Getting into stock trading might seem a bit much at first, but thankfully, there are apps that make it way simpler. In 2026, picking the best stock trading app for beginners means finding one that’s easy to use, doesn’t cost a lot, and actually helps you learn. We’ve looked at a bunch of them to see which ones are good for folks just starting out, whether you want to put in just a few bucks or build a bigger portfolio with some guidance. We’ll break down what each app does well, what could be better, and why it might be the right fit for you.
Key Takeaways
- The best stock trading app for beginners in 2026 balances ease of use with learning resources, low costs with useful features, and accessibility with room to grow.
- Look for apps with simple interfaces that don’t overwhelm you with complicated charts or jargon.
- Low or no commission fees are important, especially when you’re starting with smaller amounts of money.
- Educational tools like tutorials, guides, and market news explained simply can make a big difference.
- Consider an app that offers fractional shares, allowing you to buy parts of stocks even with a small budget.
1. Robinhood
Robinhood really changed the game when it first came out, making stock trading feel way less intimidating. For folks just starting out, this app is pretty much designed to be super simple to use. You can get going with an account pretty quickly, and they don’t charge you any commissions for buying or selling stocks, ETFs, or options. That’s a big deal when you’re just trying to get a feel for things without a ton of money on the line.
One of the coolest things they offer is fractional shares. This means you don’t have to buy a whole share of a pricey stock like, say, Apple or Google. You can buy just a little piece of it, starting with as little as a dollar. It really opens up the market to everyone, no matter how much cash you have to start with. They’ve also been adding more educational stuff, which is great because learning the ropes is half the battle.
Here’s a quick look at what makes Robinhood stand out for beginners:
- Zero commission trades: No fees to buy or sell most investments.
- Fractional shares: Buy parts of expensive stocks with small amounts of money.
- User-friendly interface: The app is clean and easy to figure out.
- Crypto trading: You can also trade some cryptocurrencies.
While Robinhood makes it easy to jump in, it’s good to remember that the simplified design might make it tempting to trade too often without really thinking things through. It’s always smart to do your homework before making any moves.
Robinhood is a solid choice if you want a straightforward way to start investing and get familiar with the market. It’s a platform that really focuses on making the initial steps as painless as possible, which is exactly what a lot of new investors need. You can check out a full review of Robinhood’s trading experience to see if it fits your style.
2. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest is a pretty neat option if you’re just starting out and want a lot of your financial life in one place. It’s not just about stocks; they also have banking, loans, and tools to help you plan your money. This means you can see how your investments fit into the bigger picture of your finances. It’s like having a financial hub that grows with you.
What’s cool is that SoFi has a few ways to invest. If you’re not sure where to start, their automated investing option builds portfolios for you based on how much risk you’re comfortable with, and there’s no management fee. For those who like to pick their own stocks, the active investing platform lets you trade stocks and ETFs with no commissions. You can even buy fractional shares, starting with as little as $5, which is great for trying out different companies without a huge upfront cost. They also have educational stuff, like webinars and a feature called "Money Milestones" to help you with financial decisions beyond just investing.
One of the standout benefits is access to free financial advisors, which is pretty rare for a platform that doesn’t charge trading fees. It really helps beginners get personalized advice. They also have community forums where you can chat with other investors, which can be helpful when you’re learning the ropes.
SoFi tries to make investing feel less intimidating by combining it with other financial tools. It’s a good choice if you want to manage your banking, loans, and investments all through one app, and the educational resources are a nice bonus for anyone new to the market.
While SoFi is great for beginners, it’s worth noting that the selection of investments isn’t as wide as some specialized trading apps. You might not find as many bond options or direct access to mutual funds. Also, because they pack so many services into one app, it can sometimes feel a bit busy. But for an all-in-one financial solution that makes getting started with investing easier, SoFi is definitely worth a look.
3. Fidelity
Fidelity is a big name in the financial world, and they’ve really stepped up their game with their app for newer investors. It feels like they took all their years of experience and packed it into something that’s actually easy to use. They focus on teaching you the ropes without making it feel like a test.
