Starting to invest as a beginner can feel overwhelming. But the right app makes everything easier — from buying your first stock to tracking your portfolio. In this 2025 guide, we’ll cover the best investing apps for beginners in the USA, based on ease of use, features, and low fees.
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What Makes a Great Investing App for Beginners?
Before diving in, here’s what to look for as a new investor:
- Low or no fees
- Simple, clean interface
- Fractional shares (invest with as little as $1)
- Educational tools
- No account minimum
Top 5 Investing Apps for Beginners in 2025
1. M1 Finance – Best for Long-Term, Automated Investing
- Minimum to start: $0
- Fees: $0
- Best features: Fractional shares, auto-investing, portfolios called “pies”
M1 lets you build your own portfolio or use pre-built ones. It’s perfect for people who want to invest passively.
Pro Tip: Set up automatic weekly deposits — even $10/week adds up!
2. Acorns – Best for Hands-Off Investing
- Minimum to start: $5
- Fees: $3/month (includes retirement account)
- Best features: Round-up investing, automated portfolio, cash back
Acorns links to your bank account and invests your spare change. Ideal for complete beginners who don’t want to think too much.
Bonus: Acorns also offers retirement accounts (IRA) and checking.
3. Robinhood – Best for Buying Individual Stocks
- Minimum to start: $1
- Fees: $0 trading fees
- Best features: Real-time stock trading, crypto, fractional shares
Robinhood makes investing easy and quick. If you’re curious about stocks and crypto, it’s a great starting point.
Warning: Be careful with risky assets — focus on learning.
4. Stash – Best for Beginners Who Want Guidance
- Minimum to start: $5
- Fees: $3/month
- Best features: Education tools, stock/ETF suggestions, banking included
Stash helps you learn as you go and recommends stocks based on your goals.
Tip: Use the education tab weekly — it’s beginner gold.
5. Fidelity – Best Traditional Brokerage for Beginners
- Minimum to start: $0
- Fees: $0 trading fees
- Best features: Huge educational library, customer support, Roth IRAs
If you want to grow long-term and use retirement accounts like IRAs, Fidelity is a top choice.
Bonus: They offer teen accounts and excellent tools for planning.
Comparison Table
| App | Best For | Minimum | Fees | Fractional Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 Finance | Automated portfolios | $0 | $0 | Yes |
| Acorns | Hands-off investing | $5 | $3/month | Yes |
| Robinhood | Individual stock picks | $1 | $0 | Yes |
| Stash | Education + investing | $5 | $3/month | Yes |
| Fidelity | Long-term + retirement | $0 | $0 | Yes |
How to Choose the Right App for You
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to invest manually or automatically?
- Do I prefer ETFs or individual stocks?
- Will I be investing for retirement (Roth IRA) or short-term?
Our recommendation: Start with Acorns or M1 if you want automation. Try Robinhood or Stash if you want to explore and learn actively.
Final Thoughts
The best investing app is the one you’ll actually use. With as little as $1, you can start your journey today — no excuses. Try a few, see what fits your style, and keep learning.
Ready to start investing?
Check out our full comparison of apps + exclusive beginner guides.
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