11 Best Trading Apps for Beginners

SoFi Invest offers a user-friendly trading experience with low-cost, straightforward market access. It's one of the few brokers in the industry that offers access to financial planners, banking services and alternative assets, providing clients with a comprehensive approach to wealth management and investment diversification.

Alongside no-fee commission trading on a beginner-friendly interface, SoFi members benefit from a robo-advisor and a suite of financial services, allowing them to invest, bank and borrow all within a single, integrated platform. This combination of features makes SoFi an attractive option for those seeking simplicity and comprehensive financial management.

Best for: No-fee commission trading; beginner investors; all-in-one financial services.

• Why we like it

  SoFi Invest offers a user-friendly trading experience with low-cost, straightforward market access. It's one of the few brokers in the industry that offers access to financial planners, banking services and alternative assets, providing clients with a comprehensive approach to wealth management and investment diversification.

  Alongside no-fee commission trading on a beginner-friendly interface, SoFi members benefit from a robo-advisor and a suite of financial services, allowing them to invest, bank and borrow all within a single, integrated platform. This combination of features makes SoFi an attractive option for those seeking simplicity and comprehensive financial management.

  Best for: No-fee commission trading; beginner investors; all-in-one financial services.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • $0 commission investing
  • Access banking, lending, investing and other financial products from one platform
  • Access to financial planners
  • Educational content

  Cons

  • No cryptocurrency
  • Limited research tools
  • $25 inactivity fee

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per month
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get up to $1,000 in stock
  Cash sweep APY	0.01%

• Partner terms and conditions

  INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
  
  Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.
  
  Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).
  
  There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.
  
  Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options
  
  Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
  
  Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information
  
  Up to $1,000 in stock. Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.
  
  SoFi Plus members can schedule an unlimited number of appointments with a financial planner during periods in which the SoFi Plus member meets the eligibility criteria set forth in section 10(a) of the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions. SoFi members who are not members of SoFi Plus can schedule one (1) appointment with a financial planner. The ability to schedule appointments is subject to financial planner availability. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this benefit at any time with or without notice. Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
  
  Robo Advisor:
  Automated investing is offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
  0.25% fee is based on your account value. The wrap program fee may cost more or less than purchasing brokerage, custodial, and record keeping services separately.

Plus500 is a globally recognized broker that specializes in low-cost futures trading. Trade indices, commodities, forex, cryptocurrencies and more, with competitive, flat-rate commissions: $0.89 per side for standard contracts and $0.49 per side for micro contracts.

Notably, there are no fees for account maintenance, deposits, withdrawals, routing or platform usage. With a low minimum deposit requirement of $100 and 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, Plus500 is a solid, accessible option for beginner futures trades.

Best for: Futures trading.

• Why we like it

  Plus500 is a globally recognized broker that specializes in low-cost futures trading. Trade indices, commodities, forex, cryptocurrencies and more, with competitive, flat-rate commissions: $0.89 per side for standard contracts and $0.49 per side for micro contracts.

  Notably, there are no fees for account maintenance, deposits, withdrawals, routing or platform usage. With a low minimum deposit requirement of $100 and 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, Plus500 is a solid, accessible option for beginner futures trades.

  Best for: Futures trading.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Variety of futures contracts
  • Low trading fees
  • User-friendly platform
  • Free demo account to practice trading

  Cons

  • Exclusively futures trading
  • Limited research and analysis tools
  • Limited fund withdrawal options

• More details

  Available asset types	Forex, Savings, Precious metals, Private equity
  Annual fee	$0 per month
  Minimum deposit	$100
  Signup bonus	N/A
  Cash sweep APY	N/A

Don't let this user-friendly broker fool you. Blending low commissions and its notoriously intuitive design, Robinhood provides several distinctive features within the brokerage industry. Its commissions are low: none for stocks, ETFs, crypto and options; crypto spreads are among the lowest at 0.65%; and upgrading to Gold for $5/month gets you discounted futures and index options commissions.

That Gold membership also gets you Level 2 market data, Morningstar research, a 3% IRA contribution match, up to 4% APY on uninvested cash and more. Full control of your crypto and managed portfolios with Robinhood Strategies are just some of the additional features you can expect.

Best for: Commission-free trading; user experience; cryptocurrency investing; IRA match.

• Why we like it

  Don't let this user-friendly broker fool you. Blending low commissions and its notoriously intuitive design, Robinhood provides several distinctive features within the brokerage industry. Its commissions are low: none for stocks, ETFs, crypto and options; crypto spreads are among the lowest at 0.65%; and upgrading to Gold for $5/month gets you discounted futures and index options commissions.

  That Gold membership also gets you Level 2 market data, Morningstar research, a 3% IRA contribution match, up to 4% APY on uninvested cash and more. Full control of your crypto and managed portfolios with Robinhood Strategies are just some of the additional features you can expect.

