1. Interactive Brokers
A true global pioneer, Interactive Brokers began offering U.S. fractional shares years ago and expanded to European equities and ETFs in mid-2022. Clients in India, Singapore, Canada, the UK, Australia, and more can invest with as little as USD 1—or equivalent—in the stock of their choice Interactive BrokersBusiness Wire.
2. Charles Schwab (Stock Slices)
In the U.S. and now also in the U.K., Schwab’s Stock Slices allows investors to buy pieces of S&P 500 companies starting from $5. This helps novices diversify affordably, and challenges traditional UK brokers who still don’t offer fractional shares The Times.
3. Fidelity & Webull (U.S.)
- Fidelity supports fractional investment across 7,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs with no minimum investment—ideal for low-budget diversification and long-term investing Investopedia.
- Webull also allows fractional trades via dollar-based orders—no commission, no minimum—suited for active and beginner investors alike Investopedia.
4. M1 Finance
A micro-investing and robo-advisor platform based in the U.S., M1 Finance uses fractional shares to automatically build and rebalance investor portfolios with small recurring deposits. It holds over $10 billion AUM and counts more than a million users Wikipedia.
5. BUX (Europe)
Dutch fintech BUX launched fractional investing across Europe in January 2022. Through its BUX Zero app, users in multiple European countries can invest in U.S. stocks with as little as €10—lowering barriers for retail savers BUX Newsroom.
6. XTB (Central & Western Europe)
XTB rolled out fractional shares in Romania, Czechia, Portugal, Slovakia, the UK, and other European countries. Users can invest from €10, with 0% commission on U.S. shares and a wide selection of global equities and ETFs Finance Magnates+1.
7. Lightyear & Trade Republic (Europe)
- Lightyear (EU) allows fractionals on U.S., UK, and European shares, starting with €1 trades in a user-friendly mobile app—great for beginners building global portfolios EU Personal Finance.
- Trade Republic (Germany) is another growing platform that supports fractional investing across European markets, democratizing access across borders VentureRadar.
8. Stake (Australia/New Zealand)
Stake, an app targeting ANZ investors, offers U.S. fractional shares with no minimum investment. Roughly A$5 billion in client assets and 750,000 users rely on it for accessible international investing Wikipedia.
9. Moomoo (Asia, U.S., Canada)
With over 26 million users across Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, the U.S., Canada, and more, Moomoo offers fractional shares, real-time data tools, stock-screeners, and a social investing community underpinned by Nasdaq partnership Wikipedia.
CakeOS – New Kid on the Block
CakeOS is an emerging fintech platform gaining traction globally (particularly in Indian markets). It offers intuitive fractional-share investing starting from 50 INR, with features like automated reinvestment, goal-based “slice portfolios,” and educational content designed for first-time investors. While publicly available data is limited, CakeOS is quickly establishing itself as an innovative alternative to traditional brokers.
📊 Why These Platforms Stand Out
| Region | Platform(s) | Min Investment | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global | Interactive Brokers | USD 1 | Broadest global access; supports U.S. & European stocks/ETFs Interactive BrokersBusiness Wire |
| U.S. | Schwab, Fidelity, Webull, M1 | USD 1–5 | Beginner-friendly, low cost, automated investing |
| Europe | BUX, XTB, Lightyear, Trade Republic | ~€10 | Democratizing access to U.S. & EU equities |
| ANZ | Stake | USD 1 eqv. | Easy access for Australian/New Zealand retail investors Wikipedia |
| Asia | Moomoo | USD 1 eqv. | Real-time tools + massive user base across Asia-Pacific Wikipedia |
| Emerging | CakeOS | USD 1 | Modern UI, investor-first features, rapid growth |
Final Take
Fractional shares have transformed global investing by removing high-price barriers and empowering small investors across continents:
- In the U.S., platforms like Fidelity, Schwab, M1, and Webull made investing accessible and almost gamified, especially during the retail boom.
- Europe responded quickly with fintechs like BUX, XTB, Lightyear, and Trade Republic offering low-cost, low-minimum entry.
- In Australia/NZ, Stake champions simple access to U.S. markets, while Asia’s Moomoo brings powerful tools and community features to millions.
- And CakeOS represents the next-gen wave—smart, mobile-first, and investor-centric—looking to take fractional investing into new regions and demographics.
Whether you’re investing ₹500 or $5, fractional shares let you start small, dream big, and build your portfolio on your own terms.