Top 10 Investment Apps for Beginners in 2025: Complete Guide to Start Investing Today​

Investing your money has never been more accessible thanks to innovative mobile applications that put the power of Wall Street directly in your pocket. For beginners looking to start their investment journey, choosing the right app can make the difference between success and confusion. This comprehensive guide reviews the top 10 investment apps specifically designed for newcomers to investing, helping you make an informed decision about where to begin building your financial future.

Why Investment Apps Are Perfect for Beginners

Modern investment apps have revolutionized how people approach investing by eliminating traditional barriers that once kept beginners away from the stock market. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, educational resources, low fees, and the ability to start investing with minimal capital. Whether you have $1 or $1,000 to invest, there’s an app designed to help you grow your wealth.

The democratization of investing through mobile technology means you no longer need a traditional broker or thousands of dollars to get started. These apps provide research tools, automated investing options, and educational content that guides beginners through every step of their investment journey.

How We Selected the Best Investment Apps for Beginners

Our selection criteria focused on factors most important to new investors: ease of use, educational resources, low fees, minimum investment requirements, customer support, and overall user experience. We evaluated dozens of investment platforms and selected those that consistently deliver value to beginners while providing room for growth as investors become more sophisticated.

Top 10 Investment Apps for Beginners: Detailed Reviews

1. Robinhood: Commission-Free Trading Pioneer

Best for: First-time stock investors who want simple, commission-free trading

Robinhood revolutionized the investment industry by eliminating trading commissions, making it possible for anyone to buy and sell stocks without paying fees. The app features an intuitive interface that makes investing feel as simple as using social media.

Key Features:

• Zero commission trades on stocks, ETFs, and options
• Fractional shares available for expensive stocks
• Clean, minimalist interface perfect for beginners
• Real-time market data and price alerts
• Instant deposits for immediate trading

Pros:

• Completely free stock and ETF trading
• User-friendly design that’s easy to navigate
• No minimum account balance required
• Supports cryptocurrency trading
• Fast account setup process

Cons:

• Limited research and educational tools
• No retirement account options
• Customer service can be slow
• Less suitable for advanced trading strategies

Minimum Investment: $1 Account Types: Individual taxable accounts, margin accounts

2. Acorns: Automated Micro-Investing

Best for: Beginners who want to invest spare change automatically

Acorns takes a unique approach to investing by rounding up your everyday purchases and investing the spare change. This “set it and forget it” strategy helps beginners start investing without thinking about it.

Key Features:

• Round-up investing from linked debit and credit cards
• Automated portfolio management based on risk tolerance
• Educational content through Acorns Grow magazine
• Found Money cashback from partner retailers
• Retirement account options available

Pros:

• Effortless way to start investing with spare change
• Professionally managed portfolios
• Educational resources for financial literacy
• Low barrier to entry
• Automatic rebalancing

Cons:

• Monthly fees can be high for small balances
• Limited investment options (only ETF portfolios)
• No individual stock picking
• Fees can eat into returns for small accounts

Minimum Investment: $5 Monthly Fee: $3-$12 depending on plan Account Types: Individual, IRA, checking accounts

3. Stash: Investing Education and Fractional Shares

Best for: Beginners who want to learn while they invest

Stash combines investing with comprehensive financial education, making it ideal for beginners who want to understand what they’re investing in. The app offers curated investment themes and fractional shares of expensive stocks.

Key Features:

• Themed investment collections (clean energy, tech giants, etc.)
• Fractional shares starting at $5
• Extensive educational content and articles
• Personal finance tools and budgeting features
• Retirement and custodial account options

Pros:

• Strong educational component
• Thematic investing makes choices easier
• Banking services included
• No minimum balance for investing
• Personalized investment recommendations

Cons:

• Monthly subscription fees
• Limited free features
• Higher fees compared to some competitors
• Less control over individual stock selection

Minimum Investment: $5 Monthly Fee: $3-$9 depending on plan Account Types: Individual, IRA, custodial accounts

4. E*TRADE: Comprehensive Platform for Growing Investors

Best for: Beginners who want room to grow into advanced features

E*TRADE offers a perfect balance of beginner-friendly features and advanced tools, making it ideal for investors who plan to expand their knowledge and trading activities over time.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock and ETF trades
• Extensive research and analysis tools
• Educational webinars and articles
• Options and futures trading capabilities
• Multiple account types including retirement accounts

Pros:

• No commission on stock and ETF trades
• Excellent research and educational resources
• Wide range of investment products
• Strong mobile app and web platform
• 24/7 customer support

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for complete beginners
• Some advanced features require higher account balances
• Options trading has per-contract fees
• Interface less intuitive than newer apps

Minimum Investment: $0 Account Types: Individual, joint, IRA, 529 education savings

5. TD Ameritrade (now Charles Schwab): Professional-Grade Tools

Best for: Beginners who want institutional-quality research and tools

Following the merger with Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade offers some of the best research tools and educational resources in the industry, making complex investing concepts accessible to beginners.