  Best for: Commission-free trading; user experience; cryptocurrency investing; IRA match.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stock, options, ETF and crypto trading
  • Earn up to a 3% IRA match with Robinhood Gold
  • Transfer crypto
  • 24/7 customer support
  • 24/5 market access
  • High interest on uninvested cash

  Cons

  • Limited tradable assets
  • Limited research tools for its standard account

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Event contracts, High-yield cash account
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per year
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get a free stock
  Cash sweep APY	4%

Interactive Brokers offers a comprehensive investing experience, catering to beginners with user-friendly mobile platforms like IBKR GlobalTrader and IMPACT. These platforms simplify the investment process, making it easy for new investors to navigate the market.

Beginners can trade commission-free stocks, options and ETFs while also exploring a range of other assets, such as precious metals, mutual funds and cryptocurrencies. For those seeking a hands-off approach, Interactive Brokers provides a robo-advisor with professionally managed portfolios, ensuring that even novice investors have access to expert guidance and a well-rounded investment strategy.

Best for: Multi-asset investing; commission-free stocks and ETFs; automated investing.

• Why we like it

  Interactive Brokers offers a comprehensive investing experience, catering to beginners with user-friendly mobile platforms like IBKR GlobalTrader and IMPACT. These platforms simplify the investment process, making it easy for new investors to navigate the market.

  Beginners can trade commission-free stocks, options and ETFs while also exploring a range of other assets, such as precious metals, mutual funds and cryptocurrencies. For those seeking a hands-off approach, Interactive Brokers provides a robo-advisor with professionally managed portfolios, ensuring that even novice investors have access to expert guidance and a well-rounded investment strategy.

  Best for: Multi-asset investing; commission-free stocks and ETFs; automated investing.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Multiple beginner-friendly trading platforms
  • Wide range of tradable assets
  • $0 commission stocks and ETFs
  • Robo-advisor

  Cons

  • Cash sweep only available to Pro accounts
  • Unreliable live chat
  • No instant buying power

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per year
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	N/A
  Cash sweep APY	3.83% Lite 4.83% Pro

Opto's user-friendly mobile app, commission-free stock and ETF trading, minimal account fees and thematic investing options make it a solid choice for beginners seeking a low-cost platform to start investing.

For those interested in cutting-edge technologies and trends, Opto's thematic investing approach offers a unique opportunity to tap into innovations driving future economic growth. With over 50 themes to choose from, including Robotics, AI, Blockchain, Pet Care and Clean Energy, investors can easily identify and capitalize on emerging trends. Meanwhile, Opto's Folios offer customizable portfolios with automatic rebalancing and an option to mirror the top-performing Folios managed by the OPTO community.

Best for: Themed investing; commission-free trading.

• Why we like it

  Opto's user-friendly mobile app, commission-free stock and ETF trading, minimal account fees and thematic investing options make it a solid choice for beginners seeking a low-cost platform to start investing.

  For those interested in cutting-edge technologies and trends, Opto's thematic investing approach offers a unique opportunity to tap into innovations driving future economic growth. With over 50 themes to choose from, including Robotics, AI, Blockchain, Pet Care and Clean Energy, investors can easily identify and capitalize on emerging trends. Meanwhile, Opto's Folios offer customizable portfolios with automatic rebalancing and an option to mirror the top-performing Folios managed by the OPTO community.

  Best for: Themed investing; commission-free trading.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • Themed investing focus
  • Few account fees
  • Earn 4% annual equivalent rate on your cash

  Cons

  • Limited investment options
  • Only available via mobile app
  • Limited account types, with no IRAs

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, ETFs
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per month
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Earn up to $300
  Cash sweep APY	4%

If you care about fee transparency and want to create a balanced strategy for growth and stability, you can go ahead and stop looking for your next broker. Public's commission-free stock, ETF and options trades and high-yield accounts means you can focus on growing your investments, not paying unnecessary fees.

Lock in a 7.3% yield as of May 1, 2025, with a its bond account, earn 4.1% APY with a high-yield cash account and access Treasuries and individual bonds. Rebates on options trades and no per-contract fees keep costs even lower, and Public's avoidance of payment for order flow on equities adds a level of transparency you just don't see with many brokers.

Best for: High yields; user experience; commission-free trading.

• Why we like it

  If you care about fee transparency and want to create a balanced strategy for growth and stability, you can go ahead and stop looking for your next broker. Public's commission-free stock, ETF and options trades and high-yield accounts means you can focus on growing your investments, not paying unnecessary fees.

  Lock in a 7.3% yield as of May 1, 2025, with a its bond account, earn 4.1% APY with a high-yield cash account and access Treasuries and individual bonds. Rebates on options trades and no per-contract fees keep costs even lower, and Public's avoidance of payment for order flow on equities adds a level of transparency you just don't see with many brokers.

  Best for: High yields; user experience; commission-free trading.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks, options and ETFs
  • No per-contract fees
  • Earn rebates on options
  • High-yield cash account
  • No payment for order flow

  Cons

  • Best tools and features are reserved for Public Premium members for $8 a month
  • No robo-advisor

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Investments, Retirement, Treasury Bills, High-yield cash account
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per month
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered
  Cash sweep APY	4.1%

Webull stands out as a beginner-friendly trading platform with commission-free access to stocks, ETFs and options, alongside robust educational resources and a robo-advisor for hands-off investors. Its features include a paper trading account for practice with virtual money, an in-app social community for learning from other investors and over 500 courses in its learning center.

