This article is educational, not personalized financial, legal or tax advice. It doesnât recommend any specific investment, and nothing here promises returns. Fees and features change often; details were checked in October 2026, so confirm current terms on each providerâs site before you open an account.
Quick answer: For most beginners, Fidelity and Charles Schwab are the strongest all-around investing apps: no account minimum, $0 online stock and ETF trades, and fractional shares from $1. Robinhood is the simplest app to use on your phone. If you would rather not pick investments at all, a robo-advisor such as Acorns, Betterment, or Wealthfront will build and manage a portfolio for you.
The best investing app for a beginner isnât the one with the most features. Itâs the one that makes the right habits easy: starting small, buying diversified funds, and investing automatically. Hereâs how the most popular apps compare, how to choose between them, and where AI tools now fit in.
Best investing apps for beginners at a glance
| App | Best for | Account minimum | Stock & ETF trades | Fractional shares | Ongoing cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Best overall | $0 | $0 online | Yes, from $1 | $0 account fees |
| Charles Schwab | Low-cost variety and account types | $0 | $0 online | Yes, from $1 | $0 account fees |
| Robinhood | Mobile-first beginners | $0 | $0 | Yes | Optional Gold: $5/mo |
| SoFi Invest | Beginners who bank with SoFi | $0 | $0 | Yes | Robo option: 0.25%/yr |
| Acorns | Investing spare change | Not listed | Included | Automatic | $4, $8 or $12/mo |
| Betterment | Hands-off investing | Varies by account | Included | Automatic | $4/mo or 0.25%/yr |
| Wealthfront | Hands-off investing with more tools | $500 | Included | Automatic | 0.25%/yr |
âIncludedâ means trades happen inside a managed portfolio and are covered by the planâs fee. Self-directed apps (the first four) let you choose your own investments; robo-advisors (the last three) choose and manage them for you.
The best investing apps for beginners, reviewed
1. Fidelity: best overall
Fidelity has no account minimum, no account fees for retail brokerage accounts, and $0 commissions on online U.S. stock and most ETF trades. Its âStocks by the Sliceâ feature lets you buy fractional shares of eligible U.S. stocks and ETFs starting at $1, so you can build a diversified portfolio with a small amount.
- Why beginners like it: One app covers a brokerage account, IRAs, and automatic investing, so you wonât outgrow it.
- Watch out for: The app has a lot of features, which can feel busy at first.
2. Charles Schwab: best for low costs and account variety
Schwab also offers $0 online stock and ETF trades with no account minimum, plus brokerage, IRA, 529 education, and custodial accounts. Its fractional share program, Schwab Stock Slices, now covers most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, starting at $1.
- Why beginners like it: Strong education resources and a long list of low-cost funds.
- Watch out for: Like Fidelity, it is built for every type of investor, so expect more menus than a beginner-only app.
3. Robinhood: best mobile experience
Robinhood popularized commission-free trading and remains one of the easiest apps to learn on a phone. Stocks, ETFs, and options trade with $0 commissions. Its optional Robinhood Gold subscription ($5 a month) raises the IRA contribution match from 1% to 3% and includes Cortex, Robinhoodâs AI research assistant.
- Why beginners like it: A clean, simple interface and an IRA match.
- Watch out for: Easy access to options and frequent trading. Stick to a long-term plan.
4. SoFi Invest: best if you already bank with SoFi
SoFi offers $0 commissions on stocks, fractional shares, and an IRA with a 1% match on eligible contributions. If you want help choosing investments, its automated investing option builds a portfolio for a 0.25% annual fee.
- Why beginners like it: Banking, investing, and an automated option in one app.
- Watch out for: Fewer account types than Fidelity or Schwab (for example, no custodial accounts).
5. Acorns: best for investing spare change
Acorns rounds up your everyday purchases and invests the spare change in a diversified ETF portfolio. Plans cost $4, $8, or $12 a month; the higher tiers add an IRA match in your first year and extra features.
