Top Investing Apps for Beginners

When you are a new investor, it can be daunting when faced with the wide array of investment apps available today. Available from both established brokerages and new companies, the best investment apps for beginners do not adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach because newer investors have unique needs and interests. Some beginners prefer access to diverse investments with comprehensive learning tools, while others opt for speed and convenience, preferring to learn independently. Whatever your preference, these best investing apps for beginners will help you start off on the right foot.

Consider working with a financial advisor for personalized help formulating your investment plan.

Data and Methodology

These apps were chosen based on exhaustive research and analysis of the mobile investing market. They are listed according to their individual composite scores. These are based on our methodology, which includes consumer ratings from online app stores, the minimum required investment and any required fees.

1. Fidelity

Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 4.6

Fidelity is one of the most trusted names in the investing world, making it a strong choice for beginners who want both reliability and access to a wide range of features.

Unlike many app-first investing platforms, Fidelity offers a comprehensive, full-service experience, providing access to several types of investments, including stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, bonds crypto and retirement accounts.

Even better, there is no account minimum to get started, making it accessible to new investors with limited capital. For those interested in fractional shares, Fidelity offers investments starting at just $1, giving beginners an easy entry point into higher-priced stocks.

A major advantage of Fidelity is its robust research and educational tools. Both the app and website provide in-depth market analysis, third-party research reports and planning calculators. This makes it easier for novice investors to learn as they grow, with educational resources designed to explain both the basics of investing and more advanced strategies. Fidelity’s user interface is also straightforward, balancing simplicity with professional-grade features, so beginners do not feel overwhelmed while still having room to grow.

Fidelity also stands out with its cash management account, which acts as a hybrid between a brokerage and a bank account. Users benefit from competitive interest rates on uninvested cash with ATM fee reimbursements and easy transfers, making it convenient to manage everyday finances alongside investments. The platform also integrates retirement planning seamlessly, offering access to IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement accounts, which can be particularly appealing for new investors wanting to build long-term wealth.

The biggest downside for beginners is that Fidelity’s platform can feel more complex compared to app-only brokers like Robinhood or SoFi. With such a wide range of products and tools, it may take some time to get comfortable navigating all the options.

However, for those who want a comprehensive, low-cost and education-forward platform, Fidelity is one of the best investing apps for beginners available.

2. E*TRADE

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.7

E*TRADE is a long-established investment platform that has successfully adapted to the needs of modern investors, making it a solid option for beginners. With no account minimum for brokerage accounts, new investors can start small and scale their portfolios over time.

E*TRADE provides access to a wide range of investment options, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds, as well as retirement accounts, such as Roth and rollover IRAs. Fractional shares are available for ETFs but not stocks, which may be a drawback for those interested in making small investments However, the platform’s breadth of offerings helps make up for it.One of E*TRADE’s standout features is its dual-platform approach. Beginners can use the simple E*TRADE web and mobile app, which are user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Meanwhile, advanced users are served by the more complex Power E*TRADE platform. Power E*TRADE offers advanced charting tools, risk analysis and trading features, giving investors room to grow as they become more comfortable with the market.

This flexibility makes E*TRADE attractive for beginners who want a platform that can evolve with their investing skills.

E*TRADE also shines in its educational resources and customer support. New investors have access to extensive learning materials, including webinars, market insights and step-by-step guides on investing basics. For those who prefer a guided approach, the platform offers professionally managed portfolios through E*TRADE Core Portfolios, which require a $500 minimum investment.

While E*TRADE may not be the simplest app-only solution, it strikes a strong balance between beginner accessibility and long-term growth potential.

3. Webull

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.6

Webull is a commission-free investing app that appeals to beginners who want a tech-forward, mobile-first experience with tons of free features.

Similar to Robinhood, Webull makes it easy to start investing with just $1 to required to get started. Webull supports trading in stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrency and retirement accounts, giving users a wide range of investment choices without the burden of fees. Fractional share investing is available starting at just $1, making it accessible for those who want exposure to expensive companies without committing to a full share.

One of Webull’s most attractive features is its powerful trading tools. Even though the platform is free, users benefit from advanced charting capabilities, technical indicators and customizable dashboards. This makes it appealing for beginners wanting to learn more about sophisticated investment strategies. The platform also allows extended trading hours, providing investors with more flexibility in their schedules.

