Best Trading Platforms for Beginners in 2025

For investors who are just starting out, sometimes the best tools are the ones that prioritize clarity over sophistication. This doesn’t mean that high-level trading should be out of reach; it just means that often the best platform for a beginning investor emphasizes utility over power. After all, you’re just getting your sea legs in the investing world, which some of the top beginner trading platforms will even help you to do.

If you’re wondering which trading platform best suits your goals and risk profile, a financial advisor can offer professional-level insights.

Data and Methodology

We identified the apps below through exhaustive research and analysis of the trading platforms market targeted toward beginner traders. They are listed in an order that’s in direct correlation with their individual composite score based on our methodology, which includes consumer ratings from multiple popular online app stores, and the broker-assisted costs at each firm, which are helpful to beginners.

1. E*TRADE

E*TRADE stands out for beginners because it offers paper trading. While this may be the single best tool for new investors, even among full-featured services, relatively few platforms support this. Paper trading is the practice of allowing investors to operate a simulation account, one in which they can make trades without actually committing real money. This is a fantastic way to learn how both your trading platform works, as well as the market at large.

Beyond this simulation tool, E*TRADE is very well-built for investors new to the market. Tools such as its risk analysis advisor help to explain the technical concepts involved with investment, and its user interface is one of the cleanest and most straightforward available among full-service platforms. From a purely interactive perspective, E*TRADE is arguably the easiest product to use on this list.

That said, many of E*TRADE’s more helpful tools have been hidden behind its more expensive (and more complicated) Power E*TRADE platform. This means that if users want to access the full range of explainers and tooltips, they may need to step up the complexity of their trading experience before they’re ready.

2. J.P. Morgan

J.P. Morgan’s Self-Directed Investing platform is designed to bring Wall Street expertise to everyday consumers, especially those who already bank with Chase. One of its biggest strengths is the seamless integration with Chase banking and credit card accounts. For beginner investors, this connection can make investing less intimidating since their money management, banking and investments all live within the same ecosystem.

The platform offers a simple, streamlined interface that avoids overwhelming new investors with too much jargon or clutter. Its trading tools focus on clarity rather than complexity, with educational content built directly into the experience. J.P. Morgan provides beginner-friendly explainers on investing basics, research reports and pre-built screeners that help new users find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds without the need for advanced knowledge.

However, J.P. Morgan’s platform has some trade-offs. It doesn’t support paper trading, which makes it harder for beginners to experiment without financial risk. Additionally, its research and analytical tools, while reliable, are more limited compared to specialized brokerages, though this may be fine for beginners..

3. Ally Invest

Ally Invest is the brokerage arm of Ally Bank, and much like J.P. Morgan, its greatest advantage for beginners comes from integration. Users who already have Ally savings or checking accounts can move money seamlessly into their investment account, making it an attractive choice for consumers who want all of their financial services under one roof. This ease of use is particularly helpful for beginners who may still be working out how much of their budget they can commit to the market.

The platform is designed to strike a balance between accessibility and cost efficiency. Ally Invest charges no commissions on U.S. stock and ETF trades priced at $2 and higher. For those interested in options trading, the per-contract fees are competitive compared to larger brokerage firms. Beginners who want to test the waters without worrying about high costs will find this structure appealing.

Ally Invest does have some limitations compared to more advanced platforms, though. It does not support paper trading, which may be a drawback for beginners who want to practice before committing real money. Its charting and research tools are solid but fairly basic, making it less attractive to traders who want to learn technical analysis or explore advanced strategies.

4. TD Ameritrade

SmartAsset: Best Trading Platforms for Beginners

TD Ameritrade offers one of the top comprehensive investment platforms on the market today. New investors will want to focus on the firm’s web-based core brand, rather than its high-end platform called thinkorswim. (While thinkorswim is an outstanding platform in its own right, it is highly complicated and not for beginners.) Among the many outstanding features offered by TD Ameritrade for new investors, two are the most noteworthy.

First, is its focus on educational resources, which those beginning to invest money will likely appreciate. TD Ameritrade’s platform includes guides that help investors understand the market, its asset classes, data sets and much more.

Second, TD Ameritrade includes paper trading. As mentioned, this turns your portfolio into a trading simulator mode, allowing you to see how different positions would play out over time.

As a full-featured platform, even TD Ameritrade’s basic platform offers a pretty comprehensive set of tools for managing your investments. The downside of this is that it means that the software comes with an unavoidable degree of complexity. While the educational resources are there to learn this platform, new users will undoubtedly need them.

5. Schwab

Charles Schwab is one of the most established names in the investment world, and its reputation for trustworthiness makes it a strong choice for beginners. Schwab has worked hard in recent years to simplify its platform, and today it blends professional-level capabilities with an interface that newcomers can actually understand. The result is a service that feels both comprehensive and unintimidating.

One of Schwab’s standout features for new investors is its extensive library of educational resources. The platform offers webinars, articles, videos and in-depth guides covering everything from investing basics to more advanced strategies. These materials are designed to meet people at their current knowledge level, making it possible to gradually build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. Schwab also has a large network of in-person branches, which is rare in the digital-first brokerage space, giving beginners access to real-world support if they prefer it.

That said, Schwab does not currently offer paper trading, so beginners can’t practice without risk. Further, while its research tools are excellent and professional-grade, they may be overwhelming at first. Some of Schwab’s advanced features—like its screeners and analyst reports—are best appreciated once an investor has a bit more experience.

