When looking for the best investment apps for beginners, our users consistently pick Webull & M1 Finance.
Saving money and investing in assets can help you build wealth and reach your financial goals sooner. While those core truths remain the same, you will have to decide which investment apps to use on your path to financial independence. Some apps are better than others, and it’s important to know the subtleties before investing your money. This guide will break down seven of the best investing apps for beginners.
7 Best Investing Apps for Beginners
Investing puts you on the path to wealth, but it can feel overwhelming when getting started. These beginner-friendly investing apps will make your investing journey smoother.
1. Best for Free Stocks: Webull
Webull provides new investors with up to 12 free fractional shares that are valued at up to $3,000. You have to open an account and deposit funds to qualify for this reward. Outside of the free stocks, Webull has cash-management tools and lets you trade crypto.
- Get free stocks when you join
- Straightforward platform
- Access to crypto
- Not as many market research resources
- No mutual funds
- 1% fee for crypto trades
2. Best for Portfolio Customization: M1 Finance
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Best For
Customizable Robo Investing
Your free trial (a $31.25 value) begins the date you enroll in the M1 Plus subscription, and ends 90 days after (“Free Trial”). Upon expiry of the Free Trial, your account is automatically billed an annual subscription fee of $125 unless you cancel under your Membership details in the M1 platform.
Many apps enable automatic investing, but few of them match up to M1 Finance. The investing app lets you create a custom portfolio, also known as a “pie.” You can choose which assets go into this pie and the concentrations. It follows the same approach as mutual funds, but with an M1 Finance pie, you get to pick the individual stocks and concentrations within the fund.
- M1 Finance pies provide superior customization
- Lower interest rates on margin
- No account-management fees
- Fewer financial tools than peers
- M1 Finance does not do tax-loss harvesting
- M1 Finance does not have financial advisers or planners for investors
3. Best for Trading Platform: TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade offers over 5,700 mutual funds and no fees for stock trades. The investing app is well-known for its Thinkorswim Trading Platform. The resource has a suite of trading tools and gives traders a streamlined experience. You can view technical indicators and compare various charts to predict how stock prices may move in the future. It’s a great resource for technical analysts.
- Investors can choose from over 5,700 mutual funds offered by TD Ameritrade
- Excellent stock trading platform
- No fees on stock trades
- Trading is limited to U.S. markets
- TD Ameritrade does not offer fractional shares
- Cryptocurrencies are not available on the platform
4. Best for All-in-One Finance: SoFi Invest
SoFi is a modern fintech company that offers bank accounts, personal loans and a range of financial products. Its investing feature lets investors trade stocks and crypto without worrying about fees. SoFi investors can access a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through the app at no cost.
- Investors can trade fractional shares
- Free financial counseling services
- Portfolio balancing tools
- Other investing apps have better research tools
- No mutual funds
- No stop-loss orders
5. Best for Mobile Trading: E*TRADE
E*TRADE is a mobile trading app that has zero-commission trading. Its trading tools let investors view risk/reward probabilities, analyze earnings movements and spot real-time opportunities with Live Action scans. E*TRADE has a lot to offer traders and streamlines the entire process with straightforward tools.
- Mobile-friendly trading app
- Many tools on the mobile app that are easy to use
- No minimum deposit
- No forex trading
- Higher margin rates than other investing apps
- Investors cannot purchase fractional shares
6. Best for Researching Tools: Fidelity
Fidelity has several money-management features and mutual funds for its investors. The company also has great research tools, including a stock screener that lets you filter stocks based on dozens of parameters. Its research tools are some of the best around and can help you construct a portfolio based on your criteria.
- Great selection of mutual funds
- No-fee stock trading
- Advanced researching tools
- Expensive fees for assisted trades
- High margin rates
- You cannot trade futures or crypto on Fidelity
7. Best for Fantasy Finance: Invstr
Want to invest in stocks, look at your bank account balance and get an insurance policy from the same dashboard? Invstr is an all-in-one solution that covers a lot of ground. You can also trade cryptocurrencies on the investing app instead of only trading stocks and options. Invstr has a free version with great features and a Pro account with advanced features.
- The ability to trade stocks and crypto
- Fantasy Finance lets you create and manage a $1 million portfolio with virtual cash — not real money
- Invstr offers personal banking services, debit cards and other
- $3.99 per month to access the advanced features in Invstr Pro
- You must be a U.S. resident with an iOS device to use the app
- No retirement accounts
What is an Investment App?
An investment app allows you to buy stocks and other assets. The apps provide educational resources and features that make it easier to manage your money and investments. The investment apps act as companions as you navigate the stock market and other investment opportunities.
How to Choose the Best Investment Apps for Beginners
Many investment apps are available, and more will launch in the future. Investors should look for these key factors when choosing the best investment apps for their needs.
Ease of Use
An investment app should be easy to use. Apps should have straightforward dashboards that quickly let you access important pages and information about your investments. If the dashboard is clunky and confusing, you may want to consider another app.
Fees and Cost Structure
Most investment apps are free to use, and many apps have done away with commission-based stock trading. You will still end up paying commissions if you trade options. Each app has varying fees and costs, and it’s a good idea to review them before getting started. You should also assess your needs, as high fees for options trading won’t matter if you never intend to trade options.
Types of Investment Options
Some investors only want to trade stocks, but if you also want to trade options and crypto, you have to filter for those investment opportunities. Know what types of assets you want to buy and sell before putting money into an investment app.
Security Features
Two-step authentication, data encryption and other features will go a long way in keeping your information safe. Given what’s at stake with an investment app, it’s vital to look for an app with superb security features.
Availability on Different Platforms
The best investment apps work on smartphones, desktops, tablets and other devices. Having this type of accessibility lets you view your investments from any device, whether you are at home or on the go.
Investing in Your Future
Investing apps help people build funds for retirement and key financial goals. Buying assets and waiting for them to compound can create more opportunities in the future. Traders can also capitalize on price fluctuations, and some investing apps have trading tools that greatly aid this group. Making investments creates more possibilities, and a great investing app can get you on the right track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
Which investing app is best for beginners?
A
Investors can choose from several investing apps based on their preferences. Many investing apps are beginner-friendly, but it’s important to know what you want.
Q
Are investing apps good for active trading?
A
Some investing apps are good for active trading. TD Ameritrade and E*TRADE are some of the best investing apps for active trading.
Q
Are investment apps reliable?
A
Investing apps are reliable. They execute trades, provide educational resources and often have zero-commission stock trades.












