Starting your investing journey can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Today’s best online brokers for beginners are designed to simplify the process from opening your first account to making your first trade. With intuitive platforms, education and no account minimums or hidden fees, these brokers make it easier to learn by doing.
These platforms stand out for their ease of use, low cost, helpful support and educational resources. Whether you're investing $10 or $10,000, these brokers are built to support your growth, step by step.
How We Chose the Best Brokers for Beginners
We applied our methodology, focusing specifically on what new investors need most: clarity, support and affordability. Each broker on this list meets the following criteria:
- Commission structure: Zero or low trading fees with transparent pricing
- Usability: Easy-to-navigate mobile and desktop platforms
- Account access: No account minimums and simple onboarding
- Customer service: Accessible help via chat, phone or in-app support
- Investment access: Wide range of stock, ETF and fractional share availability
- Educational content: Tutorials, calculators, webinars and in-platform guides
Best Stock Brokers for Beginners
The brokers below offer the simplicity, support and educational tools that new investors need to start building confidence and making smart financial decisions.
Fidelity – Best Overall
- Best For:Stock ResearchVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Fidelity Investments's website
Fidelity is a full-service brokerage with the tools and reliability of a legacy institution but without the barriers that typically discourage new investors. With $0 commissions, no account minimums and access to high-quality educational content, Fidelity makes starting your investing journey easy and rewarding.
The platform provides access to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and more, all with intuitive tools and excellent customer support. New investors can take advantage of personalized planning calculators, investor FAQs and guided learning modules on everything from how to build a portfolio to what diversification really means. Fidelity’s commitment to transparency and customer-first service is ideal for those just getting started.
Key Features:
- Fees: $0 commissions for stocks, ETFs and options (plus $0.65 per options contract)
- Platform: User-friendly mobile app and desktop interface
- Education: Extensive beginner resources, webinars and financial planning tools
- Account Minimum: $2500
- Drawbacks: Some tools may feel advanced for very first-time users
Charles Schwab – Best for Customer Support
- Best For:Fund InvestingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Charles Schwab's website
Charles Schwab offers one of the most comprehensive and supportive experiences for beginner investors. From live customer service and 24/7 phone support to in-depth tutorials and access to industry research, Schwab is built to help new investors grow their knowledge while growing their portfolios.
The platform features $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, a range of low-cost index funds and one of the easiest account opening processes on the market. Schwab’s “Start Investing” education section provides curated content for those new to investing and the Schwab mobile app is clean, fast and easy to navigate.
Key Features:
- Fees: $0 commissions for stocks, ETFs and options (plus $0.65 per options contract)
- Platform: Clean mobile interface, plus access to thinkorswim for more advanced features
- Education: Beginner education hub, articles, video content and in-person branch access
- Account Minimum: $0
- Drawbacks: Research tools may feel complex at first
SoFi Invest – Best for Integrated Financial Tools
- Best For:IPO InvestingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through SoFi Active Invest (Brokerage)'s website
SoFi Invest is a beginner-friendly platform designed for simplicity and accessibility. It offers commission-free trading and fractional shares starting at just $5, making it perfect for students and first-time investors. SoFi’s platform also integrates budgeting, banking and lending services – so you can manage your entire financial life in one place.
With both active and automated investing options, SoFi allows beginners to choose between learning to pick their own stocks or using a robo-advisor. SoFi members also gain access to financial planners at no extra cost, making it easier to build long-term strategies from day one.
Key Features:
- Fees: $0 for stocks and ETFs; no management fees for automated portfolios
- Platform: Highly visual, simple app designed for mobile-first use
- Education: Financial guides, live webinars and advisor access for beginners
- Account Minimum: $0
- Drawbacks: Limited tools for advanced or technical analysis
Robinhood – Best Mobile App
Robinhood pioneered the commission-free investing movement and remains one of the easiest ways for beginners to get started. Its minimalist mobile design and instant account funding features are perfect for users who want to open an account and begin investing within minutes.
