Every day there are new investment apps being released. Whether you’re interested in investing in stocks, bonds, crypto, real estate, art, wine, or any other asset classes, there are many apps to choose from.
If you’re just starting your search it can be daunting to sort through all of the investment apps available and the new ones constantly being released.
Thankfully we’ve done a lot of the heavy lifting for you. I want to share the best investment apps to start using right now – as well as the reasons they made our list.
I’ve been writing about money since 2015 and have tested numerous investment apps so you don’t have to. Here are my favorites.
14 Best Investment Apps of January 2024
Here are the best investment apps for any investor to use right now:
- 🏆 Public.com: Best Overall Investment App
- Betterment: Best for Automated Investing
- Acorns: Best for Hands-off Investors
- Robinhood: Best for Beginner Investors
- Ally: Best for Active Traders
- Invstr: Best for Investing for Kids
- Fidelity Investments: Retirement Investors
- Charles Schwab: User Experience
- E*Trade: Best for Advancing Investors
- TD Ameritrade: Best for Long-Term Investors
- Wealthfront: Best for Hands-off Investors
- Stash: Best for All-In-One Investors
- Fundrise: Best for Real Estate Investors
- Webull: Best for Active Mobile Traders
1. Public.com
- App Rating: 4.7/5 on the App Store; 4.3/5 on Google Play
- Fees: No commissions or fees for trades
- Best For: Beginners who want an intuitive and fun way to learn.
Public, formerly known as Matador, mixes commission-free investing with social media to create a simple and unique investing platform ideal for beginners.
Public’s Android and iOS apps help you invest in thousands of securities, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, and fine art. You’ll get a free stock (up to $50 in value) if you refer a friend who also signs up and starts trading.
With no minimum balances required and fractional shares available, Public.com’s trading app lowers the bar for admission into the world of investing. When you’ve downloaded the app, opened an account, and connected your bank account, you’re ready to go.
Here’s another reason to consider Public: Through its use of themes, the platform helps you invest in companies you believe in. Themes let you buy into women-owned companies or environmentally responsible corporations, for example.
Bottom line – investors who want to learn the basics in a fun, intuitive, and socially conscious way should give Public a close look.
Learn More:
- Read our full Public.com review
2. Betterment
- App Rating: 4.7/5 on the App Store; 4.5/5 on Google Play
- Fees: .25% annual fee for investing account; 1% annual fee for crypto account
- Best For: Great for both new and seasoned investors
A list of the best investment apps wouldn’t be complete without Betterment, a Robo-advising platform that manages and re-balances your portfolio. As you may already know, I use Betterment for some of my taxable investments, and from my experience, it’s very user-friendly.
To start investing with Betterment, you’ll need to answer some questions about your age, financial goals, income, and risk tolerance, so that it can evaluate you as an investor and align your experience with your goals.
There’s also built-in financial guidance, Betterment is an excellent mobile app for beginners as well as experienced investors because it can provide as much guidance as you need, or let you do your own thing (if you already know what you’re doing).
Plus, you can start investing with as little as $10, which is awesome if you want to start small.
Betterment also has checking and savings accounts which means you can use them in place of a bank if you’d like. Their savings account rates are some of the highest in the industry and are worth checking out.
Learn More:
- Read our full Betterment review
3. Acorns
- App Rating: 4.7/5 on the App Store; 4.6/5 on Google Play
- Fees: Monthly fee is $3 a month for Acorns Personal which includes an IRA account and a checking account and $5 per month for the Acorns family plan.
- Best For: Hands-off investors
Acorns is another straightforward money-making app and it’s also one of the best investment apps for beginners.
It’s a novel idea: You invest your spare change, save money, and learn more about investing with Acorns’ actionable investing tips from the experts.
To start investing with Acorns, you’ll need to link the app to your credit card or debit card. Acorns will round up your purchases and sweep the change into your investment portfolio. This makes investing incredibly easy because it’s all automated. It takes less than 3 minutes to set up.
It’s a fantastic app to use if you’d like a hands-off approach to investing, but want to make investing a new habit. Acorns is also a good secondary investment app, meaning you can save additional money with it while using another investment app to trade more actively.
