11 best trading platforms for beginners 2023

In addition to trading stocks, options, ETFs and crypto on a beginner-friendly interface, SoFi members get access to a free robo-advisor, no-cost financial advice and a range of other financial services that let you invest, bank and borrow from a single, integrated platform.

SoFi Invest offers one of the simplest trading experiences among the brokers we review, providing uncomplicated market access with a no-cost robo-advisor available if you want to automate your investing. It's also one of the only brokers in the industry that offers unlimited, complimentary access to certified financial planners, a service that can cost you several hundred dollars a session elsewhere. SoFi members can consult a CFP professional ahead of any of life's important financial decisions, and we think this is a standout feature worth recognizing.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks, options and ETFs
  • Free robo-advisor with no investment minimums
  • Complimentary access to SoFi's certified financial planners with no investment minimums
  • Access SoFi's other financial products from one platform
  • Fractional shares

  Cons

  • Limited investment options
  • $25 inactivity fee

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account within 30 days.

In addition to its zero-commission stock and ETF trades, Public offers something most brokers we review have yet to include in their lineup of investments: alternative assets. In addition to stocks, ETFs and treasuries, Public lets you invest in crypto, NFTs, fine art and collectibles — things like rare comics, game-worn Air Jordans and one of the earliest copies of Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo NES. All this from a single, user-friendly platform that makes investing a breeze.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • Fractional share investing
  • Access to treasuries and alternative assets
  • Social trading features
  • Live chat support

  Cons

  • No robo-advisor
  • No retirement accounts

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Art, Treasury Bills, Collectibles
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	N/A

The versatile Interactive Brokers has an impressive lineup of trading platforms, two of which are geared toward beginner investors: GlobalTrader, which offers a streamlined solution to trade stocks, ETFs, options and crypto globally, and IMPACT, an environmental, social and corporate governance-focused platform. Whichever you choose, expect commission-free stock and ETF trades, fractional shares starting at $1 and simulated trading to practice investing without committing real money.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Two beginner-focused mobile platforms
  • Commission-free stock and ETF trades
  • Fractional shares
  • Global trading
  • Simulated trading feature

  Cons

  • No robo-advisor
  • Unreliable customer support
  • Confusing fee structure

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Forex, Treasury Bills
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	N/A

It wasn't just its offering of commission-free trades that led Robinhood to transform the way people buy and sell stocks over the past decade but also its beginner-friendly mobile app with its intuitive design and agile interface, which simplified investing for the masses. Nothing's changed on that front. Expanded investment options, 24/5 trading and IRAs that pay matching contributions are just some of the upgrades Robinhood's made since first launching. All this is what keeps Robinhood at the top of the pack of beginner-friendly trading platforms.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Intuitive mobile app and web trading platforms
  • IRA matching contributions
  • Fractional shares

  Cons

  • No robo-advisor
  • Limited investment options

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.

Anchored by its community-driven trading platform, eToro's got no shortage of beginner-friendly investing features. Zero commission stock, option and ETF trades, with fractional shares starting at $10, crypto and virtual money for practice, all on a modern mobile app. Getting back to its social trading features for a second — eToro's not the first to offer social trading, but it sure did make it mainstream. How does one discuss investment ideas, build confidence and automate their crypto portfolio — hopefully stocks soon, too — by copying the trades of experienced investors? With eToro, of course.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stock, option and ETF trades
  • Social trading with a crypto copy trading feature
  • Fractional shares
  • Simulated trading feature

  Cons

  • No robo-advisor
  • Not available in NY, NV, MN and HI
  • No retirement accounts

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $25 bonus when you sign up and deposit $100

Automated portfolio management with a level of customization unlike many other robo-advisors, Acorns has redefined how people save and invest their spare change. With its innovative 'round-up' feature, Acorns automatically invests spare change from your everyday purchases, effortlessly growing your portfolio. Its user-friendly app simplifies investing for beginners, while also offering a degree of freedom to investors who want to retain control over their portfolio. And Acorns' flat-fee subscription structure means the cost for portfolio management never changes, with minimal back-end fees and no account minimums.

