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 | ||
![]() 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 | ||
![]() 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 | ||
![]() Webull Learn more on Webull's website | Get 20 free fractional shares ( each valued up to $3,000) when you open and fund an account with Webull. | $0 per trade | $0 | Get 20 free fractional shares ( each valued up to $3,000) when you open and fund an account with Webull. | Learn more on Webull'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 | ||
![]() Vanguard Learn more on Vanguard's website | None no promotion available at this time | $0 per trade | $0 | None no promotion available at this time | Learn more on Vanguard's website |
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American Express® High Yield Savings Account

APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
at American Express National Bank, Member FDIC
Betterment Cash Reserve – Paid non-client promotion

Monthly fee
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
at Betterment
Vanguard Cash Plus Account - Paid non-client promotion

Monthly fee
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
at Vanguard, Deposits are FDIC Insured
To recap our selections...