Beginner investors don't have to know everything about investing before getting started.
While you're educating yourself and discovering your investment style (risk tolerance), using an investing app for beginners and experts that feature robo-advisors offers a way to invest without thinking about it.
5 Best Investing Apps For Beginners and Experts
Robo-advisors are automated investment management services. Your money is invested for you based on your specific goals. Most robo-advisors allow you to be hands-on like picking stocks on your own, or they will choose the stocks for you, depending on you're how much risk you're comfortable with.
Our picks for best investing apps for beginners and experts:
1. SoFi Invest – Best for Beginner Investors
SoFi Automated Investing (Robo-Advisor) offers beginning investors access to real-life financial advisors for free. SoFi allows investors to be hands-on or hands-off with pre-built portfolios based on risk tolerances and personal finances. Plus, SoFi offers investors the opportunity to invest in newly public companies with IPO investing.
- Suggested account minimum $10 to get $25 worth of your favorite stock to start building your portfolio.
- Broad range of low-cost investments.
- The ability to invest in fractional shares of company stock.
- Multiple investment choices like Stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, plus several ESG-themed assets
- Cryptocurrency trading available for bitcoin, ethereum, and other digital assets.
- Access to Certified Financial Planners at no additional charge.
2. Uphold – Best for a variety of assets
Uphold is a digital money platform that has over 1.7 million customers around the world. The New York-based broker founded in 2015 offers more than 300 assets, including cryptocurrencies, fiat currencies, and commodities, including gold and silver. Uphold is a well-rounded crypto app with features that will appeal to beginners and advanced crypto investors alike.
Uphold is best for its broad selection of assets, ability to trade directly between asset classes, security focus, and transparent operations.
- Trade 300+ cryptocurrencies, plus select stocks, 27 fiat currencies, and several precious metals—all in one place.
- “Anything-to-anything” trading lets you swap between asset classes (like crypto to gold or dollars to Bitcoin) in a single transaction.
- Automated recurring investments for dollar-cost averaging and portfolio growth.
- Assisted self-custody option (“Vault”) for extra-secure storage of Bitcoin, XRP, and more.
- Earn interest on select USD and digital asset balances (rates and availability vary by region).
- Staking for over 15+ cryptocurrencies, offering additional rewards.
3. Albert – Best for Micro Investing
Albert offers one of the best hands-off approaches to investing with micro-investing. Micro-investing involves purchasing fractions of shares in small increments. This approach is well-suited for beginner investors who don't want to think about setting money aside every month to invest. Plus, there's lots of educational content designed for beginners. This feature lets users invest consistently, even with small contributions, by automating the process using intelligent analysis and personalization.
- Minimum $14.99 to start investing.
- Invest in stocks, ETFs, or Albert-managed portfolios
- Start investing with as little as $1
- Fractional share trading available
- Over 4,000 stocks and ETFs to choose from
- Auto-invest with Smart money, based on your spending and income
- Build your own custom investment portfolio or get one picked for you
- Change or set auto-invest schedule and goals
- Fast sign-up and easy-to-use
4. BitCoin IRA – Best to diversify retirement savings
BitCoin IRA is best for investors who want to use self-directed retirement accounts (IRAs and Solo 401(k)s) to access alternative investments beyond traditional stocks and bonds. If you're near retirement, note that Bitcoin has dropped 70%+ multiple times, so approach with caution.
Beginner investors can successfully use Bitcoin IRA if you're interested in actively managing retirement planning and willing to learn about alternative assets, with guidance and support available every step of the way.
BitcoinIRA offers portfolio diversification potential as an alternative asset class with inflation hedge characteristics. However, if you're close to retirement, consider Bitcoin's extreme volatility risk, having dropped 70%+ multiple times since 2013.
- Easily self-trade 24/7, swap assets, and access financial statements for tax season on the platform.
- Access to a team of crypto IRA experts who have decades of experience helping clients through every step of the retirement savings process.
- The minimum initial deposit for a BitcoinIRA account is $1,000.
- Offers access to over 75 cryptocurrencies, allowing you to diversify your digital asset holdings within your IRA.
- The platform is designed with an easy onboarding process, making it a good entry point for those new to digital assets and retirement planning.
- Add funds to your new BitcoinIRA account by making a contribution directly from your bank, transferring an existing IRA, or rolling over an old 401(K).
- Growth is tax-deferred (Traditional IRA) or tax-free (Roth IRA), avoiding capital gains taxes on crypto trades.
- Fees include a potential setup fee (e.g., 0.99% – 1.99%), a trading fee (around 2%), and a monthly security fee (e.g., 0.08%).
5. Axos Invest – Best for No Monthly Fees
Axos Managed Portfolios builds portfolios that align with each investor's risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment return goals supporting personal investment accounts, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs.
- Suggested account minimum $500.
- Earn a $100 Bonus to open new account.
- Highly customizable portfolio options.
- Goal-based planning tools.
- Fractional shares mean all your cash is invested.
- Low account minimum and fees.
- Robust goal-based tools.
How mobile investing apps work?
A mobile investing app works by connecting users to their investment accounts and providing them with a user-friendly interface to manage their investments.
- Download the App. Users can download the app onto their smartphones and create an account with a brokerage firm or investment platform.
- Link Bank Account. Once the mobile investing app is set up, you can link a bank account to the app and transfer funds for investing.
- Dynamic Information. The app allows users to view real-time stock prices, track their investment portfolios, and make trades directly from their smartphones.
- Robo-Advisor. Some apps also offer features like personalized investment recommendations, educational resources, and tools for analyzing market trends. Overall, mobile investing apps make it easy for individuals to stay connected to the stock market and make investment decisions on the go.
Benefits of using a mobile investing app
There are several benefits to using a mobile investing app.
First. Mobile investing apps offer convenience and accessibility. With an investing app, you can manage your investments anytime and anywhere, as long as you have your smartphone with you. This means you can stay updated on market trends and make trades even when you're on the go.
Second. Mobile investing apps often have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for beginners to navigate and understand. They may offer educational resources and tools to help users make informed investment decisions.
Third. Mobile investing apps often provide real-time stock prices and portfolio tracking, allowing you to stay on top of your investments and make adjustments as needed. Some apps even offer personalized investment recommendations based on your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Are Mobile Investing Apps Safe?
Funds in an investing app receive the same level of protection as they would at any brokerage firm. Your money is safeguarded by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) that provides insurance coverage of up to $500,000 for your investments, should brokerage goes under.
Final thoughts
A mobile investing app is a convenient application that allows individuals to invest, track their investment portfolios, and make trades directly from their smartphones.
You might want to consider trying out a few different apps before committing to one. Many apps offer free trials or demo accounts, allowing you to test out their features and see if it's the right fit for you.
Whether you're a beginner investor or an experienced trader, mobile investing apps offer a user-friendly interface and a range of features to help you make informed investment decisions.