What’s cool is that you can buy stocks for as little as $1 using their "Stocks by the Slice" feature. It’s a nice way to get started without needing a ton of cash. They also have this personalized learning path that figures out what you need to learn based on your goals. It’s not just about buying and selling; they have tools that break down complicated investment ideas into plain English. Plus, if you’re thinking about teaching a younger family member about investing, they have a special account for teens.
Here’s a quick look at some of their features:
- Zero-commission stock and ETF trades.
- Fractional shares starting at $1.
- Personalized educational resources.
- Access to robust research tools.
- Strong customer support, including phone and chat.
Fidelity also offers some of the best cash management options out there, with decent interest rates on uninvested money. It’s a solid choice if you want an app that can grow with you as you get more comfortable with investing. You can check out Fidelity’s investment options for more details.
While Fidelity has a lot going on, which is great for long-term growth, it might feel a little overwhelming at first compared to apps that are super stripped down. Their educational materials are mostly text-based, so if you prefer videos, you might need to look elsewhere for that specific format.
4. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is a big name in the investing world, and their app is pretty solid for folks just starting out. You get commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs, which is a nice way to keep costs down when you’re building your portfolio. One really helpful feature for beginners is fractional shares. This means you don’t have to buy a whole expensive share of a company; you can buy just a piece of it, making it easier to invest even with a smaller amount of money.
Schwab also packs a lot of research and educational stuff into their app. If you’re new to this, having access to articles, market insights, and tools to understand what’s going on can make a big difference. Plus, their customer service is generally well-regarded. If you get stuck or have a question, they have support available through phone and chat, which is reassuring when you’re learning the ropes.
Here’s a quick look at some key features:
- Commission-free trades for stocks and ETFs
- Fractional share investing available
- Tools like watch lists, news feeds, and charting
- Strong customer support options
When you’re starting out, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options and market talk. Having an app that simplifies things, offers resources to learn, and provides support when you need it can really help you stick with it and build confidence in your investment decisions.
5. Webull
Webull is another player in the commission-free trading space, often mentioned alongside Robinhood. It’s got a pretty slick mobile app that packs in a lot of features, which is great if you’re looking for more than just the basics. You can trade stocks, ETFs, and even options without paying a commission. Plus, there’s no minimum deposit to get started, so you can jump in with whatever amount you’re comfortable with.
What sets Webull apart for some beginners is its extended trading hours. You can often trade outside of the regular market hours, which can be a big deal if you want to react to news that breaks overnight or early in the morning. They also offer some pretty decent charting tools and technical indicators, which can be helpful as you start to learn more about analyzing stocks.
Here’s a quick look at some of the things Webull offers:
- Commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options.
- 24/5 trading availability for certain assets.
- Advanced charting tools with various technical indicators.
- No minimum deposit required to open an account.
- Access to futures and cryptocurrency trading for those looking to explore beyond stocks.
While Webull offers a lot of tools, it’s worth noting that some users find the sheer number of features a bit overwhelming at first. It’s definitely geared towards people who want to actively trade and analyze the market, rather than just set-it-and-forget-it investing. If you’re the type who likes to dig into charts and data, Webull might be a good fit for you. For a more in-depth look at what this platform offers, you can check out this Webull review.
They also have a cash management account that offers competitive interest rates, which is a nice perk for holding uninvested funds. Overall, Webull is a solid choice if you’re a beginner who’s eager to learn the ropes of active trading and wants a platform with plenty of analytical tools right at your fingertips.
6. Vanguard
Vanguard is a big name in the investment world, and for good reason. They’ve been around for a while, and they really focus on helping people plan for the long haul, especially retirement. If you’re thinking about saving for retirement, Vanguard is definitely a place to check out.
They offer a bunch of different retirement accounts, like IRAs and options for rolling over 401(k)s. You can also find a wide selection of their own ETFs and mutual funds, which are known for being low-cost. This is a big deal because lower fees mean more of your money can actually grow over time.
Here’s a quick look at what they offer:
- Retirement Account Options: SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) rollovers, and individual 401(k)s.
- Investment Choices: Access to Vanguard’s own ETFs (like the Total Stock Market ETF) and All-in-One retirement funds.
- Planning Resources: Tools and guidance to help you map out your financial future.
