Online options trading courses allow you to diversify your investing skills and increase earning potential. Options are different from stocks, which are ownership shares in a company. When you invest in options, you are purchasing the right to buy or sell shares of an underlying stock for a set price in the future. Options are unique in that you can potentially make a profit not only when a stock rises, but also when it falls. Whether you’re an investing hobbyist or a professional in the finance field, online options trading courses can help you learn more about this type of investing. However, there are many choices when it comes to these programs and you’ll need to find one that matches your experience level, budget, and schedule. To help save you time, money, and energy when making this decision, we’ve reviewed the 10 best online options trading courses below.
- Bullish Bears — Options Trading Course — Top Pick
- Udemy — The Complete Foundation Stock Trading Course — Most Affordable
- Udemy — Options Trading for Rookies (Part 1-3): Understand Options Completely — Best for Beginners
- Udemy — Options Trading for Beginners — Most Hands-On
- Investopedia Academy — Trading for Beginners — Best At-Home Exercises
- Coursera — Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization — Best Instructor Support
- Simpler Trading — Small Account Secrets — Most Advanced Course
- Skillshare — Beginning Options Trading – Learn How to Profit With Options — Best Free Trial
- Skillshare — Complete Guide to Stock Options for Beginners — Shortest Course
- Online Trading Academy — Professional Options Trader — Best Professional Outcomes
Our Ranking Criteria
The best online options trading courses help you improve your ability to make better investment decisions in any domain. Since options trading is a more niche investment tool, there are not as many programs out there as more common investment topics, like stock trading. We researched nearly 20 online finance courses before choosing the 10 stand-out programs to feature. To determine which courses to include and which to skip, we based our decisions on the following criteria.
Basic Ranking Criteria
There are some basic details you should know before signing up for any online course. These details include time commitment, prior experience, the flexibility of schedule, and what you get at the end. For every online options trading course reviewed in this guide, we looked at four factors as the foundation for our selections.
Time to complete. We looked for online options trading courses that could be completed in a reasonable amount of time. The courses covered in this guide can be completed in as little as a few weeks to a year. w
Prerequisites required. This list of online options trading courses is tailored toward professionals and individuals looking to improve their investing skills. We sought standalone courses that, for the most part, do not require prerequisites.
Flexible schedule. We realize many people interested in options trading already have busy schedules. We gave high value to courses offering self-paced, self-directed, and other creative options for learning.
Certificate of completion. Some courses will issue, for a fee or for free, a certificate of completion, which can be a valuable resume and self-confidence builder. We have noted whether or not the courses reviewed offer such certificates.
Advanced Ranking Criteria
Options trading is a specialized niche within the much broader sphere of investing. Therefore, we created a list of courses ranging from singularly focused to broadly focused in terms of their look at options trading. Our list caters to a wide range of options trading information, investing skill levels, and prior trading experience. After culling an extensive list of nearly 20 online options trading courses, we screened them based on the following.
- The course is dedicated to some aspects of options trading.
- The course has excellent student reviews.
- The course is offered regularly, either on-demand or once every few months.
- The instructor has proven expertise in the subject matter.
- The syllabus thoroughly covers the course topic.
- Assignments replicate real-world situations and are engaging.
- The course utilizes common vocabulary and tools students will need to be familiar with once they are hired.
10 Best Online Options Trading Courses
Bullish Bears
Options Trading Course
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
Bullish Bears’ Options Trading Course is the most options-focused course on this list. Unlike other programs that fold options into a broader course on trading, options trading is the single focus. The course starts with the basics of what are options and finishes with how to read an options chain. Following a 7-day free trial, the course costs $49 a month. Most students complete it within six months to a year, meaning the final price is up to you and how quickly you work. A unique part of taking this course is opportunities for out-of-class learning and networking with other Bullish Bear students, like a Facebook trading community group and access to Bullish Bears’ live trading room.
