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Best Brokerage Accounts for Beginners: Our Top Picks for 2026

Review Updated
Ryan Wilcox
Author: Ryan Wilcox
Ryan Wilcox
Ryan Wilcox
Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.

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Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

You don't need much money or investing experience to open a brokerage account -- especially these days. In fact, there's never been a better time to be a first-time investor.

The best beginner-friendly brokers charge $0 for stock and ETF trades, let you buy fractional shares, and offer tons of educational tools that help new investors learn.

Below are our top picks available now based on cost, ease of use, and investment options.

Two of our favorites stand out right away:

  1. SoFi Invest® is an accessible all-around brokerage for new investors, with $0 commissions, fractional shares, and IPO access built in. It also connects to SoFi®'s checking, savings, and lending products if you want your money in one app. Click here to open an account.
  2. Fidelity makes it easy to start investing and even easier to stick with it. Beginners get commission-free trades, deep research, and real customer support, then the platform scales up with advanced tools as your needs grow, so you won't have to switch brokers later. Click here to open an account.
  • Our team of experts assessed 45+ trading platforms
  • We evaluate all brokerage accounts across the same 4 key criteria: user experience, cost efficiency, product variety, and support and security
  • Our brokerage ratings are never influenced by our advertising partners
  • We strictly feature products that offer federal insurance and high customer satisfaction, keeping our recommendations unbiased

Best brokerage accounts for beginners

Broker Best For Fees Special Offer Learn More
Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
SoFi Active Investing Offer Image
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best For:

Best for all-in-one financial app

 Fees:

$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.

Circle with letter I in it. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease.

Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Fidelity Offer Image
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best For:

Best for investing at every experience level

 Fees:

$0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****.

N/A
Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Offer Image
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best For:

Best for educational resources

 Fees:

Commission-free; other fees apply

N/A
Learn More for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

On E*TRADE's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Charles Schwab Offer Image
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best For:

Best for low-cost investing

 Fees:

$0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares.

N/A
Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Robinhood Offer Image
4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
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Best For:

Best for ease of use

 Fees:

$0 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply.

N/A
Read Review
Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Offer Image
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best For:

Best for mutual funds

 Fees:

$0 per trade

N/A
Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website.

Vanguard Digital Advisor® Offer Image
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best For:

Best for low-cost automated investing

 Fees:

0.20% to 0.25% fee

N/A
Read Review

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

  • 1. Trust and brand recognition

    Trust arguably matters more than any single fee or feature. Every broker on this list is SIPC insured, which protects up to $500,000 in securities and cash (with a $250,000 sub-limit on cash) if the brokerage itself fails.

    You might also consider brands you already use, especially your existing bank, since that can mean easier transfers and a single login. And if in-person help matters to you, stick to brokers with physical branches.

    2. Usability

    A good beginner platform is intuitive without hiding the tools you'll eventually want. Some platforms are sleek and app-first; others lean toward desktop power users.

    Think about how you'll actually use the account day to day, then match the platform to that habit.

    3. Fees

    The best beginner brokers charge no trading commissions and no monthly account fees. And fractional share trading is a standout feature to look for, since it lets you buy a slice of an expensive stock instead of needing the full share price upfront.

    4. Investment options

    Every broker here supports stocks and ETFs, the two building blocks most new investors start with. Plan ahead too, though: can the same account handle an IRA, a custodial account, or options trading later?

    5. Educational resources

    Investing is less intimidating with strong guardrails. Look for brokers that explain concepts in plain language and offer practice tools like trade simulators.

Our top online stock brokers for beginners

Best all-in-one financial app: SoFi®

SoFi Active Investing
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

SoFi Active Investing

SoFi Active Investing

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
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Bottom Line

A clear standout with a modern experience. Beginners and long-term investors may find the most value, particularly those interested in stocks and ETFs, and in buying fractional shares.

Fees:

$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts

Account Minimum:

$0

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.