However, while these tools are impressive, they may feel overwhelming to absolute beginners who are just learning the basics of investing. Webull does not offer the same level of educational resources as competitors like Fidelity or E*TRADE, which can be a drawback for users seeking guided learning. Instead, this app caters more to self-starters who want to experiment and grow through experience.

For beginners who value a sleek, commission-free platform with professional-level tools, Webull is an excellent choice when you are just starting to build an investment portfolio.

4. Robinhood

Apple App Store Rating: 4.3

Google Play Store Rating: 4.2

Robinhood is a user-friendly investment platform offering numerous advantages for newbie investors.

With commission-free trading, it is easily accessible to users of all investment levels. For those interested in fractional shares, the account minimum is just $1, while margin trading through Robinhood Gold requires a minimum of $2,000.

One of the standout features of Robinhood is the absence of trading fees, making it a cost-effective choice. Additionally,Gold members receive an impressive 4.00% APY. The platform also features free trading of stocks, options, ETFs and cryptocurrencies.

To ease trading, Robinhood provides a user-friendly website that is easy to navigate with advanced charting available to all users.

On the downside, Robinhood needs more extensive investing research and trading tools, with professional research only available to Robinhood Gold members. The platform does not offer education savings accounts or mutual funds.

5. SoFi

Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 4.3

SoFi Invest is a user-friendly investment app tailored to beginners. There are two ways to invest: self-directed Active Investing or the SoFi Robo Advisor, depending on how involved you want to be with the investment process.

Active Investing features no account minimums and no commissions on stocks. Fractional shares require just a $5 investment to get started, and investors can also choose from stocks, ETFs, options and even alternative investments like commodities, real estate and foreign currency. After-hours trading is available for greater flexibility.One of the notable advantages of SoFi Invest is its access to Certified Financial Planners at no extra cost, providing expert advice and guidance. The platform also enables access to IPOs, expanding your investment opportunities.

If you choose the robo-advisor service, you can choose from three different portfolio types, including Classic, Classic with Alternatives and Sustainable portfolios. There is a $5,000 minimum investment, and a 0.25% annual advisory fee applies. From there, SoFi takes care of the rest with help from Blackstone experts.

On the downside, SoFi Invest lacks tax-loss harvesting, an advanced tax optimization technique that involves selling investments at a loss.

6. Vanguard

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 3.3

Vanguard is a trusted name in the investing world, particularly for long-term, buy-and-hold investors.

The company is best known for pioneering low-cost index funds and ETFs, which remain some of the most popular options for building wealth steadily over time. With no account minimum for most brokerage accounts, Vanguard remains very accessible to beginners, although some of its mutual funds may require a minimum investment of up to $3,000.

For those interested in retirement savings, Vanguard also offers IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement account options. This makes it a strong choice for individuals focused on long-term financial security.

What makes Vanguard stand out is its emphasis on low fees and investor-friendly practices. The platform also offers access to thousands of mutual funds and ETFs, including many Vanguard-branded funds that are widely regarded for their simplicity and effectiveness.

For investors who prefer a more hands-off approach, Vanguard offers digital advisory services with Vanguard Digital Advisor. With only $100 required to get started, beginners can benefit from professional portfolio management at a low cost.

The downside is that Vanguard does not offer as many investor tools or features, as its focus is on long-term investing rather than active trading. However, for those who want to prioritize low-cost, reliable investments and retirement planning, Vanguard remains one of the best investing apps for beginners.

7. Public

Happy user with a beginning investment app

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.2

Public is a commission-free investing app tailored to Millennials and Gen-Zers. It offers various assets, including individual stocks, ETFs and over 40 cryptocurrencies. There are also several types of IRAs, plus US Treasury accounts, to diversify investment choices.

However, Public does have some limitations. It does not support mutual funds or futures.

Users can invest in fractional shares with as little as $1 for micro-investing. There is also a Public Premium subscription, providing extended-hours trading, stock price alerts, advanced company data, exclusive audio programming and members-only analysis.

8. Schwab

Apple App Store Rating: 4.8

Google Play Store Rating: 2.7

Charles Schwab is a full-service brokerage balancing beginner-friendly accessibility with professional-grade investment tools.

With no account minimum for brokerage accounts, Schwab makes it easy for new investors to start small and grow over time. The platform provides access to a wide array of investments, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options and bonds.

For those interested in fractional investing, Schwab offers Stock Slices, which lets users buy fractions of S&P 500 companies for as little as $5, making it a great option for beginners with limited funds.

