What is a trading platform and how does it work?

A trading platform, otherwise known as an online brokerage account, allows you to buy and sell investments via computer or mobile app. The brokerage holds your investments and deposited cash for you and provides activity reports and account statements. It also credits any interest accrued and dividends to your account. To open an online broker account in the United States, you will need a Social Security number and you will be required to enter basic financial information such as your name, address, phone number, and trading experience. In the United States, brokers are regulated by both FINRA and the SIPC . The SIPC insures $500,000 per account including up to $250,000 in cash against theft or the firm going belly-up. It’s important to remember, however, that insurance does not protect any investor against losses due to market fluctuations.

What brokerage account is best for beginners?

Charles Schwab is my pick for the best brokerage for beginners, offering an ideal balance of education, ease of use, and affordable investing options. The Schwab Mobile app and web platform are intuitive and beginner-friendly, making it easy to get started. What sets Schwab apart is its Investor Starter Kit, which gives new investors $101 to invest across top S&P 500 stocks when they fund their account, paired with the ability to buy fractional shares through Schwab Stock Slices for as little as $5. Schwab’s built-in educational resources, whether you're reading articles or watching live webinars, will also guide you step by step as a novice.

Which type of trading is best for beginners?

Beginners should consider learning the ropes first by buying and holding stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds. Delving immediately into day trading or complicated investing strategies like options before getting the hang of basic order types is a recipe for disaster. Wait until you have more experience before using options, short selling, or buying on margin. Get acquainted with the most important things to know about the stock market for beginners . Practice first: It is always a great idea to try out any new trading strategies or learn more about your trading platform in the completely risk-free environment of a demo account, also known as paper trading . Offered by most brokers, paper trading accounts allow you to use fake currency in a simulated trading environment, usually using real-time stock charts and prices. While you should be wary of using the results of trades made in such an account to judge the success or failure of any one strategy, it will give you invaluable experience in the logistics of implementing those trades.

Can I teach myself how to trade?

Yes, you can teach yourself to trade, provided you have realistic expectations and stay at it through a full market boom-and-bust cycle. Don’t invest more than a fraction of your trading capital at once, and keep a trading journal noting why you entered and exited each trade and how well that trade performed. Most traders fail because they focus on chasing the upside more than managing risk. Dive deeper and learn more about using trading journals for stock trading .

Can I buy stocks without a broker?

There are two types of stock brokers. Online stock brokers, meaning companies like E*TRADE and Fidelity , allow you to buy and sell stocks. Traditional stock brokers — individuals who pass a series of exams and work at brokerages — buy and sell stocks on behalf of clients. Traditional stock brokers often work for corporations and may earn commissions on the products they sell you (they are salespeople), and that may affect their advice. If you are looking to buy and sell stocks on your own, you are looking for an online broker. When you open an account with a regulated brokerage, you can deposit money and make investments in the stock market. If you want someone to manage your money for you, you will want to hire a financial advisor . We prefer registered investment advisors who are paid a predictable fee over registered representatives who charge commissions. Get started finding a registered investment advisor over on our sister site, AdvisorSearch.org.

Can I start trading with $100?

Yes. Nowadays, most online brokers require no minimum deposit to open an account, commission-free stock and ETF trades, as well as the availability of fractional shares. As a result, new traders can start trading with a small investment such as $100. To compare features and pricing, use our online broker comparison tool .

What is paper trading?

Paper trading, or virtual trading, is a trading platform feature that enables the trading of stocks, ETFs, and options with virtual currency (fake money). This helpful learning tool is popular with beginners and is a great way to practice stock trading without risking real money. Explore my top picks for the best brokers for paper trading .

What are fractional shares?

A fractional share is a portion of a full share of a publicly traded company. Fractional shares enable investors with smaller budgets to buy a stake in companies with high stock prices. For example, instead of spending over $180 to buy one Amazon (AMZN) share, a trader could purchase a $10 fractional share – and then own a proportional fraction of that share. A real-world example is Charles Schwab's Schwab Stock Slices, which are fractional shares of any company in the S&P 500 and carry a minimum purchase of $5. Discover my top picks for the best brokers who offer fractional shares .

Is online trading safe?

