gives Canadian users access to US stocks |
| eToro | 130 | 1% | iOS, Android, Web | eToro Money Crypto Wallet |
| Webull Pay | 8 | 1% | iOS, Android, Web | Lowest fees |
Step-by-Step Guide: Signing Up for a Crypto and Stock App Made Easy
The good news:
The steps for signing up for a crypto and stock app are ostensibly the same.
The not so good news:
There are some subtle differences you need to look out for, depending on the platform.
That said, the process we’ll show you below is the general one you’ll experience when you sign up for any of the apps on this page, but there may be small differences.
Step 1: Visit the site or download the app
The first step in signing up for a crypto and stock app/website is to either go to the site, or download the app from your favorite app store.
Step 2: Fill in personal information for identity verification
When you sign up for a crypto and stock app, you have to fill in your personal information, so the platform can your verify your data. This typically includes your address, full name, date of birth, email and/or phone number, and possibly your occupation. You may also have to provide pictures of an identity document such as a driver’s license or passport and a selfie.
Step 3: Wait for identity verification to be completed
After you’ve filled out all your personal information and uploaded any necessary pictures, you just need to wait for the platform to verify your identity. This can take a few minutes or days. It all depends on the platform and the accuracy of the information you provided.
Step 4: Deposit funds
Once your identity is verified, you can deposit funds. This can often be done through an “Add Funds” or “Deposit” button. You may need to link a bank account or card during this step.
Depending on the app, the funds may be instantly available or they might have to be transferred. For example, with Wealthsimple, you can deposit up to $1,500 CAD instantly. Once you have the funds available you can make your first trade.
Step 5: Make a trade
Now that your funds are available in your account you can make your first trade. This can be done as a market or limit order, depending on the app.
Tip: Make sure you’re satisfied with the amount you’re buying and the cost, then submit your order. The app will execute the trade for you and the asset will be in your account when completed.
Investor Tips: How to Invest in Crypto Safely
There are a few main features to consider when looking to invest in cryptocurrencies using apps like the ones we’ve mention. The best crypto trading and stock trading apps need to be safe to use. This is crucial. So, when looking into assets, you need to ask your
How will they store my assets?
For cryptocurrencies, most service providers should keep 95% or more of their customer’s funds in cold storage (offline) in case there is a security breach.
How will my account be secured?
It’s important to check if the app requires you to use two-factor authentication (2FA) or similar methods when looking to sign in, withdraw, or buy. Ideally, you want there to be an extra layer required in case someone gains access to your account.
How will my data be secured in case of a breach?
As long as the platform is properly regulated, your user data is properly secured.
Every app on this list meets the standards noted above, as they all offer 2FA or similar account security while keeping most user funds offline and having solid user data policies.
Crypto Exchanges vs. Fintech Apps: Which is better?
Firstly, great question.
Crypto exchanges like Coinbase or Kraken are definitely better for cryptocurrency trading but they don’t offer stocks.
The major difference between exchanges and some fintech apps like Robinhood, is that they don’t always allow crypto withdrawals. Instead, you can simply buy, sell and trade it. For crypto purists who prefer to hold their crypto on personal wallets, this is somewhat of a non-starter.
That said, platforms like Robinhood and the others on this list do allow crypto withdrawals of almost all assets, but when they first launched their services, this wasn’t necessarily the case.
Interestingly Binance offers access to synthetic markets so you can get exposure to the stock market but those are unavailable in the USA.
FAQ
While most of the platforms noted on this page advertise zero-commissions on trades, there is a caveat to that statement.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) assesses transaction fees on exchanges it regulates. In addition, FINRA also charges a trading activity fee to these exchanges.
These platforms pass these fees onto their users, but they are often not incurred unless you hit certain thresholds for buying and selling (a transaction of over $500 for example). So, any SEC regulated exchange that advertises zero fees is slightly misleading users.
The apps we’ve mentioned in this article would be among the best apps for crypto trading but only if you also want stock trading.
A cryptocurrency exchange like Kraken or Coinbase and their respective mobile apps would probably be best if you’re only interested in crypto trading apps.
Still stock trading apps like Robinhood and SoFi have a few advantages over crypto exchanges. One key advantage is that their UI is much simpler. Because you aren’t interacting directly with your crypto you won’t typically have to worry about crypto addresses or gas fees. The onboarding process for Robinhood and SoFi can also be somewhat easier. The downside is that you’ll have access to far fewer cryptocurrencies and you’ll have less control over your crypto holdings.
It should be noted there is a wide breadth of different cryptocurrency exchanges. Some exchanges only offer a few different digital assets while others offer a massive assortment of coins with low fees for trading volume.
We recommend checking out our Best Crypto Exchanges section to get a better idea about the best crypto apps
No, crypto and stocks aren’t the same thing. They are both investment vehicles, but they don’t operate in the same way.
The main difference between stocks and crypto is when they can be traded and their overall issuance. Stocks can only be traded during market hours whereas crypto assets are traded 24/7. Stocks can also be split and diluted whereas crypto assets tend to have a fixed, unchangeable supply.
Yes, you can buy and sell crypto like stocks using any of the apps on this page. The main advantage to trading crypto over stocks is that the market is always open. The best stock and crypto trading apps in 2024 offer both.
