What Are the Best Brokers for Roth IRA Trading in 2025? A Comparison Guide

Choosing the right broker for your Roth IRA in 2025 can significantly impact your long-term investing success. From low fees and powerful tools to flexible investment options and intuitive platforms, the best Roth IRA brokers cater to traders and long-term investors alike. This guide compares top brokers based on costs, features, usability, and investment selection so you can confidently open or transfer your Roth IRA to the one that fits your needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade remain top-rated for Roth IRAs in 2025.
• Low or zero account fees and commission-free trading are standard among the best brokers.
• Look for brokers offering fractional shares, robust mobile apps, and Roth IRA-specific tools.
• Each broker has unique advantages: Fidelity for research, Schwab for ETFs, Robinhood for simplicity.
• Always prioritize your goals—long-term growth, ease of use, or active trading—when choosing a platform.

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Why Choosing the Right Roth IRA Broker Matters

A Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement—one of the most powerful tools for building wealth. But not all brokers are created equal. Some cater to active traders, while others are better for passive investors or beginners. Your broker affects everything from investment options and ease of use to fees that eat into your gains.

Tip: Take into account your preferred trading style before selecting your broker. If you're interested in day trading, consider checking out our article about day trading in a Roth IRA.

According to a 2024 Charles Schwab survey, over 60% of Americans say they wish they'd started their Roth IRA earlier. So choosing the right broker from the start could save you headaches down the road.

​"The best time to plant a Roth IRA was 10 years ago. The second-best time is today."

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Top 5 Roth IRA Brokers in 2025

1. Fidelity Investments

Best for: Research tools and long-term investors

Fidelity remains a favorite for Roth IRAs, offering $0 commissions, no account minimums, and excellent customer service. Their educational tools and research access are among the best in the industry.

Highlights:

• $0 trading commissions
• Fractional shares available ("Stocks by the Slice")
• Top-rated mobile app
• Excellent customer service
• No account fees

​Why Choose Fidelity: If you want robust research tools, long-term investment performance, and top-tier customer support, Fidelity is hard to beat.
Explore more on opening a Roth IRA with Fidelity.

2. Charles Schwab

Best for: ETF investors and flexible account options

Schwab continues to earn high marks for its low-cost ETF offerings and easy-to-navigate platform. It's ideal for both passive investors and DIY traders.

Highlights:

• $0 online equity trades
• Access to Schwab Intelligent Portfolios (robo-advisor)
• Wide selection of no-fee mutual funds and ETFs
• Industry-leading customer support

​Why Choose Schwab: If you're focused on ETFs or want access to a robo-advisor alongside self-directed trading, Schwab delivers serious value.
Learn about Schwab's Roth IRA features.

Note: Many people are unaware, but you can indeed trade stocks in a Self-Directed IRA.

3. TD Ameritrade (Now under Charles Schwab)

Best for: Active traders and powerful charting tools

Although TD Ameritrade is now integrated into Schwab, its Thinkorswim platform remains fully operational and continues to appeal to traders who want advanced charting and analysis.

Highlights:

• Thinkorswim platform access
• Strong educational content
• $0 commissions on online trades
• No minimum deposit for IRAs

Why Choose TD Ameritrade: If you like to actively trade within your Roth IRA or want a robust technical analysis suite, Thinkorswim is still one of the best in the game.
See Schwab and TD Ameritrade integration.

4. Robinhood

Best for: Beginners and mobile-first investors

Robinhood isn't the most comprehensive option, but its simplicity and clean mobile interface attract many younger investors. It now offers Roth IRA accounts with a match feature for Robinhood Gold subscribers.

Highlights:

• No commissions or account fees
• Roth IRA match (up to 1%) for Gold users
• Fast, intuitive app experience
• Limited research tools

​Why Choose Robinhood: Great for new investors who want a simple interface and don’t need advanced tools.
See Robinhood's IRA match offer.

5. E*TRADE

Best for: Retirement planning tools and diversity of investments

E*TRADE continues to stand out for its retirement planning calculators, wide investment selection, and in-depth educational content. It's now part of Morgan Stanley, adding another layer of credibility.

Highlights:

• Extensive retirement resources
• Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
• No minimum for IRAs
• Easy-to-use web and mobile platforms

Why Choose E*TRADE: Ideal for investors who want a full-featured retirement platform with a reputation for reliability.
Check out E*TRADE's Roth IRA options.

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Features to Look for in a Rother IRA Broker

When comparing brokers, keep these essentials in mind:

Account Fees and Commissions

Look for brokers that offer $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades, and avoid platforms that charge account maintenance or inactivity fees.

Investment Selection

The more choices, the better. Top brokers offer access to a wide variety of stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and even bonds or CDs for conservative investors.

User Experience

​Whether you're trading on your phone or desktop, an intuitive interface can save time and reduce mistakes. Check app store reviews and demo the platform if possible.

Customer Support

Access to helpful human support is crucial, especially if you're new to Roth IRAs. Some brokers offer 24/7 chat or phone support.

Education and Research Tools

New and seasoned investors benefit from robust learning centers, webinars, and third-party research integrations.

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Final Thoughts: Which Roth IRA Broker is Right For You?

Your Roth IRA broker should match your investing style. If you want advanced trading tools, go with TD Ameritrade. Prefer simplicity? Robinhood has your back. Want it all, from research to fractional shares? Fidelity checks all the boxes.
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Still unsure? Consider learning how to trade stocks in a Roth IRA tax free to see if your trading style matches the broker you're considering.

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References:

1. Fidelity Roth IRA Overview
2. Charles Schwab Roth IRA Page
3. Robinhood Retirement Match
4. E*TRADE Roth IRA Info
5. Schwab TD Ameritrade Merge Info
6. Schwab 2024 Investor Study