Online options trading courses allow you to diversify your investing skills and increase your 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 programs to choose from, 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 five 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
- Coursera — Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization — Best Instructor Support
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 available as more common investment topics, like stock trading. We researched nearly 20 online finance courses before choosing the five stand-out programs to feature. We based our decisions on the following criteria to determine which courses to include and which to skip.
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.
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. Therefore, we gave high value to courses offering self-paced, self-directed, and other creative learning options.
Certificate of completion. Some courses issue certificates of completion, for a fee or for free, 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 regarding 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.
5 Best Options Trading Online 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 trading course, options trading is the single focus. The course starts with the basics of options and finishes with how to read an options chain. A unique part of this course is opportunities for out-of-class learning and networking with other Bullish Bear students, like a Discord trading community group and access to Bullish Bears’ live trading room.
- Price: $69.97 per month
- Time to complete: 8 hours
- 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 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. | The focus may be too narrow for some students. |
| 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 stock market’s history, trading psychology, and the basics of money management. It’s taught by the founder of an online trading company and designed for beginner through intermediate market participants. No prerequisites are needed. It’s the broadest course on this list regarding topics covered and takes nine and a half hours to complete. Course videos offer subtitles in over ten languages, and additional course materials include downloadable resources and a bonus lecture. At $139.99, the course is an excellent value when broken down by hour.
- Price: $139.99
- 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 get involved.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Broader in scope. | Mid-range time commitment. |
| Taught by a trader. |
Udemy
Options Trading for Rookies (Part 1-3): Understand Options Completely
Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners
With less than three hours of 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 $119.99 course is part one of a three-part options trading series. The other parts, Option Strategies and Make & Manage Profitable Trades, are optional and cost $94.99 and $84.99, respectively. As a standalone course, Understand Options Completely is one of the most expensive when broken down by hours.
- Price: $119.99
- Time to complete: 2.5 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? 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. Per federal guidelines, you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen to complete this hands-on task. 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 $69.99 and can be taken anytime.
- Price: $69.99
- 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. |
Coursera
Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization
Intelligent Award: Best Instructor Support
The Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization on Coursera is offered by Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business in Houston, Texas. Four courses are included in this specialized program: Global Financial Markets and Instruments, Portfolio Selection and Risk Management, Biases and Portfolio Selection, and Investment Strategies and Portfolio Analysis. The courses follow 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 10 hours a week over two months to complete the program, which is $49 monthly following a short, free trial.
- Price: $49 per month following a 7-day full-access free trial
- Time to complete: Approximately 2 months
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Learners looking for a more academic course, 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. |
Options Trading Courses Online Courses Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Bullish Bears — Options Trading Course — Top Pick | $69.97 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Udemy — The Complete Foundation Stock Trading Course — Most Affordable | $139.99 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Udemy — Options Trading for Rookies (Part 1): Understand Options Completely — Best for Beginners | $119.99 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Includes verified certificate of participation |
| Udemy — Options Trading for Beginners — Most Hands-On | $69.99 | X 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 |
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 around $0 to $150. Quite a few courses offer a seven-day free trial, which could be enough time to complete some. You’ll likely 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 you’ll have to pay if you want a certificate of completion. Others charge a flat rate per course, with a certificate 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 covering options fundamentals, some programs assume you already have a solid foundation. If you need help in this area, check out Khan Academy’s free course on American Call Options. Also, Options Trading in Your Spare Time by Wendy Kirkland and Virginia McCullough is a good introductory options trading book to review.
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 various 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 several 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 and joining a network of trading professionals.
How long does becoming a successful options trader take?
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 time required to reach a junior trader level of options trading is typically two years.
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.