When I first decided to invest in stocks, I had no idea where to start. I thought I needed a fancy financial advisor or a suit and tie to get in the game. Thankfully, I quickly learned there’s an app for that—actually, lots of apps.
The problem? I didn’t know which ones were beginner-friendly or trustworthy. So I downloaded a bunch, tested them out, and slowly figured out what worked (and what didn’t). If you’re looking for the best apps to invest in stocks for beginners, here’s an honest breakdown of the ones I tried—and the ones I still use today.
What I Was Looking for in a Beginner App
Before we dive into the list, here’s what I personally looked for:
- No account minimums
- User-friendly interface (because I had zero clue what I was doing)
- Fractional shares (so I could invest with small amounts)
- No or low fees
- Educational resources to help me learn as I go
- Basically, I wanted something simple, safe, and supportive.
1. Robinhood – Simple, Sleek, and Great for Starting Small
Why I Tried It:
Robinhood was the first investing app I ever used. It’s wildly popular, especially with beginners, because it strips away the intimidating stuff and makes investing feel easy.
What I Liked:
- Zero fees on trades
- Clean, modern interface
- Fractional shares (I started with just $20!)
- Instant deposits of up to $1,000
- It felt like the Instagram of investing apps. Very visual, very intuitive.
Downsides:
- Limited research tools compared to more robust apps
- No automatic dividend reinvestment (when I first started—it may have changed)
- No access to mutual funds or retirement accounts
Best For:
Absolute beginners who want to buy their first stock or ETF with zero friction.
My Experience:
Robinhood gave me the confidence to actually place my first trade—a tiny slice of Microsoft. That single moment broke the ice for me and got me hooked on learning more.
2. Fidelity – Old School Meets Beginner-Friendly
Why I Tried It:
Once I wanted more features—like a retirement account and better research—I looked into Fidelity. I was nervous at first (it sounded super “professional”), but I was pleasantly surprised.
What I Liked:
- No commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs
- Fractional shares with “Stocks by the Slice”
- Roth IRA and other retirement options
- Solid customer service (I actually called once and got a real human)
- Robust research tools if you want to dig deeper
Downsides:
Not as slick or modern as Robinhood
Slight learning curve with more advanced features
H3: Best For:
Beginners who are starting to take investing more seriously—or want to open a retirement account.
My Experience:
I opened a Roth IRA through Fidelity and started putting $100 a month into a low-cost index fund. The app felt grown-up in a good way, like I was leveling up financially.
H2: 3. M1 Finance – Best for Automation and “Lazy” Investing
H3: Why I Tried It:
After a few months of learning the ropes, I wanted to automate my investing. That’s where M1 Finance came in. It’s like a mix of investing + budgeting + set-it-and-forget-it.
H3: What I Liked:
- Create “Pies” of stocks/ETFs and automate contributions
- Fractional shares down to the penny
- No fees or trading commissions
- Great for dollar-cost averaging
- You can build a portfolio with slices like 40% VOO, 30% Apple, 15% Microsoft, and 15% SCHD—then automate deposits weekly or monthly.
Downsides:
No real-time trading (they do trades in batches once per day)
Less ideal for active traders or people who like to buy/sell quickly
Best For:
Beginners who want to build a diversified portfolio and automate everything.
My Experience:
I set up a pie with ETFs and dividend stocks and automated $50 a week into it. It felt amazing to invest without having to think about it—and watch my portfolio grow passively.
4. Public – Investing Meets Social Media
Why I Tried It:
I saw a lot of buzz about Public, especially among new investors who like learning socially. It’s kind of like if Twitter and a brokerage app had a baby.
What I Liked:
- Zero commissions
- Clean, beginner-friendly design
- Social feed where you can see what others are investing in (optional)
- Transparency: shows you how the company makes money
Downsides:
Limited to taxable brokerage accounts (no IRA options)
Less educational depth compared to Fidelity or Schwab
Best For:
People who like a community-based approach to learning and want a simple, modern experience.
My Experience:
I followed a few other investors on the app, got inspired by what they were doing, and learned new ETF ideas. It’s a great “gateway” app if you’re still exploring the basics.
5. SoFi Invest – A Clean, All-in-One Finance App
Why I Tried It:
I already had a SoFi student loan account, so I figured—why not check out their investing features too?
What I Liked:
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Offers automated investing (robo-advisor) and DIY trading
- Free financial planning tools and access to advisors
- Good integration if you already use SoFi for banking or loans
Downsides:
Not as in-depth for research or advanced investing
Smaller selection of assets compared to bigger platforms
Best For:
SoFi users or people who want everything in one app—banking, loans, and investing.
My Experience:
I tried their automated portfolio for fun and let it ride for a few months. It was hands-off and smooth, but I ended up moving to Fidelity for more customization.
Final Thoughts – Which App Should You Choose?
If you’re brand new and want a quick start, go with Robinhood or Public.
If you’re ready to automate and build a portfolio, try M1 Finance.
If you want long-term tools, retirement accounts, and great service, Fidelity is a strong choice.
If you’re already a SoFi user and want convenience, SoFi Invest makes sense.
My Current Setup:
- M1 Finance for my automated investing
- Fidelity for my Roth IRA and long-term holdings
- Robinhood (still open) for occasional experimenting
- No one app does everything perfectly. The best app is the one that fits your goals, your style, and your level of comfort.
Start Small, Learn as You Go
- Don’t let “analysis paralysis” keep you from starting. I tried five apps before I found my rhythm. The key is to start with small amounts, stay consistent, and grow over time.
- The sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow. Choose the app that feels right, hit that “Buy” button on your first stock or ETF, and pat yourself on the back—you’re officially an investor.
- Got $10 and a smartphone? You’re ready.
Welcome to the club.
Next Article To Read: Why Buy and Hold Made More Sense Than Day Trading (For Me)