Best Brokers for Beginners 2024
Start your trading journey with brokers that offer excellent education, user-friendly platforms, and low costs
What Makes a Broker Beginner-Friendly?
Educational Resources
Comprehensive tutorials, webinars, articles, and courses to learn trading fundamentals
Low Costs & Minimums
No account minimums, commission-free stocks, and transparent fee structures
Safety Features
Paper trading, risk management tools, and safeguards against common mistakes
Our Top Picks for Beginners
E*TRADE
Education
Excellent
Pros
- Excellent educational resources
- User-friendly platform
- No account minimums
- Paper trading available
- Strong research tools
Cons
- •Higher options fees
- •No cryptocurrency trading
Best For
Complete beginners wanting education
Commissions
$0 stocks/ETFs
Minimum
$0
TD Ameritrade
Education
Excellent
Pros
- thinkorswim platform
- Extensive education center
- No account minimums
- Paper trading
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- •Can be overwhelming
- •Higher margin rates
Best For
Beginners who want to grow
Commissions
$0 stocks/ETFs
Minimum
$0
Fidelity
Education
Very Good
Pros
- Zero expense ratio index funds
- Excellent research
- Strong customer service
- Fractional shares
- No account fees
Cons
- •Complex interface
- •Mobile app could improve
Best For
Long-term investors
Commissions
$0 stocks/ETFs
Minimum
$0
Charles Schwab
Education
Very Good
Pros
- Banking services included
- Great customer service
- No account minimums
- Robo-advisor option
- International access
Cons
- •Higher margin rates
- •Basic mobile app
Best For
All-in-one financial services
Commissions
$0 stocks/ETFs
Minimum
$0
Robinhood
Education
Basic
Pros
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Commission-free everything
- Fractional shares
- Crypto trading
- No minimums
Cons
- •Limited research tools
- •Basic education
- •Past controversies
Best For
Mobile-first traders
Commissions
$0 everything
Minimum
$0
Quick Comparison
| Broker | Rating | Education | Minimum | Paper Trading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E*TRADE | 4.8 | Excellent | $0 | Yes |
| TD Ameritrade | 4.9 | Excellent | $0 | Yes |
| Fidelity | 4.9 | Very Good | $0 | Yes |
| Charles Schwab | 4.7 | Very Good | $0 | Yes |
| Robinhood | 4.2 | Basic | $0 | No |
Tips for Choosing Your First Broker
Essential Features
- Paper trading to practice without risk
- Educational resources and tutorials
- User-friendly mobile app
- Good customer support
Red Flags to Avoid
- !High account minimums
- !Hidden fees and charges
- !Poor customer reviews
- !Lack of regulation
Ready to Start Trading?
Remember to start with a practice account first. Most brokers offer paper trading where you can learn without risking real money.