What if investing wasn’t complicated, expensive, or intimidating… but something you could do from your phone in under five minutes?
Most people think investing is for the wealthy, the finance-savvy, or the already successful. The truth? That’s just a myth. A new wave of investment apps is breaking down every barrier that once kept everyday people on the outside.
You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need thousands of dollars. You just need a smartphone — and the willingness to take the first step. But with so many options out there, where should you begin?
Should you automate everything or make your own picks? How do you keep track of your progress? And more importantly — how do you avoid the traps that catch so many beginners off guard?
This guide reveals the most beginner-friendly apps that are helping millions grow their money smarter and faster — without stress, confusion, or financial jargon. Ready to find the one that fits your life? Let’s dive in.
Acorns: Making Investing Automatic and Effortless
What It Is
Acorns is designed for people who have little to no investing experience. It eliminates the friction of deciding where to invest or how much to start with. Instead, it uses a simple concept: automatically invest your spare change.
When you link your credit or debit card to Acorns, the app rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference into a portfolio tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.
Key Features and Benefits
- Round-Ups®: If you spend $3.45 on coffee, Acorns rounds it to $4.00 and invests the extra $0.55. Over time, those cents add up.
- Automated Portfolios: You don’t need to choose individual stocks. Acorns builds a diversified portfolio using ETFs (exchange-traded funds), which are low-cost and effective for long-term growth.
- Goal-Oriented Investing: Whether you’re saving for retirement, a vacation, or a rainy day, Acorns helps you define your goals and tracks your progress.
- Educational Content: The app offers finance lessons, market explanations, and budgeting tips, perfect for beginners.
- Retirement & Banking Integration: You can also open an IRA or use Acorns’ banking services.
Costs & Pricing
- Acorns offers three pricing tiers:
- Personal ($3/month): Includes investment, retirement, and checking accounts.
- Family ($5/month): Adds investment accounts for kids.
- Minimum Investment: You only need $5 to get started.
Why It’s Great for Beginners
If you’re intimidated by the idea of choosing stocks or timing the market, Acorns is ideal. It builds consistent investing habits and removes the temptation to make emotional decisions.
The automation makes it easy to invest without even thinking about it.
After Acorns introduces the idea of automated, low-effort investing, some users may feel ready to take more control over where their money goes. That’s where Robinhood enters the picture.
Robinhood: Hands-On Trading Without the Fees
What It Is
Robinhood disrupted the traditional brokerage model by offering commission-free trading and a slick, mobile-first experience.
Unlike Acorns, Robinhood puts you in control of your investment choices, allowing you to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, options, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Key Features and Benefits
- No Trading Fees: Buy and sell securities without paying a per-trade commission.
- Fractional Shares: Can’t afford an entire share of Tesla? Invest as little as $1 in fractional shares.
- Real-Time Market Data: Robinhood gives you access to up-to-date price information and market trends.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Its design makes complex trading tools feel more approachable.
- Crypto & Options Trading: Unique among beginner-friendly apps, Robinhood allows trading of crypto and options, though these are more advanced.
Costs & Pricing
- Standard Account: Completely free for most users.
- Robinhood Gold ($5/month): Includes professional research reports, margin investing, and higher instant deposits.
- Minimum Investment: You can start with any amount — even $1.
Is It Safe?
Yes. Robinhood is a registered broker-dealer regulated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. The SIPC insures your investments (up to $500,000) if the broker fails.
Why It’s Popular
Robinhood attracts a younger demographic — many of its users are first-time investors under 35. The gamified experience and lack of fees have made investing feel fun and accessible.
But it’s important to use it responsibly. Unlike Acorns, Robinhood requires active decision-making, which introduces more risk if you’re not informed.
Risks and Warnings
While Robinhood makes investing easy, this can also lead to impulsive trading. Many beginners mistake investing for gambling, especially with risky assets like options or volatile crypto.
Always do your research and understand that losses are possible — even common — in short-term trading.