Circle with letter I in it. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease.
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

Trust and brand reputation

SoFi Active Investing connects to SoFi®'s checking, savings, and lending products, so if you're already a SoFi® banking customer, adding a brokerage account keeps your whole financial picture in one app.

Platform

SoFi®'s app is one of the clearest, most beginner-friendly platforms available, with a clean, no-frills design built for straightforward stock and ETF investing.

Fees

SoFi® charges $0 commissions and has no account minimum. Terms apply. The fees are kept to a minimum overall -- just watch for the $25 inactivity fee after six months of no logins.

Investment options

SoFi® pairs fractional share trading with access to IPOs at the IPO price, great if you're interested in the hot new stock on the block. Terms apply. If IPO investing interests you, our guide to the best brokers for IPO access offers more great options.

Educational resources

SoFi Learn breaks down credit cards, budgeting, and home-buying alongside investing basics, and account holders get access to human financial planners. That accessibility is why SoFi® earned our award for Best Stock Broker for Beginners of 2026.

Best for investing at every experience level: Fidelity

Fidelity
Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Fidelity

Fidelity

Our Rating:

5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Good
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= Poor
Bottom Line

Fidelity makes investing easy with $0 commission trades, powerful tools, and 24/7 support. Trade stocks, ETFs, options, and even crypto -- all in one place. Get expert insights, automate your investing, and potentially earn more on uninvested cash.

Fees:

$0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****.

Account Minimum:

$0****

Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Trust and brand reputation

Fidelity has been a name in the investing game since 1946, and that kind of longevity is no accident. It also offers a real physical branch network for anyone who wants in-person help.

Platform

The Fidelity platform is clean and straightforward rather than flashy, which makes it easy for beginners to navigate. It's also great for experts who want to scale up -- a big reason why it won our award for Best Stock Broker Overall of 2026.

Fees

Fidelity offers $0 commissions along with no-transaction-fee mutual funds -- one of the better fee structures you'll find anywhere.

Investment options

Beyond stocks and ETFs, Fidelity supports IRAs, 529 plans, and more. It's a great choice if you want to have all your holdings in one place.

Educational resources

Beginners get free research from more than 20 independent firms. That overall strength across cost, account types, and support makes Fidelity one of our favorite brokerages out there.

Best for educational resources: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
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Bottom Line

E*TRADE manages to cater to active traders with one of the best stock trading platforms for beginners, while also appealing to long-term investors with thousands of mutual funds and ETFs that can be traded commission-free.

Fees:

Commission-free; other fees apply

Account Minimum:

$0

SPECIAL OFFER

Open and fund a brokerage account and get up to $1,500. Terms apply.

Circle with letter I in it. Open a new eligible E*TRADE brokerage account, fund your account within 60 days of opening, and earn a cash credit of up to $1,500, depending on the size of your deposit. Offer good for one use per customer, on a single account. Please read full terms and conditions on our website.
Learn More for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

On E*TRADE's Secure Website.

Trust and brand reputation

E*TRADE's 2020 acquisition by Morgan Stanley added in-person support at bank branches, a rare feature among online-first brokers.

Platform

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley offers two platforms -- a simple app for everyday investing, and the more advanced Power E*TRADE for active traders -- so your account and investments can grow with you as you learn.

Fees

Trading stocks and ETFs is commission-free. That's pretty much par for the course for most top brokerages.

Investment options

E*TRADE supports thousands of mutual funds alongside stocks and ETFs. The one gap: no fractional share purchases, though dividends can still reinvest into fractional shares.

Educational resources

E*TRADE's library and regular live webinars cover everything from investing basics to options and futures, the deepest educational bench on this list.

Best for low-cost investing: Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab
Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Bottom Line

Charles Schwab pioneered the low-cost brokerage model decades ago, and that legacy continues with its lineup of no-commission-fee offerings. The robust lineup of account types, investment vehicles, and high quality app round out the stacked feature set.

Fees:

$0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares.

