The Best Investment Apps for Every Investor

With investment apps available from both established brokerages and new online trading platforms, the options can be overwhelming. There are apps for every type of investor, from beginners looking to dip their toes in the market to seasoned day traders who prefer to analyze individual stocks on the go. The most important features all depend on your investment goals and budget. With these best investment apps, there are plenty of options, regardless of whether you are making your first trade or have been doing it for decades

Ask a financial advisor about the best way to structure your portfolio to maximize your gains based on your long-term goals.

Data and Methodology

We identified the apps below through exhaustive research and analysis of the mobile investing market. They are listed in an order that’s in direct correlation with their individual composite score based on our methodology, which includes consumer ratings from multiple popular online app stores, the minimum investment and any required fees.

1. Fidelity

Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 4.6

If you want a comprehensive investment platform with decades of experience behind it, Fidelity is one of the best options today. The Fidelity mobile app gives you access to a wide range of investment products, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds and retirement accounts.

Unlike many newer apps, Fidelity offers investors advanced research tools, real-time quotes and detailed market insights. This makes it a great choice for both beginners seeking trusted guidance and experienced investors looking for in-depth analysis. The app also provides fractional share investing, allowing you to invest in big-name companies with as little as $1.

Fidelity is also well known for its retirement resources. You can open an IRA, 401(k) rollover or other tax-advantaged accounts right from the app. It also offers automatic rebalancing for certain portfolios, as well as a robo-advisor service called Fidelity Go, which manages your investments for a low fee.

Perhaps most importantly, Fidelity charges no commissions for trading U.S. stocks and ETFs. This makes it one of the most affordable discount brokerage apps on the market. Beyond investing, the app includes banking features, such as bill pay, mobile check deposit and a cash management account with a debit card.

If you want an all-in-one app that combines traditional investing with modern mobile convenience, Fidelity stands out as one of the top choices.

2. SoFi

Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 4.4

SoFi Invest is a versatile app designed to appeal to both beginner and intermediate investors.

It offers three main ways to invest: active investing, automated investing and cryptocurrency trading. This flexibility makes it a strong choice for investors who want to try different approaches without needing multiple accounts.

With active investing, you can trade stocks and ETFs without paying commission fees, and fractional shares are available for as little as $5. If you prefer a hands-off approach, SoFi’s automated investing builds and manages a diversified portfolio for you at no extra cost.

Beyond investing, SoFi stands out for the financial ecosystem it offers. Users can access SoFi loans, banking and insurance.

Investors can also enjoy SoFi member benefits that include financial planning, member home loan discounts, lower estate planning fees, travel perks and referral bonuses. The app frequently runs promotions for new users, such as free stock for opening an account, which can be an attractive incentive when you are just getting started.

However, SoFi Invest does have some limitations. Its research tools are more basic compared to larger brokerages like Fidelity, and advanced traders may find the platform lacking in analytics and order types.

Still, SoFi Invest is an excellent option for new investors who want a straightforward, all-in-one experience that integrates investing with other financial services.

3. Schwab

Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 2.7

Charles Schwab is one of the largest and most trusted names in investing, and its mobile app makes professional-grade tools accessible to everyday investors. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned trader, Schwab offers an impressive range of features, from no-commission stock and ETF trading to retirement planning tools and in-depth market research.

One of Schwab’s standout offerings is its wide variety of account types. You can open a taxable brokerage account, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), custodial accounts for minors and even specialized accounts for education savings. This flexibility makes Schwab a strong long-term partner as your financial needs evolve.

The Schwab app is also packed with research and educational resources. Users have access to real-time data, analyst reports from Morningstar and Argus, as well as proprietary Schwab research. For newer investors, the educational content can help build confidence, while advanced investors will appreciate the detailed analytics. Fractional shares are also available, so you can invest in big-name companies with as little as $5.

For those who prefer automated investing, Schwab offers its robo-advisor service, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, with no advisory fees. It automatically builds and rebalances a diversified portfolio based on your risk profile. For more active traders, Schwab’s versatile thinkorswim platform integrates seamlessly with your account.

With no account minimums, strong customer support and a full suite of investing and banking features, Schwab stands out as a well-rounded option for virtually any investor.

4. E*TRADE

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.7

The E*TRADE mobile app is designed for traders who want access to a lot of investment options. There are thousands of stocks, options, futures, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds. There is no commission for online trading of stocks, mutual funds or ETFs, and no minimum balance is required.

In addition to trading capabilities, the app has news and market analysis from Morgan Stanley. You can also set up personalized stock alerts and compile watchlists of investments to more easily keep tabs.

If you prefer not to do all the work yourself, you can choose E*TRADE Core Portfolio, a robo-advisor offering. A minimum balance of $500 is required, with a 0.30% annual fee.

There is more to the app than just investing. E*TRADE also offers checking and savings features through Morgan Stanley (its parent company), giving users access to a more comprehensive financial platform.

While its interface may feel a bit more complex than simpler apps like Acorns or SoFi Invest, E*TRADE is an excellent choice for investors who want depth and variety with professional-grade resources at their fingertips.

5. Acorns

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.7

If you want to start investing but aren’t diligent about saving money, Acorns may be the app for you. This robo-advisor goes the extra step to save your spare change for you.

Link your debit and credit cards to Acorn, and the app will round up these purchasesto the next dollar. This change is then invested in a portfolio of BlackRock and Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can gradually save and build your portfolio without even realizing it.

There are just a handful of pre-made investment options available. This makes Acorns great for investors who do not want to spend hours scouring research and comparing stocks.

In addition to the spare change method, you can also set up one-time or recurring deposits in your investment account if you like. You can open a standard investment account called Acorns Core or an individual retirement account (IRA) known as Acorns Later. While you can choose from a range of portfolios from conservative to aggressive, that is the only customization available to you.