Key Features:

• Thinkorswim platform for advanced analysis
• Commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Extensive educational content and courses
• Paper trading for practice without real money
• Professional-grade research reports

Pros:

• Outstanding educational resources
• No minimum balance requirements
• Excellent customer service
• Advanced charting and analysis tools
• Practice trading with virtual money

Cons:

• Platform can be complex for absolute beginners
• Some features require learning curve
• Overwhelming number of options and tools
• Mobile app less intuitive than competitors

Minimum Investment: $0 Account Types: Individual, joint, IRA, education savings, business

6. Fidelity: Zero Fees with Excellent Fund Options

Best for: Beginners interested in mutual funds and long-term investing

Fidelity combines zero-fee trading with access to high-quality mutual funds and ETFs, making it excellent for beginners focused on long-term wealth building.

Key Features:

• Zero expense ratio index funds
• Commission-free stock and ETF trades
• Fractional shares available
• Comprehensive retirement planning tools
• Award-winning customer service

Pros:

• No account fees or minimums
• Excellent mutual fund selection
• Strong retirement planning resources
• High-quality research and analysis
• Fractional shares for expensive stocks

Cons:

• Website and app can feel outdated
• Less engaging interface than newer apps
• Overwhelming for users wanting simple investing
• Focus on funds may not appeal to stock pickers

Minimum Investment: $0 Account Types: Individual, joint, IRA, 401(k), HSA, 529

7. Wealthfront: Automated Investing with Tax Optimization

Best for: Beginners who want hands-off, professionally managed portfolios

Wealthfront is a robo-advisor that automates the entire investment process, making it perfect for beginners who want professional portfolio management without the complexity.

Key Features:

• Automated portfolio management and rebalancing
• Tax-loss harvesting to minimize taxes
• Goal-based investing for specific objectives
• Direct indexing for larger accounts
• Financial planning tools and advice

Pros:

• Completely automated investing
• Tax optimization strategies
• Low management fees
• No minimum balance requirement
• Sophisticated portfolio management

Cons:

• No individual stock picking
• Limited customization options
• Management fees reduce returns
• Less control over investment decisions

Minimum Investment: $1 Management Fee: 0.25% annually Account Types: Individual, joint, IRA, 529, trusts

8. Betterment: Goal-Based Investing Made Simple

Best for: Beginners with specific financial goals

Betterment focuses on goal-based investing, helping beginners align their investments with specific objectives like retirement, home buying, or emergency funds.

Key Features:

• Goal-based portfolio allocation
• Automatic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting
• Retirement planning and advice
• Socially responsible investing options
• Banking services with competitive rates

Pros:

• Clear goal-setting framework
• Automated portfolio management
• Tax-efficient investing strategies
• No minimum balance requirements
• Comprehensive financial planning

Cons:

• Limited investment options (ETFs only)
• Management fees apply
• No individual stock selection
• Less flexibility than self-directed platforms

Minimum Investment: $0 Management Fee: 0.25-0.40% annually Account Types: Individual, joint, IRA, trusts

9. Public: Social Investing with Educational Focus

Best for: Beginners who want to learn from other investors

Public combines investing with social features, allowing beginners to follow experienced investors and learn from their strategies and insights.

Key Features:

• Social features to follow other investors
• Commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Fractional shares available
• Educational content and market discussions
• Themed investing collections

Pros:

• Learn from other investors’ strategies
• Commission-free trading
• Strong educational component
• Fractional shares make expensive stocks accessible
• Engaging social interface

Cons:

• Social features may encourage risky behavior
• Limited research tools compared to traditional brokers
• Relatively new platform with limited track record
• Focus on social aspects may distract from investing goals

Minimum Investment: $1 Account Types: Individual taxable accounts

10. M1 Finance: Automated Portfolio Building

Best for: Beginners who want to build custom portfolios with automation

M1 Finance offers a unique “pie” system that allows beginners to create custom portfolios while still benefiting from automated investing and rebalancing.

Key Features:

• Custom portfolio creation with automated management
• Commission-free stock and ETF trades
• Automatic rebalancing and dividend reinvestment
• Fractional shares for all holdings
• Borrowing against portfolio available

Pros:

• Unique combination of customization and automation
• No trading commissions or management fees
• Automatic rebalancing maintains target allocations
• Fractional shares allow precise portfolio allocation
• Competitive margin borrowing rates

Cons:

• Limited trading windows (once or twice daily)
• Less suitable for active trading
• Learning curve for portfolio creation
• Fewer educational resources than competitors

Minimum Investment: $100 Account Types: Individual, joint, IRA, trusts

Choosing the Right Investment App for Your Needs

Consider Your Investment Goals

Before selecting an app, clearly define your investment objectives. Are you saving for retirement, building an emergency fund, or trying to grow wealth for a major purchase? Different apps excel at different goals:

