how to buy stocks on webull: step-by-step

How to buy stocks on Webull

This article explains exactly how to buy stocks on Webull — from opening and verifying an account, funding it, to placing market, limit, and fractional-share orders on mobile, desktop, or web. You will learn practical steps, order-type choices, settlement and fee details, risk controls, troubleshooting tips, and where to find authoritative Webull resources. Read on to confidently place your first U.S. stock or ETF trade and understand what happens after you submit an order.

As of 2025-12-30, according to Webull Help Center, Webull offers commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs, supports fractional-share orders with a $5 minimum, and accepts bank linking via real-time verification or micro-deposits.

Overview of Webull and supported stock products

Webull is a brokerage platform focused on retail investors, offering commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs across mobile, desktop, and web interfaces. The platform provides: advanced charts and market data, fractional shares, extended-hours trading (pre-market and after-hours), and other instruments such as options, futures, and certain cryptocurrencies. This guide focuses on how to buy stocks on Webull (equities and ETFs), including fractional-share mechanics and execution nuances.

Why this matters: understanding what Webull supports helps you choose order types, size your entry, and plan around trading hours and settlement.

Account types and eligibility

Webull supports several account types. Before you start learning how to buy stocks on Webull, pick the account that matches your goals.

• Individual taxable brokerage account — standard account for most investors.
• Cash vs. margin accounts — cash accounts settle trades using available cash; margin accounts allow borrowing (subject to approval and interest).
• IRAs (Traditional, Roth) — tax-advantaged retirement accounts (subject to IRA rules and contribution limits).

Basic eligibility and documentation:

• Must meet minimum age requirement (typically 18; some jurisdictions differ).
• U.S. residents: Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax ID.
• Non-U.S. residents: may be able to open an account depending on local availability; prepare passport and tax identification documents.

Considerations when choosing an account:

• If you plan to use leverage or options, apply for margin and options permissions (these require additional approvals).
• For long-term retirement investing, consider an IRA.
• For day trading with margin, be aware of pattern-day-trading rules and minimum equity requirements.

Opening and verifying an account

Steps to open a Webull account:

1. Download the Webull mobile app or visit the Webull web/desktop sign-up page.
2. Choose the account type (individual, IRA, etc.).
3. Provide personal information: full name, date of birth, address, SSN/Tax ID, employment status.
4. Complete identity verification: upload ID documents and a selfie as required.
5. If applying for margin or options, answer experience and financial questions.

Verification timelines and tips:

• Typical identity verification is often instant to a few business days. Provide clear, unexpired ID and ensure your name/address match supporting documents.
• If verification is delayed, check for email requests from Webull and ensure your network/security settings allow uploads.

Real-time verification vs. micro-deposit verification

Webull supports two common bank-linking methods when funding an account:

• Real-time verification (instant): Webull uses a third-party service to securely connect to your bank and confirm account ownership instantly. Pros: faster deposits, immediate settlement updates. Cons: not all banks support instant linking.

• Micro-deposit verification: Webull (or its bank partner) sends two small deposits (examples: $0.01–$0.99) to your bank account. You verify the amounts in the app to confirm ownership. Pros: widely supported. Cons: typically takes 1–3 business days to receive deposits and verify.

Choose real-time verification if your bank is supported to speed up funding. If not available, expect micro-deposit delays.

Funding your Webull account

Common funding methods:

• ACH bank transfer (linked bank account): most cost-effective and frequently used. ACH deposits generally post in 1–3 business days depending on verification and bank.
• Wire transfer: faster for large deposits but usually incurs incoming wire fees from your bank.
• Transfer from another brokerage (ACATS): moves securities and cash but can take several business days to weeks depending on assets.

Minimums and timing:

• Webull typically has no minimum deposit to open a basic brokerage account, but fractional-share orders and some features may require a $5 minimum per fractional order. Check the app and help center for current minimums.
• ACH deposits usually clear in 1–3 business days after verification. Real-time verified accounts may have faster usable balance availability depending on Webull rules.

