In the investing world, beginners and advanced investors always search for the best tools to maximize their investment returns. With the rise of technology, many investment apps are now available at our fingertips, making investing more accessible than ever. These apps typically offer many features designed to help users navigate the complex world of investing.
In this blog post, we’ll explore our top picks for the best investment apps for beginners. So, we’ve got you covered whether you’re interested in trading stocks or ETFs or just starting to dip your toes into the investment world. We’ll delve into each app’s features, benefits, and fees, helping you find the perfect tool to kickstart your investment journey. So, let’s dive in and discover the world of investment apps!
The following platforms offer many useful features and tools to help beginners make informed investment decisions, including access to educational resources, simplified interfaces, and low minimum investment requirements. Additionally, many of these apps offer commission-free trading and other perks that can make it easier to get started without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to start investing but aren’t sure where to begin, select from the following best stock investment apps.
INVESTING APP | RATING | BEST FOR | FEES FOR TRADING | Minimum Amount to Trade |
 Robinhood | Play Store rating | Commission-Free Trading | $0 | $0 |
 SoFi Invest | Play Store rating | Beginners | $0 | $0 |
 Fidelity | Play Store rating | Advanced Traders | $0 per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs | $0 |
 TD Ameritrade | Play Store rating | Retirement Investors | Free ($25 for broker assisted trade) | $0 |
 E-Trade | Play Store rating | Active Traders | $0 for stocks $1 per bond | $0 |
Robinhood is an investing app that is widely recognized as one of the best investment apps, especially for beginners. Its user-friendly trading platform simplifies the process of buying and selling stocks, making it an ideal choice for those new to the world of investing. In addition, the app provides a straightforward and intuitive interface, allowing users to easily navigate various investment opportunities. Robinhood offers diverse options to build a robust portfolio, from stocks and ETFs to cryptocurrencies.
One of the standout features of Robinhood is its commitment to commission-free trades. This means you can buy and sell assets without worrying about extra costs eating into your profits. Additionally, Robinhood offers a feature called Robinhood Gold, a premium account that, for a monthly fee, offers extra benefits like professional research reports and margin trading.
However, even without this, the free account provides plenty of value, making investing accessible to everyone. With its blend of simplicity, variety, and affordability, Robinhood truly stands out as a top choice for beginner investors.
Using Robinhood is straightforward. After downloading the app and creating an account, you’ll need to link a bank account to fund your investments. Once your account is set up, you can start exploring the platform. The search function allows you to find specific stocks, ETFs, or cryptocurrencies, and you can add them to your watchlist to monitor their performance.
When you’re ready to invest, simply select the asset you’re interested in, enter the number of shares you want to buy, and confirm your purchase. You can also set up recurring investments to automate your strategy. Finally, remember to regularly check your portfolio to monitor your investments and make adjustments as needed. With Robinhood’s user-friendly interface, navigating the world of investing becomes a much more accessible task.
Acorns is one of the best great investment apps for beginners, offering a unique approach to investing that is both simple and effective. This trading platform is designed to help you start investing without needing a large amount of capital. It does this through a feature called “Round-Ups,” where it rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. This allows you to take advantage of various investment opportunities without making a big financial commitment.
The benefits of using Acorns are numerous. First, it provides a diversified portfolio that is automatically managed and rebalanced for you. This means you don’t need to worry about choosing individual stocks or timing the market. The app also offers educational content to help you understand the basics of investing.
As for fees, Acorns charges a small monthly fee for its services, starting at $1 for the Lite plan, which includes the basic investment account. Acorns Family, which includes everything in the first-tier investment accounts for children, can be added for an additional $5 per month.
Using Acorns is straightforward. After downloading the app and creating an account, you link your bank account and any credit or debit cards you use for everyday purchases. The app then tracks your purchases, rounds them up to the nearest dollar, and invests the difference into your portfolio. You can also set up recurring investments or make one-time investments. With Acorns, investing becomes a seamless part of your daily life, making it an excellent choice for beginners looking to start their investment journey.
Stash is a standout among the best investment apps for beginners. This mobile app is designed to make investing accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial knowledge or resources. It offers a range of investment options, including individual stocks, bonds, and ETFs, allowing users to build diversified investment stocks that align with their investment goals and risk tolerance.
One of the critical features of Stash is its focus on education. The app provides a wealth of resources to help beginners learn about the stock market and make informed investment decisions. It also offers fractional shares, meaning you can start investing with as little as $5, making it an excellent option for beginners looking to start investing without a significant initial investment.
Stash charges a small monthly fee starting at $1 for the beginner plan, which includes a taxable investment account and access to the app’s educational content. Then, for $3 per month, you can get a retirement account in addition to the taxable investment account, and for $9 per month, you can also get two custodial accounts for children, among other features.
Using Stash is simple. After downloading the app and setting up an account, you can link your bank account to fund your investments. The app allows you to browse various investment options and add them to your portfolio. You can also set up automated investments to consistently invest your money over time. With its user-friendly interface and educational resources, Stash makes it easy for beginners to navigate the world of investing.
