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Best Brokers for Fractional Shares (October 2026): Buy Any Stock From $1 in the US and Canada
In the US, the best brokers for fractional shares are Fidelity (from $1 on thousands of US stocks and ETFs, in regular accounts and IRAs), Charles Schwab (from $1 on most US-listed stocks and ETFs), Robinhood (from $1, simplest app) and Interactive Brokers (fractions on US stocks, plus global markets). SoFi and Webull start at $5. Vanguard offers fractions only on Vanguard ETFs. In Canada, Wealthsimple is the clear leader for fractional shares. All charge $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs. The main catch: fractional shares often can't be transferred to another broker, so you may have to sell them first.
What fractional shares are, and why they matter
A fractional share is a slice of one share. If one share of a company costs $500 and you invest $50, you own 0.1 of a share.
You get the same thing as a whole-share owner, in proportion:
- The same percentage gain or loss when the price moves.
- A share of the dividends. Own 0.1 of a share, get 10% of the per-share dividend.
Why it matters:
- Invest exact amounts. Put in $100 every payday and every dollar gets invested.
- Diversify with small sums. Own a slice of 20 companies with $200.
- Buy expensive stocks. Some shares cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Dollar-cost averaging works perfectly. See dollar-cost averaging, explained.
The best brokers for fractional shares in the US
| Broker | Minimum | What you can buy in fractions | IRA? | Commissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | $1 | Thousands of US stocks and ETFs | Yes | $0 |
| Charles Schwab | $1 | Most US-listed stocks and ETFs | Check current rules | $0 |
| Robinhood | $1 | Most US stocks and many ETFs | Check current rules | $0 |
| Interactive Brokers | Small amounts | US stocks and ETFs | Yes | $0 on IBKR Lite |
| SoFi Invest | $5 | Popular US stocks and ETFs | Yes | $0 |
| Webull | $5 | Many US stocks and ETFs | Check current rules | $0 |
| Vanguard | $1 | Vanguard ETFs only | Yes | $0 |
Sources: broker websites and Bankrate, October 2026. Coverage lists change; check the broker before you buy.
1. Fidelity: best overall
Fidelity calls them "stocks by the slice." You can buy from $1 on thousands of US stocks and ETFs, in regular accounts and IRAs, with $0 commissions. You can enter orders in dollars or in shares, and set up recurring automatic investments.
Best for: almost everyone. See how to open Fidelity.
2. Charles Schwab: best for learning
Schwab replaced its old "Stock Slices" program, which was limited to S&P 500 stocks with a $5 minimum. It now offers fractional shares from $1 on most US-listed stocks and ETFs. Some older guides still describe the old limits.
Best for: beginners who want strong education and branch support. See how to open Schwab.
3. Robinhood: easiest app
Robinhood offers fractions from $1 with the simplest buying screen around. You can turn on automatic dividend reinvestment.
Best for: people who want simplicity. See how to open Robinhood.
4. Interactive Brokers: fractions plus global markets
IBKR supports fractional trading in US stocks and ETFs and offers dozens of global markets. Its platforms are more complex, but costs are very low.
Best for: investors who want room to grow. See how to open Interactive Brokers.
5 and 6. SoFi Invest and Webull
Both start at $5 and charge $0 commissions. SoFi suits people who bank there. Webull suits people who want detailed charts.
Vanguard: only for Vanguard ETFs
Vanguard lets you buy fractions of its own ETFs from $1, but not individual stocks or other companies' ETFs. That's fine if Vanguard index funds are all you need.
The best brokers for fractional shares in Canada
Fractional shares are less common in Canada, and many brokers trade whole shares only.
| Broker | Fractional shares? | Commissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple | Yes, many Canadian and US stocks and ETFs | $0 | Simplest app; 1.5% currency conversion in CAD accounts |
| Interactive Brokers Canada | Yes, on eligible US stocks | Per-share | Very cheap currency conversion |
| Most other Canadian brokers | Whole shares only, or limited | $0 to about $10 | Check before opening |
Wealthsimple is the clear choice for fractional investing in Canada. See how to open Wealthsimple.
A Canadian shortcut: many popular Canadian ETFs trade at $20 to $40 a share. A single all-in-one ETF like XEQT or VEQT is cheap enough to buy in whole shares with a small deposit, and it holds thousands of companies. See the best all-in-one ETFs in Canada.
The catches nobody mentions
- Transfers. Most brokers can only move whole shares to another firm. Fractions usually get sold and sent as cash. In a taxable account, that sale can trigger a capital gain.
- Order types. Many brokers only accept market orders for fractions, and some only during regular trading hours. See market vs limit orders.
- Voting rights. Some brokers don't pass shareholder votes through on fractions.
- Coverage varies. Not every stock is eligible, especially small companies and foreign shares.
- Currency costs in Canada. Buying a $10 slice of a US stock in a Canadian-dollar account still costs about 1.5% to convert.
How to start investing with fractional shares
- Open an account at a broker from the lists above.
- Pick a core investment, such as an S&P 500 or total-market index fund.
- Buy in dollars, not shares. Enter "$50" instead of a share count.
- Turn on recurring investments every payday.
- Turn on dividend reinvestment so dividends buy more slices automatically. See how to set up DRIP.
Starting really small? Read how to start investing with $100.
The bottom line
In the US, Fidelity, Schwab and Robinhood all let you buy almost any big stock or ETF from $1, with Fidelity our top pick. In Canada, Wealthsimple is the go-to for fractions. Whatever you choose, fractional shares remove the last excuse for waiting: you can start investing with whatever you have today.
Frequently asked questions
What are fractional shares?
A fractional share is a piece of one share of a stock or ETF. If a stock costs $500 and you invest $50, you own 0.1 of a share. You get the same price movement and a proportional share of any dividends.
Which broker is best for fractional shares?
In the US, Fidelity is our top pick because it offers fractional shares from $1 on thousands of US stocks and ETFs, including in IRAs, with $0 commissions and strong support. Schwab and Robinhood also start at $1. In Canada, Wealthsimple is the best option for fractional investing.
Are fractional shares a good idea?
Yes, for most beginners and regular investors. They let you invest exact dollar amounts, stay fully invested and diversify with small sums. The main drawbacks are that fractions often can't be transferred to another broker and order types are limited.
Can you transfer fractional shares to another broker?
Usually not. Most brokers can only transfer whole shares, so fractions are sold and moved as cash during a transfer. Selling in a taxable account can trigger a capital gain or loss.
Do fractional shares pay dividends?
Yes. You receive dividends in proportion to the fraction you own. If you own 0.25 of a share and the dividend is $1 per share, you receive 25 cents. Many brokers can reinvest dividends automatically into more fractions.
Can I buy fractional shares in Canada?
Yes. Wealthsimple offers fractional shares on many Canadian and US stocks and ETFs. Many other Canadian brokers only trade whole shares, so check before you open an account if fractions matter to you.
Primary sources
Data & disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Figures reflect data available as of Oct 14, 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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