Vanguard Digital Advisor
No fees for the first 90 days
Try Vanguard Digital Advisor with no advisory fees for the first 90 days.1
Annual advisory fee
0.20% to 0.25%
Account minimum
$100
Paid non-client promotion.*
Try Vanguard Digital Advisor with no advisory fees for the first 90 days.1
0.20% to 0.25%
$100
*Forbes Advisor receives compensation when a reader provides certain personal information to Vanguard after clicking Learn More.
1The introductory waiver period for Vanguard Digital Advisor’s net advisory fee begins when the first account’s enrollment is complete and ends after the close of the first billing period (generally 90 days), which is specific to each client. If you enroll additional accounts at a later date, you can still take advantage of any remaining fee-waiver period. However, each additional account you enroll won’t trigger a unique fee-waiver period but will instead be commingled with your first enrolled account. If you unenroll before your fee-waiver period ends, you won’t owe an advisory fee. But if you choose to reenroll in Vanguard Digital Advisor during or after your fee-waiver period, you won’t be eligible for a second fee waiver. If you previously enrolled accounts in other Vanguard Advisers, Inc. (“VAI”), proprietary retail offers, you will not be eligible for the introductory fee waiver. This fee-waiver offer may be modified or discontinued anytime at the sole discretion of VAI.
Best Investing Apps in 2025
Forbes Advisor compiled this list of best investment apps based on their excellence in various areas, including usability, low fees and the availability of educational materials.
Best for Active Traders
Robinhood
Monthly Fee
$0
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.2 from 4.8 million reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$0.01
$0
4.2 from 4.8 million reviews
$0.01
As an experienced investor, I find Robinhood’s sleek, intuitive user experience to be one of the best in the industry. Navigating the app is effortless and its real-time data, commission-free trades and fractional shares make it a powerful tool for active traders. The simplicity of executing trades on Robinhood is unmatched.
But the sleek design of the app also has a downside. The gamified elements and animations could encourage impulsive decision making. It took me 8 minutes and 45 seconds to download the app and make my first trade. During that time, I was given access to margin trading without explaining how it worked.
Beginners who use this app may need to fully grasp the risks of leveraging debt for trades in a gamified system.
Learn more: Read our full Robinhood review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#4Fees and ChargesRanked 4 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 51% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
51%22%27%Ranked 4 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 51% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
-
#6UI and Ease of UseRanked 6 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 56% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 22% of people had negative sentiments
56%22%22%Ranked 6 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 56% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 22% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7Security and Data ProtectionRanked 7 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 23% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 61% of people had negative sentiments
23%16%61%Ranked 7 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 23% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 61% of people had negative sentiments
-
#10Customer ServiceRanked 10 out of 10For Customer Service
- 7% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 83% of people had negative sentiments
7%10%83%Ranked 10 out of 10For Customer Service- 7% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 83% of people had negative sentiments
Users appreciate Robinhood’s user-friendly interface and its ability to offer commission-free trades, which makes it appealing to beginners. However, users also express concerns over the platform’s trustworthiness, citing past controversies and the perception of it as more of a gambling tool.
- No monthly fee.
- Automatic round-up feature.
- Fractional shares are available.
- Limited education platform.
- Limited research tools.
- A gamified system may encourage risky trades.
Best for Beginners
Acorns
Monthly Fee
$3
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.7 from 1.2 million reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$5
$3
4.7 from 1.2 million reviews
$5
Acorns is the best app on the market today for beginners. While several competitors now offer an automatic round-up feature for investing, Acorns is the original. This approach to saving and investing gives customers an easy way to get started with minimal impact on their budgets.
The educational content on the Acorns platform is particularly robust, and the portfolios it picks for users are appropriate and professionally designed. However, while the $3 monthly fee may seem small, if you’re looking for a robo-advisor and are just starting out, a 0.25% fee from a competitor like Wealthfront is actually cheaper until you’ve built up a large balance.
