Interactive Brokers is the best stock broker for beginners, offering a blend of low fees, user-friendly tools and educational resources.
Investing can be intimidating, but the right broker can make all the difference. For beginners, the best stock brokers combine affordability, simplicity and access to educational tools. Whether you’re looking to invest in your first stock or dive into ETFs and mutual funds, picking a platform that aligns with your goals is key. Below, we breakdown the top online brokers that cater to beginners, highlighting their standout features, fee structures and the advantages they bring to first-time investors.
Quick Look at the Best Online Brokers for Beginners:
11 Best Online Stock Brokers for Beginners
If you’re ready to start investing, these online brokers are top choices that balance usability, low fees and a range of tools tailored to beginners.
- Fees: $0 for premium members on most assets, $2.99 per trade for non-premium members
- Account Minimum: $5
- Promotional Offer: Get up to $10,000 when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public
At Public, stock and ETF trades are commission-free, offering $0 commission trading on self-directed individual cash brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities placed online. While trades are free of commissions, other fees may apply, such as regulatory fees, subscription fees, wire transfer fees and paper statement fees. Public also provides users the option to voluntarily tip to support its mission of offering commission-free trades without accepting any payment for order flow (PFOF).
Unlike most online brokers, Public does not participate in payment for order flow on equities trades. PFOF typically involves brokers routing trades to market makers for execution, potentially creating a conflict of interest between the broker and the investor. Public eliminates this conflict by routing all orders directly to exchanges and other execution venues, prioritizing transparency and alignment with its users.
For those looking to expand their portfolios, Public offers access to over 300 select over-the-counter (OTC) stocks, primarily focusing on large-cap international companies. Each stock page on Public includes additional research, data and company-specific analysis, empowering investors to make informed decisions. The platform’s suite of tools is designed to enhance your trading strategies, with features like customizable recurring investments, built-in price alerts and extended-hours trading to provide greater control over your investments.
Public also supports a variety of other investment options, including ETFs, options, bonds and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile platform for a wide range of investment strategies.
Why We Picked It: Public.com’s unique approach of integrating social features into the investing experience helps beginners learn from others, making it easier to build confidence and make informed decisions.
2. Best for Mobile Users: Plus500
Highlights of the platform include:
- Quick onboarding
- Simplified mobile trading
- Easy-to-use platform
- CFDs for indices, ETFs, shares, forex, commodities, options and cryptocurrency
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- $100 minimum investment
- 0.7% currency conversion fee per transaction, when the currency in your account is different from those traded
However, Plus500 is not a platform for novices as it solely makes money from spreads and does not charge a commission. You may start trading Plus500 right away, leverage your experience, expand your portfolio, and start making money right away.
Why We Picked It: Benzinga enjoys how Plus500 helps investors build multi-asset portfolios that can be tasked to save for the future, produce income now or something in between, including its intuitive interface and rich cache of information.
3. Best for Active and Global Traders: Interactive Brokers
- Fees: Starts at $0, but tiered and fixed-rate structured pricing is available depending on asset and contract
- Account Minimum: $0 for IBKR Lite, $100,000 for IBKR Pro
- Promotional Offer: The Refer a Friend program lets eligible IBKR clients earn $200 for each successful referral, while their friends have the chance to earn up to $1,000 in IBKR stock
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is known for offering a powerful platform with an extensive range of investment options, making it a great choice for beginners who want to explore a variety of asset classes. While IBKR Pro is designed for professionals, IBKR Lite offers commission-free trading with a user-friendly experience. New investors can benefit from the platform’s educational resources and research tools, which are among the industry’s most comprehensive.
Why We Picked It: Interactive Brokers stands out for its range of investment options, which include global stocks, ETFs, options and even cryptocurrencies. The platform’s low-cost trading and extensive resources make it a versatile choice for beginners who want to grow their skills over time.
4. Best for Active Traders: Webull
- Fees: $0 commissions, but trading fees apply and tiered pricing on other assets
- Account Minimum: $0
- Promotional Offer: Get 20 free fractional shares by depositing $500 – $24,999.99 and maintaining for 30 days
Webull offers a mobile-first experience with powerful tools that even beginners can learn quickly. The platform’s commission-free trades and real-time market data make it ideal for those who plan to be active traders. Webull also features paper trading, which allows beginners to practice with virtual funds before diving in with real money.
