: Instead of single stocks, you buy a "basket" of hundreds of stocks (like the S&P 500) to achieve instant diversification. 3. Select a Brokerage Platform For 2024–2026, top-rated platforms for beginners include:

: You pick individual stocks through a brokerage account. This requires significant research into company annual reports and performance.

How To Start Investing in Stocks in 2025 and Beyond - Investopedia