Learn more: Read our full Acorns Review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#2Fees and ChargesRanked 2 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 30% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 48% of people had negative sentiments
30%22%48%Ranked 2 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 30% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 48% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9UI and Ease of UseRanked 9 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 63% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
63%17%20%Ranked 9 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 63% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Security and Data ProtectionRanked 3 out of 10Security and Data Protection
- 52% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 35% of people had negative sentiments
52%13%35%Ranked 3 out of 10Security and Data Protection- 52% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 35% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Customer ServiceRanked 9 out of 10For Customer Service
- 16% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 76% of people had negative sentiments
16%8%76%Ranked 9 out of 10For Customer Service- 16% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 76% of people had negative sentiments
Users appreciate the ease of use and the ability to passively grow their funds over time with Acorns, appreciating its suitability for beginners and those who prefer a hands-off approach. However, more seasoned investors or those seeking higher returns might find the fees and limitations on investments less appealing.
- Automatic round-up feature.
- Automated investing in expertly crafted portfolios tailored to risk tolerance.
- Educational resources.
- Monthly fees add up.
- Limited research tools.
- There is no active trading.
Best for Low Fees
Fidelity
Monthly Fee
$0
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.7 from 2.6 million reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$0
$0
4.7 from 2.6 million reviews
$0
As a member of the FIRE movement since 2011, I’ve been a die-hard Fidelity fan for a longtime. It pains me to say this, but their app has serious limitations. Fidelity is a massive brand with more investment research articles and videos than you could consume in a dozen lifetimes. Figuring out how to put those in an app in an intuitive way that isn’t overwhelming is a gargantuan task, but one they haven’t succeeded at yet.
If you want to do all of your investing from your phone, Fidelity isn’t the app for you. However, it is a great option if you’re willing to spend some time on a computer and only use the app. They’ve got some of the best ETFs on the market with the lowest expense ratios you’ll find anywhere. Beginners get access to a fantastic suite of educational content, while expert investors can use some of the best charting and forecasting tools.
Learn more: Read our full Fidelity Review
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#9Fees and ChargesRanked 9 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 54% of people had positive sentiments
- 38% of people had neutral sentiments
- 8% of people had negative sentiments
54%38%8%Ranked 9 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 54% of people had positive sentiments
- 38% of people had neutral sentiments
- 8% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1UI and Ease of UseRanked 1 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 35% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 48% of people had negative sentiments
35%17%48%Ranked 1 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 35% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 48% of people had negative sentiments
-
#6Security and Data ProtectionRanked 6 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 51% of people had negative sentiments
36%13%51%Ranked 6 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 51% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Customer ServiceRanked 8 out of 10For Customer Service
- 24% of people had positive sentiments
- 30% of people had neutral sentiments
- 46% of people had negative sentiments
24%30%46%Ranked 8 out of 10For Customer Service- 24% of people had positive sentiments
- 30% of people had neutral sentiments
- 46% of people had negative sentiments
Users find Fidelity’s app subpar with navigation issues, glitches and a lack of user-friendliness. Despite the app itself having problems, users enjoy the Fidelity platform overall for its low-fee investment options and robust customer service.
- Extremely low-fee investing.
- Robust education and research platforms.
- Lowest-cost access to thousands of ETFs.
- Overwhelming and hard-to-use app.
- No advanced trading features on the app.
- Active trading fees add up.
Best for Transparency
Public
Monthly Fee
$0
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.4
Minimum balance to start investing
$0
$0
4.4
$0
As someone who first got into investing because of Reddit in 2011, I appreciate how much a social community can impact your finances. If none of your family members or friends are doing it, learning to invest on your own can feel overwhelming and isolating.
Public has capitalized on that need and created an app that combines simple investing options with a social community of investors. In this community, you can see what investments others are choosing in real time and share advice.
