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If you're just starting to invest, knowing how to buy portions of stocks using fractional investing can seem complicated, but it's actually very easy.
Many online brokerages offer fractional investing, and one popular option is the Webull trading platform. Thankfully, you can set up an account and start buying fractional shares on the platform without much hassle. Here's how to do it.
As a mobile-focused brokerage, Webull provides better functionality than its competitors, along with offering some cash and stock bonuses.
$0 per trade
$0
On Webull's Secure Website.
You'll need to give Webull some personal information to open your account, including:
Webull doesn't charge fees to open the account and has no minimum deposit amount. You can begin buying fractional shares with just $5.
Before you get started with your Webull account, you'll need to know which type of account you want to open. Webull gives you four options; here's what they mean:
Download the Webull app or go to the company's website and enter your phone number. You can also sign up for an account using your Google or Facebook profile.
Choose any of these options and then select "Open an account." You'll be asked to enter your email address, and then Webull will send you a verification code to set up the account with a password.
You'll then need to enter some personal information, including uploading photo identification, your address, employer's information (if applicable), and Social Security number.
You'll be asked a series of investing-related questions, including whether you're associated with a broker-dealer, if you're a member of a stock exchange, and whether you or a family member is a director or a 10% shareholder of a publicly traded company. It's likely that you'll answer "no" to these questions.
You'll also be asked about your annual income, total net worth, and approximate liquid net worth. Liquid net worth is your total cash and cash equivalents after you deduct your liabilities. You'll be given drop-down ranges to choose from.
Then, you'll answer a few questions about your investing goals, timeline, and experience. These questions are just to help Webull build your investment profile.
Webull offers the option of a cash account or a margin account. With a cash account, you make investments using the cash you deposit. Your buying power is limited to the dollar amount in the account.
With a margin account, you can leverage your funds and securities to borrow money to buy additional securities. Webull's margin account requires a minimum deposit of $2,000. It's worth noting that buying on margin is risky, and new investors (and many seasoned ones) should avoid it.
Once you've set all this up, you'll move on to the next page to review the legal information and sign your name to open the account.
Once you've set up the account, you're ready to fund it. To do this, select the "make your first deposit" button and enter your bank account information and the amount you want to deposit.
Now you're ready to buy fractional shares on Webull! Here are steps for finding and buying fractional shares on the platform.
Search for the stock or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that you want to buy in the Webull app. A green diamond will be next to the stocks and ETFs available for fractional share investing.
Once you've found your stock with the green diamond next to it, click the "trade" button and switch the order type from "limit" to "market." This means that your fractional share purchase will occur during market trading hours, which is currently the only way Webull offers buying fractional shares.
Beneath the "order type" you'll see the "amount in" option. Click this and change "share" to "USD" to buy a specific dollar amount of the stock. Then, enter the amount of money you want to invest. There is a minimum $5 investment amount for buying fractional shares.
Double-check all the information to ensure it's correct, then select "buy." It's worth mentioning that once you've placed the order, you can't modify it. Congratulations, you've bought fractional shares on Webull!
Opening a Webull account and buying fractional shares is easy, but making investment decisions is a little more complicated. That's why we've created an investment guide to help you understand the basics of investing. You can use the guide to help assess your risk tolerance and learn about the differences between passive and active investing.
We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2025.
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Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
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5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Managing your finances under one roof | $0 for stocks,¹ $0 for options contracts⁴ |
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On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Low mutual fund fees. | $0 per trade |
Learn More for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
On J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing's Secure Website. |
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Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Low fees on stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options | $0 for stocks, ETFs, and options |
Learn More for Robinhood
On Robinhood's Secure Website. |
Fractional shares allow you to buy a portion of a stock, if you don't have enough money to buy the full share. For example, if a company's stock price is $100 and you only have $20 to invest, you can buy one-fifth of a share of that company's stock. Fractional shares are great for investors who don't have a lot of money to invest, but still want a diversified portfolio.
Selling full shares of a stock is easier than selling fractional shares. To close your position for fractional shares on Webull, there is a minimum of 0.00001 shares per order. Webull also says the rule of a $5 minimum doesn't work for closing fractional share positions. Fractional shares may take longer to sell if there isn't demand for the smaller fractional share amount.
Webull doesn't charge you any fees to open an account. You can start buying fractional shares with as little as $5.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
Robinhood disclosure
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Securities are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. For more information see the Robinhood Crypto Risk Disclosure.
Trades of stocks, ETFs and options are commission-free at Robinhood Financial LLC. Other fees may apply. Please see Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule to learn more.
Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement.
Robinhood Gold is an account offering premium services available for a $5 monthly fee. Not all investors will be eligible to trade on Margin. Margin investing involves the risk of greater investment losses. Additional interest charges may apply depending on the amount of margin used. Bigger Instant Deposits are only available if your Instant Deposits status is in good standing.
Investing is risky. Bonus offers subject to terms and conditions, visit robinhood.com/hoodweek for more information. Margin is not suitable for all investors. Robinhood Gold is offered through Robinhood Gold LLC and is a subscription offering services for a fee. Brokerage services offered through Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), a registered broker dealer.
J.P Morgan Disclosure
INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Disclosure:
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Value Prop Disclosures
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