There are three plans: the basic Acorns Bronze plan for $3 monthly, the premium Acorns Silver account for $6 monthly and the family Acorns Gold plan for $12 monthly.

6. M1 Finance

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.3

M1 Finance is an app for long-term investors interested in both hand-picking stocks and letting the app make investments on their behalf.

With M1, investors have several options. They can choose a model portfolio powered by a robo-advisor;or manually select a portfolio of stocks including fractional shares, and ETFs. You may also choose a combination of both strategies. This hybrid setup makes the app a great fit for investors who value flexibility.

M1 offers a taxable account and an IRA account. Brokerage accounts have a $3 monthly fee unless assets exceed $10,000 or the account owner has an active personal loan. While there may be fees like platform, regulatory and account closure fees, M1 does not charge commission, trading or management fees.

There is also a $3 monthly IRA fee that applies. However, this fee is waived if you have more than $10,000 in M1 assets, have an active personal loan or are already paying the $3 platform fee.

On the downside, this app does not offer minute-to-minute trading functionality and has very limited research materials so you may need to look elsewhere if you want access to advanced resources.

7. Public

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.3

Public is an investment app that blends traditional investing with a strong social component. It allows you to invest in stocks, ETFs, Treasuries, crypto, and even alternative assets like fine art and collectibles—all from the same platform. What sets Public apart is its community-driven approach: you can follow other investors, share insights, and see what is trending within the app.

Like other commission-free brokerages, Public lets you trade stocks and ETFs without fees. You can also purchase fractional shares a minimum investment of just $5, making it accessible for new investors.

Public also emphasizes education and transparency. Instead of showing the more controversial practice of payment-for-order-flow revenue, Public routes trades in a way that avoids conflicts of interest. The app offers bite-sized, easy-to-understand content explaining companies, market trends and investment strategies, making it beginner-friendly.

Public’s combination of low barriers to entry, wide asset selection and social investing features all make Public a unique and engaging choice for education-focused investors who want to grow their portfolio.

8. Webull

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.4

Webull is a commission-free investing app best suited for active traders who want advanced tools without the high fees. The platform offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options, with cryptocurrencies recently returning to the platofrm. Fractional shares are also available, allowing you to get started with as little as $5.

What makes Webull stand out is its suite of powerful trading features. The app includes customizable charts, technical indicators and extended-hours trading, appealing to more experienced investors who want greater control over their strategies. Options traders in particular will find Webull attractive, as the app charges no contract fees and supports multi-leg strategies. Retirement accounts are also available through the platform.

Webull also offers paper trading, which is a risk-free way to practice investing using virtual money. This is a useful tool for beginners who want to learn without risking real funds. However, unlike some competitors, Webull does not offer extensive educational resources or personalized financial planning, making it less ideal for brand-new investors who need more guidance.

For investors who want an app with a sleek interface, low costs and advanced trading tools, Webull is a strong contender.

9. Stash

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 3.7

Stash is designed to help beginners make their first foray into investing. It caters to these beginners with ample educational content to help you better understand investing.

When you first download the app, answer a few questions about your risk tolerance and financial goals. The app will then suggest a collection of ETFs and individual stocks for you, populating the education tab with strategic content tailored to your situation.

The actual act of building your portfolio will be up to you, as Stash only provides suggestions. However, the app may nudge you in a different direction if your portfolio is not diversified enough.

It only costs $0.01 to start investing with Stash, thanks to the ability to purchase fractional shares of the over 3,800 stocks and ETFs available within the app.

There are two Stash plans available. The Starter membership costs $3 per month, but to benefit from IRAs, child accounts and rewards, you will need to upgrade to the premium Stash+ account for $12 per month. Both come with a free seven-day trial so you can test-drive the service.

10. Robinhood

Apple App Store Rating: 4.2

Google Play Store Rating: 4.2

Robinhood is one of the most well-known investing apps, famous for pioneering commission-free trading of stocks and ETFs.

With its sleek design and intuitive interface, Robinhood made investing more accessible to everyday consumers and helped popularize the concept of fractional share investing. Through its platform, you can trade stocks, ETFs, options and cryptocurrencies without paying fees. The app also offers fractional shares, so you can start building a portfolio with just a few dollars. Robinhood Gold, its premium subscription service, provides access to professional research, margin trading and larger instant deposits for a monthly fee.

Robinhood has expanded beyond trading into personal finance with the introduction of its private banking and Robinhood Gold Card. These features make it easier for users to keep more of their financial life in one place. For investors who prefer simplicity and low barriers to entry, Robinhood remains an appealing choice.

That said, the platform does have some drawbacks. While it excels at user-friendly trading, it offers limited educational content and research compared to more traditional brokers like Fidelity or Schwab. The app has also faced criticism for outages during periods of high market volatility and for its reliance on payment-for-order-flow, which some argue can affect trade execution quality.

Despite these issues, Robinhood remains a go-to for new investors seeking a straightforward, affordable way to enter the market – especially if they are also interested in crypto trading.

Bottom Line

The best investment app for you depends on your goals, experience and the level of involvement you want in managing your money. Some platforms are designed for beginners who want simplicity and automation, while others offer advanced tools for active traders seeking more control.

Many also provide educational resources, financial planning support and even access to alternative assets, allowing you the flexibility to grow your portfolio in the way that best fits your lifestyle. Before choosing an app, think about what matters most, whether it is low fees, account types, research features or ease of use, so you can find the platform that helps you stay confident and consistent in your investing journey.

Tips for New Investors

If you find investing sizable amounts of money intimidating, you don’t have to do it alone; a financial advisor can be a great resource. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now
Diversify your assets across several asset classes and economic sectors. That way, the success of your portfolio isn’t overly dependent on one area of the market.