The first-timer’s guide to buying stocks
STEP 1: FIND A BROKER THAT YOU LIKE
There are a lot of online brokers out there. So many, in fact, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the options — good and bad — and then confidently choose one. To make the search easier, we created this shortlist of picks from our partners.
“NerdWallet, Inc. is not an investment advisor and does not provide advice, brokerage services, or recommendations to buy or sell particular stocks or securities.”
STEP 1: FIND A BROKER THAT YOU LIKE
There are a lot of online brokers out there. So many, in fact, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the options — good and bad — and then confidently choose one. To make the search easier, we created this shortlist of picks from our partners.
“NerdWallet, Inc. is not an investment advisor and does not provide advice, brokerage services, or recommendations to buy or sell particular stocks or securities.”
The first-timer’s guide to buying stocks From Our Partners
Broker | NerdWallet rating | Promotion | Fees | Account minimum | Promotion | Learn more | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Robinhood Learn more on Robinhood's website | 1 Free Stock after linking your bank account (stock value range $5.00-$200) | $0 per trade | $0 | 1 Free Stock after linking your bank account (stock value range $5.00-$200) | Learn more on Robinhood's website | ||
![]() Charles Schwab Learn more on Charles Schwab's website | None no promotion available at this time | $0 per online equity trade | $0 | None no promotion available at this time | Learn more on Charles Schwab's website | ||
![]() Interactive Brokers IBKR Pro Learn more on Interactive Brokers' website | Exclusive! U.S. residents who open a new IBKR Pro account will receive a 0.25% rate reduction on margin loans. Terms apply. | $0.005 per share; as low as $0.0005 with volume discounts | $0 | Exclusive! U.S. residents who open a new IBKR Pro account will receive a 0.25% rate reduction on margin loans. Terms apply. | Learn more on Interactive Brokers' website | ||
![]() Public Learn more on Public's website | Earn up to $10,000 when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public. | $0 | $0 | Earn up to $10,000 when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public. | Learn more on Public's website | ||
![]() J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Learn more on J.P. Morgan's website | Get up to $700 when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account with qualifying new money. | $0 per trade | $0 | Get up to $700 when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account with qualifying new money. | Learn more on J.P. Morgan's website | ||
![]() E*TRADE Learn more on E*TRADE's website | Get up to $1,000 when you open and fund an E*TRADE account | $0 per trade. Other fees apply. | $0 | Get up to $1,000 when you open and fund an E*TRADE account | Learn more on E*TRADE's website |
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People who search for brokerage accounts often identify opening a savings account as their next money move.
Discover® Online Savings
![Discover® Online Savings](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85/cdn/banking/rates/1010_L2.jpg)
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
Requirements to qualify
at Discover® Bank, Member FDIC
SoFi Checking and Savings
![SoFi Checking and Savings](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85/cdn/banking/logos/sofi.png)
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
Earn up to $300 with direct deposit. Terms apply.
at SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
To recap our selections...