Best Micro-Investing Apps [2026]: Start With Your Spare Change

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Acorns

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.

• Easily invest with your spare change
• Bonus $20 after your first investment
• No surprise fees
• Protected by bank level security

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Get Up to $1,000 in Stock

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SoFi® Active Invest

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.

AWARD WINNER Best Robo-Advisor for Low Fees

• Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account with at least $50¹ <p><b>INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED •&nbsp;</b><b>MAY LOSE VALUE</b></p><p>Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA(<a href="https://www.finra.org/">www.finra.org</a>)/SIPC(<a href="https://www.sipc.org/">www.sipc.org</a>).</p> ² <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&nbsp;of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease.</p>
• Trade stocks and ETFs with $0 commissions³ <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 market⁴ <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 companies⁵ <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 batched 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

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Stash

4.6

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AWARD WINNER Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners

• Invest in 1,000's of stocks and ETFs with full or fractional shares, no add-on commission fees⁶ <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

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Micro-investing, or investing with very small amounts of money, can be great if you're a beginner with only a bit of money to spare. With apps that let you make "micro-investments," you can often buy low-minimum or fractional (partial) shares of assets to get your foot in the otherwise heavy stock market door. The idea is that starting anywhere is better than not starting.

To identify the best micro-investing apps, we researched several options and focused on those with little to no fees and zero commissions, so you don't have to worry about losing money to hidden charges. We also searched for apps that can help you find money to invest, with features like spare-change round-ups. Just be careful not to rely so heavily on these platforms that you don't know how much you've invested or where, or to miss out on opportunities to invest and diversify your portfolio more once you have a little more cash to work with.

Let's look at six of the best micro-investing apps and how they differ in cost, features, asset options, and ease of use.

Why should you micro-invest?

Saving money can be a challenge, and saving small amounts of money regularly can make it easier to manage. And investing a relatively small amount of money daily can add up to powerful returns, as you can see below.

Compare the best micro-investing apps

Micro-investing app	Best for	Account minimum	Monthly account fees (varies by plan)
Acorns	Investing your spare change7 <p>Important Risk Disclosure</p> <p>Acorns Invest is an individual investment account which invests in a portfolio of ETFs (exchange-traded funds) recommended to customers based on their responses to the Acorns investor profile questionnaire.</p> <p>Spare change invested with Round-Ups® is transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account when activated. Round-Up investments from an external account will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups reach or exceed $5.</p> <p>Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Please consider, among other important factors, your investment objectives, risk tolerance and Acorns’ pricing before investing. Investment advisory services offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC (Acorns), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Brokerage services are provided to clients of Acorns by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member <a href="https://www.finra.org/#/">FINRA</a>/<a href="https://www.sipc.org/">SIPC</a>.</p> <p>For additional important risks, disclosures and information, please visit <a href="https://www.acorns.com/terms/">https://www.acorns.com/terms/</a>.</p>	$0 to open, $5 to invest	$3-$12
Robinhood	Trading stocks without commissions 8 <p>All investments involve risk including loss of principal. Interest is earned on uninvested cash swept from your brokerage account to program banks. Robinhood is not a bank. For margin enabled customers, to earn interest through the cash sweep program, a cash balance is needed. If you have a margin balance, there is no cash balance to earn interest.</p>	$0	$0-$5
SoFi Active Invest1 <p><b>INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED •&nbsp;</b><b>MAY LOSE VALUE</b></p><p>Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA(<a href="https://www.finra.org/">www.finra.org</a>)/SIPC(<a href="https://www.sipc.org/">www.sipc.org</a>).</p>	Investing in diverse assets	$0 to open	$0
Stash	Earning stocks on debit card spending	$1 (for ETFs)	$3 - $129 <p class="">Stash offers access to investment and banking accounts under each subscription plan. Each type of account is subject to different regulations and limitations. Stash Monthly Subscription Wrap Fee starts at $3/month. You’ll also bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of ETFs, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash and/or the Custodian. Please see the <a href="https://cdn.stashinvest.com/disclosures/StashInvest_Advisory_Agreement.pdf" target="_blank">Advisory Agreement </a> for details. Other fees apply to the bank account. Please see the <a href="https://cdn.stash.com/disclosures/stride-deposit-account-agreement.pdf" target="_blank">Deposit Account Agreement</a>.<br></p>
Webull	Getting practice with paper trading	$0	$0-$3.99
Interactive Brokers	Trading mutual funds	$0	$0

Acorns

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.

