Last updated: August 22, 2026
Best Investing Apps for Beginners
This article is educational and general in nature, not personalized investment advice. ClearCents may earn a commission if you open an account through a link on this page — this never affects our ratings. See our Advertiser Disclosure and Editorial Process for details.
Zero-commission trades and no account minimums are now standard across every app on this list — so instead of leading with a feature checklist, we'll start with the question that actually determines which app fits you: what are you trying to do?
Start Here: Match the App to Your Goal
| If You Want To... | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| Have one app that grows with you from first trade to retirement accounts | Fidelity |
| Use the simplest possible mobile app and get an IRA match | Robinhood |
| Combine investing with existing banking/lending products | SoFi Invest |
| Invest across stocks, ETFs, bonds, and crypto in one account | Public |
| Invest spare change automatically without thinking about it | Acorns |
| Build a custom, auto-rebalancing portfolio without a robo-advisor fee | M1 Finance |
Fidelity — 4.7 / 5
Fidelity is the app we'd point a true beginner toward if they wanted a single account to grow into over the next decade. Its depth (research tools, multiple account types, expense-ratio-free index funds) doesn't get in the way of simple buy-and-hold investing, and its customer service is consistently well-regarded.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Scales from a first taxable account to full retirement planning Expense-ratio-free index fund options Strong, well-reviewed customer service |
More features than a total beginner needs at first Some select ETFs have drawn scrutiny for high transaction fees since mid-2026 |
Robinhood — 4.4 / 5
Robinhood pioneered the ultra-simple, mobile-first investing app, and it's still the benchmark for pure ease of use. The IRA matching contribution is a genuine, uncommon perk — free money added to retirement contributions that few competitors match.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Simplest, most beginner-friendly mobile interface IRA match on contributions (higher for Gold members) Fast account opening |
Fewer research and educational tools than Fidelity Historically associated with encouraging frequent trading, which isn't ideal for true beginners |
SoFi Invest — 4.2 / 5
SoFi's appeal is consolidation: investing, banking, and lending under one login, with free access to financial planning resources most competitors charge for separately. It's a strong fit if you're already using or considering other SoFi products.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Free financial planning resources included Both self-directed and automated investing options Convenient if you already bank with SoFi |
Research tools are lighter than Fidelity's Less compelling if you don't use other SoFi products |
Public — 4.3 / 5
Public stands out for breadth: stocks, ETFs, bonds, and crypto in a single account, which saves beginners from juggling multiple logins as their interests expand. Its optional social features let you see what others in the community hold, which some beginners find educational and others find distracting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Widest asset coverage in one account (stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto) Competitive interest on uninvested cash Social/community features can aid learning |
Social features aren't for everyone and can encourage comparison-driven decisions Less depth in retirement-specific planning tools than Fidelity |
Acorns — 3.9 / 5
Acorns takes the most hands-off approach on this list: it automatically invests "spare change" by rounding up everyday purchases. This is genuinely effective at building a saving-and-investing habit for people who'd otherwise never start, but its flat monthly fee is worth comparing carefully against your expected balance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Automatic round-up investing builds a habit with zero effort Strong educational content for total beginners Simple setup |
Flat monthly fee is expensive as a percentage of a small balance Less control over specific investment selection than self-directed apps |
M1 Finance — 4.1 / 5
M1's visual "pie" portfolio builder lets you assign percentage-based "slices" to different stocks and funds, which then automatically rebalance as you contribute — a middle ground between fully self-directed investing and a full-fee robo-advisor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Automated rebalancing without a robo-advisor's percentage fee Visual portfolio structure is intuitive for beginners High interest rate on uninvested cash |
Restricted trading windows compared to real-time trading apps Limited educational resources No options trading |
Understanding Account Types Before You Pick an App
The app matters less than the account type you open within it — this decision affects your taxes for as long as you hold the account, while switching apps later is relatively painless.
