Top 5 Investment Apps for Beginners in 2025 (Low Fees & Easy Use)

Best Investment Apps for Beginners: Top 5 Picks for 2024 (Low Fees + Easy Use)
Introduction: Why Investment Apps Matter Today
In 2024, 73% of new investors start using mobile apps according to a FINRA report. The right investment app can mean the difference between growing your money and losing it to fees or complexity. After testing 12+ platforms, we’ve identified the 5 best investment apps for beginners that combine low fees, intuitive interfaces, and educational resources to help you start strong.
What Makes a Great Beginner Investment App?
Before we dive into our top picks, let’s examine the 4 crucial factors every new investor should consider:
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Fee Structure
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Look for $0 commission trades
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Watch for hidden fees (SEC Investor Alert)
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Avoid platforms with high account minimums
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User Experience
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Clean, intuitive interface
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Helpful tutorials and guides
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Responsive customer support
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Investment Options
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Stocks and ETFs for beginners
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Fractional share availability
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Retirement account options
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Security Measures
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SIPC/FDIC protection
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Two-factor authentication
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Strong regulatory oversight
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The Top 5 Investment Apps for Beginners
1. Robinhood: Best for Commission-Free Trading
Key Stats:
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18+ million users
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$0 account minimum
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0% commission on stocks/ETFs
Why It Stands Out:
Robinhood revolutionized investing by eliminating trading fees. Their mobile-first platform makes buying your first stock as easy as ordering food delivery. The app now offers:
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Extended trading hours
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Recurring investments
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Crypto trading options
Best For: Absolute beginners wanting to start with small amounts.
Fee Alert: While stock trades are free, options trading has small contract fees.
2. Acorns: Best “Set It and Forget It” Investing
How It Works:
Automatically invests your spare change by rounding up purchases to the nearest dollar. For example:
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$4.75 coffee → $0.25 invested
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$23.50 groceries → $0.50 invested
Subscription Tiers:
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Personal ($3/month): Investing + checking account
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Family ($5/month): Adds kids’ accounts
Why Beginners Love It:
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No investing knowledge required
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Builds savings habits automatically
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Offers cashback rewards at major retailers
3. Fidelity: Best for Long-Term Investors
Standout Features:
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Industry-leading research tools
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Zero-expense ratio index funds
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Free financial planning consultations
Educational Resources:
Fidelity offers the most comprehensive learning center with:
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Live webinars
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Detailed investment courses
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Retirement calculators
Pro Tip: Their fractional share program lets you invest in companies like Amazon with just $1.
4. Webull: Best for Learning Traders
Free Stock Bonuses:
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Sign up: Get 3 free stocks worth $3-$300
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Deposit $100+: Get 2 more free stocks
Advanced Features:
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Technical analysis charts
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Paper trading simulator
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Real-time market data
Ideal For: Beginners who want to graduate from basic investing to more active trading.
5. SoFi Invest: Best All-in-One Money App
Beyond Investing:
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High-yield savings (4.60% APY)
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Budgeting tools
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Student loan refinancing
Unique Perks:
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Free access to financial planners
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Member events and career coaching
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Crypto trading available
Best For: Those who want to manage all finances in one place.
How to Choose Your First Investment App
Use this quick decision guide:
If You Want… | Choose… |
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Simplest interface | Robinhood |
Automatic investing | Acorns |
Retirement focus | Fidelity |
Free stocks + learning | Webull |
Complete money management | SoFi |
Getting Started: Your First $100 Investment
Follow these steps to begin:
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Open your account (takes about 5 minutes)
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Link your bank (instant verification available)
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Start small ($10-$100 initial deposit)
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Choose your first investment (Consider ETFs like VOO or SPY)
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Set up recurring deposits (Even $10/week adds up)
Common Beginner Questions Answered
Q: How much money do I need to start?
A: Most apps let you begin with $0-$100. Fractional shares mean you can invest in expensive stocks with just a few dollars.
Q: Are these apps safe for my money?
A: All recommended apps are regulated by the SEC and use bank-level security. Brokerage accounts are SIPC-insured up to $500,000.
Q: What’s the best app for retirement investing?
A: Fidelity offers the best IRA options with zero fees on many index funds.
Final Recommendation
Final Recommendation
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Simplest: Robinhood
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Automated: Acorns
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Long-term: Fidelity
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Free stocks: Webull
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All-in-one: SoFi