Best Investment Apps for First-Time Investors in 2025
Ready to grow your money but not sure where to start? The good news: you don’t need thousands of dollars or a Wall Street background to begin investing. With the right app, anyone — yes, even beginners — can start building wealth in just a few taps.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best investment apps for first-time investors in 2025, based on user experience, fees, education tools, and features that make getting started easy.
🧠 What Makes a Great Investment App for Beginners?
If you’re new to investing, look for apps that offer:
- Low or no fees
- Simple, user-friendly design
- Educational resources
- Automatic investing or robo-advisors
- Access to diversified portfolios
Let’s explore the top options that check all these boxes.
🚀 1. Robinhood — Best for Easy, Commission-Free Stock Trading
Robinhood remains a go-to for beginner investors who want to trade stocks, ETFs, and even crypto with zero commissions.
✅ Key Features:
- No minimum balance
- Fractional shares (invest with as little as $1)
- Simple mobile interface
- Real-time market data
⚠️ Consider:
- Limited research tools for advanced analysis
- No retirement account options
📱 Best for hands-on beginners who want total control.
📊 2. Fidelity — Best All-in-One App for Long-Term Beginners
Fidelity combines low-cost investing with trusted service — and offers more options than most beginner apps.
✅ Key Features:
- $0 commission trades
- Retirement accounts (IRA, Roth IRA)
- Free financial planning tools
- Fractional shares and automatic investing
⚠️ Consider:
- More features = steeper learning curve
- Web platform can feel complex at first
🏆 Great for beginners who want to grow with one platform.
🤖 3. Acorns — Best for Passive, Hands-Off Investing
Acorns rounds up your spare change and automatically invests it into diversified portfolios — ideal if you struggle to save.
✅ Key Features:
- Round-ups from purchases
- Automated portfolio management
- Educational articles and goal tracking
- IRA and retirement investing available
⚠️ Consider:
- $3–$5/month fee (can be high for small balances)
- No individual stock trading
🌱 Perfect for building wealth without thinking about it.
💡 4. Betterment — Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners
Betterment is a top robo-advisor that builds and manages a custom portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.
✅ Key Features:
- Fully automated investing
- Tax-loss harvesting (for advanced users)
- Retirement planning tools
- Low management fee (0.25%)
⚠️ Consider:
- No self-directed investing
- No crypto options
🤖 Ideal for long-term investors who prefer automation over DIY.
💰 5. SoFi Invest — Best for New Investors Seeking Perks
SoFi is a beginner-friendly app that offers free trades and bonuses — with added perks like career coaching and budgeting tools.
✅ Key Features:
- Stocks, ETFs, crypto, and robo-advising
- $0 commissions
- Great educational content and beginner tools
- Access to live financial advisors
⚠️ Consider:
- Limited advanced features for experienced traders
🎁 Great for getting started with extra support and benefits.
📈 6. Public — Best for Learning While You Invest
Public combines social media with investing — allowing you to follow other investors, see their trades, and learn in real-time.
✅ Key Features:
- Commission-free trading
- Fractional shares
- Community insights and discussions
- Offers educational content in-app
⚠️ Consider:
- Less focused on traditional retirement planning
- Not ideal for high-frequency trading
🗣 Perfect for socially minded investors who want to learn as they go.
💼 Bonus Pick: Charles Schwab — Best Traditional Brokerage for Beginners
If you prefer a well-established name with robust customer service and full financial tools, Charles Schwab is a strong choice.
✅ Key Features:
- $0 commissions
- Fractional shares (Schwab Stock Slices)
- Retirement accounts, 401(k) rollovers
- Excellent research tools and resources
📘 Good mix of beginner access and professional-grade support.
🧭 How to Choose the Right App for You
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to invest manually or automatically?
- Am I saving for retirement or short-term goals?
- Do I care about crypto, or just stocks and ETFs?
- What level of education and support do I need?
There’s no one-size-fits-all — the best investment app is the one that matches your lifestyle, goals, and comfort level.
Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are
The hardest part of investing is getting started. Fortunately, in 2025, the tools are easier than ever — and many are designed specifically for beginners like you.
💡 You don’t need to be rich to invest — you just need to start.
Pick an app, start small, and build your confidence over time. Your future self will thank you.
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