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Best Stock Trading Apps for Beginners of August 2025

Get up to $1,000 in stock bonuses: SoFi Invest®

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FINDER'S PICK

9 Excellent

Top Offer

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account. T&C apply.
  • Trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, alternative asset funds
  • $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options with no options contract fees
  • Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account within 30 days
  • Access to a financial planner
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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 FINRAwww.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

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.

Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.

Offer valid from 7/28/25 through 8/18/25. Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 45 days of opening the account. Receive a minimum of $10. Probability of member receiving $2,000 is a probability of 0.026% If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Percentages for the $2,000 are subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions

Terms and conditions apply*. For 401k rollovers, existing SoFi IRA members must complete 401k rollovers via this link For SoFi members without a SoFi IRA, a SoFi IRA must first be opened, and 401k rollover must be completed utilizing Capitalize via this link. SoFi and Capitalize will charge no additional fees to process a 401(k) rollover to a SoFi IRA. SoFi is not liable for any costs incurred from the existing 401k provider for rollover. Please check with your 401k provider for any fees or costs associated with the rollover. For IRA contributions, only deposits made via ACH and cash transfer from SoFi Bank accounts are eligible for the match. Click here for the 1% Match terms and conditions.

Must be a SoFi Plus member at the time a recurring deposit is received into your SoFi Active or Automated investing account to qualify. Bonus calculated on net monthly recurring deposits made via ACH and paid out as Rewards Points. See Rewards Terms of Service. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time without notice. See terms and limitations. https://www.sofi.com/sofiplus/invest/#disclaimers

Top pick for best mobile experience: Robinhood

9.4 Excellent

Top Offer

Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
  • Trade $0 commission stocks, ETFs, futures and options with as little as $1
  • After-hours trading available
  • Earn 4% interest on uninvested cash with Gold
  • 24/7 customer support
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Top pick for low-cost options trading: Public.com

9 Excellent

Top Offer

Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public.
  • $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options, with no options contract fees
  • Earn a rebate on every contract traded
  • Get 4.1% APY on your cash
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Top pick for simple, worldwide trading: Interactive Brokers GlobalTrader

9.2 Excellent

  • Trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options and cryptocurrency
  • Worldwide stock and options trading
  • Commission-free stocks, ETFs and no transaction fee mutual funds
  • Invest with as little as $1
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Best for social investing: eToro

8.2 Great

Top Offer

Copy crypto picks from top traders
  • Trade stocks, options and ETFs without commissions and no options contract fees
  • Earn 3.9% annual interest on options balances
  • Copy top crypto investors with eToro's innovative CopyTrader
  • Trade leading cryptocurrencies including BTC and ETH
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Best for micro-investing: Acorns

8 Great

Top Offer

Get a $20 bonus when you set up an account and make your first recurring investment (min. $5).
  • Automated and custom portfolio options
  • Invest spare change automatically
  • Earn a 3% match on IRA contributions
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Our top picks for trading apps for beginners

At the most basic level, beginner-friendly brokers offer a straightforward way to invest.

We analyzed 19 brokers with a methodology focused on trading costs, user-friendliness and customer support availability and responsiveness, among other factors, and put together a list of the best trading platforms for beginners.

7 best trading platforms for beginners

SoFi Invest®

9 Excellent

Top Offer

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account. T&C apply.
Go to site Read review

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.

Annual fee $0 per month
Minimum deposit 0%
Signup bonus Get up to $1,000 in stock
Robinhood

9.4 Excellent

Top Offer

Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Go to site Read review

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.

Annual fee $0 per year
Minimum deposit 0%
Signup bonus Get a free stock
Interactive Brokers GlobalTrader

9.2 Excellent

Go to site Read review

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.

Annual fee $0 per year
Minimum deposit 0%
Signup bonus N/A
Public.com

9 Excellent

Top Offer

Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public.
Go to site Read review

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 5.8% yield as of August 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.

Annual fee $0 per month
Minimum deposit 0%
Signup bonus Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered
Webull

9.4 Excellent

Top Offer

Limited-Time Offer. Deposit or transfer funds to earn: Get a 2% match and up to 8.1% boosted APY, plus a $100 cash bonus and a 30-day Webull Premium subscription voucher. T&C apply.
Go to site Read review

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 4.1% APY for Webull Premium subscribers and a 3.5% 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.