Acorns

Invest Your Spare Change on Autopilot

Suite of automated tools that could help turn your pennies into real wealth.

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Acorns is a micro-investing and spare change app that caters to beginner investors who want to grow their money without the hassle of picking individual stocks.¹⁰ <p>*Important Risk Disclosure</p> <p>Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Please consider, among other important factors, your investment objectives, risk tolerance and Acorns’ pricing before investing. Investment advisory services offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC (Acorns), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Brokerage services are provided to clients of Acorns by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member <a href="https://www.finra.org/#/">FINRA</a>/<a href="https://www.sipc.org/">SIPC</a>.</p> <p>Round-Ups® investments are transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account, where the funds are invested into a portfolio of selected ETFs. If you do not maintain an adequate amount of funds in your funding source sufficient to cover your Round-Ups® investments, you could incur overdraft fees with your financial institution.</p> <p>Only purchases made with Round-Up accounts linked to your Acorns account with the feature activated are eligible for the Round- Ups® investment feature. Round-Up investments from your funding source will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups® investments reach or exceed $5.</p> <p>For additional important risks, disclosures and information, please visit <a href="https://www.acorns.com/terms/">https://www.acorns.com/terms/</a>. </p> Once you sign up, you can set up automatic daily, weekly, or monthly transfers from a checking or savings account to Acorns.

We especially like that you can have your credit or debit card transactions automatically rounded up so that the extra change goes into your Acorns account and is invested once it reaches $5.⁷ <p>Important Risk Disclosure</p> <p>Acorns Invest is an individual investment account which invests in a portfolio of ETFs (exchange-traded funds) recommended to customers based on their responses to the Acorns investor profile questionnaire.</p> <p>Spare change invested with Round-Ups® is transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account when activated. Round-Up investments from an external account will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups reach or exceed $5.</p> <p>Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Please consider, among other important factors, your investment objectives, risk tolerance and Acorns’ pricing before investing. Investment advisory services offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC (Acorns), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Brokerage services are provided to clients of Acorns by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member <a href="https://www.finra.org/#/">FINRA</a>/<a href="https://www.sipc.org/">SIPC</a>.</p> <p>For additional important risks, disclosures and information, please visit <a href="https://www.acorns.com/terms/">https://www.acorns.com/terms/</a>.</p> For example, if you used your debit card for a $3.50 latte, the actual charge would be $4, with $0.50 invested. Investing roundups like this are no longer uncommon, but Acorns was one of the first platforms to offer them.

Acorns also gives you more ways to invest than some similar platforms. You can choose your risk tolerance level, and it recommends ETF portfolios (including Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) portfolios) with automatic portfolio rebalancing and dividend reinvestment.

However, you'll need to sign up for one of the monthly subscription plans. While you can invest with the cheapest Acorns Bronze plan, upgrading to Silver includes a 25% match for bonus investments and a 1% match on IRA contributions during the first year, and upgrading to Gold includes a 50% match for bonus investments and a 3% match on IRA contributions during your first year. Silver and Gold also offer a high annual percentage yield (APY) on checking and emergency fund accounts. Plus, Acorns Gold also offers free access to Acorns Early, which provides kids' debit cards and budgeting tools.

Who this app is right for: While it's one of our few picks with monthly fees, Acorns can be a great option if you'd like to effortlessly invest your spare change and access the unique boosts and perks through the Silver and Gold plans.

