Getting started with investing can feel like a big step, especially when you’re just beginning. You want to make your money work for you, but where do you even begin? Luckily, there are plenty of apps out there designed to make the process simpler and more affordable. We’ve looked at some of the top free investment apps for beginners in 2025 to help you find the best fit for your financial journey. These platforms aim to cut down on fees and make investing accessible, so you can focus on growing your wealth without all the usual headaches.
Key Takeaways
- The best investment apps for beginners are easy to use and have low fees, often offering commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs.
- Many beginner-friendly apps provide educational resources like webinars and articles to help new investors understand the market.
- Look for apps with user-friendly interfaces, helpful tools, and access to the investment types that interest you.
- All listed apps are insured by the SIPC, but remember that investments can lose value.
- Consider your personal goals and risk tolerance when choosing an app, whether it’s for passive investing, retirement savings, or micro-investing.
1. SoFi Active Invest
SoFi Active Invest is a pretty neat option if you’re just starting out and want a place that can handle a lot of your financial needs. It’s not just about stocks; SoFi aims to be a one-stop shop. You can get going with as little as $5, which is super low. Plus, they don’t charge you for basic trades of stocks or ETFs, which is a big plus when you’re trying to keep costs down.
What’s cool is that they have both a do-it-yourself investing option and an automated investing service. The automated part, called SoFi Automated Investing, uses ETFs that are picked and managed for you. And guess what? It doesn’t cost extra. That’s a pretty sweet deal for beginners who might feel a bit overwhelmed.
Here’s a quick look at what you get:
- Zero commissions: Trade stocks and ETFs without paying a fee per trade.
- Low starting minimum: You can begin investing with just $5.
- Automated investing option: Let SoFi manage a portfolio of ETFs for you at no extra charge.
- Access to financial advisors: SoFi members can get one-on-one help from certified financial planners, though some benefits might require a SoFi Plus membership.
SoFi tries to make managing your money less of a chore by bringing different financial tools together. It’s designed to be straightforward, so you can focus on learning to invest without getting bogged down by complicated features or high fees. They also have other financial products, like loans and banking, which might appeal to you if you like having everything under one roof.
While SoFi Active Invest is great for getting started and for those who want a broad financial platform, it’s worth noting that the research and charting tools aren’t as deep as some other platforms out there. If you’re looking to do really in-depth technical analysis, you might find it a bit basic. But for most beginners, especially those who appreciate having financial advice readily available, SoFi Active Invest is a solid contender.
2. Vanguard
Vanguard is a big name in the investing world, and for good reason. They’ve been around for a while and are known for their low-cost approach, especially when it comes to retirement planning. If you’re thinking about saving for the long haul, like for retirement, Vanguard is definitely worth a look.
They offer a bunch of different retirement account types, such as SEP IRAs, 401(k) rollovers, and SIMPLE IRAs. This means you can likely find an account that fits your specific situation. Inside these accounts, you get access to a wide range of investment options, including their own popular ETFs like the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF and the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF. They also have these things called All-in-One retirement funds, which are pretty handy for simplifying your investments.
Beyond just the accounts and funds, Vanguard provides some helpful tools and resources. These can assist with things like tax-loss harvesting, which is a strategy to help reduce your tax bill, and they also have options for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing if that’s important to you.
While Vanguard is a giant in the investment industry, their app experience might feel a bit less flashy compared to some newer platforms. It’s more about solid, long-term investing than quick trading.
Here’s a quick look at what Vanguard offers for retirement savers:
- Retirement Account Variety: Access to IRAs, 401(k) rollovers, and more.
- Low-Cost Funds: Known for keeping fees down, which adds up over time.
- Retirement Planning Tools: Resources to help you plan for your future.
- ESG Options: Invest in companies that align with your values.
3. Ally Invest
Ally Invest is a pretty straightforward platform, which is great if you’re just starting out and don’t want to get overwhelmed. They’ve got this app that’s easy to get around, and it gives you access to some useful tools like market screeners and charts to check out how things are performing.
