Stockpile review
Learning tools and fractional share options ideal for new investors.
finder.com’s rating: 3.8 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Choose Stockpile if you’re new to investing and want a beginner-friendly user experience.
- Consider something else if you’re an active trader in need of sophisticated charting tools.
Details
| Option trade fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Asset types | Stocks, ETFs |
| Account types | Brokerage |
| Account transfer fee | $0 |
What I think of Stockpile
I like Stockpile. Its commission-free trades and well-reviewed mobile app are attractive perks — but they aren’t really what seals the deal. At least not in my opinion. No, what makes Stockpile unique is its focus on gifting stocks and custodial accounts, because this combination is what makes Stockpile ideal for kids and teens eager to explore the market — under the supervision of a parent or guardian, of course.
- Stockpile gift cards. Purchase a digital or physical gift card of $1 to $100 for any of Stockpile’s thousands of stocks and ETFs.
- Investing for kids. Kids and teens can begin exploring their investment options through custodial accounts.
The icing on the cake is Stockpile’s superb Trustpilot reputation: 4.3 out of 5 after more than 1,000 customer reviews. Take it from me: that’s an impressive TrustScore. I’ve reviewed over 40 trading platforms, and most score closer to 3.0 — if that.
Investors enjoy Stockpile’s easy-to-use interface and many satisfied parents, grandparents and family members praise its gifting feature. All in all, a solid option for those seeking no-fuss, commission-free trades.
What investments does Stockpile offer?
Stockpile only offers access to stocks and ETFs. This limited lineup may not be problematic for newbies exploring the market for the first time — in fact, many investors build diversified portfolios with stocks and ETFs alone. But advanced traders looking to swap derivatives, crypto, forex or mutual funds will need to look elsewhere.
Rating overview
| Fees | ★★★★★4.5/5 | Stocks and ETFs are commission-free, and account fees are on par with competitors. |
| Available securities | ★★★★★ 3/5 | Stockpile only offers access to stocks, bonds and ETFs. |
| Customer support | ★★★★★ 2/5 | Support is only available by email. |
| Mobile app | ★★★★★ 4.5/5 | Both Apple and Google users agree that the app is functional and well-designed. |
| Research and tools | ★★★★★ 3/5 | Its basic research offerings may frustrate advanced traders. |
| Reliability | ★★★★★ 5/5 | No major outages to report. |
To learn how our star ratings are calculated, read the methodology at the bottom of the page.
Who is Stockpile best for?
Stockpile’s educational and low-investment approach makes this brokerage best for:
- New investors. If you’re just getting started, Stockpile offers lessons on how the market works, from the basics to more advanced lessons on stock splits and cost basis.
- Low-capital investors. Stockpile lets you buy fractional shares in big companies. This means you can buy into companies like Amazon or Nike without having to buy a full share of stock.
- Children and teens. Fund an account for your child or teen to watch their money grow and shrink along with the market, plus make trades with your approval.
Fees and costs
Stockpile’s commission-free model places it firmly in the camp of beginner-friendly competitors like Robinhood and SoFi. Its platform is free to use, and traders can swap stocks and ETFs without having to worry about commissions eating into their return.
Stockpile imposes no account minimums, and you’re unlikely to encounter any account fees unless you move your portfolio to another broker — in which case, expect to pay $75 for the transfer.
| Stock trading fee | $0 |
| ETF trading fee | $0 |
| Minimum balance requirement | $0 |
| Account transfer fee | $75 |
How do I sign up?
Sign up online or through the mobile app in seven steps:
- Select Sign Up on Stockpile’s homepage.
- Enter your first and last name, email and password, then select Sign Up.
- Choose an account type, either Individual or Custodial.
- A security screen appears to alert you that Stockpile is required to gather personal information, but your privacy is protected with encryption. Select Continue.
- Fill in your personal information and select Continue.
- Review your personal information and select Submit.
- Link your bank account or debit card, or skip to fund the account later.
Eligibility
- Valid US residential address
- At least 18 years old (younger for a custodial account)
- Valid Social Security number
Required Information
- First and last name
- Address, mobile phone number and email
- Social Security number
- Employment status
- Financial information to fund the account
Research tools
Stockpile’s simple research tools may be suitable for beginners, but the platform lacks the robust functionality of better-equipped brokers like Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade. You can search for stocks or ETFs, review fundamental data and view basic charts, but Stockpile is missing many of the advanced charting tools and indicators relied on by active traders.
If you rely on analyst ratings, real-time streaming data or advanced order types, be prepared to trade elsewhere.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fractional shares. Invest in over a thousand major companies with little money.
- Custodial accounts. Teach your kids about the market while maintaining control over their trades.
- E-gift cards. Redeemable for fractional shares in some of the biggest names on the market.
Cons
- Limited account options. Stockpile only offers self-directed brokerage account and custodial accounts.
- Limited assets. With a limited security lineup of stocks and ETFs, investors interested in branching out across alternative asset classes will need to look elsewhere.
- Limited customer support. With no phone or live chat support, you’re limited to email correspondence with the Stockpile support team.
Stockpile alternatives
Stockpile has plenty going for it, including commission-free trades, educational content and a well-reviewed mobile app. But it isn’t for everyone — its customer support is limited and it’s missing a number of tradable securities, like mutual funds and derivatives.
If you’re seeking a platform with more to trade, opt for something like Fidelity, which offers stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options — even precious metals.
Or perhaps you’re seeking a platform that helps you conduct your own research? In that case, check out TD Ameritrade, which sports some of the most sophisticated research tools on the market.
Either way, you’ll want to carefully compare your brokerage options by platform features, fees and investor feedback.
*Signup bonus information updated weekly.
Is Stockpile legit?
Stockpile was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. It is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and has no complaints to its name on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Stockpile is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Investor portfolios are protected up to $500,000, including up to $250,000 for claims for cash.
Investor accounts are protected by 256-bit encryption, and two-factor authentication is available as an added security feature.
Stockpile reviews and complaints
As of July 2021, Stockpile reviews are mixed. The platform lacks Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and receives a B rating for its lack of responsiveness to customer complaints. It has received 69 BBB complaints in the past three years, and its customers give it 1.33 out of 5 stars after 10 reviews. Stockpile’s Trustpilot reputation is far more favorable. It maintains a TrustScore of 4.3 out of 5 after 1,110 reviews.
Customers complain of the platform’s slow-to-respond customer support team, delays in order execution and high trading fees. Positive reviews cite the platform’s easy-to-navigate user interface and e-gift card feature.
How do I contact Stockpile support?
There’s only one way to reach Stockpile customer support: email. Send an email to support@stockpile.com for a response within one to two business days.
How we rate trading platforms
★★★★★ 5/5 — Excellent
★★★★★ 4/5 — Good
★★★★★ 3/5 — Average
★★★★★ 2/5 — Subpar
★★★★★ 1/5 — Poor
We analyze top online trading platforms and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include fees, securities available for trade, customer support, customer feedback, platform resources and overall reliability.
For a complete breakdown of how we score each category, read the full methodology of how we rate trading platforms.