Look, I get it. Investing sounds scary. You think you need thousands of dollars just to start, or maybe you've tried learning about stocks and gave up after all the confusing jargon.
Here's the truth: I've been investing since college, and I'm 35 now. I've tried pretty much every app out there. Apps like Acorns, Robinhood, and Fundrise have made it ridiculously easy to start building wealth with as little as $10.
The hard part? Figuring out which app fits your life. In this guide, I'll show you exactly what each one does and who should use it. No fluff, no jargon. Just straight answers so you can finally start growing your money.
Here Are The Best Investment Apps
If you’re ready to explore the top investing apps right away, check out the widget below for a quick comparison and summary of their best features.
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Micro-investing app
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Commission-free
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Diversification
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- Rounds up purchases to invest spare change
- Simple automated investing & portfolios
- Great for beginner, hands-off savers
- Commission free investing app
- Trade stocks ETFs and crypto easily
- Start investing with small amounts
- Passive real estate investing without owning property
- Start investing with only $10
- Diversify beyond stocks
Now that you’ve seen the highlights, let’s dive deeper into what makes each of these investing apps unique and how they can help you reach your financial goals.
Acorns: Best Micro-Investing App
Acorns is built for people who think they can't afford to invest. If you've ever said “I'll start when I have more money,” this app proves you wrong. Acorns automatically rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. $3.50 coffee becomes $4, and that 50 cents goes into your investment account. It sounds small, but it adds up fast without you ever noticing.
Acorns builds diversified portfolios for you, handles everything from retirement accounts to a checking account that invests as you spend, and even offers Found Money cashback from 15,000+ brands. The best part? You're building wealth in the background while living your life. No big deposits required, no stock picking, just steady growth from money you'd spend anyway.
Who is Acorns Best For?
- Complete beginners who don't know how to start investing or pick stocks
- Busy people who want to invest automatically without thinking about it
- Non-savers who struggle to set money aside consistently
- Hands-off investors comfortable paying a small monthly fee for full automation
What Are Acorns Fees?
- Personal Plan: $3/month – includes investing, retirement (IRA), and checking account
- Premium Plan: $9/month – adds kids' investment accounts, expert financial advice, and bonus investments
What's Acorns Sign Up Bonus?
You can kickstart your investing journey with Acorns and get a $20 bonus when you sign up through this link.
- Acorns rounds up spare change from purchases and invests it for you
- Get a $20 bonus when you invest just $5 and start a recurring deposit
- Start building long-term wealth with just $3/month—free if you're under 24 and in school
Robinhood: Best for Commission-Free Trades
Robinhood is built for people who are tired of watching fees eat into every trade. If you've ever avoided buying a stock because the $5-$10 commission wasn't worth it, or you've watched your profits shrink from transaction costs, Robinhood eliminates that problem completely. Zero commissions on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto means you keep 100% of your gains and can trade as often as you want without penalties.
Whether you're buying fractional shares of expensive stocks with just $1 or actively trading throughout the day, Robinhood's simple mobile-first platform makes it effortless. Upgrade to Robinhood Gold for $5/month and you get 5% APY on uninvested cash, professional research from Morningstar, margin investing, and 24-hour trading on select stocks. The best part? You're in complete control of your investments without middlemen taking a cut of every move you make.
Who is Robinhood Best For?
- Beginner investors who want commission-free trading with a simple, easy-to-use app
- Active traders who want to buy stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto all in one place
- Cost-conscious investors who want to avoid traditional brokerage fees
- Mobile-first users who prefer managing investments from their phone
What Are Robinhood's Fees?
- Standard Account: $0 – commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto with no account minimums
- Robinhood Gold: $5/month or $50/year – adds 5% APY on cash, margin investing, professional research, and 24-hour trading
What’s Robinhood’s Sign Up Bonus?
Get $5-$200 worth of fractional shares from America's leading companies when you sign up and deposit money. Simply open a new Robinhood account, link your bank account or debit card, and you'll receive your gift stock. Keep in mind that 99% of users receive $5 worth of shares, and limitations apply.
- User-friendly app that lets you invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, and more—all commission-free
- Perfect for beginners and casual investors looking to build wealth with ease.
- Key features include fractional shares, instant deposits, and access to a wide range of assets
Fundrise: Best for Next-Level Diversification
Fundrise is a platform I’ve trusted for years that lets you invest in real estate with as little as $10, giving you access to private commercial and residential deals you wouldn’t normally get into. It’s all about building a diversified portfolio designed for passive income and long-term growth. Unlike traditional real estate investments, Fundrise makes it simple to start small and grow on your own schedule. Just know that your money isn’t as liquid as with stocks or REITs, and there are some fees involved—but their low-fee model helps you keep more of what you earn.