You can choose between two main ways to invest with their robo-advisor portfolios. One is the cash-enhanced portfolio, which keeps about 30% of your money in an interest-earning cash buffer. The other is the market-focused portfolio, which uses a smaller cash buffer (around 2%) and has a small advisory fee. If you’re more of a hands-on person, you can also open a self-directed account. There’s no minimum to start, and you can trade pretty much anytime the market is open. You get to pick your own stocks, ETFs, bonds, and other securities.
Here’s a quick look at what Ally Invest offers:
- Commission-free trading: You won’t pay extra fees to buy or sell stocks and ETFs.
- Tax-optimized portfolios: They have options designed to help you manage your taxes.
- Robo-advisor choices: You can go with their automated portfolios if you prefer.
If you’re looking for a place to start with investing that doesn’t feel too complicated, Ally Invest is definitely worth a look. It balances automated options with the ability to make your own choices, which is a nice mix for beginners.
4. Betterment Investing
Betterment is a solid choice if you’re looking for a robo-advisor that handles a lot of the heavy lifting for you. It’s designed to make investing pretty straightforward, especially if you’re not sure where to start. The app helps you build diversified portfolios based on your personal goals and how much risk you’re comfortable with.
When you sign up, Betterment asks you a bunch of questions about your financial situation, like when you want to retire and how much money you have. Based on your answers, it suggests a mix of stock and bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to build your portfolio. It’s all about setting up a plan for things like retirement, saving for a down payment, or just building up some extra cash.
One thing that makes Betterment stand out is its approach to cryptocurrency. They offer a managed Crypto ETF portfolio, which includes popular digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside U.S. Short-Term Treasury Bonds. It’s important to remember that crypto can be really unpredictable, so Betterment suggests keeping it to a small part of your overall investments, like 5% or less.
Here’s a look at how their fees generally work:
- For balances under $20,000 (without consistent monthly deposits of $250+): You’ll pay a flat fee of $4 per month.
- For balances over $20,000 (or with consistent monthly deposits of $250+): You’ll pay an annual fee of 0.25% of your balance.
This fee structure means that for smaller amounts, the monthly fee might seem a bit high compared to some other apps. But once your investments grow, the percentage-based fee becomes quite competitive.
Betterment also offers features like tax-loss harvesting, which can help reduce your tax bill over time by selling investments that have lost value to offset gains elsewhere. It’s a smart way to potentially keep more of your investment returns.
They also have options for socially responsible investing if you want your money to align with your values, and you can even set up portfolios for charitable giving. While getting direct access to a human financial advisor usually requires a higher balance or a separate fee, the automated advice and portfolio management are pretty good for beginners.
5. Acorns
Acorns is a pretty neat app, especially if you’re just starting out and find the whole investing thing a bit much. It’s designed to make investing super simple, almost like you’re not even trying. The main idea is to invest your spare change. Every time you buy something, Acorns rounds up the purchase to the nearest dollar and puts that little bit of extra cash into an investment account for you. It’s a really easy way to start saving without feeling like you’re making a huge sacrifice.
Beyond the round-ups, Acorns also lets you set up automatic transfers from your bank account, so you can invest a set amount regularly. They have different subscription tiers, with the basic one starting at $3 a month. This fee covers your investment account, which is filled with low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) picked by experts based on your goals and how much risk you’re comfortable with. They even have options for retirement accounts and banking.
Here’s a quick look at what you get with Acorns:
- Round-Ups: Automatically invest the spare change from your purchases.
- Automated Investing: Set up recurring deposits to build your portfolio steadily.
- Diversified Portfolios: Invest in pre-made portfolios of ETFs, tailored to your risk level.
- Retirement & Banking: Options for IRAs and a checking account are available.
While the $3 monthly fee might seem small, it’s worth noting that it’s a flat fee, not a percentage of your investments. This means for smaller balances, the fee can feel a bit high compared to your overall investment. However, for beginners who want a completely hands-off approach and appreciate the ease of use, Acorns is a solid choice to get your feet wet in the investing world.
