During the pandemic, many people have become aware of the need for digital methods to generate income and build wealth. Digitalization is ushering in a new era, with increasing opportunities for people to work from home. Investing apps can provide a solution for those looking for ways to make money and grow their savings.
Before investing, it is important to do research to understand market trends and create a diversified portfolio. This will help you make informed decisions and maximize returns on your investments. read on to learn more about the best investment apps for beginners.
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ToggleWhat is an app for investing?
An investment app is a mobile service that lets people invest & manage their money in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cryptocurrencies. It provides users with an easy way to monitor their investments, assess portfolio performance, and make informed decisions.
Investment apps provide a variety of features to help users track their investments, such as real-time stock quotes, news, and analysis, research tools, customizable portfolios, & trading capabilities. Many apps also have automated investing options like robo-advisors which use algorithms to create and manage portfolios based on the user’s risk level and goals.
Investment apps can be a great way for both experienced and new investors to access the financial markets. However, users need to understand the risks and fees associated with using these apps and research the app’s features, costs, and security measures before investing.
What Should I Consider When Selecting an Investment App?
If you’re just getting into investing, you’ll want an app that’s easy to use & provides plenty of educational resources. To take advantage of investing for the long term, look for an app with powerful research tools, different account types & low fees so you won’t have to switch as your skills grow.
When you download an investment app, you’re not just looking for a good user experience. You’re also signing up to use the services of the company that powers the app. That’s why it’s important to research the overall company before downloading an investment app.
Our top picks in this list have also been highly rated by other brokerages, robo-advisors & crypto exchanges. When choosing an investment app, make sure to check that it has a good web experience & customer service too. That way, if you decide to go beyond the main platform of your investment app, you will be in good hands.
Best Investment Apps For Beginners
If you want to get your finances organized and invested, there are some great apps to help. These apps can take care of daily money tasks, move funds into investment accounts & keep track of spending. They also let you trade stocks quickly, monitor accounts in real time & provide education about the markets. Investment apps have become more popular as they offer so many benefits. Here are the top choices for managing your money.
Webull
Webull is an investing app that is ideal for advanced investors. It offers a variety of investment options to build a diversified portfolio & provides market analysis tools to help track market trends.
Features:
- You can use this tool to analyze market trends & make investment decisions.
- A variety of trading options are available.
- Tools for Planning Retirement
- 24/7 customer support.
Advantages:
- No fees for trading.
- No minimum balance is needed.
- A variety of investment options are available.
- Analysis tools are used to analyze data.
Disadvantages:
- There are no crypto exchanges.
- You cannot buy fractional shares.
Webull is a great option for experienced investors who are able to interpret charts & use detailed analysis tools to make informed investing decisions.
E-Trade
E-Trade is an investing app designed to make it easy for both beginners & experienced traders. It provides features such as investing, saving, and borrowing that are easy to use.
Features:
- Market Analysis
- Planning for Retirement
- Trades are handled by a broker and investing is done by a computer.
- Trade mutual funds without incurring any fees.
- Begin with ready-made portfolios.
Advantages:
- No fee for trading.
- Introduction to Investing for Beginners
- Pre-made collections of top-rated mutual funds & ETFs.
- Educational materials.
- You can invest in over 4,500 mutual funds with no transaction fee.
Disadvantages:
- To use automated investing, you must have at least $500 in your account.
E-Trade is a great option for people starting out and experienced traders. It provides free educational resources to help new traders, as well as market insights that can benefit all users. Other useful features are also available.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront is a great option for beginners who want to get their money invested and rebalanced quickly and easily. It has a robo advisor that can help you make investment decisions, allowing you to grow your wealth without having to do the work yourself.
Features:
- Get money quickly.
- Investing that is done without manual intervention.
- Reducing your tax liability by selling investments at a loss.
- You can use this tool to plan and save money for retirement, vacation, etc.
Advantages:
- Helpful for those starting out.
- Tools for Planning
- Investing is done automatically.
- Rebalancing a portfolio.
- There are no fees for trading.
Disadvantages:
- You cannot buy partial shares.
- Cryptocurrencies cannot be traded.