Learn More:
- Read our full Acorns review
4. Robinhood
- App Rating: 4.2/5 on the App Store with over 4 million downloads; 3.9/5 on Google Play
- Fees: Offers completely fee-free investing
- Best For: Great for people who are new to investing
Robinhood is an online stock brokerage that provides a completely free way to invest. With no commissions on stock, no account minimums, and an easy-to-use interface, Robinhood is great for new investors.
In addition to no account fees, there are many other perks. Here are a few standout features:
- In-depth stock research (powered by Morningstar)
- Up-to-date news on the companies you invest in
- Access to more advanced trading tactics like options
- Content for beginners on how to invest
- A long lineup of investment options
If you’re looking for a high-tech, top-rated, intuitively-designed app that offers 100% fee-free investing, then Robinhood sets the bar.
Robinhood also allows you to trade crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other coins). If you want to take your investing to the next level, you could buy access to the premium version, Robinhood Gold, for $5 a month.
This gives you access to the premium features of the app, such as the ability to trade on margin, make bigger instant deposits, and access a more extensive variety of market data.
Learn More:
- Read our full Robinhood review
5. Ally Invest
- App Rating: 4.7/5 on the App Store; 3.9/5 on Google Play
- Fees: Low-fee online broker
- Best For: Active Traders
You probably already know Ally as one of our best online banks. Ally Invest is the investing division of Ally Bank, one of the most respected banks in the United States.
Ally Invest is an excellent choice for an active trader who is interested in volume discounts and some of the industry’s lowest fees (such as a $0 trade commission).
One of the things we like about Ally Invest is they’re always releasing new tools to help active investors and there is a $0 account minimum for self-directed accounts. This makes it easy to set up an account and start trading in less than 5 minutes.
Ally Invest also offers commission-free ETFs from well-known business names like Schwab, iShares, and Vanguard. Finally, Ally has some of the best new investor cash bonuses, which can be as high as $3,000 cash for new investors depending on the amount you open an account with.
Learn More:
- Read our full Ally Invest review
6. Invstr
- App Rating: 4.6/5 on the App Store, 3.8/5 on Google Play
- Fees: $0.00 commissions for stocks and ETFs; $3.99 monthly fee for Pro plan; $7.99 monthly fee for Invstr Jr
- Best For: Investing with Kids
Invstr is a solid option if you’re looking for an app that helps you and your kids invest.
With Invstr Jr, you can open a stock trading account for your kids and make trades on their behalf. They also get a bank account and debit card, and you can set investment goals and rewards for them and transfer money anytime.
Kids, teens, and adults can also take advantage of some pretty creative learning tools. One of Invstr’s coolest features is Fantasy Finance, where you can virtually manage a $1 million portfolio without risking any real money, challenge your friends, and win prizes.
You can also work through Invstr’s 10-module Invstr Academy course to learn the ropes and build your own investment strategy with confidence. With an Invstr+ account, you can invest in stocks, ETFs, and crypto, for as little as $5. You also get a fee-free bank account and debit card.
Whether you have kids or not, Invstr is worth considering for fun educational investing on a user-friendly platform.
7. Fidelity Investments
- App Rating: 4.8/5 on the App Store, 4.2/5 on Google Play
- Fees: $0.00 commissions for stocks, ETFs, and options
- Best For: Retirement Investors
Fidelity has a longstanding reputation in the financial world, with a wealth of investment options and accounts fit for newcomers and seasoned investors alike.
Like most of the brokers in this review, Fidelity offers commission-free stock trades and doesn’t charge monthly account fees. There’s no minimum deposit requirement to open an account. You can invest in stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, CDs, IPOs, and precious metals.
The website and app are sleek and user-friendly, and they’re packed with investing tools and financial advice. I like Fidelity most for its retirement offerings. Fidelity offers traditional, Roth, and rollover IRAs.
And it provides helpful financial planning tools, like a 60-second test that assesses whether you’re saving enough for retirement and a retirement income calculator.