Online trading is safe if you use a regulated online stock broker and never invest more than you are willing to lose. Trading stocks online is inherently risky. A good rule of thumb is to never invest more than you can afford to lose or that you might need within the next three months. Start with a small amount of money, read investing books, and keep it simple by buying and holding for the long term rather than trying to time the market.

Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Written by Jessica Inskip
Edited by Jeff Anberg
Reviewed by Blain Reinkensmeyer

May 16, 2025

Are you ready to start investing, but aren’t quite sure where to begin? The stock market itself is a lot to take in, and picking the right brokerage platform while learning the ropes can seem like an impossible task. But here’s the good news: today’s brokers are making it easier than ever to take your first steps with tools like fractional shares, educational resources, and even practice accounts to help you build confidence and your portfolio.

I spent months testing 16 online brokers — opening accounts, placing trades, and digging into their features to find the best broker for beginners. Each platform I’ve selected brings something unique to the table, from intuitive design to outstanding education. If you’re ready to start investing, this guide will help you find a brokerage platform that matches your needs, simplifies your learning curve, and gets you closer to your financial goals.

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Winners Summary

Best trading platform for beginners - Charles Schwab

Company	Minimum Deposit	Stock Trades	Options (Per Contract)
Charles Schwab	$0.00	$0.00	$0.65

Why Charles Schwab is the best trading platform for beginners: Charles Schwab stands out as the ultimate platform for self-directed investors, whether you're a beginner or more advanced. No matter where you are in your investment journey, Schwab offers solutions designed to support you every step of the way. The platform is highly accessible and easy to navigate, thanks to its intuitive Schwab Mobile app and user-friendly web platform.

Investor Starter Kit: I found Schwab’s Investor Starter Kit to be the key differentiator. It provides $101 to invest across five top S&P 500 stocks when you fund your account. It is a beginner-friendly experience that combines education with action, helping you learn about investing while you’re actively participating. The Starter Kit is paired with Schwab Stock Slices, which allow you to buy fractional shares of S&P 500 companies starting at just $5.

Education: An award-winning beginner experience requires exceptional investor education, and Schwab delivers. Beginners can access an extensive library of articles, videos, and live webinars that simplify complex topics (like candlestick patterns), from building a diversified portfolio to understanding stock valuations. What impressed me most was how seamlessly Schwab integrates this education directly into its platform, allowing you to learn as you trade. Add to that best-in-class customer support, a wide range of account options (including IRAs and custodial accounts), and zero commissions on stock and ETF trades, and it’s clear why Charles Schwab is our go-to choice for anyone ready to start their investing journey.

Check out my comprehensive review of Charles Schwab to discover more about its features and offerings.

Screenshot tour of Charles Schwab's market research

Charles Schwab website account home page

Charles Schwab website stock fundamentals

Charles Schwab website options calculator

Charles Schwab website technicals summary

Screenshot tour of Charles Schwab's educational resources

Charles Schwab education investing basics

Charles Schwab education income investing course

Charles Schwab education economics explainer

Charles Schwab education options for beginners

Charles Schwab education Onward Magazine

Beginner-friendly platform for goal planning - Fidelity

Company	Minimum Deposit	Stock Trades	Options (Per Contract)
Fidelity	$0.00	$0.00	$0.65

Why Fidelity is best for goal planning beginners: Fidelity is an outstanding choice for beginner investors, solidifying its position as the runner-up in this category. The Stocks by the Slice feature offers the ability to purchase fractional shares of thousands of stocks and ETFs with as little as $1, a budget-friendly way to build a diversified portfolio without requiring a large upfront investment. During my testing, I found Fidelity’s user experience to be incredibly intuitive and beginner-friendly, with a well-organized dashboard that simplifies portfolio management, market updates, and educational resources.

Fidelity's Learning Center: Fidelity’s Learning Center offers a vast library of tutorials, articles, videos, and webinars that cover essential topics like reading stock charts and understanding asset allocation. The Planning & Guidance Center is another standout tool, helping you craft a personalized roadmap to achieve your financial goals. Fidelity also provides exceptional customer support with knowledgeable representatives who are ready to assist 24/7, winning our top award for the category in our 2025 Annual Awards.