Account Minimum:

$0

Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Trust and brand reputation

Charles Schwab pioneered commission-free trading back in 1971 and is still a leader on cost today. You've probably seen the commercials -- it's one of the more well-known brokerages out there.

Platform

The Schwab platform feels more traditional than app-first competitors like Robinhood, but it's dependable and easy enough for a beginner. I'd recommend it.

Fees

Schwab offers $0 commission on stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource trades -- a pretty solid combination.

Investment options

Schwab covers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and IRAs, plus banking and credit cards through a partnership with American Express. That range across account types is part of why Schwab earned our award for Best Stock Broker for IRA Investors in 2026.

Educational resources

Schwab offers training across formats -- articles, videos, podcasts, and courses -- plus daily market reports and screeners.

Best for ease of use: Robinhood

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
Robinhood

Robinhood

Our Rating:

4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Bottom Line

Simple-to-use investing experience and commission-free trading make Robinhood one of the best stock brokers for beginner investors, and Robinhood delivers on all these fronts, and more.

Fees:

$0 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply.

Account Minimum:

$0

Read Review

Trust and brand reputation

Robinhood revolutionized the investing world by popularizing commission-free trading, attracting younger, tech-savvy investors with its intuitive and accessible app. However, the platform faced criticism in 2020 due to system outages during periods of market volatility and in 2021 for freezing trades on GameStop during the stock's highly publicized rally.

Since then, Robinhood has worked to rebuild its reputation, addressing past issues and enhancing its platform. It remains a popular choice for beginner investors seeking a straightforward entry point into the market.

Platform

Robinhood is renowned for its simple, beginner-friendly app, which makes navigating and managing investments easy. In October 2024, the company introduced Robinhood Legend, a desktop platform designed for advanced traders. This addition gives users room to grow by offering access to enhanced charting tools, technical indicators, and other advanced features, while retaining the app's hallmark simplicity for beginners.

This dual approach ensures that Robinhood accommodates both novice investors and those looking to expand their trading capabilities.

Fees

Robinhood led the way in commission-free trading, making it an excellent platform for new investors who want to start trading without worrying about fees eating into their gains. There are no account minimums or annual fees, further cementing its reputation as an affordable option. There is a $100 fee to transfer from Robinhood to an outside brokerage.

Investment options

Robinhood focuses on the essentials, allowing users to invest in stocks and ETFs. Fractional share trading is a standout feature, enabling users to buy into high-value stocks for as little as $1.

However, Robinhood's investment options are limited compared to some competitors. The platform does not offer mutual funds or many alternative investments. If these are important to your strategy, you might consider other brokers like Charles Schwab or Fidelity, which have more diverse offerings.

Educational resources

Robinhood offers an educational hub called Robinhood Learn, which provides accessible content on the basics of investing. This resource is great for beginners looking to build foundational knowledge.

That said, Robinhood's in-app research tools are relatively basic unless you upgrade to Robinhood Gold, which gives you access to advanced research and data. If deep analytical tools and research options are a priority, other platforms may better meet your needs.

Best for mutual funds: J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website.

Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

Our Rating:

4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Bottom Line

J.P. Morgan stands out for beginners by offering an app-based platform for both self-directed and automated investing, all with $0 commissions -- even on mutual funds, which is pretty rare. Plus, if you bank with Chase, your accounts will be integrated so you can manage your money in one place.

Fees:

$0 per trade

Account Minimum:

$0

Get a cash bonus up to $1,000 when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account.

Circle with letter I in it. $1,000 when you fund with $250,000 or more; $325 when you fund with $100,000-$249,999; $150 when you fund with $25,000-$99,999; $50 when you fund with $5,000-$24,999. Cash promotion is limited to one per customer and can only be applied to one new J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account (General Investment, Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA). To enroll in the up to $1,000 offer, you must open an account through this page.
Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing

On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website.

