By the Bigger Investing Team • Updated April 2026 • Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Starting to invest can feel overwhelming. Between confusing jargon, volatile markets, and a dozen apps all claiming to be “the best,” it’s hard to know where to begin.
The good news: you don’t need to know everything. You just need the right app for your situation and $5 to get started.
We tested the most popular investing apps available in 2026 and ranked them for beginners specifically — based on ease of use, fees, features, and how quickly you can go from zero to invested.
⚡ Quick Picks: Best Investing Apps for Beginners
✅ M1 Finance — Best overall for hands-off, automated investing. Free.
✅ Acorns — Best if you want to invest spare change with zero effort.
✅ Betterment — Best robo-advisor for complete beginners. Set it and forget it.
✅ Robinhood — Best for beginners who want to pick their own stocks.
✅ Empower — Best free tool to track your net worth and retirement progress.
Comparing the Best Beginner Investing Apps at a Glance
Here’s how the top apps stack up before we dive into each one in detail:
| App | Min. Deposit | Fees | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 Finance | $100 | $0 | Automated investing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| Acorns | $5 | $3/mo | Spare change investing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5 |
| Betterment | $0 | 0.25%/yr | Robo-advisor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| Robinhood | $0 | $0 | Stock picking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 |
| Empower | $0 | Free | Net worth tracking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
1. M1 Finance — Best Overall for Beginners
The investing app that does the work for you — for free.
Pros:
✅ Zero trading fees or management fees
✅ Automatic rebalancing keeps your portfolio on target
✅ Fractional shares — invest in any stock with as little as $1
✅ 6,000+ stocks and ETFs to choose from
✅ Pre-built portfolios for beginners (“Expert Pies”)
✅ 3.35% APY on uninvested cash
Cons:
❌ No tax-loss harvesting (unlike Betterment)
❌ $100 minimum to start ($500 for retirement accounts)
❌ Not ideal for active traders or day trading
Bottom Line: M1 Finance is the best all-around investing app for beginners who want to build wealth without paying fees or spending hours managing their portfolio. You pick your investments once, and M1 handles the rest automatically.
M1 Finance is completely free to use. No trading commissions, no management fees.
Open Free M1 Finance Account →
2. Acorns — Best for Investing Your Spare Change
Round up your purchases and invest the difference automatically.
Pros:
✅ Round-Up feature invests spare change from everyday purchases
✅ Start with as little as $5
✅ Automated diversified portfolios — no decisions needed
✅ Found Money feature earns bonus investments from partner brands
✅ FDIC-insured checking account included
Cons:
❌ $3/month fee can be high for small account balances
❌ Limited investment customization
❌ No individual stock picking
Bottom Line: Acorns is perfect if you struggle to save money consistently. By rounding up your daily purchases and investing the spare change automatically, it removes the willpower equation entirely.
Takes less than 3 minutes to set up. Start with just $5.
Get Started with Acorns →
3. Betterment — Best Robo-Advisor for Hands-Off Investing
Tell Betterment your goal. It builds and manages your portfolio automatically.
Pros:
✅ No account minimum to get started
✅ Goal-based investing — set a target and Betterment builds the right portfolio
✅ Tax-loss harvesting saves money on taxes automatically
✅ Automatic rebalancing keeps your portfolio optimized
✅ Socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolios available
✅ 0.25% annual fee — one of the lowest in the industry
Cons:
❌ Annual fee of 0.25% (on $10,000 = $25/year)
❌ Less control for DIY investors who want to pick stocks
❌ Premium tier ($100k minimum) required for human advisor access
Bottom Line: Betterment is the closest thing to having a financial advisor manage your money — without the $250/hour cost. It’s the best choice for beginners who want a truly hands-off experience.
No minimum balance required. Start investing toward any goal in minutes.
Open Free Betterment Account →
4. Robinhood — Best for Beginners Who Want to Pick Stocks
Commission-free stock trading with a simple, beginner-friendly interface.
Pros:
✅ Zero commission on stock, ETF, and options trades
✅ Fractional shares — buy $1 of any stock
✅ Clean, intuitive mobile app built for beginners
✅ Robinhood Gold offers 5% APY on uninvested cash
✅ 24-hour market access on select securities
Cons:
❌ No automated investing or robo-advisor features
❌ Limited research tools compared to full brokerages
❌ Not ideal for retirement accounts or goal-based saving
Bottom Line: Robinhood is best for the beginner who wants to start picking individual stocks without paying commissions. Pair it with a robo-advisor like Betterment for your core savings.