Wealthfront is an ideal investment app for beginners because it offers an automated investing and rebalancing feature through its robo-advisor.
SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest is a great option for those looking for low-interest loans & free investing opportunities. It offers a variety of features, such as an automated investment feature, cryptocurrency trading, loan applications & more, all with no management fees.
Features:
- Trading with cryptocurrencies is allowed.
- Grants loans with low-interest rates.
- A feature that enables automatic investing.
- There are no fees.
Advantages:
- Investment Options for New Investors
- There are no fees.
- Crypto exchanges are places where people can buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Disadvantages:
- Fewer options for investing in.
SoFi Invest is a great investment app for beginners, as it does not charge any fees & offers automation features to help manage your investments.
Fidelity
Fidelity is a great choice for financial planning. It provides simple investing solutions, financial planning tools, trade market news, and more to help investors reach their goals.
Features:
- Self-managed and professionally supervised accounts.
- Financial Planning Software
- Get expert advice to make the best investment decision.
- Creating an estate plan for digital assets.
Advantages:
- There is no required minimum balance.
- There will be no fee for trading.
- Latest Professional Knowledge
Disadvantages:
- Only for U.S. citizens.
- A broker-assisted trade can be expensive.
Fidelity offers fractional share trading, financial planning tools, and expert advice.
Robinhood
Robinhood is an investing app designed for those who want to trade in stocks and cryptocurrencies at the same time. It has over 6 million users in America and there’s no need to keep a minimum account balance.
Features:
- You can start investing with just $1.
- Trade using cryptocurrencies.
- You can get research reports on 1700 stocks.
- The app enables you to get paid, pay rent, and do much more.
Advantages:
- Trading without commissions.
- Research Reports
- No minimum balance is needed.
- Crypto exchanges to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Disadvantages:
- There are no 401(k) accounts.
- No ability to invest in mutual funds.
Robinhood is a great option for those interested in investing, as it provides access to 1700 stocks and helps users stay up-to-date on market trends.
M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a great choice for people looking to borrow money at low-interest rates. It’s an easy-to-use tool that helps you build wealth over the long term. You can either manage your investments yourself or let the automated tool rebalance your portfolio.
Features:
- Loans with low-interest rates.
- Trade without any commission fees.
- You can set conditions for an automated money transfer.
- Send checks without needing to sign them in person.
Advantages:
- Earn a bonus when you switch to using M1 Finance.
- No minimum amount is needed to deposit.
- No fee for trading.
- Loans with very low-interest rates.
Disadvantages:
- There is no trading of mutual funds.
I’m interested in M1 Finance because it offers automation features, gives me a bonus when I switch to it, and lets me trade without paying any commission fees.
Acorns
Acorns is an ideal investment app for those who are focused on saving. It offers a robo-advisor to manage your portfolio and requires only a small investment to start, with fees ranging from $1 – $5 per month. Acorns Later helps you save for retirement as well.
Features:
- Experts can build a portfolio that includes different types of investments.
- Look for jobs.
- Planning for Retirement
- You can make money when you shop.
Advantages:
- Invest your spare money and let us automatically rebalance your portfolio.
- You can earn money when you purchase items from certain brands.
- Experts have created a portfolio.
Disadvantages:
- You cannot create your portfolio by yourself.
- Monthly Charges
This app can be helpful for beginners who don’t know much about the market as it provides an in-built robo-advisor that can help them invest their spare money.
Betterment
Betterment is an excellent investment app for long-term investors. It provides automated investing, tax-loss harvesting, and retirement planning, and more at an affordable price.
Features:
- Automated investing and rebalancing of portfolios.
- Reducing tax liability by selling investments at a loss.
- This lets you know how much tax you will have to pay on the money you withdraw.
- Planning for Retirement
Advantages:
- Choose how you want to invest or use automated investing.
- Pricing that is affordable.
- Get advice on how to save money on taxes.
- Guidance on Investing Step by Step
- When you shop at certain stores, you can get your money back.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of funds for Real Estate.
Betterment is an affordable and effective way to invest any amount of money. It also provides a step-by-step guide and advice on how to save taxes, making it a great choice.
