Getting started with your first trade

To place a trade on WeBull, you log into your account, search for the stock or ETF you want, choose how many shares you want to buy or sell, and confirm the order. The process takes about two minutes once your account is funded. WeBull lets you trade stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies, and the steps differ slightly depending on which one you're trading.

Before you can trade anything, your account needs cash in it. You can link a bank account and transfer money, which usually takes one to three business days to settle. Once the money is there, you're ready to place orders during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern on weekdays) or during extended hours if you have that feature turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a funded account with settled cash before you can place a trade; transfers from your bank typically take one to three business days.
  • Stock and ETF trades execute during regular market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern) unless you enable extended-hours trading in your account settings.
  • Market orders execute immediately at the current price, while limit orders only fill if the price reaches the level you set.
  • Day trading on WeBull requires a minimum account balance of $25,000 if you plan to make more than three round-trip trades in five business days.

Funding your WeBull account

You can only trade with money that has settled in your account. Link a checking or savings account through the app or website, then request a transfer. WeBull accepts ACH transfers, which are free and take one to three business days. You can also deposit by wire transfer if you need the money faster, though wire transfers usually cost a fee from your bank.

Check your account balance before you trade. The amount shown as "buying power" is what you can actually use to buy securities. If you just transferred money and it hasn't settled yet, it won't show up in your buying power. WeBull will tell you the settlement date when you make the transfer.

Placing a stock or ETF order

Open the WeBull app or website and tap the search icon. Type the ticker symbol (like AAPL for Apple or SPY for the S&P 500 ETF) and select it from the results. You'll see the stock's current price, chart, and news. Tap the "Trade" button, which is usually at the bottom of the screen or in the top right.

Choose whether you want to buy or sell. Enter the number of shares you want. WeBull will show you the total cost before you confirm. Then select your order type: a market order buys or sells immediately at whatever the current price is, while a limit order only fills if the price reaches the exact level you set. Most new traders use market orders because they execute right away. Tap "Place Order" to confirm.

Your order will show up in your "Orders" tab. If it's a market order during regular hours, it usually fills within seconds. If it's a limit order, it stays open until the price hits your target or the market closes. You can cancel an order that hasn't filled yet by tapping it and selecting "Cancel."

Understanding order types and timing

WeBull offers several order types beyond market and limit. A stop order (or stop-loss) triggers a market order once the price drops to a level you set — useful if you want to protect against big losses. A stop-limit order combines both: it triggers at your stop price but only fills if it can execute at your limit price or better.

You can also choose when your order stays active. A day order expires at the end of the trading day if it doesn't fill. A good-till-canceled (GTC) order stays open for up to 60 days until it fills or you cancel it. Most traders use day orders for stocks they're trading actively and GTC for longer-term positions.

Extended-hours trading lets you place orders before 9:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Eastern. You have to turn this on in your account settings. Extended-hours trades are riskier because there are fewer buyers and sellers, so prices can swing more and your order might not fill at all.

Trading options on WeBull

Options trading requires approval from WeBull. You request it in your account settings, and WeBull will ask about your experience level and investment goals. Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few days. Once approved, you can search for options the same way you search for stocks.

When you select an option, you'll see a chain showing all available contracts for that stock. Each row shows the strike price (the price at which you can buy or sell the underlying stock), the expiration date, and the bid and ask prices. Tap the contract you want and choose to buy or sell. The process is the same as buying a stock, but you're buying the right to buy or sell shares at a specific price by a specific date, not the shares themselves.

Options are more complex than stocks and can result in losses larger than your initial investment. If you're new to options, start small and understand what you're buying before you place the trade.

The pattern day trader rule

If you plan to make more than three round-trip trades (buy and sell the same security) in five business days, you're classified as a pattern day trader. WeBull requires a minimum account balance of $25,000 to day trade. This is a federal rule, not a WeBull rule, and it applies to all brokers.

If your account drops below $25,000, you'll lose day trading privileges until you deposit more money. You can still buy and hold stocks or make fewer than four trades per week without hitting this limit. If you're unsure whether a trade counts toward the pattern day trader threshold, WeBull's app shows your day trade count in your account settings.

Monitoring and closing positions

Once you own a stock or ETF, it shows up in your "Holdings" tab. You'll see the number of shares, your average cost per share, the current price, and your gain or loss in dollars and percentage. This updates throughout the trading day.

To sell a position, tap it, select "Trade," choose "Sell," enter the number of shares, and place the order the same way you would for a buy. You can sell part of your position or all of it. If you sell for more than you paid, you have a capital gain; if you sell for less, you have a capital loss. Keep track of these for tax purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade before 9:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m.?

Yes, if you enable extended-hours trading in your account settings. Pre-market trading runs from 4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and after-hours trading runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Fewer traders are active during these times, so prices can be more volatile and your order might not fill.

What's the difference between a market order and a limit order?

A market order buys or sells immediately at the current price. A limit order only fills if the price reaches the exact level you set. Market orders are faster but you don't control the exact price; limit orders give you control but might not fill at all if the price never reaches your target.

How long does it take for my bank transfer to settle?

ACH transfers from your bank typically take one to three business days. Wire transfers are faster but usually cost a fee from your bank. WeBull will show you the expected settlement date when you initiate the transfer.

What happens if my account balance drops below $25,000?

You'll lose day trading privileges and won't be able to make more than three round-trip trades in five business days. You can still buy and hold stocks or make fewer trades without restriction. Deposit more money to restore day trading access.

Can I cancel an order after I place it?

Yes, as long as it hasn't filled yet. Go to your "Orders" tab, tap the order, and select "Cancel." If the order has already filled, you can't cancel it, but you can sell the shares you bought or buy back shares you sold short.