TradeWize
vs Investopedia.
Both teach investing for free, but they’re different products. Investopedia is a reference encyclopedia you look up when you need a term. TradeWize is a structured course that walks you from zero to a finished investor playbook.
What each one costs.
The full 172-lesson course, 100+ mini games, and the simulator — no card required.
Optional Premium from $14/mo, billed annually. 14-day refund. Local price varies by region.
Free articles, glossary, and Stock Simulator. Investopedia Academy — the actual taught courses — costs $19.95–$279 each (one-time, lifetime access).
TradeWize’s complete, structured course is free. Investopedia’s free tier is reference articles and a simulator — useful, but not a course you work through — while its actual taught courses (Academy) are paid per course.
Side by side.
| Feature | TradeWize | Investopedia |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A complete, structured course + simulator | Reference site + paid courses |
| Free content | 20 stages, 172 lessons, 100+ mini games, simulator | Articles, glossary, Stock Simulator |
| Paid tier | Premium from $14/mo (billed annually). Adds active-trading curriculum. | Investopedia Academy. $19.95 to $279 per course, lifetime access. |
| Simulator | Integrated with the lessons; real-time Pro trading on Premium | $100,000 virtual cash; stocks, options & ETFs, standalone |
| Best for | Absolute beginners learning end-to-end | Looking up specific terms or concepts |
| Format | Step-by-step lessons, quizzes, mini games | Articles, videos, glossary entries |
| Geography | Global examples (US, UK, EU, Asia, Australia) | Primarily US-focused |
| Gamification | Hearts, coins, XP, streaks | None |
| Mobile | Any browser — nothing to install | Web + iOS and Android apps |
Pick the one that fits where you are.
If you’re starting from zero and want a path you can finish.
- You’re an absolute beginner and don’t know where to start.
- You learn better with structure (do step 1, then step 2) instead of bouncing between articles.
- You want a free course, not just free articles.
- You’re outside the US and want examples that match your broker, currency, and tax setup.
- You like gamification (hearts, coins, streaks) to keep you coming back.
- You want the simulator and the lessons to talk to each other. Earn coins by learning, spend them practicing.
If you already know the basics and need a reference you can search.
- You already know the basics and want to look up a specific term (e.g. “what is a SPAC?”).
- You want the most-recognised stock-market simulator brand.
- You’re a US-based intermediate investor doing tax-aware research.
- You prefer reference reading over guided lessons.
- You’re preparing for finance certifications like Series 7 or CFA.
- You want deep dives on niche topics (specific derivatives, regulatory filings).
The honest take.
Starting from zero, TradeWize. Past the basics, Investopedia. Many people use both.
TradeWize is a structured path you can finish: a course, not a library you have to navigate. Investopedia is the best-in-class reference for looking things up after you already know the lay of the land.
Things people ask before they pick.
- Q01
Is Investopedia free?
Investopedia’s articles, glossary, and Stock Simulator are free. Investopedia Academy courses are paid. Most range from $19.95 to $279 per course, with lifetime access and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Q02
Is TradeWize really free?
Yes. The full 172-lesson beginner curriculum, all 100+ mini games, and the trading simulator are free with no credit card required. Premium is optional (from $14/mo, billed annually; local price varies by region) and adds the active-trading curriculum (technical analysis, options, futures, forex, crypto) and real-time market data.
- Q03
Can I use both TradeWize and Investopedia?
Yes, many learners do. Use TradeWize to build a structured foundation from zero, then use Investopedia to look up specific terms or research niche topics as you go deeper.
- Q04
Which simulator is better for absolute beginners?
TradeWize’s simulator is integrated with the lessons. You practise using skills you just learned, with coins you earned from quizzes. Investopedia’s Stock Simulator gives you $100,000 of virtual cash to trade stocks, options, and ETFs across 6,000+ NYSE and Nasdaq listings, and is standalone — which suits free-form experimentation once you already know the basics.
- Q05
Which is better for non-US learners?
TradeWize uses global examples spanning US, UK, EU, Asia, and Australia, with different broker types, currencies, and account names. Investopedia is primarily US-focused, with most tax and account examples assuming US residency.
Other comparisons.
Take the structured path.
TradeWize is free. No credit card, no experience needed. Your first lesson takes about three minutes.
Comparison based on publicly available information as of June 2026; prices and features change, so check each provider for the latest. Prices are shown in USD for a like-for-like comparison; your local price may differ, as TradeWize and some competitors localize pricing by region. All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners; this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.