Public values transparency highly, and there are no hidden fees that I could locate in my research. They don’t charge payments for order flow, and they split options revenue with customers—two features that most of the other apps on our list earn revenue from without users realizing it.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#10Fees and ChargesRanked 10 out of 10 forFor Fees and Charges
- 26% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 66% of people had negative sentiments
26%8%66%Ranked 10 out of 10 forFor Fees and Charges- 26% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 66% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3UI and Ease of UseRanked 3 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 62% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 28% of people had negative sentiments
62%10%28%Ranked 3 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 62% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 28% of people had negative sentiments
-
#10Security and Data ProtectionRanked 10 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 13% of people had positive sentiments
- 2% of people had neutral sentiments
- 85% of people had negative sentiments
13%2%85%Ranked 10 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 13% of people had positive sentiments
- 2% of people had neutral sentiments
- 85% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Customer ServiceRanked 3 out of 10For Customer Service
- 20% of people had positive sentiments
- 4% of people had neutral sentiments
- 76% of people had negative sentiments
20%4%76%Ranked 3 out of 10For Customer Service- 20% of people had positive sentiments
- 4% of people had neutral sentiments
- 76% of people had negative sentiments
Users appreciate the app’s user-friendly interface, fractional share options and educational resource. This highlights Public’s suitability for beginners and engaging social features.
However, there are significant concerns about withdrawals, customer support, and app glitches, along with complaints about unexpected fees and misleading promotions, indicating an ambivalence toward the app’s overall reliability and transparency.
- Commission-free trading for stocks, options, ETFs and fractional shares.
- Social investing community so investors can connect with peers.
- Educational resources.
- Limited investment options: no mutual funds.
- No telephone customer service.
All investing involves risk. Brokerage services for US listed securities, options and bonds in a self-directed brokerage account are offered by Open to the Public Investing, member FINRA & SIPC. Not investment advice.
Best for Money Management
Charles Schwab
Monthly Fee
$0
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
3.55 from 950k reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$0
$0
3.55 from 950k reviews
$0
Like Fidelity’s platform, the Charles Schwab app is packed with information and resources that can be challenging. As a stand-alone app, it’s clunky. But it’s a great way to check in on your Schwab products and investments.
Since absorbing TD Ameritrade, Schwab’s research capabilities have become impressive. We’re talking next-level analytical tools that would make any advanced investor grin. But here’s the thing: They’re not just for Wall Street types. Beginners will appreciate their low-cost index funds, zero-commission trading, and helpful educational resources.
Schwab really shines for people who are fully invested in its ecosystem. If you have a Schwab checking account, retirement account or brokerage account, the app becomes a powerhouse of integrated money management. The seamless connection between different financial products is something most competitors can’t touch.
Learn more: Read our full Charles Schwab Review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#3Fees and ChargesRanked 3 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 73% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 17% of people had negative sentiments
73%10%17%Ranked 3 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 73% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 17% of people had negative sentiments
-
#10UI and Ease of UseRanked 10 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 33% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 56% of people had negative sentiments
33%11%56%Ranked 10 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 33% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 56% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Security and Data ProtectionRanked 9 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 20% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 72% of people had negative sentiments
20%8%72%Ranked 9 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 20% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 72% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1Customer ServiceRanked 1 out of 10For Customer Service
- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 61% of people had negative sentiments
36%3%61%Ranked 1 out of 10For Customer Service- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 61% of people had negative sentiments
Users will appreciate Schwab’s accessibility, no-fee policies and customer service, particularly for banking services like checking accounts and ATM fee reimbursements.
However, others report dissatisfaction with technical issues, customer service challenges, and perceived lack of transparency, particularly after the acquisition of TD Ameritrade.
- Extensive research tools.
- Commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs.
- Integration with Schwab’s banking, retirement and robo-advisor accounts.
- Overwhelming and hard-to-use app.
- Higher rates for trading on margin.
- There is no option for direct crypto trading, only crypto ETFs.
Best for Automated Investing
M1 Finance
Monthly Fee
$3
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.5 from 89k reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$100
$3
4.5 from 89k reviews
$100
M1 Finance is a solid option for investors who want their money working on autopilot. I’m genuinely impressed by how thoroughly they’ve automated the investing process. Once you build your initial investment “pie,” their term for portfolio allocation, you can walk away and let the app do its thing.
