Broker Selector Tool
Find the best online broker for your beginner investment journey. Answer a few questions about your priorities and budget, and we'll recommend the right platform for you.
Your Investment Profile
Starting to invest in 2025 doesn’t mean you need a big bank account or a finance degree. In fact, you can begin with as little as $1-and that’s thanks to the biggest shift in brokerage platforms since the 2008 crash. Today’s top platforms aren’t just trading apps; they’re guided learning systems built for people who’ve never bought a stock before. The question isn’t whether you can afford to start. It’s which platform will actually help you learn without overwhelming you.
Fidelity: The Easiest On-Ramp for Total Beginners
Fidelity won the title of best overall broker for beginners in 2025, and it’s not because of flashy charts or free crypto. It’s because their platform feels like a patient tutor. Their fractional share program, called Stocks by the Slice, lets you buy pieces of any of 7,800+ stocks and ETFs for just $1. That means you can own a sliver of Apple, Amazon, or Tesla without needing hundreds of dollars. No other broker matches this scale at this price.
They also nailed onboarding. New users report setting up an account in under 9 minutes-faster than ordering coffee. Their mobile app walks you through each step: linking your bank, choosing your first investment, and even explaining what an ETF is in plain language. There’s no jargon. No pressure. Just clear options.
And the learning resources? 78% of their 1,892 help articles are labeled “for beginners.” That’s not a marketing claim-it’s a measurable advantage. Reddit users in r/personalfinance consistently rank Fidelity as the top pick for first-time investors. One user wrote: “I went from zero knowledge to buying my first ETF in three days.”
Charles Schwab: Best for Learning, Not Speed
If Fidelity is the friendly guide, Charles Schwab is the quiet mentor with a library full of books. Schwab’s research tools are still the most detailed in the industry, with over 2,100 help articles and access to real-time analyst reports. But here’s the catch: only 42% of those articles are actually written for beginners. The rest assume you already know what a P/E ratio is.
Where Schwab shines is in its paper trading platform. It lets you simulate trades with $100,000 in virtual cash. No risk. No real money. Just practice. That’s why financial advisors still recommend it for people who want to learn before they invest. You can test strategies, see how markets react, and build confidence without losing a cent.
But don’t expect lightning speed. Trade execution takes about 1.2 seconds on average-slower than Webull’s 0.35 seconds. And if you’re holding cash in your account, you’re earning just 0.12% APY. That’s barely more than a savings account. For beginners who want to grow slowly, it’s fine. For those who want to move fast, it’s a drawback.
SoFi Invest: Bonus Money, But Watch the Upsell
SoFi’s biggest draw? A $1,000 sign-up bonus. Over 42,000 people claimed it by September 2025. That’s not a typo. You get $1,000 just for opening an account and depositing $10. It’s a powerful incentive.
SoFi’s platform is split into two modes: a robo-advisor that builds and manages your portfolio automatically, and an active trading mode that lets you pick your own stocks. The guided onboarding cuts the learning curve to just 1.8 hours-half the industry average. That’s huge for people who don’t have time to read manuals.
But here’s what no one tells you: SoFi aggressively pushes its other products. Loans, credit cards, banking accounts-you’ll see pop-ups everywhere. Trustpilot reviews show 34% of negative feedback is about this. One user said, “I opened for the bonus. Now I’m getting emails every day about refinancing my student loans.” If you’re okay with that, SoFi is a great starter. If you want pure investing, it’s noisy.
Webull: For the Future Day Trader (Not the Beginner)
Webull has the best charts. Period. Their desktop platform got a 7.5/10 from day trading experts for technical indicators, candlestick patterns, and real-time data. Their mobile app scores 9.1/5 on app stores. It’s sleek. It’s fast. It’s addictive.
But Webull doesn’t offer fractional shares. You need at least $1 to buy a full share. That means if you want to invest in a $3,000 stock like Amazon, you’re out of luck unless you’ve saved up. That’s a dealbreaker for most beginners.
Also, customer support is terrible for small accounts. Over 47% of 1-star reviews mention unanswered tickets or bots that don’t help. If you’re just starting out and get confused, you’re on your own. Webull is perfect if you’re already learning technical analysis. Not if you’re trying to figure out what a stock even is.
Interactive Brokers: Too Much for Beginners
Interactive Brokers has the most global access-160+ markets, including stocks in Brazil, India, and South Korea. Their research tools scored 9.3/10 in the CFA Institute’s 2025 survey. That’s top-tier.
But their platform? It’s built for professionals. The interface is cluttered. The account setup takes over 22 minutes. Their mobile app scores only 7.9/10-way behind Fidelity’s 9.5/10. And the CFA Institute ranked them lowest for beginner suitability at 6.1/10.