6. Fidelity

Fidelity’s trading platform offers several key features for new traders. Perhaps the earliest example of this is its preset layout options, which allow you to choose the default setup for your trading screen. Not only does this help you avoid the complexity of customizing your own trading deck, but you can specifically choose a basic user interface layout designed for inexperienced investors.

This platform also has a good range of educational resources to help new investors learn the ropes, and multiple screeners to help you find mainstream assets such as mutual funds and ETFs that make for safer investment opportunities. This is complemented by a very large no-fee mutual fund list, helping new investors even further.

In some ways, though, Fidelity is one of the more expensive options on this list. While its actual trading fees are industry standard, taking advantage of the in-person assistance it offers through either broker-assisted trading or the firm’s retail locations can add up fast. Any other cons related to the platform comes down more so to a personal preference than anything else.

7. Vanguard

Vanguard is best known for its long-term, buy-and-hold philosophy, and that same approach defines its investing platform. While some brokerages focus on fast trading or advanced analysis tools, Vanguard is built with beginners who want to steadily grow their wealth in mind. It may be especially attractive to those who are interested in index funds and ETFs, since Vanguard pioneered these low-cost investment products and still offers some of the best in the industry.

For new investors, Vanguard provides a straightforward, no-frills interface. Its platform isn’t the flashiest, but it emphasizes clarity over complexity. Account setup is simple, and once inside, investors are encouraged to explore diversified funds rather than chasing individual stock trades. This focus makes it a natural fit for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by the fast-moving world of day trading.

Vanguard isn’t built for everyone, though. It lacks paper trading, and its platform can feel limited compared to competitors with more advanced tools. Real-time charting, stock screeners and fast execution features are minimal, which may frustrate beginners who want to experiment with active trading. Vanguard’s service model is clearly tilted toward investors with a long-term mindset rather than traders looking for quick returns.

8. Webull

Webull is one of the newer trading platforms on the market, but it has quickly become a favorite among tech-savvy beginners. Designed with a mobile-first approach, Webull offers a sleek and modern interface that feels approachable even to those who have never invested before. For new traders, the platform stands out by offering both low costs and features that are often reserved for more advanced brokerages.

One of Webull’s most beginner-friendly features is its paper trading tool. Like E*TRADE and TD Ameritrade, Webull allows users to trade in a simulated environment with no financial risk. This is a huge advantage for beginners, as it provides a safe way to practice placing trades, test strategies and get comfortable with the platform before committing real money.

A potential drawback is Webull’s relative lack of financial planning tools. Unlike Vanguard or J.P. Morgan, for instance, Webull does not emphasize retirement accounts, long-term strategy or financial education. It is primarily geared toward trading rather than holistic wealth management. Because of this, beginners looking for a one-stop solution for both investing and planning may find Webull less comprehensive.

9. M1 Finance

M1 Finance takes a different approach from most beginner-friendly platforms by blending elements of automated investing with the flexibility of self-directed trading. Instead of focusing on individual stock trades or real-time market action, M1 is built around the idea of portfolio-based investing. For beginners who want a structured way to start building wealth, this “set it and forget it” style can be especially appealing.

The core of M1 Finance is its “Pie” investing system. Investors create a portfolio (a “pie”) made up of stocks and ETFs, with each slice representing a percentage of their holdings. Beginners can choose from pre-built expert pies or portfolios designed around themes like growth, retirement or socially responsible investing. They can also customize their own portfolios. Once the pie is set, M1 automatically rebalances investments whenever new funds are added, ensuring portfolios stay aligned with the user’s goals.

M1 Finance does have limitations that may make it less suitable for certain beginners. For instance, it does not support paper trading or active day trading, with orders executed in scheduled trading windows rather than in real time. Its research tools are also limited compared to platforms like Webull or Schwab, and it doesn’t provide the same level of in-depth market education as some other options. This means it’s likely not ideal for those who want to learn technical analysis or experiment with fast-paced strategies.

10. SoFi

SoFi has quickly emerged as one of the most beginner-focused investment platforms, thanks to its emphasis on simplicity, accessibility and financial education. Originally known for its student loan refinancing services, SoFi has expanded into a full-service financial hub, offering banking, investing, credit cards and even career coaching. For beginners who want an all-in-one app to manage both money and investments, SoFi is one of the most approachable platforms on this list.

The biggest draw for new investors is SoFi’s $0 commissions and fractional share investing, which allow users to get started with as little as $5. This makes the platform extremely accessible to beginners who might feel hesitant about committing large amounts of money upfront. SoFi also offers both self-directed investing and automated investing through its robo-advisor. The automated option creates and manages a diversified portfolio based on a user’s goals, which may appeal to people who want a hands-off start to investing.

There are trade-offs, however. SoFi’s platform is more limited in terms of research and advanced trading tools compared to options like Webull or Schwab. It also doesn’t support paper trading, which means beginners can’t practice strategies without real money at stake. For users who eventually want to graduate into more complex trading, SoFi may feel restrictive.

Bottom Line

If you’re not sure where to start, there isn’t a wrong choice on this list. All have excellent investment options and provide strong resources and processes for beginners to start investing. The right one for you is going to depend on a number of factors, from costs to investment options to your preferred level of involvement.

Tips for Investing

Where should you start when it comes to investing? With great financial advice from a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
No article on trading for beginners would be complete without mention of Robinhood, the app that promised to bring trading to the masses. No matter who you are, be wary of Robinhood. As we discuss in our article on the subject, this platform has been the subject of lawsuits and scandals centered around its Tinder-adjacent model.