Acorns also offers educational content to help you learn as you go, which is a big plus for anyone new to investing. They’ve got a good rating on app stores, showing that a lot of people find it user-friendly and effective for their initial investment journey.
6. Public Investing
Public Investing is an interesting option, especially if you like the idea of seeing what other people are buying. It’s got this social aspect built right in, which can be pretty neat for beginners who want to feel connected to the market.
The app really shines with its transparency; they don’t charge for things like payment for order flow, and they even share options revenue with users. That’s a pretty big deal when you’re just starting out and trying to figure out all the fees. Plus, you can start investing with just $0, which is great for not having to put up a lot of cash upfront.
Here’s a quick look at what Public offers:
- Social Investing: See and share trades with a community of investors.
- Alternative Assets: Invest in things like art and NFTs, not just stocks.
- Crypto: Buy and sell popular cryptocurrencies.
- AI Summaries: Get quick breakdowns of your assets.
While Public is pretty straightforward, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t have mutual funds or custodial accounts. Also, if you’re looking for super deep research tools, you might find it a bit light compared to some other platforms. But for getting your feet wet and investing alongside others, it’s a solid choice. You can check out their platform details to see if it fits your style.
7. Stockpile
Stockpile is a pretty neat option, especially if you’re thinking about getting younger folks involved in investing. They’ve made it super easy to buy stocks and ETFs without any commission fees, which is always a plus when you’re starting out. What really sets Stockpile apart, though, is its focus on gifting stock. You can actually buy stock as a gift using gift cards, making it a unique way to introduce kids or teens to the stock market. It’s a practical way for young people to learn financial literacy.
They also have these "mini-lessons" built into the app. These are short, digestible bits of information designed to teach the basics of investing. It’s not overwhelming like some other platforms can be. You can trade stocks and ETFs with no commissions, and they support fractional shares, meaning you don’t need a ton of money to buy into a company.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Stockpile operates on a membership model. You’ll pay a monthly fee, which gets you access to an adult account and a few kids’ accounts, plus a decent selection of stocks and ETFs. While they do offer a free trial, the ongoing cost might be something to consider compared to apps that are completely free to use.
The idea behind Stockpile is to make investing accessible and educational, particularly for families. It bridges the gap between wanting to teach financial responsibility and the actual mechanics of buying and selling stocks.
Here’s a quick look at what you get with a Stockpile membership:
- One adult investment account
- Up to five kids’ investment accounts
- Access to over 3,000 stocks and ETFs
- Commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs
- Fractional share investing
- Gift of stock feature
If you’re looking for a way to teach a child about investing or want a straightforward platform for yourself with a unique gifting option, Stockpile is definitely worth a look. Just be mindful of the monthly fee.
8. Robinhood
Robinhood really made a splash when it first came out, and honestly, it’s still a popular choice, especially for folks just dipping their toes into investing. The app is known for its super clean look and feel, making it pretty easy to figure out, even if you’ve never bought a stock before. They offer commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, and options, which is a big deal when you’re starting out and trying to keep costs low. Plus, you can buy fractional shares, meaning you don’t need a ton of money to own a piece of big companies.
Here’s a quick look at what Robinhood offers:
- Commission-Free Trading: No fees for buying or selling stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Fractional Shares: Start investing with as little as $1.
- User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive design for easy navigation.
- Account Minimum: $0 to open an account and start investing.
While Robinhood’s ease of use and zero-commission model are attractive, it’s worth noting that some people have raised concerns about its platform. The way it’s designed, with its game-like features, might make it a bit too easy to make quick, impulsive trades. It’s really important to remember that investing is a long-term game, not a casino.
It’s a solid option if you want a straightforward way to get into the market, but just be mindful of how you use it. They also have features like automatic deposits to help you build a habit of investing regularly.
9. Webull
Webull is an app that really caters to the active trader. If you’re someone who likes to keep a close eye on the market and make moves outside of the usual 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time window, Webull’s extended trading hours are a big plus. They offer pre-market and after-hours trading, which can be pretty handy.
