For self-directed investors wanting to hold individual bonds to maturity, these platforms provide the deepest inventory and best tools:
: Best for global and active traders . It boasts the widest selection, with over 1 million global bonds available, though it requires a steeper learning curve than domestic-focused brokers. where to buy municipal bonds online
: The gold standard for low-cost passive funds . Popular options like the Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) provide broad exposure with extremely low expense ratios (around 0.03%). Specialized ETFs : For self-directed investors wanting to hold individual bonds