Fidelity also provides three investment advisory plans that can give you anything from digital tools and one-on-one financial coaching to a comprehensive financial plan built by your own dedicated advisory team.
Learn More:
- Read our full Fidelity review
8. Charles Schwab
- App Rating: 4.8/5 on the App Store, 4.23.8/5 on Google Play
- Fees: $0.00 commissions for stocks, ETFs, and options
- Best For: User Experience
Charles Schwab is another great platform for new and more experienced investors alike. It’s easy enough for novice investors to navigate but offers plenty of complex research tools and real-time data for pros.
Schwab account holders can invest in a long lineup of mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, options, annuities, bonds, and more. However, crypto is not on the table. There are no commissions on stock, ETF, or option trades, and there are no account minimums.
Schwab shines for its overall user experience. It offers 24/7 customer service, with a phone line, live chat, and access to financial advisors at local branches.
One of the most useful tools is Schwab Assistant, a voice command tool that lets you trade and manages your account from your phone.
Beyond that, the Schwab platform provides extensive tools, including educational resources, stock market indices, market news, and stock analysis.
Learn More:
- Read our full Charles Schwab review
9. E*TRADE
- App Rating: 4.6/5 on the App Store, 4.0/5 on Google Play
- Fees: $0.00 commissions for stocks, ETFs, and options
- Best For: Advancing Investors
E*Trade is one of the best options for new investors, defining the most basic investment terms for accountholders and offering super user-friendly tools. With no trading fees and account minimums, trading is accessible to beginners with smaller budgets.
E*Trade is my pick for beginners who want to advance to become investing pros, with a wealth of tools and resources to help every step of the way.
They offer a basic app and an advanced Power E*Trade app for when you’re ready to take the training wheels off.
It also comes with interactive charts, live market data, and the ability to stream Bloomberg TV.
You can easily trade stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and more, with optional prebuilt portfolios that you can customize as you get more comfortable investing.
As icing on the cake, E*Trade also routinely offers cash bonuses when you open a new brokerage or retirement account.
Learn More:
- Read our full E*Trade review
10. TD Ameritrade
- App Rating: 4.5/5 on the App Store; 3.6/5 on Google Play
- Fees: $0.00 commissions on online stock, ETF, and option trades
- Best For: Long-term investors
TD Ameritrade, recently acquired by Schwab, is an online stock trading and investing platform that’s ideal if you’re after long-term investing.
I like TD Ameritrade because it’s just as useful for active, experienced traders as it is for beginners (though it may not be the best for complete beginners).
TD Ameritrade has cut back to $0 commission on online equity trades, ETFs, and online option trades – though, other trades (like online trades of OTC stocks and broker-assisted trades) will cost you extra.
TD Ameritrade has two versions. You can research, learn, and trade on the basic Web platform, or use the more advanced Thinkorswim platform for higher-level data and analytical tools.
TD Ameritrade offers educational videos that’ll allow you to gain additional investing knowledge and skills. It also has an extensive branch network in the U.S., which means you can also get face-to-face assistance.
TD Ameritrade combines full-service brokerage houses with online excellence. It’s a nice combination.
Learn More:
- Read our full TD Ameritrade review
11. Wealthfront
- App Rating: 4.8/5 on the App Store, 4.5/5 on Google Play
- Fees: 0.25% annual advisory fee
- Best For: Hands-off investors
Are you looking for holistic financial advice from experts, and a hands-off approach to investing? If you want an easy way to save, plan, and invest – all on one app, Wealthfront is worth looking into.
Wealthfront is a Robo-advisor that offers an all-in-one solution. It helps you earn interest on your cash, optimize your savings, and get automated investment management.
With Wealthfront’s 529 college savings plan, you can save for college in a way that allows you to keep more of your money (thanks to tax advantages). In fact, according to Wealthfront, you could be covering as much as 16% more of your expenses than with a traditional investment account.
The app also receives excellent ratings from its users, so you can expect a top-quality user experience. And its tax-loss harvesting leads the way for transparency.