Vanguard’s approach is all about keeping costs down and helping you build wealth steadily.
While Vanguard is a powerhouse for retirement planning and offers a solid, low-cost investment experience, their app might feel a bit less flashy than some newer platforms. It’s more about substance than bells and whistles, which is great for long-term investors but might not have all the advanced trading features some people look for.
7. Ally Invest
Ally Invest is a solid choice if you’re looking for a straightforward way to get into investing, especially if you’re interested in tax-optimized strategies. The platform is pretty clean and easy to get around, which is a big plus when you’re just starting out. You won’t feel overwhelmed by a bunch of complicated options.
They offer a couple of ways to invest. You can go the robo-advisor route with Ally Invest Robo Portfolios, where they build a portfolio of ETFs for you based on your goals. You’ve got two main choices here: a cash-enhanced portfolio that keeps a good chunk of your money earning interest, or a market-focused one that uses less cash. If you prefer to pick your own stocks and bonds, you can open a self-directed account with no minimum to get started. This gives you the freedom to build your own portfolio from scratch.
Here’s a quick look at what Ally Invest offers:
- Commission-free trading: Buy and sell stocks and ETFs without paying a commission.
- Robo-advisor options: Let Ally manage your investments with their Robo Portfolios.
- Tax-optimized investing: Focus on investments designed to be tax-efficient.
- 24/7 market access: Trade whenever the market is open, even outside regular hours.
The app’s design prioritizes ease of use for basic financial tasks. It’s a good place to check your balances and make simple trades without a lot of fuss. This makes it suitable for everyday use.
Overall, Ally Invest provides a user-friendly experience with options for both automated and self-directed investing. It’s a good platform for beginners who want a clear path to managing their investments.
8. Betterment
Betterment is a really solid choice if you’re looking to invest without a lot of fuss. It’s basically a robo-advisor, meaning it uses algorithms to manage your money for you. This is fantastic for beginners who might feel overwhelmed by picking individual stocks or trying to time the market. You tell Betterment your goals – like saving for retirement or a down payment – and it builds a diversified portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for you. It’s designed to be a hands-off approach to investing.
One of the big draws is how it handles things automatically. Betterment will rebalance your portfolio as needed, reinvest dividends, and even do tax-loss harvesting, which can help reduce your tax bill. This all happens in the background, so you don’t have to worry about it. They also have a feature called the "Financial Health Score" that looks at your whole financial picture, not just your investments, and gives you advice.
Here’s a quick look at what makes Betterment stand out:
- Automated Portfolio Management: They create and manage diversified ETF portfolios based on your goals and risk tolerance.
- Goal-Based Investing: You can set up different investment goals, each with its own strategy.
- Tax Optimization: Features like tax-loss harvesting are built-in to help improve your after-tax returns.
- Low Minimums: You can start investing with a small amount, making it accessible for everyone.
While Betterment is great for passive investors, it’s not for active traders. You can’t pick individual stocks here. Also, while their fees are competitive, they do add up over time, especially if you have a smaller balance. For those who want a professional investment strategy without the day-to-day management, Betterment is a strong contender. It’s a good way to get started with automated investing and build wealth steadily.
9. Acorns
Acorns is a pretty neat app if you’re the type of person who wants to invest but doesn’t really want to think about it too much. It’s all about making investing super simple, almost automatic. The main way it works is by rounding up your everyday purchases. So, if you buy a coffee for $3.50, Acorns will take that extra $0.50 and put it into your investment account. Pretty cool, right?
They offer a few different subscription tiers, which is something to keep in mind. The basic one is $3 a month, and that gets you started with investing your spare change and setting up automatic transfers. If you want more, like retirement accounts or banking features, you can bump up to the $5 or $9 per month plans. It’s a flat monthly fee, which means you pay the same amount whether you have $100 or $1,000 invested. For folks with smaller balances, this might feel a bit pricey, but if your investments grow, that flat fee can actually be a good deal compared to apps that charge a percentage of what you own.
Here’s a quick look at their plans:
- Personal ($3/month): Automatic investing via round-ups, recurring deposits, and basic investment accounts.