Pros

Visit Acorns | Learn more in our Acorns review

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Robinhood

AWARD WINNER Best Everyday Trading App

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.

Robinhood

Get a Free Stock Valued Between $5 to $200

Commission-free trading with no account minimums or maintenace fees. Sign up to get one free share of stock.

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Robinhood is a pioneer in making investing possible for more people, and you don't need trading experience or a ton of cash to get started.⁸ <p>All investments involve risk including loss of principal. Interest is earned on uninvested cash swept from your brokerage account to program banks. Robinhood is not a bank. For margin enabled customers, to earn interest through the cash sweep program, a cash balance is needed. If you have a margin balance, there is no cash balance to earn interest.</p> With no account minimums or commission fees, unlike many brokerages, it's easy to open an account and start buying stocks, ETFs, fractional shares ($1 minimum), and more.¹¹ <p>Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of the Robinhood Customer Agreement. All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.</p> <p>Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer.</p> We've found the trading platform more intuitive than many others we've tried, making it less intimidating to trade more (even if you're only moving a few dollars at a time).

With Robinhood, you can also invest in cryptocurrencies and initial public offerings (IPOs), which aren't available with some other micro-investing apps. However, Robinhood doesn't support a number of common assets, like mutual funds, bonds, and foreign stocks. Plus, it doesn't offer many educational features, which can be a drawback for beginners and intermediate investors alike.

As a micro-investor, you can start investing with the platform's free account, which sets it apart from Acorns. However, if you want to get a 3% match on IRA contributions and earn a high APY on your uninvested cash, you can upgrade to Robinhood Gold for $5 per month.¹² <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> ¹³ <p>The 3% matching on contribution requires a subscription with Robinhood Gold (fees apply), must be subscribed to Gold for 1 year after your contribution to keep the full 3% match. You must have compensation (wage income) in order to contribute to an IRA. The funds that earned the match must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid a potential Early IRA Match Removal Fee. For more information refer to the <a href="https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/ira-match-faq/">IRA Match FAQ</a>.</p> <p>Robinhood Gold is offered through Robinhood Financial LLC and is a subscription offering premium services for a monthly fee.</p> <p>You must have earned (wage) income in order to contribute to an IRA. The funds that earned the match must be kept in the account for at least five years to avoid a potential Early IRA Match Removal Fee. For more information, see the IRA Match FAQ. </p> <p>Funds being contributed into or distributed from retirement accounts may entail tax consequences. Contributions are limited and withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a penalty tax. Robinhood does not provide tax advice; please consult with a tax adviser if you have questions. </p> <p>The Robinhood IRA is available to any of our U.S. customers with a Robinhood brokerage account in good standing. </p> <p>Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer. Robinhood Securities, LLC (member SIPC),is a registered broker dealer and provides brokerage clearing services. All are subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (‘Robinhood’).</p> ¹⁴ <p>The IRA Match is automatically added after eligible contributions from an external account. Keep the contributions in your IRA for at least 5 years from the date you contribute. IRA Match <a href="https://robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/ira-match-faq/">FAQ</a>.</p> <p>You must have earned income to contribute to an IRA. Funds being contributed into or distributed from retirement accounts may entail tax consequences. Contributions are limited and withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a penalty tax. Robinhood does not provide tax advice.</p> <p>This is not a recommendation to roll over. Before taking any action with a former employer's retirement plan, be sure to consider the various options: <a href="https://www.finra.org/investors/investing/investment-accounts/retirement-accounts#loans-and-rollovers">https://www.finra.org/investors/investing/investment-accounts/retirement-accounts#loans-and-rollovers</a></p><p>The Robinhood IRA is available to any customer with a Robinhood brokerage account in good standing.</p><p>Other fees may apply. See our Fee Schedule for details.</p><p>Recommendations are not available to Massachusetts residents. All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible. Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer. Robinhood Securities, LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer and provides brokerage clearing services. All are subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (‘Robinhood’).</p> If you regularly make IRA contributions and search for high APYs on savings, Robinhood Gold could be worth it for you.

