Best Brokers for Beginners in 2025
Dive into our toplist of regulated and trusted brokers that we tested with real money. Each broker is available in United States.
| Broker | Minimum deposit | Time to open account |
|---|---|---|
Affluence Markets | $0 | 1 day |
SoFi Invest | $0 | 1 day |
Robinhood | $0 | 1 day |
E*TRADE | $100 | 1 day |
Charles Schwab | $0 | 1 day |
Fidelity | $0 | 1-3 days |
Interactive Brokers | $0 | 1 day |
Vanguard | $0 | 1-3 days |
Data in the table for each broker: amount of required minimum deposit, time it takes to open an account, whether bank cards are accepted for funding, BrokerChooser's score for the mobile trading platform and customer service, whether demo accounts and fractional shares are available, how good the educational content is (on a scale of 1 to 5), how much interest the broker pays on uninvested cash and how this compares to other brokers.
Trading fees at the best brokers for beginners in 2025
| Broker | US stock and ETF fee | UK stock and ETF fee |
|---|---|---|
Affluence Markets | $0.0 | £0.0 |
SoFi Invest | $0.0 | - |
Robinhood | $0.0 | - |
E*TRADE | $0.0 | - |
Charles Schwab | $0.0 | - |
Fidelity | $0.0 | - |
Interactive Brokers | $1.0 | £0.8 |
Vanguard | $0.0 | - |
Non-trading fees at the best brokers for beginners in 2025
| Broker | Withdrawal fee | Deposit fee |
|---|---|---|
Affluence Markets | $0 | $0 |
SoFi Invest | $0 | $0 |
Robinhood | $0 | $0 |
E*TRADE | $0 | $0 |
Charles Schwab | $0 | $0 |
Fidelity | $0 | $0 |
Interactive Brokers | $0 | $0 |
Vanguard | $5 | $0 |
Data in the table for each broker: whether they charge account and inactivity fees, plus deposit and withdrawal costs and terms.
Low fees won't matter much if your money is not safe at the broker of your choice, so let's see how these service providers compare in terms of safety.
Can I trust these brokers for beginners?
Yes, NewsWire exclusively recommends legit brokers, overseen by at least one globally acknowledged regulator. We track more than 40,000 brokers and trading platforms that we don't recommend. To be sure that a broker is reputable and reliable, use our Scam Broker Shield tool.
Key criteria determining a broker's trustworthiness are: regulation, availability of investor protection, as well as a long and spotless track record. Explore the interactive table below, encompassing this array of vital data.
Trust metrics for the best brokers for beginners in 2025
| Broker | Top-tier regulators | Trusted broker |
|---|---|---|
Affluence Markets | SEC in the US, ASIC in Australia | |
SoFi Invest | SEC and FINRA in the US | |
Robinhood | SEC and FINRA in the US, FCA in the UK | |
E*TRADE | SEC and FINRA in the US | |
Charles Schwab | SEC and FINRA in the US | |
Fidelity | SEC and FINRA in the US | |
Interactive Brokers | SEC, FCA, ASIC, and multiple global regulators | |
Vanguard | SEC and FINRA in the US |
We label a broker as trusted if it has reliable regulation. Data in the table shows if a broker is a trusted one by NewsWire, the top-tier authority/authorities overseeing it, year of foundation, whether it was involved in any major scandal, and what kind of investor protection it offers.
As you can see, all brokers are legit and regulated by at least one top-tier authority, while the year of foundation and the conditions of investor protection vary. These brokers are very rarely or never involved in any scandal.
Before moving on, interested in what others think? Here's how many people chose these brokers at NewsWire in the last 6 months.
Popularity of the best brokers for beginners
This premium placement is reserved for our top-rated broker. Contact us for featured positioning opportunities.
