Want to start investing but don’t know where to begin? In 2025, investing has never been easier—or more accessible. Thanks to cutting-edge investment apps, anyone can start building wealth with as little as $1. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking for the easiest way to grow your money, these 10 investment apps are dominating the market and helping millions of Americans achieve financial freedom.
Why Investment Apps Are Exploding in 2025
The investment app market is booming. According to recent data, the global investment app market reached $44.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to skyrocket to $254.9 billion by 2033, growing at an impressive 19.1% annually. In the USA alone, Robinhood saw its user base grow to 14 million active users by Q3 2025, while robo-advisory platforms now manage over $1.3 trillion in assets globally.
Why the surge? Simple: These apps make investing easy, affordable, and accessible to everyone—no finance degree required.
The 10 Best Investment Apps for Beginners in 2025
1. Robinhood – The Game-Changer for Beginners
Why It’s #1: Robinhood revolutionized investing by offering zero-commission trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency. Its clean, intuitive interface makes it perfect for first-time investors.
Key Features:
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$0 minimum to start
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Fractional shares – Buy stocks from just $1
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Instant deposits up to $1,000
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Crypto trading available 24/7
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User-friendly mobile app
Fees: Zero commission on trades
Best For: Beginners who want simplicity and no hidden fees
App Ratings:
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Apple App Store: ⭐ 4.3/5
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Google Play: ⭐ 4.2/5
2025 Stats: Robinhood reached 50.08 million downloads worldwide, making it the most downloaded investment app globally.
2. SoFi Invest – Free Financial Advice Included
Why It Stands Out: SoFi Invest isn’t just an app—it’s a complete financial ecosystem. You get free access to certified financial advisors, plus the ability to invest in stocks, ETFs, and crypto.
Key Features:
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No account minimums
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Free financial planning sessions
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Automated investing (robo-advisor) available
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Earn rewards with active investing
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No management fees for self-directed accounts
Fees: $0 for stocks/ETFs; 0.25% annual fee for robo-advisor (optional)
Best For: Beginners who want guidance and education
App Ratings:
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Apple App Store: ⭐ 4.8/5
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Google Play: ⭐ 4.3/5
3. Acorns – Invest Your Spare Change Automatically
Why It’s Brilliant: Acorns rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the change automatically. It’s investing without even thinking about it.
Key Features:
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Round-up feature – Invests your spare change
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No minimum balance to start
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Automated portfolio management
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Retirement accounts available (IRA)
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Educational content for financial literacy
Fees: $3-$12/month depending on plan
Best For: Hands-off investors who want to “set it and forget it”
App Ratings:
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Apple App Store: ⭐ 4.7/5
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Google Play: ⭐ 4.7/5
2025 Trend: Acorns has grown by 27% year-over-year, driven by millennials and Gen Z adopting micro-investing strategies.
4. Stash – Learn While You Invest
Why It’s Great: Stash combines investing with education. The app teaches you how to build wealth through personalized coaching and curated investment recommendations.
Key Features:
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Start with just $5
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Fractional shares available
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Stock-Back rewards (like cash back, but in stocks)
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Banking features integrated
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Personalized investment guidance
Fees: $3-$9/month subscription
Best For: Beginners who want to learn the basics while investing
App Ratings:
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Apple App Store: ⭐ 4.7/5
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Google Play: ⭐ 3.7/5
5. Webull – Advanced Tools, Beginner-Friendly
Why It’s Powerful: Webull offers commission-free trading plus advanced charting tools that appeal to beginners ready to level up their investing game.
Key Features:
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No account minimum
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24/5 extended trading hours (900+ stocks)
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Paper trading – Practice with fake money first
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Commission-free stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto
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Real-time market data
Fees: $0 commissions
Best For: Tech-savvy beginners who want more control
2025 Downloads: 22.52 million worldwide, second only to Robinhood.
6. Fidelity Investments – The All-Rounder
Why It’s Trusted: Fidelity is a legacy financial powerhouse with a cutting-edge mobile app. It offers zero commissions, excellent research tools, and 24/7 customer support.
Key Features:
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No commissions on US stocks and ETFs
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Fractional shares available
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Extensive research library and educational content
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Retirement planning tools
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Award-winning customer service
Fees: $0 for stocks/ETFs
Best For: Beginners who want a trusted, full-service platform
2025 Performance: Fidelity’s app saw steady growth, reaching 7.4 million active users in Q3 2025.
7. Charles Schwab – Best Customer Support
Why It’s Beloved: Schwab combines a beginner-friendly app with industry-leading customer service and educational resources.
Key Features:
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$0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
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Fractional shares
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24/7 customer support
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Free financial consultations
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Robust research tools
Fees: No commissions
Best For: Beginners who value top-tier support
App Ratings: Among the highest-rated investment apps for customer satisfaction.
8. Betterment – The Hands-Off Robo-Advisor
Why It’s Effortless: Betterment builds and manages your portfolio automatically using ETFs. Perfect if you don’t want to pick individual stocks.
Key Features:
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Automated portfolio management
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Tax-loss harvesting to reduce taxes
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Goal-based investing (retirement, savings, etc.)
