10 Best Investment Apps for Beginners: Start Investing with Ease
Investing is one of the best ways to build wealth, but for beginners, the process can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, investment apps make it easy to start with minimal knowledge and capital. Whether you're looking for automated investing, commission-free trades, or educational resources, there’s an app for you.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best investment apps for novice investors, their key features, pros and cons, and how to choose the right one for you.
1. Robinhood – Best for Commission-Free Trading
Overview:
Robinhood is a user-friendly app that allows beginners to trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies with zero commissions.
Key Features:
✅ Commission-free trading
✅ Fractional shares available
✅ No account minimums
✅ Easy-to-use mobile interface
Pros:
✔ No trading fees
✔ Great for beginners who want to trade stocks and crypto
✔ Offers instant deposits
Cons:
❌ Limited research tools
❌ No retirement accounts (IRAs)
Best For:
New investors looking for a simple, low-cost trading platform.
2. Acorns – Best for Automatic Investing
Overview:
Acorns rounds up your spare change from everyday purchases and invests it automatically in diversified portfolios.
Key Features:
✅ Round-up investing from everyday purchases
✅ Pre-built diversified portfolios
✅ IRA and retirement account options
Pros:
✔ Hands-off investing for beginners
✔ Automatic savings feature
✔ No large upfront investment needed
Cons:
❌ Monthly fees ($3 to $5)
❌ Limited customization of investments
Best For:
Beginners who want a set-it-and-forget-it investing approach.
3. Betterment – Best for Robo-Advising
Overview:
Betterment is a robo-advisor that automatically builds and manages a diversified portfolio based on your financial goals.
Key Features:
✅ Automated portfolio management
✅ Tax-loss harvesting
✅ Goal-based investing
Pros:
✔ Hands-free investing
✔ Low fees (0.25% annually)
✔ Ideal for retirement savings
Cons:
❌ No individual stock trading
❌ Limited control over portfolio allocations
Best For:
Novice investors who prefer a fully automated investment experience.
4. Stash – Best for Learning and Investing Simultaneously
Overview:
Stash combines investing with educational tools, helping beginners learn while they invest.
Key Features:
✅ Fractional share investing
✅ Automated investing options
✅ Educational content for beginners
Pros:
✔ Helps beginners understand investing
✔ Allows small investments (starting at $5)
✔ Includes banking features
Cons:
❌ Monthly fee ($3 to $9)
❌ Limited investment options compared to larger platforms
Best For:
New investors who want to learn while they invest.
5. Webull – Best for Advanced Features with No Commission
Overview:
Webull offers commission-free stock and options trading with more advanced features like technical charts.
Key Features:
✅ Zero commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options
✅ Advanced charting tools
✅ Extended trading hours
Pros:
✔ No trading fees
✔ Great for learning advanced trading techniques
✔ Offers paper trading (practice trading)
Cons:
❌ Limited educational resources
❌ Can be overwhelming for complete beginners
Best For:
Beginners looking to transition into more advanced trading.
6. M1 Finance – Best for Customizable Investing
Overview:
M1 Finance allows you to build a custom portfolio or use pre-designed “pies” for automated investing.
Key Features:
✅ Commission-free investing
✅ Customizable portfolio management
✅ Fractional shares
Pros:
✔ Combines automation with customization
✔ No management fees
✔ Great for long-term investors
Cons:
❌ No human financial advisors
❌ No active trading options
Best For:
Investors who want some control over their portfolio with automated investing.
7. SoFi Invest – Best for No-Fee Automated Investing
Overview:
SoFi Invest offers commission-free stock trading and automated investing with no management fees.
Key Features:
✅ No account minimums
✅ Automated investing available
✅ Free financial planning services
Pros:
✔ No management fees
✔ Offers free financial advisors
✔ Includes banking and loans
Cons:
❌ Limited investment options compared to competitors
❌ No tax-loss harvesting
Best For:
Investors looking for free automated investing and financial planning.
8. Fidelity – Best for Long-Term Investors
Overview:
Fidelity is a trusted brokerage offering commission-free trading, retirement accounts, and a variety of investment tools.
Key Features:
✅ Zero-commission stocks and ETFs
✅ Extensive research tools
✅ Great for retirement investing
Pros:
✔ No fees for stock and ETF trades
✔ Strong customer support and educational resources
✔ Offers IRA accounts
Cons:
❌ Not as beginner-friendly as other apps
❌ Can be overwhelming with too many options
Best For:
Long-term investors looking for a full-service brokerage.
9. TD Ameritrade – Best for Research and Education
Overview:
TD Ameritrade provides extensive educational tools for beginners and advanced trading features for future growth.
Key Features:
✅ Commission-free trading
✅ Extensive research and education
✅ Advanced trading platform (ThinkorSwim)
Pros:
✔ Great educational resources
✔ Offers paper trading for practice
✔ Excellent customer service
Cons:
❌ Complex platform for beginners
❌ No fractional shares
Best For:
Beginners who want to learn investing in-depth.
10. Public – Best for Social Investing
Overview:
Public is an investing app with a social twist, allowing users to follow and learn from experienced investors.
Key Features:
✅ Commission-free investing
✅ Fractional shares available
✅ Social features for learning from experts
Pros:
✔ Easy for beginners
✔ Transparent community-driven investing
✔ No account minimums
Cons:
❌ Limited advanced trading tools
❌ No retirement accounts
Best For:
Beginners who want to learn from a community of investors.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Investment App
The best investment app for you depends on your goals:
✔ Want commission-free trading? Robinhood or Webull
✔ Prefer automated investing? Acorns or Betterment
✔ Need educational resources? Stash or TD Ameritrade
✔ Looking for social investing? Public
Start Your Investing Journey Today!
Investing is easier than ever with these beginner-friendly apps. Pick the one that fits your needs and start building your financial future today!
FAQs About Investment Apps for Novice Investors
1. What is the best investment app for beginners?
The best investment app depends on your goals. Robinhood is great for commission-free trading, Acorns for automatic investing, and Betterment for robo-advising.
2. Can I start investing with a small amount of money?
Yes! Many apps, like Stash and Acorns, allow you to start investing with as little as $5.
3. Are investment apps safe to use?
Yes, most investment apps are regulated and insured by organizations like SIPC and FINRA, ensuring your money is protected.
4. Do investment apps charge fees?
Some apps charge monthly fees (e.g., Acorns, Stash), while others, like Robinhood and Webull, offer commission-free trades.
5. Can I invest in cryptocurrencies using these apps?
Yes! Apps like Robinhood, Webull, and SoFi Invest allow you to trade cryptocurrencies.
6. What’s the difference between a robo-advisor and self-directed investing?
A robo-advisor (e.g., Betterment) manages your portfolio automatically, while self-directed investing (e.g., Robinhood) lets you choose your own stocks and funds.
7. Which app is best for long-term investing?
Fidelity and M1 Finance are great options for long-term investors due to their diverse investment options and retirement accounts.
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Start Your Investing Journey Today!
Now that you know the best investment apps for beginners, it's time to take action! Choose the app that fits your goals, sign up, and start investing with confidence.
➡ Ready to grow your wealth? Download your preferred investment app and begin your journey today!