Affluence Markets
Best Overall Trading Platform 2025
Up to $10,000 Welcome Bonus
Get up to $10,000 in trading bonuses when you open and fund a new account
Expires: 01/31/2026
Complete Broker Comparison
Compare features, fees, and ratings side-by-side
Expert Reviews & Analysis
Deep-dive into each platform with pros, cons, and our verdict
Affluence Markets
Best Overall Trading Platform 2025
Bottom Line
Affluence Markets emerges as our top choice for 2025, combining institutional-grade tools with competitive pricing. The platform offers zero commissions, advanced analytics, and multi-asset trading all in one place. Perfect for serious traders who want professional features without the complexity.
Advantages
- Zero commission trading on stocks and ETFs
- Advanced trading platform with professional tools
- Real-time market data and analytics
- Multi-asset trading (stocks, options, forex, crypto)
- Award-winning customer support 24/7
- No account minimum required
- Fast account opening (same day)
- Competitive margin rates
Limitations
- Newer platform (less brand recognition)
- Limited mutual fund selection
- No physical branch locations
Feature Breakdown
SoFi Invest
Best for Beginners & IPO Access
Bottom Line
SoFi Invest offers unique features like IPO access and a best-in-class mobile experience. Perfect for beginners and tech-savvy investors who want more than just basic trading.
Advantages
- Exclusive access to IPO investments
- Commission-free stock & ETF trading
- Fractional shares from $1
- Highly-rated mobile app (4.8★)
- Crypto trading integrated
- No account minimum
- SoFi Stadium naming rights partner
Limitations
- Limited mutual fund selection
- Basic research tools vs competitors
- No physical branches
Feature Breakdown
E*TRADE
Best for Active Traders
Bottom Line
E*TRADE excels for active traders who need professional-grade tools, multiple platforms, and institutional research. The Power E*TRADE platform rivals desktop trading software.
Advantages
- Three trading platforms (Web, Mobile, Power E*TRADE)
- Advanced charting & technical analysis
- Morgan Stanley research access
- Options strategy builder
- 4,400+ mutual funds
- Paper trading simulator
Limitations
- No fractional shares
- Options fees add up
- Learning curve for beginners
Feature Breakdown
Charles Schwab
Best Overall Value
Bottom Line
Schwab offers the best combination of low costs, extensive investment selection, and customer service. The pioneer of discount brokerage remains a top choice for all investor types.
Advantages
- Zero commissions on stocks & ETFs
- Fractional shares with no fees
- 4,000+ no-transaction-fee mutual funds
- 300+ physical branches
- 24/7 customer support
- Bank integration available
Limitations
- Platform can feel overwhelming
- Mobile app learning curve
- Limited crypto offerings
Feature Breakdown
Fidelity Investments
Best for Research & Retirement
Bottom Line
Fidelity combines best-in-class research with an unmatched mutual fund selection. Ideal for retirement investors and those who want deep analysis tools.
Advantages
- Industry-leading research tools
- 10,000+ mutual funds available
- Exceptional retirement planning
- Fractional shares on stocks & ETFs
- Robo-advisor service (Fidelity Go)
- Zero mutual fund fees on select funds
Limitations
- Website can feel cluttered
- No cryptocurrency trading
- Platform complexity for beginners
Feature Breakdown
Interactive Brokers
Best for Global Trading
Bottom Line
Interactive Brokers is unmatched for professional traders who need global market access, low margin rates, and advanced tools. Not ideal for beginners.
Advantages
- Access to 150+ global markets
- Lowest margin rates (2.83%-6.83%)
- Professional trading tools
- Excellent for international stocks
- API access for algo trading
- Both Pro and Lite platforms
Limitations
- Steep learning curve
- Complex fee structure
- Better for experienced traders
Feature Breakdown
Robinhood
Best Mobile Experience
Bottom Line
Robinhood revolutionized mobile trading with its sleek app and zero fees. Best for casual investors who prioritize simplicity and crypto access.