Who this app is right for: We recommend Robinhood if you primarily buy and sell stocks and want to avoid expensive commission fees. It might also be a great option if you're interested in its alternative investments or Robinhood Gold perks.

Visit Robinhood | Learn more in our Robinhood review

SoFi Active Invest

SoFi

Earn a Rare 1% IRA Match on Contributions and Rollovers

Self-directed or automatic IRA account built around your risk tolerance and tax needs. Get a 1% match on every dollar you contribute and roll over. Terms apply.¹⁵ <p class="">Terms and conditions apply*. For 401k rollovers, existing SoFi IRA members must complete 401k rollovers via this <a href="https://sofi.app.link/start-rollover">link</a> For SoFi members without a SoFi IRA, a SoFi IRA must first be opened, and 401k rollover must be completed utilizing Capitalize via this <a href="https://sofi.app.link/start-rollover">link</a>. SoFi and Capitalize will charge no additional fees to process a 401(k) rollover to a SoFi IRA. SoFi is not liable for any costs incurred from the existing 401k provider for rollover. Please check with your 401k provider for any fees or costs associated with the rollover. For IRA contributions, only deposits made via ACH and cash transfer from SoFi Bank accounts are eligible for the match. Click <a href="https://www.sofi.com/iramatchterms/">here</a> for the 1% Match terms and conditions.</p>

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SoFi® is a reputable company that offers a range of financial products, including deposit accounts, credit cards, and loans. It also offers investing through SoFi Active Invest, which lets you trade stocks and ETFs on your own or have the platform create a portfolio based on your risk tolerance and goals.¹⁷ <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">www.finra.org</a>)/SIPC (<a href="https://www.sipc.org">www.sipc.org</a>).</p> There are no commissions, monthly fees, account minimums, or even subscriptions.

SoFi Active Invest stands out for giving you more asset types to invest in, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, alternative funds, and fractional shares ($5 minimum).⁵ <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 batched 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> Although separately these are fairly common, together they're less so. SoFi also differs from other micro-investing apps because it lets you invest in IPOs without an account minimum, which is highly unusual.⁴ <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> So, even if you don't have a lot of money to invest, you can access IPOs before they're publicly traded.

Another unique SoFi Active Invest feature is advice from certified financial planners who can help you create a budget, build an emergency fund, learn how to invest, and reach your financial goals.¹⁶ <p>Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">www.adviserinfo.sec.gov</a>.</p> These planners are fiduciaries legally obligated to put your needs first. If you're a beginner to investing or need to address a money issue, we think this extra guidance would be invaluable.

Plus, we like that SoFi doesn't require subscription fees or have plan tiers.

Who this app is right for: We find SoFi a worthy option if you're looking for a platform that offers a wide variety of investment types, including IPOs, and the ability to get personalized advice from financial planners.

Visit SoFi | Learn more in our SoFi Active Invest review

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Stash

AWARD WINNER Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners

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.

Stash

Invest in Google, Tesla, or Amazon For Just $5

Beginner-friendly app to invest in fractional shares and more. Bonus $25 to get started.

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Sign up today

Stash was one of the first investing platforms to promote micro-investing, and we find it great for beginners because it will build a portfolio for you based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. Not only will Stash's robo-advisor select and automatically balance your portfolio, but it can even essentially find money for you to invest with Auto-Stash features, including roundup transfers and Auto-Invest ¹⁹ <p class="">Stash has full authority to manage a “Smart Portfolio,” a discretionary managed account. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss of principal. Stash does not guarantee any level of performance or that any client will avoid losses in their account.<br></p>

Stash Stock Round-Ups are similar to Acorns' roundups in that qualifying transactions are rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the "extra" is automatically invested. On the other hand, Auto-Invest transfers are automated transfers you schedule into your Stash account for a specified amount and transfer frequency.