One of Schwab’s biggest strengths is its robust research and educational content. New investors can take advantage of articles, videos and webinars that break down complex investing concepts into digestible lessons. Schwab also provides access to third-party research from firms like Morningstar and Argus, giving beginners professional insights at no extra cost.

Additionally, its mobile app and desktop platform are highly intuitive, offering easy navigation while still providing advanced features for when investors are ready to take the next step.

For beginners who prefer a guided approach, Schwab offers Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, a robo-advisor service with a $5,000 minimum investment. These portfolios are automatically managed and rebalanced, makig them ideal for those who prefer hands-off investing for building wealth.

The only notable downsides are that Schwab’s platform can feel overwhelming due to its wide range of features. Still, Schwab’s mix of no-cost investing, strong educational support and fractional shares makes it one of the best investing apps for beginners.

9. Acorns

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 4.7

Acorns is a user-friendly and accessible investment platform designed to streamline your financial journey. Its low account minimum of just $0 and the minimal $5 required to start investing make it highly approachable for investors. There are three different plans running from $3 to $12 per month.

One of the standout features of Acorns is its effortless investing and automatic savings tools, simplifying the process of growing your savings. The platform’s portfolio suggestions are personalized based on your risk level, ensuring an investment strategy tailored to your preferences and goals.

While Acorns offers excellent convenience, it is essential to consider the flat monthly fee, which may be relatively high, particularly for smaller accounts. Moreover, the platform does not provide the option to select individual investments.

10. Stash

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7

Google Play Store Rating: 3.7

Stash is an ideal platform for beginners venturing into the world of investing. It focuses on the education of newer investors through its extensive educational resources and a unique feature called Smart Portfolio. This Coach is both a game and an educational tool, helping you grasp the fundamentals of investing.

Upon downloading the app, you will be prompted to answer a few questions to determine your risk tolerance and investment goals. Based on your responses, the app will recommend a selection of ETFs and individual stocks. Furthermore, the education section will be tailored to your situation, providing valuable content.

When building your actual investment portfolio, Stash offers suggestions, but you make the final decisions. However, if your portfolio lacks diversification, the app may guide you to build a more balanced portfolio.

One of the attractive features of Stash is the low entry barrier, as you can start investing with just $5. This is made possible through the option to purchase fractional shares of the over 3,800 stocks and ETFs available.

Additionally, Stash offers two subscription plans: Stash Growth, which allows you to open a taxable account with a retirement account (traditional or Roth IRA) for $3 per month and Stash+, which includes a taxable account, retirement account and two accounts for kids for $12 per month.

How to Choose The Right Investment App

Discovering the perfect investment app for beginners can be challenging, as no universal solution suits everyone’s needs. These questions can help guide your decision-making process.

Do you want to invest in individual stocks, or do you prefer the convenience of an automated robo-advisor? Certain apps may offer access to both, enabling you to better customize your investment strategy. Opting for individual stocks and ETFs is ideal if you relish conducting research and actively managing your portfolio. On the other hand, automated investing is well-suited for those who prefer a more hands-off approach.
Are you planning to adopt a buy-and-hold investment approach, or do you lean towards active trading?
Do you place greater importance on low fees or greater features and investment options? While some brokerages offer low fees, they may lack in-depth educational tools and stock research reports.
Are you comfortable with technology, or do you prefer a straightforward and easy-to-use app? While beginners may lean towards user-friendly platforms, a spectrum of complexity is available.
Are you interested in cryptocurrencies, options and futures? Are these, and other options, available from your chosen investing app?
Are you primarily focused on investing for retirement, or do you need the flexibility to access your funds when necessary? If retirement investing is your priority, verify that the app supports the type of retirement account that is best for you.

By asking yourself these questions, you can narrow down the options and find the investment app that aligns with your preferences and goals. Keep in mind that while this list is not exhaustive, it can serve as a starting point in your search for the best investing apps for beginners.

To determine the best app for you, consider what features and investments matter most.

Bottom Line

Couple who are not experienced at investing using an app

Before choosing an investment app, take the time to thoroughly explore your options. By comparing features, investment options and costs, you can select the best solution for your specific investment needs. If you need extra guidance or personalized assistance, speak with a financial advisor who can help you make well-informed investment decisions.

Tips for New Investors

If the prospect of investing substantial amounts of money seems overwhelming, you don’t need to go through it alone; a financial advisor can be a valuable 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.
To enhance the resilience of your portfolio, diversify your assets across various asset classes and economic sectors. By doing so, you reduce the reliance on a single market area for the success of your investments.