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Investing apps have made it possible to start investing with any amount of money — including $1. The challenge is choosing the right app for your goals. Here are the best investing apps for 2026.
Best Investing Apps at a Glance
| App | Best For | Minimum | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Best overall / beginners | $0 | $0 |
| Charles Schwab | Full-service brokerage | $0 | $0 |
| Robinhood | Simplest interface | $0 | $0 |
| Public | Social investing / bonds | $0 | $0 |
| Acorns | Micro-investing / spare change | $0 | $3/month |
| M1 Finance | Automated portfolio investing | $100 | $0 |
Fidelity — Best Overall Investing App
Fidelity is the best all-around investing app for most people. It has no account minimums, no trading commissions on stocks and ETFs, fractional shares starting at $1, and some of the lowest-cost index funds available (the Fidelity ZERO funds have 0% expense ratios). Fidelity also offers strong research tools and educational content for beginners. It is the top recommendation for long-term investors building wealth.
Charles Schwab — Best for Full-Service Investors
Schwab offers everything Fidelity does with slightly different account types and research tools. It has an excellent thinkorswim trading platform (acquired from TD Ameritrade) for active traders, plus a clean mobile app for casual investors. Schwab’s customer service is also consistently rated highly. It is a strong alternative to Fidelity with no meaningful disadvantages.
Robinhood — Best Simple Interface
Robinhood made investing accessible by stripping away complexity. The app is clean and fast. It supports stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and retirement accounts (Roth IRA, traditional IRA). Robinhood Gold ($5/month) adds 4.9% interest on uninvested cash and margin access. The main trade-off is fewer research tools than Fidelity or Schwab.
Acorns — Best for Micro-Investing
Acorns rounds up your card purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. It charges $3/month for individual accounts. The round-up feature is useful for people who struggle to invest consistently. Once you have enough saved to invest a lump sum regularly, switching to Fidelity or Schwab will reduce your fee percentage significantly.
M1 Finance — Best for Automated Portfolio Investing
M1 Finance lets you build a custom portfolio (called a “pie”) from stocks and ETFs, then automates all future contributions to maintain your target allocation. There are no trading commissions. The minimum account is $100. M1 is ideal for investors who want a set-and-forget approach with more control than a robo-advisor but less manual management than a standard brokerage.
How to Choose an Investing App
- If you are a beginner: Start with Fidelity or Schwab. Both have strong education resources and no minimums.
- If you want simplicity: Robinhood’s interface is the cleanest — it removes friction to get started.
- If you struggle to save: Acorns automates micro-investments. The $3/month fee is a high percentage on small balances, but the habit it builds is valuable.
- If you want automation: M1 Finance gives you custom portfolio automation with no fees.
Bottom Line
Fidelity is the best investing app for most people — no minimums, lowest-cost index funds, and strong research. For complete beginners who want the simplest start, Robinhood removes all barriers. Acorns is useful for building the savings habit. Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to start investing, even with a small amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best investing app for beginners?
Fidelity and Charles Schwab are the best all-around apps for beginners — no account minimums, no trading commissions, and strong educational resources. Robinhood is simpler but has fewer research tools.
Is Robinhood safe for beginners?
Robinhood is SIPC-insured up to $500,000 and regulated by FINRA. Your investments are protected. However, it offers fewer research tools than Fidelity or Schwab, and its options interface is designed to encourage trading — which is not ideal for long-term investors.
What app is best for long-term investing?
Fidelity is best for long-term, buy-and-hold investors. It has no minimums, offers fractional shares, provides strong research, and its index fund costs are among the lowest available.