Now that you understand the importance of choosing a reliable investment platform, it’s time to explore some of the most trusted names in the industry. Whether you're investing from inside the United States or from another country, there are several major platforms that give you secure, easy access to the U.S. stock market and, in some cases, global markets as well.
In this section, we’ll introduce four of the most widely used investment platforms available today:
Each of these platforms offers a different experience, and each one has features that appeal to different types of investors. Some are better for complete beginners looking for simplicity and a user-friendly app. Others are more advanced, offering access to global markets and powerful research tools.
Before we go into the specific features and pros and cons of each, let’s look at why these platforms have become so popular—and why they’re often recommended for beginners who want to invest in U.S. stocks.
The U.S. stock market is the largest and most active in the world. It includes global companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, Tesla, and Coca-Cola. Investors all over the world want to be part of this market because:
Using a U.S.-based brokerage platform like the ones listed above gives you direct access to the heart of this market. Whether you're buying individual stocks, ETFs, or index funds, these platforms make it possible for you to own a piece of the world’s top companies—right from your phone or computer.
Despite their differences, these four platforms all share a few key qualities that make them ideal for new investors:
Some platforms focus primarily on U.S.-based investors, while others offer full support for international investors. This distinction is important depending on where you live.
Robinhood, for example, is designed mainly for users in the United States. It’s beginner-friendly and very popular among younger investors, but currently has limited access outside the U.S.
Interactive Brokers, on the other hand, is known for its global reach. It serves clients in more than 200 countries and allows access to over 150 markets around the world. This makes it a strong option for international investors who want to buy U.S. stocks or diversify across global markets.
Fidelity and Charles Schwab offer a mix of U.S. and international investment options, and while their primary customer base is in the United States, they also offer non-resident account options, depending on the country.
Understanding whether a platform supports investors from your location—and whether it offers access to the markets you want to invest in—is an essential part of choosing the right one.
When you begin comparing these platforms, you’ll quickly notice that each one has its strengths. For example:
Choosing between them will depend on your goals, your level of experience, the country you live in, and whether you want to invest only in the U.S. or also internationally.
In the next part of this module, we’ll walk through each of these platforms in more detail. We’ll cover:
For now, just remember this: You don’t have to choose the “best” platform—you just need to choose the one that’s best for you. All four of these platforms are trustworthy, widely used, and offer excellent tools for beginners.
As a new investor, picking the right platform is like picking the right tool for a job. You want something safe, simple, and effective. Robinhood, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Interactive Brokers each offer their own version of that—and millions of investors trust them every day.
Don’t worry if you’re not ready to choose yet. In the next section, we’ll give you a practical guide on how to evaluate platforms based on things like licenses, regulations, ease of use, and available features.
By the end of this module, you’ll not only know where to invest—but how to invest with confidence.