But what really makes Stash stand out from the other apps on this list is its Stock-Back® Debit Card, which acts like a cash back card that lets you earn up to 3% back in stock on your transactions.²⁰ <p>Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Holdings and performance are hypothetical. Stash Banking services provided by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. The Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® is issued by Stride Bank pursuant to license from Mastercard International. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Any earned stock rewards will be held in your Stash Invest account. Investment products and services provided by Stash Investments LLC, not Stride Bank, and are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value. In order for a user to be eligible for a Stash banking account, they must also have opened a taxable brokerage account on Stash.</p> ²¹ <p class="">All rewards earned through use of the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® will be fulfilled by Stash Investments LLC and are subject to <a href="https://lp.stash.com/stride-stash-stock-back-rewards-terms-and-conditions/" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a>. You will bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of the investments that you earn, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash. In order to earn stock in the program, the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard must be used to make a qualifying purchase. Stock rewards that are paid to participating customers via the Stash Stock Back program, are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value.<br></p> While this wasn't always the case, you now also need this card to activate the Round-Ups (which is a bummer).

A drawback with Stash is that you must subscribe to one of two paid plans. The Stash Growth plan is best for beginner investors and costs $3 per month. The upgraded Stash+ plan costs $12 per month and is better if you're looking for more market insights or want to open custodial portfolios for your kids. Additionally, Stash offers fewer investment options.

Who this app is right for: While you'll need to pay an ongoing fee, Stash might be a good fit if you're a frequent debit card user.

Visit Stash | Learn more in our Stash review

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Webull

Webull is a trading platform you can use for micro-investing with no commissions or account fees.²² <p>Webull Financial LLC, Member SIPC, FINRA. Regulatory and other fees may apply. Webull is not a bank. Rates subject to change. More info: <a href="https://www.webull.com/disclosures">www.webull.com/disclosures</a></p> We've found that it's a bit more complex than many other micro-investing apps and is best for investors with some level of experience.

However, if you're interested in practicing stock trading, you can use Webull's paper trading feature without spending a penny. This gives you a risk-free way to experiment with trades and get a feel for what you might want to do with your real money. This learning tool sets Webull apart from other micro-investing apps, including Robinhood, and could be the thing to help you level up your investing skills.

You won't need to make a minimum investment to open a basic Webull account. You can trade stocks, options, ETFs, futures, fractional shares ($5 minimum), and more in the app during extended trading hours. Plus, Webull stands out for new-user promotions, such as free fractional shares or deposit/transfer bonuses.

Who this app is right for: If you'd like to get some paper trading practice before you invest real money, Webull could be a great learning tool and help you get comfortable with micro-investing.

Learn more in our Webull review

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is an advanced trading platform for global markets. It offers two account levels without account minimums or monthly maintenance fees: IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro.

If you're a micro-investor with limited experience, IBKR Lite may be the better option, as it offers unlimited commission-free trading in U.S. stocks and ETFs. You can even trade mutual funds, which sets this brokerage apart from Robinhood and other trading platforms. However, commission-free trading is limited, so you'll have to pay to trade options, futures, bonds, or mutual funds.

If you're more experienced and interested in investing in global markets, you'll need to upgrade to the IBKR Pro plan. It charges fixed or tiered commissions depending on the type of investment.

We think that Interactive Brokers' most significant advantage is its wealth of market information and research. However, this can also be a disadvantage for beginners who might struggle to wade through all of it and could benefit from simpler alternatives, such as Acorns or Stash.

Who this app is right for: We recommend Interactive Brokers to advanced investors interested in trading mutual funds or digging deep into market information and research.

What is a micro-investing app?

Micro-investing is a way to invest small amounts of money in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and other financial products. This type of investing is typically done through a micro-investing app, a desktop or mobile app that lets you buy stock or fractional shares, automatically schedule monthly contributions, or invest the spare change rounded up from your everyday purchases.