Ally
Ally is a self-directed trading app that enables you to access the stock market from anywhere at any time. There is no minimum account balance needed to get started and you will receive bonus cash when you open an investment account.
Features:
- Trading without the help of a broker.
- Banking and Home Loans
- The automated investing function will take care of managing your portfolio.
- Tools that help you save money quicker.
Advantages:
- Both self-directed and automated trading is allowed.
- Effective Saving Tools
- Free advisors are available to monitor portfolios.
Disadvantages:
- It is not possible to begin automated trading with an investment of less than $100.
Ally’s trading options can help you invest according to your preferences, no matter how experienced you are. If you’re new to the market, Ally’s automated investment feature can guide you until you feel comfortable with self-directed trading.
Stash
Stash is an investing app designed for U.S.-based customers, making it easy for beginners to invest. With Stash, you can invest in fractional shares or ETFs with any amount of money.
Features:
- Get access to research on various tradable items
- Retirement planning
- Tax benefits
- Recommendations for building your portfolio
- Lets you invest in fractional shares
Advantages:
- Giving advice on which stocks to invest in based on research.
- The advantages of investing for retirement include tax benefits.
- Buying a portion of a stock instead of a full share.
Disadvantages:
- Smart portfolios do not employ tax loss harvesting.
Stash allows you to purchase fractional shares, receive expert investment advice, and enjoy tax benefits with retirement planning.
Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge, a Bank of America company, offers a self-directed investing platform to help investors with large wealth manage their money. It provides guidance on how & where to invest & can even connect you with an advisor for complex wealth management needs.
Features:
- You can invest in a range of stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds.
- Portfolio managers and rebalances are professionals who manage and adjust investments.
- Planning for Retirement
- Trade stocks and ETFs without any fees.
- Gain access to stock market research.
Advantages:
- No minimum balance is needed.
- There are no charges for annual accounts.
- Ideas for Investing
- You can invest in a variety of stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds.
Disadvantages:
- The advisory fee is too high.
Merrill Edge is a great investment app that provides many tradable items and gives you access to research data on stocks, allowing you to make informed investments.
Round
Round is an excellent investment app for those with large amounts of money to invest. It offers a private manager for accounts with a balance of over $100,000, making it perfect for beginners and more advanced investors alike.
Features:
- Tools to measure the risk of your investments in the market.
- Pricing that is affordable.
- Fund managers manage your investments.
- A partner to manage accounts of more than $100,000 privately.
- You need to invest at least $500.
Advantages:
- If there are no profits, there will be no fee.
- Advice with Human Assistance
- Shares that are not a whole number.
Disadvantages:
- No reduction of taxes through harvesting.
- No planning for retirement.
- Not available for Android devices
Round can be a great choice for those who want to invest but don’t have the time to track market trends or are just starting out. The advisors make sure you earn profits, and if not, your fees will be refunded.
Invstr
Invstr is a great investment app for beginners or small investors. It offers commission-free investing and has an in-built advisor to help you build your portfolio.
Features:
- Investing and banking without commissions.
- Invest in different types of American stocks, such as ETFs & fractional shares.
- Buy and sell digital currencies.
- A portfolio builder that helps you improve your performance.
Advantages:
- There is no required minimum balance.
- There are no monthly fees.
- You can use cryptocurrencies to trade.
- Building a Portfolio
Disadvantages:
- Android devices cannot use this service.
Invstr is a great app for investors as it allows them to trade stocks, ETFs, fractional shares, and cryptocurrencies.
TD Ameritrade Investment App
TD Ameritrade Investment App is an ideal choice for experienced investors. It offers a variety of investment options, educational resources, and planning tools to help you make the best decisions with your money. This award-winning app has everything you need to take your investments to the next level.
Features:
- You can set price alerts, view charts, and more with this tool.
- You can trade 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.
- Analysis features can measure the risk involved.
- Tools for creating specific goals.
Advantages:
- You pay no commission on trades.
- Educational materials.
- There is no minimum amount of trades required.
Disadvantages:
- You cannot buy partial shares.
- No cryptocurrency exchanges.
