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Webull is best for active traders in search of commission-free investments, expert market data, extended hours trading, and cryptocurrency trading. The app could also be a good fit for beginning active investors and options traders due to its easy-to-navigate platform.
Details
Account Minimum
$0 ($2,000 for margin accounts)
Fees
0% (1% markup for cryptocurrencies)
Editor's Rating
4.24/5
4.24 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
No minimum deposit
Commission-free trading on US-listed stocks, ETFs, and options
Cryptocurrencies and margin accounts available
Free real-time investment quotes
Cons
No joint brokerage accounts, education savings accounts, or automated investing options
No mutual funds
Limited educational resources
Highlights
More Information
App store rating: 4.7 iOS/4.4 Android
Consider it if: You're after something that's free to use (for most people) and friendly to active traders
Webull is an online discount brokerage offering commission-free trading, retirement accounts, cryptocurrency trading, and margin trading. However, many of the best online brokerages offer a wider range of investment options than WeBull, which is better suited to new investors interested in active trading.
The company also offers several other key features, including free real-time market quotes, full extended-hours trading, and 24/7 online customer support.
However, one downside of the brokerage is that it doesn't offer any automated investing accounts, nor does it support IRAs outside of traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
You can use the Webull mobile app on iOS and Android devices.
Webull is best for active traders in search of commission-free investments, expert market data, extended hours trading, and cryptocurrency trading. The app could also be a good fit for beginning active investors and options traders due to its easy-to-navigate platform.
Details
Account Minimum
$0 ($2,000 for margin accounts)
Fees
0% (1% markup for cryptocurrencies)
Editor's Rating
4.24/5
4.24 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
No minimum deposit
Commission-free trading on US-listed stocks, ETFs, and options
Cryptocurrencies and margin accounts available
Free real-time investment quotes
Cons
No joint brokerage accounts, education savings accounts, or automated investing options
No mutual funds
Limited educational resources
Highlights
More Information
App store rating: 4.7 iOS/4.4 Android
Consider it if: You're after something that's free to use (for most people) and friendly to active traders
Webull and Interactive Brokers both offer commission-free trading for investments like stocks and ETFs.
However, Interactive Brokers could be a suitable fit for more types of investors. It offers self-directed brokerage accounts, automated investing accounts, IRAs, and other wealth-building products.
Webull is a better choice for options traders, as it charges $0 per options contract.
Webull vs. Robinhood
Min. Investment
$0 ($2,000 for margin trading)
Min. Investment
$0 ($2,000 for margin trading)
Fees
0% ($0 for options contracts; 1% spread for cryptocurrencies)
Webull and Robinhood are good choices for beginner active traders in search of low-cost brokerage products and simple user interfaces. But Robinhood is a better choice for IRA investors since it offers a 1% match on investor contributions in its recently launched traditional and Roth IRAs.
Webull, however, is better for those in search of perks like extended hours trading and advanced market data.
Ways to invest with Webull
Brokerage accounts
Webull primarily offers individual cash and margin brokerage accounts. Accounts have no minimum account requirements, nor do they charge commissions on US-listed stocks, ETFs, or options. However, some of Webull's regulatory agencies and clearing firms still apply small fees on each trade.
For instance, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Options Clearing Corp. (OCC) all charge less than $0.05 for certain stock, ETF, and option transactions.
Webull's margin accounts give you extra buying power by allowing you to use any securities you own or unsettled funds to buy additional securities. You'll need a minimum of $2,000 to get started.
You can also trade multiple cryptocurrencies through the platform. Webull currently supports bitcoin, ethereum, bitcoin cash, litecoin, dogecoin, zcash, stella lumens, ethereum classic, cardano, dash, and shiba inu.
While the cryptocurrency market is always available 24/7, Webull's extended hours trading feature makes it possible to trade traditional investments like stocks and ETFs from 4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m (The stock market's normal hours last from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time).
Retirement accounts
Webull supports traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and rollover IRAs. So in other words, you can set up an individual retirement account and contribute with pre-tax or post-tax contributions. In addition, you can rollover your employer-sponsored retirement plan if you choose.
Webull's IRA accounts only allow stock and ETF trading.
Webull: Is it trustworthy?
Webull has received an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB uses a grade range of A+ to F when rating companies, so this is the lowest score a company can receive. The BBB also says on its website that its ratings don't guarantee whether a company will be reliable or perform well; its ratings mainly take customer complaints into account. It's best to do your due diligence before making a final decision.
According to its website, the BBB has given Webull an F for multiple reasons, including government actions against the brokerage and Webull's failure to respond to customer complaints.
In 2021, Webull (along with Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, and other brokerages) temporarily restricted trading on Gamestop (GME), AMC Entertainment (AMC), and multiple other stocks whose prices skyrocketed due to a Reddit-related short squeeze. This elicited a lot of user backlash, but the investment app eventually resumed trading of the stocks.
BBB data shows that Webull has closed more than 40 complaints in the last 12 months. Its profile shows that it currently has 12 unresolved complaints and 56 unanswered complaints.
Webull is best for active traders in search of commission-free investments, expert market data, extended hours trading, and cryptocurrency trading. The app could also be a good fit for beginning active investors and options traders due to its easy-to-navigate platform.
Details
Account Minimum
$0 ($2,000 for margin accounts)
Fees
0% (1% markup for cryptocurrencies)
Editor's Rating
4.24/5
4.24 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
No minimum deposit
Commission-free trading on US-listed stocks, ETFs, and options
Cryptocurrencies and margin accounts available
Free real-time investment quotes
Cons
No joint brokerage accounts, education savings accounts, or automated investing options
No mutual funds
Limited educational resources
Highlights
More Information
App store rating: 4.7 iOS/4.4 Android
Consider it if: You're after something that's free to use (for most people) and friendly to active traders
Webull offers some alluring features and perks for beginner traders. For instance, when you sign up, you get a free stock. It additionally offers an easily navigable user interface, with commission-free trading, IRA investing, and more.
But while it's good for beginners who are ready to trade on their own, it isn't the best choice for those who still want guidance along the way. You'll be best suited with a robo-advisor or financial advisor if you're not ready for self-directed trading.
Can you make money with Webull?
Yes. Like all investment platforms, you can both make and lose money with Webull. However, the brokerage gives you a vast suite of investment products for building wealth, including stocks, ETFs, options, ADRs, and cryptocurrencies.
What is the downside to Webull?
Webull's account types are limited to individual accounts and traditional, Roth, and rollover IRAs. It's best to look elsewhere if you're searching for other accounts (e.g., joint accounts, custodial accounts, and others).
Rickie Houston was a senior wealth-building reporter for Business Insider, tasked with covering brokerage products, investment apps, online advisor services, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other wealth-building financial products.Before Insider, Rickie worked as a personal finance writer at SmartAsset, focusing on retirement, investing, taxes, and banking topics. He's contributed to stories published in the Boston Globe, and his work has also been featured in Yahoo News.He graduated from Boston University, where he contributed as a staff writer and sports editor for Boston University News Service.
Elias Shaya is a junior compliance associate on the Personal Finance Insider team based in New York City.Personal Finance Insider is Insider's personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that readers already know and love. The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions.The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Elias is the point person for the loans sub-vertical and works with the editorial team to ensure that all rates and information for personal and student loans are up to date and accurate.He joined Insider in February 2022 as a fellow on the compliance team.Elias has a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the CUNY College of Staten Island. Prior to joining Insider, he volunteered at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked with the biomedical engineering department. In his spare time, Elias enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling to visit his family in Lebanon, and spending time with friends.
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