Betterment is a top pick among the best investing apps for beginners. This automated investing platform is designed to make investing simple and accessible, even for those with little to no experience. In addition, Betterment offers multiple investment options, allowing users to diversify their portfolios and align their investments with their financial goals.
One of the standout features of Betterment is its automated investing features. The app takes care of investment decisions, portfolio rebalancing, and tax optimization, allowing users to invest their money without constantly monitoring the stock market. This makes Betterment an excellent option for beginners looking for a hands-off approach to investing.
Betterment charges a fee based on a percentage of the assets managed. The basic plan, which includes a taxable investment account and access to financial advice, charges 0.25% per year. The premium plan, which offers in-depth investment advice and account monitoring, charges 0.40% per year.
Using Betterment is straightforward. After downloading the app and creating an account, users answer a series of questions about their financial goals and risk tolerance. Betterment then creates a personalized investment portfolio based on these answers. Users can set up automatic deposits to consistently fund their investment accounts. With its user-friendly interface and automated features, Betterment makes investing accessible for beginners.
Wealthfront is one of the best investing apps for beginners, offering a simplified approach to investing. This automated investing platform provides various types of investment options, making it easy for users to diversify their portfolios and align their investments with their financial goals.
Wealthfront’s standout feature is its automated investing features. The app manages your investment portfolio for you, making investment decisions based on your risk tolerance and investment goals. This hands-off approach is excellent for beginners who may not have the time or knowledge to manage their investments actively.
Wealthfront charges a fee of 0.25% per year on the assets it manages for you. This fee covers all the services offered by the app, including investment management, financial planning, and tax-loss harvesting.
Using Wealthfront is simple. After downloading the app and creating an account, you’ll answer a series of questions about your financial goals and risk tolerance. Wealthfront uses this information to create a personalized portfolio for you. You can fund your account with a minimum investment of $500, and Wealthfront will take care of the rest. With its user-friendly interface and automated features, Wealthfront makes investing accessible for beginners.
TD Ameritrade stands out as a top-notch investment platform, especially for beginners. It offers a user-friendly interface and different investment options, providing plenty of investment opportunities for those new to the investing world.
One of the critical features of TD Ameritrade is its comprehensive educational resources. The platform provides a wealth of information to help beginners understand the ins and outs of investing. It also offers a variety of tools to help users track their investments and make informed decisions.
TD Ameritrade is known for its competitive fee structure. The platform offers commission-free online stock, ETF, and options trades. However, other types of trades may incur fees, so reviewing the fee schedule before making any trades is essential.
Using TD Ameritrade is straightforward. After creating an account, you can link your bank account to fund your investments. The platform allows you to search for various options and add them to your portfolio. Then, when you’re ready to sell an investment, you can do so directly from the platform.
In conclusion, TD Ameritrade is a great choice for beginners. Its combination of educational resources, competitive fees, and various investment methods make it one of the best apps listed for those new to investing.
Suppose you’re a beginner looking to learn about investing; Fidelity is one of the fantastic investment apps out there to consider. It offers a range of specific investment tricks, making it easy to find something that suits your investment needs.
Fidelity is known for its rich educational resources, making it an excellent choice for beginners looking to learn about investing. In addition, the platform provides a wealth of information on various investment topics, helping users make informed investment decisions.
One of the critical benefits of Fidelity is its low fees. The platform offers commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs, making it a cost-effective choice for beginners. However, other types of trades may incur fees, so reviewing the fee schedule before making any trades is important.
Using Fidelity is straightforward. After creating an account, you can link your bank account to fund your investments. In addition, the platform allows you to search for various investment options and add them to your portfolio. You can also monitor your investments and make trades directly from the platform.
E*TRADE is among the best investment apps for beginners. This trading platform offers many investment options, including stocks, bonds, and ETFs, providing beginners with plenty of investment opportunities and long-term investing.
One of the key features of E*TRADE is its extensive educational resources. The app provides information to help beginners understand the stock market and make informed investment decisions. It also offers a user-friendly interface that makes navigating the investing world easy.
E*TRADE offers commission-free stock and ETF trades, making it a cost-effective choice for beginners. However, other types of trades may incur fees, so reviewing the fee schedule before making any trades is important.
Using ETRADE is straightforward. After downloading the app and creating an account, you can link your bank account to fund your investments. The app allows you to search for various investment options and add them to your portfolio. You can also monitor your investments and make trades directly from the app. With its comprehensive resources and user-friendly interface, ETRADE is a great option for beginners looking to start their investment journey.
Ally Invest stands out on the list of the best investment firms, offering a user-friendly trading app ideal for beginners. In addition, this platform is designed to cater to various investment styles, making it a versatile choice for new investors.
One of the key features of Ally Invest is its range of investment options. Ally Invest has you covered whether you’re interested in stocks, bonds, ETFs, or options. This wide selection allows beginners to explore different types of investments and find what suits their style and goals.
In terms of fees, Ally Invest is known for its competitive pricing. The platform offers commission-free trades on U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, and options. However, reviewing the fee schedule for other types of trades and services is important.
Using Ally Invest is simple. After creating an account, you can link your bank account to fund your investments. The platform’s interface is straightforward, allowing you to easily search for and select investments. You can do so directly from the app when you’re ready to buy or sell.
