Best Brokerage App for College Students

Between tuition bills, ramen budgets, and side hustles, the last thing most college students think about is investing. But here’s the thing — the best time to start investing is when you’re young.

Even putting away $25 a month in your early twenties can grow into tens of thousands of dollars by retirement, thanks to the power of compound interest.

The good news? You don’t need a finance degree, a stockbroker, or a trust fund to get started. You just need the right app.

At StockTrak, we strive to equip our audience with the simplest and smartest path to financial knowledge and security.

Whether you’re a US resident, a Canadian student, or an international student studying abroad, there’s a brokerage app designed for your situation — and we’ve done the research so you don’t have to.

Here are the best brokerage apps for college students in 2025.

And if you want to build your financial knowledge before you start investing, check out our student investing blog — packed with tips perfect for beginners!

#1: Robinhood: Best Brokerage App for US College Students

If you’re a college student in the United States looking to start investing, Robinhood is the app that changed the game for people like you.

Before Robinhood came along, investing meant paying commissions on every trade, maintaining a minimum account balance of $1,000 or more, and navigating clunky platforms built for Wall Street — not college dorm rooms.

Robinhood blew all of that up. Much like Uber upended taxis and Airbnb disrupted hotels, Robinhood has completely transformed access to investing for everyday people.

Today, Robinhood has over 23 million users and remains the most popular brokerage app among young and first-time investors in the US.

Why Robinhood is Perfect for College Students

Robinhood’s whole pitch is simplicity and accessibility — and that’s exactly what a busy college student needs. Here’s why it works so well for students:

• $0 account minimum — Open an account with whatever you can spare, even if it’s just $1.
• $0 commissions — Buy and sell stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto with no trading fees.
• Fractional shares — Can’t afford one full share of Amazon or Tesla? Buy a fraction of a share for as little as $1.
• Recurring investments — Set up automatic investments on a schedule so you’re always building your portfolio, even on a student budget.
• Free stock for signing up — Robinhood is currently giving away a free stock (worth between $5 and $200) just for opening a new account.

What Can You Trade on Robinhood?

Robinhood gives you access to over 5,000 stocks and 500+ ETFs, plus options and cryptocurrencies — all from one clean, easy-to-use mobile app. The interface is intentionally simple: no confusing jargon, no overwhelming dashboards. Just tap, buy, and invest.

For students who want to go a step further, Robinhood Gold is a premium subscription that unlocks margin trading, extended hours trading (30 minutes before open and 2 hours after close), and a 5.00% APY on your cash balance.

But for most college students just getting started, the free account is more than enough to build a solid investment portfolio.

Pro tip: Robinhood is currently giving away a FREE stock (between $5 and $200 in value) to anyone who opens a new account. Then, once you fund your account with at least $10, you can earn even more free stock by referring friends. Click the button above to get started!

#2: Moomoo: Best Brokerage App for Canadian College Students

Canadian college students, this one’s for you. While Robinhood isn’t available in Canada, Moomoo has stepped up to fill that gap — and then some.

Moomoo is Canada’s first AI-powered brokerage app, built by FUTU Holdings (listed on NASDAQ), and it has quickly become one of the most exciting investing platforms north of the border.

It’s registered with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organisation (CIRO) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), so your investments are protected.

Why Moomoo Works Great for Canadian Students

Moomoo brings together pro-level tools and a beginner-friendly experience in one slick app. Here’s what makes it stand out for college students in Canada:

• $0 account minimum — Get started with any amount, no barriers to entry.
• No account fees or withdrawal fees — Keep more of what you earn.
• Free Level 2 market data — Normally a paid feature at other brokerages; Moomoo gives it to you free with at least 3 trades per month.
• 100+ free pro tools — Access 63+ technical indicators, 38 drawing tools, and real-time data with a 0.03-second refresh rate.
• AI-powered assistant — Canada’s first AI-powered broker experience helps you make smarter investing decisions.
• $1M virtual paper trading — Practice investing with $1 million in virtual funds in a live market environment before risking real money. Perfect for students still learning the ropes.

