Quick Picks:
Best Overall – Fidelity Go (low fees + trusted brand)
Easiest to Use – Acorns (round-ups + automation)
Best for Learning – Public (education-first, no fees)Start with as little as $5. No experience needed.
Compare Beginner Investment Apps Here
Why Use an Investment App
If you’re new to investing, the idea of managing money might feel overwhelming. Investment apps in 2025 make it:
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Super user-friendly
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Accessible (start with $1–$10)
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Safe and regulated
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Automated and educational
Whether you’re saving for retirement, building a rainy day fund, or just testing the waters, these apps are built with beginners in mind.
Best Investment Apps for Beginners – 2025 Rankings
| App | Best For | Min. Investment | Fees | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Go | Overall Simplicity + Trust | $10 | $0 under $25K | Automatic investing, no account minimum |
| Acorns | Hands-Off Round-Ups | $5 | $3/month | Round-up savings, auto-diversification |
| Public | Education + Community | $0 | $0 | Commission-free, social investing |
| M1 Finance | DIY + Auto-Balancing | $100 | $0 | Custom pies, fractional shares |
| Robinhood | Active Trading Starters | $0 | $0 | Real-time trading, crypto + stocks |
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Beginner Investment Apps
1. Fidelity Go – Best Overall for Beginners
Why it stands out:
Trusted name, no account minimum, and automated investing — all with zero fees if your balance is under $25,000.
✅ Highlights:
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Fully managed portfolios
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Low fees
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No investing experience required
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Backed by Fidelity (est. 1946)
Fees: $0 under $25K; 0.35% after
Best for: Total beginners who want “set it and forget it”
2. Acorns – Best for Hands-Off Savers
Why it stands out:
Acorns automatically invests your spare change when you make everyday purchases. It’s like saving without thinking.
✅ Highlights:
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Round-up investing
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Auto-portfolio building
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Found Money rewards (cashback for spending)
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Great for students & young adults
Fees: $3/month for personal plan
Best for: Beginners who want automation
3. Public – Best for Learning + Community
Why it stands out:
Beginner-friendly interface, commission-free investing, and an in-app community where you can follow other investors and learn together.
✅ Highlights:
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Zero commissions
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Built-in social feed + lessons
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Fractional shares available
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Stocks, ETFs, crypto
Fees: $0
Best for: Beginners who want to learn while investing
4. M1 Finance – Best for Semi-Automated DIY
Why it stands out:
Ideal for those ready to take a bit more control — M1 lets you build your own “pies” (custom portfolios) with automated rebalancing.
✅ Highlights:
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Fractional shares
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Build your own strategy
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Automatic rebalancing
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Borrowing & checking options
Fees: $0
Best for: DIY beginners with a little investing curiosity
Build Your First Portfolio with M1
5. Robinhood – Best for New Active Traders
Why it stands out:
Easy-to-use interface for buying stocks and crypto — real-time trading with no fees.
✅ Highlights:
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Real-time trading
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$0 commissions
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Crypto, stocks, ETFs
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Educational content
Fees: $0
Best for: Beginners who want to try stock trading
How to Choose the Right App for You
Ask yourself:
✅ Do I want hands-off or DIY investing?
✅ Am I saving long-term or just trying it out?
✅ Do I want educational tools?
✅ How much can I start with — $5 or $500?
✅ Do I want crypto or stick with stocks and ETFs?
Take Our 30-Second Investment App Quiz
Free Download: “Beginner’s Investing App Starter Kit”
✅ App comparison checklist
✅ 7-day investing habit tracker
✅ Mini glossary: investing terms you should know
✅ Risk tolerance worksheet
Download the Free Toolkit (PDF)
Quick Start: How to Invest in Under 5 Minutes
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Pick your app (we recommend Fidelity Go or Acorns to start)
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Set your goal (retirement, travel, rainy day fund)
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Link your bank account
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Deposit $5–$100 to begin
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Turn on auto-deposits (even $10/week adds up!)
? Tip: Automate everything so you don’t have to think about it. Set it, forget it, and grow your money in the background.
Is It Safe to Use Investment Apps?
Yes — the apps listed here are:
✅ Regulated by FINRA or SEC
✅ SIPC-insured (up to $500,000 per account)
✅ Use encryption and 2FA for extra security
Always choose well-reviewed apps with full transparency.
Final Thoughts
Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. In 2025, beginner-friendly apps make it easy to start with as little as $5 — and no jargon, pressure, or brokers required.
Start small. Stay consistent. Let compound interest do the heavy lifting.
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Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and sign up, we may earn a small commission — at no cost to you. We only recommend apps we’ve reviewed and trust.