Why We Picked It: Webull’s blend of advanced charting tools and user-friendly interface provides a smooth learning curve for beginners while giving them room to grow as more experienced traders. The free stock promotion is also a nice incentive for new users.
5. Best for Simplicity: Robinhood
- Fees: $0 commissions, but trading activity fees apply
- Account Minimum: $0
- Promotional Offer: Earn 3% extra on every annual contribution to your IRA when you subscribe to Robinhood Gold
Robinhood’s sleek and simple platform has become a favorite for first-time investors. With no account minimums and commission-free trades, Robinhood offers a low barrier to entry. The app’s intuitive design and straightforward interface make it easy to buy stocks, ETFs and even cryptocurrencies with just a few taps.
Why We Picked It: Robinhood is ideal for beginners who prioritize simplicity and want a quick, hassle-free way to start investing. Its straightforward design and commission-free trading are perfect for beginners.
6. Best for All-in-One Services: Charles Schwab
- Fees: $0 online trades + $0.65 per options contract
- Account Minimum: $0
- Promotional Offer: Refer a friend program, up to $1,000
Charles Schwab offers a comprehensive range of services that go beyond just trading. For beginners, the platform provides extensive educational resources, including articles, videos and webinars, making understanding the basics of investing easier. Schwab also offers the flexibility of self-directed trading and robo-advisory services, making it a versatile option for new investors.
Why We Picked It: Schwab’s combination of low fees, excellent customer service and comprehensive tools makes it a top choice for beginners who want more than a basic brokerage account. Its educational resources are also among the best available.
7. Best for Long-Term Investing: Fidelity
- Fees: $0 for online U.S. stock, ETF and option trades
- Account Minimum: None
- Promotional Offer: None
Fidelity is a well-rounded brokerage that offers everything a beginner needs for long-term investing. It features a wide range of funds with no minimums, making it easy to start small. Fidelity is particularly known for its research tools and detailed educational content, helping beginners learn as they grow their portfolios.
Why We Picked It: Fidelity’s focus on long-term investing, combined with no account minimums and comprehensive research tools, makes it a perfect platform for beginners planning for retirement or other long-term goals.
8. Best for Diverse Investment Options: E*TRADE
- Fees: $0 on stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds. $0.65 on options contracts, $1.50 on futures and $1 on bonds
- Account Minimum: None, but you must fund the account within 30 days to remain open
- Promotional Offer: Get up to $1,000 or more when you open and fund a new brokerage account
E*TRADE has a long history of serving investors with trading tools and resources. The platform is easy to navigate and offers a variety of investment options, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options. For beginners, E*TRADE provides educational resources like online courses and market analysis to help build a solid foundation.
Why We Picked It: E*TRADE’s blend of low fees, diverse investment options and robust educational tools makes it ideal for beginners who want to explore different types of assets as they learn more about the market.
9. Best for Technical Analysis: moomoo
- Fees: $0 commissions, $0.50 index options contracts
- Account Minimum: $0
- Promotional Offer: Deposit $100, get 5 free stocks, deposit $1,000, get 10 extra free stocks
Moomoo is a newer platform that offers a unique mix of commission-free trading and advanced technical analysis tools. It’s particularly appealing to beginners interested in charting and other technical trading strategies. Moomoo’s interface is sleek and offers real-time data, allowing users to taste what professional trading looks like.
Why We Picked It: Moomoo’s focus on technical analysis tools gives beginners an edge if they want to explore more sophisticated trading strategies without overwhelming them with complexity.
10. Best for Low-Cost Trading: TradeUp
- Fees: $0 commissions, but regulatory fees apply
- Account Minimum: None
- Promotional Offer: Open and fund a new TradeUP account to win up to 5 free stocks, each worth up to $1,800
TradeUp is another commission-free platform that focuses on simplicity and affordability. It offers a user-friendly app with essential trading tools and real-time data. For beginners who want to start with a minimal budget, TradeUp provides an easy way to access the stock market with no hidden fees or complex features.