For those looking for high-yields and an IRA match, Webull's cash management account pays 4.10% APY for Webull Premium subscribers and a 2.5% IRA contribution match. For crypto investors, Webull Pay, a dedicated app, provides a straightforward trading process for popular cryptocurrencies, making Webull a well-rounded platform for new investors.

Best for: Commission-free trading; mobile trading; research and analysis; automated investing.

• Why we like it

  Webull stands out as a beginner-friendly trading platform with commission-free access to stocks, ETFs and options, alongside robust educational resources and a robo-advisor for hands-off investors. Its features include a paper trading account for practice with virtual money, an in-app social community for learning from other investors and over 500 courses in its learning center.

  For those looking for high-yields and an IRA match, Webull's cash management account pays 4.10% APY for Webull Premium subscribers and a 2.5% IRA contribution match. For crypto investors, Webull Pay, a dedicated app, provides a straightforward trading process for popular cryptocurrencies, making Webull a well-rounded platform for new investors.

  Best for: Commission-free trading; mobile trading; research and analysis; automated investing.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades
  • Earn 4.10% APY with a $3.99/month Webull Premium subscription
  • IRA match
  • Comprehensive educational content

  Cons

  • 0.20% annual advisory fee for its robo-advisor
  • Separate app to trade crypto

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Futures, Money market funds
  Account types	Brokerage, IRA
  Annual fee	$0 per month
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get 20 free fractional shares
  Cash sweep APY	Up to 4.10%

Stash stands out due to its low-cost entry, educational resources and easy-to-use platform. With the ability to start investing for yourself and your children with just $5, Stash makes the market accessible to beginners.

Invest in commission-free stocks and ETFs, with fractional shares, curated investment options, automated investing and individual stock trading. Additionally, Stash offers access to banking products and a debit card that lets you earn stock with each purchase.

Best for: Beginning investors; minor investing; commission-free stocks and ETFs; automated investing.

• Why we like it

  Stash stands out due to its low-cost entry, educational resources and easy-to-use platform. With the ability to start investing for yourself and your children with just $5, Stash makes the market accessible to beginners.

  Invest in commission-free stocks and ETFs, with fractional shares, curated investment options, automated investing and individual stock trading. Additionally, Stash offers access to banking products and a debit card that lets you earn stock with each purchase.

  Best for: Beginning investors; minor investing; commission-free stocks and ETFs; automated investing.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Individual and custodial accounts
  • $0 commission stocks and ETFs
  • Robo-advisor
  • Access to banking products

  Cons

  • No tax-loss harvesting
  • No high-yield cash account
  • No human advisor access

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, ETFs
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$3 per month
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get $10 when you sign up and deposit $5
  Cash sweep APY	0.1%

• Partner terms and conditions

  Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investment LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Holdings and performance are hypothetical. *Offer is subject to T&Cs

M1 Finance's intuitive platform, no trading fees and automated investing features may be an excellent option for beginners. Build customized portfolios with fractional shares, using M1's 'pie' investing to allocate funds across different assets according to your goals.

M1 Finance's combination of automated investing services and flexibility in investment choices and account types provides a balance of automation and control, making it a great choice for those new to investing.

Best for: Commission-free trading; beginning investors; automated investing.

• Why we like it

  M1 Finance's intuitive platform, no trading fees and automated investing features may be an excellent option for beginners. Build customized portfolios with fractional shares, using M1's 'pie' investing to allocate funds across different assets according to your goals.

  M1 Finance's combination of automated investing services and flexibility in investment choices and account types provides a balance of automation and control, making it a great choice for those new to investing.

  Best for: Commission-free trading; beginning investors; automated investing.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • High-yield cash account
  • Wide range of account types
  • Automated investing

  Cons

  • $3 monthly platform fee if assets are under $10,000
  • $50 inactivity fee

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$3 per month
  Minimum deposit	$100
  Signup bonus	N/A
  Cash sweep APY	4.00%

• Partner terms and conditions

  M1 Finance, LLC does not charge commission, trading, or management fees for self-directed brokerage accounts. You may still be charged other fees such as M1’s platform fee, regulatory fees, account closure fees, or ADR fees. For a complete list of fees M1 may charge visit M1 Fee Schedule.
  M1 is not a bank. M1 Spend is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of M1 Holdings Inc.. M1 High –Yield Savings Accounts are furnished by B2 Bank, NA, Member FDIC.
  Obtaining stated APY (annual percentage yield) with the M1 High-Yield Savings Account does not require a minimum account balance. Stated APY is accrued on account balance. APY is solely determined by M1 Spend LLC and its partner banks, and will include account fees that will reduce earnings. Rates are subject to change without notice. M1 High-Yield Savings Account is a separate offering from, and not linked to, the M1 High-Yield Cash Account offered by M1 Finance, LLC. M1 is not a bank.