The platform supports trading of stocks, ETFs, options and crypto, all from a single app. Fractional share investing allows users to start with as little as $1. While its educational resources are not as in-depth as other brokers on this list, Robinhood offers an accessible on-ramp for tech-savvy first-time investors.
Key Features:
- Fees: $0 commissions on all trades
- Platform: Intuitive mobile app with real-time alerts and basic charts
- Education: Built-in investment terms and tutorials for new users
- Account Minimum: $0, Robinhood Gold is $2,000
- Drawbacks: Lacks retirement accounts and deeper educational content
Acorns – Best for Automated Investing
- Best For:Prepping for future investingVIEW PROS & CONS:securely through Acorns's website
Acorns is tailored for investors who want to ease into the market passively. Its signature “Round-Ups” feature automatically invests spare change from linked purchases into diversified portfolios, making it ideal for users who want to build good habits without thinking about it daily.
Acorns offers access to taxable and retirement accounts, plus beginner-focused content through its Grow magazine. While there’s a monthly fee starting at $3, the automation and educational content can help new investors get started with minimal effort or confusion.
Key Features:
- Fees: $3/month for personal plans including investing and retirement
- Platform: Mobile-first design focused on simplicity and automation
- Education: Beginner financial advice via Grow, in-app prompts and goal tracking
- Account Minimum: $0 to open an account but $5 to starting investing
- Drawbacks: Monthly fee may outweigh returns for small balances
Public.com – Best for Fractional Shares
Public offers a social-first investing experience where users can follow other investors, share insights and build portfolios with fractional shares and no commissions. The app makes investing approachable by removing jargon and simplifying the process, making it ideal for beginners who prefer to learn collaboratively.
With built-in education, risk disclosures and a feed of trending stocks and expert opinions, Public helps users make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed. While it doesn’t offer retirement accounts or mutual funds, its user experience is one of the most beginner-friendly in the space.
Key Features:
- Fees: $0 commissions; optional subscriptions for premium research
- Platform: Social feed design for stock discovery and learning
- Education: Stock explainers, glossary and community commentary
- Account Minimum: $0
- Drawbacks: No retirement or automated investing features
Why Usability and Education Matter for New Investors
The hardest part of investing is often taking that first step. New investors are faced with unfamiliar terminology, a wide range of asset choices and the anxiety of making a mistake. That’s why a beginner-focused broker needs to do more than just facilitate trades, it should serve as a starting point for financial education and help build long-term confidence.
The most effective platforms for beginners prioritize simple interfaces, clear instructions and accessible features like fractional shares. This allows users to invest with small amounts while learning how markets work in real time. Many of these apps also include calculators, quizzes and personalized prompts to guide new investors through important decisions like portfolio diversification or setting financial goals.
Most importantly, education isn’t an afterthought; it’s integrated into the experience. When a broker makes learning intuitive and ongoing, users are more likely to stay engaged, avoid costly mistakes and gradually build the knowledge they need to invest more actively. Over time, that combination of usability and educational support becomes one of the most valuable tools in a new investor’s journey.
Start Simple, Stay Invested
You don’t need a lot of money or experience to start investing. Today’s beginner-focused brokers make it easier than ever to open an account, invest a few dollars and learn as you go.
Fidelity and Schwab stand out for long-term education and support. SoFi and Acorns simplify the process with automation and goal-based tools. Robinhood and Public make mobile investing easy and accessible, especially for smaller balances.
The best broker for you depends on how you want to learn and grow, but with the right app, your first step into investing can be your smartest one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need to start investing?
Many beginner brokers allow you to start with as little as $1, thanks to fractional share investing. Some, like Acorns, even invest spare change through round-ups.
Are these platforms safe to use?
Yes. The brokers listed here are regulated by financial authorities like the SEC and FINRA and offer SIPC insurance to protect your investments.
Should beginners use automated investing?
If you’re not ready to pick individual stocks, automated investing (like SoFi’s robo-advisor or Acorns portfolios) is a smart way to start with minimal effort.
