tradingbrokerview17th.oso.nyc

Best brokers for beginners in 2022 – Fee comparison included

Intro & Winner

#1Freetrade

#2 eToro

#3 Trading 212

#4 Passfolio

#5 TD Ameritrade

What makes a great broker for beginners

Start your learning

Bottom line


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Best Online Brokers for Beginners in 2022 – Top 5 Picks Revealed

To identify the most suitable online brokers for beginners in 2022, we carried out an in-depth analysis on your behalf. Our team interviewed first-time investors with zero trading background and personally evaluated 102 brokerage platforms. After thorough testing and comparison, only five stood out from the rest. Here are our top selections.

The top online brokers for beginners in 2022 are:

Freetrade takes the number one spot as the best overall choice for new investors in 2022. It offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, a smooth and rapid account setup process, and an intuitive mobile trading experience.

eToro comes in second place. It provides free stock and ETF trading, an effortless account registration process, and a well-known social trading feature that allows users to follow and copy other traders.

Trading 212 ranks third. Investors can trade real stocks and ETFs without paying commissions. The platform also delivers a quick onboarding process and high-quality web and mobile trading interfaces.

Passfolio secures fourth place. It enables commission-free trading of U.S. stocks and ETFs, features a strong mobile platform, and offers a fully digital and fast account opening procedure.

TD Ameritrade rounds out the list in fifth place. It stands out with competitive pricing, including free stock and ETF trades, an excellent desktop trading platform, and highly rated customer service.

Best brokers for beginners in 2022
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


FIND MY BROKER

A truly beginner-friendly broker stands out for two key reasons: affordable fees and a top-tier mobile trading experience. The platform should match your individual needs while keeping the entire process simple and intuitive. Strong educational support is equally important — whether that’s a demo account to practice risk-free or high-quality learning resources to build your confidence.

While these features may sound straightforward, identifying the right broker is anything but simple. That’s why brokers are evaluated across nearly 500 different criteria, with real accounts funded by real money to ensure accurate and practical testing.

Still unsure which broker suits you best? A personalized broker selection tool can help you filter options based on your country of residence, showing only platforms available in your region. If you’re looking for deeper insights, an advanced comparison tool allows you to review brokers side by side in detail.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the best online brokers for beginners in 2022, starting with the overall winner, Freetrade.

#1 Best broker for beginners

Freetrade

Freetrade is a UK-based fintech startup providing commission-free stock trading, regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The company was founded in 2016. 

Freetrade is considered safe because it is regulated by a top-tier regulator, the FCA.


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#1 Freetrade

Mobile trading platform

Freetrade has a user-friendly and well-designed mobile trading platform, with an efficient search function. However, there are only two order types and you cannot set price alerts.

Pros Cons
• User-friendly •Limited order types
•  Two-step (safer) login • No price alerts
• Good search function  

Best brokers for beginners – Freetrade trading platform

Freetrade trading platforms
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


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#1 Freetrade

Fees

At Freetrade, you can trade stocks and ETFs free of charge. Also, there are no account, inactivity or withdrawal fees. However, there is a high, 0.45% fee for converting your funds to USD.

Pros Cons
• Free stock and ETF trading •High currency conversion fee
• No inactivity fee  
• No withdrawal fee  
Freetrade fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5

All commissions are for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Freetrade non-trading fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


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#1 Freetrade

Education

Freetrade has useful and quality educational articles and a great community on its own blog. On the other hand, there are no educational videos or webinars.

Pros Cons
•  Invest HUB blog • No educational videos 
• Educational content in a newsletter • No webinars
• No withdrawal fee  

Best brokers for beginners – Freetrade education


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#2 Best broker for beginners

eToro

eToro is a well-known Israeli fintech company and a social trading broker, established in 2007.

Check out our eToro review tailored to the needs of beginner investors and traders.

eToro serves UK clients through a unit regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Australians through an Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)-regulated entity. All other customers are served by a Cypriot unit that is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).

eToro is not listed on any stock exchange, does not disclose its annual report on its website and does not have a bank parent.

Being regulated by the top-tier FCA and ASIC is a good sign for eToro’s safety.

HEADS UP: Minimum deposit based on residency and account activation – Be sure to check the minimum deposit that is required to activate your account. After uploading your documents, a deposit is also needed in order to make trades. The amount of the deposit required is based on your residency, and ranges from $10 to $10,000. More details are available in the review’s Account opening section.

Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 78% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

https://youtu.be/_lCGxOpKtQU

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78% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#2 eToro

Mobile trading platform

eToro’s mobile platform is well-designed, intuitive and considered safe thanks to the two-step and biometric login functions.

Pros Cons
•Two-step (safer) login •None
• Good search function  
• Touch/Face ID login  

Best brokers for beginners – eToro trading platform

eToro trading platforms
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


Visit broker

78% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#2 eToro

Fees

eToro offers free stock and ETF trading, while forex and CFD fees are low. On the negative side, non-trading fees are high, including a $5 withdrawal fee.

