You can buy Netflix stock through a brokerage account, either as individual shares or as part of a fund
Netflix trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol NFLX. To own it, you open an account with a brokerage firm — a company licensed to buy and sell stocks on your behalf. You then deposit money, place an order for Netflix shares at the current market price, and the brokerage executes the trade. The shares appear in your account and you own them until you sell.
You do not need a large amount of money to start. Most brokerages let you buy a single share of Netflix, which costs whatever the stock price is on the day you buy (roughly $250 to $300 per share in recent years, though this changes daily). Some brokerages also offer fractional shares, meaning you can invest $50 or $100 and own a portion of one share.
Netflix is also available inside mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which bundle many stocks together. If you buy a fund that tracks the S&P 500 or the NASDAQ-100, you automatically own a small piece of Netflix along with hundreds of other companies. This route requires less research into Netflix itself, but you have less control over how much of your money goes to Netflix specifically.
Key Takeaways
- You need a brokerage account to buy Netflix stock; common brokerages include Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E-TRADE, and Robinhood, and most charge no commission per trade.
- Netflix shares trade under the ticker NFLX on the NASDAQ exchange, and you can buy as little as one share or a fraction of a share depending on your brokerage.
- You can own Netflix directly as individual shares or indirectly by buying a fund that holds Netflix as one of many holdings.
- The price of Netflix stock changes throughout each trading day, so the cost to buy one share varies; you place an order at whatever the current price is when you buy.
Opening a brokerage account and funding it
Start by choosing a brokerage. The major ones — Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E-TRADE, TD Ameritrade, and Robinhood — all allow individual investors to open accounts online with no minimum deposit, though some have account minimums if you want certain features. Smaller brokerages and credit unions may also offer stock trading. Compare their websites or call to understand their fee structure; most major brokerages charge no commission when you buy or sell stocks, but some charge for certain types of orders or accounts.
Once you choose a brokerage, you will create an account online. You will provide your name, address, Social Security number, and employment information. The brokerage will verify your identity and may ask about your investment experience and financial situation. This process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
After your account is open, you transfer money into it. You can do this by linking a bank account and moving money electronically (usually takes one to three business days), by mailing a check, or by wire transfer (faster but may cost a fee). Once the money is in your brokerage account, it is ready to invest.
Placing an order to buy Netflix shares
Log into your brokerage account and look for the "Trade" or "Buy" section. Enter the ticker symbol NFLX. The brokerage will show you the current price of one share and let you choose how many shares you want to buy. If you have $500 in your account and Netflix is trading at $250 per share, you could buy 2 shares, or 1 share and have $250 left over, or a fractional amount like 1.5 shares if your brokerage supports that.
You will then choose an order type. A market order buys Netflix at whatever the price is right now — it executes immediately during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays). A limit order lets you set a maximum price you are willing to pay; if Netflix is at $250 and you set a limit of $245, the order only executes if the price drops to $245 or below. Limit orders may not execute at all if the price never reaches your limit.
Review your order details, confirm, and submit. If you placed a market order during market hours, it executes within seconds. If you placed a limit order or ordered outside market hours, it waits until the conditions are met. Once executed, the shares appear in your account and you own them.
Understanding what you own and what it costs
When you buy Netflix stock, you own a fractional piece of the company. You do not control Netflix's decisions, but you have the right to vote on certain shareholder matters (though this matters only if you own a large number of shares). You receive no regular payment just for owning the stock — Netflix does not currently pay a dividend. Your return comes only if the stock price rises and you sell for more than you paid, or if you hold it long-term and the company grows.
The costs of owning Netflix stock are the price you pay per share plus any fees your brokerage charges. Most brokerages charge no commission, but some charge a small fee for certain order types or account features. If you sell your shares, you may owe capital gains tax on any profit — the amount depends on how long you held the shares and your tax bracket. Your brokerage will send you tax documents at the end of the year.
The price of Netflix stock changes constantly during market hours. If you buy at $250 and it drops to $200, your investment is worth less on paper. If it rises to $300, your investment is worth more. You can sell at any time during market hours and receive the current price, or hold indefinitely.
Buying Netflix through funds instead of individual shares
If you do not want to research Netflix or pick individual stocks, you can buy a mutual fund or ETF that holds Netflix. An index fund that tracks the S&P 500 or NASDAQ-100 will automatically include Netflix as one of its holdings. You buy one share of the fund (which might cost $300 to $400), and you own a small piece of Netflix plus hundreds of other companies.
The advantage is simplicity and diversification — your money is spread across many companies, so Netflix's performance alone does not make or break your investment. The disadvantage is you have no control over how much of your money goes to Netflix; the fund's weighting is determined by the index it tracks. You also pay a small annual fee to the fund company, though these fees are usually very low (often under 0.1% per year).
You buy funds the same way you buy individual stocks: through a brokerage account, using the fund's ticker symbol, and placing a market or limit order. Most brokerages let you buy fractional shares of funds, so you can invest any amount.
Tax and account type considerations
When you buy Netflix stock in a regular brokerage account (called a taxable account), you owe capital gains tax when you sell for a profit. Short-term capital gains (stocks held less than one year) are taxed as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains (stocks held more than one year) are taxed at a lower rate, usually 15% or 20% depending on your income.
If you have a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k), you can buy Netflix stock inside that account. The advantage is that gains are not taxed until you withdraw money in retirement, or not taxed at all in a Roth IRA. The disadvantage is you cannot withdraw the money before retirement age without penalties. Most brokerages let you trade stocks inside retirement accounts the same way you trade in a taxable account.
Keep records of what you paid for Netflix shares and when you bought them. Your brokerage will track this and send you tax forms, but having your own records helps if there are discrepancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lot of money to start buying Netflix stock?
No. Most brokerages let you buy a single share or a fraction of a share with whatever money you have. If Netflix costs $250 per share and you have $50, you can buy 0.2 shares. The only limit is the amount in your brokerage account.
Can I lose more money than I invested?
If you buy Netflix stock outright, no — the worst case is the stock price drops to zero and your investment becomes worthless. If you use margin (borrowing money from your brokerage to buy more stock than you can afford), you can lose more than you invested. Most new investors should avoid margin.
What happens if Netflix goes bankrupt?
If Netflix files for bankruptcy, shareholders are last in line to receive anything. In most bankruptcies, shareholders lose their entire investment. This is why diversification matters — owning only Netflix is riskier than owning Netflix as part of a fund with many companies.
How do I sell Netflix stock if I want to get my money back?
Log into your brokerage account, find the Netflix shares you own, and place a sell order. Choose market order to sell immediately at the current price, or limit order to set a minimum price. The sale executes during market hours, and the money appears in your brokerage account within one to three business days.
Is there a difference between buying Netflix stock and buying Netflix a subscription?
Yes. A Netflix subscription lets you watch shows and movies. Netflix stock is ownership in the company that runs Netflix. Owning stock does not give you a free subscription, and having a subscription does not make you a shareholder.