Anyone can get into the stock market nowadays. Free online trading platforms are available where you can open and manage stock portfolios, with or without a broker. It doesn’t matter if you have no trading experience or knowledge; you can jump in and “play” the market.
However, suppose you want to make actual money from stock trading. It would be best to take stock trading courses. They can provide you with the skills and knowledge to level up your game as a beginner. Some learning platforms can also help advanced traders through chat rooms, where the community can exchange ideas.
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Who should take stock trading courses?
Some people have a natural knack for learning the intricacies of the stock market on their own and without formal training. However, most people require more structure to understand the principles of stock trading and acquire the discipline and proper mindset.
Many also benefit significantly from interaction with other traders. Some stock trading courses include simulators of sample trading environments and fake money for practical experience.
Cost and Duration
The cost of a stock trading course depends on where you get it. Some brokerage companies offer free training resources, so that is one option. Investopedia provides a free simulator you might want to check. However, others will charge per course or subscription, depending on what you need.
A stock trading course for beginners can range from zero to $50. Suppose you want a thorough explanation of trading strategies. In that case, you can pay as little as $110 for a comprehensive video course.
Suppose you want to go deeper into the art and science of trading. In that case, you might pay between $100 and $300 monthly for a subscription for course materials, webinars, and chat room access. On the other hand, you could spend as much as $500 monthly for more hands-on training or mentoring.
When it comes to duration, a typical stock trading course is about 40 hours. If you fully commit to your training, you could start trading within a few weeks. However, if you are taking a course in your spare time, it could take longer to be up and running.
Stock Trading Courses To Consider in 2024
Image by Joa70 from Pixabay
You have many options for learning about the stock market. The critical thing is to learn at a pace that works for you.
Below are some courses you could consider:
TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade has been a leading player in self-directed trading for many years, providing free investor educational resources. These include guides, tutorials, videos, quizzes, and webinars to get you to the next level. You can use these resources on demand, so you control when and how you learn.
Scwab recently acquired TD Ameritrade, but the free educational resources appear intact. The site is a risk-free option if you are a beginner and a source of helpful information for seasoned traders.
You can access many of these resources on a desktop or mobile without creating an account. However, you must open an account for the immersive curriculum and structured courses.
Still, the site does not require you to invest money at any time. You can join webcasts, live instruction, and events if you have an account. However, it does not have a live trade room. You have no way to interact with other traders or get coaching online.
Udemy
Udemy is ideal for beginners because it has many stock trading courses at surprisingly low prices. Newbies uncertain about their commitment to playing the stock market can find out their potential with little financial risk. You can start with the beginner’s course for $19.99 (regular price $94.99), including 57 lectures.
Suppose you want to learn more. You can move on to the foundations of stock trading for $24.99 (regular price $149.99). The course includes 9.5 hours of pre-recorded video, 32 downloads, and a certificate of completion. It will help you understand how to place orders and manage risk. It will also teach you about chart analysis.
Courses are also available to deepen your understanding of stock trading, including expert guidance on trading techniques. It ranges from understanding day trading to identifying the best forex trading conditions. You can post questions, but the platform does not offer coaching or practical exercises.
Udemy offers a Personal subscription plan with a free 7-day trial for access to 11,000 courses starting at $20 monthly. However, it does not include all Udemy courses, so it might be better to pay as you go.
Bullish Bears
Suppose you are more interested in a subscription to a platform dedicated to stock trading. Bullish Bears might be a good choice. You can sign up on the site to check out the free online courses without paying anything. However, you must become a community member to access the paid courses and trade rooms.
Bullish Bears offers three options for membership. Unfortunately, there is no free trial, but you can pay $69.97 for a Basic subscription for one month. If you like it, you can sign up for a year’s access for $399 (regular price $840). You can also get the lifetime membership for $597 (regular price $2,000).
The subscriptions provide access to the following educational resources:
- Entry to the Discord chat with bots and trading tools
- Admission to live trade rooms and real-time instruction
- Courses on 10 topics, including day trading, options, candlestick
- Access to the ThinkorSwim and Interactive Brokers platforms
- Live trade streaming video and replays
- Trade alerts and watch lists
The subscription is comprehensive and dynamic. The courses can be on-demand or community-based and range from basic to advanced. Bullish Bears can provide those opportunities if you want to connect with experts, mentors, and other traders.
Most can benefit from the live trade rooms and streaming videos on the platform. Knowing the theory and seeing the practical applications are two different things. It would be best if you had both, and Bullish Bears offers access to them.
Investors Underground
Similar to Bullish Bears but more comprehensive, Investor Underground offered the first stock trading course online for beginners. However, it is pretty expensive compared to other platforms.
After signing up, you get access to free video lessons and other resources. However, if you want to move on to advanced training, you must pay for each one. The cost will depend on what you get. The Textbook Trading course, for example, is $997 for instant streaming access.
Other courses, including Tandem Trader, are available for those who want to be day traders. It includes screenshots of live trades and tick-by-tick commentary by Nathan Michaud.
Suppose you want access to the community, chat room, and live trading floor. In that case, you must get a subscription. You can get a monthly subscription for $297, quarterly for $697, and annually for $1,897. Your membership gives you access to the following features:
- Pre-Market Broadcast
- Live Trading Floor
- Trade Recaps
- Nightly Watch List
- Morning Call
- 1000+ Video Lessons
Suppose you want to add the trading courses to your subscription. You can do that by paying an additional $1,000 to your monthly or quarterly subscription and $800 to the annual subscription for the first year.
Skillshare
Skillshare is similar to Udemy in that it offers many online courses on different subjects. It has 11 stock trading courses available on the platform but does not sell them individually. You must sign up for the platform to access these and all other classes on Skillshare.
The courses include basic and advanced stock trading technical training videos, including day trading and cryptocurrency. Some require knowledge of standard terms and strategies, so take it one step at a time.
A monthly subscription on Skillshare is $13.75 (billed annually at $165 a year) or $29. The good news is they offer a free 30-day trial. The bad news is it does not provide the bells and whistles of dedicated stock trading platforms such as a live trade room. You also have to maintain your subscription to keep access to your courses.
Best Trading Advice
Stock trading is an excellent option for making money offline or online. If you’re smart, anyone can do it with little knowledge, skill, or financial risk. Before committing to a life of trading, you must learn as much about it as possible.
The learning platforms above are just some sites offering stock trading courses. However, they are established, affordable, and provide clear paths for newbies and advanced traders. Suppose you only want to dip a toe in and test the waters. Check out the free courses available to see if you’ll dive in deeper.