Learn More:
- Read our full Wealthfront review
12. Stash
- App Rating: 4.7/5 on the App Store; 3.9/5 on Google Play
- Fees: $3 per month for Stash Growth, $9 per month for Stash+
- Best For: Investors interested in an all-in-one financial app
Stash is a more comprehensive investing app than the others on our list. In fact, you can manage most of your financial life using Stash. It’s great for families who want to teach their children about investing. Within the app, you can invest in over 3,800 different exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual stocks, plus a handful of crypto coins.
Stash aims to make the process of selecting your investments quick and easy. However, the fees can add up if you decide to add additional services or accounts (up to $9 a month depending on account types).
To make an investment with Stash, you’ll have to connect it to a checking account – and you can start investing with as little as $5. You can then begin building your portfolio of stocks and ETFs with personalized guidance.
Learn More:
- Read our full Stash review
13. Fundrise
- App Rating: 4.8/5 on the App Store; 4.6/5 on Google Play
- Fees: 0.15% annual advisory fee; 0.85% annual management fee for eREITs
- Best For: Real estate investor
Fundrise is the best real estate investing app if you’re looking to diversify into real estate.Fundrise offers crowdfundedreal estate investing with healthy annual returns. It’s an easy way to get into property investing (especially for those who don’t have that much money). Most other online real estate platforms are accessible only to accredited investors, but Fundrise makes it accessible to all.
Fundrise offers real investment trust funds (REITs), which are kind of like mutual funds except they’re built from real estate projects instead of securities. And you get access to expert investment advice, as well as some options for balanced investing.
It’s great for investors looking to diversify their portfolios, but it’s worth knowing that the investments are highly illiquid. That means it’s a better app for those with a long-term outlook because you may need to hold the investments for at least five years (and there’s a fee to exit early).
Learn More:
- Read our full Fundrise review
14. Webull
- App Rating: 4.7/5 on the App Store; 4.4/5 on Google Play
- Fees: No commissions or fees
- Best For: Active, mobile traders
Active traders who want a mobile-first way to trade stock shares, ETFs, and options will like Webull, which has emerged as one of the best investment apps in 2024.
Webull provides a simple, bare-bones interface through its smartphone apps and its site. You won’t see a ton of educational content, although I am impressed with Webull’s user experience. It’s a slick app.
The Webull app offers mobile-friendly and commission and fee-free trades of stock shares, ETFs, and options with a $0 minimum balance. You can also open an IRA or a taxable account. Webull covers the basics.
Webull also has an industry-leading crypto trading platform that all Webull users have access to in the app, and their new account promotions are some of the best in the market. As of this writing, you can get up to 12 free stocks when you sign up for a new account).
Learn More:
- Read our full Webull review
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do you need to open an investment app account?
Today’s top investment apps are dedicated to offering low-cost services. As a result, most of these platforms do not have a minimum deposit or ongoing balance requirements. In other words, you can open an investment app account for free
But it’s smart to read the fine print before you start using an investment app to make sure there aren’t any minimum balance requirements.
How do I sign up for an investment app?
Most investment apps make signing up and getting started with your investment plan simple. Once you download an investment app, you’ll probably be prompted to provide the details below:
- Name and address
- Contact information
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Income
- Risk tolerance
- Investing goals
What assets can you trade on investment apps?
Most investment apps that act as brokers let you trade stocks, ETFs, and options. Others, like Robinhood, let you trade cryptocurrency on their platforms. And the number of securities you can trade on investment apps is always growing. For example, Public lets you invest in alternative assets like collectibles and artwork.
Are investment apps safe to use?
Investment apps that act as brokers are covered by SIPC insurance. That means if the company goes under financially, any cash in your account that you’ve yet to invest is protected up to a certain amount. They’re also pretty strictly regulated by the government.
When it comes to cybersecurity, you can keep your money and personal information safer by partnering with an investment app that is highly reviewed and uses measures like two-factor authentication and encryption to protect your account.
How do beginners invest?
If you’re a beginner in the investment world, here are a few ways you can start investing your money:
- Open a brokerage account to invest in stocks, ETFs, and crypto.
- Try micro-investing with fractional shares or round-ups.