Viewing deposit status: In the Webull app or desktop, open the Transfers/Account > Transfer & Pay > Deposit section to view pending and completed deposits and expected availability.

Trading interface and tools

Webull offers three primary interfaces: mobile app (iOS/Android), desktop application, and web platform. Each has similar core functionality: symbol search, trade ticket, charts, news, watchlists, and account overview.

Key trading tools to prepare a trade:

• Quote and order book (Level I/II where available).
• Interactive charts with indicators and drawing tools.
• Watchlists and alerts for price or volume thresholds.
• Research and news feeds.

Familiarize yourself with the order ticket layout: action (Buy/Sell), symbol, order type, quantity or dollar amount (for fractional), price fields (for limit orders), and time-in-force options.

How to place a stock trade — step-by-step

Below is a stepwise overview of how to buy stocks on Webull. The process is similar across interfaces but UI placement differs.

1. Identify the symbol: use search to find the stock or ETF ticker.
2. Open the trade ticket: select Trade or Buy on the security's detail page.
3. Choose Buy and account: confirm you are trading in the intended account (cash, margin, IRA).
4. Select order type and time-in-force: Market, Limit, Stop, Stop-Limit; Day or GTC (if supported).
5. Enter quantity or dollar amount: for whole-share orders enter number of shares; for fractional orders enter a dollar amount (or fractional share quantity if supported).
6. Review estimated cost, fees (regulatory/exchange), and buying power for margin accounts.
7. Confirm and submit the order.
8. Monitor order status and expected execution.

Placing a trade on mobile

Typical mobile flow: Markets tab → search symbol → tap the symbol → tap Trade → select Buy → choose order type/time-in-force → enter quantity or dollar amount (for fractional) → swipe/confirm to submit. Mobile UI includes a preview of expected cost and quick toggle for extended-hours trading.

UI hints:

• Use the price ladder or compact order ticket for limit orders to pick near-bid/ask levels.
• For fractional buys, switch to Dollar (USD) entry to place a $X order rather than specifying fractional shares.

Placing a trade on desktop/web

Typical desktop/web flow: Enter the symbol in the search bar → open the Trade pane → select Buy and account → pick order type and time-in-force → enter quantity or dollar amount → submit.

Desktop offers more screen space for charts and order book — useful for active traders monitoring multiple indicators while placing orders.

Order types and order parameters

Understand these core order types when learning how to buy stocks on Webull:

• Market Order: executes immediately at the prevailing market price. Use for quick execution when price certainty is less important. Risk: price may differ from last quoted price, especially in volatile or low-liquidity situations.

• Limit Order: sets a maximum price you are willing to pay (for buys) or a minimum price for sells. Use to control execution price but not guaranteed to fill.

• Stop Order (Stop Market): becomes a market order when a certain trigger price is reached. Used for stop-loss or entry strategies.

• Stop-Limit Order: becomes a limit order when the stop price is reached; the limit sets the worst acceptable price. Risk: order may not execute if price moves beyond the limit.

Time-in-Force options:

• Day: order expires at market close if not filled.
• GTC (Good-Til-Canceled): persists across trading days until filled or canceled (availability may vary by platform or instrument).

When to use each:

• Use Market for immediate execution on highly liquid, large-cap stocks.
• Use Limit to control entry price, especially for thinly traded or volatile securities.
• Use Stop or Stop-Limit to protect downside or to enter on momentum but understand slippage risk.

Fractional-share orders and dollar-based orders

Webull supports fractional shares, allowing you to buy a portion of an expensive stock or ETF. Key points:

• Minimum per fractional order (as of 2025-12-30): $5 per order (check current help pages for updates).
• Minimum fractional-share precision: Webull accepts fractional quantities down to 0.00001 shares for supported securities.
• Dollar-based orders: you can specify a dollar amount instead of share quantity to buy fractional shares.
• Execution: fractional trades are often aggregated and executed by Webull or a routing partner; fractional trades may be limited to regular market hours (confirm in current help docs).