- Why beginners like it: You donât have to decide what to buy or remember to invest.
- Watch out for: A flat monthly fee is expensive relative to a very small balance. $4 a month on a $500 account is about 10% a year.
6. Betterment: best for hands-off investing
Betterment is a robo-advisor: you answer a few questions and it builds, rebalances, and manages a diversified portfolio. It charges $4 a month or 0.25% a year, depending on your balance and deposits.
- Why beginners like it: Set it up once and keep contributing.
- Watch out for: You give up control over individual investment choices.
7. Wealthfront: best robo-advisor for growing balances
Wealthfront charges 0.25% a year with a $500 minimum and adds features such as automated tax-loss harvesting in taxable accounts.
- Why beginners like it: Automated, diversified ETF portfolios with planning tools.
- Watch out for: The $500 minimum is higher than most apps on this list.
How to choose the right investing app
Start with two questions: Do you want to pick your own investments? And what kind of account do you need?
- Pick your own (self-directed): Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, or SoFi. Many beginners start with one or two broad index funds or ETFs. See our guide to ETFs vs mutual funds.
- Let the app pick (robo-advisor): Acorns, Betterment, or Wealthfront.
- Saving for retirement: Look for an IRA, ideally with a contribution match.
- Starting with very little: Make sure the app supports fractional shares and has no minimum.
- Want to stay consistent: Choose an app with automatic recurring investments and use dollar-cost averaging.
What to look for in any investing app
- Regulation: The broker should be a FINRA member with SIPC coverage. Look it up on FINRA BrokerCheck.
- Total cost: Commissions, monthly subscriptions, and advisory fees all count. A flat fee matters more on a small balance.
- Fractional shares and low minimums: So you can diversify with a small amount.
- Recurring investments: Automation beats willpower.
- Account types: Taxable brokerage, Roth or traditional IRA, and custodial accounts if you need them.
Using AI to help you invest
More beginners now use AI alongside their investing app, either to learn the basics or to turn their goals into a plan. AI tools generally fall into three groups:
- AI built into your brokerage: Robinhoodâs Cortex (with Gold) can research your portfolio and build screeners, and Public offers an AI research tool called Alpha.
- AI research assistants: Standalone apps such as Magnifi answer plain-English questions and can link your existing accounts.
- AI portfolio builders: Tools such as PortfolioGPT turn your goal, time horizon, and risk tolerance into a suggested allocation you can then invest at the app you choose.
AI is useful for learning and planning, but it canât predict markets, and a chatbot isnât a licensed advisor. For a deeper look at the types, costs, and red flags, read our guide to AI investing apps for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best investing app for beginners?
For most beginners, Fidelity or Charles Schwab: no minimum, $0 online stock and ETF trades, and fractional shares from $1. If you want the app to choose and manage investments for you, a robo-advisor like Betterment or Wealthfront is simpler.
How much money do I need to start investing?
Very little. Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, and SoFi have no account minimum, and fractional shares let you invest with as little as $1. Robo-advisors vary; Wealthfront requires $500.
Is Robinhood good for beginners?
Its app is easy to use and trades are commission-free. The main risk is behavioral: quick access to options and frequent trading can pull beginners away from a long-term plan.
Should a beginner use a robo-advisor?
If you donât want to choose investments yourself, yes. A robo-advisor builds a diversified portfolio and rebalances it for a small fee, typically 0.25% a year or a flat monthly charge.
Can I use AI to choose my investments?
AI can help you learn, research, and draft a plan, but it canât guarantee returns or replace personalized advice. Treat AI suggestions as ideas to review, not instructions.
The bottom line
Choose the app that makes good habits easiest. For most beginners that means a low-cost brokerage like Fidelity or Schwab, a few diversified funds, and automatic contributions. If youâd rather not choose investments at all, a robo-advisor does the work for a small fee. Use AI to learn and plan, then let a regulated account hold your money.