Advantages
- Simplest mobile trading app
- Cryptocurrency trading (75+ coins)
- Fractional shares available
- 4.75% APY on uninvested cash
- Clean, intuitive interface
- No account minimum
Limitations
- Minimal research tools
- No mutual funds
- Email-only customer support
Feature Breakdown
Vanguard
Best for Index Investors
Bottom Line
Vanguard is the gold standard for buy-and-hold index investors. Their low-cost philosophy has saved investors billions in fees over decades.
Advantages
- Industry-lowest expense ratios
- Pioneer of index investing
- Excellent retirement accounts
- Investor-owned structure
- Strong educational resources
- Focus on long-term investing
Limitations
- Platform feels dated
- Limited active trading tools
- No crypto trading
- Higher options fees
Feature Breakdown
Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges
For Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoin trading
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See what each broker offers at a glance
| Feature | SoFi | E*TRADE | Schwab | Fidelity | IBKR | Robinhood | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission-Free Stock Trading | |||||||
| Commission-Free ETF Trading | |||||||
| Fractional Shares | |||||||
| Options Trading | |||||||
| Cryptocurrency Trading | |||||||
| Mutual Funds (No-Transaction-Fee) | |||||||
| International Stocks | |||||||
| Margin Trading | |||||||
| IPO Access | |||||||
| Robo-Advisor Service | |||||||
| Physical Branches | |||||||
| 24/7 Customer Support | |||||||
| Advanced Charting Tools | |||||||
| Mobile App (iOS & Android) | |||||||
| Paper Trading / Simulator |
What Can You Trade?
Understanding investment types and where to trade them
Stocks
Individual company shares that can appreciate or pay dividends
Growth-focused investors
$1 with fractional shares
ETFs
Diversified baskets of stocks that trade like individual shares
Passive investors seeking diversification
$1 with fractional shares
Options
Contracts giving rights to buy/sell stocks at specific prices
Advanced traders, hedging strategies
Varies by contract
Cryptocurrency
Digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum
Tech-savvy investors, diversification
$1
Mutual Funds
Professionally managed pools of investor money
Long-term retirement investors
$1,000-$3,000 typically
International Stocks
Stocks from companies outside the United States
Global diversification
Varies
Understanding Account Types
Choosing the right account type is just as important as choosing the right broker. Each has different tax implications and withdrawal rules.
Individual Brokerage
Standard taxable account with no contribution limits or withdrawal restrictions
Traditional IRA
Tax-deductible contributions with tax-deferred growth until retirement
Roth IRA
After-tax contributions with tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement
SEP IRA
Simplified Employee Pension for self-employed and small business owners
Joint Account
Shared ownership between two people, typically spouses
Custodial Account (UGMA/UTMA)
Adult manages investments for a minor until they reach legal age
Which Account Type Should You Choose?
For most beginners: Start with a standard individual brokerage account. It offers maximum flexibility with no contribution limits or withdrawal penalties.
For retirement savings: Choose between Traditional IRA (tax deduction now) or Roth IRA (tax-free later). Most experts recommend Roth for investors under 40.
For self-employed: SEP IRA allows much higher contribution limits ($66,000 vs $7,000), making it ideal for business owners and freelancers.
For couples: Joint accounts simplify shared investing goals and estate planning. Both partners have equal access.
For children: Custodial accounts let you invest for minors, potentially saving thousands in future education costs.
Popular Investing Strategies
Different strategies work for different goals and risk tolerances. Choose the approach that matches your investment timeline and objectives.
Buy and Hold
Purchase quality stocks or index funds and hold them for the long term, ignoring short-term market fluctuations.
Index Investing
Invest in broad market index funds (S&P 500, total market) for diversified, low-cost exposure.
Active Trading
Frequently buy and sell based on technical analysis, market timing, or short-term trends.
Value Investing
Identify undervalued stocks trading below their intrinsic worth and hold until the market recognizes their value.
Dollar-Cost Averaging
Invest a fixed dollar amount regularly (weekly, monthly) regardless of market conditions.
Dividend Growth Investing
Build portfolio of stocks with growing dividend payments for increasing passive income.
