Best IRA Firms Pricing

Best IRA Firms Services

Overview of the Best IRA Companies

Before you open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) at any broker, check these four brokers' IRA offerings:

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab offers many retirement accounts, from tax-advantaged IRAs to automated and advanced trading plans.

One key feature: you can enable margin in some IRAs for extra trading options. Schwab’s IRA margin works differently than in taxable accounts.





Let’s look at IRA margin at Charles Schwab.

Margin is off by default. To turn it on, fill out a margin request form from ‘Support’ → ‘Forms & Applications.’ Upload it in your secure messages or mail/fax it.

If you can’t find the form, use Live Chat or call (800-435-4000).





Once margin is active, you can trade with unsettled funds and use option spreads. You can’t short sell or borrow against your portfolio.

Schwab IRA margin rules: usually $2,000 minimum, but for IRAs the main limit is $5,000 for selling options.





Schwab also offers specialized IRAs: Traditional, Roth, Rollover, Inherited (Beneficiary), Custodial, Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and SIMPLE IRA.

You get self-directed trading in stocks, ETFs, options, fixed income, OTC, futures, and Forex. For a hands-off approach, Schwab offers automated portfolios, financial planners, and tax-loss harvesting. You can also use Schwab Wealth Advisory for professional portfolio management and planning.

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Charles Schwab Website

$0 commissions + ACAT reimbursement + satisfaction guarantee at Charles Schwab.

Open Schwab Account

Robinhood

Robinhood offers two IRA types: Traditional and Roth. While its IRA features are fewer than full-service brokers like Charles Schwab, Robinhood has a match program that boosts annual contributions.

Robinhood’s IRA Match program gives you an extra 1% on your IRA deposits. The bonus doesn’t count toward your annual limit, and you can earn it on all contributions and transfers.





The match becomes investable after your deposit clears. To avoid an early removal fee, keep contributions in the IRA for at least five years. Gold members can earn an extra 2% match by staying in Gold for one year after getting the initial 3% match details here.





For 2025, investors under 50 can contribute up to $6,500; those 50 and over can contribute up to $7,500. That means you could earn an extra $65 or $75 on top of your deposits.

Robinhood’s IRA trading list is smaller than top brokers, but it covers U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, and options, which suits most investors.





Another neat feature is the Recommended Portfolio. It’s a set of ETFs chosen by an automated tool based on your goals and risk. You can accept it or swap in your own picks.

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Robinhood Incentive

Free stock up to $200 and 3% match when you open an account.

Open Robinhood Account

Firstrade

Rounding out our list is Firstrade. It has Roth and Traditional IRAs plus SEP and SIMPLE IRAs for small businesses. Firstrade only offers self-directed accounts and no managed options.

Its IRAs trade stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, and bonds.





Firstrade’s mutual fund lineup is a major strength: over 16,000 funds open to new investors. Many target-date funds (2010–2065) have no transaction fee, and some are no-load.

Firstrade’s website has retirement resources under the Retirement menu. Its basic calculator asks for:

- Your current age
- Annual contribution
- Desired retirement age
- Expected rate of return

That tool misses your starting balance, so it’s not ideal. Below it are better planners, like:

- What will my retirement plans be worth?
- How much do I need to save?
- Are my savings enough?





These calculators include current savings, making them more useful.

Firstrade has no ongoing fees for tax-deferred IRAs and no closeout charges. Paper statements, confirmations, and tax documents carry fees.





Firstrade accepts rollovers from employer plans with no fee. If the old broker charges a transfer fee, Firstrade will refund up to $200 on transfers of $2,500 or more.

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Best IRA Companies Recap

Full-service brokers with broad resources: Charles Schwab. Fractional shares: Firstrade. Contribution match: Robinhood. Wide fund selection and low fees: Firstrade.

Promotions

Charles Schwab: $0 commissions + ACAT reimbursement + satisfaction guarantee at Charles Schwab.

Robinhood: Free stock up to $200 and 3% match when you open an account.

Firstrade: Get up to $250 ACAT fee rebate with Firstrade.