With so many stock trading platforms for beginners available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. We’ve evaluated the top platforms based on key factors like fees, features, ease of use, and educational resources to help you make an informed choice.
This ranking highlights the best options to help you get the tools and support you need for your investment journey.
Why you can trust us
We are committed to providing thorough, unbiased evaluations based on extensive research and industry insights. Our goal is to give you the most accurate and reliable information, so you can choose a platform that aligns with your needs and goals.
Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners in 2026
Based on our research, we’ve evaluated and ranked the top stock trading platforms for beginners, each excelling in different areas. Whether you’re looking for low fees, robust features, or ease of use, here’s a helpful breakdown:
- XTB – Best beginner-friendly platform for stock trading
- Fidelity – Best for educational resources
- Charles Schwab – Best for comprehensive investment options
- E*TRADE – Best for active traders and robust trading tools
- Public.com – Best for social engagement and fractional share investing
XTB stands out as the best overall option, offering a well-rounded experience with low commissions, a user-friendly platform, and a wide variety of market access for beginner investors.
1. XTB
Rating: 4.7/5 (Apple App Store), 4.4/5 (Google Play Store)
Best Beginner-Friendly Platform
XTB is a global online trading platform based in Canary Wharf, London. Known for its intuitive and fast xStation platform, XTB provides access to over 10,900 financial instruments, including shares, indices, commodities, and ETFs. While cryptocurrency trading is not available for UK users due to regulatory restrictions, XTB is known for offering a broad range of traditional financial markets. The platform is highly regarded for its speed, user-friendly design, and extensive educational resources, positioning XTB among the best stock trading platforms for beginners in 2026.
Commission:
- 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 per month
Minimum Deposit:
- £0
Fees:
- Currency Conversion: 0.5% per trade when trading in non-base currencies
- Deposit Fees: Free
- Withdrawal Fees: Free
- Inactivity Fee: £10/month after 12 months with no trading or deposits
Features:
- Proprietary xStation platform with fast execution and clean layout
- Access to 10,900+ instruments (excluding cryptocurrencies)
- Flexible Stocks & Shares ISA with 4.25% interest on uninvested funds (limited-time offer)
- Range of educational resources (video tutorials, webinars, eBooks, XTB Academy on YouTube)
- No minimum deposit
- 24/5 customer support
- Demo account for risk-free practice
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Dedicated account manager for personalized assistance
- High user ratings on both Apple and Google Play stores
- Mobile, desktop, and tablet compatibility
Capital at risk. Investment values can rise or fall. 0% commission up to €100k/month. Other fees may apply. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
2. Fidelity Investments
Rating: 4.78/5 (Apple App Store), 4.5+/5 (Google Play Store)
Best for Comprehensive Investment Options and Educational Resources
Fidelity Investments is a widely respected online brokerage firm offering a robust platform with a diverse range of investment options. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, Fidelity provides a wealth of resources, including educational materials, real-time data, and powerful research tools. The platform allows access to a wide array of U.S. and international stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and other financial instruments, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly trading experience.
Commission:
- $0 commission on U.S. stocks, ETFs, and most options
- $0.65 per options contract
Minimum Deposit:
- $0 for most accounts
- $2,000 for margin accounts
Fees:
- Account Maintenance: $0
- Inactivity Fee: $0
- Transfer Fees: $0 for incoming transfers
- Short-Term Trading Fee: $49.95 for mutual funds held under 60 days
Features:
- Multi-platform access (Mobile app, desktop, tablet)
- Fractional shares: Invest from $1 in U.S. stocks/ETFs
- No-transaction-fee mutual funds: Thousands of options available
- Robust research tools: Integrated with Zacks, S&P, CFRA
- Comprehensive educational resources: Step-by-step tutorials, webinars, personalized investing ideas
- 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, email, and physical branches
- High app ratings for usability, trading speed, and security
- Tax-advantaged accounts: IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and UK ISA/SIPP options
- Interest on cash: Up to 4% in certain cash management accounts
- No platform fees for most retail clients
- Portfolio customization: Auto-invest, dividend reinvestment, and retirement planning tools
3. Charles Schwab
Rating: 4.8/5 (Apple App Store), 2.6/5 (Google Play Store)
Best for Comprehensive Investment Options and Low-Cost Trading
Charles Schwab is a well-established online brokerage firm offering a broad range of investment products and services. Known for its user-friendly platforms, Schwab provides access to U.S. and international stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and other investment vehicles. The platform is suitable for a variety of investors, from beginners to active traders, and offers a comprehensive suite of tools for portfolio management, research, and educational support.
