7 Best Brokers with Low Minimum Deposit

Who this is for: You, a self-directed investor or beginner with limited cash who wants to open a brokerage account with little or no upfront deposit.
What this solves: Shows which brokers let you start with $0–$100, what you can actually trade at that entry level, and the tradeoffs (fees, order types, research, account limits). Save time. Avoid brokers that look cheap but lock you out of key features.
What to expect: Quick comparisons, concrete numbers (minimums, commissions, transfer times), and a short decision flow so you can pick one broker and open an account confidently.

Quick Answer / TL;DR

• Want zero upfront cost and simple stock/ETF trades → Fidelity (Min $0; $0 commissions).
• Want a mobile-first, easy fractional trading experience → Robinhood (Min $0; fractional from $1).
• Want advanced tools plus low entry → Webull (Min $0; $0 commissions; transfer promos up to $175).
• Want full-service support with $0 entry and robust research → Charles Schwab (Min $0; Stock Slices from $5).
• Want professional-grade order types with low entry → Interactive Brokers (IBKR Lite: Min $0; $0 commissions; competitive margin rates).
• Want bank integration and $0 entry with straightforward pricing → Ally Invest (Min $0; $0 commissions; options $0.50/contract).
• Want social investing and $0 entry with $1 fractional pieces → SoFi Invest (Min $0; fractional from $1; automated investing options).

What We Looked For

• Minimum deposit — The literal $ amount required to open a standard brokerage account. Low barrier = better for small investors. We counted $0, $1, $5, and $100 thresholds.
• Commissions & per-contract fees — Direct trading costs such as $0 per trade and $0.50 per options contract. These affect how often you can trade profitably.
• Fractional shares (partial shares that let you buy a piece of a stock) — Minimum dollar you can invest per ticker, e.g., $1 or $5. This enables diversification with small amounts.
• Transfer & funding speed — ACH timing 1–3 business days; wire transfers same-day; ACAT transfers 3–7 business days. We noted actual lead times per broker.
• Platform & tools — Mobile/web features, level II or advanced order types, and research. Low minimum is good only if the tools let you act on those dollars.

1. Fidelity — $0 min; Best for low-cost diversified investing

Fidelity requires $0 to open a standard brokerage account. You pay $0 commission on U.S. stock and ETF trades. You can buy mutual funds, bonds, and options as well. ACH deposits post in about 1–3 business days.

Fidelity stands out for research and platform choice. Use the mobile app, Trading Dashboard, or Active Trader Pro. You can access many index mutual funds with expense ratios below 0.05% and ETFs at the same low trading cost. Fractional trades start from about $1 per slice.

Use case: You have $50 a month and want to build diversified ETF and mutual fund positions with no per-trade cost. You can set up recurring buys of $50, buy fractional slices from $1, and keep commissions at $0. Transfer-in (ACAT) typically completes in 3–7 business days and may be eligible for transfer promotions.

Watch out for: Some advanced order types and margin (borrowed funds) require separate approvals. Retirement accounts may have different rules.

Best for: Long-term investors building low-cost ETF/mutual fund portfolios.
Skip if: You need day-trading-level, ultra-low-latency execution or only international stocks.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0 to open a standard brokerage account
– Commissions: $0 on U.S. stocks & ETFs
– Fractional investing: typically from $1 per slice
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days
– Transfer-in (ACAT): often 3–7 business days

2. Charles Schwab — $0 min; Best for research and beginner-friendly tools

Charles Schwab also lets you open an account with $0 down. U.S. stocks and ETFs trade with $0 commissions. Schwab offers Stock Slices (fractional ownership) starting from $5 per slice. ACH funding posts in 1–3 business days.

Schwab stands out for branch access and investor education. You get in-depth research, phone support, and a clean web/mobile suite. Schwab’s ETFs and mutual funds include many low-cost options with expense ratios under 0.10% for core choices.

Use case: You want a mix of in-branch support and low-cost online trading while investing $5–$50 at a time. You can buy a $5 Stock Slice, set up automated investments, and call a branch if needed. Options trading is available with per-contract costs that vary; check approvals and tiered pricing.

