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Best Accounts to Start Investing With Under $100 in the US (2026)
- Fidelity: $0 minimum, $0 commissions and fractional shares on stocks and ETFs, plus Roth IRAs and accounts for teens. The best all-round first account.
- Charles Schwab: $0 minimum and $0 commissions; fractional shares on most US stocks and ETFs from $1 (expanded in June 2026). Great tools and support.
- Robinhood: the simplest app, $1 fractional shares and an IRA match. Good for beginners who want a match.
- If you have earned income, a Roth IRA is often the best first account. Otherwise, start with a taxable brokerage account.
Best accounts for under $100 (US)
| Minimum | Fractional shares | Commissions | Beginner-friendliness | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | $0 | Yes, stocks and ETFs from $1 | $0 | ★★★★★ Great education, Youth Account for teens |
| Charles Schwab | $0 | Yes, most US stocks and ETFs from $1 | $0 | ★★★★ Strong support |
| Robinhood | $0 | Yes, from $1 | $0 | ★★★★★ Simplest app; IRA match |
| SoFi Invest | $0 | Yes | $0 | ★★★★ Banking + investing in one app |
| Public | $0 | Yes | $0 | ★★★★ Clean app, social features |
| Robo-advisors | $0–$500 | Handled for you | ~0.25% a year | ★★★★★ Fully automatic |
Pricing changes; confirm on each broker's site. Full reviews: best brokers for beginners.
Which account to open first
| You... | Open |
|---|---|
| Have a job (even part-time) and won't need the money until retirement | Roth IRA. See how to open a Roth IRA |
| Have no earned income, or want money you can use any time | Taxable brokerage account |
| Are under 18 | Custodial account or Fidelity Youth Account (with a parent) |
| Have a 401(k) with a match at work | Contribute enough to get the match first |
A Roth IRA works with tiny amounts: there's no minimum, and you can take your contributions back out any time without tax or penalty. Compare it with the other accounts in Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA vs 401(k).
What to buy with a small amount
- A total market or S&P 500 ETF, bought as fractional shares. Not sure which? Read VOO vs IVV vs SPYM and VTI vs VOO vs VT.
- A target-date fund if your broker offers one with no minimum, for a fully hands-off mix.
- Not a single meme stock or options. With $100, one bad bet can wipe out a year of saving.
Fractional shares make small amounts work
| ETF price | Without fractional shares, $50 buys | With fractional shares, $50 buys |
|---|---|---|
| ~$600 (e.g. VOO) | Nothing; you wait | ~0.08 of a share, fully invested |
| ~$80 (e.g. SPYM) | Nothing until you have $80 | ~0.6 of a share |
A simple first-month plan
- Open a Roth IRA (or taxable account) at a $0-commission broker with fractional shares.
- Deposit $25–$100.
- Set a recurring investment into one broad index fund.
- Keep it going for a year before you judge it.
The bottom line
Under $100, look for $0 minimum, $0 commissions and fractional shares. Fidelity is the best all-rounder, Schwab has great support, and Robinhood is simplest with an IRA match. Open a Roth IRA if you have earned income, buy one broad fund, and automate it. In Canada? Read the Canadian version.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start investing with $100 or less?
Yes. Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, SoFi and Public have no account minimum and charge $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs. With fractional shares, you can invest as little as $1 to $5 at a time.
Should a college student open a Roth IRA?
If you have earned income from a job, yes. You can contribute up to your earnings or $7,500 in 2026, whichever is lower. Contributions can be withdrawn any time, and growth is tax-free in retirement.
What should I buy with my first $100?
A broad, low-cost index fund, such as a total US market or S&P 500 ETF, or a target-date fund. It spreads your money across hundreds or thousands of companies instead of betting on one.
Do I need fractional shares?
They help a lot under $100. Many ETFs trade for hundreds of dollars a share, so fractional shares let you invest your full $50 or $100 rather than waiting to afford one share. Some cheaper ETFs, like SPYM, trade under $100.
Can teenagers invest?
Teens can't open their own brokerage account until 18 in most states, but parents can open a custodial account or, with earned income, a custodial Roth IRA. Fidelity also offers a Youth Account for ages 13–17.
Primary sources
Data & disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Figures reflect data available as of Nov 11, 2026, and conditions change — always confirm current pricing, rates and rules with the provider before you act. Written by Elizabeta Dimoska. See our editorial standards and disclosure.
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