Ready to start investing but don’t know where to begin? The good news: you don’t need thousands of dollars. Several top-rated investment apps let you start with as little as $1. In this guide, we’ll break down the best investment apps for beginners in 2025, what makes each one unique, and how to pick the right one for your goals.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend apps we’ve researched and believe provide value.
Why Use an Investment App?
Investment apps have democratized finance. You no longer need a financial advisor or a large sum of money to start building wealth. Modern apps offer automated investing, fractional shares, educational tools, and zero-commission trades — features that were once reserved for wealthy investors.
Best Investment Apps for Beginners in 2025
1. Robinhood — Best for Commission-Free Stock Trading
Robinhood pioneered commission-free trading and remains one of the most beginner-friendly platforms available. With a clean interface, fractional shares starting at $1, and access to stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto, it’s an excellent starting point for new investors.
- Minimum investment: $1 (fractional shares)
- Fees: $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
- Best for: Beginners who want to trade individual stocks
- Bonus: Free stock when you sign up
2. Webull — Best for Research Tools
Webull is a powerful free trading platform that goes beyond the basics. It offers advanced charting, technical indicators, paper trading (practice with fake money), and detailed stock analysis — all for free. It’s ideal for beginners who want to learn market analysis.
- Minimum investment: $0
- Fees: $0 commissions
- Best for: Beginners who want to learn technical analysis
- Bonus: Free stocks for signing up and depositing
3. M1 Finance — Best for Automated Investing
M1 Finance combines the ease of a robo-advisor with the control of self-directed investing. You build a “pie” of investments, and M1 automatically rebalances it. It’s perfect for beginners who want a set-it-and-forget-it approach with some customization.
- Minimum investment: $100 ($500 for retirement accounts)
- Fees: $0 management fees
- Best for: Beginners who want automated portfolio management
4. Betterment — Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners
Betterment is the original robo-advisor, and still one of the best. It automatically builds a diversified portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance, then rebalances it for you. You just set your goal and contribute regularly.
- Minimum investment: $10
- Fees: 0.25% annual fee (Digital plan)
- Best for: Hands-off beginners who want diversification
How to Choose the Right Investment App
When picking an investment app, consider these key factors:
- Your investment style: Do you want to pick stocks yourself (Robinhood, Webull) or have it done automatically (Betterment, M1 Finance)?
- Starting amount: Most apps start at $1-$100
- Time commitment: Robo-advisors require minutes per year; self-directed apps require more involvement
- Learning curve: All these apps are beginner-friendly, but Webull has the steepest learning curve due to its advanced tools
The Bottom Line
The best time to start investing was yesterday. The second best time is today. Whether you choose the simplicity of Robinhood, the research tools of Webull, the automation of M1 Finance, or the hands-off approach of Betterment — getting started with even $1 is what matters most. Your future self will thank you.
Ready to start? Pick an app above and make your first investment today. The hardest part is taking that first step.
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