Commission:
- Stocks & ETFs: $0 commission for U.S. listed stocks and ETFs
- Options: $0 commission + $0.65 per contract
- Mutual Funds: $0 commission for Schwab funds and thousands of NTF funds; up to $74.95 for select non-Schwab funds
- Broker-assisted Trades: +$25 service charge
- Futures: $2.25 per contract
- Foreign Stocks: $50–$75 per trade
Minimum Deposit:
- Standard Account: $0
- Managed/Advisory Accounts: Minimums from $5,000–$500,000 depending on the program
Fees:
- Stocks, ETFs, Options: No base commission, $0.65 per options contract
- Mutual Funds: $0 for Schwab funds, up to $74.95 for third-party funds
- Bonds/Fixed Income: $1 per bond, $10 minimum, $250 max per trade
- Wire Transfers/Account Transfers: Fees apply for outgoing transfers
Features:
- Multi-device trading with consistent experience across mobile, desktop, and tablet
- Fractional shares via Stock Slices program ($5 minimum)
- Schwab research, expert commentary, and CNBC streaming
- Technical analysis with thinkorswim
- Paper trading with thinkorswim paperMoney
- Robust security with biometric and multi-factor authentication
- Portfolio management tools for tax optimization and goal planning
- 24/5 trading access on select markets
- In-person and virtual support with 24/7 customer service
4. E*TRADE
Rating: 4.7/5 (Apple App Store), 4.7/5 (Google Play Store)
Best for Active Traders and Robust Trading Tools
E*TRADE is a U.S.-based brokerage firm providing a comprehensive platform for all types of investors, from beginners to experienced traders. It offers a wide range of investment products, including stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and mutual funds. The platform is known for its dual mobile apps (ETRADE Mobile and Power ETRADE) that cater to both casual investors and active traders, with advanced tools for research, charting, and trade execution. E*TRADE also provides educational resources to help investors improve their skills.
Commission:
- Stocks & ETFs: $0 commission for U.S. exchange-listed stocks and ETFs
- Options: $0.65 per contract, discounted to $0.50 per contract with 30+ trades per quarter
- Mutual Funds: 6,300+ no-transaction-fee (NTF) funds; $19.99–$49.99 for out-of-network funds
- Broker-assisted: +$25 per trade
- Futures: $1.50 per contract, crypto futures $2.50 per contract per side
Minimum Deposit:
- $0 for brokerage accounts
- $2,000 for margin accounts
Fees:
- Stocks, ETFs, Options: No commission for stocks/ETFs; for options, $0.65 per contract (or $0.50 if active)
- Futures: $1.50 per contract
- Outgoing Wire: $25
- Outgoing Account Transfer: $75
- Inactivity/Account Maintenance Fee: $0
- Foreign Currency Disbursement: Up to 3% markup on exchange rate
Features:
- Multi-platform access with two mobile apps and a desktop platform
- Commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options (contract fees apply), and NTF mutual funds
- Advanced options/futures trading with Power E*TRADE
- Extensive research tools: Integrated screeners, technical indicators, Bloomberg TV
- Real-time alerts via custom push notifications
- Educational content: Articles, videos, webinars, and market insights
- Paper trading (virtual trading) for practice with Power E*TRADE
- Portfolio management tools for tax optimization, bill pay, and dividend reinvestment
- No minimum required for base accounts
- Wide range of products: Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, fixed income, futures, managed portfolios
5. Public
Rating: 4.7/5 (Apple App Store), 4.6/5 (Google Play Store)
Best for Socially Engaged Investors and Fractional Share Trading
Public.com is a commission-free investing platform that offers access to stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies, and more. Known for its social trading features, Public.com allows users to share strategies, follow other investors, and learn in a community-oriented environment. The platform is beginner-friendly and offers fractional share investing, making it accessible for those with limited capital. Public.com emphasizes transparency, offering clear, competitive pricing on most assets, and operates with a tipping model instead of payment-for-order-flow.