The automation is seriously slick. Want your portfolio automatically rebalanced to maintain your exact desired asset allocation? M1’s got you covered. Commission-free trades and fractional shares make it accessible for investors at any budget level. But the platform isn’t for active traders. You’re limited to two daily trading windows, which means day trading is a no-go.
Their monthly fee isn’t budget-breaking. But combined with the limited trading options, M1 feels more like a tool for investors who know what they want but don’t want to manage it. If you wish to do extensive research and hand-holding, look elsewhere. But if you want a “set it and mostly forget it” investing experience with smart automation? M1 is your app.
Learn more: Read our full M1 Review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#5Fees and ChargesRanked 5 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 40% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
40%20%40%Ranked 5 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 40% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4UI and Ease of UseRanked 4 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 59% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
59%21%20%Ranked 4 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 59% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4Security and Data ProtectionRanked 4 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 42% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
42%21%37%Ranked 4 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 42% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Customer ServiceRanked 5 out of 10For Customer Service
- 21% of people had positive sentiments
- 12% of people had neutral sentiments
- 67% of people had negative sentiments
21%12%67%Ranked 5 out of 10For Customer Service- 21% of people had positive sentiments
- 12% of people had neutral sentiments
- 67% of people had negative sentiments
Users appreciate its automation, simplicity, and the absence of trading fees, making it ideal for users who prefer a “set it and forget it” strategy.
However, many users express frustrations with its customer support, account transfer processes, and recent fee changes.
- Commission-free trades.
- Automated investing includes automatic rebalancing according to your preferences.
- Fractional share options.
- Trading is limited to two “trading windows” daily to reduce costs.
- Monthly fees.
- Limited education and research platform.
Best for Advanced Investors
Webull
Monthly Fee
$0
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.6 from 497k reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$5
$0
4.6 from 497k reviews
$5
Webull is an app built for traders who know exactly what they’re doing. The advanced charting capabilities are impressive, although they can be glitchy on mobile. The extended trading hours are a dream for active investors who need help monitoring the market during standard windows.
But here’s the thing: If you’re new to investing, Webull is not for you. The platform is complex, with robust options and trading capabilities that will make advanced derivatives traders salivate and margin trading rates that’ll excite experienced traders but should terrify newcomers. There’s virtually no educational content to help you understand what you’re getting into.
While the competitive rates and comprehensive trading features are attractive, like many brokers, Webull accepts payment for order flow, which can affect trade execution quality.
The bottom line is that Webull delivers for seasoned traders looking for a powerful mobile platform. For everyone else, proceed with caution.
Learn more: Read our full Webull Review
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#7Fees and ChargesRanked 7 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 45% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 36% of people had negative sentiments
45%19%36%Ranked 7 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 45% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 36% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2UI and Ease of UseRanked 2 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 59% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
59%22%19%Ranked 2 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 59% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Security and Data ProtectionRanked 5 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 35% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 44% of people had negative sentiments
35%21%44%Ranked 5 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 35% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 44% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7Customer ServiceRanked 7 out of 10For Customer Service
- 29% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 52% of people had negative sentiments
29%19%52%Ranked 7 out of 10For Customer Service- 29% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 52% of people had negative sentiments
Webull users enjoy its functionality for options and charting, the commission-free trading structure, and the extensive educational resources it offers for traders.
That said, there are notable criticisms about its customer service, occasional execution lags, technical issues and concerns about ownership that can overshadow user experience.
- Advanced charting.
- Extended trading hours.
- Comprehensive options trading and margin trading with competitive rates.
- Charts can be glitchy in the app but not on the desktop version.
- Too complex for beginners.
- Accepts payment for order flow.
Best for Hands-Off Investors
Wealthfront
Monthly Fee
$0 (but 0.25% asset under management fee)
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.8 from 25k reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$1
$0 (but 0.25% asset under management fee)
4.8 from 25k reviews
$1
Wealthfront stands out for hands-off investors who want their money working smart, not hard. Their automated portfolio management is slick, with a relatively low 0.25% assets under management fee, including perks such as automated tax-loss harvesting.
