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StockCram is not a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial institution. All content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.Simple Definition
The app or company that lets you buy and sell stocks.
Why It Matters
You can't buy stocks directly from companies - you need a broker as the middleman. The good news: most brokers now charge $0 commissions for stock trades. Fidelity, Schwab, and Robinhood all let you start investing with no fees and no minimum balance. Choosing a broker is your first real investing decision.
Key Points
- Popular brokers: Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard (full-service), Robinhood (simple app)
- Look for: $0 commissions, no account minimums, fractional shares, good mobile app
- Your money is protected up to $500,000 by SIPC insurance if a broker goes bankrupt
Related Terms
Common Questions
The app or company that lets you buy and sell stocks. You can't buy stocks directly from companies - you need a broker as the middleman. The good news: most brokers now charge $0 commissions for stock trades.
You can't buy stocks directly from companies - you need a broker as the middleman. The good news: most brokers now charge $0 commissions for stock trades. Fidelity, Schwab, and Robinhood all let you start investing with no fees and no minimum balance. Choosing a broker is your first real investing decision.
Popular brokers: Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard (full-service), Robinhood (simple app)
Look for: $0 commissions, no account minimums, fractional shares, good mobile app
Your money is protected up to $500,000 by SIPC insurance if a broker goes bankrupt