This is not investment advice. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any financial product.
Most major brokers have eliminated account minimums entirely, making it possible to start investing with as little as $1. Of the largest US brokers, all now offer $0 minimum deposits for standard brokerage accounts. Margin accounts require $2,000 minimum equity by FINRA rule. A few specialized account types and premium services still have minimums.
Broker Account Minimums
| Broker | Standard Account | IRA | Margin Account | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Also $0 for Fidelity-managed accounts |
| Charles Schwab | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Schwab Intelligent Portfolios: $5,000 |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Margin rates apply above $2K |
| Vanguard | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Vanguard Digital Advisor: $100 |
| Robinhood | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Gold subscription: $5/month |
| Webull | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | No additional minimums |
| E*TRADE | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Core Portfolios: $500 |
| Merrill Edge | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Guided Investing: $1,000 |
| SoFi Invest | $0 | $0 | $2,000 (FINRA) | Automated Investing: $1 |
What "$0 Minimum" Means
A $0 account minimum means you can open an account without depositing any money. You can explore the platform, set up account features, and deposit funds when you are ready. However:
- You generally cannot trade without settled funds in the account
- Fractional shares require at least enough to buy one fractional share ($1 minimum at most brokers)
- Mutual funds may have their own minimums ($1 to $3,000 depending on the fund)
When a Higher Minimum Applies
Margin accounts: FINRA requires $2,000 minimum equity for margin accounts at all US brokers. You cannot borrow from the broker with less than $2,000 in the account. Day trading in a margin account triggers the Pattern Day Trader rule, which requires $25,000 minimum equity.
Robo-advisor services: Automated portfolio management services often have minimums:
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios: $5,000
- Vanguard Digital Advisor: $100
- E*TRADE Core Portfolios: $500
- Fidelity Go: $0 (unlimited balance tier has fees)
- Merrill Guided Investing: $1,000
Certain mutual funds: While the brokerage account minimum is $0, specific mutual funds may require minimum initial investments, typically $1,000-$3,000 for retail share classes. ETFs, which trade like stocks, have no separate fund minimums beyond the price of one share (or one fractional share).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really start investing with $1? Yes. Open a brokerage account at a $0-minimum broker, deposit $1, and buy a fractional share of an ETF. Your $1 will buy whatever fraction of a share it covers. The experience is the same as a larger investment, just at a smaller scale.
Are there any disadvantages to $0 minimum accounts? The broker still earns revenue through payment for order flow, cash sweep spreads, or other channels. A $0 minimum account generates little revenue for the broker but costs the same to maintain. Some brokers may limit certain features for very small accounts.
Is there a catch with $0 minimums? Generally not for standard taxable accounts. The main catch is that margin, options, and some premium features have separate minimums or qualification requirements independent of the account opening minimum.
Which broker is best for starting with a small amount? Fidelity offers $0 minimums, fractional shares starting at $1, zero-expense-ratio index funds, and no account fees. For a small starting amount, minimizing costs is important because fees represent a higher percentage of a small portfolio.
Why do some brokers still have minimums? Some brokers maintain minimums for premium services or robo-advisor tiers because managing a portfolio below a certain threshold is not economical at the fees charged. The underlying brokerage platform itself typically has no minimum.
Where to Start
Choose a broker with no minimum deposit. Fund it with an amount you are comfortable investing. Buy a fractional share of a broad-market ETF. Our best brokers for beginners page covers brokers that serve small accounts well. Read how to start investing for the complete walkthrough.
Investing involves risk. The value of investments can go up as well as down and you may receive back less than your original investment. This page contains affiliate links.