- Enroll in a retirement plan like a 401(k) or a Roth IRA.
- Get a high-yield savings account to earn interest on your savings.
- Invest in CDs for a secure low-risk investment.
What’s the Best Investing App for You?
As you can see, there are plenty of apps that offer the convenience of investing on the go. Before you pick one, it’s important to think about why you’re investing, how long you’d like to invest for, and what you’d like to get from it.
If, for example, you want to start investing with little money, then choosing an app that does it for you, and has low minimum investment requirements might be the best way to begin.
If you’re an experienced investor looking to take your money further, the apps you choose will probably offer less hand-holding, and more freedom to make your own decisions.
Ultimately, you’ll want to choose an app that closely matches your investing needs and financial goals – whether you’re a beginner or a pro – and offers:
- The most cost-effective option for you.
- A streamlined user experience.
- Accessible customer support.
- An account balance you can afford to maintain.
As an experienced financial writer and enthusiast, with a background in exploring various investment avenues since 2015, I can confidently discuss the concepts mentioned in the provided article. I have firsthand expertise in testing and using investment apps across different platforms and asset classes. Now, let's delve into the information related to each concept highlighted in the article:
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Investment Apps: These are mobile applications designed to facilitate investment activities, ranging from stock trading to real estate investments. They offer convenience and accessibility, allowing users to manage their investment portfolios on the go.
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Stocks: Stocks represent ownership in a company and are bought and sold on stock exchanges. Investment apps enable users to trade stocks directly from their smartphones, offering features like commission-free trading, real-time market data, and research tools.
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Bonds: Bonds are debt securities issued by governments or corporations to raise capital. They pay interest over a specified period and return the principal amount at maturity. Some investment apps provide access to bond markets, allowing users to invest in a variety of fixed-income securities.
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Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, making it difficult to counterfeit. Investment apps like Robinhood and Webull offer cryptocurrency trading, allowing users to buy, sell, and hold digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
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Real Estate: Real estate investments involve purchasing, owning, managing, renting, or selling properties for profit. Apps like Fundrise specialize in real estate crowdfunding, enabling investors to access real estate assets without directly owning physical properties.
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Art: Art investments involve purchasing artworks with the expectation of appreciation in value over time. While not explicitly mentioned in the article, some investment platforms may offer access to art investment funds or platforms focused on art as an alternative asset class.
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Wine: Wine investment involves buying and holding fine wines with the aim of selling them at a profit in the future. Similar to art, wine investments are considered alternative assets and may not be directly accessible through mainstream investment apps.
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Commission-Free Trading: Many investment apps offer commission-free trading, eliminating traditional brokerage fees associated with buying and selling securities. This feature appeals to investors seeking cost-effective ways to trade stocks, ETFs, and other assets.
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Robo-Advisors: Robo-advisors are digital platforms that provide automated investment services based on algorithms and algorithms. They offer portfolio management, asset allocation, and rebalancing services, catering to both novice and seasoned investors.
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Fractional Shares: Fractional shares allow investors to purchase a fraction of a single share, making high-priced stocks more accessible to retail investors with limited funds. Some investment apps offer fractional share investing, enabling users to build diversified portfolios with small amounts of money.
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IRA Accounts: Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are tax-advantaged investment accounts designed to help individuals save for retirement. Several investment apps mentioned in the article offer IRA account options, allowing users to invest for retirement while enjoying tax benefits.
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Savings Accounts: Some investment apps offer high-yield savings accounts as part of their services, providing users with a place to store cash reserves while earning competitive interest rates.
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Risk Tolerance: Risk tolerance refers to an investor's willingness and ability to endure fluctuations in the value of their investments. Investment apps often assess users' risk tolerance through questionnaires to recommend suitable investment strategies and asset allocations.
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Financial Goals: Financial goals are specific objectives individuals set to achieve financial success, such as saving for retirement, buying a house, or funding education. Investment apps help users align their investment decisions with their financial goals by offering personalized advice and investment options.
By understanding these concepts and utilizing the features offered by various investment apps, investors can make informed decisions to build and manage their investment portfolios effectively.