Annual fee $0 per month
Minimum deposit 0%
Signup bonus Get a 2% match and a $100 cash bonus
Plus500 US

9.2 Excellent

Go to site Read review

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.

Annual fee $0 per month
Minimum deposit 100%
Signup bonus N/A
Stash

7.4 Great

Top Offer

Get $5 when you sign up and deposit $5.
Go to site Read review

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.

Annual fee $3 per month
Minimum deposit 0%
Signup bonus Get $10 when you sign up and deposit $5

Methodology: How we choose the best trading platforms for beginners

Finder’s investments experts reviewed 19 brokers available on the market to narrow down the best trading apps for beginners.

We analyzed each platform based on 147 key metrics we collected directly from brokers and assessed each provider’s performance based on eight different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then scored and ranked each provider to determine the best brokerage accounts for beginners.

We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.

How we weigh the overall rating

CategoryWeighting
Investment options
10%
Trading platforms and technology
15%
Trading costs
20%
Account fees
10%
Account types and minimums
5%
Customer support
10%
Mobile app ratings and security
5%
Features and amenities
25%

What we assess in each category

  • Investment options. This category evaluates the total number of available investment options and the breadth and diversity of available assets.
  • Trading platforms and technology. This category examines the user experience and various research and analysis tools across a platform’s browser-based, mobile and desktop trading platforms. It assesses the quantity and quality of things like research tools, charts and technical analysis features.
  • Trading costs. This category evaluates the broker’s trading fee structure, including commissions, options contract fees and any additional charges to buy or sell securities.
  • Account fees. This category assesses minimum deposits, annual fees, wire transfer fees and outgoing, full account transfer fees. We also evaluate inactivity fees, IRA closing fees, margin base rates and monthly subscription fees to get access to the brokers’s top features.
  • Account types. This category examines available account types and includes everything from individual brokerage accounts to 529 plans to IRAs for individuals and businesses.
  • Customer support. This category rates the broker’s customer support accessibility and evaluates available support channels, such as live chat, phone and email. We also consider the level of transparency for finding important information on the platform’s website.
  • Mobile app ratings and security. This category analyzes a mobile app’s user reviews and ratings across the major app stores. We also consider the brokers’s security measures, like whether it offers two-factor authentication and biometrics capabilities.
  • Features and amenities. This category evaluates the availability of instant buying power, virtual money for practicing trading, cash sweep rates for uninvested cash, fractional share trading and educational resources. We also consider access to a robo-advisor and human advisor and assign an editor’s opinion on whether the platform is generally good for beginners.

What makes a trading platform good for beginners?

In the world of investing, choosing the right trading platform is crucial, especially for those just starting out. But not all trading platforms are best for beginners.

A good trading platform for beginners prioritizes simplicity and user-friendliness, offering intuitive navigation, educational resources and quality, responsive customer support. It provides educational materials, maybe even demo accounts and easy-to-understand charts and features to help beginners learn the basics of trading without feeling overwhelmed.

Additionally, it should offer low fees and a variety of investment options.

Trading for beginners: How to get started

Now that you’ve found the right trading app for your goals, it’s time to put it to work. Open the app, sign up for an account and get comfortable with its features. You’ll need to deposit money to your new trading account via bank transfer to start investing, unless you choose to transfer assets from another broker.

Having accounts with multiple stock apps is an option if you aren’t completely satisfied with a single platform. Maybe it offers the tools and resources you need to research stocks but not the assets you want to build out your portfolio.

Define your investment goals, develop a strategy that suits your style and stay informed about market trends. Use any educational resources the app offers to learn how to invest and sharpen your skills. Regularly review your portfolio and adjust your strategy as needed.

The right trading app makes investing easier. But you also need a solid plan and the discipline to invest regularly and consistently to give you the best chance at building your wealth.

Frequently asked questions

Which trading platform is best for beginners?

The best trading platform for beginners is SoFi Invest, according to Finder’s analysis.

Which is the simplest trading platform?

SoFi Invest is among the simplest trading platforms. SoFi Invest doesn’t overwhelm in terms of research and analytical tools but instead offers a straightforward way to invest.

Is Robinhood good for beginners?

Robinhood is great for beginners. With its beginner-friendly trading platforms, uncomplicated trading experience and commission-free trades, Robinhood is among the best brokers for those just getting started in investing.

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