What WeBull is and what you can do with it
WeBull is a brokerage platform where you can buy and sell stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, and cryptocurrencies. You open an account, fund it with money, and then place trades through their app or website. WeBull does not charge commissions on most stock and ETF trades, which is why many people use it instead of traditional brokers.
The platform is designed for people who want to manage their own investments rather than pay an advisor to do it. You can trade during regular market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays) or, if you have a funded account, during extended hours (4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern). WeBull also offers research tools, charts, and educational content built into the platform.
Before you start, understand that trading stocks and other securities carries real risk. You can lose money. WeBull is a tool for executing trades, not a service that guarantees returns or manages your money for you.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have a valid Social Security number to open a WeBull account.
- The account opening process takes about 10 minutes and requires proof of identity, but you cannot trade until your account is funded and verified.
- You fund your account by linking a bank account or transferring money, and the deposit typically takes 1 to 3 business days to settle.
- Once funded, you can place a trade by selecting a security, choosing how many shares you want, and confirming the order at the price you see on screen.
- WeBull charges no commission on stocks and ETFs, but does charge for options trades and has fees for certain account types or services.
Opening a WeBull account
Start by downloading the WeBull app or going to their website. Tap or click "Sign Up" and enter your email address and a password. WeBull will send you a verification code to your email—enter it to confirm.
Next, you will enter personal information: your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address. WeBull uses this to verify your identity and comply with federal regulations. You will also choose your account type. Most beginners choose a standard individual brokerage account (called a cash account), which means you can only trade with money you have already deposited. A margin account lets you borrow money to trade, but it has higher fees and more complex rules—skip this unless you already understand margin.
After you submit your information, WeBull verifies your identity, usually within minutes. Once verified, your account is open but not yet active for trading. You cannot place trades until you fund the account and the deposit clears.
Funding your account and understanding settlement
To fund your account, go to the "Account" or "Wallet" section of the app and select "Deposit." WeBull will ask you to link a bank account. You provide your bank's routing number and your account number, or you can use your bank's app to authorize the connection directly. This process is called Plaid linking and is standard across brokerages.
Once your bank account is linked, you choose how much to deposit. WeBull typically accepts deposits of $1 or more with no maximum. The money usually appears in your WeBull account within 1 to 3 business days, depending on your bank. Until the deposit settles, you cannot trade with that money.
Understand the difference between when money arrives and when it is available to trade. If you deposit on a Monday, it may show in your account by Wednesday, but WeBull may not let you trade with it until Thursday or Friday. This is called the settlement period and is a federal rule, not a WeBull rule. If you trade before settlement is complete, you can trigger a "good faith violation" that may restrict your account.
Placing your first trade
Once your deposit has settled, you are ready to trade. Open the WeBull app and use the search bar at the top to find a stock or ETF. Type the ticker symbol (for example, "AAPL" for Apple or "SPY" for the S&P 500 ETF). Tap the result to open the security's page.
On the security page, you will see the current price, a chart, and a "Trade" button. Tap "Trade" and choose "Buy." Enter the number of shares you want to purchase. WeBull will show you the total cost (shares × price) and any fees. Review the order carefully—the price on screen is the price you will pay, but it can change if you wait or if the market moves.
Choose your order type. A "Market" order buys at the best available price right now. A "Limit" order lets you set a maximum price you are willing to pay; the trade only goes through if the stock drops to that price or lower. For beginners, market orders are simpler. Tap "Submit" or "Confirm" to place the order. The trade executes immediately during market hours, and the shares appear in your account within seconds.
Understanding order types and timing
WeBull offers several order types beyond market and limit orders. A "Stop" order (also called a stop-loss) automatically sells your shares if the price drops to a level you set. This is useful if you want to limit your losses. A "Stop Limit" order combines both: it triggers a sale at a certain price but only if the stock reaches a limit price you specify.
You can also set the time frame for your order. A "Day" order expires at the end of the trading day if it has not filled. A "Good Till Canceled" (GTC) order stays active until you cancel it or it fills, which can be weeks or months. Most beginners use day orders to avoid accidentally buying or selling at an unexpected price days later.
