Many casual investors don't want to spend a lot of money on a full-service broker solution, but don't want to buy stocks on their own, either. The best option for these types of investors is to go for a discount brokerage service. The best broker to buy stocks is one that will provide you with a lot of educational tools so that you can easily do some research on your own, yet will also offer customer service and live assistance to help you with your decision-making.

Click here to learn more ways to earn money with STOCKS

Another important factor casual traders should look for is the "Client Portal". It should allow you to set up your account, and manage and monitor every aspect of your portfolio. Online discount brokers won't force you to buy or sell stock if you don't want to, although they can offer very useful advice. When you do want to make purchases or sales, the process should go smoothly through the "Account Management" feature.

Account security is very important. Make sure that there is an extra layer of security added to your account. For instance, in order to secure the connection between your PC and the broker website, there should be 128-bit SSL encryption. A dedicated security team should use top-notch monitoring to detect possible suspicious activity.

Best Broker to Buy Stocks With a Good Platform

Click here to learn more ways to earn money with STOCKS

The best broker to buy stocks online will offer a few different platforms to choose from, depending on your trading style, whether you're an active, high-volume trader or a more casual trader who wants to keep things simplified. It's always a good idea to have the option to trade a variety of stocks, including OTC stocks, penny stocks, as well as bonds, mutual funds, EFTs, and so forth.

Make sure you understand the fee structure of a particular brokerage firm before you sign anything. More often than not, there are a few hidden fees here and there. You're very likely going to pay more than what the advertised rate is. Certain types of accounts may even require a minimum deposit. Just because the "cost per trade" with a particular broker seems enticing, that doesn't mean it's the best option for your needs. Always keep in mind that there is going to be some type of additional fee(s).

No online brokerage firm is going to be the best choice for everyone. It'll be up to you to prioritize the characteristics that are crucial for you depending on your personal trading style.