For those who want a broader range of investment tools and long-term planning options, Fidelity offers a more complete and traditional experience — without losing beginner accessibility.
Fidelity: Power and Flexibility for Smart Starters
Fidelity is one of the most respected names in the financial world — a firm that’s been around since 1946 and has built its reputation on trust, reliability, and innovation. But what might surprise you is how beginner-friendly their investment platform is.
While it offers everything a seasoned investor could want, it’s also designed to guide newcomers through the process of growing wealth with confidence and clarity.
What Can You Do with Fidelity?
The better question is: what can’t you do? Fidelity allows you to invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, retirement accounts, and even international portfolios.
What sets it apart for beginners, though, is the quality of its customer support and the sheer depth of free educational content — from interactive tools to webinars and tutorials designed to teach you investing from the ground up.
Standout Features:
- Zero commissions on U.S. stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Free, professional-grade research and reports to help you make informed decisions.
- User-friendly trading platform with tools for comparing assets and simulating investment outcomes.
- No account minimums or maintenance fees for brokerage accounts.
- Fractional shares allow you to invest with just a few dollars.
- 24/7 live support via phone or chat — something rare among brokerages.
Pricing and Plans:
- Stock and ETF trades: $0 commission.
- Mutual fund fees: Vary by fund; Fidelity also offers many no-fee mutual funds.
- Automated investing with Fidelity Go: Free under $10,000; 0.35% annual fee above $25,000.
- Minimum investment: None for standard brokerage accounts, though individual funds may have minimums.
Who It’s Best For
Fidelity is ideal for beginners who are serious about building a solid, long-term investment strategy. Whether you want to learn the ropes or explore more advanced options later, Fidelity grows with you.
It strikes a rare balance between simplicity and professional-grade depth.
If you’re drawn to automation but want more depth and goal-based strategies than what Acorns provides, Betterment offers a sophisticated way to let your money grow with minimal involvement.
Betterment: Automated Investing That Works Around Your Life
Betterment is the go-to investment platform for people who want to grow their money without spending hours researching stocks or watching the market. It’s a robo-advisor — which means it automates the entire investment process, using smart algorithms and proven strategies to help you reach your financial goals.
Unlike apps that give you full control over your trades, Betterment aims to remove complexity. You tell it what you’re saving for — retirement, a house, future kids — and it builds a personalized portfolio for you using low-cost ETFs.
It monitors and adjusts your investments over time, all without you having to take action.
How It Works:
Your journey begins with a simple questionnaire. You input your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. Betterment then assigns you a diversified portfolio that aligns with your profile.
From there, it automatically rebalances your account and uses strategies like tax-loss harvesting to boost your returns.
Key Features:
- Automated portfolio rebalancing to keep your investments aligned with your goals.
- Goal-based investing, helping you stay on track with long-term plans.
- Tax optimization tools, like tax-loss harvesting, built right in.
- Multiple account types including standard investing, IRAs, joint accounts, and custodial accounts for kids.
- Clean, intuitive interface with easy-to-understand performance insights.
Pricing and Fees:
- Digital Plan: 0.25% annually with no minimum balance.
- Premium Plan: 0.65% annually, includes unlimited access to human advisors, requires $100,000+ balance.
- ETF expense ratios: Typically between 0.07% and 0.15%.
- No trading or maintenance fees.
Who It’s Best For
Betterment is perfect for people who want to invest consistently and efficiently, without the need to actively manage a portfolio. It’s especially useful for goal-driven savers who prefer automation over day-to-day decision-making. With minimal effort, it provides professional-level management and peace of mind.
Now that you’ve seen what each app offers, it’s time to clear up the most common questions beginners have before getting started.
If you want to go even further and get practical ideas for integrating these tools into your day-to-day life, this guide on using finance apps to your advantage will show you how to make the most of every feature.
Whether you’re drawn to full automation, hands-on control, or detailed financial planning, there’s an investment app that fits your style.