Whether you're new to investing or simply want to automate portfolio management, Acorns is the go-to platform for turning small change into substantial savings.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Invest your spare change automatically
  • Automated stock and ETF investing
  • Multiple investment account options
  • Beginner-friendly app with educational resources
  • Customize your portfolio with individual stocks with Acorns Premium

  Cons

  • No tax-loss harvesting
  • Limited investment options

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, ETFs
  Annual fee	$36 per year
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get a $20 bonus when you set up an account and make your first recurring investment (min. $5)

Block's Cash App is as beginner-friendly as it gets. Through an app designed to offer swift financial transactions, buy and sell stocks and ETFs for as little as $1, gift stocks to family and friends or dip your toes into cryptocurrency with Bitcoin. Simple charts, company news, key statistics and financials, earnings and analyst opinions all help you make informed investment decisions quickly and without fuss.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • Fractional shares
  • Send stocks to others like cash
  • Trade Bitcoin

  Cons

  • High crypto trading fees
  • Limited investment options
  • No retirement accounts

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	N/A

Webull's commission-free stocks, ETFs and options, coupled with its education hub, paper trading account and in-app social community, make it a respectable trading platform for beginners. Its robo-advisor, Webull Smart Advisor, is also available for those investors who'd rather outsource portfolio management. Meanwhile, Webull Pay, a separate app dedicated to Webull's crypto offerings, is available to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum and several other popular cryptos.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • No commissions on stocks, ETFs or options
  • Paper trading account available
  • In-app trading community
  • Access to a robo-advisor

  Cons

  • Limited tradable assets
  • No live chat feature

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get up to 12 free stocks valued up to $30,600 when you open an account and make a deposit. T&Cs apply.

Fidelity's combination of industry-low fees, available investments, user-friendly trading platforms, 24/7 phone support and features like fractional shares makes it the best trading platform for beginners. It's well-equipped to provide beginners with the resources they need to learn and grow as investors, including zero-commission stock and ETF trades, free portfolio planning tools and extensive educational content. And those seeking the assistance of professional guidance need not turn further than Fidelity's assortment of human and automated portfolio advisory services.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • $0 commissions and industry-low fees
  • Fractional shares
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Robo and human advisory services available

  Cons

  • No analyst reports, company financials or price targets on mobile
  • $25,000 minimum to access a Fidelity financial advisor

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Gold/Commodities, CDs, Treasury Bills
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	$50 when you deposit $50 to $99

Since delivering the first online trading platform for retail investors back in the early 90s, E-Trade remains a mainstay in the brokerage industry and a solid option for beginners looking to set up shop with a reputable, established trading platform. Trade stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs commission-free, fortify your portfolio with bonds and CDs or automate your portfolio with E-Trade's robo-advisor, Core Portfolios.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Commission-free stock, ETF and option trading
  • Robo-advisor available for automatic portfolio management
  • Wide selection of investment options

  Cons

  • No crypto trading
  • No fractional share trading

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Futures
  Minimum deposit	$0

Big broker Charles Schwab's got it all: commission-free stock and ETF trades, fractional shares, extensive educational resources, 24/7 live support and user-friendly web and mobile trading platforms with in-depth research tools. It's got account types available for every circumstance, a free robo-advisor and a team of certified financial planners standing by for professional advice. Charles Schwab caters to a wide range of investors thanks to its large investment selection, and beginners will find Schwab to be a worthy broker to settle into.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Extensive lineup of investment options and account types
  • Top-tier third-party research
  • Robo advisor
  • Fractional shares
  • Global investing

  Cons

  • No crypto trading
  • $5,000 minimum to access Schwab's robo-advisor

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Futures, Treasury Bills
  Annual fee	0%
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	$100 when you make a qualifying deposit of $1,000–$24,999 in cash or securities