Watch out for: Stock Slices may limit order types to market orders only or remove advanced routing. International trading often carries extra fees.

Best for: New investors who value phone/branch support and long-term education.
Skip if: You need fractional slices under $5 or pro-level order routing.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0
– Commissions: $0 on U.S. stocks & ETFs
– Fractional minimum: $5 per Stock Slice
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days
– Extras: branch support and in-depth research

3. Robinhood — $0 min; Best for fast mobile trading and fractional shares

Robinhood opens for $0. U.S. stock and ETF trades are $0 commission. Fractional shares (partial-share buying) start from $1. ACH deposits typically take 1–3 business days to settle, though instant buying power is often available for small amounts.

Robinhood is mobile-first and fast to set up. You can get instant access to deposited funds up to a limit, often $1,000 depending on verification. Options trading has $0 per-contract base pricing for most customers, though exchange and regulatory fees may apply and are typically under $1 per contract.

Use case: You have $25 and want to buy pieces of expensive tech stocks quickly from your phone. Use fractional orders from $1, set a recurring transfer of $25 weekly, and build positions without paying trade commissions.

Watch out for: Limited advanced research, occasional routing or execution concerns, and customer service delays during busy periods.

Best for: Mobile-first investors who trade occasionally and value simplicity.
Skip if: You need comprehensive research, branch service, or complex order types.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0
– Fractional shares: from $1
– Commissions: $0 on U.S. stocks & ETFs
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days (instant buying power limits apply)
– Options pricing: $0 per contract base (small regulatory fees may apply)

4. Webull — $0 min; Best for active traders on a budget

Webull requires $0 to open and charges $0 commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs. The app and desktop platform include advanced charting tools and technical indicators, with dozens of indicators and multiple chart types. Webull often runs transfer promotions such as up to $175 for incoming balances; one common offer is $100 for a $2,000 deposit.

Webull supports extended-hours trading and offers paper trading. ACH funding posts in 1–3 business days; ACAT transfers typically finish in 3–7 business days. Options trading is available with $0 base commissions; per-contract fees are $0 for many users.

Use case: You want active trading with advanced charts and low costs. Use real-time quotes, set limit and conditional orders, and trade extended-hours without changing brokers.

Watch out for: Some premium market data (level II) may require a subscription or trial; verify any monthly fees before enabling pro data.

Best for: Active traders who want pro-level tools without a high deposit.
Skip if: You need branch-based support or deep fundamental research.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0
– Commissions: $0 on U.S. stocks & ETFs
– Transfer promos: up to $175 (e.g., $100 for $2,000 deposit offers exist)
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days; ACAT: 3–7 business days
– Platform: advanced charting, extended hours

5. Interactive Brokers — $0 min for IBKR Lite; Best for professional order types

Interactive Brokers offers an IBKR Lite tier with $0 minimum to open and $0 commissions for many U.S. stock and ETF trades. The platform includes professional order types, advanced algos, and global access to more than 135 markets. ACH deposits usually available in 1–3 business days; wire funds can post same day.

IB offers competitive margin (borrow) rates that scale with your balance. Expect single-digit percentage margin rates for many balances, with smaller balances paying higher rates. Options traders get tiered per-contract pricing or $0 in some plans; check the fee schedule if you trade small lots.

Use case: You want pro-level order types and global access while starting with $0 down. Use pattern day-trading tools, smart order routing, and robust order types like hidden, mid-point, and algos.

Watch out for: The platform has a learning curve and some advanced reports show many fields. Make sure you request margin and options approvals if you plan to borrow or use spreads.

Best for: Traders who want professional tools and low entry costs.
Skip if: You want a very simple app and no learning curve.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0 for IBKR Lite accounts
– Commissions: $0 on many U.S. stocks & ETFs with Lite
– Fractional investing: available for many U.S. stocks from low-dollar amounts (often $1 or more)
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days; wire same-day in many cases
– Margin rates: single-digit percentages depending on balance (example ranges 4%–9%)

6. Ally Invest — $0 min; Best for bank integration and straightforward pricing

Ally Invest lets you open an account with $0. U.S. stocks and ETF trades are $0 commission. Options trades commonly charge $0.50 per contract. Ally combines banking and brokerage, so bank-to-broker transfers are seamless and often instant for small internal transfers; ACH still posts in 1–3 business days for external accounts.

