We tested 20+ platforms so you don't have to. These are the best brokers for new investors — ranked by ease of use, fees, education, and features.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you open an account — at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are based on independent research. Learn more.
Jump to any broker for the full breakdown.
| Broker | Best For | Commission | Min. Deposit | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1SoFi Invest | Best Overall for Beginners | $0 | $0 | 4.9 | Open Account → |
| Fidelity | Best for Education | $0 | $0 | 4.8 | Open Account → |
| Robinhood | Best Mobile Experience | $0 | $0 | 4.6 | Open Account → |
| Charles Schwab | Best for Long-Term Investors | $0 | $0 | 4.7 | Open Account → |
| Webull | Best Free Tools | $0 | $0 | 4.5 | Open Account → |
Commission-free trading, fractional shares, automated investing, and an integrated financial ecosystem — all in one beginner-friendly app.
Industry-leading research, extensive educational content, and zero commissions make Fidelity a top pick for beginners who want to learn.
Robinhood pioneered commission-free trading with a clean mobile-first design that makes it easy for beginners to place their first trade.
Schwab offers a trusted, full-service platform with excellent retirement tools and research — ideal for beginners thinking long-term.
Webull gives beginners access to professional-grade charting and real-time data for free — a great stepping stone to more advanced trading.
All five brokers compared across the metrics that matter most to beginners.
| Feature | SoFi Invest | Fidelity | Robinhood | Charles Schwab | Webull |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fractional Shares | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Robo-Advisor | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Paper Trading | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Retirement Accounts | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Education | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Our rankings are based on hands-on testing and research. We weight the following criteria specifically for new investors:
How quickly a complete beginner can open an account and place their first trade.
Zero commissions and no account minimums are essential for beginners starting small.
Quality of tutorials, articles, videos, and guided learning paths for new investors.
Availability and quality of support when beginners have questions or issues.
Access to stocks, ETFs, fractional shares, and automated portfolios for diversification.
SIPC protection, regulatory compliance, and overall platform trustworthiness.
9-Part Series
Dividend Investing
DRIP, yield & income
Roth IRA
Tax-free retirement accounts
ETF Investing
Low fees & passive investing
Small Accounts
Start investing with $0
Day Trading
Execution & platform quality
Options Trading
Contract fees & Greeks display
Beginners
First IRA setup guide
Long-Term Investing
IRA & buy-and-hold strategy
Crypto Trading
US exchanges, fees & security
Each guide ranks 4–5 brokers head-to-head with a clear verdict.
View all on blogBroker Insight
Our homepage compares 15+ brokers across fees, platforms, IRA accounts, and more — updated April 2026.
SoFi Invest is our #1 pick for beginners — $0 commissions, no minimum deposit, and fractional shares from $1.
Open a Free SoFi Invest AccountAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.