Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Financial Instruments (Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs/Mutual Funds, Derivatives, Others), By Platform (Mobile, Web-based), By Operating System (iOS, Android, Others), By End-user (Retail, Institutional, Others), By Region, and By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 40.52 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	19.88%
Fastest Growing Segment	Mobile
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 120.27 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market will grow from USD 40.52 Billion in 2025 to USD 120.27 Billion by 2031 at a 19.88% CAGR. Stock trading and investing applications are digital platforms that enable individual and institutional investors to execute transactions and manage financial portfolios containing assets such as equities, bonds, and exchange-traded funds via mobile or web interfaces. The primary drivers supporting the market's growth include the global expansion of high-speed internet connectivity and smartphone penetration, which have democratized access to capital markets for a broader demographic. Additionally, the widespread reduction in commission fees by major brokerage firms and a fundamental rise in financial literacy have significantly lowered entry barriers, encouraging a structural shift toward self-directed wealth management.

However, a significant challenge that could impede market expansion is the escalating risk of cybersecurity threats and the complexity of adhering to stringent data protection regulations across different jurisdictions. As these platforms handle sensitive financial data, any failure to safeguard user assets against fraud can severely damage trust and invite heavy regulatory scrutiny. This necessity for security is highlighted by the sheer volume of participation; according to the Investment Company Institute, in 2024, 56 percent of US households owned shares of mutual funds or other US-registered investment companies, reflecting the massive user base that relies on the integrity of these digital financial ecosystems.

Key Market Drivers

The integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for predictive analytics serves as a primary catalyst for market advancement, fundamentally transforming how platforms engage users and execute trades. By leveraging these technologies, trading applications can offer hyper-personalized investment insights, automated portfolio rebalancing, and real-time risk assessment, thereby enhancing the value proposition for sophisticated and novice investors alike. This technological shift is widespread; according to NVIDIA, January 2024, in the 'State of AI in Financial Services: 2024 Trends' report, 91 percent of financial services companies are now assessing or using AI in production to drive innovation and operational efficiency. Such adoption enables platforms to provide institutional-grade analytics to retail users, fostering deeper engagement and retention.

Simultaneously, a massive surge in retail investor participation and global financial literacy is fueling unprecedented market expansion. The democratization of access, driven by intuitive interfaces and educational resources, has encouraged a structural shift where individual investors increasingly manage their own wealth through digital ecosystems. This trend is evident in the performance of key market disruptors; according to Robinhood Markets, Inc., October 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Results' press release, Assets Under Custody (AUC) on their platform increased 76 percent year-over-year to $152.2 billion. This individual enthusiasm contributes to broader market liquidity and health. Illustrating this sector-wide growth, according to The Charles Schwab Corporation, in 2024, total client assets reached $9.85 trillion as of October, marking a 29 percent increase from the previous year.

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Key Market Challenges

The escalating risk of cybersecurity threats and the complexity of regulatory compliance present a formidable barrier to the expansion of the global stock trading and investing applications market. As these platforms aggregate sensitive financial data, they become prime targets for malicious actors, forcing companies to divert substantial capital toward defense mechanisms and compliance infrastructure rather than product innovation. Furthermore, navigating fragmented regulatory landscapes across different jurisdictions increases operational overhead, effectively limiting the ability of brokerage providers to scale rapidly into new regions or offer competitive fee structures.

This environment of heightened risk directly erodes the investor confidence essential for widespread adoption. When users perceive a platform as vulnerable to data breaches or fraud, their hesitation to commit capital stifles user acquisition rates and transaction volumes. The financial magnitude of this threat is substantial and well-documented by industry bodies. According to UK Finance, in 2024, investment scam losses reached £144.4 million, reflecting the severe financial risks permeating the digital investment sector. Such statistics highlight the tangible dangers of digital finance; consequently, the dual burden of preventing fraud and maintaining strict regulatory adherence creates a friction that significantly slows the market’s overall momentum.