Extended-hours trading (before 9:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m.) is available on WeBull, but prices are less stable and spreads (the difference between buy and sell prices) are wider. If you are new to trading, stick to regular market hours until you understand how prices move.
Fees and costs you should know about
WeBull charges no commission on stock and ETF trades, which is why it appeals to people who trade frequently. However, there are other costs. Options trades cost $0.65 per contract. If you trade on margin (borrowed money), you pay interest on the borrowed amount. Some account features, like real-time data for certain markets, may require a subscription.
You also pay the bid-ask spread, which is not a fee WeBull charges but a cost built into every trade. The spread is the difference between what buyers are willing to pay and what sellers are asking. If a stock's bid is $100 and the ask is $100.05, you pay the extra $0.05 per share when you buy. On large trades, spreads add up.
WeBull also charges inactivity fees on some account types and may charge for wire transfers or other services. Read the fee schedule on their website before you fund your account so you understand what you might owe.
Selling shares and withdrawing money
To sell shares, find the security in your portfolio (the "Account" or "Holdings" section), tap it, and select "Sell." Enter the number of shares you want to sell and choose your order type (market or limit). Review the order and confirm. The sale executes immediately, and the cash appears in your account balance right away.
The cash from a sale is available to trade with immediately, but if you want to withdraw it back to your bank account, there is a settlement period. Stocks settle in 2 business days, so the cash from a sale on Monday is available to withdraw on Wednesday. To withdraw, go to "Account," select "Withdraw," choose your linked bank account, and enter the amount. The money typically reaches your bank in 1 to 3 business days.
If you sell at a profit, you will owe taxes on the gain. If you held the shares for less than a year, it is taxed as short-term capital gains (at your ordinary income tax rate). If you held them for a year or more, it is taxed as long-term capital gains (usually at a lower rate). WeBull provides tax documents at the end of the year, but you are responsible for reporting the gains to the IRS.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not trade before your deposit settles. Many new traders deposit money and immediately try to trade, triggering a good faith violation. Wait for the settlement period to complete—usually 1 to 3 business days.
Do not confuse account balance with buying power. Your account balance is the total value of your cash and holdings. Your buying power is the amount of cash you can actually use to trade. If you have a $5,000 deposit that has not yet settled, your balance might show $5,000, but your buying power is $0 until settlement is complete.
Do not use market orders for illiquid or thinly traded securities. If a stock does not trade often, a market order can fill at a price far from what you expected. Use a limit order instead and set a price you are comfortable with.
Do not ignore the bid-ask spread on small trades. On a $100 stock with a $0.10 spread, buying 10 shares costs you $1 extra. On a $1,000 trade, that is 0.1%—small but real. On penny stocks or illiquid securities, spreads can be 5% or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to open a WeBull account?
The sign-up process takes about 10 minutes, and identity verification usually completes within minutes to a few hours. However, you cannot trade until you fund your account and the deposit settles, which takes 1 to 3 business days. Plan on at least a few days from start to first trade.
Can I trade on WeBull if I have less than $25,000?
Yes. The $25,000 minimum applies only to margin accounts (accounts where you borrow money to trade). With a cash account, you can trade with any amount. However, if you make more than three day trades in five business days with less than $25,000, WeBull will restrict your account for 90 days.
What happens if I place a trade and change my mind?
If your order has not yet filled, you can cancel it. Open the order in your "Orders" or "Activity" section and tap "Cancel." If the order has already filled, you cannot cancel it, but you can immediately sell the shares you just bought. You will owe taxes on any gain or loss.
Does WeBull offer retirement accounts like IRAs?
WeBull offers traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, which have tax advantages for retirement savings. The process to open one is similar to a regular account, but you choose the account type during sign-up. Contributions and withdrawals have different rules than a regular brokerage account, so read WeBull's IRA documentation before opening one.
What should I do if I lose money on a trade?
Losses are part of trading. You can sell the shares at any time to lock in the loss, or hold them hoping the price recovers. If you sell at a loss, you can use that loss to offset gains elsewhere on your taxes (a strategy called tax-loss harvesting). Keep records of all your trades for tax purposes.