Are you new to the stock market and looking to start investing in 2024? With so many options available, choosing the right stock trading app can be overwhelming. The good news is that several apps are designed specifically for beginners, offering easy-to-use platforms, helpful tools, and low fees to help you make your mark in the stock market.
This guide highlights the best stock trading apps for beginners, outlining their features, advantages, and limitations so you can pick the one that best fits your needs.
Table of Best Stock Trading Apps for Beginners in 2024
App Name | Key Features | Best For |
---|---|---|
SoFi Invest | No fees, automated investing, fractional shares | Beginners who prefer simplicity and no fees |
Robinhood | Commission-free, fractional shares, easy-to-use interface | New investors starting small |
Webull | Advanced charting, no fees, fractional shares | Investors seeking more advanced tools |
Fidelity | No fees, great research tools, long-term investment options | Beginners focused on long-term investing |
Stash | Micro-investing, fractional shares, educational resources | Inexperienced investors looking for guidance |
TD Ameritrade | No fees, comprehensive education, large variety of investment options | Those wanting educational resources & trading tools |
Merrill Edge | No fees, research tools, integration with Bank of America | Bank of America customers and research seekers |
1. SoFi Invest: Best for Simplicity and Automated Investing
SoFi Invest stands out for its no-fee structure and easy-to-use design, making it ideal for beginners. It allows both active investing and automated investing, where the app helps manage your portfolio based on your preferences.
Key Features:
- Commission-Free: No fees for stock, ETF, or cryptocurrency trades.
- Automated Investing: A robo-advisor service to help beginners manage their portfolios.
- Fractional Shares: Buy portions of expensive stocks like Amazon or Tesla with as little as $1.
- User-Friendly: Clean interface designed for ease of use.
Best For: Beginners who want a simple and hands-off way to start investing.
2. Robinhood: Best for No-Fee, Easy Trading
Robinhood has become synonymous with commission-free trading and is a favorite for beginners due to its minimalist, user-friendly platform.
Key Features:
- No Fees: Zero commissions for stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency trades.
- Fractional Shares: Allows you to purchase partial shares, ideal for high-priced stocks.
- Free Stock for New Users: Robinhood offers free stock as a reward when you sign up.
- Simple Interface: The easy-to-navigate design helps new users get started quickly.
Best For: Investors who want a straightforward, no-frills way to get started with stock trading.
3. Webull: Best for Advanced Features with No Fees
Webull offers powerful features such as advanced charting tools and technical analysis for beginners who want to delve deeper into trading but still enjoy commission-free trading.
Key Features:
- No Fees: Commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Advanced Tools: Includes advanced charting and technical analysis features for learning and refining trading strategies.
- Fractional Shares: Invest in shares of expensive stocks with fractional share options.
- Paper Trading: Webull offers a paper trading feature for beginners to practice without real money.
Best For: New investors who want to dive deeper into technical analysis and advanced tools without paying fees.
4. Fidelity: Best for Research Tools and Long-Term Investing
Fidelity excels in providing comprehensive research tools and resources, making it the perfect platform for beginners who want to focus on long-term investing.
Key Features:
- No Fees: Commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading.
- Powerful Research: Fidelity offers extensive research tools, making it easy for beginners to analyze stocks and market trends.
- Fractional Shares: Invest in expensive stocks through fractional shares.
- Wide Range of Investments: Access to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and retirement accounts like IRAs.
Best For: Beginners looking for a reliable platform that provides long-term investment strategies and research tools.
5. Stash: Best for Inexperienced Investors Seeking Guidance
Stash is designed for beginners who want to start small and grow their investment portfolio, offering tools like micro-investing and educational content to guide you.
Key Features:
- Micro-Investing: Start investing with as little as $5 by rounding up purchases and investing the change.
- Fractional Shares: Buy portions of expensive stocks, enabling smaller investments in high-profile companies.
- Educational Content: Access helpful resources that explain how to start investing.
- Automatic Round-Ups: Invest spare change automatically through micro-investing.
Best For: Beginners who want to start with minimal investment and need educational resources to guide them.
6. TD Ameritrade: Best for Education and Tools
TD Ameritrade is perfect for beginners who want to learn while they trade, offering educational resources, webinars, and comprehensive trading tools.
Key Features:
- No Fees: No commissions for stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Educational Content: Access to a wide range of resources including articles, videos, and webinars.
- Fractional Shares: Available for new users to help start investing with minimal capital.
- Multiple Platforms: Includes mobile apps, desktop platforms, and educational content to suit all learning styles.
Best For: Beginners who want to learn about trading with access to education and extensive tools for free.
7. Merrill Edge: Best for Research and Bank Integration
Merrill Edge is ideal for those who are already Bank of America customers, offering easy integration with your accounts, alongside solid research tools and a simple trading platform.
Key Features:
- Commission-Free Trades: No fees for stocks, ETFs, or options.
- Research Tools: Excellent resources for beginners, offering reports, stock analysis, and more.
- Integration with Bank of America: Effortlessly transfer funds between your bank account and Merrill Edge account.
- Fractional Shares: Invest in fractions of high-value stocks with ease.
Best For: Bank of America customers looking for a seamless integration between their bank and investment accounts.
How to Choose the Right Stock Trading App in 2024
When deciding on the best stock trading app, it’s essential to consider your investment goals, experience level, and whether you’re more focused on learning or trading actively. Here are some things to think about:
- Ease of Use: Choose apps like Robinhood or SoFi Invest if you prefer a simple, no-hassle experience.
- Educational Resources: If you want to learn as you trade, TD Ameritrade and Fidelity offer extensive educational tools.
- Advanced Features: Apps like Webull provide advanced tools and charting features for those who want to get deeper into the technical side of trading.
- Low Fees: For beginners, no-fee platforms such as SoFi Invest, Robinhood, and Webull are great choices.
Ultimately, the best stock trading app for you will depend on your personal preferences, investment style, and how involved you want to be in the market.