What it is
A retail trading app is a software application, typically for mobile devices or web browsers, that enables individual investors to place orders for financial instruments like stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies directly. These apps often feature user-friendly interfaces, educational resources, and sometimes social features, democratizing access to financial markets for a broad audience. Many offer commission-free trading, reducing transaction costs for users.
Retail trading apps have reshaped market dynamics by empowering a large volume of individual investors. Their widespread use can contribute to significant trading volumes in specific stocks, particularly meme stocks, and influence market volatility. News often covers how these apps facilitate rapid trading responses to market events, sometimes leading to coordinated buying or selling activity, which can impact stock prices and overall market sentiment.
Why it matters
These apps are the primary interface for many retail investors to interact with markets, making their features and impact crucial to understand.
Reviewed under editorial standardsUpdated September 26, 2026Not investment advice