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Best Stock Brokers for Beginners 2026

Starting to invest can feel overwhelming — account types, commission structures, order types, and platforms all add complexity before you've placed your first t…

Last reviewed Feb 2026 Reviewed by the Option Stack editorial team

Starting to invest can feel overwhelming — account types, commission structures, order types, and platforms all add complexity before you've placed your first trade. The best brokers for beginners strip away that complexity without compromising on the fundamentals: zero commissions, reliable execution, and educational resources that actually teach you something. Here are the brokers that make getting started genuinely easy.

Quick Comparison

Advertiser disclosure: We may earn commissions when you open accounts through our links.
Broker Rating Commissions Min. Deposit Best For
Fidelity 4.5 $0.65/contract $0 Retirement investing Open Account →
Webull 4.5 Free $0 Active traders wanting free commissions Open Account →
M1 Finance 4.3 Free $100 Automated DCA investing Open Account →
Robinhood 4.1 Free $0 New investors Open Account →

In-Depth Reviews

#1
FidelityF
Fidelity Long-Term Investing Last reviewed Feb 2026
4.5 / 5
Best for: Retirement investing
From
$0.65/contract
Open Fidelity Account → Full review →

Fidelity is the gold standard for long-term investors. Zero-expense-ratio index funds, best-in-class research, and a reliability record unmatched by any competitor make it the default choice for serious wealth building.

Min. Deposit $0
Commission $0.65/contract
Options Fee Commission-free stocks and ETF
Regulated By FINRA
What stands out
✓Zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX)
✓Exceptional research — Morningstar, S&P, CFRA
✓Best-in-class retirement account management
Watch out for
✕Options platform trails Tastytrade and Webull
✕Interface is dated compared to newer platforms
✕No cryptocurrency trading
📅 Reviewed February 2026 | Reviewed by the Option Stack editorial team
Open Fidelity Account →
#2
WebullW
Webull General Trading Last reviewed Feb 2026
4.5 / 5
Best for: Active traders wanting free commissions
From
Free
Get Free Stocks on Webull → Full review →

Webull delivers professional-grade charting and zero-commission options trading in one polished app. For cost-conscious traders who want real tools without the price tag, it's hard to beat.

Min. Deposit $0
Commission Free
Options Fee Zero commissions on stocks, ET
Regulated By FINRA
What stands out
✓Fully commission-free including options
✓Advanced charting with 50+ technical indicators
✓Extended hours trading 4am–8pm ET
Watch out for
✕No mutual funds or OTC stocks
✕Customer support can be slow
✕No automated investing or robo-advisor
📅 Reviewed February 2026 | Reviewed by the Option Stack editorial team
Get Free Stocks on Webull →
#3
M1 FinanceMF
M1 Finance Automated Investing Last reviewed Feb 2026
4.3 / 5
Best for: Automated DCA investing
From
Free
Start Investing on M1 → Full review →

M1's Pie-based portfolio system automates dollar-cost averaging with surgical precision. Set your target allocations once, and every deposit automatically rebalances toward them. Genuinely set-and-forget investing.

Min. Deposit $100
Commission Free
Options Fee No commissions, no management
Regulated By FINRA
What stands out
✓Pie-based portfolio automation is brilliant for DCA
✓Fractional shares on any stock or ETF
✓Automatic rebalancing keeps allocation on track
Watch out for
✕No options trading — purely for stock/ETF investing
✕Single daily trading window limits tactical moves
✕Not designed for active trading
📅 Reviewed February 2026 | Reviewed by the Option Stack editorial team
Start Investing on M1 →
#4
RobinhoodR
Robinhood Beginner Friendly Last reviewed Feb 2026
4.1 / 5
Best for: New investors
From
Free
Get Free Stock on Robinhood → Full review →

Robinhood democratized investing and still has the cleanest, most accessible interface available. It's the right first platform — and a natural stepping stone to more powerful tools as you grow.

Min. Deposit $0
Commission Free
Options Fee Commission-free stocks, ETFs,
Regulated By FINRA
What stands out
✓Cleanest, most beginner-friendly interface
✓Fractional shares from $1
✓Robinhood Gold: 4.9% APY on uninvested cash
Watch out for
✕Options tools are basic vs. Tastytrade or Webull
✕Payment for order flow controversies
✕No retirement accounts on basic plan
📅 Reviewed February 2026 | Reviewed by the Option Stack editorial team
Get Free Stock on Robinhood →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to start investing?
Most brokers have no minimum deposit. Robinhood, Webull, and Fidelity all let you open an account and invest from $1 using fractional shares. M1 Finance requires $100 minimum. The amount you need depends on your goals — but there's no reason to wait to start.
Should I start with Robinhood or Fidelity?
Robinhood for pure simplicity and if you want crypto alongside stocks. Fidelity if you're focused on long-term retirement investing — the zero-expense-ratio index funds and retirement account options make it the better foundation for building wealth.
What's the difference between a brokerage account and an IRA?
A brokerage account (taxable) has no limits on contributions or withdrawals but you pay taxes on gains. A Traditional IRA lets you contribute pre-tax dollars (deductible) but pay taxes on withdrawal in retirement. A Roth IRA uses after-tax dollars but grows and withdraws tax-free — the best option for most young investors.
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