Pros Cons
• Low trading fees • Inactivity fee
• Free stock and ETF trading • $5 withdrawal fee
• Low forex and CFD fees  
eToro fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5

All commissions are for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

eToro non-trading fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


Visit broker

78% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#2 eToro

Education

eToro has various educational tools available in different formats, but the overall quality is mediocre.

Pros Cons
• Demo account •  Overall quality could be better
•Trading platform tutorial  
•  Educational videos  

Best brokers for beginners – eToro education


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78% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#3 Best broker for beginners

Trading 212

Trading 212 is onboarding clients without a waiting list from the EEA region only. Customers from other eligible countries can join Trading 212’s waiting list, but it may take a while until onboarding restrictions are lifted and the waiting list is scrapped.

Trading 212 is a global CFD broker, but clients can also trade stocks and ETFs free of charge. The company was founded in 2004 and is now headquartered in London. Trading 212 is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cypriot Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).

Check out our Trading 212 review tailored to the needs of beginner investors and traders.

Trading 212 is considered safe as it is regulated by the top-tier FCA.

Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.


Visit broker

68% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#3 Trading 212

Mobile trading platform

Trading 212’s mobile trading platform is user-friendly and well designed, with great search, alert and order functions.

Pros Cons
• User-friendly • None
•Good search function  
•  Price alerts  

Best brokers for beginners – Trading 212 trading platform

Trading 212 trading platforms
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


Visit broker

68% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#3 Trading 212

Fees

Trading 212 offers commission-free stock and ETF trading, and there are also no fees for deposit, withdrawal or inactivity. However, fees for forex trading are high.

Pros Cons
• Free stock and ETF trading • High forex fees
•No withdrawal and inactivity fee • High financing rate
   
Trading 212 fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5

All commissions are for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Trading 212 non-trading fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


Visit broker

68% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#3 Trading 212

Education

Trading 212 offers text and video tutorials on how to use the trading platforms and about the basics of trading, a great feature for beginners. The only thing we missed was webinars.

Pros Cons
•  Demo account •  No webinars
• Trading platform tutorial  
• Educational videos  

Best brokers for beginners – Trading 212 education


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68% of retail CFD accounts lose money

#4 Best broker for beginners

Passfolio

Passfolio, a global zero-commission stockbroker, is a young and ambitious brokerage founded in 2018. It is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In addition to the top-tier regulation, clients also enjoy investor protection under the SIPC policy of Passfolio’s clearing firm for up to an additional $30 million (with a cash sub-limit of $900,000 per account), subject to an aggregate limit of $150 million.

There is a distinct focus on Brazilian customers at Passfolio, as evidenced by the fact that a good portion of the content it offers is available in Portuguese. 

Passfolio is considered safe because it is regulated by top-tier authorities and offers extra protection to investors. 

HEADS UP: As of July 2022, Passfolio changed its clearing broker and stopped accepting customers from most countries. This is a major development as previously the broker accepted clients from more than 170 countries worldwide. Supported countries at the broker are: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nigeria, and the US. Residents of unsupported countries cannot open an account at Passfolio and those with an account need to sell all their assets by the end of July 2022. Starting from August 1, 2022 the broker charges a $100 monthly fee for users located in unsupported countries. 


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#4 Passfolio

Mobile trading platform

Passfolio’s mobile platform boasts a clear-cut design and its search functions are also solid. What’s missing is a wider selection of order types.

Pros Cons
•  User-friendly • Limited order types
•Two-step (safer) login  
• Good search function  

Best brokers for beginners – Passfolio trading platform

Passfolio trading platforms
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


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#4 Passfolio

Fees

Passfolio has attractive fees, as trading in all assets except for cryptos is free of charge above a trade value of $5. On the other hand, most withdrawal options carry a fee.

Pros Cons
•  Free stock and ETF trading above $5 •  Withdrawal fees
• No account opening and maintenance fees • High margin rates for stock trading
   
Passfolio fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5

All commissions are for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Passfolio non-trading fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


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#4 Passfolio

Education

Passfolio’s education services are limited and not varied. There are some high-quality educational articles and a YouTube channel with market updates in Portuguese.

Pros Cons
• Quality educational texts • No demo account
  • No trading platform tutorial videos
   

Best brokers for beginners – Passfolio education


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#5 Best broker for beginners

TD Ameritrade

If you are an experienced trader looking for solid research and a well-equipped desktop trading platform, we definitely recommend TD Ameritrade.

Founded in 1975, TD is one of the biggest US-based stockbrokers and is regulated by top-tier authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

This online broker is considered safe as it has a long track record, is listed on a stock exchange, has a banking background, discloses its financials and is overseen by top-tier regulators.