There’s no hand-holding. No guided tutorials. Just a mountain of data and no map to navigate it. Unless you’re planning to trade international ETFs next year, skip this one now. It’s a power tool for someone who already knows how to use a hammer.
Robinhood: Simple, But Thin on Education
Robinhood made investing feel cool. Their app is clean. The buttons are big. You can buy a stock with one tap. It’s easy. Too easy.
But their education section? Only 5.2/10 according to StockBrokers.com. That’s the lowest in the top 12. They have no structured beginner courses. No video walkthroughs. No explanations of risk. Just a few blog posts buried under memes and crypto promotions.
That’s why so many new users lose money. They think buying a meme stock is investing. It’s not. Robinhood’s simplicity hides a dangerous gap: it teaches action, not understanding. If you’re serious about learning, Robinhood is a trap.
What Matters Most to Beginners in 2025
Kiplinger’s survey of 15,000 new investors found that 73% cared most about educational resources. Only 28% cared about advanced charts. That’s the real story.
Here’s what you actually need as a beginner:
- $0 account minimum - You shouldn’t need $500 just to open an account. Nine of the top 12 brokers offer this.
- Fractional shares - $1 investments let you diversify even with little money. Fidelity leads here.
- Clear learning tools - Videos, step-by-step guides, plain-language explanations. Not PDFs written in 1998.
- Fast, simple setup - If it takes more than 15 minutes to get started, it’s not beginner-friendly.
- No hidden fees - Watch out for mutual fund transaction fees. Fidelity charges $49 per trade on some funds. Schwab doesn’t.
Don’t get distracted by free trades. Every top broker offers that now. It’s not a differentiator. It’s the baseline.
Final Recommendation: Who Should Choose What
If you’re completely new and want to learn without stress → Fidelity. Their $1 fractional shares, beginner-focused content, and calm interface make it the safest first step.
If you want to practice before risking real money → Charles Schwab. Their paper trading platform is unmatched for building confidence.
If you want a bonus and don’t mind being nudged toward other products → SoFi. Just say no to the credit card offers.
If you’re already learning technical analysis and have $1,000+ to invest → Webull. But don’t start here.
If you’re tempted by Robinhood’s simplicity → pause. You need more than a tap. You need understanding.
And if you’re thinking about Interactive Brokers because it sounds “professional” → wait. You’re not ready yet. Come back in a year.
What’s Coming in Late 2025 and Beyond
Fidelity is rolling out AI-powered suggestions in November 2025. It will analyze your behavior and suggest investments based on your goals-not your emotions. That’s huge.
Charles Schwab is integrating with Mint and Personal Capital. That means your budgeting app will talk to your brokerage. You’ll see how your spending affects your investing in real time.
The SEC is also proposing a new “Beginner Investor Protection Rule.” If passed, it will require brokers to give you a 48-hour cooling-off period after opening an account. You’ll have to confirm you understand the risks before trading. That’s a good thing.
The market is shifting from “get rich quick” to “get smart slow.” The brokers that win will be the ones that teach, not just trade.
Can I start investing with $10?
Yes. All top beginner brokers now allow $0 account minimums. With fractional shares, you can buy pieces of stocks for as little as $1. Fidelity and SoFi are the easiest to start with $10.
Are zero-commission brokers really free?
They’re free for stock and ETF trades. But watch for fees on mutual funds, wire transfers, or inactive accounts. Fidelity charges $49 per mutual fund trade. Some brokers charge $25 if you don’t keep $1,000 in your account. Always read the fee schedule.
Should I use a robo-advisor or pick my own stocks?
Start with a robo-advisor if you’re unsure. SoFi and Schwab offer them. They build diversified portfolios for you. Once you understand how markets work, you can switch to picking your own stocks. Most beginners benefit from automation at first.
Is it safe to invest online?
Yes-if you use a regulated broker. All top platforms are members of SIPC, which protects up to $500,000 in securities if the broker fails. Avoid apps that aren’t registered with the SEC. Stick with Fidelity, Schwab, SoFi, or Webull. They’re all safe.
How long does it take to learn how to invest?
Most beginners spend 3-5 hours learning before making their first trade. Fidelity’s guided onboarding cuts that to under 2 hours. You don’t need to master technical analysis. Just understand risk, diversification, and long-term growth. That’s enough to start.
What’s the biggest mistake beginners make?
Buying what’s trending. Meme stocks, crypto hype, viral TikTok picks-they’re not investments. They’re bets. The best beginners focus on low-cost ETFs that track the whole market, like VTI or SPY. They hold them for years. That’s how real wealth builds.