Account Types Available on Moomoo Canada

One of the most underrated features of Moomoo for Canadian students is its range of registered accounts. You can open:

• TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) — Grow your investments completely tax-free. This is a must-have for Canadian students.
• RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) — Start building your retirement nest egg early and reduce your taxable income.
• Cash and margin accounts — For more flexible, active investing.

Opening a TFSA as a college student is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. The room accumulates every year starting at age 18, and any growth inside is completely sheltered from tax.

Pro tip: Use Moomoo’s paper trading feature to practice buying and selling stocks before putting in real money. It’s one of the best ways for beginners to build confidence without the risk.

#3: Interactive Brokers: Best Brokerage App for International College Students

For international college students studying abroad or investing from their home country, finding a reliable and globally accessible brokerage is one of the biggest challenges. Most apps are locked to one or two countries — but Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is built for the entire world.

Founded in 1978, Interactive Brokers is one of the most trusted and well-regulated brokerage firms on the planet. It serves clients in over 200 countries and territories, giving international students access to markets and investment products they couldn’t find anywhere else.

Why Interactive Brokers is Ideal for International Students

International students face a unique challenge: your financial life often spans multiple countries. You might be earning in one currency, paying tuition in another, and planning to return home after graduation. Interactive Brokers is designed to handle all of that complexity.

• Available in 200+ countries — No matter where you’re from or where you’re studying, IBKR can likely serve you.
• Access to 150+ global markets — Trade stocks, ETFs, bonds, and more across dozens of countries in 27 currencies.
• Low-cost currency exchange — Convert between currencies at just 0.002% (minimum $2), far cheaper than banks or traditional brokers.
• Account portability — If you move countries after graduation, IBKR lets you transfer your existing account to the new country instead of starting from scratch.
• $0 minimum for IBKR Lite — The Lite tier offers commission-free US stock and ETF trading with no account minimum.
• Fractional shares via GlobalTrader — The IBKR GlobalTrader app offers fractional shares and automatic currency conversions, making it much more beginner-friendly than IBKR’s traditional platform.

A Note on the Learning Curve

Let’s be honest — Interactive Brokers’ flagship platform, the Trader Workstation (TWS), can feel overwhelming for beginners. It was built for professional traders, and it shows.

But here’s the good news: IBKR GlobalTrader is the company’s beginner-focused mobile app, and it strips away all the complexity. It’s clean, intuitive, and includes automatic currency conversions and fractional shares — everything an international student needs to get started.

And if you want to keep learning, IBKR’s Traders Academy offers free structured courses on investing, options strategy, risk management, and portfolio analysis — complete with quizzes and certifications.

Pro tip: Start with the IBKR GlobalTrader app rather than the full Trader Workstation. It’s designed for everyday investors and makes it much easier to get your first trades in without feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion: Which Brokerage App is Best for College Students?

There’s no single “best” brokerage app for every college student — because every student’s situation is a little different. But after reviewing these three options, here’s how we’d break it down:

If you’re a US college student, Robinhood is the clear first choice. It’s simple, free, and was purpose-built for people who are just getting started. Commission-free trading, fractional shares, and a beginner-friendly interface make it the easiest on-ramp to investing in America.

If you’re a Canadian college student, Moomoo is your best bet. It combines powerful tools with a $0 minimum, no fees, and access to registered accounts like the TFSA — which is one of the best tax shelters available to young Canadians.

If you’re an international college student, Interactive Brokers is in a category of its own. No other app gives you access to 200+ countries, 150+ global markets, and the flexibility to keep your account as you move around the world.

The best time to start investing is now — not after graduation, not after your first real job. Even small amounts invested consistently while you’re in school can make an enormous difference down the road.

So pick the app that fits your situation, open an account, and take that first step toward your financial future. Your future self will thank you.

Want to sharpen your investing skills first? Head over to the StockTrak student blog for more guides, or practice risk-free with the StockTrak stock market simulation!

So, what did you think of our list of the best brokerage apps for college students? Comment down below which app you’re planning to use and how you’re planning to grow your money while in school!