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#5 TD Ameritrade

Mobile trading platform

The TD Ameritrade mobile app is great. It is user-friendly and well-designed.

Pros Cons
• User-friendly • None
• Two-step (safer) login  
• Good variety of order types  

Best brokers for beginners – TD Ameritrade trading platform

TD Ameritrade trading platforms
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


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#5 TD Ameritrade

Fees

TD Ameritrade offers free stock and ETF trading, while forex, bond and options fees are also low. On the other hand, it charges high fees for futures.

Pros Cons
• Low trading fees •  High fund fees
• Low non-trading fees  
• Free stocks and ETFs  
TD Ameritrade fees
  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5

All commissions are for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

TD Ameritrade non-trading fees

  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5


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#5 TD Ameritrade

Education

TD Ameritrade offers great educational materials such as webcasts and articles, and its excellent thinkorswim desktop platform has a demo account.

Pros Cons
• Demo account • None
• Trading platform tutorial  
• Educational videos  

Best brokers for beginners – TD Ameritrade education


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Best brokers for beginners

What makes a great broker for beginners

Now that you’ve seen which platforms rank among the best brokers for beginners, you might be wondering how this list was created. Let’s break it down by focusing on two essential aspects: the trustworthiness of these brokers and the standards used to evaluate them.

Are these brokers trustworthy?

You can feel confident that none of the brokers mentioned are fraudulent operations. Each one is authorized and supervised by at least one top-tier financial regulator. Some are publicly traded companies, while others operate with a strong banking heritage — all factors that add additional layers of credibility and transparency.

How were the best brokers for beginners selected?

To determine the top choices, online brokers were assessed using close to 500 different criteria. The evaluation process involved opening and funding real accounts to test services under real market conditions.

Rather than overwhelming you with every detail, here are the three most important factors that played a key role in identifying the best brokers for beginners:

3 most important criteria for finding the best brokers for beginners in 2022

Interactive Brokers Interactive Brokers is a US discount broker. It is listed on a stock exchange and regulated by several authorities, including top-tier ones like the FCA and the SEC. Visit broker
Alpaca Trading Alpaca Securities LLC is US-based broker providing commission-free API stock trading. The company is regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA: Visit broker
TradeStation Global TradeStation Global is an introducing broker of Interactive Brokers. This practically means that assets and cash are held with Interactive Brokers, but services like fees and customer support are provided by TradeStation Global. TradeStation Global is regulated by the top-tier UK FCA. Visit broker
Zacks Trade Zacks Trade is a US discount broker that also allows international clients to open an account. Zacks Trade is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by SEC and FINRA. Customers are protected by the SIPC scheme, up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash). Visit broker
Saxo Bank Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank. It is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including the top-tier UK FCA. Visit broker

Best brokers for beginners

Start your learning

If you’re just getting started, the smartest way to begin your investing journey is through education. Not sure where to begin? Start with a dedicated learning hub packed with practical guides and easy-to-understand resources designed specifically for beginners.

You can explore the advantages and disadvantages of managing your own investments, or dive into the key differences between trading and investing. If you’re unsure about the practical steps involved, there’s also a helpful guide that walks you through the account opening process, explaining exactly how to set up a trading account.

For long-term, buy-and-hold investors, it’s worth reviewing detailed tutorials on how to buy shares and how to invest in ETFs, which break down the process step by step.

If you’re more interested in active trading, there’s even deeper insight available. A former professional trader shares practical guidance on how to become a trader, offering realistic expectations and foundational advice. Since many beginners gravitate toward currency markets, a comprehensive forex introduction guide is a great starting point if you’re unfamiliar with foreign exchange trading.

Cryptocurrency remains one of the most talked-about — and volatile — asset classes. If you’re thinking about entering this space, explore an in-depth breakdown of the different ways to invest in Bitcoin, along with the associated risks.

As you gain experience and begin considering more advanced strategies, such as trading futures and options, make sure to review a specialized guide that explains how these complex instruments work before taking the next step.

Best brokers for beginners

Bottom Line

You saw the details, now let’s zoom out. Here are once again the best brokers for beginners in 2022:

Best brokers for beginners in 2022

  Saxo Bank Fusion Markets CMC Markets Interactive Brokers Capital.com
EURUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
GBPUSD spread 1.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.3
AUDUSD spread 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.6
EURCHF spread 1.4 0.6 2.5 0.4 2.2
EURGBP spread 1.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.5

Freetrade takes the top spot as the best broker for beginners in 2022. It offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, a quick and hassle-free account setup, and an excellent mobile platform designed for ease of use.

The remaining brokers in the top five are also strong options for new investors. You can confidently choose any of them to begin — or continue — building your investment journey. If you have experience with any of these platforms, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Still undecided? Try using a broker selection tool to discover which platform best matches your needs, or explore more educational resources to deepen your understanding of investing.