What sets Wealthfront apart is its cash management account. The APY beats most high-yield savings accounts, essentially turning your idle cash into a mini-investment engine. It’s perfect for investors who want sophisticated investing strategies without lifting a finger.
The trade-offs? You’re not getting a Swiss Army knife of investing. There is no individual stock trading and limited investment options. Unlike competitors such as SoFi, which offers free access to a human financial advisor, or Betterment, which offers access to a live person to higher-tier memberships, Wealthfront has no access to financial advisors. But for those who want a “set it and mostly forget it” approach, Wealthfront is a solid, no-drama solution. It’ll keep your portfolio humming along quietly in the background.
Learn more: Read our full Wealthfront Review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#1Fees and ChargesRanked 1 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 67% of people had positive sentiments
- 14% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
67%14%19%Ranked 1 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 67% of people had positive sentiments
- 14% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5UI and Ease of UseRanked 5 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 73% of people had positive sentiments
- 14% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
73%14%13%Ranked 5 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 73% of people had positive sentiments
- 14% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1Security and Data ProtectionRanked 1 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 64% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
64%16%20%Ranked 1 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 64% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2Customer ServiceRanked 2 out of 10For Customer Service
- 50% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 32% of people had negative sentiments
50%18%32%Ranked 2 out of 10For Customer Service- 50% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 32% of people had negative sentiments
Users appreciate Wealthfront’s competitive rates, often boosted through referral programs, and the ability to easily manage cash and investments under one platform.
However, some users express concerns about the company’s communication reliability and issues with certain features, such as fractional ETF purchases.
- Automated portfolio management for a 0.25% AUM fee.
- Tax-loss harvesting.
- Linked cash management account with an impressive APY.
- Limited investment options.
- No individual trading.
- No access to live human financial advisors.
Best for Financial Advisor Access
SoFi
Monthly Fee
$0
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.3 from 384k reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$5
$0
4.3 from 384k reviews
$5
So I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m a SoFi customer. I originally started an account with them to take advantage of a bank account sign-up bonus. Then I stuck around for its high-yield savings account, earning me 0.50%% APY on my checking account. Last summer, I heard about their included financial advisor access and decided to try it out. I was thoroughly impressed.
While their app and investment offerings aren’t the greatest, SoFi is worth considering for the included access to certified financial planners. In addition, you’ll have the option to manage almost all of your financial life in one app. SoFi has its fingers in every fintech pie and has competitive products in all of them. It offers low(er) interest rates on student and personal loans, decent cash back on their credit cards and high yields on their checking and savings accounts.
If you’re looking for a one-stop for all of your financial management, SoFi is a solid option.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#8Fees and ChargesRanked 8 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 52% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
52%11%37%Ranked 8 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 52% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7UI and Ease of UseRanked 7 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 47% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
47%13%40%Ranked 7 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 47% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Security and Data ProtectionRanked 8 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 18% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 76% of people had negative sentiments
18%6%76%Ranked 8 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 18% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 76% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4Customer ServiceRanked 4 out of 10For Customer Service
- 14% of people had positive sentiments
- 4% of people had neutral sentiments
- 82% of people had negative sentiments
14%4%82%Ranked 4 out of 10For Customer Service- 14% of people had positive sentiments
- 4% of people had neutral sentiments
- 82% of people had negative sentiments
Users consider SoFi a versatile financial service platform offering banking, investing and lending products in one place, attracting users with features like high-yield savings accounts and early paycheck access.
However, the platform receives mixed feedback regarding its customer service and app functionality. Reported issues include delayed fund availability, account restrictions and a lack of proactive customer support, which contribute to user dissatisfaction.
- Access to human financial advisors.
- Fractional share investing is available.
- A comprehensive ecosystem for managing investing, banking and more
- Limited investment options.
- Simplistic research tools.
- No tax-loss harvesting.
Best for Automated Crypto Investing
Betterment
Monthly Fee
$4
App store rating (average between Google and Apple)
4.2 from 66k reviews
Minimum balance to start investing
$5
Paid non-client promotion*
$4
4.2 from 66k reviews
$5
Look, I’ve reviewed so many investing apps that they begin to blur together, but Betterment? They’re middle-of-the-road, with one noteworthy exception: their crypto approach.
