Stock Trading Courses

Written By

Jemma Grist

Edited By

James Barra

Fact Checked By

William Berg

Updated

Feb 6, 2026

When it comes to trading stocks there is always more to learn. Fortunately, there is a wealth of online stock trading courses aimed at both beginners and experienced investors. In this guide, we explain how to compare the best stock trading courses, from content style and pricing to user reviews and ratings.

Best Stock Brokers For Education

We have been disappointed with the quality of many stock trading courses, as well as the high fees. Instead, consider a broker that offers high-quality education on the stock market, typically for free:

Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.

Best brokers for trading stocks

How To Compare Stock Trading Courses

With so many stock trading courses available online it can be difficult to know where to start. Thankfully, we’ve listed some key points of comparison below.

Cost

Make sure you know the full cost. Prices for stock trading courses vary considerably but they don’t tend to be cheap. Most are upwards of $100 but they can climb to $2,000 and beyond. The brokers we’ve listed below all offer free educational content.

A stock trading course can be viewed as an investment in itself. And down the line, you’ll hopefully recuperate some of the cost through successful trading.

Most training platforms include the price under ‘Course Details’ on their website or app. In some cases, you might need to enquire to get a full breakdown. When doing so, watch out for hidden fees. Providers may advertise the cost of a trial, rather than the full course, or require subsequent instalments to access the full range of resources.

The varying price of stock trading courses means that they’re not going to be accessible to all. If you fall into this bracket, it’s worth exploring the wealth of free trading materials available online. From YouTube videos and offline PDF guides to free trials and more, there is plenty of useful information out there.

Customer Reviews

User reviews are a great way to gauge how good, or bad, a stock trading course is. They offer the unique perspective of someone that has actually completed or at least, enrolled in the course.

Reviews can be found with a quick Google search so it’s worth checking them out. Some platforms also post reviews on their websites, though these may have been cherry-picked by the organisation, so keep that in mind.

Of course, not everyone is going to be 100% satisfied with a course, so don’t let a couple of negative reviews put you off. After all, they might have different objectives to you or a different learning style. That being said, if a course has received a considerable number of negative reviews, it’s probably a good indication to steer clear.

Difficulty

Your experience level and trading goals are key to finding a stock trading course that’s right for you. If you are new to trading, you don’t want to be on the same course as someone who has been trading stocks professionally for the last 30 years.

Fortunately, there are lots of stock courses targeted specifically at beginners. Not only may you likely get more from these courses, such as market basics, simple risk management tips and top stock picks, but you will probably enjoy the experience more too.

Learning Style

Finding a course that suits your learning style is key. If you prefer to learn from live sessions, find a course that offers them. If you work best from textbooks and independent study, choose a course that aligns with this.

There are plenty of courses that cater to a whole range of learning styles. Some courses will offer flexibility within the course structure too, providing information both in written form and on online videos or even live demos.

Community

An active trading community is not only an indication of a high-quality course, but can be a valuable asset in itself. Communities are a great source of information, support and guidance.

Some platforms have a community forum accessible via their website or portal. Get involved, don’t be afraid to ask questions – the more you put in, the more you’ll often get out.

Content Type

Before you sign up for a stock trading course, you should consider what your goals are. Are you looking to get to grips with the basics of stock trading, or do you want to know more about a specific strategy or platform? If you want to know more about the course syllabus, get in touch with the course provider.

It’s also worth considering that a course taught by an American organisation, for example, might focus more specifically on American stock exchanges. Whilst the principles may be transferable, you might miss out on market, or asset-specific insights.

Access

Whilst most online stock trading courses are available to participants worldwide you should consider time zones and language. If the course offers live sessions, ensure that they run at a time that aligns with your schedule. Live classes are a popular and often highly valued part of a stock trading course, you don’t want to miss out if you can avoid it.

Language requirements are also non-negotiable. If you need a course taught in Hindi, make sure you choose one that is. There is no point in signing up for the world’s best stock trading course if you can’t engage with the content.

Pros Of Stock Trading Courses

There is a lot to gain from investing in a stock trading course, especially if you’re a beginner. Courses are generally comprehensive covering everything from the principles of stock trading to strategies, tools and lots in between.

Courses are also a great opportunity to learn from more experienced traders, not just the tutor but the other attendees too. And remember, there’s always more to learn when it comes to trading stocks and shares.

Cons Of Stock Trading Courses

Whilst stock trading courses can be great, they are an investment both in terms of time and money. With courses costing hundreds, even thousands of dollars in some cases, they are not something that is going to be available to everyone. Given the wealth of free resources available online, there is fortunately still plenty out there for those on a budget.

Furthermore, not all stock trading courses are created equal. Some will be worth every dime and others, less so. Ensure you do your research before signing up and where possible, make use of a free demo or introduction class.

And finally, be wary of scams. If a deal looks too good to be true, it likely is. We recommend that you stick to brokers and platforms with a good reputation and an active trading community.

Bottom Line

There is much to gain from investing in your trading education, including gaining confidence, insights and an active online community. It’s an investment that will hopefully pay dividends further down the line too.

Our top tip is to consider your goals and ensure that the course can help you get there. Do your research, use customer reviews as a point of reference and explore your options. You can also check out our list of stock brokers with good education.

FAQs

What Are The Education Requirements For Stock Trading Courses?

Most programs and classes don’t require specific school or college qualifications. The most important thing is your practical level of experience and it is generally up to the discretion of the client.

Are In-Person Stock Trading Courses Better Than Online?

There is a lot to be gained from in-person teaching but if you’re trying to fit learning around an already hectic schedule, it might not be the best option for you. Other formats such as online videos, mobile apps, YouTube and live demo sessions can all prove useful, and are increasingly common as technology improves.