Why We Picked It: TradeUp’s straightforward design and low-cost trading make it ideal for beginners who want to avoid high fees and start small while learning the basics.
11. Best for Social Trading: eToro
- Fees: 1% fee on crypto transactions, $0 for stocks and options
- Account Minimum: $10
- Promotional Offer: Deposit $100 and get a $10 bonus
eToro is renowned for its social trading features, allowing users to follow and copy the trades of experienced investors. This makes it a unique option for beginners who prefer learning by observing successful traders in real time. While it’s more focused on cryptocurrency and forex, eToro also offers stocks and ETFs, providing diverse investment opportunities.
Why We Picked It: eToro’s social trading capabilities set it apart from traditional platforms, making it an excellent option for beginners who want to learn from others while building their portfolios.
How Do Stock Brokerage Accounts Work?
Stock brokerage accounts act as the gateway between you and the financial markets. When you open a brokerage account, you deposit funds that can be used to buy and sell securities like stocks, ETFs and bonds.
Beginners should know that most brokers offer two types of accounts: cash accounts, where you pay the full amount for your investments upfront and margin accounts, which let you borrow funds to trade more than you currently have. Brokerage accounts also provide access to research tools, educational resources and account management features to help you make informed decisions.
How to Choose the Best Trading Platform for Beginners
Finding the right platform involves considering several important factors:
- Fees and Commissions: Look for brokers that offer commission-free trading or low-cost fee structures to maximize your returns.
- Account Minimums: Choose a broker with low or no account minimums, making it easier to start investing even with a small budget.
- Paper Trading or Demo Accounts: Platforms offering demo accounts allow beginners to practice trading with virtual money before committing real funds.
- Execution Speed and Order Types: A broker’s execution speed and the types of orders available (like limit and stop orders) can impact your trading experience.
- Integration with Financial Tools: Brokers integrating with budgeting apps or retirement planning tools can offer a more comprehensive financial experience.
- Account Types: Ensure the platform offers the types of accounts you need, such as individual, joint or retirement accounts (like IRAs).
- User-Friendly Platforms and Mobile Apps: A well-designed platform or app can make trading more accessible and less intimidating for beginners.
- Educational Resources and Research Tools: Look for platforms that offer articles, webinars and other educational resources to help you learn as you go.
- Customer Support Options: Strong customer support is crucial, especially if you need quick assistance navigating your first trades.
How We Tested Our List of Best Brokerage Accounts for Beginners
To curate our list, we considered a range of criteria:
- Fees and Commissions: We looked for brokers that offer competitive pricing structures, particularly those with commission-free trading.
- Platform Quality: We evaluated user interface design, ease of navigation and the availability of mobile trading apps.
- Educational Tools and Resources: We prioritized brokers that offer educational content tailored to beginners.
- Investment Offerings: Platforms with diverse investment options like stocks, ETFs and fractional shares were given preference.
- Customer Service: We considered the availability and quality of customer support, including live chat, phone and email options.
- Promotions and Bonuses: Special offers and sign-up bonuses added extra value for beginners looking to start their investment journey.
Choosing the Right Broker as a Beginner
Getting started in investing doesn’t have to be complicated. The best stock brokers for beginners provide the right balance of simplicity, educational resources and low costs to help you get your foot in the door. Whether you’re looking for a platform to learn the basics or want something that offers advanced tools as you grow, there’s a broker on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Interactive Brokers is often recommended for beginners due to its low costs, user-friendly tools and strong educational resources.
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Start by choosing a brokerage, setting up an account and making your first investment in a diversified fund or stock that aligns with your goals.
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No, many brokers do not require a minimum deposit, allowing you to start with as little as $1.
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Many brokers offer commission-free trades, though there may be fees for certain transactions or account features.
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Yes, brokerage accounts are typically insured by organizations like the SIPC, protecting your funds up to a certain limit.
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You can withdraw funds by transferring them from your brokerage account to your linked bank account.
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Robinhood and Webull allow you to start investing with as little as $5.
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Beginners should consider investing in diversified ETFs or blue chip stocks with stability and long-term growth potential.