I appreciate that Betterment isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Their robo-advisor model is solid but predictable. You get automatically rebalanced, tax-efficient portfolios that’ll do the job without much drama. The ETF selection is diversified, the fees are reasonable, and they have socially responsible investing options that customers are starting to demand.
But its crypto portfolios are where things actually get interesting. For just a 1% annual fee—which is impressively low in the crypto world—you get access to four automated crypto portfolios. It’s basically crypto investing on autopilot. No more stress-scrolling through Reddit threads to decide which obscure altcoin might be the next big thing. Betterment does the heavy lifting for you.
This might be your golden ticket if you’re crypto-curious but want to avoid becoming a full-time blockchain researcher.
Learn more: Read our full Betterment Review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
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#6Fees and Chargesranked 6 out of 10For Fees and Charges
- 40% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
40%23%37%ranked 6 out of 10For Fees and Charges- 40% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
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#8UI and Ease of UseRanked 8 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use
- 51% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
51%22%27%Ranked 8 out of 10For UI and Ease of Use- 51% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
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#3Security and Data ProtectionRanked 2 out of 10For Security and Data Protection
- 49% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 34% of people had negative sentiments
49%17%34%Ranked 2 out of 10For Security and Data Protection- 49% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 34% of people had negative sentiments
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#6Customer ServiceRanked 6 out of 10For Customer Service
- 14% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 75% of people had negative sentiments
14%11%75%Ranked 6 out of 10For Customer Service- 14% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 75% of people had negative sentiments
Users appreciate the platform for its ease of use, competitive interest rates in high-yield savings accounts, and features like tax-loss harvesting and automated portfolio management. However, many customers have concerns about customer service, including difficulties withdrawing funds.
- Automated investing with tax-loss harvesting.
- Access to financial advisors.
- Low minimum balance.
- No individual trading options.
- Higher fees for premium plans.
- Limited research tools.
Compare the Best Investing Apps of 2025
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Starting Monthly Price | Expert's Take | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 5.0   | $0 | The Robinhood app is the most intuitive to use, and the quickest to set up. | Via Robinhood's secure website | |
| 4.7  | $3 | Acorns includes excellent features for beginners, from professionally designed portfolios to a robust education platform. | On Acorn's Secure Website | |
| 4.7 | $0 | While not a great app, Fidelity is a top-notch broker with extensive investment options, industry-leading low fees, and thorough investor education. | Read Our Review | |
| 4.4 | $0 | Public is the way to go if you want to combine a social community with your investing. Their app allows you to invest and connect with other investors in one place. | ||
| 4.2  | $0 | Link your investing account to a Schwab checking account and get free international ATM withdrawals. This is great for travelers. | Read Our Review | |
| 3.9 | $3 | M1 is a powerful tool for creating a highly customized portfolio, allowing the app to automate future investing according to your preferences. | On M1 Finance's Website | |
| 3.7 | $0 | Webull is designed for active traders. It offers premarket and after-hours trading and features advanced investors will appreciate, such as advanced charting tools and comprehensive options trading capabilities. | Via Webull's Website | |
| 3.7 | $0 | Wealthfront is a solid choice for a robo-advisor for hands-off investors but is unsuitable for active or individual investors | On Wealthfront's Website | |
| 3.5 | $0 | If you want a one-stop shop for your financial life, with the ability to invest yourself or choose a robo-advisor but with access to a free human financial advisor, SoFi is the app for you. | On SoFi's Website | |
| 3.1 | $4 | Betterment is average for a robo-advisor, but it allows for automated crypto investing at a low cost, a unique feature. | On Betterment's Website
Paid non-client promotion* |
Methodology: How We Score Our Products
We determined our top 10 investment apps by carefully evaluating the 20 most popular investment apps on the market today. We rated each one based on 18 performance metrics, then gave each criterion a weighted score and tallied the scores to determine our final star rating.