- Price: $49 per month following a 7-day full access free trial
- Time to complete: 6 months to a year
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Anyone looking for a thorough understanding of options trading spread out over months with opportunities for out-of-class learning will benefit from this course.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| A clear focus on options trading. | Potentially expensive depending on pace. |
| Out-of-class learning opportunities. |
Udemy
The Complete Foundation Stock Trading Course
Intelligent Award: Most Affordable
The Complete Foundation Stock Trading course casts a wide net on how the stock market works. Options trading is just one piece of this holistic course, which also looks at the history of the stock market, trading psychology, and the basics of money management. It’s taught by the founder of an online trading company and designed for beginning through intermediate market participants. No prerequisites are needed. It’s the broadest course on this list in terms of topics covered and takes nine and a half hours to complete. Course videos offer subtitles in ten languages and additional course materials include downloadable resources and a bonus lecture. With a price of $199.99, the course is an excellent value when broken down by hour.
- Price: $199.99
- Time to complete: 9.5 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course on Udemy is perfect for knowledge seekers who want to learn more about options trading in the larger context of the stock market and how they can break into the action.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Broader in scope. | Mid-range time commitment. |
| Taught by a trader. |
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Udemy
Options Trading for Rookies (Part 1-3): Understand Options Completely
Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners
With less than three hours commitment, Udemy’s Options Trading for Rookies (Part 1): Understand Options Completely is a quick and easy way to learn the foundations of options trading. It’s taught by an options trader whose goals of the course are to teach options basics, successful options trading strategies, and how to trade options for income. Specific concepts covered include trading verticals, strike prices, and the difference between calls and puts. This $124.99 course is part one of a three-part options trading series. The other parts, Option Strategies and Make & Manage Profitable Trades, are optional and each cost $94.99. As a standalone course, Understand Options Completely is one of the most expensive on the list when broken down by hours.
- Price: $124.99
- Time to complete: 2.5 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? For those whose schedule is already tight, this beginner-friendly course is a smart option for anyone with limited time and experience with options trading.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Short completion time. | Expensive when broken down by hour. |
| No options experience needed. |
Udemy
Options Trading for Beginners
Intelligent Award: Most Hands-On
Udemy’s Options Trading for Beginners is geared towards individuals looking to learn the basics of options trading to enhance their portfolios. It’s taught by an experienced options trader and takes just two hours to complete. It is the only course on our list that encourages students to open a brokerage account while following along with the class. To complete this hands-on task, per federal guidelines, you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. Course topics include the math behind selling options, opening a brokerage account, and live trade examples. The course, which includes a certificate of completion, is $34.99 and can be taken anytime.
- Price: $34.99
- Time to complete: 2 hours
- Prerequisites required: Yes
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? If the thought of opening a brokerage account while you’re taking a course sounds appealing, and you meet the requirements to do so, Options Trading for Beginners is a solid choice.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Short completion time. | Age and citizenship restrictions. |
| Affordable. |
Investopedia Academy
Trading for Beginners
Intelligent Award: Best At-Home Exercises
Trading for Beginners from Investopedia Academy stands out from other courses on this list for its hands-on approach of blending 50 lessons with video exercises. The course, which costs $199, is designed for beginner traders and introduces learners to the fundamental concepts and practices of all types of trading, including options. It’s taught by an instructor and executive from the Van Tharp Institute, an educational and training firm for investors and traders. Specific topics covered include market types, trading rules, and trading for hobby vs. business. The course is self-paced, does not require prerequisites, and comes with a certificate of completion.
- Price: $199
- Time to complete: 50 self-paced lessons
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? With the first lesson of Trading for Beginners being, “Could I trade?”, this course is ideal for anyone wondering if options trading is for them and looking for a concrete path to get there.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Hands-on activities. | Higher cost. |
| Flexible schedule. |
Coursera
Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization
Intelligent Award: Best Instructor Support
Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization on Coursera is offered by Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business in Houston, Texas. There are four courses included in this specialized program: Global Financial Markets and Instruments, Portfolio Selection and Risk Management, Biases and Portfolio Selection, Investment Strategies, and Portfolio Analysis. The courses are followed by a five-week, hands-on capstone project where you develop and manage your simulated investment portfolio. Of all the programs on this list, the Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization is the most academic in style and offers the most opportunity for personalized feedback from instructors. Most learners take four hours a week over six months to complete the program, which is $49 a month following a short, free trial.
