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Axos Self-Directed Trading gives you control over a low-cost portfolio and addresses some of the concerns raised about the company’s Managed Portfolio -- specifically, there’s no minimum investment. Plus, you can open an individual, joint, or retirement account. Along with investing, Axos customers can also open free checking and savings accounts to manage all their money through one app. Read our Axos Self-Directed Trading review to see if this brokerage is right for you.
Axos Self-Directed Trading
The combination of commission-free stock and ETF investing, along with great banking features, makes this a strong option to consider for investors wanting to manage their finances under one roof.
$0 stocks and ETFs
$0
This stock broker is a good fit for: Experienced investors who want access to low-cost, self-directed investing integrated with comprehensive online banking and lending services.
With a free account, you can trade stocks and ETFs with zero commissions. You'll pay a $9.95 fee per trade for mutual funds trading.
There's no minimum investment to open a self-directed investment account with Axos. (However, there's a $50 minimum to open an IRA and a $500 minimum to open a Managed Portfolio.)
Get access to advanced trading options for additional fees. Options trading is available with a free account, and you'll pay a $1 fee per trade ($0.80 with an Axos Elite subscription for $10 per month).
For access to margin trading, you'll have to subscribe to an Axos Elite account, and you'll pay 5.5% on trades.
Along with investing, Axos Bank offers many other financial services, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, plus mortgages, personal loans, and auto loan refinancing.
You can get access to these services with a free Axos account and manage them all in one place through the Axos app or your online banking account.
As a stripped-down, online-only financial services firm, Axos doesn't give customers access to human advisors. If you want guidance with your portfolio, you're better off using its Managed Portfolio and automated investment option directed by a robo-advisor.
Customers can contact Axos customer service by sending a message through their account in the app, and non-customers can email customer support. Axos Self-Directed Trading doesn't offer in-person service or phone support, so you'll likely have to wait a day or two for a response.
When you open an Axos Self-Directed Trading account, you'll get access to a trading platform that offers commission-free stock and ETF trades, plus more than 10,000 mutual funds. Approved members get access to options and margin trading. You can open an individual or joint taxable investment account; plus, you can open a self-directed IRA.
There's no minimum investment needed to open a self-directed investment account. But you will have to invest at least $50 to open an IRA.
With a free Axos Self-Directed Trading account you can open an individual or joint taxable investment account or apply for a traditional or Roth IRA. These accounts give you access to commission-free stock and ETF trades, and mutual funds trading.
For more perks, you can sign up for an Axos Elite membership for $10 per month. The membership gets you a reduced fee on options contracts, plus access to margin trades, extended market hours until 7 p.m. (Eastern), and real-time market data.
If you prefer hands-off investing, you can open a Managed Portfolio, rather than an Axos Self-Directed Trading account. These automated portfolios include automatic rebalancing and can adjust based on your goals and timeline.
In addition to the brokerage, Axos offers many other financial services, so you can manage your money all through one app. Get access to checking, high-yield savings, and money market accounts, as well as mortgages, personal loans, and auto loan refinancing.
Here are the main fees to keep in mind for an Axos investment account:
| Service | Basic Axos Cost | Axos Elite Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $10 |
| Annual custodial fee for IRA | $60 | $60 |
| Stock trades | $0 | $0 |
| ETF trades | $0 | $0 |
| Options contracts | $1 | $0.80 |
| No-load mutual fund trades | $9.95 | $9.95 |
| Margin trades | n/a | 5.5% |
We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2026.
| Broker | Best For | Commissions | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
Full-service investing at every experience level | $0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****. |
Learn More for Fidelity
On Fidelity's Secure Website. |
4.90/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
Low-cost investing with a full-featured platform | $0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares. |
Learn More for Charles Schwab
On Charles Schwab's Secure Website. |
4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
Low fees on stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options | $0 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply. |
Learn More for Robinhood
On Robinhood's Secure Website. |
If you want managed investing: Betterment offers low-cost automated investing with no minimum investment balance.
Customers can contact Axos customer support anytime by logging into their account online or in the app and sending a message. Non-customers can get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Axos is an online-only firm, so you don't have access to brick-and-mortar branches for support, and it doesn't list a customer service phone number to speak with a representative.
Similarly, Axos Self-Directed Trading customers don't have access to human advisors for account questions.
Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Fidelity disclosure
Investing involves risk, including risk of loss
* - $0.00 commission applies to online U.S. equity trades and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a Fidelity retail account only for Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC retail clients. Sell orders are subject to an activity assessment fee (historically from $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal). Other exclusions and conditions may apply. A limited number of ETFs are subject to a transaction-based service fee of $100. See full list at Fidelity.com/commissions. Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Institutional® are subject to different commission schedules.
**Fidelity Crypto® is offered by Fidelity Digital Assets®. Investing involves risk, including risk of total loss. Crypto as an asset class is highly volatile, can become illiquid at any time, and is for investors with a high risk tolerance. Crypto may also be more susceptible to market manipulation than securities. Crypto is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Investors in crypto do not benefit from the same regulatory protections applicable to registered securities. Fidelity Crypto® accounts and custody and trading of crypto in such accounts are provided by Fidelity Digital Asset Services, LLC, which is chartered as a limited purpose trust company by the New York State Department of Financial Services to engage in virtual currency business (NMLS ID 1773897). Brokerage services in support of securities trading are provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (“FBS”), and related custody services are provided by National Financial Services LLC (“NFS”), each a registered broker-dealer and member NYSE and SIPC. Neither FBS nor NFS offer crypto as a direct investment nor provide trading or custody services for such assets. Fidelity Crypto and Fidelity Digital Assets are registered service marks of FMR LLC.
***Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.
****Zero account minimums and zero account fees apply to retail brokerage accounts only. Expenses charged by investments (e.g., funds, managed accounts, and certain HSAs) and commissions, interest charges, or other expenses for transactions may still apply. See Fidelity.com/commissions for further details.
Robinhood disclosure
Margin borrowing increases your level of market risk, as a result it has the potential to magnify both your gains and losses. Before using margin, customers must determine whether this type of strategy is right for them given their investment objectives and risk tolerance. Regardless of the underlying value of the securities you purchased, you must repay your margin loan. Robinhood Financial can change its maintenance margin requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your account falls below the minimum maintenance requirements (varies according to the security), you'll have to deposit additional cash or acceptable collateral. If you fail to meet your minimums, Robinhood Financial may be forced to sell some or all of your securities, with or without your prior approval. For more information please see Robinhood Financial's Margin Disclosure Statement, Margin Agreement and FINRA Investor Information.
Margin trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Borrowing on margin increases your level of market risk and can amplify both gains and losses.
Robinhood Financial may change maintenance margin requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your account falls below minimum maintenance requirements, you may need to deposit additional cash or collateral. If those requirements are not met, Robinhood Financial may sell securities in your account without prior approval.
The 3% matching on annual contributions requires a subscription with Robinhood Gold ($5/mo) and customers must stay subscribed to Gold for 1 year from the date of the first eligible deposit to keep the full Gold match. The funds that earned the match must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid a potential Early IRA Match Removal Fee. Match rate subject to change. Non-Gold customers receive a 1% match. Offer only applies to self-directed IRAs. For more information refer to the IRA Match FAQ.
You must have compensation (wage income) in order to contribute to an IRA. Funds being contributed into or distributed from retirement accounts may entail tax consequences. Contributions are limited and withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a penalty tax. Robinhood does not provide tax advice; please consult with a tax adviser if you have questions.
The Robinhood IRA is available to any U.S. customer with a Robinhood brokerage account in good standing.
Robinhood Strategies charges an annual management fee of 0.25% on the net portfolio value of each managed account. Eligible Robinhood Gold subscribers pay no management fees on the portion of their managed account net portfolio value that exceeds $100,000, thereby limiting the annual management fee to $250. Other fees apply.
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Brokerage services are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, ("RHF") a registered broker dealer (member SIPC) and clearing services through Robinhood Securities, LLC, ("RHS") a registered broker dealer (member SIPC).
RHF and RHS are not banks. All are separate but affiliated entities. Securities offered by RHF are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
Robinhood Gold is a subscription-based membership program of premium services offered through Robinhood Gold, LLC.
Portfolio management of managed accounts by Robinhood Asset Management, LLC ("Robinhood Strategies"), an SEC-registered investment advisor.
Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before trading options.
Cryptocurrency trading is offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Trading and holding digital assets involves significant risk, including the risk of substantial loss. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.
*Trading and owning digital assets involves significant risk, including the risk of substantial loss. Cryptocurrency trading is offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the
New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.
** Network fees may apply. Availability may be subject to regulatory approval in certain states.
