Best Investing Apps for Beginners: I Tried 5 So You Don’t Have To

Tired of watching your savings just sit there? 

What if your phone could help you grow real wealth, one small step at a time?

Investing doesn't have to be scary, especially when you have the right tools in your pocket. With just a few taps on your phone, even complete beginners can start learning how to grow their money and make smarter financial choices.

Of course, investing always comes with risks. It's important to start small, stay informed, and build your financial knowledge along the way.

I tested five of the most beginner-friendly investing apps used worldwide: Acorns, Stash, Coinbase, Binance, and Wealthfront. Whether you're exploring crypto, trying stock trading, or looking for automated solutions, here's what I learned from using each one.

Why Use Investing Apps Instead of Traditional Banks?

Traditional banks are good for saving, but they rarely help your money grow. Investing apps are designed to help you build wealth over time, often with low fees and beginner-friendly features. They give you access to stocks, crypto, ETFs, and even automated portfolios—all from your phone. And unlike banks, these apps often come with educational tools, making them perfect for first-time investors.

Acorns – Smart Investing App That Grows Your Money While You Spend

Acorns is one of the easiest ways to start investing without changing your habits. It automatically rounds up your purchases and invests the spare change into diversified portfolios.

Don't underestimate the power of compound interest. For example, if you invest just $50 a month with an average annual return of 5%, after 20 years you would have around $20,000. That total includes not only your contributions but also the interest earned on past interest. That's how small, consistent investments can quietly grow over time.

So learning to manage even small amounts of money can help you take full advantage of compounding.

If you buy a coffee for $2.40, Acorns takes the extra $0.60 and invests it for you. Over time, this adds up. It's perfect for people who don't want to think too much about investing but still want to grow their money in the background.

Key features for passive wealth building

Completely automated 

No need to pick stocks 

Great for beginners who don't want risk 

What others say: Many users love how Acorns “saves without feeling like saving.” It's a top choice for people with busy lives.

Stash – Investment App That Combines Education and Stock Access

Stash combines investing with financial education. It allows you to buy pieces of stocks (called fractional shares), so you can invest with as little as $5. The app also suggests investments based on your personal goals, like “green energy” or “tech innovation.”

Stash includes a bank account, a debit card, and even rewards. But its best feature is the learning experience—it explains every move in simple language.

Financial Learning and Investing Features

Easy-to-understand lessons

Fractional investing for small budgets

Personalized guidance

Who should use it: If you want to learn how the market works while building your portfolio, Stash is a strong pick.

Coinbase –Best Crypto Investment App for Beginners

Cryptocurrency is no longer just for risk-takers. Coinbase makes it simple to buy and sell major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. It offers a clean interface and lots of learning resources.

If you're curious about crypto but don't know where to start, Coinbase is a good first step. You can even earn small amounts of crypto by watching short videos and answering questions.

Crypto-Specific Features for New Users

Supports dozens of popular cryptocurrencies

Very beginner-friendly

Safety note: Coinbase is regulated in the U.S. and follows strict compliance standards, but remember—crypto is still a high-risk asset.

Binance – Best Crypto Trading App for Global Users

Binance is one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. It's popular for its wide selection of coins, lower fees, and advanced trading features. Compared to Coinbase, it's more powerful—but also more complex.

If you've already tried Coinbase and want to dive deeper into crypto, Binance could be your next stop. It supports spot trading, staking, and other tools for experienced users.

Tools for Serious Crypto Investors

Low trading fees

Huge variety of digital assets

Advanced tools for growth

Perfect For: Not ideal for total beginners, but great if you're serious about learning crypto investing long-term.

Wealthfront – Best Robo Advisor App for Automated Wealth Management

Wealthfront is a robo-advisor that automatically builds and manages a portfolio based on your risk level. You don't need to pick any stocks or make trades. Just set your goals—like saving for a house or retirement—and let the algorithm do the work.

Wealthfront also includes tax-loss harvesting, which may help you keep more of your profits. It's great for people who want long-term, low-maintenance investing.

High Value Features for Portfolio Automation

Offers tax loss harvesting to reduce your tax bill

Provides tailored investment plans based on your goals

Fully automated system with no manual stock picking required

Best for: Busy professionals and anyone who wants a “set it and forget it” experience.

Which One Should You Try First? 

It depends on your style:

Want to grow spare change? Try Acorns.

Interested in learning as you go? Go with Stash.

Curious about crypto? Start with Coinbase.

Ready to go deeper into crypto? Check out Binance.

Prefer a hands-off approach? Choose Wealthfront.

The good news is that all of these apps are free to download, and most let you start with just a few dollars. You can try one or two without making a big commitment. 

In the End

Investing may seem complex at first, but these apps are designed to make it easier to begin, even if you have no background in finance. More than just tools for growing your money, they can help you learn the basics of financial planning, understand how markets work, and build long-term habits that support your future goals.

Whether you're exploring crypto, testing out stock investments, or simply trying to make better use of your savings, these platforms offer a practical way to start. You don't need to do everything at once. Start small, stay curious, and let these tools support your journey toward financial confidence.

FAQ

Q: Are these apps safe to use?

Yes, all five apps use encryption and security measures to protect your data and money. Coinbase and Binance are widely used crypto platforms. Acorns, Stash, and Wealthfront are regulated in the U.S.

Q: Can I lose money?

All investing involves risk, especially crypto. Start small, and never invest money you can't afford to lose.

Q: Do I need a U.S. bank account?

Most apps work best in the U.S., but Coinbase and Binance also serve users in many other countries. Check availability in your region before downloading.

Q: How much money do I need to start?

Many of these apps let you start with $5 or less. It's more important to be consistent than to invest a large amount.