Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Trading for Beginners: 9 Best Trading Platforms to Get Started

SoFi Invest® is the overall best stock trading app for beginners, but these other brokers are also great for newcomers.

Beginner-friendly trading platforms are intuitive and easy to use, with low overall costs and plentiful resources to help you learn and grow as an investor.

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

We analyzed 18 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.

With that, it’s time to reveal our picks.

Our top picks for stock apps for beginners

Our pick for family investing

Go to site
  • Goal-based robo-advisor
  • Individual stock and ETF investing with guidance
  • Invest for your kids with a custodial brokerage account or IRA

Our pick for investing by theme

Go to site
  • Trade $0 commission stocks & ETFs with as little as $1
  • Earn up to $300 with qualifying deposits
  • Discover new opportunities with Opto's AI-driven thematic investing system
  • Theme and ETF screener

Our pick for financial advice

Go to site
  • $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options, with no options contract fees
  • Complimentary access to a financial planner
  • Trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, alternative asset funds

9 best trading platforms for beginners

SoFi Invest®

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to $1,000 in stock
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

Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.028%

Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.

For full promotion terms please visit: https://www.sofi.com/acatoffer. SoFi does not accept cryptocurrencies and has limitations on some mutual funds and OTC stocks. Brokerage and Active Investing Products offered by SoFi Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

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 recordkeeping services separately.

Robinhood

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet a free stock

Public.com

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public
Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered

Stash

3.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet $10 when you sign up and deposit $5

OPTO

3.8
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusEarn up to $300

Interactive Brokers

4.7
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

M1 Finance

4.1
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$100
Signup bonusN/A
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.

Cash App

Cash App

3.9
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Fidelity Investments

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Paid non-client promotion. Finder does not invest money with providers on this page. If a brand is a referral partner, we're paid when you click or tap through to, open an account with or provide your contact information to the provider. Partnerships are not a recommendation for you to invest with any one company. Learn more about how we make money.

Finder is not an advisor or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.

Methodology: How we choose the best trading platforms for beginners

Finder’s investments experts reviewed 18 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 options10%
Trading platforms and technology15%
Trading costs20%
Account fees10%
Account types and minimums5%
Customer support10%
Mobile app ratings and security5%
Features and amenities25%

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.

Compare and find the broker that's right for you

Match your experience level with your trading and investing goals to find the right broker for you.
If you're a And want to Consider this
Beginner investor Do most or all of your trading on your mobile device Best stock trading apps
Beginner investor Trade and invest with as few fees as possible Best discount stock brokers
Beginner investor Outsource portfolio management automatically and at a low cost Best robo-advisors
Beginner investor Gain exposure to multiple assets like stocks, bonds or gold through a single fund Best ETF brokers
Experienced investor Get an overall idea of providers on the market and what they're best for Best brokerage accounts
Experienced investor Invest internationally in stocks, ETFs and other assets Best international stock brokers
Retirement saver of any experience level Save for retirement with upfront tax benefits Best (traditional) IRA
Retirement saver of any experience level Save for retirement and enjoy tax-free withdrawals Best Roth IRA
Investor of any experience level Diversify with low-cost index funds Best brokerage accounts for index funds 2024

Frequently asked questions

Which trading platform is best for beginners?

The best trading platform for beginners is SoFi Invest, according to Finder’s analysis. In addition to no-fee commissions stock, ETF and options trades, SoFi offers a no-cost robo-advisor with complimentary access to SoFi’s team of certified financial planners.

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.

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Matt Miczulski's headshot
Written by

Editor, Investments

Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions. Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

Matt's expertise
Matt has written 209 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Trading and investing
  • Broker and trading platform reviews
  • Money management

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site