To begin investing, you will need to open a brokerage account, which can be set up in approximately 15 minutes. After you've entered all of the essential information, you may select from the available equities, mutual funds, index funds, and exchange-traded funds to invest in. One of the most convenient methods to invest is through an online broker. After you've opened and funded your account, you may buy stocks in a matter of minutes via the broker's website. To make the process easier, we compiled a shortlist of recommendations from our affiliates.
"creditbuilder, Inc. is not an investment advisor and does not provide advice, brokerage services, or recommendations to buy or sell particular stocks or securities."
Investment Stocks 101, a beginner's course crafted to guide you through the exciting world of stock market investing. Perfect for those new to investing or looking to diversify their financial portfolio, this course provides a comprehensive overview of how stocks work, the benefits of stock ownership, and essential strategies for successful investing. You'll learn about different types of stocks, key market concepts, and how to analyze stock performance. Investment Stocks 101 equips you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently make informed investment decisions and build a robust financial future.
INVEST | STOCKS
ROBINHOOD
HIGHLIGHTS
-NO ACCOUNT MINIMUM + HIGH INTEREST RATE
Recommended EXPERIENCE
BEGINNER+
TRADING FEES
N/A​
PLATFORM TYPE
-
BROKERAGE
With no account minimum and a 1% match on IRAs, Robinhood offers free trading on stocks, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Bonds and mutual funds are not available.
INVEST | STOCKS
THINK OR SWIM
HIGHLIGHTS
-NO ACCOUNT MINIMUM + HIGH INTEREST RATE
Recommended EXPERIENCE
BEGINNER+
TRADING FEES
N/A​
PLATFORM TYPE
-
BROKERAGE
Charles Schwab / TD AMERITRADE has the educational resources beginners will need to navigate investing, while sophisticated tools and $0 commissions will attract active traders.
INVEST | STOCKS
ETRADE
HIGHLIGHTS
-MOBILE APP + commission free
Recommended EXPERIENCE
BEGINNER+
TRADING FEES
N/A​
PLATFORM TYPE
-
BROKERAGE
Whether you are a novice or an experienced trader, E*TRADE offers a platform and a mobile app for you. The E*TRADE Web platform and mobile app include real-time quotations and market commentary, stock and exchange-traded fund screeners, and extensive account management capabilities. More active traders can use the Power E*TRADE platform and app to access technical research, drawing tools, configurable option chain views, trading ladders, and other capabilities for complicated strategies.
INVEST | STOCKS
WEBULL
HIGHLIGHTS
-ADVANCED TOOLS + HIGH INTEREST RATE
Recommended EXPERIENCE
BEGINNER+
TRADING FEES
N/A​
PLATFORM TYPE
-
BROKERAGE
Webull will appeal to the mobile-first generation of casual investors with its slick interface for desktop and mobile apps, but the brokerage also delivers an impressive array of tools for active traders. However, its relatively weak educational content may leave true beginners in the lurch, and it lacks access to a few common asset classes.