A curated list of reliable brokerage platforms that allow investors to buy fractional shares of stocks and ETFs with as little as $1. These platforms are ideal for beginners with limited capital who want to diversify their portfolios immediately without needing large upfront sums.
Get targeted exposure with custom position pinning and highlighted placement.
A major financial institution that offers commission-free trading and fractional shares for many individual stocks and ETFs. It provides robust research tools, excellent customer support, and no account minimums, making it a safe and comprehensive choice for new investors.
Known for its user-friendly mobile interface and zero-commission trading, Robinhood allows users to buy fractional shares of stocks and crypto. It is particularly popular among beginners due to its simple design, though users should be aware of its payment for order flow model.
SoFi offers automated investing options alongside self-directed trading, including fractional shares of popular stocks. Members can access financial planning tools, career counseling, and low-interest loans, creating an all-in-one financial ecosystem for those starting their investment journey.
As a full-service brokerage, Charles Schwab allows fractional trading for many stocks and ETFs with no per-share minimum. It combines powerful market data, educational resources, and a trusted reputation, providing a stable foundation for beginners looking to build long-term wealth.
Integrated into the popular Cash App payment platform, this feature lets users buy fractional shares of US stocks instantly. It offers a minimalist interface suitable for casual investors, allowing quick transactions directly from a smartphone without the complexity of traditional brokerages.
A social trading platform that enables fractional share purchases and allows users to copy the strategies of successful investors. Its unique community-driven approach helps beginners learn by observing others, while offering a wide selection of global assets and educational content.
M1 Finance specializes in automated investing through 'Pies,' which are customized portfolios of stocks and ETFs. It supports fractional shares for precise portfolio allocation and offers a checking account with high-interest rates, making it ideal for hands-off, long-term investors.
Stash focuses on financial education and micro-investing, allowing users to start with as little as $5 in fractional shares. Its tiered subscription model provides access to educational content and personalized investment ideas, making it particularly suitable for young or novice investors.
Webull offers advanced charting tools and extended trading hours alongside fractional share purchasing at no cost. It caters to more active beginners who want professional-grade data and analysis without high fees, providing a powerful yet accessible trading environment.
Public emphasizes social transparency and community, allowing users to trade fractional shares and view what others are buying. It features a clean, ad-free interface and offers real-time market data, creating an engaging environment for learning and social investing.
Primarily aimed at active traders, TradeStation also supports fractional share purchases and advanced analytics. It provides sophisticated tools for technical analysis and algorithmic trading, suitable for beginners who plan to evolve into more complex trading strategies over time.
While primarily a peer-to-peer lending platform, Mintos allows investment in loans from various originators with low entry barriers. It offers diversification opportunities beyond stocks, appealing to beginners looking to explore alternative asset classes with small amounts of capital.
Betterment is a robo-advisor that automates portfolio management using fractional shares within diversified ETFs. It handles rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting automatically, making it an excellent choice for beginners who prefer a passive, goal-based investing approach.
Similar to Betterment, Wealthfront offers automated investing with fractional share capabilities for precise portfolio construction. It includes features like direct indexing and financial planning tools, catering to beginners who want professional management with low minimums.
Acorns rounds up everyday purchases and invests the spare change into diversified portfolios of fractional ETFs. Its micro-investing model requires no minimum deposit, making it exceptionally easy for beginners to start saving and investing with minimal financial impact.
Ally Invest provides fractional share trading alongside competitive interest rates on cash balances. It integrates seamlessly with Ally Banking, offering a holistic view of finances and easy transfers, which appeals to beginners seeking simplicity and integration with their daily banking.
Fenway Partners offers access to private equity and venture capital funds with low minimums, including fractional participation. It is suitable for accredited investors who want to diversify into private markets, though it requires more due diligence than public market apps.
Public Goods allows users to invest in early-stage companies and public offerings with fractional shares. Its community-driven model focuses on sustainable and innovative businesses, appealing to ethically conscious beginners who want their investments to align with their values.
Motive Markets provides a platform for fractional trading and investment research, focusing on transparency and education. It offers tools for beginners to analyze stocks and build diversified portfolios with small amounts, bridging the gap between casual investing and serious market analysis.
Nabinvest allows users to invest in a basket of global ETFs with low entry points and fractional sharing. It focuses on simplicity and accessibility, offering a straightforward way for beginners to gain exposure to international markets without complex platform navigation.