- Price: $49 per month following a 7-day full access free trial
- Time to complete: Approximately 6 months
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Learners looking for a course more academic in style, with instructor feedback, graded quizzes, and a capstone project, will benefit from this specialized program.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Most academic in style. | Lengthier time commitment. |
| Opportunities for instructor feedback. |
Simpler Trading
Small Account Secrets
Intelligent Award: Most Advanced Course
Unlike many courses on this list that are for options trading newbies, Small Account Secrets on Simpler Trading is geared towards traders with some experience. Although there are no prerequisites required, this course is a deep dive into current market conditions. Its goal is to teach newer traders with smaller accounts how to generate exponential growth and create reliable income. Small Account Secrets is taught by the founder of Simpler Trading, a community of experienced traders that provides educational resources for emerging traders. You have three options to purchase the class ranging from $297 to $997. Each purchase point comes with increased bonus materials and online resources. Depending on the level you choose, Small Account Secrets could be the costliest on our list.
- Price: Three options available – Starter: $297, Plus: $697, Max: $997
- Time to complete: Varies; lifetime access to the recorded class
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? The real-world approach to market trends makes this course appealing for those with some trading background who don’t mind paying a premium price.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Move at your own pace. | Expensive. |
Skillshare
Beginning Options Trading – Learn How to Profit With Options
Intelligent Award: Best Free Trial
You don’t even need to know what an option is to feel comfortable in Skillshare’s Beginning Options Trading – Learn How to Profit with Options course. This course is geared towards beginners with no prior knowledge of options trading. The instructor has trading options experience both for a large investment bank and as a home trader. Topics covered include trading strategies, diversifying your portfolio, and market trends. This course is one of the shortest and potentially inexpensive on our list. It takes less than two hours to complete so you could finish it before your 7-day free trial on Skillshare ends.
- Price: $8.25 per month billed at $99 annually or $19 per month, following a 7-day free trial
- Time to complete: 1.4 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? This course is best for anyone who wants a brief introduction to options trading, it’s not for learners who want advanced information.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Good for beginners. | No certificate offered. |
| Short completion time. |
Skillshare
Complete Guide to Stock Options for Beginners
Intelligent Award: Shortest Course
Skillshare’s Complete Guide to Stock Options for Beginners is the shortest course on this list. In just under an hour, you’ll learn the basics of how stock options work. The beginner-friendly course is taught by an active YouTuber and trader who welcomes interaction from students via his social media platforms, including a stock trading group on Discord. Course topics include the Greeks, options strategies, and dangers of trading options. If you use the 7-day free trial option on Skillshare, you should be able to complete the course for free.
- Price: $8.25 per month billed at $99 annually or $19 per month, following a 7-day free trial
- Time to complete: 49 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? If you’re curious about options trading and don’t want to commit money or time yet, this quick and potentially free course is the perfect way to test the waters.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Short completion time. | No certificate offered. |
| Instructor interaction welcomed. |
Online Trading Academy
Professional Options Trader
Intelligent Award: Best Professional Outcomes
With a combination of online and in-person classes, the sixty-eight-hour Professional Options Trader course from the Online Trading Academy is the most hybrid in teaching style on our list. It’s also the costliest at $5,500, but you can check it out with a free one-hour online introductory class before committing. The course blends a rule-based approach to options trading with live market strategy sessions and interactive lab exercises. While no options trading experience is required, organizers recommend students watch their Core Strategy, Online Student Orientation, and Option pre-essential videos first. There are forty Online Trading Academy centers worldwide to complete the five-day, in-person portion of the course. If you’re not located near one of them, be sure to factor travel expenses into your class budget.
