Do fractional shares work the same at every brokerage?

No, and the differences matter. Not every brokerage offers fractional shares, and among those that do, some allow fractional purchases of thousands of stocks and ETFs while others limit it to a smaller list or only to certain large companies. Policies also differ on whether you can place fractional trades all day or only at set times, how dividends and reinvestment are handled, and whether fractions transfer to another firm or must be liquidated first. Some brokerages support fractional shares in dividend reinvestment but not in ordinary trading. Before relying on fractional investing, check your specific brokerage's rules on eligible securities, trade timing, transfers, and any minimums. If fractional investing is central to your plan, choose a brokerage that supports it broadly and commission-free.