Best Stock Trading App for Teenagers in 2026 (Ages 13-17)

Getting your child or teenager interested in investing is one of the best ways to set them up for long-term financial success. Luckily, the barrier to entry has never been lower.

Today, there are three primary ways to help a minor invest, and the difference between them is crucial:

• The Custodial Account (UGMA/UTMA): An account owned by the minor, but controlled by the adult until the child reaches the age of majority (18 or 21). This is best for gifting large sums of money.
• The Teen-Owned Brokerage Account: A newer account where the teen makes the trades but the parent maintains oversight. This is better for financial education.
• The Trump Account (New for 2026): A federal "seed" account for children born after Jan 1, 2025, which provides a $1,000 jumpstart from the U.S. Treasury.

We've broken down the best platforms in these categories, focusing on $0 fees, updated tax limits, and great educational tools.

Fidelity vs. Schwab: Which Account is Right for You?

🏆 The Winner: Best for Teen Financial Education

Fidelity Youth Account

The Fidelity Youth Account remains the gold standard. Unlike a traditional Custodial Account where the parent does all the trading, this account is actually owned and controlled by the teen (ages 13–17) with the parent maintaining necessary oversight. It's the best platform for teaching practical money management.

• Best For: Teens who want to learn by doing and parents who prioritize education over total control.
• Fees & Minimums: $0.00 fees and no minimum deposit.
• Key Investing Features:
  • Fractional Shares: Teens can invest in over 7,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs with as little as $1.
  • High-Yield Cash: Uninvested cash currently earns a competitive yield (roughly 3.80% APY), helping teens see the power of interest immediately.
  • Debit Card: Includes a free debit card with $0 ATM fees (reimbursed worldwide).
  • "Learn & Earn": The app features educational modules where teens can earn small cash bonuses for completing lessons.
• Parental Oversight: Parents must have a Fidelity account to link to it. You can monitor all trades, view balances, and cancel the debit card, but the teen is the decision-maker for trades.

🏆 The Winner: Best Traditional Custodial Account (UGMA/UTMA)

Charles Schwab

When the goal is simply to save and invest money on a child's behalf—especially from gifts or grandparents—Charles Schwab is the best traditional option due to its strong platform and professional resources.

• Best For: Long-term, passive investing where the parent wants full control until the child is 18/21.
• 2026 Tax Rules (The "Kiddie Tax"):
  • The first $1,350 of investment income is tax-free.
  • The next $1,350 is taxed at the child’s rate.
  • Any unearned income over $2,700 is taxed at the parent's marginal rate.
• Key Investing Features:
  • Stock Slices: Offers fractional shares for the 500 largest U.S. companies (the S&P 500).
  • Broad Options: Access to a wide range of $0 commission stocks and ETFs, making it easy to build a low-cost, diversified portfolio.
  • Control/Ownership: The adult (custodian) maintains full control. The money legally belongs to the minor but cannot be accessed by them until the age of majority.

The Best for Automatic Investing & Banking (The Subscription Models)

For younger kids or those prioritizing automatic savings, these fee-based apps are excellent for building consistency.

Greenlight

• What it is: A money management and debit card app with built-in financial education.
• The Cost: Subscription fees starting around $5.99/month.
• Key Features: Greenlight offers the most robust parental controls. Parents can block specific merchants, set spending limits, manage chore lists, and automate allowance. Investing for kids is available, but it is often managed by the parents and is limited by the subscription tier. Greenlight is focused on teaching spending and saving habits first.

Acorns

• What it is: A micro-investing app focused on automating investments through "round-ups" (investing spare change).
• The Cost: Monthly subscription ($6–$12/month).
• Key Features: Acorns offers a custodial account called Acorns Early. This is ideal for parents who want a true "set-it-and-forget-it" system based on spare change and small, automatic transfers.

Head-to-Head: Custodial (UGMA/UTMA) vs. Teen-Owned

The 2026 "Trump Account": How to Get the $1,000 Seed

If you have a newborn or a child born after January 1, 2025, you should look into the Trump Account (launching July 5, 2026).

• The Seed: Eligible children receive a $1,000 one-time contribution from the U.S. government.
• How it works: It acts like a custodial IRA. Parents can contribute up to $5,000/year, and many employers are now offering "matching" contributions as a workplace benefit.
• The Goal: It’s designed to be a permanent nest egg that the child can use for education, a first home, or retirement after they turn 18.

Final Verdict: The Best Choice for Education

If your goal is to empower your child (ages 13-17) to learn the mechanics of investing, the Fidelity Youth Account is the best choice because it gives the teen real control over a commission-free, $1-minimum platform while providing the parent with the necessary safety net.

If your goal is to simply gift a large sum of money and manage the investments yourself, Charles Schwab or Fidelity's traditional UGMA/UTMA are the top-tier, low-cost choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can a 13-year-old legally trade stocks?

A: Yes, through a teen-owned brokerage account like the Fidelity Youth Account, or a custodial account (UGMA/UTMA). In a teen account, the minor can place trades with parental oversight, whereas a custodial account is managed entirely by the adult.

Q: What is the "Kiddie Tax" limit for 2026?

A: For 2026, the first $1,350 of a child's unearned income is tax-free. The next $1,350 is taxed at the child's rate. Any unearned income over $2,700 is taxed at the parent's marginal tax rate.

Q: What is the $1,000 "Trump Account" seed money?

A: Starting July 5, 2026, children born between Jan 1, 2025, and Dec 31, 2028, are eligible for a one-time $1,000 government contribution into a tax-advantaged "Trump Account" (a form of custodial IRA).