Key Market Trends

The consolidation of multi-asset trading, specifically the integration of cryptocurrencies alongside traditional equities, has become a defining trend for stock trading applications seeking to maximize user lifetime value and fee generation. Platforms are increasingly dismantling the barriers between asset classes, allowing investors to manage volatile digital assets and stable securities within a single interface, thereby preventing capital outflow to specialized crypto exchanges. This strategy is proving financially critical as retail appetite for digital assets resurges. According to Robinhood Markets, Inc., April 2025, in the 'First Quarter 2025 Results' press release, transaction-based revenues increased 77 percent year-over-year to $583 million, primarily driven by cryptocurrencies revenue of $252 million, which rose 100 percent. This massive growth underscores how essential multi-asset capabilities are becoming for revenue diversification in the competitive trading app landscape.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing the emergence of retail access to pre-IPO and private markets, effectively democratizing an arena previously restricted to institutional and ultra-high-net-worth investors. Trading applications are developing secondary marketplace infrastructure that provides liquidity for private company shares, allowing individual investors to capture value during the high-growth phases before a public listing. This shift addresses the growing demand for alternative assets as public markets become more saturated and efficient. The velocity of this adoption is evident in recent trading activity; according to Forge Global Holdings, Inc., May 2025, in the 'First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results' press release, trading volume on their platform went from $298.5 million to $692.4 million, marking a 132 percent increase quarter-over-quarter. Such rapid expansion validates the structural shift toward private equity inclusion in retail portfolios.

Segmental Insights

The Mobile segment constitutes the fastest-growing category within the Global Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market, driven largely by increasing smartphone penetration and the shifting preference of retail investors for on-the-go trading solutions. Developers are prioritizing mobile-centric designs that simplify complex financial data, thereby lowering entry barriers for novice users. This growth is further supported by the integration of biometric security and real-time notifications, which provide immediate access to market movements. Consequently, these functional advantages are causing a distinct migration of trading volume from traditional desktop interfaces to accessible mobile platforms.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global stock trading and investing applications market because of high consumer adoption of financial technology and a strong infrastructure for digital trading. The region benefits from significant participation by retail investors who seek accessible investment tools. Additionally, stringent oversight from institutions like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ensures compliance and consumer protection, which strengthens market stability and user confidence. These elements create a favorable environment for the continuous development and usage of trading applications throughout the region.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Revolut launched a standalone investment application tailored for experienced traders in specific European markets, including Greece, the Czech Republic, and Denmark. The dedicated app, branded as Revolut Invest, was designed to provide a focused environment for trading over 4,000 financial instruments, such as US and European stocks, bonds, ETFs, and contracts for difference. This move separated the company's trading services from its main banking application to offer advanced analytics and extended trading hours. The Head of Wealth and Trading for the EEA at Revolut indicated that the standalone app aimed to disrupt traditional platforms by offering lower fees and a high-performance interface for active investors.
• In May 2024, Public.com introduced a fractional bond trading feature, allowing investors to purchase corporate and Treasury bonds in smaller monetary denominations. This product launch addressed a common barrier in the fixed-income market, which traditionally required high minimum investments, by enabling users to invest in bonds with as little as $100. The platform also integrated new analytical tools, such as an AI-powered bond screener and liquidity scores, to assist retail investors in evaluating debt securities. The company stated that this initiative aimed to make the bond market more accessible and transparent for individual investors seeking to diversify their holdings with fixed-income assets.
• In March 2024, Webull Financial expanded its product offerings by introducing futures and commodities trading to its platform. This strategic development provided retail investors with the ability to diversify their portfolios beyond traditional equities and options by accessing the futures market. The new feature enabled users to speculate on the price movements of various global asset classes, including commodities and indices, without the necessity of owning the underlying assets. The Group President of Webull emphasized that this expansion was intended to democratize access to sophisticated financial products that were typically reserved for institutional investors, thereby empowering users to manage risk more effectively.
• In February 2024, Interactive Brokers launched a new desktop trading application designed for Windows and Mac operating systems to enhance the user experience for modern traders. The platform, known as IBKR Desktop, was engineered to combine the company's advanced trading capabilities with a more streamlined and intuitive interface. This release aimed to serve a wider range of investors by offering powerful tools, such as "MultiSort" for simultaneous data sorting and "Option Lattice" for graphical options chain displays, without the complexity often associated with professional software. The Chief Executive Officer of Interactive Brokers noted that the platform represented a new chapter in the company's focus on innovation and user-centric design.

Key Market Players

• Bank of America Corporation
• Morgan Stanley
• FMR LLC
• Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
• Robinhood Markets, Inc
• Interactive Brokers LLC
• eToro
• Plus500
• Zerodha Broking Limited
• Angel One Limited

By Financial Instruments	By Platform	By Operating System	By End-user	By Region
Stocks Cryptocurrencies ETFs/Mutual Funds Derivatives Others	Mobile Web-based	iOS Android Others	Retail Institutional Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market, By Financial Instruments:

• Stocks
• Cryptocurrencies
• ETFs/Mutual Funds
• Derivatives
• Others

• Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market, By Platform:

• Mobile
• Web-based

• Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market, By Operating System:

• iOS
• Android
• Others

• Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market, By End-user:

• Retail
• Institutional
• Others

• Stock Trading and Investing Applications Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE