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Best Stock Brokers for Beginners 2026

Starting to invest can feel overwhelming — account types, commission structures, order types, and platforms all add complexity before you've placed your first t...

Starting to invest can feel overwhelming — account types, commission structures, order types, and platforms all add complexity before you've placed your first trade. The best brokers for beginners strip away that complexity without compromising on the fundamentals: zero commissions, reliable execution, and educational resources that actually teach you something. Here are the brokers that make getting started genuinely easy.

Quick Comparison

BrokerRatingCommissionsMin. DepositBest For
Fidelity 4.5★ $0.65/contract $0 Retirement investing, index funds, long-... Open Fidelity Account →
Webull 4.5★ Free $0 Active traders wanting free commissions,... Get Free Stocks on Webull →
M1 Finance 4.3★ Free $100 Automated DCA investing, long-term portf... Start Investing on M1 →
Robinhood 4.1★ Free $0 New investors, simplicity seekers, stock... Get Free Stock on Robinhood →

Detailed Reviews

Fidelity Long-Term Investing
The full-service broker for long-term investors
4.5 ★★★★½

Fidelity is the benchmark for long-term investors — combining zero-expense-ratio index funds, institutional-grade research, and the most reliable platform in the industry with exceptional customer service.

CommissionsCommission-free stocks and ETFs. $0.65/options contract
Min Deposit$0
✅ Pros
+ Zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX)
+ Exceptional research — Morningstar, S&P, CFRA
+ Best-in-class retirement account management
+ Fractional shares on S&P 500 stocks
⚠️ Cons
− Options platform trails Tastytrade and Webull
− Interface is dated compared to newer platforms
− No cryptocurrency trading
− Active Trading Pro requires qualification
Retirement investing, index funds, long-term wealth building, research depthOpen Fidelity Account →
Webull General Trading
Commission-free trading with professional-grade tools
4.5 ★★★★½

Webull offers truly commission-free trading across stocks, ETFs, and options — with a professional-grade charting platform that rivals tools costing hundreds per month. It's the best free alternative to paid platforms.

CommissionsCommission-free stocks, ETFs, options
Min Deposit$0
✅ Pros
+ Fully commission-free including options
+ Advanced charting with 50+ technical indicators
+ Extended hours trading 4am–8pm ET
+ Paper trading mode for practice
⚠️ Cons
− No mutual funds or OTC stocks
− Customer support can be slow
− No automated investing or robo-advisor
− Options analysis tools lag behind Tastytrade
Active traders wanting free commissions, technical analysis, extended hoursGet Free Stocks on Webull →
M1 Finance Automated Investing
Automated investing with the precision of a professional portfolio
4.3 ★★★★☆

M1 Finance combines the automation of a robo-advisor with the control of self-directed investing. The Pie system lets you build a custom portfolio that automatically rebalances and reinvests dividends — set it and genuinely forget it.

CommissionsFree. M1 Premium at $3/mo
Min Deposit$100
✅ Pros
+ Pie-based portfolio automation is brilliant for DCA
+ Fractional shares on any stock or ETF
+ Automatic rebalancing keeps allocation on track
+ M1 Borrow: portfolio-backed loan at competitive rates
⚠️ Cons
− No options trading — purely for stock/ETF investing
− Single daily trading window limits tactical moves
− Not designed for active trading
− Customer support is email-only
Automated DCA investing, long-term portfolio building, set-and-forget investorsStart Investing on M1 →
Robinhood Beginner Friendly
The app that made investing accessible — now with more features
4.1 ★★★★☆

Robinhood pioneered commission-free investing and remains the most beginner-accessible trading platform available. The clean interface, fractional shares, and integrated crypto make it the best entry point for new investors.

CommissionsCommission-free. Gold at $5/mo
Min Deposit$0
✅ Pros
+ Cleanest, most beginner-friendly interface
+ Fractional shares from $1
+ Robinhood Gold: 4.9% APY on uninvested cash
+ Crypto trading integrated alongside stocks
⚠️ Cons
− Options tools are basic vs. Tastytrade or Webull
− Payment for order flow controversies
− No retirement accounts on basic plan
− Limited research and fundamental data
New investors, simplicity seekers, stocks + crypto in one appGet Free Stock on Robinhood →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to start investing?
Most brokers have no minimum deposit. Robinhood, Webull, and Fidelity all let you open an account and invest from $1 using fractional shares. M1 Finance requires $100 minimum. The amount you need depends on your goals — but there's no reason to wait to start.
Should I start with Robinhood or Fidelity?
Robinhood for pure simplicity and if you want crypto alongside stocks. Fidelity if you're focused on long-term retirement investing — the zero-expense-ratio index funds and retirement account options make it the better foundation for building wealth.
What's the difference between a brokerage account and an IRA?
A brokerage account (taxable) has no limits on contributions or withdrawals but you pay taxes on gains. A Traditional IRA lets you contribute pre-tax dollars (deductible) but pay taxes on withdrawal in retirement. A Roth IRA uses after-tax dollars but grows and withdraws tax-free — the best option for most young investors.