Data points were assessed on a scale from 0.00 to 1.00. The highest raw score, 0.80, was adjusted to correspond to a five-star rating as the maximum possible score.
Some factors we considered when choosing inclusions for this “best of” list include:
| Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Types of investments available | 30% | Even if you start out your investment journey only wanting a simple robo-advisor, you may want to expand to other types of investing later. We rated apps more favorably if they had more investment types available. |
| Monthly cost and other fees | 17% | While some companies charge monthly fees, others charge a percentage of your account balance or other fees. Since they all impact your bottom line, we considered multiple types of fees. |
| Overall Satisfaction | 12% | We analyzed customer feedback across dozens of websites, such as BBB and consumer reports, to determine an overall satisfaction score for each app. |
| Account features | 10% | Account features, such as linking to your bank account or credit card, were rated more highly as these integrations make using the app easier. |
| Minimum balance to start investing | 10% | Accounts with a lower minimum balance to start investing are more beginner-friendly and were rated higher in our estimation. |
| UI and ease of use | 7% | An investing app is pointless if it is such a pain to use that you never log in. We rated apps that are easy to navigate more highly than those that aren’t. |
| Security and data protection | 7% | Your money needs to be secure; we rated apps with robust security and data protection features. |
| Customer service | 7% | In an ideal world, you’ll never have to call customer service, but when something does go wrong, it’s important to have your issue resolved. We gave more favorable ratings to companies with good customer service options that provide quick resolutions. |
How To Choose the Best Investing App
The best investing app depends on your personal needs and desires. You’ll want an app with low fees that’s easy to use with the investment types you’re interested in.
Our picks for the best investing apps range from robo-advisors like Acorns, which focuses on educating beginners and picking portfolios, to advanced trading apps like Robinhood, which allow users to purchase cryptocurrencies on margin.
Essential Investing App Features
The best investing apps should allow you to invest in the ways you want, in the investment types you’re interested in, with low fees.
- Low Fees. You’re investing money to earn more, not have your returns eaten by fees. The best investing apps have low or no monthly fees, low expense ratios and low trading fees.
- Investment options. Every investor is interested in different types of investments. If you don’t know what you’ll be interested in, choose an app with as many investment options as possible or a model portfolio that suits your needs.
- Education platform. Even expert investors can benefit from access to a robust education platform that helps explain the types of products available and how they work. Investing can be a great way to build wealth but can also be financially devastating, especially if you start trading on margin. Beginners need to be given access to educational tools to determine if their risks are within their comfort zone.
- Research platform. While picking investments at random is one strategy, I don’t recommend it. Successful investors use research and analysis tools like charts to determine which investments to buy and when. A good app has a robust research platform.
- User Interface. The best investment apps with the lowest fees and a world-class education platform are useless if you can’t get them to function. A quality interface is an essential aspect of any investing app.
Which Investing App Is Best For You?
The best investing app for you depends on your goals, experience and preference. Beginners should consider apps from companies that offer strong model portfolios and a solid robo-advisor experience, such as Acorns or Wealthfront.
Investors looking for a better way to manage their long-term investments and who want to monitor them more closely with an app should consider Fidelity, Schwab or Betterment.
Active investors who want to complete trades multiple times a day from their phones should consider apps like Robinhood, Public or Webull.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an investing app?
An investing app is an application that allows users to buy, sell and manage investments like stocks, bonds and other investments. These apps either involve a robo-advisor that manages your investing for you based on your goals and risk tolerances or a platform for individual trading where active investors can buy and sell at will.
How do I start investing?
You’re likely already investing if you have a workplace 401(k), health savings account or individual retirement account. These accounts have low fees and tax advantages, which means most people should prioritize and maximize them before opening accounts elsewhere. If you’re already maximizing your tax-advantaged accounts, you can start investing by opening a taxable brokerage account with any companies listed here or with an online brokerage.
How do investing apps make money?
Investing apps make money in various ways. Some charge monthly fees. Some charge a percentage of the amount you have invested with them, some charge fees for each trade you complete, and others have more complicated hidden fees, such as fees to cash out your account or payment for order flow.
