Top 10 Investment Apps for Beginners

Investing may seem intimidating, but with the right tools, anyone can start building wealth. Investment apps have made it easier than ever for beginners to enter the market, learn the basics, and even automate their investing strategies. If you're ready to grow your money, here are the top 10 investment apps that are perfect for beginners in 2024.

1. Robinhood: Simple Stock Trading with No Commission Fees

Robinhood was a game-changer when it first launched, pioneering commission-free trades. This app is ideal for beginners because of its user-friendly interface, allowing you to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies without trading fees. Robinhood also offers educational resources to help new investors understand basic investment terms and strategies.

Best For: Commission-free trades and easy stock trading.

2. Acorns: Automated Micro-Investing for Every Budget

Acorns makes investing almost effortless by rounding up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and investing the change. This “micro-investing” approach lets you grow your portfolio with minimal effort. Acorns also offers a range of educational resources, making it a top pick for beginners who want to start small and learn as they go.

Best For: Hands-off investing and saving spare change.

3. Betterment: A Trusted Robo-Advisor for Personalized Portfolios

Betterment is a robo-advisor that builds a personalized portfolio based on your risk tolerance, financial goals, and time horizon. The app automatically rebalances your investments and optimizes for tax efficiency, making it ideal for beginners who want a low-maintenance, data-driven approach to investing. Betterment also offers financial planning tools and advice from certified financial planners.

Best For: Automated investing with personalized strategies.

4. Wealthfront: Comprehensive Financial Planning and Robo-Investing

Wealthfront is another popular robo-advisor known for its strong portfolio management tools. With Wealthfront, you can invest in diversified ETFs across multiple asset classes. The app also provides tax-efficient strategies and automatic rebalancing. A unique feature is its financial planning tool, which helps you project future expenses like buying a house or saving for retirement.

Best For: Beginners looking for a long-term financial planning tool.

5. M1 Finance: A Customizable Investment Platform with Automated Features

M1 Finance combines the control of self-directed investing with the automation of a robo-advisor. You can create a customized investment “pie” based on different asset classes and let M1 Finance manage and rebalance it for you. M1’s user-friendly interface and automatic rebalancing make it a popular choice for beginners looking for flexibility with a hands-off approach.

Best For: Custom portfolios with automatic rebalancing.

6. Stash: Learn and Invest at Your Own Pace

Stash is an excellent choice for beginners who want to learn about investing while building a portfolio. It offers fractional shares, allowing you to start investing with as little as $5. Stash provides educational content to help you make informed decisions, and it also has tools for banking, saving, and budgeting.

Best For: New investors who want to learn while they invest.

7. Public: Social Investing with a Focus on Education

Public takes a unique approach by combining investing with social networking. You can follow other investors, join discussions, and see what stocks and ETFs they’re buying. This transparency and community-focused approach make it an ideal app for beginners who want to learn from others. Public also offers fractional shares, allowing you to start small.

Best For: Social investing and learning from a community.

8. Fidelity Investments: A Full-Service App with Free Trading

Fidelity is a well-established brokerage firm with an excellent app for beginners. It offers commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, and options. Fidelity’s app has a wealth of research tools and resources, so beginners can build a strong foundation. Fidelity also has customer service that’s known for being accessible and helpful, which is a huge plus for new investors.

Best For: Beginners looking for a full-service investing app with robust resources.

9. SoFi Invest: Commission-Free Trades and Financial Advice

SoFi Invest offers commission-free trading of stocks and ETFs, along with a robo-advisory option. With SoFi, you can also buy fractional shares and get free access to financial planners who can guide your investment strategy. SoFi’s app is beginner-friendly and includes a wealth of educational resources on personal finance and investing basics.

Best For: New investors who want commission-free trading and financial advice.

10. TD Ameritrade: An Education-Focused Platform for Beginners

TD Ameritrade’s app stands out for its in-depth educational content. With videos, articles, and courses tailored to all experience levels, TD Ameritrade is perfect for beginners who want to learn as they invest. The app also has a paper trading feature, allowing you to practice trading without risking real money. With commission-free trades and an intuitive interface, it’s a solid choice for new investors.

Best For: Learning-focused investors and those who want to practice trading.

Choosing the Right Investment App for You

With so many options, choosing the right app depends on your personal goals, comfort level with investing, and how involved you want to be. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

Hands-Off Investing: Acorns, Betterment, Wealthfront

DIY with Support: Robinhood, M1 Finance, SoFi Invest

Learning-Focused: Stash, Public, TD Ameritrade

Full-Service Needs: Fidelity Investments

Each of these apps offers a unique way to get started, so choose the one that aligns with your financial goals and preferred approach. Whether you’re saving spare change, building a custom portfolio, or learning alongside other investors, there’s an app to help you start growing your money today.

Final Thoughts: Start Investing Today and Secure Your Financial Future

Starting to invest might feel daunting, but these apps make it simple and accessible for beginners. By starting early, you can take advantage of compound growth, build wealth over time, and set yourself on the path to financial security. So, download an app, start investing, and watch your money grow.