Investing in stocks can be done through various online platforms and websites that cater to different types of investors, from beginners to seasoned traders. Here are some popular options:
Robinhood is an online financial services company known for its commission-free stock, ETF, and cryptocurrency trading through their mobile app. It is a popular platform for beginners interested in commission-free stock trading. Robinhood offers some banking features, including a debit card and interest on uninvested cash. However, it's not a full-fledged bank.
Fidelity Investments is a leading financial services giant headquartered in Boston. They offer a vast array of services for individuals and institutions. For personal investors, Fidelity provides brokerage accounts for stock, ETF, and options trading, often commission-free. They also manage a large selection of mutual funds and offer retirement planning services. Fidelity caters to both novice and experienced investors with research tools, educational resources, and even robo-advisor options for automated investing. Their strength lies in their diverse product range, competitive fees, and focus on helping people reach their financial goals.
Interactive Brokers is a well-established electronic brokerage firm known for its vast selection of tradable assets and professional-grade tools. They cater to active traders, institutions, and sophisticated investors by offering commission-free stock and ETF trades (under certain conditions) alongside futures, options, bonds, and even some cryptocurrencies. Interactive Brokers boasts a powerful and customizable platform for in-depth market analysis, but its user interface may be less intuitive for beginners. They are known for their competitive fees, low margin rates, and focus on international markets, making them a favorite among high-volume traders seeking a global reach.
Charles Schwab Corporation, is a major financial services provider offering a one-stop shop for investing and wealth management. They cater to both individual and institutional investors, providing services like online brokerage with commission-free stock and ETF trades, retirement planning tools, and access to a wide range of investment products including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and even some options and futures. Charles Schwab also offers wealth management services for high-net-worth clients and boasts a user-friendly platform with educational resources to suit investors of all experience levels.
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley is an online brokerage platform that allows you to invest in a variety of financial assets like stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and even some options and futures contracts. They cater to both beginner and experienced investors with a user-friendly platform, educational resources, and even automated investing options. E*TRADE prides itself on commission-free stock and ETF trades, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors. However, they don't offer cryptocurrency trading or fractional shares unless you use their automated investing program.
Webull is a mobile-first online brokerage platform offering commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. They cater to active and cost-conscious investors with a user-friendly app and desktop platform. Beyond commission-free trades, Webull allows fractional share purchases, margin trading for qualified users, and access to some cryptocurrencies. While they offer research tools and educational resources, they may not be as comprehensive as some competitors. Keep in mind Webull is a relatively new player with limited account types compared to traditional brokerages.