BROKER REVIEW

Webull Review: Active trading app with $0 stock commissions

Q: Is Webull good for beginners?

Webull can work for beginners, but it is not designed as a training-wheels broker. The platform includes real-time trading features and can encourage over-trading. If your main goal is a simple long-term ETF portfolio, a simpler core broker (with automation) is often a better first home, with Webull used later as a smaller satellite account.

Q: Can non-US investors use Webull?

Sometimes, depending on residency and which Webull entity serves your country. Product access, account types, and protections vary. Confirm eligibility and supported markets for your residency before planning to use Webull.

Q: Does Webull support long-term ETF investing?

You can buy and hold ETFs in Webull, but the platform is optimized for active trading rather than automated portfolio management. If you want set-and-forget behavior, many investors keep the core portfolio at a core broker and use Webull as a secondary trading account.

Q: How does Webull make money if trading is $0 commission?

Zero commissions remove ticket fees, but effective trading costs can still come from spreads and execution. Brokers may also earn via routing, securities lending, and interest on cash or margin balances. The practical takeaway is that trading frequency and discipline matter more than the headline commission.

Q: Should I use only Webull as my main broker?

For most long-term investors, using only Webull as a main broker is not ideal. Webull is strongest as an active-trading platform for a portion of your capital, while a separate core broker can hold the long-term ETF portfolio. Separating the two helps protect long-horizon money from short-term trading impulses.

Mobile-first broker with charts, screeners, options, and paper trading. Strong for active users. Weak as a “set-and-forget” long-term investing home.

Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.

Availability, account types, and protections vary by country/entity. Verify details for your residency before funding.

If you want a fast trading app for stocks/ETFs (and options if approved), Webull is a solid pick. If you want automation and long-term structure, pair it with a “core” broker.

Open with Webull → M1 for long-term pies → IBKR for global access →

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.

TL;DR

Best use: active trading workflow (watchlists, charts, fast order entry).
Costs: $0 commission is real, but spreads/execution and “how often you trade” still matter.
Tools: strong app + desktop; can be a distraction if you’re building a boring ETF plan.
Non-US: region/entity matter a lot; don’t assume the US feature set applies everywhere.

Who Webull is actually for

Webull may fit you if:

You want a modern mobile-first trading app for stocks/ETFs.
You care about charts, watchlists, alerts, and clean order tickets.
You understand you’re driving the strategy (not “auto-investing”).
You treat it as a trading/satellite account, not your retirement core.

Webull may not fit you if:

You want automated allocations and pie-style rebalancing (see M1).
You need deep global markets and multi-currency flexibility (see IBKR).
You’re prone to over-trading and want fewer temptations, not more.
You need complex account types (varies heavily by region).

Practical rule: if your goal is a long-term ETF plan, optimize for simplicity and behavior first, not “cooler charts.”

Fees, spreads, and how “$0 commission” really works

$0 commission helps, but it does not make trading free. Your real costs show up in execution, spreads, and how often you trade.

$0 commissions (stocks/ETFs): no ticket fee on many trades, but you still face bid/ask spreads.
Spreads & liquidity: costs widen in fast markets and in less-liquid names.
Options: even if “commission-free,” spreads and slippage can dominate costs.
Margin: margin interest is real money; treat leverage as a separate decision, not a default.
Routing/cash: some brokers monetize via routing and interest on cash/margin balances (varies by entity).

For the long-horizon version, read Fees Really Matter and the study 0.03% vs 1%.

Markets, products, and account types

Webull is mainly built around trading workflows. The exact product menu depends on your country and the entity you onboard with.

Core focus: stocks and ETFs.
Options: available for eligible accounts where supported, subject to approval.
Account types: often simpler than “full service” brokers; complex structures vary by region.
Global access: usually weaker than a true global broker like IBKR.

Platform: where Webull shines

Webull’s advantage is usability for active traders: it’s designed to be used daily.

Fast mobile experience (watchlists, alerts, order entry).
Desktop platform with multi-chart layouts and trader-style views.
Paper trading (useful for learning mechanics without risking capital).
Social/community features: helpful for ideas, dangerous for discipline.

If you want a dedicated charting layer without relying on broker charts, use TradingView and execute in your broker.

Safety, regulation, and protection

Protection depends on the specific Webull entity that holds your account. Don’t rely on generic “it’s regulated” statements.

Entity matters: protections, reporting, and product access are tied to your onboarding entity.
Protection is not performance: protection schemes do not cover market losses.
Your biggest risk: leverage and behavior, not the app’s UI.

How Webull fits into a bigger plan

Webull makes the most sense as a satellite trading account. Keep your long-term portfolio boring and protected from impulses.

Core: long-term ETF portfolio at IBKR (global) or M1 (automation), if eligible.
Satellite: Webull for tactical trades, options experiments, or skill-building.
Rule: cap the satellite account to an amount you can afford to be wrong with.

If you don’t have the plan yet, start with What is an ETF? and Index Funds 101.

COMPARE

Webull vs M1 vs IBKR

Webull is the trading app. M1 is the automated portfolio builder. IBKR is the global workhorse. Pick based on the job you need done.

M1 vs Webull → Read IBKR review → Go to Brokers hub →

CLUSTER

Next steps: decide by behavior (trading vs investing)

M1 Finance vs Webull Brokers

Automation-first investing vs trading-first tools and interface.

Webull vs Interactive Brokers Brokers

If you’re non-US or need multi-currency, this is usually the key comparison.

Best broker for beginners (Europe) Brokers

If you want low friction and fewer “trading temptations,” start here.

Beginner investing mistakes Learn

The most common failure mode with trading-first apps: turnover and noise.

CLUSTER

Next steps: costs & execution

Fees really matter Learn

Commission-free isn’t free. Spread, FX, and friction dominate long-term.

ETF liquidity, spreads, limit orders Learn

Execution is a cost. Limit orders protect you when spreads widen.

Interactive Brokers review Brokers

If you want broad markets + multi-currency, IBKR is the scaling alternative.

Best broker for long-term ETFs (non-US) Brokers

If this is a core account, prioritize stability and total drag over “fun tools.”

Webull FAQ

Is Webull good for beginners? +

It can be, but it’s not “training wheels.” Webull exposes you to real-time quotes, options, margin, and community noise quickly. If your main goal is a simple long-term ETF plan, a simpler setup (or a core broker + automation) is often a better first step.

Can non-US investors use Webull? +

Sometimes, depending on residency and the Webull entity serving your country. Product access and protections vary. Confirm eligibility and supported markets for your residency before planning around Webull.

Does Webull support long-term ETF investing? +

You can buy and hold ETFs, but the platform is optimized for active trading rather than automated portfolio management. If you want “set-and-forget” behavior, you may prefer a broker designed for automation for the core portfolio.

How does Webull make money if trading is $0 commission? +

“$0 commission” removes ticket fees, but costs can still come from spreads/execution, and brokers may also earn via routing, securities lending, and interest on cash or margin balances. Practical takeaway: trading frequency and discipline matter more than the headline commission.

Should I use only Webull as my main broker? +

For most long-term investors, no. It’s cleaner to keep a boring core ETF portfolio at a “core” broker and use Webull as a smaller satellite trading account.

Bottom line

Webull is strong if you want a trading-first experience. If your real goal is long-term wealth, keep the core boring and treat Webull as the optional active layer.

Open with Webull → Compare M1 vs Webull →

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.

Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.

Investments can lose value and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own decisions and for confirming tax and legal rules in your country.