7 Best Investing Apps for Beginners: Start Growing Your Money Today

Build Wealth the Smart Way—Right From Your Phone

Starting your investment journey can feel like stepping into a financial jungle.

What’s a stock? What’s an ETF? What does “diversified portfolio” even mean?

If your head’s spinning, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news:
You don’t need to be a Wall Street wizard to grow your money.

Thanks to modern investing apps, you can start small, learn as you go, and build wealth from your smartphone—anytime, anywhere.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top 7 beginner-friendly investing apps in 2025. Whether you’re saving for retirement, building a cushion, or just dipping your toes into the market, we’ve got an app for you.

First, Why Use an Investing App?

Investing apps have transformed the way beginners interact with the market. Here’s why they’re so powerful:

✅ Low (or no) fees
✅ Simple interfaces that demystify investing
✅ No intimidating jargon or confusing processes
✅ Educational tools that help you learn while you grow your money
✅ Start with as little as $1

Most of these apps are designed with you—the everyday user—in mind. No broker meetings, no big commitments. Just bite-sized investing.

1. Robinhood – Investing Made Simple

Best For: Free trading & beginners who want to try stocks and crypto
Platform Type: Active investing

Robinhood is the gateway drug to the stock market for many beginners. With its clean design, no commissions, and easy access to stocks, ETFs, and crypto, it’s become wildly popular among young investors.

Pros:

• $0 commission trades
• No account minimums
• Very beginner-friendly interface

Cons:

• Limited research tools
• Can encourage day trading behaviors
• No retirement accounts

Good to Know:

Robinhood is ideal if you’re curious about investing and want to start small without being overwhelmed. Just be cautious not to confuse easy access with easy success.

2. Acorns – Invest Your Spare Change

Best For: Passive investing & long-term savers
Platform Type: Automated investing

Ever wish you could invest without thinking about it? Enter Acorns. It rounds up your everyday purchases (think: that $3.50 coffee becomes a $0.50 investment) and puts that change into a smart, diversified portfolio.

Pros:

• Totally hands-off investing
• Automatically invests “round-ups”
• Includes retirement & checking account options

Cons:

• $3/month minimum fee
• May not be worth it for very small balances
• Limited customization

Good to Know:

Great for people who are better savers than investors. Acorns removes the pressure and just quietly grows your money in the background.

3. Fidelity Investments – Full-Feature Platform with Zero Fees

Best For: Beginners focused on long-term wealth (retirement, college funds, etc.)
Platform Type: Full-service DIY investing

Fidelity offers one of the best traditional investment platforms—now with no account minimums and $0 commissions. You also get access to research tools, educational content, and retirement planning.

Pros:

• No trading fees
• Strong educational resources
• Offers IRAs, 401(k) rollovers, and more

Cons:

• Interface may feel complex at first
• No crypto support

Good to Know:

Fidelity is perfect if you’re in it for the long haul. Think Roth IRAs, retirement planning, and learning to invest smarter over time.

4. SoFi Invest – Best for Beginners Who Want Guidance

Best For: Investors who want financial advice plus options to automate or DIY
Platform Type: Hybrid (active + robo-advisor)

SoFi is more than just an investing app—it’s a whole ecosystem. With access to financial advisors, low-cost investing, and perks like fractional shares, it’s ideal for people looking for a little help.

Pros:

• Free access to advisors
• Combines automated and active investing
• Fractional shares (invest with as little as $1)

Cons:

• Fewer assets to choose from
• Not as deep on trading tools as other platforms

Good to Know:

SoFi also offers loans, credit cards, and budgeting tools—making it a solid one-stop-shop for money management.

5. Stash – Learn & Invest Together

Best For: Beginners who want to learn while they invest
Platform Type: Education-focused active investing

With Stash, you can start investing with as little as $5. What sets it apart is its educational focus—teaching users about ETFs, risk, diversification, and more through digestible lessons.

Pros:

• Great for total beginners
• Invest in themed portfolios (e.g., “Clean Energy” or “Tech Giants”)
• Includes banking and debit rewards

Cons:

• Monthly fees starting at $3
• Customer service can be spotty

Good to Know:

Stash is best if you’re curious and want to learn actively—without diving too deep into technical analysis.

6. Public – Social Investing for Beginners

Best For: Investors who learn through community interaction
Platform Type: Social investing

Public combines investing with social media. You can follow other investors, see what they’re buying, and even ask questions. It’s designed for beginners who learn by observing others.

Pros:

• Fractional shares
• No commissions
• Transparent community feed

Cons:

• Limited research tools
• No mutual funds or retirement accounts

Good to Know:

Public is ideal if you want to learn socially—by seeing real trades from real people and understanding the “why” behind their decisions.

7. M1 Finance – Automated & Customizable Investing

Best For: Long-term investors who love automation and control
Platform Type: Automated investing with customization

M1 Finance lets you build your own “Pies”—custom portfolios divided by percentages. Then, it automatically invests your deposits according to those slices.

Pros:

• Automates your investing
• Customizable portfolios
• No fees for standard accounts

Cons:

• $100 minimum to start
• No real-time trading

Good to Know:

M1 Finance is perfect if you’re the kind of person who loves spreadsheets, long-term planning, and not watching your portfolio every day.

How to Choose the Right App for YOU

Ask yourself:

How involved do I want to be?

• Hands-off? Try Acorns or M1.
• Hands-on? Try Robinhood or Stash.

What’s my goal?

• Retirement or long-term growth? Fidelity or M1.
• Just getting started and learning? Stash or Public.

How much can I invest to start?

• $1–$5: SoFi, Public, Stash
• $100+: M1 Finance

Do I need financial guidance?

• Try SoFi for free advisor access
• Fidelity also offers robust education tools

Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it. Choose one app that fits your vibe and start with a small amount. You can always switch later as you grow.

Quick Comparison Table

Final Thoughts: Ready to Start Your Investment Journey?

Here’s what matters most:
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.

With so many beginner-friendly apps offering low fees and guided help, there’s literally no reason not to dip your toe into investing in 2025.

Even $5 can turn into thousands over time—with consistency, patience, and the right tools.

💬 Your Turn:

We want to hear from YOU:

• Have you tried any of these apps?
• Which investing app worked best for you as a beginner?
• What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to investing?

Drop a comment below or share this post with a friend who’s ready to start growing their money!