Ready to start investing in stocks but not sure which app to use? With today's investing apps, buying your first stock can take just minutes — no finance degree required. These platforms are built for everyday people, with low (or no) minimums, simple interfaces, and educational tools to guide you every step of the way. See our top stock investing apps based on fees, ease of use, and features below:
Our Top Pick — Get up to $1,000 in Free Stock!
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4.3
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
- Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account with at least $50.1 <p class="">Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.</p>
<p>The stocks shown are meant to be a representative sample and are not meant to convey a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell.</p>
- Trade stocks and ETFs with $0 commissions2 <p class="">Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.<br></p>
- Invest in IPOs before they trade on the public market3 <p>Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(<a href="https://www.finra.org" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">www.finra.org</a>) /SIPC (<a href="https://www.sipc.org" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">www.sipc.org</a>).</p>
- Fractional shares let you buy a piece of your favorite companies4 <p>There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batch order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.</p>
- Get a diversified portfolio automatically managed for you
Paid Non-Client Promotion
FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)
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4.4
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
- Lock in a 5.9% yield that won't change if the Fed cuts rates with diversified investment-grade, high-yield bonds. Min. $1,000 initial deposit.
- $0 commission on U.S. listed stocks & ETF trades
- Build a multi-asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and more
- Grow your cash at an industry leading 4.1% APY5 <p class="">Rate is subject to change. Learn more at <a href="https://www.public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account">public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account</a>.</p> with a high-yield cash account
- Earn an uncapped 1% match on IRA rollovers and transfers
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4.2
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
- Get 1 free stock valued between $5-$200 after linking your bank account.
- Zero commissions on stock, ETF, options, and crypto trades
- Buy and sell stocks 24 hours a day, 5 days a week
- Earn 4.00% (as of 05/03/24) APY6 <p>Annual Percentage Yield. Rate valid as of April 12, 2024. To earn interest, a cash balance is needed. If you have a margin balance, there is no cash balance to earn interest. Interest rates for cash sweep and margin investing can change at any time. Fees may reduce interest earnings.</p> on your uninvested cash with Robinhood Gold
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4.6
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
- Get a $20 bonus after making your first succeful recurring deposit of $5 or more.
- Auto-invest spare change from everyday purchases with Round-Ups®
- Invest on autopilot in portfolios built by experts — including pro-managed ETFs
- Get an easy, automated retirement account and banking that saves and invests for you
- Enjoy bank-level security and for exta peace of mind
Paid Non-Client Promotion
FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)
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4.6
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
- Get a $25 bonus when you fund a new account with as little as $5.
- Invest in 1,000s of stocks and ETFs with full or fractional shares, no add-on commission fees7 <p>Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee</p>
- Registered Financial Advisor - get access to a professionally managed, diversified portfolio
- Real time portfolio risk scoring and stock recommendations
Paid Non-Client Promotion
FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)
Frequently Asked Questions
When choosing an investing app, there are several important factors to keep in mind, like the types of assets you can trade (stocks, ETFs, bonds, etc.), the fees they charge for transactions, and whether they offer educational tools or robo-advisors. It's also worth considering how easy the app is to use, especially if you're new to investing. And remember, you don't have to commit to just one app — diversifying across platforms can help you access different features and investment opportunities.
How much money do I need to start using an investing app?
Many investment apps allow you to open an account with no minimum and begin investing with as little as $1. Some apps, though, have higher minimums and might require $5 or more to begin investing. For example, with SoFi, if you invest at least $50, you could get up to $1,000 in free stock.
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How do I choose the best investing app for me?
As you consider your options, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Your investment budget: First, it’s important to understand your investment budget. Your budget should consider how much it will cost to invest as well as required account minimums. Realize, too, that passive investing is a long-term financial commitment. Avoid investing any amount of money that you think you’ll need in the near future.
- Available asset classes: Next, when evaluating the best investment apps, consider what types of assets you want to invest in. Different apps offer different investment options. For example, some make it easy to build a portfolio out of stocks, ETFs, and bonds. Others may offer options trading and cryptocurrencies.
- Account types: Figure out what types of accounts you want access to. For example, some investment platforms offer a wide variety of accounts, including individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and trust accounts, in addition to personal taxable investment accounts.
- Investment management fees and pricing: Many investment platforms charge fees, so it’s important to be aware of this when you’re deciding where to invest. Some platforms charge a monthly account fee based on the features you want to access. Others charge an annual fee based on the assets in the account.
- Security features: Don’t forget to look into security. You want to make sure your transactions are encrypted. Check to see whether the platform is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and see what clearinghouse it uses. For example, some platforms use Apex Clearing for their transactions, which means they have Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) insurance and are a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
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How do I buy stock?
Buying stock with an investing app is typically quick and beginner-friendly. Here’s how it usually works:
- Download and sign up: Choose an investing app, create an account, and complete identity verification (this is required by law).
- Fund your account: Link your bank account and transfer funds. Many apps let you start with as little as $1.
- Browse or search for a stock: Use the app’s search tool to find the company or ticker symbol you want to invest in.
- Choose how much to invest: Decide if you want to buy full shares or fractional shares (many apps support both).
- Place your order: Select “Buy,” enter your amount, and confirm. Most apps let you choose between market orders (buy now at the current price) or limit orders (buy only if the stock hits a specific price).
- Track your investments: After purchase, you can monitor your stocks in the app’s portfolio section.
Most investing apps also offer educational tools to help guide you through the process if you’re new.
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What assets can you trade on investing apps?
The assets you trade on investing apps depend on what’s offered by each app. Most investment apps offer stocks and ETFs, while others offer crypto, bonds, mutual funds, options, forex, and more. Ensure the app you choose allows you to trade the assets you’re most interested in for the most benefit.
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What are asset classes?
Asset classes are types of investments. They share similar characteristics to each other and broadly move similarly in response to various economic and market factors. Some common asset classes include:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Cash
- Real estate
- Commodities
- Currencies
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What are the safest types of investments?
Any investment comes with the risk of loss. Cash is generally considered one of the safest investments, but even with that, you have the chance of losing value through inflation. Bonds, especially U.S. Treasuries, are also considered among the safer investments because you’re supposed to get your principal at the end of the term, though there’s a chance of default.
The safest investments don’t generally offer the highest returns, though. In most cases, the lower the risk of loss, the lower your potential return. The right options for you will depend on your risk tolerance and personal finance preferences, as well as other factors.
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Is my money safe with an investment platform?
While online investment platforms are not FDIC-insured like bank accounts, reputable platforms are typically regulated by financial authorities (like the SEC or FINRA) and offer SIPC protection by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which insures securities up to $500,000 ($250,000 cash limit) in case the firm fails. However, SIPC does not protect against market fluctuations or poor investments.
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How we chose these products
FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of investment products offered by our partners, looking at various criteria including product features, fees, and more. We did not review all products in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the products.
Our Top Pick — Get up to $1,000 in Free Stock!
4.3
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
- Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account with at least $50.1 <p class="">Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.</p>
<p>The stocks shown are meant to be a representative sample and are not meant to convey a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell.</p>
- Trade stocks and ETFs with $0 commissions2 <p class="">Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.<br></p>
- Invest in IPOs before they trade on the public market3 <p>Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(<a href="https://www.finra.org" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">www.finra.org</a>) /SIPC (<a href="https://www.sipc.org" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">www.sipc.org</a>).</p>
- Fractional shares let you buy a piece of your favorite companies4 <p>There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batch order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.</p>
- Get a diversified portfolio automatically managed for you
Paid Non-Client Promotion
FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)