Ally offers both self-directed and managed portfolios. If you want automated investing, managed accounts can start from $100 or less depending on the program. Ally’s platform is web and mobile, with easy navigation and basic research tools.

Use case: You already use Ally Bank and want your savings and brokerage under one roof. Move $25 from checking to brokerage, buy a fractional slice if offered, and track everything in one login.

Watch out for: Fractional availability can differ by account type; confirm whether your intended tickers support slices or recurring buys.

Best for: Customers who value plain pricing and bank-broker integration.
Skip if: You need very advanced charting or deep third-party research.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0
– Commissions: $0 on U.S. stocks & ETFs
– Options per-contract: typically $0.50 per contract
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days; internal transfers can be faster
– Managed portfolios: may start from $100 depending on product

7. SoFi Invest — $0 min; Best for social and automated investing

SoFi Invest opens with $0. You can trade U.S. stocks and ETFs commission-free. Fractional shares often start from $1, and automated or robo-advisor portfolios may require low minimums such as $1 or $5. ACH deposits post in 1–3 business days; recurring contributions can be set daily, weekly, or monthly.

SoFi pairs simple trading with automated investing and member benefits like career coaching. Crypto trading is available for some users, with small spreads and per-transaction fees disclosed at trade time. SoFi offers both active and automated investing in one app.

Use case: You want to set up a $25 monthly automated ETF contribution and also buy single-dollar fractional slices of large-cap stocks. Use recurring transfers of $25 and allocate $5 per slice across 5 tickers.

Watch out for: Crypto spreads and small markups can add up if you trade frequently.

Best for: Investors who want a mix of auto-investing and fractional trading with $0 start.
Skip if: You need branch support or professional-grade order types.

Key points:
– Min deposit: $0
– Commissions: $0 on U.S. stocks & ETFs
– Fractional shares: often from $1
– ACH funding: 1–3 business days; recurring schedules available
– Robo/advisor portfolios: low minimums such as $1–$100 depending on plan

Comparison table

How to pick one and open an account

1. Decide your starting dollar.
2. If you have under $50, choose brokers with $1 fractional minimums. That includes Robinhood, Fidelity, Webull, IB, and SoFi.
3. If you have $5–$50, Schwab’s $5 Stock Slices are an option.
4. Pick the feature that matters most.
5. Research & branch access → Schwab (in-depth reports, branches).
6. Fractional + instant mobile buys → Robinhood or SoFi.
7. Advanced charting & active trading → Webull or IB.
8. Bank-broker integration → Ally.
9. Confirm costs.
10. Look for $0 per-trade commissions listed on the broker’s pricing page.
11. Check options per-contract fees (commonly $0 to $0.50).
12. Check margin rates if you plan to borrow (expect single-digit percentages).
13. Fund and time trades.
14. Use ACH for free transfers; expect 1–3 business days to settle.
15. Consider a small initial wire if you need same-day funding (wires often post same-day).
16. Transfer existing accounts via ACAT if you want consolidation; expect 3–7 business days.
17. Test with a small trade.
18. Start with $1–$50 to confirm execution, order types, and settlement.
19. Use limit orders or fractional orders to control price slippage.

Watch out for: Instant buying power or margin that lets you trade before funds clear. Those features can expose you to risk if you reverse trades before ACH settles.

Closing

Open accounts with low barriers to start building good habits. Pick the broker that matches your bankroll and goals. Check these concrete numbers before you commit: $0 min, fractional minimum ($1 or $5), ACH 1–3 business days, options fees $0–$0.50, transfer times 3–7 business days, and margin rates in single-digit percentages if you borrow. Test with a $1–$50 trade, confirm order execution, and then scale contributions to $25, $50, or $100 per month. Start small, stay consistent, and use the broker whose tools you actually use.