Commission:
- Stocks & ETFs: $0 commission for standard trading
- After-hours & OTC stocks: $2.99 per trade (for non-Premium members)
- Options: $0 commissions; Public pays a rebate ($0.06–$0.18 per contract) from payment-for-order-flow revenue
- Cryptocurrency trading: Fees may apply; priced competitively
Minimum Deposit:
- $20 account minimum
Fees:
- Stocks/ETFs: $0 per trade for most trades; $2.99 for after-hours/OTC trades if not a Premium member
- Options: $0 commissions with rebates
- Inactivity Fee: $3.99/month for accounts with no activity for six months and balances below $70
- Premium Account: $10/month or $96/year for enhanced features
- Outgoing Account Transfer: $75 via ACAT
- Withdrawals: Instant withdrawal fee is 3.5% (min $1); regular withdrawals are free, typically take over three business days
Features:
- Commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs
- Fractional shares investing: Invest as little as $1 in stocks and ETFs
- Social and community features: Follow other investors, share strategies, and see what others are buying
- No payment-for-order-flow: Optional tipping model for users
- Educational resources: Earnings call playbacks, custom company metrics, and guided onboarding
- Research tools: Morningstar integration, real-time price alerts, recurring investments
- High-yield cash account: Over 4% interest by opting in at signup
- Extended-hours trading: Pre-market and after-hours access
- Intuitive and beginner-friendly mobile and desktop interface
- Customer support via email and in-app chat, with priority for Premium members
FAQ
1. What is the best stock trading platform for beginners?
The best stock trading platform for beginners should offer low fees, user-friendly interfaces, and strong educational support. Here, XTB is our top choice, excelling in global market access and educational resources.
2. What fees should I expect when using a stock trading platform?
Most beginner-friendly platforms, like XTB and E*TRADE, offer commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs. However, you may incur fees for options contracts, currency conversions, and third-party mutual funds. Always check for hidden charges like withdrawal fees or inactivity fees.
3. How do I choose the right platform based on my investment goals?
If you’re focused on long-term investing, platforms like Fidelity offer robust retirement accounts and educational resources. For active trading, platforms like E*TRADE provide advanced tools and real-time data, while XTB offers global market access for a wider range of investments.
4. Can I trade fractional shares on beginner platforms?
Yes, platforms like Public.com allow you to invest in fractional shares starting from as little as $1, making it easier to diversify even with limited capital. Fidelity and Charles Schwab also offer fractional share investing, particularly in large-cap stocks.
5. What educational resources do stock trading platforms provide for beginners?
Platforms like XTB and Fidelity stand out for their comprehensive educational offerings, including video tutorials, webinars, and structured courses. Public.com also offers guided onboarding and social learning features for a more community-driven approach.
6. What type of customer support should I expect from stock trading platforms?
Most beginner-friendly platforms, such as Fidelity and Charles Schwab, provide extensive customer support with 24/7 access via phone, email, and live chat. Public.com offers in-app chat with priority for Premium members, and XTB provides dedicated account managers for personalized assistance.
7. Can I start trading with a small amount of money on beginner platforms?
Yes, many platforms allow beginners to start with little capital. Public.com has a low $20 minimum deposit, and platforms like Fidelity and E*TRADE let you start with $0, making it easy for new traders to begin investing without significant financial commitment.
