Introduction
Investing in the stock market was once considered complicated and only accessible to Wall Street professionals. But in 2025, the rise of user-friendly mobile apps has made investing easier, cheaper, and more accessible than ever before.
For beginners, choosing the right app can make all the difference between a smooth learning curve and an overwhelming experience. The best stock market apps today combine education, low fees, automation, and simplicity—making them ideal for those just getting started.
In this guide, we’ll review the top 5 stock market apps for beginners in 2025, comparing their features, pricing, pros, cons, and what makes each one stand out.
Why Use an Investing App in 2025?
- Low costs – Most apps offer commission-free trades.
- Accessibility – Invest anytime, anywhere from your smartphone.
- Beginner-friendly features – Tutorials, demos, and auto-investing.
- Fractional shares – Buy even expensive stocks (like Amazon or Tesla) with as little as $1.
- Automation – Tools like robo-advisors handle investing for you.
Key takeaway: Investing apps make it possible for anyone to start investing with little money and no experience.
What to Look for in a Stock Market App
Before diving in, consider:
- Fees – Trading commissions, account fees, or hidden costs.
- Ease of Use – A clean, intuitive interface.
- Educational Tools – In-app tutorials or simulations.
- Minimum Investment – Some allow $1; others require more.
- Extra Features – Automated investing, retirement accounts, or crypto trading.
Top 5 Stock Market Apps for Beginners in 2025
1. Robinhood
- Best For: Beginners who want commission-free stock and crypto trading.
- Features:
- Commission-free stock, ETF, and crypto trades.
- Fractional shares starting at $1.
- Simple, clean interface.
- Cash card with cashback rewards.
- Pros: Free trading, easy to use, no account minimum.
- Cons: Limited advanced research tools; past outages affected trust.
- Perfect For: Beginners who want quick, no-frills investing.
2. Webull
- Best For: Beginners who want more features and research tools.
- Features:
- Commission-free stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto.
- Advanced charting and analysis tools.
- Paper trading for practice.
- Pros: Great for beginners transitioning to intermediate investing.
- Cons: Learning curve for advanced features.
- Perfect For: Beginners who want to learn trading with free practice.
3. Acorns
- Best For: Beginners who want automated investing.
- Features:
- Round-up purchases (spare change is invested).
- Pre-built diversified portfolios.
- Retirement and family accounts.
- Pros: Hands-off investing, great for students and busy workers.
- Cons: Monthly fees ($3–$5) can eat into small balances.
- Perfect For: People who want to start investing passively with little effort.
4. Fidelity Spire
- Best For: Beginners focused on long-term goals.
- Features:
- $0 commission trades.
- No account minimums.
- Goal-setting features (retirement, travel, savings).
- Access to Fidelity’s mutual funds and ETFs.
- Pros: Trusted financial institution, beginner-friendly app.
- Cons: Not as flashy as Robinhood/Webull.
- Perfect For: Students and young professionals who want a long-term strategy.
5. SoFi Invest
- Best For: Beginners who want investing + personal finance tools.
- Features:
- Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and crypto.
- Automated investing available.
- Free financial advisors for members.
- Access to SoFi’s banking, loans, and credit cards.
- Pros: One-stop financial app; excellent community support.
- Cons: Fewer advanced features for active traders.
- Perfect For: Beginners who want all-in-one money management.
Comparison Table: Best Stock Market Apps in 2025
| App | Fees | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | $0 trades | Simple, fast investing | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, fractional shares |
| Webull | $0 trades | Learning trading | Paper trading, advanced charts |
| Acorns | $3–$5/month | Passive investors | Round-ups, automated portfolios |
| Fidelity Spire | $0 trades | Long-term goals | Goal tracking, ETFs, mutual funds |
| SoFi Invest | $0 trades | All-in-one finance | Investing, banking, advisors |
How Beginners Can Start Investing in 3 Steps
- Pick an App – Choose based on your goals (quick trades, long-term investing, or automation).
- Deposit Money – Start small ($50–$100).
- Choose Investments – Stick to ETFs or blue-chip stocks at first.
Pro Tip: Always diversify—don’t put all your money in one stock.
Case Study: Alex’s First Year of Investing
- Month 1: Alex started with Acorns, investing spare change ($50/month).
- Month 6: Switched to Robinhood to buy fractional shares of Apple and Tesla.
- Month 12: Opened a Fidelity Spire account for long-term savings.
Result: After one year, Alex saved $1,200, invested $600 in ETFs, and built the habit of consistent investing.
Tips for Beginners to Succeed in Investing
- Start with low-cost ETFs instead of risky individual stocks.
- Don’t panic sell—investing is long-term.
- Reinvest dividends to grow faster.
- Use paper trading (demo accounts) to practice risk-free.
- Dedicate only money you can afford to leave invested.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Investing without research.
- Putting all money in one trendy stock.
- Day trading without experience.
- Ignoring fees (Acorns fees matter on small balances).
- Pulling out money too quickly.
FAQ
Q: Can I invest with just $1?
Yes. Apps like Robinhood, Webull, and SoFi allow fractional shares starting at $1.
Q: What’s the safest investment for beginners?
Broad-market ETFs like S&P 500 funds (VOO, SPY, etc.).
Q: Do I need to pay taxes on gains?
Yes. Profits are subject to capital gains taxes.
Q: Which app is best for complete beginners?
Acorns (for automation) or Robinhood (for simple trading).
Q: Can I lose money using these apps?
Yes—investing always carries risk. That’s why diversification is key.
Advanced Tips for Growing Wealth with Investing Apps
- Set auto-deposits (ex: $100/month into ETFs).
- Explore dividend stocks for passive income.
- Upgrade to apps with retirement accounts (Fidelity, SoFi).
- Combine investing apps with budgeting apps to track progress.
Conclusion
In 2025, anyone can start investing with just a smartphone. Apps like Robinhood and Webull are perfect for active beginners, while Acorns and Fidelity Spire offer automated, long-term investing. For all-in-one financial management, SoFi Invest is a strong choice.
The best app is the one that matches your goals: do you want simplicity, automation, or long-term planning? Pick one, start small, and remember: the most important step is getting started.