Best Investment Apps for Beginners

Overview

Investment apps have revolutionized the way people invest, making it easier for beginners to start their financial journeys. This guide lists the best investment apps, highlighting their features, costs, and who they’re best suited for.

1. Robinhood

Link: robinhood.com
Features: Commission-free trades for stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies; user-friendly interface.
Best For: Beginners seeking a simple platform for trading.
Cost: Free (basic) / Robinhood Gold starts at $5/month.

2. Acorns

Link: acorns.com
Features: Round-up savings feature, automated investing in ETFs, educational content.
Best For: Hands-off investors who want to grow wealth gradually.
Cost: Starts at $3/month.

3. Stash

Link: stash.com
Features: Fractional shares, personalized investing advice, banking features.
Best For: Beginner investors looking for guidance and financial tools.
Cost: Starts at $3/month.

4. Webull

Link: webull.com
Features: Commission-free trading, advanced charts, and extended market hours.
Best For: Beginners interested in technical analysis and trading.
Cost: Free.

5. Betterment

Link: betterment.com
Features: Robo-advisor for automated investing, tax-loss harvesting, and financial planning tools.
Best For: Long-term, hands-off investors.
Cost: 0.25% annual fee for basic plans.

6. SoFi Invest

Link: sofi.com/invest
Features: Commission-free trading, automated investing, access to financial advisors.
Best For: Those looking for an all-in-one financial platform.
Cost: Free.

7. M1 Finance

Link: m1finance.com
Features: Customizable portfolios (“Pies”), automated rebalancing, fractional shares.
Best For: DIY investors with a focus on portfolio management.
Cost: Free (basic) / M1 Plus at $125/year.

8. Fidelity Spire

Link: fidelity.com/spire
Features: Goal-based investing, commission-free trades, and integration with Fidelity accounts.
Best For: Beginners focusing on financial goals.
Cost: Free.

9. Public

Link: public.com
Features: Social investing, fractional shares, and no-commission trading.
Best For: Beginners who enjoy learning from a community.
Cost: Free.

10. Vanguard

Link: vanguard.com
Features: Low-cost index funds and ETFs, retirement planning tools.
Best For: Long-term investors focusing on low fees.
Cost: Free account setup; fund expense ratios apply.

Comparison Table

App	Best For	Cost (Free Version)	Premium Cost	Key Features
Robinhood	Stock & Crypto Trading	Yes	$5/month (Gold)	Commission-free, simple interface
Acorns	Automated Investing	No	From $3/month	Round-up feature, ETF portfolios
Stash	Guided Investing	No	From $3/month	Fractional shares, financial guidance
Webull	Trading with Advanced Tools	Yes	Free	Technical charts, extended market hours
Betterment	Hands-Off Investing	No	0.25% annual fee	Robo-advisor, tax-loss harvesting
SoFi Invest	All-in-One Financial Platform	Yes	Free	Financial advisors, no commissions
M1 Finance	DIY Portfolio Management	Yes	$125/year (M1 Plus)	Customizable portfolios, auto-rebalancing
Fidelity Spire	Goal-Based Investing	Yes	Free	Integration with Fidelity accounts
Public	Social Investing	Yes	Free	Community-driven insights, fractional shares
Vanguard	Long-Term Investing	Yes	Fund expense ratios apply	Low-cost index funds and ETFs

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Many apps offer commission-free trades and beginner-friendly interfaces.
Automated investing simplifies wealth-building for hands-off investors.
Fractional shares make high-priced stocks accessible to everyone.

Cons:

Subscription fees (e.g., Acorns, Stash) can add up for small portfolios.
Limited educational resources on some platforms.
Advanced features may overwhelm absolute beginners.

FAQs

Which app is best for complete beginners?
Robinhood and Acorns are great starting points due to their simplicity and automation.
What’s the best free investment app?
Webull and Public offer robust features without any subscription costs.
Are robo-advisors worth it?
Yes, for hands-off investors. Betterment and Acorns automate portfolio management effectively.
Which app is best for learning about investing?
Public’s social investing feature allows beginners to learn from others in the community.
Can I use multiple apps?
Absolutely! For example, you can use Robinhood for trading and Betterment for long-term investments.

*Disclaimer: The content in this post is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the author and may not reflect those of any affiliated organizations. No guarantees are made regarding the accuracy or reliability of the information. Use at your own risk.