For those who enjoy digging into the charts, Webull has some pretty advanced charting tools. They also offer comprehensive options trading and margin trading, often with competitive rates. It’s definitely geared more towards people who know their way around these kinds of features.
Here’s a quick look at some of the basics:
- Commission-Free Trades: You won’t pay a fee for buying or selling stocks and ETFs.
- Minimum Deposit: You can start with as little as $5.
- Trading Hours: Includes extended pre-market and after-hours trading sessions.
- Advanced Tools: Features like advanced charting and options trading are available.
While Webull offers a lot for active traders, it’s worth noting that the platform can feel a bit complex for absolute beginners. The educational resources, while present, might not be as in-depth as some other platforms, especially when it comes to understanding more complex trading strategies like options or margin.
Some users have reported issues with customer service and occasional technical glitches, particularly with the mobile app’s charting. Also, be aware that Webull participates in payment for order flow, which is a common practice but something experienced traders often keep an eye on.
10. Fidelity
Fidelity is a big name in the investing world, and for good reason. They’ve been around forever, and they have a ton of resources for investors, especially if you’re just starting out. You can access a lot of research and educational materials right through their app, which is pretty handy.
While the app itself might not be the slickest thing you’ve ever used – some folks find it a bit clunky or hard to figure out at first – the underlying platform is solid. You can track market news, see how different sectors are doing, and even check out the top-moving stocks. They also have a neat feature for tracking your net worth, which is nice for seeing the bigger financial picture.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect:
- Account Minimum: $0. You don’t need a lot of cash to get started.
- Platform Availability: Available on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices.
- Research & Education: Loads of articles, guides, and tools to help you learn.
- Net Worth Tracking: A built-in tool to monitor your overall financial health.
Making trades is generally straightforward for a regular brokerage account. However, if you’re dealing with retirement accounts like a 401(k), you might find it easier to use their desktop site. It’s not the most intuitive app for every single task, but the sheer amount of information and tools available makes it a strong contender, especially if you value having a well-established company behind your investments.
Some users mention that the app’s interface isn’t always the easiest to get around. It might take a little practice to find everything, and sometimes you have to do a few extra steps to get things done, like enabling direct trading. It’s not always a smooth experience for every single function.
Wrapping It Up
So, getting started with investing doesn’t have to be some big, scary thing. We’ve looked at some apps that make it pretty simple, even if you’re totally new to this. These platforms are designed to be easy to use, don’t cost a fortune, and many even offer resources to help you learn as you go. Remember, the best app for you really depends on what you’re trying to do with your money. Take a look at what we discussed, pick one that feels right, and just start. You might be surprised at how straightforward it can be to put your money to work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which investment app is the best for someone just starting out?
SoFi Invest is a great choice for beginners because it’s easy to use, doesn’t charge much, and offers tools to help you manage your money. You can start with as little as $1, and there are no fees for buying or selling stocks and ETFs.
How can a beginner begin investing?
You can start investing by using an app designed for new investors or a beginner-friendly online brokerage. These apps are usually inexpensive and often use automated systems (robo-advisors) that trade low-cost funds for you.
What kind of investments are good for beginners?
For beginners, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and low-cost index funds are often recommended. These give you a mix of different investments, which can help spread out risk. The best choice for you might depend on your age and how much risk you’re comfortable with.
Are investment apps safe to use?
Yes, legitimate investment apps are generally safe, much like your bank. They use strong security measures, and many offer extra protection like two-factor authentication. Just be sure to keep your login details private and be careful about which devices you use to access your account.
Can I use more than one investment app?
Absolutely! Using multiple investment apps can be beneficial, especially if you have different financial goals or timelines. It allows you to explore various features and investment options across different platforms.
What should I look for in an investment app for beginners?
When choosing an app, look for low fees, an easy-to-understand interface, and helpful educational materials. Features like commission-free trades, access to different investment types, and tools that help you learn are also important for new investors.
