Best brokers for beginners

While many online brokers suitable for beginners offer an excellent service, the ones in our toplist go the extra mile.

Non-trading fees are charges that are not directly related to a trade and typically include the account maintenance fee, deposit/withdrawal fees and the inactivity fee.

Yes, BrokerChooser exclusively recommends legit brokers, overseen by at least one globally acknowledged regulator. We track more than 30,000 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Demo account: this is a must have if you are just starting out as a forex trader. Demo accounts simulate real trading accounts but you use virtual money to trade. These are perfect for practicing and learning a few tricks without risking your money.
5. Emotional discipline: avoid chasing quick profits and maintain a calm mindset during market fluctuations.
6. 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 trading landscape evolves, so stay updated with market trends, new strategies, and trading tools to remain successful in online trading.

And now, let’s see the top brokers for beginners in detail, starting with the winner, EasyEquities.

Recommended for long-term investors focusing on stocks and ETFs

Recommended for traders interested in algorithmic stock trading

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• We conducted interviews with newcomers who had little to zero trading experience trading.
• We opened an account and tested the trading platforms 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 checked and compared 105 brokers with a special focus on fees and their mobile trading platform.

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Our expert team has done all the work for you, and reviewed brokers based on BrokerChooser’s unique methodology.

Which broker should I use as a beginner?

Low fees and an excellent mobile platform make a broker great for beginners. Beginners can also benefit greatly if a broker has excellent educational material, and tools, such as a demo account. The best way to start your journey in the world of investing is by learning. We provide a great starting point on our education page, where you can find a lot of useful learning materials. Here we give you some tips on how to start investing. To find the best online broker for your level of expertise and risk-tolerance, use our find my broker tool.

Where should a beginner invest in stocks?

Before you make stock investments, you should draw up a plan, which involves several basic questions you ought to think about, such as what is your objective, how much time do you want to spend investing and what level of risk you want to take. For beginners, one of the best ways to to starting investing in stocks is choosing an index fund or stock mutual funds, which are an easy and low-cost way to tip your toe into the stock market. We put together a guide on how to start investing in stocks, and how to buy shares online. We explicitly guide you through investing in stocks. We also give you tips on how much you should invest when you are starting out. You can also browse through our top recommendations for best trading platforms for stocks.

Do you need a lot of money to use an online broker?

No, you don’t necessarily need a lot of money to use an online brokerage. Online brokers have become more accessible, offering a range of options for individuals with varying levels of capital. In a lot of the cases, you can start with as little as $10. A lot of brokers do not require a minimum deposit to open your account, making it easy to start trading with little money. Some stocks can be quite pricey (i.e. a single Google share costs over $2,000) but many brokers allow you to buy fractional shares.

Can I withdraw my money from an online broker?

Yes, you can withdraw your money from a brokerage account. Reputable and regulated brokers provide various withdrawal options (e.g. bank transfers, credit/debit card withdrawals, electronic wallets) to allow you to access the funds in your trading account. Keep in my that withdrawals are rarely instant. The time it takes for your withdrawal to be processed usually depends on the withdrawal method and the brokerage’s internal processing procedures. Some withdrawals can be processed within a few business days, while others may take longer.

Is my money safe in an online brokerage account?

Yes, in general, your money is safe in a reputable and regulated brokerage. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to remain vigilant and conduct your due diligence. Avoid brokerages that have negative reviews, unclear terms, or that operate from unregulated jurisdictions. By selecting a well-regulated, transparent, and reputable brokerage, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with online trading.

Is trading gambling?

Trading is not gambling, although some poeple might treat it like that, but they will learn quickly that gamblers lose their money. The goal of a trader is to make predictions that will be as accurate as possible to make money, while gamblers can’t predict anything, they bet. People who trade for the thrill of it, or because they want to prove something, or can’t accept losing on the market from time to time, and don’t have a plan or consistency, are trading in a gambling style. New online trading apps have recently come under the spotlight for bringing a gambling aspect into trading. The gamification of trading, with easy-to-use online platforms, little education for retail traders and the social pressure of ‘FOMO’ also contribute to a gambling attitude on the market. Serious traders should consider their objectives, their attitudes to risk, and carefully devise an investment strategy when entering a market.

Is trading hard to learn?

Trading is not difficult to learn if you invest enough time and energy into it. But that is a big if. Plenty of people trade, but the more time you spend studying trading, the more you practice, – as with everything else -, the better results you can expect. Knowing yourself, your attitude to risk-taking, and being patient and disciplined are also crucial factors if you want to be successful. Keep a cool head, don’t look for easy money, commit to studying trading and always have a trading plan. Our aim is to make personal investing as clear and accessible for you, as possible. Our educational page is a good starting point. You can also learn from our expert traders about the difference between investing and trading, and learn here about how to become a trader. You can also learn about different investment strategies from us.