Practical example: To buy an expensive stock at $2,500 per share with only $100, enter a $100 fractional order rather than attempting to buy whole shares.

Extended-hours (pre-market and after-hours) order rules

Webull offers extended-hours trading windows (pre-market and after-hours). Typical windows:

• Pre-market (example): 4:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET.
• Regular market: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET.
• After-hours: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET.

Order rules and considerations:

• Not all order types are available in extended hours; market orders may be restricted — use limit orders to define price boundaries.
• Liquidity is usually lower, bid-ask spreads are wider, and price volatility can be higher; execution risk and partial fills are more likely.
• Some fractional-share orders may only execute during regular market hours per Webull policy.

Execution, order status, and trade confirmation

Order lifecycle stages you will see:

• Pending / Open: order submitted but not filled.
• Partially Filled: portion of the order executed; remaining quantity remains open.
• Filled: order fully executed.
• Canceled / Rejected: order canceled by you or rejected by the system (insufficient funds, restricted security, etc.).

Where to check status:

• Mobile: Orders tab or Account > Orders shows real-time status and fills.
• Desktop/web: Orders pane with time-stamped fill messages.

Trade confirmations and clearing:

• You will receive trade confirmations in the app and by email (if enabled).
• The executed trade will appear in your Positions and Account Activity once fills occur.

Fees, commissions, and other costs

Webull’s core selling point is commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs, but note these items:

• Commission: Webull typically charges $0 commission on U.S. equities and ETFs.
• Regulatory and exchange fees: certain small fees set by regulatory bodies or exchanges may apply and can appear on trade confirmations (these are usually modest and not set by Webull).
• Margin interest: if you borrow via a margin account, interest is charged on borrowed amounts at Webull’s published rates.
• Optional premium services or market data fees: advanced data subscriptions (Level II quotes, premium research) may carry fees.

Always review the fee disclosures in Webull’s account agreement and help center for up-to-date details.

Margin trading and buying power

Margin accounts allow you to borrow against eligible securities to increase buying power. Key points:

• Approval required: margin involves additional approval and a signed margin agreement.
• Buying power: based on your account equity and initial margin requirements; intraday buying power is typically higher than overnight buying power.
• Maintenance margin: you must maintain a minimum equity percentage; failure to do so can trigger margin calls and forced liquidations.
• Interest: borrowed amounts accrue interest at published rates.

Risks: margin amplifies gains and losses; be careful with leverage and understand maintenance requirements before using margin.

Settlement, withdrawals, and transfers

Settlement:

• Most U.S. equity trades settle on a T+2 basis (trade date plus two business days). Settlement affects the availability of cash for withdrawals and certain reuse in cash accounts.
• Selling securities generates proceeds that settle by T+2 (or other schedule for specific instruments).

Withdrawals and transfers:

• Withdraw funds via ACH transfer back to your linked bank account (processing times vary; allow 1–3 business days after settlement and requested withdrawal).
• Wire withdrawals are another option but may incur banking fees.
• To transfer securities to/from other brokerages (ACATS), submit an in-bound or out-bound transfer request; transfers can take several business days and may have fees.

Holds:

• New deposits may be subject to limits or holds before fully usable for trading or withdrawals depending on deposit method and verification status.

Risks, best practices, and tax considerations

Risks and execution issues when learning how to buy stocks on Webull:

• Market risk: prices can move against your position rapidly.
• Liquidity and slippage: less liquid securities and extended-hours trades can experience wide spreads and slippage.
• Partial fills: especially with large orders or thinly traded stocks.

Best practices:

• Use limit orders when price control matters.
• Size positions relative to your portfolio and risk tolerance.
• Diversify holdings to reduce idiosyncratic risk.
• Keep an eye on trading hours and avoid assuming extended-hours liquidity equals regular market liquidity.

Tax considerations:

• Webull provides tax documents (e.g., 1099-B) for U.S. taxable accounts at year-end and in your tax center. Keep records of trade confirmations and cost basis.
• For IRAs, different tax rules apply. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.