What makes Fundrise stand out is the ability to invest in a portfolio of carefully selected real estate assets, all actively managed to maximize returns based on your investment strategy. Private real estate offers unique potential—consistent cash flow from income and long-term growth through appreciation. With over 300 assets worth $7 billion managed on behalf of investors, Fundrise makes diversification easy, helping you go beyond stocks and bonds to minimize risk and grow wealth.
Who Is Fundrise Best For?
- Investors who want passive real estate income without buying property or managing tenants
- People diversifying beyond stocks with real assets and quarterly dividends
- Hands-off investors who want professional management and transparent tracking
- Long-term investors comfortable with a 5+ year timeline for optimal returns
What are Fundrise Fees?
- All Plans: $10 minimum – 1% annual advisory fee (no commissions, trading fees, or hidden costs)
- Earn passive income with real estate investing starting at just $10
- Easy-to-use app for seamless access to crowd-funded real estate deals
- Perfect for those who want their money to work for them
TradeUP: Take Your Trading to the Next Level
TradeUP is built for traders who want more control, lower costs, and essential trading tools in one place. Whether you’re trading stocks, ETFs, or options, TradeUP helps you trade smarter and keep more of your gains.
With $0 commissions and $0 per-contract fees, you can focus on your strategy without worrying about hidden costs. TradeUP provides real-time market data (including OTC stocks), advanced analytics, screeners, charts, and free Level 2 quotes, everything you need to make informed trading decisions.
The platform is customizable to fit your trading style, with Pro and Lite versions available on mobile, plus web and desktop access. 24-hour trading (Sunday 8 PM EST – Friday 8 PM EST) lets you react to global market moves whenever they happen.
TradeUP also offers features to help you reap high yields on idle cash, plus securities lending and a flat 5.99% annual margin rate, all backed by professional one-on-one client services. You can even participate in one-click subscriptions for 80+ U.S. stock IPOs, making it easier to explore new opportunities. U.S. Treasuries are also available for investors seeking low-risk holdings, though standard fees may apply.
Who TradeUP Is For?
- Traders who want low-cost access to stocks, ETFs, and options
- Investors seeking flexible trading hours and real-time market insights
- Anyone looking for tools and services that support smarter trading decisions
What are TradeUp Fees?
- Stocks, ETFs, Options: $0 commissions, $0 per-contract fees
- Margin Trading: 5.99% flat annual rate
Sign-Up Perks
TradeUP offers exclusive rewards, including a Up-to-50-NVDA free share giveaway, a Transfer-In Cashback program and Cash+ rewards, giving you extra opportunities to earn as you trade.
- $0 commissions and $0 per-contract fees on all trades
- Real-time market data, advanced analytics, Level 2 quotes, and customizable platforms
- 24-hour trading (Sunday 8 PM – Friday 8 PM EST) to react to global markets anytime
FAQs About Investing Apps
Acorns is worth it if you’re new to investing or struggle to save consistently. Its automatic round-ups and diversified portfolios make it super easy to start building wealth with minimal effort, though the flat monthly fee is better suited for higher account balances.
Yes, Robinhood offers commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. Just keep in mind, there are small regulatory fees on sell orders, and transferring your account to another broker will cost $100.
Fundrise is a reputable platform with cutting-edge security and low minimums, making private real estate accessible to everyday investors. It’s safe, but keep in mind that investments aren’t as liquid as stocks or ETFs.
Investing Apps: Acorns, Robinhood, and Fundrise
Investing apps have changed the game, making it easier than ever to grow your money with just a few taps on your phone. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to expand your portfolio, Acorns, Robinhood, and Fundrise offer unique tools to help you achieve your financial goals.
Acorns is ideal for hands-off savers. It invests your spare change and offers features like retirement accounts and kids’ investments, all for a small monthly fee. With Acorns, you can automate your savings and start investing with as little as $3 a month.
Robinhood is the go-to for anyone looking to trade stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto without paying commission fees. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants access to real-time data, research tools, and a simple way to manage investments—all with no account minimums.
Fundrise opens the door to private real estate investing with just $10. It’s perfect for people who want passive income and long-term growth without needing millions to get started. Fundrise charges low fees and makes diversification easy, though it’s best for investors who can commit their money for a while.
No matter where you are in your investing journey, these apps make it possible to grow your wealth on your terms. Each has its strengths, so whether you’re rounding up spare change, trading stocks commission-free, or investing in real estate, there’s an app for you. Take the time to explore them and see which fits your goals best!
|
Micro-investing app
|
Commission-free
|
Diversification
|
|
|
|
- Rounds up purchases to invest spare change
- Simple automated investing & portfolios
- Great for beginner, hands-off savers
- Commission free investing app
- Trade stocks ETFs and crypto easily
- Start investing with small amounts
- Passive real estate investing without owning property
- Start investing with only $10
- Diversify beyond stocks