65/100RFA Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Stock broker”.
Stockbrokers in Costa Mesa, CA: 2026 rankings
31 stockbrokers ranked by RFA ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest RFA Score in Costa Mesa: Stock Traders, RFA Score 65/100; 4.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
- 10
Most-reviewed: Charles Schwab, 34 Google reviews at 3.0★, the most of 31 ranked; ranked #10.
Rankings can't be bought. Financial advisors can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
31 Costa Mesa stockbrokers are ranked here by RFA Score, from eight published factors. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 31 rated firms.
Top 10 stockbrokers in Costa Mesa at a glance
Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RFA Score | Google rating | Based in | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stock Traders | 65 | 4.7★ (3) | Huntington Beach, 7 mi away | Top score |
| 2 | Charles Schwab | 61 | 4.4★ (19) | Irvine, 5 mi away | — |
| 3 | Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Sofian Haikal, CFA® | 61 | 5.0★ (25) | Long Beach, 17 mi away | — |
| 4 | Charles Schwab | 59 | 3.9★ (10) | Newport Beach, 3 mi away | — |
| 5 | Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Phil Gironda | 59 | 5.0★ (7) | Huntington Beach, 5 mi away | — |
| 6 | Charles Schwab | 58 | 4.0★ (17) | Seal Beach, 12 mi away | — |
| 7 | Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Michael A Shafer, AAMS® | 57 | 5.0★ (9) | Los Alamitos, 14 mi away | — |
| 8 | Charles Schwab | 57 | 3.7★ (25) | Brea, 19 mi away | — |
| 9 | Merrill Lynch Wealth Management | 57 | 4.0★ (4) | Newport Beach, 3 mi away | — |
| 10 | Charles Schwab | 56 | 3.0★ (34) | Mission Viejo, 15 mi away | Most reviews |
All 31 stockbrokers in Costa Mesa, in rank order
Ordered by RFA Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by RFA Score from public data such as Google reviews, not by investment performance; sponsored listings are paid, shown separately and never change rank.
Scores below: based on 6 of 8 factors; registration and recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.
Based in Irvine, 5 mi away
61/100RFA ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.4★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based in Long Beach, 17 mi away
61/100RFA ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 25 Google reviews.
Based in Newport Beach, 3 mi away
59/100RFA ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.9★ from 10 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Huntington Beach, 5 mi away
59/100RFA ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Seal Beach, 12 mi away
58/100RFA ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.0★ from 17 Google reviews.
Based in Los Alamitos, 14 mi away
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Brea, 19 mi away
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.7★ from 25 Google reviews.
Based in Newport Beach, 3 mi away
57/100RFA ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
#10 Charles Schwab
Based in Mission Viejo, 15 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 3.0★ from 34 Google reviews, the most in Costa Mesa.
Based in Fountain Valley, 4 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Laguna Beach, 11 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Irvine, 5 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Lake Forest, 12 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Fountain Valley, 4 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.3★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Huntington Beach, 6 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Irvine, 10 mi away
56/100RFA ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial planner”.
Based in Los Alamitos, 14 mi away
55/100RFA ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Irvine, 7 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 2.3★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Laguna Beach, 15 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Foothill Ranch, 15 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Long Beach, 15 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Mission Viejo, 15 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Seal Beach, 13 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
Based in Laguna Hills, 11 mi away
54/100RFA ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Financial consultant”.
All 31 stockbrokers
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #31, in RFA Score order; each links to its profile.
| Rank | Business | RFA Score | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Charles Schwab | 53 | 3.2★ (13) | 24 mi |
| 27 | Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Norm Cauntay, CFP®|AAMS®|ADPA®|CRPS™ | 53 | 4.8★ (4) | 17 mi |
| 28 | Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Carol Otters | 53 | 4.0★ (4) | 16 mi |
| 29 | Merrill Lynch Wealth Management | 53 | 3.3★ (4) | 15 mi |
| 30 | Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ken Whittenbury, CFP® | 53 | 5.0★ (3) | 16 mi |
| 31 | Merrill Lynch Wealth Management | 52 | 4.7★ (3) | 19 mi |
Also serving Costa Mesa
20 more stockbrokers within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
How we ranked Costa Mesa stockbrokers
We scored 31 Costa Mesa stockbrokers on eight factors, weighted as shown. A firm is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Costa Mesa data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 30% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it (client experience, not investment results) | Measured |
| Registration | 20% | Active SEC, state or Canadian securities registration matched in public records (not yet measured) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Specialty focus | 15% | How clearly the firm offers this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Ranked Financial Advisors profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The firm links to Ranked Financial Advisors from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a stockbroker
- Confirm the stockbroker and the firm are registered: Investor.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck in the US, the CSA National Registration Search in Canada. Read any disclosure events.
- Ask whether they act as a fiduciary on your account at all times, and get the answer in writing.
- Ask how they are paid: a percentage of assets, flat or hourly fees, a retainer, commissions, or a mix. Each creates different conflicts of interest.
- Read the firm’s Form CRS and Form ADV Part 2A brochure (fees, services, conflicts, disciplinary history) before you sign.
- Check designations with the body that grants them, such as the CFP Board for CFP® professionals.
