You don’t need thousands of dollars or a financial advisor to start investing in 2025. The best investment apps let you buy stocks, ETFs, and even fractional shares with as little as $1. Whether you want to set it and forget it or actively trade, there’s an app built for your style and goals.
Best Investment Apps Compared (2025)
| App | Best For | Min. Investment | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | All-around investing | $0 | $0 commissions |
| Robinhood | Beginner traders | $1 | $0 commissions |
| Acorns | Passive micro-investing | $5 | $3–$5/month |
| Betterment | Robo-advisor / hands-off | $0 | 0.25%/year |
| M1 Finance | Custom portfolio “pies” | $100 | $0 |
| Public | Social investing + crypto | $1 | $0 |
How to Choose the Right Investment App
- Complete beginner: Start with Fidelity or Robinhood. Both have $0 minimums, no commissions, and excellent educational resources.
- Want automation: Betterment or Acorns will automatically invest and rebalance for you based on your goals.
- Want to build a portfolio: M1 Finance lets you build custom “pies” of stocks and ETFs that auto-rebalance.
- Interested in crypto too: Robinhood and Public both offer crypto alongside stocks in one app.
💡 The best investment app is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Start simple, invest regularly, and let compound growth do the heavy lifting over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to invest through an app?
Yes, as long as the app is registered with FINRA and your investments are held at an SIPC-member broker, your securities are protected up to $500,000 in the event the brokerage fails (not against market losses).
How much money do I need to start investing?
With fractional shares now available on most platforms, you can start with as little as $1. The more important factor is consistency — investing $50–$100 per month over 20–30 years builds significant wealth through compounding.
What should I invest in as a beginner?
Most financial experts recommend starting with low-cost index funds or ETFs that track the S&P 500. They offer instant diversification and have historically outperformed the majority of actively managed funds over the long term.