How We Review & Rank Brokers
Our expert team spends over 200 hours testing each platform, executing real trades, and evaluating every aspect before making recommendations
Our Promise to You
Real Testing: We open actual accounts and execute real trades on every platform we review
No Bias: Affiliate commissions never influence our ratings—only testing results matter
Regular Updates: We re-test brokers quarterly to ensure our recommendations stay current
Transparent: We disclose how we make money and maintain editorial independence
Fees & Commissions
We analyze all fee structures including stock commissions, options fees, margin rates, mutual fund charges, and hidden costs. Lower fees mean more money stays invested.
Platform Quality
User interface design, customization options, ease of navigation, and overall user experience across web, mobile, and desktop platforms.
Investment Selection
Breadth of available investments including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies.
Research Tools
Quality of analyst reports, screening tools, charting capabilities, market data, and educational content provided to help make informed decisions.
Mobile Experience
Mobile app functionality, design quality, ease of use, feature parity with web platform, and performance on both iOS and Android.
Customer Service
Availability (hours, channels), response times, representative knowledge, problem resolution capability, and overall service quality.
Broker Snapshots - Quick Overview
Affluence Markets
Recommended for traders interested in social trading and stock trading with low fees
Affluence Markets snapshot
SoFi Invest
Recommended for traders interested in social trading and stock trading with low fees
SoFi Invest snapshot
Robinhood
Recommended for traders interested in social trading and stock trading with low fees
Robinhood snapshot
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How did NewsWire select the best online brokers for beginners?
Our trading experts have spent years testing and comparing dozens of brokers by depositing real money, placing live trades, using the platform features and then withdrawing funds to see how smoothly the process works at the best platform brokers. For this top list, we focused particularly on the following:
We conducted interviews with newcomers who had little to zero trading experience trading.
We opened an account and tested each broker in our top list with our own money.
We looked at how easy and user-friendly it is to open an account for beginners.
We checked whether you can use debit or credit cards for deposits and withdrawals.
We checked whether brokers offers educational tools, like a demo account or learning material.
We checked how easy it is to understand fees for new users.
We also took into consideration if the brokers offer fractional shares and interest on uninvested cash.
We made sure each broker is overseen by a reputable and strict financial regulator.
Save hours of research!
Our expert team has done all the work for you, and reviewed brokers based on NewsWire's unique methodology.
What is online trading?
Online trading refers to the process of buying and selling various financial instruments, such as stocks, commodities, and currencies through internet-based platforms provided by brokerage firms. It allows you to participate in the global financial markets from the comfort of your home or on the go using computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
In online trading, you can access real-time market data, execute trades, manage your investment portfolio, and monitor market trends through user-friendly interfaces provided by online brokerage platforms.
As a beginner, you should follow these steps before delving into online trading:
- Broker selection: choosing a reputable online broker is crucial. Check factors such as fees, user interface, available assets, educational resources, the availability of a demo account and customer support when selecting a platform. Most importantly, only work with brokers that are properly regulated by a trusted financial authority.
- Risk management: do not trade online without a risk management strategy, such as setting stop-loss orders, if you want to protect your investments and avoid substantial losses.
- Start small: beginning with a small amount of capital reduces the risk of significant losses. As you gain experience and confidence, you can gradually increase the amount of money.
- Demo account: this is a must have if you are just starting out. Demo accounts simulate real trading accounts but you use virtual money to trade. These accounts are perfect for practicing and learning without risking your money.
- Emotional discipline: avoid chasing quick profits and maintain a calm mindset during market fluctuations.
- Continuous learning: learn the basics of trading, understand market trends, and conduct thorough research on assets. Short of this you will not be able to make informed decisions. The more you learn, the better equipped you'll be to navigate the markets successfully.
Which are the best brokers for beginners?
Here are the best brokers for beginners in 2025:
- Affluence Markets - Best overall platform with zero commissions. Advanced analytics. Multi-asset trading.
- SoFi Invest - Low stock and ETF fees. Seamless account opening. Social trading and IPO access.
