What Are the Best Exchanges to Invest in 2025: A Practical Guide for Beginners

How to Choose Your Investment Brokerage in 2025

The Brazilian investment market is expanding. In 2025 alone, B3 registered 18 million new investors, a milestone that highlights the exponential growth of people seeking to allocate their resources. However, with so many options available, the most common question among beginners is: which brokerage to choose?

The answer isn’t simple, as different platforms serve different needs. Some prioritize user-friendly interfaces, others offer reduced fees, and some combine education with advanced tools. To guide your decision, we’ve outlined the main criteria that differentiate a good brokerage:

• Intuitive interface: especially important for beginners
• Competitive fee structure: significant savings in the long run
• Variety of assets: access to stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and funds
• Active technical support: quick problem resolution
• Educational resources: tutorials, courses, and analyses

The Current Market Scenario of Brokerages

Data shows that the segment is undergoing rapid transformation. Digital platforms offer costs up to 80% lower than traditional institutions, while 70% of users seek applications that provide integrated tutorials. The trend also points toward democratization of products: access to cryptocurrencies, sustainable bonds, and ESG-focused funds is now standard among leading brokerages.

This shift reflects the sophistication of the Brazilian investor, who no longer just wants to save but to diversify their portfolio intelligently.

The Main Brokerages for Beginners

Nubank Investments: Digital Experience First

If there’s an institution that embodies the modernity of fintechs, it’s Nubank. Its brokerage, also known as Nu Invest, focuses on providing a fully remote experience optimized for smartphones.

In 2025, Nubank significantly expanded its investment catalog. It now offers CDBs with yields of 220% of the CDI, fractional shares, Bitcoin, and real estate funds with no management fee. For transactions under R$ 1,000, brokerage fees are zero, and any withdrawal via Pix is free.

The main differentiator? An AI assistant integrated into the app that provides personalized recommendations based on your profile and investment history. For beginners without market analysis experience, this feature is particularly valuable.

XP Investimentos: Global Reach and Continuous Innovation

With 6.2 million clients, XP is almost synonymous with investments for the average Brazilian. The platform has built this reputation by offering access to 12 international stock exchanges, cryptocurrency staking options, and private pension products.

Fees start at R$ 1.90 for stock transactions in Brazil. ETFs are fee-free for the first year, reducing initial costs. Recent innovation includes the XP Future platform, which simulates investments in virtual reality, helping beginners practice strategies without real risk.

Toro: When Simplicity Meets Functionality

Operating since 2010, Toro has established a solid user base through its simple operation and low costs. Part of the Santander group, it offers a practical interface via app and browser.

Toro’s key advantage is its support for day trading — a mode many beginners fear, but which the brokerage makes accessible through educational tools. Moreover, zero brokerage in standard operations is rare in the market, and Toro offers exactly that, making it especially attractive for those starting without hidden fixed costs.

Rico Investimentos: Automation for Those Who Prefer Not to Decide

Part of the XP ecosystem, Rico Investimentos stands out for its focus on investment robots. Its recommended portfolios operate through algorithms that analyze the market continuously, offering a more passive approach for investors.

For day traders, a fixed fee of R$ 0.99 is competitive. Index funds and ETFs do not incur brokerage costs. The Rico Radar tool sends real-time alerts via WhatsApp, allowing you to monitor important movements even outside the platform.

Clear: Minimalism Focused on Cryptocurrencies

Operating independently within the XP group, Clear values operational simplicity. Fractional shares, options, and cryptocurrencies (via partnership) are available without any brokerage charges. The only fee is R$ 3.90 for withdrawals.

An innovative feature is Clear Zen mode, which automatically blocks new operations after consecutive losses, preventing impulsive decisions that could increase losses during emotionally unstable periods.

BTG Pactual Digital: Purpose-Driven Investments

BTG has expanded its retail presence through its digital platform, focusing on sustainable products. Green Treasury (IPCA + 6% yield), real estate funds with a neutral carbon footprint, and carbon credits make up the specialized offerings.

Initial transactions under R$ 5,000 do not incur fees. The BTG Educa program offers certification in personal finance, adding knowledge to the investor.

Órama: Education as a Competitive Edge

For those who want to integrate multiple aspects of financial management into one platform, Órama offers everything from income tax calculators to structured courses. The platform excels in educational content, with over 150 free courses and live mentoring.

Initial investments do not generate entry fees. Multi-market funds, LCI/LCA titles with daily liquidity, and real estate crowdfunding complete the product portfolio. Órama Start provides R$ 100 for your first investments, reducing initial barriers.

MiTrade: Asset Variety and Accessibility

With over 500 assets available — including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and commodity contracts — MiTrade caters to those seeking exposure to multiple markets. The spread starts at 0.03%, and deposits via Pix incur no additional costs.

The Simulator tool allows practicing operations without risking real capital, a valuable aspect for beginners in the learning process.

What Sets a Good Brokerage Apart

There is no such thing as the “best brokerage” in an absolute sense. What exists is the best for your specific profile. An investor seeking small contributions and continuous education might thrive on a platform like Órama. Another looking for automation and global diversification might feel more comfortable with XP or Rico.

The key is to evaluate:

• How much do you plan to invest monthly?
• Which assets attract you?
• Do you prefer active management or delegating to algorithms?
• Do you need educational support?

Answering these questions will guide your choice toward the brokerage that best fits your goals and temperament as an investor.

Next Steps

If you’ve decided to start your investment journey, the process is straightforward: choose one of the platforms above, register, make an initial deposit (most accept low amounts, some requiring only R$ 100 or equivalent), and start with small operations while learning. The market rewards persistent learners — not impulsive ones.