$
Start With Smaller Amounts
Fractional shares on some platforms let users buy part of a stock or ETF instead of paying for a full share.
Online Investing & Trading Tools
Investing once commonly meant working directly with a broker or using specialized financial services. Today, online platforms and smartphone apps give ordinary investors access to market information, research tools, automated investing, fractional shares, and the ability to place trades from almost anywhere.
This page highlights the technology and tools that make investing more accessible. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell any investment.
Updated August 2026
What Online Investing Makes Possible
Many capabilities that once required more money, time, or professional assistance are now available through consumer websites and mobile apps.
▣
Trade From a Phone
Mobile brokerage apps can provide account access, quotes, research, portfolio tracking, and order entry from one device.
↻
Automate Investing
Recurring transfers and scheduled investments can help users put contributions on a regular schedule.
⌁
Research Markets
Charts, company information, analyst research, screeners, and educational material are widely available online.
◎
Choose Different Account Types
Many platforms support standard brokerage accounts as well as retirement and other specialized account types.
?
Learn Before You Trade
Education centers, explainers, webinars, simulators, and other learning tools can help newcomers understand the basics.
Never Invested Before?
You do not need to become an active trader to use an online brokerage. A beginner can use these tools simply to learn how investing works and explore long-term investing options.
A few terms worth knowing
- Brokerage account: An account used to hold and buy investments.
- Stock: A share of ownership in a company.
- ETF: A fund that can hold many investments and trades on an exchange.
- Fractional share: A portion of one full share.
- Investing vs. trading: Investing often focuses on longer-term ownership; trading generally involves buying and selling more actively.
Popular Platforms & What Makes Them Different
These services overlap in many ways, but their interfaces, educational tools, research, account choices, and advanced features can make them appeal to different kinds of users. The order below is not an investment-performance ranking.
Fidelity
All-aroundA broad investing platform with brokerage, retirement, research, education, mobile tools, and fractional-share investing.
- Why someone might choose it
- They want a platform that can work for a beginner but also support long-term investing and more advanced needs later.
- Especially useful for
- Beginners, long-term investors, retirement accounts, research, and investors who want many services in one place.
Charles Schwab
Tools + supportA full-service brokerage combining consumer investing, education, customer support, and advanced thinkorswim trading platforms.
- Why someone might choose it
- They want a well-established brokerage with both approachable investing services and powerful tools available as their experience grows.
- Especially useful for
- Long-term investors, active traders, retirement investors, and people who value support options.
Robinhood
Mobile-firstA consumer-focused investing platform known for making market access straightforward through its mobile app and web experience.
- Why someone might choose it
- They want a simple interface, easy access from a phone, and the ability to start with fractional shares.
- Especially useful for
- People who prioritize simplicity and mobile access over a traditional full-service brokerage experience.
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Education + tradingAn established online brokerage offering investing education, research, standard investing tools, and more advanced trading platforms.
- Why someone might choose it
- They want educational resources and an interface that can bridge ordinary investing and more active trading.
- Especially useful for
- Self-directed investors who want education, research, and access to more sophisticated trading tools.
SoFi Invest
Financial ecosystemAn investing service designed to sit alongside other consumer financial products within the broader SoFi app and ecosystem.
- Why someone might choose it
- They prefer managing investing alongside other personal-finance tools rather than using a brokerage-only platform.
- Especially useful for
- Consumers who want investing integrated with a wider set of financial services.
Which Type of Platform Sounds Like You?
This is a tool-oriented comparison, not a recommendation about what investments to buy.
“I am completely new and want to learn.”Explore Fidelity or E*TRADE
“I want a simple experience on my phone.”Explore Robinhood
“I want long-term and retirement tools.”Explore Fidelity or Schwab
“I may eventually want advanced trading tools.”Explore Schwab or E*TRADE
“I want investing alongside my other finances.”Explore SoFi Invest
A Simple Look at Getting Started
The technology can make opening and using an account relatively straightforward, but understanding the choices still matters.
1
Explore a Platform
Compare the interface, account types, learning resources, fees, support, and tools that are important to you.
2
Learn the Basics
Understand the difference between stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and different kinds of accounts before making decisions.
3
Open an Account
Brokerages generally require identity and financial information as part of the account-opening process.
4
Connect Funding
Many platforms allow users to link a bank account to transfer money into or out of the brokerage account.
5
Use the Learning Tools
Take advantage of educational centers, screeners, research, watchlists, and other tools before placing an order.
6
Understand the Risk
Easy access to a market does not make an investment safe. Investment values can rise or fall.
Technology guide, not investment advice. This page highlights tools and services that make financial markets easier to access. It does not recommend any security, trading strategy, or brokerage for financial performance. Investments can lose value. For independent investor education, visit Investor.gov, a resource from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.