Like most of us, you have probably imagined buying shares of a company that skyrockets in a couple of years in value, making you enough money to travel and chill for the rest of your life. Maybe even Apple was among your top picks for buying its shares, or it will be. In reality, investing is a bit more complex than waiting for the birds flying into your mouth ready roasted, but hey, you have to start somewhere right?
The good news is that unlike back in the days, today you can buy shares in companies like Apple fully online.
While we do not specifically advise to buy Apple shares, this article explains in layman’s terms how you can buy shares in companies in general, taking Apple as an example. Whether your first share to buy should be Apple or not it’s for you to decide. We strongly suggest to contact investment advisors as this article is not meant to be investment advice under any circumstance.
If you are interested in our guide about how to buy shares online, click here.
Overview of Apple
Apple is a US Tech company, traded on the NASDAQ under the AAPL ticker. It is known for their quality and unique products and solutions, like the Iphone, Macbook or Icloud. If you’d like to buy its stocks you need to find a broker that gives you access to the NASDAQ because that’s the main exchange it’s traded on (hang tight, we’ll get into this in a bit).
All of this doesn’t mean that Apple is a good company or a bad one. As part of this example you might want to get reminded of what you are considering investing in though.
Let’s see the steps now!
Steps of buying Apple shares
Okay so for your own reasons you have decided you’d like to buy Apple. That’s a good start. Let’s see what lies ahead of you before you can officially state that you are a shareholder of Apple! The process is rather similar for any company shares and again, we only take Apple as an example.
Step 1: find a good online broker
One of the characteristics of an online broker is the exchanges they have access to. Not all brokers allow you to buy shares of Apple, simply because they don’t have access to the NASDAQ. Needless to say, you need a broker that gives you access to this exchange.
The next important thing with a broker is that it should fit you as well. Not all brokers allow every citizen to open an account with them; some brokers are super expensive if you just want to buy a couple of Apple shares every once in a while, some brokers can be absolutely free. You can actually get great recommendations on choosing the right broker using our questionnaire:
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Apple Shares
When selecting a broker, several key factors should be considered, including fees, the quality of the trading platform, available markets, and how simple it is to open an account. Security is also essential, but by sticking with reputable and regulated brokers, you can invest with confidence.
Step 2: Set Up Your Brokerage Account
Once you’ve chosen a broker, the next step is to create your account. This process is similar to opening a bank account and is usually completed entirely online. Some platforms allow you to get started within minutes, while others may take a few days due to identity verification checks. This account will hold your Apple shares, so it’s a necessary step before investing.
Step 3: Add Funds to Your Account
To purchase Apple stock, you’ll need to deposit money into your brokerage account. This step is typically quick and straightforward—often even easier than setting up the account itself.
Most brokers support funding via bank transfer or credit/debit card. Some platforms also allow deposits through e-wallets like PayPal, offering additional convenience.
Step 4: Purchase Apple Stock
With your account funded, you’re ready to invest. Log in to your brokerage platform, search for Apple, choose how many shares you want to buy, and place your order.
When placing a trade, you’ll usually have different order types to choose from:
Market order: executes immediately at the current market price
Limit order: lets you set the price at which you want to buy
Understanding these options helps you control how your purchase is executed.
Step 5: Monitor Your Investment
Buying shares is just the beginning. It’s important to regularly track your investment and stay aligned with your overall strategy.
If you’re investing for the long term, you may want to follow company updates, financial reports, and industry news. If your strategy is more short-term, you can use tools like:
Take-profit orders to secure gains
Stop-loss orders to limit potential losses
Now that you’re familiar with the process, you’re ready to explore and compare top brokers to find the one that best fits your investing style.
Best 5 brokers for buying Apple shares
| Interactive Brokers | Interactive Brokers is a US discount broker. It is listed on a stock exchange and regulated by several authorities, including top-tier ones like the FCA and the SEC. | Visit broker |
| Alpaca Trading | Alpaca Securities LLC is US-based broker providing commission-free API stock trading. The company is regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA: | Visit broker |
| TradeStation Global | TradeStation Global is an introducing broker of Interactive Brokers. This practically means that assets and cash are held with Interactive Brokers, but services like fees and customer support are provided by TradeStation Global. TradeStation Global is regulated by the top-tier UK FCA. | Visit broker |
| Zacks Trade | Zacks Trade is a US discount broker that also allows international clients to open an account. Zacks Trade is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by SEC and FINRA. Customers are protected by the SIPC scheme, up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash). | Visit broker |
| Saxo Bank | Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank. It is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including the top-tier UK FCA. | Visit broker |
Fees for investing in Apple stocks
You have to count with different kind of fees when you are trading with Apple shares.
Commission is a fee, based on the traded volume or a flat fee per trade. For example, 0.1% of €10,000, $5/trade or $0.005/share.
Needless to say, these are different at each broker. Let’s see the fees of trading with Apple shares at our recommended five brokers
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
How to reduce risks
How to Reduce Risk When Investing in Apple Stock
All investments involve a certain degree of risk, and buying Apple shares is no exception. The key is to understand these risks and take steps to manage them wisely. Below are some practical tips to help you invest more safely and confidently.
Be Aware of Investment Scams
Risk:
There are many fraudulent brokers online aiming to take advantage of investors. Be cautious when you encounter ads for binary options or automated trading systems promising unusually high returns—these are often warning signs.
How to manage it:
Choose trustworthy and well-regulated brokers when investing online. Reliable platforms offer transparency, strong security, and a solid reputation. If something sounds too good to be true, it’s best to avoid it.
Diversify Your Portfolio
Risk:
Investing all your money in one or two stocks can expose you to significant losses. If Apple faces unexpected challenges or a downturn, your entire investment could be affected.
How to manage it:
Spread your investments across multiple companies instead of focusing solely on Apple. Diversification helps reduce overall risk and creates a more balanced portfolio. Many investors aim to hold between 20 and 30 different stocks to achieve proper diversification.
Bottom line
How to purchase Apple shares online?
Just follow these five easy steps:
- find a broker
- open your account
- fund the account
- buy the share
- review your position
It may look tricky for the first time but all you need to do is progress step-by-step.