- Ask about account minimums and who holds your money: your assets should sit with an independent custodian in your name.
- Compare at least two or three firms, and be wary of anyone who promises returns or pushes you to decide quickly.
Questions to ask a stockbroker
- Are you a fiduciary for all of the advice you give me, and will you put that in writing?
- How are you paid, in total dollars per year for an account like mine? Do you earn commissions or other payments from product providers?
- Which registrations and designations do you hold, and where can I verify them?
- Who will hold my assets, and how will I see statements directly from that custodian?
- What services are included in your fee, and what would cost extra with you as my stockbroker?
- Do you have a minimum account size or minimum fee?
- Have you or your firm had any complaints or disciplinary actions? Where would I see them?
- How often will we meet, and who will I work with day to day?
- What happens to my plan or accounts if you retire or leave the firm?
Terms explained
- Fiduciary
- Someone legally required to act in a client’s interest. In the US, registered investment advisers owe their clients a fiduciary duty of care and loyalty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
- Registered investment adviser (RIA)
- A firm registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator to give investment advice for pay. Most firms managing $100 million or more register with the SEC; smaller firms usually register with their state.
- Investment adviser representative (IAR)
- A person who gives advice on behalf of a registered investment adviser, usually registered with the states where they work.
- Broker-dealer
- A firm that buys and sells securities for customers. US broker-dealers are members of FINRA; their registered representatives typically earn commissions.
- Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)
- The SEC rule, in force since June 30, 2020, requiring broker-dealers to act in a retail customer’s best interest when recommending a security or account type.
- Form ADV
- The registration form every investment adviser files. Part 1 holds facts about the firm; Part 2A, the brochure, describes services, fees, conflicts of interest and disciplinary history in plain English.
- Form CRS
- A short relationship summary that advisers and broker-dealers give retail investors, covering services, fees, conflicts, standard of conduct and disciplinary history.
- CRD number
- The Central Registration Depository number FINRA and the SEC assign to each firm and registered person; use it to look them up on Investor.gov or BrokerCheck.
- Assets under management (AUM) fee
- A yearly fee set as a percentage of the money an advisor manages for you. Advisor surveys have put the median around 1% on accounts up to $1 million, lower on larger accounts.
- Fee-only
- An advisor paid only by clients, with no commissions or other payments from product providers.
- Fee-based
- An advisor who charges client fees and may also earn commissions on some products. It is not the same as fee-only.
- CFP® professional
- A person certified by the CFP Board after meeting education, exam, experience and ethics requirements. The CFP Board requires them to act as a fiduciary when giving financial advice.
Stockbrokers in Costa Mesa: frequently asked questions
Which stockbroker has the highest RFA Score in Costa Mesa?
By RFA Score, the highest-ranked stockbroker in Costa Mesa, CA is Stock Traders with an RFA Score of 65/100. It has 4.7★ from 3 Google reviews. Charles Schwab (#2) and Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Sofian Haikal, CFA® (#3) follow. We ranked 31 stockbrokers on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many stockbrokers are there in Costa Mesa?
RankedFinancialAdvisors ranks 31 stockbrokers serving Costa Mesa, CA. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What Google rating do Costa Mesa stockbrokers have?
The median Google rating among 31 rated stockbrokers in Costa Mesa is 4.8★, with a median of 4 reviews. Charles Schwab has the most, 34 reviews, and ranks #10. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedFinancialAdvisors rank stockbrokers?
Each stockbroker gets a 0–100 RFA Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (30%), specialty focus (15%), review volume (10%) and claimed profile (10%). A firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only firms with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do stockbrokers outside Costa Mesa count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Costa Mesa city center, our service radius for stockbrokers. Each listing shows where the firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the RFA Score, so a nearby firm gets a small edge.
Can stockbrokers pay to rank higher on RankedFinancialAdvisors?
No. The RFA Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured firms may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
What does a stockbroker do?
Stockbrokers buy and sell stocks, bonds, funds and other securities for clients and may recommend them. In the US they are registered representatives of a FINRA member broker-dealer; in Canada they work for a CIRO-regulated investment dealer.
How are stockbrokers in Costa Mesa ranked?
By RFA Score: public signals such as the Google rating and review count, how clearly the firm offers brokerage services and how close it is. Paid placements never change the order, and the score does not measure investment performance.
How do I check a stockbroker’s registration and record?
Search the person and the firm on Investor.gov (the SEC’s adviser search) and on FINRA BrokerCheck. A firm’s Form ADV and any disciplinary history are public there.
Is every stockbroker in Costa Mesa a fiduciary?
Not necessarily. Investment adviser representatives owe a fiduciary duty on advisory accounts; broker-dealer representatives follow Regulation Best Interest when they recommend a security. Ask which applies to your account and read the firm’s Form CRS.
How much do stockbrokers charge?
Fees depend on the firm and the service: a percentage of assets managed each year, a flat or hourly planning fee, a retainer, or commissions. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and read the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A brochure or, in Canada, its relationship disclosure.
Update log for Costa Mesa
- November 2026: RFA Scores recalculated for 31 stockbrokers serving Costa Mesa.
More stockbrokers and Costa Mesa pages
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