Starting to invest is easier than ever before because of the simple apps made for beginners. No matter if you plan to invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, or robo-advisors, the right app can help make things easier for you.
Here, we’ll check out the 10 best investing apps for beginners of 2025, outlining what each one offers and their advantages and disadvantages.
1. Robinhood
Best for Commission-Free Trading
Robinhood continues to be popular with beginners because it’s easy to use and charges no commissions.
Key Features:
- Stock, ETF, and options trading are all commission-free.
- Fractional shares investing
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Cash can earn a better yield in their high-yield savings area.
Pros:
- No account minimums
- Intuitive mobile app
- Good for passive investors
Cons:
- Limited research tools
- No mutual funds or bonds
Why Choose Robinhood in 2025?
Robinhood keeps adding new learning tools, which makes it perfect for new investors.
2. Acorns
Best for Automated Investing (Micro-Investing)
If you’re new to investing and want to invest spare change without thinking about it, Acorns works well.
Key Features:
- Acorns helps you automatically invest pennies from each of your purchases.
- Pre-built ETF portfolios
- Retirement account options (IRA)
- Banking features with Acorns Spend
Pros:
- Hands-off investing
- Great for saving small amounts
- Financial literacy content
Cons:
- Monthly fees (3−5$)
- Limited control over investments
Why Acorns in 2025?
With Acorns, you only need to set things up and you don’t have to do anything afterwards.
3. Betterment
Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners
Betterment is designed to give you low-fee automatic portfolio management.
Key Features:
Goal-based investing (retirement, savings, etc.)
Tax-loss harvesting
Socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolios
Pros:
- Low management fee (0.25%)
- You can begin with the basic plan without having a minimum amount.
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- No direct stock picking
- Higher fees than some competitors
Why Betterment in 2025?
Its AI features work to improve your returns with minimal work from you.
4. Webull
Best place for active traders, and you also get free stocks.
Webull has advanced services but also makes things easy for those just starting out.
Key Features:
- Commission-free trading (stocks, ETFs, options)
- Extended trading hours
- Advanced charting & technical analysis
Pros:
- Free stock for signing up
- No account minimums
- Good research tools
Cons:
- No mutual funds or bonds
- Steeper learning curve
Why Webull in 2025?
It meets the needs of both those just starting and those who have traded before.
5. SoFi Invest
Best All-in-One Finance App
SoFi brings together investing, banking, loans, and financial planning in one app.
Key Features:
- Free stock and ETF trading
- Automated investing (robo-advisor)
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Advice and support for your finances and career.
Pros:
- No management fees
- Access to IPO investing
- Strong community features
Cons:
- Limited research tools
- There are fewer investment options available compared to some brokers.
Why SoFi in 2025?
SoFi makes it easy for new investors to handle their finances all in one app.
6. M1 Finance
Best for Customizable Portfolios
M1 Finance merges robo-advising features with the option to pick your own investments.
Key Features:
- "Pies" for custom portfolios
- Fractional shares
- Low-cost borrowing (M1 Borrow)
Pros:
- No trading fees
- Flexible investment strategies
- Automated rebalancing
Cons:
- There are only daily trading windows.
- Limited customer support
Why M1 Finance in 2025?
Suitable for those who want passive management but like making some investment decisions.
7. Fidelity Investments
Best for Long-Term Investors
Fidelity acts as a full-service broker that supports beginners with a range of great tools.
Key Features:
- Zero-fee index funds
- Fractional share investing
- Strong research & educational resources
Pros:
- No account minimums
- Great customer service
- Robust retirement planning
Cons:
- Mobile app is not as user-friendly as others.
- Some fees on certain trades
Why Fidelity in 2025?
It is a reliable option for getting a lot of value for your money.
8. TD Ameritrade (Now Charles Schwab)
Best for Education & Research
TD Ameritrade’s platform is still great for beginners, largely because of its strong educational tools and free trading, despite the merger with Charles Schwab.
Key Features:
- No commissions are charged for buying or selling stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Thinkorswim platform: A professional-grade platform that comes with the ability to practice risk-free.
- Extensive library: You get webinars, articles, and video tutorials with your account.
- 24/7 customer support: Phone, chat, and in-person branches.
Pros:
✅ Ideal for learning: No one offers better beginner research tools than TD Ameritrade.
✅ No account minimums: Start investing with any amount.
✅ Advanced charting: Growing traders have the option to tailor the technical analysis to their needs.
Cons:
❌ Post-merger transition: Some things may change while Schwab brings everything together.
❌ Mutual fund fees: $49.95 per transaction for no-load funds.
Why Choose TD Ameritrade in 2025?
TD Ameritrade’s wide range of education tools, including Thinkorswim, fit beginners who are looking to learn and grow at the same time.
9. E*TRADE
Ideal for those who are new to trading or who want more to learn.
E*TRADE offers both basic and advanced tools in a simple way, so it’s perfect for beginner traders looking to improve.
Key Features:
- You can buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and options without any commission.
- Power Mobile App: Streamlined trading with advanced charting.
- Automatic investing: Recurring investments for dollar-cost averaging.
- Pre-built portfolios: Expert-curated ETF bundles.
Pros:
✅ User-friendly: Clean interface with intuitive navigation.
✅ Strong research: You get Morningstar reports, analyst ratings, and market screeners as well.
✅ No minimums: Start with any budget.
Cons:
❌ Fees on mutual funds: $19.99 per trade for non-commission-free funds.
❌ Limited crypto: You can trade Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, but there’s no direct way to buy crypto.
Why E*TRADE in 2025?
This platform makes it easy for new investors to begin trading, while also letting them use advanced features like trading options when they’re ready.
10. Public
Best Social Investing App
Public combines trading with social networking, giving beginners the chance to learn together as they build their investments.
Key Features:
- You can buy stocks, ETFs, and crypto without paying a commission.
- Social feed: Talk with other investors and exchange investment ideas.
- Thematic investing: There are ready-made portfolios themed around trends such as AI or green energy.
- Fractional shares: Get the chance to own a part of companies such as Amazon or Tesla with just a little money.
Pros:
✅ Transparency: Check which stocks the top investors are going for (you don’t copy their moves).
✅ Community-driven: Share and discuss ideas about investing in the app.
✅ No minimums: Invest with as little as $1.
Cons:
❌ Limited advanced tools: Not ideal for day traders.
❌ Niche focus: More social than analytical.
Why Public in 2025?
Visual learners and those who do well in groups will find investing more collaborative with Public.
Final Thoughts: Which App Fits Your Goals?
If you’re new to investing and want to practice before trading, TD Ameritrade is a good choice.
Grow from simply starting out to becoming very knowledgeable? → E*TRADE
Invest socially? → Public
Which app you choose should match your goals for 2025.
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