Open Free Robinhood Account →
5. Empower — Best Free Tool to Track Your Full Financial Picture
Connect all your accounts and see your complete net worth in one dashboard.
Pros:
✅ 100% free financial dashboard
✅ Connects to all your bank, investment, and retirement accounts
✅ Retirement Planner shows if you’re on track to retire
✅ Investment fee analyzer reveals hidden fees draining your returns
✅ Cash flow tracking shows where your money goes each month
Cons:
❌ Wealth management service (for $1M+ accounts) carries fees
❌ Frequent prompts to upgrade to paid wealth management
❌ Not an investing app — tracking only, no trading
Bottom Line: Empower is the best free financial tool available. Connect your bank, investments, 401(k), and credit cards in one place. Every investor should have this running in the background.
Completely free. Connect your accounts in 5 minutes.
Start Tracking Free with Empower →
How to Choose the Right Investing App for You
The best investing app is the one you’ll actually use. Here’s a simple decision guide:
Before you start investing, make sure your budget is in order. Check out our best budgeting apps of 2026 to find a tool that works for you.
| If you… | Use this app |
|---|---|
| Want to invest but don’t want to think about it | Betterment or M1 Finance |
| Struggle to save and want automation | Acorns |
| Want to pick your own stocks for free | Robinhood |
| Want to see all your finances in one place | Empower (free) |
| Have $100+ and want a complete solution | M1 Finance |
How We Tested These Investing Apps
We signed up for each investing app on this list and evaluated them based on the criteria that matter most to beginners: ease of account setup, minimum deposit requirements, fee structure, available investment options, and educational resources. We also assessed each platform’s mobile app experience, customer support responsiveness, and security features.
Our goal is to provide honest, experience-based recommendations so you can choose the right platform with confidence. All apps listed here are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are members of FINRA, meaning your investments are protected by regulatory oversight and SIPC insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best investing app for a complete beginner?
For most complete beginners, we recommend starting with M1 Finance or Betterment. Both offer automated investing, zero or low fees, and require no prior investing knowledge. M1 Finance is better if you want zero fees and plan to invest $100 or more. Betterment is better if you want goal-based portfolios and tax optimization from day one.
How much money do I need to start investing?
Less than you think. Acorns lets you start with $5. Betterment and Robinhood have no minimum. M1 Finance requires $100 for a taxable account. The most important thing is to start — even $25/month invested consistently will grow meaningfully over a decade thanks to compound interest.
Are investing apps safe?
Yes, all five apps featured in this article are regulated by FINRA and SIPC-insured up to $500,000 per account. Your investments are still subject to normal market risk, but the apps themselves are safe and legitimate.
Is it better to use a robo-advisor or pick my own stocks?
For most beginners, a robo-advisor (like Betterment) will outperform self-directed stock picking over the long term. A low-cost index fund portfolio managed by a robo-advisor removes emotion from the equation and keeps you diversified automatically.
Can I use more than one investing app?
Absolutely. A common setup: use Empower to track everything, M1 Finance or Betterment for long-term investing, and Robinhood for a small “fun” portfolio if you want to experiment with individual stocks.
Final Verdict: Which App Should You Download Today?
If you read nothing else, remember this: the best investing app is the one that gets you started. Every day you wait is a day of compound growth you can’t get back.
🚀 Ready to Start? Here’s Your Next Step
1. Open an M1 Finance account — free, takes 5 minutes
2. Connect Empower to track your full financial picture (also free)
3. Set up Acorns if you want automatic spare-change investing on top
You don’t have to choose just one. Start with M1 Finance + Empower today and add others as your confidence grows.
Affiliate Disclosure & Editorial Note: Bigger Investing may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Our editorial team evaluates apps independently. Commissions do not influence our rankings or recommendations. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Want to see how your investments could grow? Try our free investment calculator to project your returns over time.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Meet Maurice, a staff editor at Bigger Investing. He’s an accomplished entrepreneur who owns multiple successful websites and a thriving merch shop. When he’s not busy with work, Maurice indulges in his passion for kayaking, climbing, and his family. As a savvy investor, Maurice loves putting his money to work and seeking out new opportunities. With his expertise and passion for finance, he’s dedicated to helping readers achieve their financial goals through Bigger Investing.
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