text: how to buy shares online? can anybody tell me how to buy shares online. everything depends on your goals & your current asset allocation (or anticpated asset allocation). typical discount brokers (schwab, scottrade, fidelity, ameritrade, etc are available from $7.00 a trade to $12.95 a trade.  your question leads me to believe that you're new to buying shares.  scottrade is a "deep" discount brooker. i have an account with them & i'm very happy. but don't use a "deep discount" brooker if you're new to buying stocks (the money you lose may far out weigh the savings).  you should have a good understanding of stocks, drip's, stock funds & etf's before you trade. you should have a good understanding of "asset allocation" before you start to buy.  good luck!