Important: This guide is educational and not investment advice. Make decisions based on your own research and, if needed, consult a licensed professional.

Troubleshooting common issues

Common problems and steps to resolve:

• Failed funding or verification: confirm bank information, retry real-time verification, or use micro-deposit flow; check email for requested documents.
• Order rejection due to insufficient funds or buying power: check unsettled funds (T+2), margin status, and available buying power.
• Platform errors or slow response: try logging out and back in, update the app, or switch to web/desktop temporarily.
• Unexpected fills or price differences: review execution reports and time stamps; volatile markets can cause price divergence between order submission and execution.

When to contact support:

• Persistent account access or verification issues, disputed trade executions, or suspected account security breaches. Use Webull’s official support channels for account-specific help.

Regulatory, security, and legal information

Protections and disclosures:

• Webull accounts are typically covered by SIPC protection up to applicable limits for missing securities and cash in the event of broker-dealer insolvency (verify current coverage details in Webull disclosures).
• Review privacy policies, customer agreements, and fee schedules in your account documents.
• Keep your account secure: enable two-factor authentication (2FA), use a strong password, and monitor account activity.

Where to find official legal documents: the Webull app and website include dedicated pages for terms of service, privacy policy, and regulatory disclosures.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I buy fractional shares on Webull? A: Yes. Webull supports fractional shares with a minimum order size (commonly $5) and fractional precision (down to 0.00001 shares for supported securities). Confirm current limits in the help center.

Q: Are trades commission-free? A: Webull generally offers commission-free trading for U.S. stocks and ETFs, though regulatory/exchange fees may still apply.

Q: When can I trade pre-market? A: Webull supports extended-hours trading windows; typical pre-market and after-hours windows are available, but exact times and allowed order types can change. Check the platform’s extended-hours settings.

Q: How long do deposits take? A: ACH deposits typically take 1–3 business days depending on verification. Real-time-verified bank links may accelerate availability.

Learning resources and tutorials

Official resources to learn more about how to buy stocks on Webull:

• Webull Help Center articles on placing trades, fractional shares, and bank linking.
• Platform-specific walkthrough videos for mobile and desktop trade tickets.
• Account support pages for funding, transfers, and tax documents.

If you are exploring crypto or Web3 wallets alongside equities, consider using a dedicated Web3 wallet such as Bitget Wallet for on-chain asset self-custody and explore Bitget exchange for spot crypto trading — remember to keep Webull for U.S. equities and ETFs and use each platform for its intended asset class.

References and official sources

• Webull Help Center: “How to purchase stocks from Webull application?” (help center articles and step-by-step guides).
• Webull product pages: Trading & Investing overview; Invest in Stocks & Buy Fractional Shares; Fractional Shares details (minimums and rules); Commission-Free Stock Trading disclosures.
• Webull Help Center: Linking Your Bank (real-time verification and micro-deposit instructions).
• Platform tutorial videos and walkthroughs for placing trades.

As of 2025-12-30, according to Webull Help Center, fractional-share minimums and fractional trading rules (including $5 minimum and 0.00001 share precision) were documented on Webull’s fractional shares page. For the latest UI flows, execution rules, and fee schedules, consult the Webull app and official help center.

Final notes and next steps

If you are ready to place your first trade after learning how to buy stocks on Webull:

• Complete account verification and link your bank using real-time verification if available for faster deposits.
• Start with small, well-sized orders. Use limit orders for price control and consider practicing with fractional-dollar buys.
• Keep security measures active (2FA) and monitor account statements for fees and tax documents.

Want to explore complementary tools? For on-chain assets and Web3 wallet needs, consider Bitget Wallet for self-custody and Bitget’s platform for crypto trading. For U.S. equities and ETFs, follow Webull’s official help pages for the most current platform specifics.

Further exploration: open the Webull Help Center trade tutorials, review the fractional shares FAQ, and watch official walkthrough videos to match current UI flows before submitting live orders.