Webull Review Commissions and Fees

Desktop Trading Platform

Mobile Trading Platform

Customer Service

Tools and Features 4.3 Summary Webull is a relatively new stock broker offering zero commission trading. Webull is positioned as a viable alternative to Robinhood. The question is – how do they stack up? Read this in-depth review to see if Webull is a good fit for you.

About Webull

Webull is a mobile app-based brokerage offering an enhanced trading platform with commission-free trading. As part of the mobile fintech wave of zero-commission brokerage competitors to Robinhood, Webull stands out with its suite of innovative platform improvements that appeal to a broader spectrum of experienced traders and self-directed investors. The design of additional features certainly accommodates users looking for more depth in terms of tools and data. Webull’s free stock app is growing rapidly and the company continues to release new features.

Is this the right broker for you? Continue reading our Webull review to find out.

Get TWO Free Stocks When You Open a Webull Account

CLAIM YOUR FREE STOCKS

Webull Financial LLC is a Finra registered broker-dealer located in New York and licensed to operate in 53 states. The entity was established in May 2017 and received SEC registration status approval in January 2018. CEO Anthony M. Denier brings his 15-years of professional global brokerage service experience derived from eight firms ranging from ING Financial to Credit Suisse. The firm currently clears through Apex Clearing.

There is no minimum deposit to open an account for regular trading. Margin trading requires a minimum account balance of $2,000. If balance/value falls under net value of $2,000, then forced liquidation will be implemented.

Webull Commissions and Fees

Webull offers commission-free trading for over 5,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs with no charges to open or maintain an account. You can buy and sell stocks for free, which is one of the main reasons investors and traders choose Webull.

Webull does not currently offer options trading. There are no account maintenance fees or software platform fees. However, SEC and FINRA fees, along with margin rate fees, will apply to trades.

Webull clients can also trade many popular mutual funds.

U.S. market data is free and real-time. International market data require fee-based data subscriptions accessible through the app.

Wire Transfers

Transfer fees are often set by the clearing firm (Apex Clearing). These fees are standard in the industry.

Outgoing domestic wire transfers are $25-per transaction. Incoming domestic wire transfers cost $8-per transaction after the free initial transfer. Incoming wires over $25,000 are free of charge.

Outgoing international wire transfers are $45-per transaction. Incoming international wire transfers cost $14-per transaction after the free initial transfer. Incoming wires over $25,000 are free of charge.

Webull Platforms

The Webull trading platform is packed with tools designed to improve insights and decision-making for traders and investors. Both fundamental and technical analysis is supported through innovative features and intuitive design. The added convenience from the intuitive placement and consistent performance of the tools can’t be understated.

Platform Details

Webull started out as a mobile-only platform before later introducing a desktop platform (which we will get to later in our Webull review). Most customers are likely to use the mobile version of the platform, which is surprisingly rich in features. Mobile platforms are known to be simpler than desktop platforms. While Webull’s app is simple and easy to use, it packs more power than you would find in similar platforms from zero commission brokers like Robinhood.

Charts and Indicators

The real-time candlestick, bar, and line charts can be set from 1-minute up to 60-minute time frames going back over five-years. Price and momentum indicators ranging from exponential moving averages, Bollinger Bands to money flow index, MACD, and RSI oscillators (through Advanced Charting mode) help improve price action interpretation. Level 2 Data is available for a data fee.

Compared to Robinhood, Webull has an impressive selection of technical indicators. While a mobile trading platform isn’t ideal for highly active traders, Webull has done a great job of adding advanced technical indicators and tools to a simple, easy-to-use mobile app.

Webull is a fundamental analyst’s dream providing news streams with access to press releases, analyst recommendations, historical EPS, and revenue data along with key statistics, insider holdings, and transactions. This enables users to better understand the underlying company operations, catalysts, performance, as well as what is moving the stock price. Users can also save articles and post comments on specific stocks.

Financial Calendars

These are very useful tools showing upcoming earnings reports, IPOs, and financial events. While this information can be found through various sites online, it’s the convenience factor of having this information on a single mobile app.

Stock Screeners

For users searching for fresh trade ideas, the screener/scanner tools are surprisingly intuitive and in-depth. The app has pre-built scans like “Biggest Movers in Past 5-minutes” or “MA 5 Cross Over 10” available in addition to the ability to configure your own scans quickly and easily. Again, the scanner options are intuitively designed and self-explanatory, enabling both fundamental and/or technical analysis based filtering criteria. If you are trading stocks daily, these screeners will definitely come in handy.

Watch Lists and Alerts

Users can put together multiple watch lists (compared to just a single watch list). Additionally, Webull enables Smart Alerts to notify via SMS or e-mail when stocks trigger on any of the stocks on your watch lists. Users can configure trigger conditions based on price and/or indicators.

Free Demo Trading and Stock Promotion

Webull allows users to select demo/simulation trading to kick the tires and get acclimated to the tools with real-time quotes and charts for U.S. markets. Clients can setup a demo account and trade stocks within a simulated portfolio. This demo account is a great tool to help new stock traders and investors learn how to navigate the markets without risking their capital.

Like Robinhood, Webull also has a free stock referral promotion where both the user and newly referred customers receive a free single share of stock valued up to $100 upon successful registration.

Webull Desktop App

In 2019, Webull launched a desktop trading app for Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS. This wasn’t available at the time of our initial Webull review, so we were excited to learn about its release.

I’ll admit that I initially expected this software to be treated as an afterthought; however I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the desktop platform. While the desktop platform is still in its beta phase, it’s clear that Webull is taking this project seriously.

The desktop platform tastefully integrates advanced features into a user-friendly interface.