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No minimum if you set up auto-deposits
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Access to human advisors (premium tier)
Fees: 0.25% annual fee (waived under $20K with auto-deposit)
Best For: Beginners who want a “set it and forget it” strategy
2025 Growth: Betterment manages $56 billion in assets, up significantly from prior years.
9. Wealthfront – Smart Automation + Banking
Why It’s Comprehensive: Wealthfront offers automated investing, tax optimization, and a high-yield cash account—all in one app.
Key Features:
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Automated investing with ETF portfolios
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Tax-loss harvesting
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High-yield savings account with competitive rates
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Financial planning tools
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Free stock/ETF trading
Fees: 0.25% annual management fee; $500 minimum
Best For: Beginners seeking comprehensive wealth management
2025 Award: Wealthfront’s cash management account won Bankrate’s top ranking for 2025.
10. Trade Republic – The Rising Star
Why It’s Trending: Trade Republic is a mobile-first, minimalist investing app with zero commissions (up to a monthly limit) and a beautifully simple interface.
Key Features:
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No minimum deposit
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Commission-free trades (limited monthly)
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Stocks, ETFs, and crypto available
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Clean, distraction-free design
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Fast onboarding
Fees: Free trades up to a monthly limit
Best For: Minimalists who want simplicity above all
How to Choose the Right Investment App for You
Not all apps are created equal. Here’s what to consider:
1. Account Minimum
Some apps (like Robinhood and Webull) have no minimum, while others (like Wealthfront) require $500+. Start with what you can afford.
2. Fees
Watch out for:
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Trading commissions (most are now $0)
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Monthly subscription fees (Acorns, Stash)
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Management fees for robo-advisors (typically 0.25%)
3. Investment Options
Do you want:
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Stocks & ETFs? → Robinhood, Webull, Fidelity
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Automated portfolios? → Betterment, Wealthfront
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Cryptocurrency? → Robinhood, Webull, SoFi
4. Education & Support
New to investing? Choose apps with:
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Educational resources (Stash, Fidelity)
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24/7 support (Charles Schwab, Fidelity)
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Financial advisors (SoFi, Betterment Premium)
5. Ease of Use
Beginners should prioritize intuitive interfaces and simple navigation (Robinhood, Acorns, Trade Republic).
5 Essential Tips for Beginner Investors in 2025
1. Start Small – Even $1 Counts
Thanks to fractional shares, you can invest in expensive stocks like Apple or Tesla with just a few dollars. Don’t wait until you have “enough” money—start now.
2. Diversify Your Portfolio
Don’t put all your money into one stock. Spread your investments across multiple companies, industries, or use ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) for instant diversification.
3. Invest Consistently
Set up automatic deposits—even $10/week adds up over time. This strategy, called dollar-cost averaging, reduces the impact of market volatility.
4. Take Advantage of Free Resources
Most apps offer free educational content, webinars, and tutorials. Use them! Investing is a skill you can learn.
5. Think Long-Term
Don’t panic when the market dips. Successful investing is about patience and staying invested for years—not days or weeks.
Investment App Statistics You Need to Know (2025)
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Investment app market is projected to hit $254.9 billion by 2033
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Robo-advisors now manage over $1.3 trillion globally
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91% of Millennials use fintech apps regularly for investing and budgeting
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68% of Gen Z prefer fintech platforms as their primary financial provider
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Robinhood leads with 50 million downloads worldwide
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Acorns, Stash, and micro-investing apps grew 27% year-over-year in 2025
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AI-powered robo-advisors manage over $1.26 trillion in assets
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Mobile-based platforms account for 60% of the investment app market
The Bottom Line: Start Investing Today
The best time to start investing was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.
With these 10 investment apps, you can start building wealth from your smartphone—whether you have $1 or $1,000. The barriers to investing have never been lower, and the tools have never been better.
Pick an app, download it, and take your first step toward financial freedom in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I really start investing with $1?
Yes! Apps like Robinhood, SoFi, and Stash allow fractional share investing, meaning you can buy a piece of expensive stocks starting at just $1.
Q: Are investment apps safe?
Legitimate investment apps are regulated by the SEC and FINRA. Your investments are also protected by SIPC insurance (up to $500,000). Always use well-known, reputable apps.
Q: Which app is best for complete beginners?
Robinhood, Acorns, and Stash are excellent for total beginners due to their simplicity, educational resources, and low barriers to entry.
Q: Do I need to pay taxes on investment gains?
Yes. You’ll owe capital gains tax when you sell investments for a profit. Some apps like Betterment and Wealthfront offer tax-loss harvesting to minimize your tax burden.
Q: What’s the difference between a robo-advisor and self-directed investing?
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Robo-advisor (Betterment, Wealthfront): Automates your investments based on your goals and risk tolerance. Hands-off.
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Self-directed (Robinhood, Webull): You choose which stocks/ETFs to buy. Hands-on.
Ready to Invest? Download Your App Today!
The hardest part of investing is getting started. Don’t let fear or confusion hold you back. Choose one of these 10 apps, start small, and watch your money grow.
Your financial future starts now.
Sources & References
This article is based on market research data from 2025, including statistics from Sensor Tower, Market.us, Research and Markets, Fortune Business Insights, and user reviews from Apple App Store and Google Play. Investment app performance data was sourced from leading financial platforms including US News, Bankrate, NerdWallet, and Forbes Advisor.
Disclaimer: Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