The key is to start — and to build a routine that balances investing with budgeting. With the right tools, even the smallest financial decisions today can become the foundation of long-term success.
What Beginners Really Want to Know About Investment Apps
Starting to invest can raise a lot of questions — and some healthy skepticism. Most people aren’t worried about picking the next hot stock. They’re asking more practical things: How much do I need to start? What happens if I need my money back? Is this even safe?
These are valid concerns — and knowing the answers can make all the difference between feeling paralyzed and feeling empowered.
This section clears up the most frequent doubts beginners have when choosing and using investment apps.
How Much Money Do I Need to Start?
Not much at all. One of the biggest misconceptions about investing is that you need thousands of dollars to begin. Today’s apps are intentionally designed to lower that barrier.
- Acorns lets you start with just $5 by investing spare change from your daily purchases.
- Betterment requires no minimum for its basic plan.
- Robinhood and Fidelity allow you to invest in fractional shares — meaning you can buy a piece of a stock for as little as $1.
Even small, consistent investments can snowball over time, especially with reinvested earnings and compounding returns.
Are Investment Apps Safe?
Yes — as long as you’re using well-known, regulated platforms. Here’s what you should look for:
- Regulation: Apps like Robinhood, Fidelity, and Betterment are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are members of FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
- Protection: Your investments are covered by SIPC insurance (up to $500,000), which protects your securities and cash in case the brokerage fails.
- Data Security: These apps use bank-level encryption, secure servers, and two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your personal and financial data.
While no investment is risk-free, the platforms themselves are built with strong security standards.
What Types of Investments Can I Make?
Investment apps offer a range of asset classes, depending on the platform:
- Stocks: Buy individual shares of companies.
- ETFs: Collections of stocks or bonds grouped together, ideal for diversification.
- Mutual Funds: Professionally managed portfolios, available through platforms like Fidelity.
- Cryptocurrency: Offered on apps like Robinhood (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
- Bonds: Some platforms also offer U.S. Treasury or corporate bonds.
Each type comes with different levels of risk and reward. For beginners, ETFs and diversified portfolios are often the safest entry point.
Can I Lose Money?
Yes. Investing always involves risk. Market values fluctuate, and there’s no guarantee of profit — not even with automated portfolios or diversified funds.
The key is to invest for the long term and avoid emotional decisions based on short-term market movements.
That said, using apps that help you understand your risk tolerance and set realistic goals can minimize unnecessary risks. Betterment and Fidelity, for example, offer tools that recommend a risk level based on your financial situation and preferences.
How Do I Withdraw My Money?
Most apps make it easy to withdraw funds:
- Sell your investment assets (ETFs, stocks, etc.).
- Wait for the transaction to settle (typically 1–3 business days).
- Transfer the funds back to your linked bank account.
Some apps may charge a fee for quick transfers, but most standard withdrawals are free. It’s important to know, though, that withdrawing during a market downturn could mean realizing a loss.
Do These Apps Offer Education and Support?
Absolutely. This is especially important for beginners:
- Betterment, Fidelity, and Acorns provide educational libraries, articles, and videos.
- Robinhood has a learning section with tutorials and explainers.
- Many offer live chat, phone support, and even access to financial advisors (for premium plans).
These resources are key for building confidence and making informed decisions.
How Can These Apps Help Me Reach My Financial Goals?
Each app approaches goal-setting differently, but all aim to make it easier to align your money with your life plans:
- Set goals like saving for retirement, a home, or education.
- Get portfolio recommendations tailored to your timeline.
- Use visual trackers and progress indicators to stay motivated.
- Apps like Betterment and Monarch Money even let you monitor how your investments fit into your bigger financial picture.
If you want to go even further and get practical ideas for integrating these tools into your day-to-day life, this guide on using finance apps to your advantage will show you how to make the most of every feature.
Betterment and Monarch Money even let you monitor how your investments fit into your bigger financial picture.
No matter where you start — with spare change or strategic planning — what matters is that you start. With these tools, your journey to long-term financial growth is already within reach.