The GME Saga has taught us apes that brokers are dirty dirty con men! Most of them don't even actually buy your shares. The only (mostly) reputable broker we've found is Fidelity. Their desktop app, Fidelity Active Trader Pro, is the best I've used. (Against Schwab's Streetsmart Edge and TD Ameritrade's Think or Swim) I watched a short YouTube tutorial video on how to set it up to my liking.

Honestly, the mobile app edge goes to TDA Think or Swim, but did I mention they are acting squirrelly about our shares?

I'd recommend Fidelity and direct registering any shares you plan to hold longterm.

First time trader here. Set up account for etrade account this morning as soon as I saw the post. You must attach an account to it to fund it. Did not want to attach to my main checking account to transfer funds so went to the bank to set up a small account - closed - have to have an appointment to open an account. Set up an appointment for morning. Noted that it can take up to 3 days for funds to be verified by etrade so looks like it will be at least Monday before I can even buy anything. Thought it would be fast and easy so I was not prepared :/

I put off getting a brokerage account for years due to overwhelm. If I were showing a friend what to do, it would be something like this (not financial advice):

1. Pick a broker and open account. Their websites will give direction to walk you through the process step by step.
2. Really, just pick one. Don't overthink it. Fidelity and Schwab are popular and don't get as bad a rap as some others.
3. Link a checking account to fund you stock purchases. This may be done in the setup process. It might take a little time for your bank/credit union to verify the connection.
4. Fund your brokerage account. There will probably be a button somewhere saying "transfer funds" or something like that.
5. When your account is funded, look for a big button saying something like "BUY STOCKS".
6. There, enter the code for the company (e.g. GME, DWAC).
7. Say how many you want to buy. There are some options such as limits and puts. Limit means you can set an amount you don't want to pay over. For example, if I'm buying 1 share of GME and it says it is at $180, I can set a limit for 200, just in case the price rockets in between the few minutes between now and the time the order finishes processing.

That's it! There is way more you can learn, but that's all the basics my theoritical friend would need to know to buy a share through a broker.

From there, I might direct him to direct register (DRS), since that makes it harder for brokers to do shady stuff. If he were wanting to direct register a share of GME, I would direct him to the following post. The information here only applies to GME, but it gives a good overview of the DRS process:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk/comments/ptvaka/when_you_wish_upon_a_star_a_complete_guide_to/

I'd say etrade if I wasn't sitting on hold for the last 45 minutes with them.

Fidelity is solid and easy to use. I've heard good things about Charles Schwab.

eTrade has been solid, for me at least, over the past 15 or so years...

Fidelity

Realtime instant trades in theory. In practise all trades take three days to settle, and it doesn't matter the broker you use.

I used to do some day trading, but found out the hard way I couldn't sell the shares I just bought on the same day. I was sent a letter warning me not to do it again. I called and explaned to them I had already done it again before I got their letter.

I was told I could get a notice from the SEC. I later set up a margin account. Margin accounts allows you to do shorts, which is technically what I was doing by selling stock I had bought but that had not processed to close yet.

I have had or have accounts on Robinhood,(criminal ), td ameritade, e trade, schwab, and Fidelity... By far the best is Fidelity easy to use great customer service and overall best.

I’m in same boat as you, my husband’s family has been playing in stocks for awhile and they recommended Robin Hood.

I used Webull because I had money already sitting there. I was able to get verified and fund the account quickly. I don't know if it has the same dirty evil issues that Robinhood does though

TD Ameritrade

Interactive Brokers is the largest and most reputable. It is also preferred by anyone serious about regular trading.

Wherever you are, you’ll probably transfer to Fidelity at some point. You will want to Direct Register (DRS) your shares, and they only have a 3 day wait time. Other brokers are taking 4-6 weeks. I know, I diversified with other brokers. I’ve been consolidating with Fidelity as of late.