• Long-term retirement saving: Fidelity, E*TRADE, or TD Ameritrade
• Automated hands-off investing: Wealthfront or Betterment
• Learning while investing: Stash or Public
• Simple stock trading: Robinhood or Public
• Micro-investing: Acorns

Evaluate Fees and Costs

Investment fees can significantly impact your returns over time. Consider these cost factors:

• Trading commissions: Most modern apps offer commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Management fees: Robo-advisors typically charge 0.25-0.50% annually
• Account fees: Some apps charge monthly subscription fees
• Expense ratios: ETFs and mutual funds have internal costs
• Additional fees: Options trading, wire transfers, and account maintenance

Assess Educational Resources

As a beginner, educational content can be invaluable for making informed investment decisions. Look for apps that offer:

• Investment tutorials and guides
• Market analysis and research reports
• Webinars and educational videos
• Goal-setting and planning tools
• Practice trading capabilities

Consider User Experience

A well-designed app makes investing more enjoyable and sustainable. Key user experience factors include:

• Intuitive navigation and clean interface
• Fast and reliable performance
• Comprehensive mobile functionality
• Easy account setup and funding
• Responsive customer support

Investment Strategies for Beginners

Start with Index Funds and ETFs

Index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer instant diversification and low costs, making them ideal for beginners. These funds track market indexes like the S&P 500, providing exposure to hundreds or thousands of stocks with a single investment.

Dollar-Cost Averaging

Invest a fixed amount regularly regardless of market conditions. This strategy reduces the impact of market volatility and helps build wealth consistently over time. Most apps support automatic investing to make dollar-cost averaging effortless.

Focus on Long-Term Growth

Successful investing requires patience and a long-term perspective. Avoid the temptation to frequently buy and sell based on short-term market movements. History shows that consistent, long-term investing typically produces better results than trying to time the market.

Diversify Your Investments

Don’t put all your money in a single stock or sector. Diversification across different asset classes, industries, and geographic regions helps reduce risk and improve long-term returns.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Emotional Investing

Fear and greed can lead to poor investment decisions. Stick to your investment plan and avoid making impulsive trades based on market emotions or headlines.

Trying to Time the Market

Predicting short-term market movements is extremely difficult, even for professional investors. Focus on time in the market rather than timing the market.

Ignoring Fees

Even small fees can compound over time and significantly reduce your returns. Always understand what you’re paying and look for low-cost investment options.

Lack of Diversification

Putting too much money in a single stock or sector increases risk unnecessarily. Build a diversified portfolio across different investments.

Not Starting Soon Enough

The power of compound growth means that starting early, even with small amounts, can lead to substantial wealth over time. Don’t wait until you have a large sum to begin investing.

Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Investment Goals

Determine what you’re investing for and your timeline. Common goals include retirement, emergency funds, home down payments, or general wealth building.

Step 2: Assess Your Risk Tolerance

Consider how comfortable you are with market volatility. Younger investors can typically accept more risk for potentially higher returns, while those nearing retirement may prefer more conservative approaches.

Step 3: Choose Your Investment App

Based on your goals, risk tolerance, and preferences, select the app that best fits your needs from our top 10 list.

Step 4: Open and Fund Your Account

Most apps allow you to open an account in minutes. You’ll need to provide personal information and link a bank account for funding.

Step 5: Start Investing

Begin with a diversified portfolio of index funds or ETFs. Many apps offer target-date funds or robo-advisor services that automatically create appropriate portfolios.

Step 6: Monitor and Adjust

Review your investments regularly but avoid making frequent changes. Rebalance your portfolio annually or when allocations drift significantly from your targets.

The Future of Investment Apps

Investment technology continues to evolve rapidly, with new features and capabilities constantly emerging. Trends to watch include:

• Artificial intelligence for personalized investment advice
• Cryptocurrency integration in traditional investment platforms
• ESG and sustainable investing options becoming standard
• Enhanced educational tools using gamification and interactive content
• Improved financial planning integration across all life goals

Conclusion: Start Your Investment Journey Today

The best investment app for beginners is the one that matches your specific needs, goals, and preferences. Whether you prefer the simplicity of Robinhood, the automation of Wealthfront, or the comprehensive tools of E*TRADE, the most important step is to start investing.

Remember that investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Begin with small amounts, focus on learning and building good habits, and gradually increase your investments as your knowledge and confidence grow. The apps in this guide provide excellent starting points for your investment journey, offering the tools and resources needed to build long-term wealth.

Ready to start investing? Choose one of these top-rated apps today and take the first step toward achieving your financial goals. Your future self will thank you for starting now rather than waiting for the “perfect” moment to begin.

The power of compound growth means that every day you delay investing is a day of potential growth you’re missing. Download your chosen app, fund your account, and begin building the financial future you deserve. With the right app and a commitment to consistent investing, you can turn small amounts into substantial wealth over time.