- Personal Plus ($5/month): Includes everything in Personal, plus retirement accounts (like IRAs) and investment accounts for kids.
- Premium ($9/month): Adds premium banking features and investment accounts for children.
Acorns invests your money in a mix of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You don’t pick individual stocks; instead, Acorns builds a diversified portfolio for you based on your goals and how much risk you’re comfortable with. They even have options for socially responsible investing if that’s important to you.
The biggest draw here is the "set it and forget it" aspect. It’s designed for people who want to build wealth without the daily hassle of managing a portfolio. Just link your accounts, and Acorns does the heavy lifting.
While it’s super easy to use, remember that you can’t buy individual stocks directly with the basic Acorns plans. It’s all about those pre-selected ETF portfolios. So, if you’re looking to pick your own stocks, this might not be the app for you. But for a hands-off approach to start investing, Acorns is definitely worth a look.
10. Public
Public is a pretty interesting app, especially if you’re someone who likes to see what other people are doing before you jump in. It’s kind of like a social media platform, but for investing. You can follow other investors, see their portfolios, and even chat with them. This can be super helpful when you’re just starting out and not sure where to put your money.
One of the cool things about Public is that you can buy fractional shares. This means you don’t need a ton of cash to buy into a company. So, if a stock is trading for $500 a share, you could buy just $10 worth of it. They also let you invest in cryptocurrencies and even things like art and collectibles, which is a bit different from other apps.
Here’s a quick look at what Public offers:
- Social Investing Features: Follow other investors, see their trades, and join discussions.
- Fractional Shares: Buy pieces of expensive stocks with small amounts of money.
- Alternative Assets: Invest in things beyond stocks and crypto, like art and NFTs.
- AI-Powered Insights: Get summaries and recaps of your investments.
Public really shines when it comes to making investing feel less like a chore and more like a community activity. It’s a good place to start if you want to learn by watching and interacting with others. Just remember, while social features are neat, always do your own research before investing. You can find a lot of great platforms for new investors on this page.
While Public doesn’t offer mutual funds or custodial accounts, its focus on community and diverse investment options makes it stand out. It’s a solid choice for beginners who want a more interactive approach to the stock market.
Wrapping Up Your Investment Start
So, getting into the stock market doesn’t have to be this big, scary thing anymore. With all these apps out there, picking the right one is mostly about figuring out what feels right for you. Think about what you want to do with your money, how much you want to learn, and what makes sense for your budget. Don’t rush it. Try out a few, see how they feel, and remember that the best app is the one that helps you actually start investing and keeps you learning. The most important part is just getting started and sticking with it. Happy investing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best trading app for someone just starting out?
For folks brand new to trading, apps like Robinhood offer a super simple way to begin. If you want to manage all your money in one spot, SoFi is a great choice. And if you’re thinking long-term and want lots of learning tools, Fidelity is a strong contender. Some apps are really basic but still work well if you just want to invest in ETFs, like Betterment.
Do I need a lot of money to start investing with these apps?
Nope! Most of these apps let you start investing with just a dollar or two. They do this by letting you buy tiny pieces of stocks, called fractional shares. This means you don’t need tons of cash to get going.
How can I avoid paying lots of fees when trading?
Look for apps that don’t charge you to buy or sell stocks (these are called commission-free trades). Also, steer clear of apps that charge you just to have an account or if you don’t use it for a while. Using fractional shares also helps you invest smaller amounts wisely, which can save you money in the long run.
Are these apps good for investing for a long time, like for retirement?
Yes, many of them are! A lot of these apps now have special accounts for retirement, like IRAs. They also offer features like automatic investing and ways to reinvest your earnings, which are perfect for building wealth over many years. Plus, they often have guides to help you learn.
What should I look for in a trading app if I’m new?
You’ll want an app that’s easy to understand and doesn’t look too complicated. It’s also super helpful if the app has lots of learning materials, like guides, videos, or even practice accounts where you can try trading without using real money. Being able to see your investments clearly and make trades easily is key.
Can I practice trading before I use real money?
Some apps offer demo accounts or paper trading features. This lets you make pretend trades with fake money to get a feel for how the app works and how the market moves. It’s a great way to learn the ropes without any risk!