The TD Ameritrade Investment App is great for experienced traders because of its wide range of trading options, price alerts, and other features. Beginners may also find it useful as it provides educational resources.
How to Use an Investing App
Using an investment app can be a great way to keep up with your investments and monitor your portfolio. Here are some steps to help you begin:
- Choose an investment app that fits your investment style and needs.
- Once you’ve chosen an investment app, download it from the app store and create an account. You’ll need to provide your name, address, social security number, and bank details.
- Once you have signed up, you need to set up your account. You can fund it by linking your bank account, debit card, or credit card to the investment app and transferring money to your investment account.
- Once you have set up and funded your account, you can begin looking into the different investment options available. These could include stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and more.
- Create a portfolio: Use the investment app to create a portfolio that meets your financial goals, risk tolerance, & desired timeframe.
- Keep track of your investments: Use the app’s features to monitor your portfolio & make changes if necessary. Monitor the performance of your investments to stay on top of them.
- You can use an investment app to buy and sell investments. Be aware of any fees that may come with your trades & familiarize yourself with the potential tax consequences of selling investments.
- Stay informed about the investment market by using the app’s news feed or other resources to stay up-to-date.
It’s important to understand the risks associated with investing, so it’s a good idea to speak with a financial advisor if you have any questions. Keep in mind there will always be some degree of risk when investing.
How much money is needed to begin investing?
You can start investing with very little money, as most investment apps don’t require a minimum balance. However, make sure to check if the app you’re interested in has any specific requirements like higher opening balances or buying full shares of stocks or funds.
How can I set up an account with an investment app?
You can start an investment account with an investment app by downloading it from your phone’s app store.
Each platform may have different requirements:
- Your Name
- What is your date of birth?
- Mailing address
- Social Security Number
- Annual income and total assets
- Years of experience investing
- What are your investment goals?
- Ability to accept the risk
Investment app providers need your personal information to comply with federal regulations and ensure that your investments are secure.
Conclusion
People are increasingly searching for ways to invest their money. As a result, the need for investing applications is rising. Even those with little or no knowledge of investing are turning to tools that can help them grow their wealth.
After researching the best investment apps for beginners, we have identified Fidelity, SoFi Invest, TD Ameritrade, E-Trade, Robinhood, Merrill Edge & Stash as the top choices. These apps offer automated investing via robo advisors or specialists & provide access to educational resources which can be very helpful for beginner investors.
FAQ
Can you buy fractional shares on TD Ameritrade?
Yes, TD Ameritrade allows investors to buy fractional shares of stocks, ETFs, and some mutual funds through their brokerage platform.
how to buy fractional shares on Webull?
To buy fractional shares on Webull, you need to first download the Webull app, then fund your account, search for the stock or ETF you want to invest in and select the “Trade” button, where you will be able to enter the dollar amount you want to invest in fractional shares.
How does Acorns work?
Acorns is a simple and easy-to-use app that allows users to save and invest their spare change automatically. It’s a great way for beginner investors to start investing without having to worry about picking individual stocks or managing their portfolios themselves.
Here is how it works:
Sign up and connect your accounts: First, you need to download the Acorns app and sign up. You will then be asked to link your bank account and credit/debit cards.
Round–ups: Acorns monitors your linked accounts and automatically rounds up your transactions to the nearest dollar. For example, if you spend $4.50 on a cup of coffee, Acorns will round up to $5.00 and invest the extra $0.50.
Invest your round-ups: The rounded-up amounts are then invested in a portfolio of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) based on your chosen risk profile. Acorns offers five different portfolios ranging from conservative to aggressive.
One-time or recurring deposits: In addition to round-ups, you can also make one-time or recurring deposits to your Acorns account. You can choose to invest any amount you want, starting from as little as $5.
Earn rewards: Acorns also partners with various retailers and companies to offer cash-back rewards when you use your linked cards at their stores. The cashback is then automatically invested in your Acorns account.
Fees: Acorns charges a monthly fee, starting from $1 per month, depending on the plan you choose. The fees cover the cost of managing your investments, and there are no trading fees or commissions.
Withdrawals: You can withdraw your money from your Acorns account at any time, and there are no fees for doing so.