- Price: $5,500 following a free introductory class
- Time to complete: 68 hours
- Prerequisites required: Yes
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? If you’re looking for an options trading course blending in-person and online instruction, this is it. Be prepared to pay a premium price and potentially travel to complete, though.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Combination of in-person and online learning. | Expensive with possible travel expenses too. |
| Interactive curriculum. | No certificate. |
Options Trading Courses Online Courses Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Bullish Bears — Options Trading Course — Top Pick | $49 per month following a 7-day full access free trial | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Udemy — The Complete Foundation Stock Trading Course — Most Affordable | $199.99 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Udemy — Options Trading for Rookies (Part 1): Understand Options Completely — Best for Beginners | $124.99 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Udemy — Options Trading for Beginners — Most Hands-On | $34.99 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Investopedia Academy — Trading for Beginners — Best At-Home Exercises | $199.00 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Coursera — Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization — Best Instructor Support | $49 per month following a 7-day full access free trial | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Simpler Trading — Small Account Secrets — Most Advanced Course | Starter: $297, Plus: $697, Max: $997 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Skillshare — Beginning Options Trading – Learn How to Profit with Options — Best Free Trial | $8.25 per month billed at $99 annually or $19 per month, following a 7-day free trial | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Skillshare — Complete Guide to Stock Options for Beginners — Shortest Course | $8.25 per month billed at $99 annually or $19 per month, following a 7-day free trial | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Online Trading Academy — Professional Options Trader — Best Professional Outcomes | $5,500 following a free introductory class | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible schedule X Includes verified certificate of participation |
Tips for Succeeding in an Options Trading Online Course
1. Consider the cost
How much do online options trading courses cost?
You can expect an online options trading course to cost you $0 to $5,500, with the average cost around a few hundred dollars. Quite a few courses offer a seven-day free trial which could be enough time to complete some of the courses. More than likely, you’ll need more than seven days to complete the course, in which case you will have to pay a monthly fee. Other programs allow you to take the course for free, but if you want a certificate of completion you’ll have to pay. Others charge a flat rate per course, with a certificate included in the fee.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
Some employers will pay for their workers to take online options trading courses. This arrangement can be mutually beneficial, you receive further education, and your employer improves the talent of their workforce. Check with your boss or HR department to see if this is an option for you.
2. Get your tech squared away
For any online options trading course, your computer will need to be able to support streaming video, and at minimum, you should have an i5-level processor and 8 GB of RAM. Be sure to check the FAQ area of the course webpage to see if specific programs, like Microsoft Excel, are required.
3. Use the right study resources
While many online options trading courses start with material that covers options fundamentals, some programs assume you already have a solid foundation of these concepts. If you need help in this area, check out Khan Academy’s free course on American Call Options. Also, Options Trading Crash Course by Frank Richmond, Options Trading in Your Spare Time by Wendy Kirkland and Virginia McCullough, and Options Trading for Beginners by Matthew R. Hill and Henry Kratter are good introductory options trading books to check out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Options Trading Courses Online
What jobs can you get after completing an online options trading course ?
After completing an online options trading course, you’ll have the skill set required for a variety of entry-level positions in the options field. Potential jobs include deals desk analyst, trade support consultant, active trader service representative, options support representative, and trader electronic communications specialist.
Are there free online options trading courses?
Yes. There are free online options trading courses. Most of these courses do not come with a certificate of completion, but if you are fine with taking the course simply for knowledge there are choices out there.
How long is the average online options trading course?
Online options trading courses can be as short as a few hours to as long as one year. Generally, they take a few months. Many online options trading courses can be completed at your own pace, though, which means the length of the course will be highly individualized.
How can I learn options trading?
Taking one or more of the courses in this guide is a great way to start learning options trading. You can also read introductory books on options trading and books on the stock market and business. Also consider subscribing to options trading blogs, vlogs, and podcasts, as well as joining a network of trading professionals.
How long does it take to become a successful options trader?
Whether you’re trading options personally or professionally, it’s a specialized skill that takes daily practice, over months and years, to hone. If you’re working as an options trader professionally, the length of time required to reach a junior trader level of options trading is typically two years.