With its beginner-focused features, comprehensive educational offerings, and low-cost structure, Fidelity is an excellent choice for new investors. Visit my full review of Fidelity to learn more about its entire offering.

Screenshot tour of Fidelity's market research

Fidelity web research key stats and ratios

Screenshot tour of Fidelity's educational resources

Fidelity web education technical indicators

Fidelity web education indicator description

Fidelity web education financial planning

Best mobile trading app for beginners - E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Company	Minimum Deposit	Stock Trades	Options (Per Contract)
*ETRADE**	$0.00	$0.00	$0.65

Why E*TRADE is the best trading app for beginners: E*TRADE is an excellent choice for beginner traders thanks to its intuitive platform and easy-to-use mobile apps. I’ve found the layout clean and straightforward, making it simple for new investors to manage portfolios, monitor quotes, and access market research. E*TRADE Mobile works well for basic trading, while Power E*TRADE offers more advanced tools, perfect for beginners ready to explore options or futures trading. However, it lacks fractional shares and cryptocurrency trading — investment options that some might miss.

Research and education: Another thing that sets E*TRADE apart is its access to detailed research from Morgan Stanley, giving investors a solid foundation for making informed decisions. The same can’t be said for its investor education, which I found to be a mixed bag in my testing. While the real-time data feature does require a $1,000 balance, the variety of customizable charts makes it worth considering. For me, the depth of Power E*TRADE’s charting and trading tools stands out, offering a perfect blend of functionality and simplicity for beginners stepping into more complex trades. The availability of free paper trading on the Power E*TRADE app is also a great benefit for beginners first trying out more complex strategies.

Read my entire E*TRADE review for more details about its platform suite.

Screenshot tour of E*TRADE's market research

Screenshot tour of E*TRADE's educational resources

Pricing and fees comparison

Here's a comparison of pricing across beginner trading platforms. To compare all our collected data side by side, check out our online broker comparison tool.

Company	Minimum Deposit	Stock Trades	Broker Assisted Trade Fee	Penny Stock Fees (OTC)	ETF Trade Fee	Mutual Fund Trade Fee	Options (Per Contract)	Futures (Per Contract)
Charles Schwab	$0.00	$0.00	$25	$6.95	$0.00	Varies	$0.65	$2.25
Fidelity	$0.00	$0.00	$32.95	$0.00	$0.00	Varies info	$0.65	(Not offered)
*ETRADE**	$0.00	$0.00	$25	$6.95 info	$0.00	$0.00	$0.65	$1.50
Merrill Edge	$0.00	$0.00	$29.95	N/A	$0.00	Varies info	$0.65	(Not offered)
Interactive Brokers	$0.00	$0.00	Varies	$0.01	$0.00	$14.95 info	$0.65	$0.85
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing	$0.00	$0.00	Varies	$0.00	$0.00	$0	$0.65	(Not offered)
Ally Invest	$0.00	$0.00	$20	$4.95	$0.00	$0.00	$0.50	(Not offered)

Beginner education comparison

Here's a comparison of the most popular educational features offered by beginner trading platforms. To compare all our collected data side by side, check out our online broker comparison tool.

Company	Education (Stocks)	Education (ETFs)	Education (Options)	Education (Mutual Funds)	Education (Bonds)	Education (Retirement)	Retirement Calculator	Investor Dictionary	Paper Trading	Videos	Webinars (Archived)	Progress Tracking	Interactive Learning - Quizzes
Charles Schwab	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fidelity	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
*ETRADE**	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Merrill Edge	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Interactive Brokers	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Ally Invest	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No

Trading platforms tested, data findings

As part of our research process, we create a list of features, set strict definitions for each so our testing is uniform, collect the data, then extrapolate the resulting data to see how common each feature is across the industry as a whole. Here's our findings. To compare all our collected data side by side, check out our online broker comparison tool.

Feature	% of trading platforms that offer each feature
Education (Stocks)	80%
Education (ETFs)	56%
Education (Options)	68%
Education (Mutual Funds)	40%
Education (Bonds)	36%
Education (Retirement)	48%
Retirement Calculator	36%
Investor Dictionary	60%
Paper Trading	46%
Videos	64%
Webinars (Archived)	60%
Progress Tracking	28%
Interactive Learning - Quizzes	28%