M1 Finance is a popular choice among beginners for its unique approach to investing. This platform offers a wide range of investment choices, including stocks and ETF trades, making it easy for beginners to diversify their investing accounts.
One of the key features of M1 Finance is its automated investing system. Users can create a custom “pie,” or portfolio, of desired investment products. Once the pie is set up, M1 Finance automatically allocates incoming funds according to the pie’s structure. This feature allows beginners to set up their ideal portfolio and let the platform handle the rest.
M1 Finance is also known for its competitive pricing. The platform offers commission-free trades, making it a cost-effective choice for beginners. However, reviewing the fee schedule for other types of services is important.
Using M1 Finance is straightforward. After creating an account, users can link their bank account to fund their investments. The platform’s user-friendly interface allows beginners to quickly set up their investment pie. Users can also choose from various types of investment accounts, including individual, joint, and retirement accounts.
In conclusion, M1 Finance is another excellent choice for beginners. Its combination of automated investing, many investment choices, and competitive fees make it a standout among investment platforms. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to switch platforms, M1 Finance is a reliable and efficient option.
SoFi Invest is the right investment app for beginners looking to enter the world of investing. This platform offers a variety of investment types, including stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, providing beginners with a lot of options to start their investment journey.
One of the key features of SoFi Invest is its user-friendly interface. The platform makes it easy for beginners to navigate the world of investing, whether they’re interested in buying the best stock or exploring mutual funds. SoFi Invest also offers fractional shares, allowing users to invest in high-priced stocks or ETFs with a smaller amount of money.
In terms of fees, SoFi Invest stands out with its zero-commission trades. This means you can buy and sell stocks and ETFs without paying any trading fees.
Using SoFi Invest is simple. After creating an account, you can link your bank account to fund your investments. The platform’s interface is straightforward, allowing you to easily search for and select investments. Then, when you’re ready to buy or sell, you can do so directly from the app.
In conclusion, SoFi Invest is a great choice for beginners. Its user-friendly interface, variety of options, and competitive fees make it a top choice for those new to investing. Whether you’re looking to make your first stock investment or explore other investment options, SoFi Invest is a reliable and efficient platform.
In conclusion, determining the best stock apps for beginners depends mainly on your individual needs and investment strategy. Whether you’re drawn to the user-friendly interfaces of Robinhood and Acorns, the educational resources of Stash and E*TRADE, the automated investing features of Betterment and Wealthfront, the wide range of options offered by Fidelity and TD Ameritrade, the competitive pricing of Ally Invest and M1 Finance, or the versatility of SoFi Invest, there’s an app out there that’s perfect for you.
Remember, the key to successful investing is not just about choosing the right app but also about developing a sound investment strategy. Take advantage of these apps’ educational resources to understand the basics of investing and make informed decisions.
Our list of favorite investment apps for beginners is a great place to start, but it’s important to do your own research and find the app that best fits your financial goals and comfort level. Once you choose an investment app, the next step is to start using it. After that, don’t be afraid to dive in and start investing. With the right app and a solid strategy, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong portfolio.
Betterment is highly regarded in the investment community. It’s known for its robot-advising service, which makes it a great choice for beginners and those who prefer a hands-off investment approach.
There are several apps available to learn how to invest. Some popular ones include:
Robinhood: This app allows you to invest in stocks, ETFs, and options commission-free. They also offer a “Learn” section with articles and tutorials on investing.
Acorns: Acorns is an app that automatically invests your spare change into a diversified portfolio of ETFs. They also offer educational content on investing.
Stash: Stash offers personalized investment recommendations based on your financial goals and risk tolerance. They also provide educational content on investing.
TD Ameritrade Mobile: TD Ameritrade is a well-known brokerage firm that offers a mobile app for trading stocks, ETFs, options, and futures. They also provide educational resources on investing.
1. One option for starting to invest $500 is to open a brokerage account with a low-cost online platform such as Robinhood or E*TRADE. These platforms allow you to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other securities with minimal fees. It’s important to carefully research the investments you are considering and diversify your portfolio to minimize risk.
2. Another approach to investing $500 is to consider a robo-advisor service such as Wealthfront or Betterment. These services use algorithms to create a diversified portfolio tailored to your risk tolerance and investment goals. While a management fee may be associated with using a robo-advisor, they can offer a low-cost and convenient way to start investing.
Yes, investing apps can be good for active trading as they provide quick and easy access to financial markets. Many offer features like real-time quotes, charting tools, news updates, and the ability to execute trades instantly.
Yes, you can use investment apps to trade stocks. Most of these apps offer a platform where you can buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and other financial instruments. Some even offer advanced features like options and futures trading.
Some of the best investment apps for beginners include Robinhood, Acorns, Stash, and Betterment. These apps are user-friendly, offer educational resources, and have low or no minimum account balances. However, the best app for you would depend on your specific needs and comfort level with investing.
Investing apps are generally safe to use as they use encryption to protect your data and are regulated by financial authorities. However, like any online platform, they are not immune to issues like hacking. It’s important to use strong, unique passwords and enable any available additional security measures like two-factor authentication.