While anyone can do it, micro-investing is best suited for beginner or novice investors with limited capital to invest upfront. It enables you to build a portfolio slowly that can add up over time. While you may not have enough money to invest in high-value stocks, you could buy fractional shares of those stocks with micro-investing.

For example, a large online retailer's share price of about $212 may be out of your price range. However, for just $1, you can buy a 0.00471 fractional share in that company.

How to get started with micro-investing apps

To get started, you should research the different micro-investing apps available and choose one that fits your financial goals and means. Factors to consider when selecting a micro-investing app include the fees, required account minimums, investment options (stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, etc.), ease of use, level of guidance, and other features.

Sign up for free trials

Because the cost of many micro-investing apps is usually so low, you may want to try a couple to see which best meets your needs. For example, if you want more of a set-it-and-forget-it app, you may want to use Acorns to set up automatic weekly or monthly contributions or roundups from your purchases. But if you want to play with picking stocks, Robinhood might be better.

Connect a bank account

You'll need to connect your checking or savings account to whichever micro-investing app you use, especially if it involves automated deposits or roundups.

Most apps let you start micro-investing with as little as $1, so you can start with whatever is comfortable for your financial resources and budget. For example, consider canceling one of your streaming services and automatically allocating the $15 per month to your investment account. Or, invest some of your tax refund. With micro-investing, every little amount helps.

Be prepared for fees

Remember that commission-free doesn't mean fee-free. If your micro-investing app charges fees, they could cut into your returns. Make sure you spend time reviewing your spare change app's fee structure so you know exactly what you might be charged for and when. 

Downsides of micro-investing

Although they can help you get started investing and put a little more money away than you otherwise might, micro-investing has its disadvantages. Here are some downsides of micro-investing that not everyone talks about, but you should be aware of: 

• You risk underinvesting in the long term: The point of micro-investing is to invest small amounts. And while even small investments can grow and become profitable over time, you could fall short of long-term financial targets if you only ever put a tiny bit of money away. Once you have more funds to work with, you should consider investing more aggressively and with larger sums to make sure you're on track to meet savings, retirement, and other goals.
• Micro-investing might turn you into a passenger:  While we'd never claim that passive investing is a bad thing, investing too passively when you're starting out can lead to not understanding your portfolio or what it all means. As a beginner, it's important to familiarize yourself with your investment accounts, so you know how much you've invested, what investments you hold (or what you've invested in), and how your portfolio is performing. You can let automated platforms invest for you, but you should still pay attention.
• You might have little say in micro-investments: Some micro-investing platforms offer little in the way of choice and options about how you invest. They often ask you questions to understand your risk tolerance and then invest your money in a portfolio they (or, rather, their algorithms) choose. Even though platforms like Stash and Acorns are beginning to offer more customizability than they used to, spare change investing is still on the more limited side.

Are micro-investing apps safe?

As with any investing, micro-investing can be risky, especially in a volatile market. You must be ready to navigate the ups and downs in the market without pulling money out at the first dip in value.

One way to reduce the risk of losing a significant amount of money is diversifying your portfolio with a mix of different assets. For example, rather than putting all your money into a single stock or investment, you might spread your investments across assets like stocks, bonds, and ETFs. That way, if one of your assets performs poorly, it doesn't destroy your whole portfolio.

FAQs

Bottom line

Using a micro-investing app can be a smart money move and an excellent way to start building wealth, especially if you are a beginner or have limited funds. Platforms like Robinhood, Acorns, and SoFi Invest® make it easy to invest consistently without paying commissions or management fees. However, some do charge monthly fees and offer limited asset options.

While micro-investing is a useful tool for growing your money over time, it's not a shortcut to instant wealth. To maximize your returns, focus on consistency, diversification, and long-term planning. With the low entry point for most micro-investing apps, you may want to try out different ones and see which aligns best with your financial goals and investing style.

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