| Account Type | Tax Treatment | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable brokerage account | Capital gains taxed when you sell; no contribution limits | General investing outside retirement, or investing beyond your retirement account limits |
| Traditional IRA (through the app) | Tax-deferred growth; taxed on withdrawal | Retirement investing if you expect a lower tax bracket later |
| Roth IRA (through the app) | Grows tax-free; no tax on qualified withdrawals | Retirement investing if you expect a similar or higher tax bracket later |
Most of the apps above support opening all three account types directly, so the more important decision is usually which account type fits your goal — see our Traditional vs. Roth IRA guide for more on that specific choice — before worrying about which app's interface you prefer.
Fees Beyond Commission-Free Trading
"Commission-free" doesn't mean entirely free — every app on this list makes money somewhere, and understanding where matters more than the headline "$0 commissions" claim.
- Expense ratios on funds — any ETF or mutual fund you buy through the app carries its own fee, set by the fund provider, not the app; comparing expense ratios between similar fund options matters regardless of which app you use.
- Payment for order flow — several apps, including Robinhood, generate revenue by routing trades through market makers, which can affect execution price slightly, even though the trade itself shows $0 commission.
- Subscription tiers — Robinhood Gold and similar premium tiers charge a monthly fee for extra features like margin investing or deeper research tools, which are optional add-ons, not required to use the core app.
- Account transfer fees — moving assets out to a different broker later sometimes carries a fee, worth checking before you need to actually do it.
Investing App vs. Robo-Advisor
Every app above is primarily self-directed, even the ones (M1, Acorns) with automation layered on top — you're still choosing, at some level, what to invest in. A dedicated robo-advisor, covered in our robo-advisor guide, builds and manages the entire portfolio for you based on a questionnaire. If you want to learn the basics of investing yourself, start here. If you want it fully handled, a robo-advisor may be the better starting point.
Red Flags to Watch For When Comparing Any Investing App
- Any app charging commissions on basic stock/ETF trades — this is no longer competitive in 2026
- Unclear disclosure of how payment-for-order-flow or other revenue models affect your trade execution
- Marketing that emphasizes frequent trading or "hot picks" over long-term, diversified investing
- Apps outside the mainstream ones covered here promising unusually high guaranteed returns — a hallmark of an investment scam, not a legitimate broker
Frequently Asked Questions
Which investing app has the best rating for total beginners?
Fidelity rates highest overall for its combination of depth and beginner-friendliness, though Robinhood rates highest specifically on ease of use if simplicity is your top priority.
Are investing apps safe?
All six apps covered here are regulated by the SEC and FINRA, with SIPC-insured brokerage accounts protecting against the brokerage's failure — not against normal investment losses, which is a standard risk of investing regardless of app.
Do I need $1,000 or more to start investing?
No — every app on this list has no account minimum, and fractional shares let you invest with just a few dollars. Starting early with a small amount generally beats waiting to save a larger sum first.
What's the difference between a taxable account and an IRA on these apps?
A taxable brokerage account has no contribution limits but taxes capital gains when you sell. An IRA (Traditional or Roth) has annual contribution limits but offers tax-deferred or tax-free growth specifically for retirement savings. Most apps let you open both account types.
Does "commission-free" mean an app is completely free to use?
Not entirely — funds you buy still carry their own expense ratio set by the fund provider, and some apps generate revenue through payment for order flow or optional paid subscription tiers. Commission-free refers specifically to the trade execution fee, not every cost involved in investing.
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Where to Go Next
Related guides on ClearCents:
Pick Based on the Table at the Top, Not the Highest Rating
Fidelity has the highest rating on this list, but the app that actually gets you investing consistently — even if it's not the "best" one on paper — beats the theoretically optimal app you never open. Match your pick to the use-case table above, fund it today, and build the habit.
Want a fully automated approach instead? Our robo-advisor guide covers apps that manage the investing decisions for you.