Trust and brand reputation

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is built into the Chase mobile app, which is super convenient if you already bank there. And Chase is one of the biggest and most well-known banks in the world, so you're pretty covered as far as trust goes.

Platform

The J.P. Morgan interface is less polished than some competitors, so it suits buy-and-hold investors more than active traders.

Fees

J.P. Morgan charges $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds -- par for the course for top brokerages.

Investment options

That mutual-fund pricing is the one standout among major brokers, and a good reason to pick J.P. Morgan. It was enough to earn J.P. Morgan our award for Best Stock Broker for Mutual Funds in 2026.

Educational resources

Chase clients get access to J.P. Morgan's research and market commentary through the same app they already use for banking.

Best for low-cost automated investing: Vanguard Digital Advisor®

Vanguard Digital Advisor®

Vanguard Digital Advisor®

Our Rating:

4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Bottom Line

Vanguard is one of the leading options for hands-off, low-cost index investing. Vanguard offers some of the lowest-cost index ETFs, plus it packs in a well-rounded feature set that is a fit for more experienced investors as well.

Fees:

0.20% to 0.25% fee

Account Minimum:

$100

Read Review

Trust and brand reputation

Finally, Vanguard built its name on low-cost index investing, and its Vanguard Digital Advisor® platform extends that same philosophy to a hands-off account. It's a great "set it and forget it" option when it comes to long-term investing.

Platform

Rather than a self-directed trading screen, Vanguard Digital Advisor® is a goal-based planning tool: set a target, and the platform builds and rebalances a diversified portfolio built entirely from Vanguard's own ETFs.

Fees

Vanguard's advisory fee sits well below many other robo-advisors, with a modest minimum to get started.

Investment options

Vanguard is great for beginners who want to invest without picking individual stocks or funds. The tradeoff: no human advisor at this tier -- that requires stepping up to Vanguard's Personal Advisor services.

Educational resources

Finally, Vanguard Digital Advisor®'s tools focus on goal-setting and portfolio guidance rather than day-to-day market education or research. If that sounds OK to you, it's worth a look.

Tips for beginner investors

Start with what you can afford. Buying fractional shares means $5 or $10 buys you a piece of an expensive stock, so a small account isn't a reason to 1) overspend or 2) wait until you have more to invest.

Automate recurring contributions, even small ones, to make investing a habit. Favor a broad ETF or index fund over picking individual stocks; it spreads your risk across hundreds of companies instead of one or two.

And finally, expect volatility. The stock market regularly goes through ups and downs, but in the long run, it has proven to be one of the best places to put your money. That makes it all the more important to start your investing journey sooner rather than later.

  • Acorns, Ally Invest, Axos Self-Directed Trading, Betterment, Cash App Investing, Charles Schwab, Delphia, Domain Money, Ellevest, Empower, eToro Brokerage, E*TRADE Core Portfolios from Morgan Stanley, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, Fidelity, Fidelity Cash Management, Fidelity Go®, Firstrade, FOREX.com, Interactive Brokers, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, M1 Finance, Magnifi, Marcus Invest, Merrill Edge® Self-Directed, Moomoo, NinjaTrader, Personal Capital, Plynk, Prosperi Academy, Public, Robinhood, Rocket Dollar, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, SoFi Active Investing, SoFi Robo Investing, Stash, Stockpile, tastytrade, Titan, Tornado App, TradeStation, Tradier, Vanguard, Vanguard Digital Advisor®, Wealthfront, Webull, Zacks Trade.

FAQs

  • A brokerage account lets you deposit cash and use it to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and other securities through a licensed brokerage firm. The firm executes your trades and holds your investments, and most beginner accounts today charge no commission per trade.

  • A taxable brokerage account is a standard investing account with no tax advantages and no contribution limits. You pay taxes on dividends, interest, and capital gains when you sell, unlike a retirement account such as an IRA.

  • Most brokers on this list have no account minimum, and fractional shares let you invest with as little as $1 to $5. Investing consistently matters more than the amount.