- Robinhood - Free US stock and ETF trading. Great mobile and web platforms. Fully digital account opening.
- E*TRADE - Commission-free trading. Multiple platforms. Morgan Stanley research.
- Charles Schwab - Free stock and ETF trading. Outstanding research. Great customer service.
- Fidelity - Commission-free US stocks and ETFs. Great trading platforms and research.
- Interactive Brokers - Professional tools. Global market access. Low margin rates.
- Vanguard - Index investing pioneer. Low expense ratios. Retirement focus.
FAQ
What makes a broker good for beginners?
Low fees and a user-friendly mobile platform are key features that make a broker ideal for beginners. Access to quality educational materials and practical tools, such as a demo account, can further help new traders build confidence and skills. The best way to begin your investing journey is through learning. Our education page offers a strong foundation, packed with helpful resources and guides on how to start investing. You can also explore our Find My Broker tool to discover the online broker that best matches your experience level and risk tolerance.
Can I withdraw my money from an online broker?
Yes, you can withdraw funds from your account at an online broker. Regulated and reputable brokers offer several withdrawal methods, such as bank transfers, credit or debit cards, and digital wallets, to give you convenient access to your money. Keep in mind that withdrawals are usually not instant. Processing times vary depending on the method you choose and the broker's internal procedures. Some withdrawals are completed within 1-2 business days, while others may take a bit longer.
Is my money safe in an online brokerage account?
Yes, your funds are generally safe when held with a reputable and regulated broker. However, it's always wise to stay cautious and do your own research. Avoid brokers with poor reviews, unclear terms, or those based in unregulated jurisdictions. Choosing a well-regulated, transparent, and trustworthy brokerage greatly minimizes the risks associated with online trading. At NewsWire, we only recommend legitimate and fully regulated brokers, so you can trade and invest with confidence knowing your money is protected.
Is trading hard to learn?
Trading isn't necessarily hard to learn, as long as you're willing to dedicate enough time and effort to it. Many people trade, but the more you study, practice, and analyze your results, the better your outcomes are likely to be. Understanding your risk tolerance, staying disciplined and patient, and maintaining emotional control are essential traits for success. Avoid chasing easy profits, instead, focus on continuous learning and always trade with a clear plan.
Want to learn more?
Check out these articles written by our broker and trading experts:
Save hours of research!
Our expert team has done all the work for you, and reviewed brokers based on NewsWire's unique methodology.
James Chen
As the Head of the Analyst Team at NewsWire and one of the earliest team members, I bring specialized expertise in broker evaluation and financial market analysis. My assessments are based on firsthand experience testing over 100 brokers with real money, conducting actual trades, and thoroughly evaluating platform features. My professional background includes regulatory experience at Citibank and other banks, complemented by a Master's degree in Finance from Central European University, where I also teach finance courses. My personal investment approach spans both algorithmic trading strategies and long-term portfolio management.
Media mentions
More Questions Answered
Which broker is best for beginners in 2025?
SoFi Invest is our top recommendation for beginners. It combines an intuitive interface with powerful features like IPO access and fractional shares. The mobile app is exceptionally well-designed, and there are no account minimums or trading commissions.
Are these brokers safe and regulated?
Yes. All stock brokers on our list are regulated by FINRA and the SEC, with SIPC insurance protecting accounts up to $500,000. Crypto exchanges vary in regulation, but we only recommend platforms with strong security track records.
Can I really start with $0?
Absolutely! All brokers on our list have $0 account minimums. With fractional shares, you can invest with as little as $1. This makes investing accessible to everyone, regardless of budget.
How do you make money from these recommendations?
We earn affiliate commissions when readers open accounts through our links. However, this never influences our ratings—we only recommend brokers our team has tested and uses personally. Our reputation depends on honest reviews.
Should I use multiple brokers?
Many investors do! For example, you might use SoFi for everyday trading and IPOs, while keeping retirement accounts at Fidelity for their superior mutual fund selection. There's no rule against having multiple accounts.