The platform features advanced charting, screeners, and integrated trading. Traders can find, analyze, and trade stocks all in one easy-to-use platform.

The platform runs smoothly, and most of the features are pretty intuitive. Traders can also use the platform for paper trading, meaning Webull may be giving ThinkorSwim a run for its money.

Webull Margin Accounts and Leverage

Unlike other platforms, Webull allows short-selling with up to four-times intra-day margin and two-times on overnights. This is a double-edged sword, and caution must be taken with any short positions. Net account balances must remain above $2,000 to avoid automatic forced liquidation margin calls. This means they will sell your shares immediately intra-day to maintain the $2,000 minimum net account value. It’s imperative to check the maintenance margin requirements on stocks you consider shorting. Forced liquidations fuel the flames during short squeezes with market order buy covers accelerating and perpetuating extended price spikes.

Webull Trading Hours

Webull allows extended-hours trading pre-market from 4:00 am to 9:29 am EST and 4:01 pm to 8:00 pm EST. However, they don’t allow good-to-cancel (GTC) orders. All orders are closed out by the end of the trading session.

Customer Service

Access to customer service is available via e-mail, chat, and phone. There is little wait time due to the relatively smaller but growing community of users. This is refreshing compared to the more established platforms that take days to get an e-mail response. Hopefully, Webull maintains the same consistency for prompt response times through its hypergrowth period.

Platform Differentiators

At Day Trade Review, we have reviewed all of the major online stock brokers. It’s becoming more difficult for new brokers to differentiate themselves. That said, during our Webull review, we were impressed to find that the company offered a lot of unique stock trading features and differentiation that you won’t find in other similar brokers.

Webull has the depth of tools and indicators conveniently integrated in a single mobile app platform. The ability to short-sell (4X margin) and true extended hours trading alone sets it apart from competitors. The scanner/screener is one of, if not, the best ones on an integrated mobile app trading platform. It’s amazing how much has been packed into this app.

What Type of Trader is Webull Best For?

Webull appears more complex than most of the simpler mobile app trading platforms on the market. The broker is often compared to Robinhood and Firstrade due to the free trade offerings. While more complex than other apps like Robinhood, Webull is still best for beginner traders who don’t require advanced platforms, desktop access, and other features. Webull is great for beginner traders looking to invest in stocks and mutual funds.

The introduction of the desktop platform makes it more viable to use this broker for active stock trading, however experienced traders are likely to require a more advanced trading platform.

Webull vs. Robinhood

Webull is most often compared to Robinhood because they share a few main similarities:

They were both built as mobile apps (initially, neither had a desktop platform) They both offer free trades They are both built with simplicity in mind

The question is, which mobile broker is better?

In my opinion, Webull takes the cake in almost every category. Both apps offer free trades, so there’s not much of a comparison to be made there.

Robinhood is slightly easier to use, but this simplicity comes at a cost.

Webull offers way better trading tools and a broader range of investing resources. Webull offers an easy-to-use app without sacrificing important features. Whereas Robinhood users are limited in the resources they have access to, Webull clients have access to a handful of powerful tools.

Webull definitely has the better mobile platform. The charts offer more customization, the research tools are far more comprehensive, and the built-in features are much more powerful. Webull also offers some advanced order types that can be helpful for traders who know how to use them.

Whereas Robinhood is ideal for casual investors, Webull provides an effective solution for both investors and beginner traders. Most active traders will quickly outgrow the Robinhood platform and seek out alternatives. Webull offers a range of beginner/intermediate features that will satiate the needs of beginner traders for a longer time.

Common Questions About Webull

Many investors are curious about what Webull has to offer. Here are a few of the most common questions we’ve seen. If you still have more questions, just leave a comment on the post.

Can you trade options at Webull?

Webull does not currently offer options trading. While we cannot definitively say that the company will add options trading, it does seem like the logical next step.

Is Webull really free?

Yes, Webull is really free. There are some limitations to the types of securities you can trade, but Webull does not charge commissions.

How is Webull free?

Most paid brokers don’t make the bulk of their revenue from commissions. Brokers can make money from interest on accounts, payment for order flow, and other sources. While we cannot say exactly how Webull generates revenues, those are the most common sources.

How does Webull compare to discount brokers like Etrade and TD Ameritrade?

Webull is a simplified version of brokers like Etrade and TD Ameritrade. You won’t get access to all of the same resources and tools, but you will also avoid paying commissions. That said, we have been impressed with Webull’s focus on trading technology, so they may soon bridge that gap. We have also been impressed by the company’s customer service, which is always a benefit when you trust a broker with your money.

Is Webull Good for Beginners?

Webull is arguably one of the best brokers for beginner stock traders and investors. It is very easy to open an account and start trading right away. The company has zero commissions, meaning new traders don’t need to overspend on trading expenses.

The platform is simple for new investors but does not compromise in quality. The platform’s ease of use does not come at the cost of power. As you become a more experienced trader, the platform will also offer the analysis tools you need to execute your trading strategy.

The broker offers solid customer support if you have any questions along the way.

Can You Make Money on Webull?

You can definitely make money on Webull. It’s important to remember that Webull is just a stock broker that allows you to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. The success of your investments is dependent on your own abilities. If you invest in strong stocks and mutual funds, you will make money.

Pros

Free demo account trading and real-time U.S. stock and ETF quotes

Powerful research tools including news streams, analyst guides, built-in and configurable stock screeners with Smart Alerts

In-depth advanced charting with price and momentum indicators

Short-selling available for margin accounts

Zero-commission trades

Multiple watch lists and article storage

Cons

No options trading

No Good-to-Cancel (GTC) limit orders

Customer support is good, but not the same level you will find at brokers like Etrade