The term investment apps cover a broad range of tools, including full-service brokerage apps, robo-advisors that manage portfolios automatically, and trading apps for self-directed activity. These platforms now sit at the intersection of technology and portfolio management, appearing often in discussions involving financial professionals.
There is no single best investment app right now. What works best depends on how you invest and the level of control you want. Some platforms emphasize long-term, automated investing while others focus on self-directed trading. With that in mind, the list below outlines investment apps commonly referenced in financial and advisory discussions.
Here, we'll talk about the different investment apps available in the market today according to how they are commonly used in practice. This helps distinguish between brokerage platforms, automated investing tools, trading-focused apps, and others while acknowledging that features and use cases may overlap across categories.
Full-service brokerage investment apps bring traditional broker tools, research, and account types into one platform, often alongside banking features. They can let you trade stocks and ETFs, access robo-advisors, and manage day-to-day cash in the same place as your long-term portfolios.
Ally is a full-service investment app connected to a broader digital banking platform. It allows you to open brokerage accounts and invest in stocks and exchange-traded funds through mobile. The app integrates investing with everyday financial management, making it great for users who prefer to manage banking and investing activity within a single platform.
Charles Schwab is a large brokerage firm whose app provides access to stocks, ETFs, retirement accounts, and custodial accounts. You can place commission-free trades, invest in fractional shares, and use research and educational tools within the app. Schwab also supports automated investing through its robo-advisor offering alongside self-directed brokerage services.
E*TRADE is a trading brokerage app offering access to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options, and futures. The app includes market news, analysis tools, alerts, and watchlists. It also offers a robo-advisor option for automated portfolio management while keeping tools for users who prefer hands-on investment decisions.
Fidelity is a long-established brokerage platform that offers a wide range of investment products through its app, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and retirement accounts. The app includes research tools, educational content, and portfolio monitoring features. Fidelity also provides automated investing through Fidelity Go for users seeking managed portfolios.
This app combines investing tools with banking services. It supports self-directed brokerage accounts, research access, and portfolio tracking. The app is commonly used by investors who want traditional brokerage functionality paired with integrated cash management and financial account oversight.
The TD Ameritrade app offers access to brokerage accounts, market data, and trading tools through a mobile interface. Users can monitor portfolios, execute trades, and review research materials. The app supports self-directed investing and is designed to provide on-the-go access to brokerage services without requiring in-person interaction.
Robo-advisor and automated investment apps use algorithms to build and manage ETF-based portfolios around a user's goals and risk profile, often at lower fees than traditional advice. They can rebalance holdings, handle tax-related tasks, and keep a long-term allocation on track without requiring you to make frequent trading decisions.
Betterment is an automated investing app that builds and manages portfolios based on stated goals and risk tolerance. It primarily uses diversified ETFs and handles rebalancing and tax-related adjustments automatically. The app is designed for investors who prefer a hands-off approach to portfolio management rather than making individual selections.
Fidelity Go is the automated investing service offered within Fidelity's platform. It constructs and manages diversified portfolios using exchange-traded funds based on the user's goals and risk preferences. The service operates alongside Fidelity's broader brokerage ecosystem.
Mintos is an investment app that emphasizes automated investing across multiple asset categories. It allows users to set up auto-invest strategies that reinvest funds according to predefined rules. The platform supports diversification beyond traditional securities and is positioned toward investors seeking passive portfolio management with minimal intervention.
This is an automated investing app focused on long-term portfolio construction and risk-managed strategies. It offers subscription-based access to managed portfolios and planning tools that adjust allocations based on market conditions. The app is commonly used by investors looking for structured, rules-based portfolio management over time.
Wealthfront is a robo-advisor app that manages portfolios using low-cost ETFs and automated rebalancing. It incorporates features such as tax-loss harvesting and cash management tools in a single interface. The app is structured around long-term investing goals and emphasizes automation over frequent trading activities.
Beginner and micro-investment apps let you start investing with very small amounts, often by rounding up everyday purchases or using fractional shares. They focus on simple interfaces, education, and automation so you can build market experience and habits without putting a lot of money at risk up front.
This micro-investing app focuses on automated investing through small-dollar contributions. It allows you to invest spare change by rounding up everyday purchases and allocating the difference to diversified portfolios. The app also supports recurring deposits and retirement accounts for a gradual portfolio build over time.
Invstr is designed to introduce new investors to market concepts through simplified tools and educational content. It allows users to invest in stocks and ETFs while learning basic investing principles. The platform emphasizes engagement and education as part of the investing experience for beginners.
Round is a micro-investing app that links everyday spending to investing activity. It automatically rounds transactions to the nearest dollar and invests the difference on your behalf. The app is built to help users build investment habits slowly without requiring large upfront contributions or active portfolio management.
Stash is aimed at first-time investors seeking guidance and small-dollar access to markets. It offers fractional investing in stocks and ETFs, along with educational prompts based on risk tolerance and goals. Portfolio construction decisions remain user-directed with suggestions provided within the app.
Active trading and trading-focused investment apps cater to investors who want to place frequent, self-directed trades in stocks, ETFs, options, and sometimes crypto. These platforms usually emphasize low or zero commissions, real-time data, and advanced charting tools over long-term planning or full portfolio automation.
Robinhood is a self-directed trading app that allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies through a mobile interface. It supports fractional shares and instant account funding features. The platform is commonly associated with frequent trading activity and simplified order placement rather than portfolio automation.
Webull is a trading-focused investment app that provides commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. It includes advanced charting tools, technical indicators, extended-hours trading, and paper trading functionality.
Webull Pay is a companion app dedicated to cryptocurrency trading within the Webull ecosystem. It allows users to buy, sell, and monitor digital assets separately from traditional securities. The app focuses on crypto-specific execution and account management rather than diversified portfolio construction.
Here's how Webull Pay works:
Research and analysis investment apps give you detailed market data, screeners, and portfolio metrics without requiring you to place trades on the same platform. They are often used alongside a separate brokerage app, so you can research ideas in depth, then execute trades where you already hold your accounts.
This is an investment research and analysis app designed for evaluating stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. It provides detailed financial data, screening tools, valuation charts, and portfolio analytics. The app supports in-depth research and monitoring but does not function as a trading or brokerage execution platform.
Hybrid investment apps combine self-directed trading with automated portfolio tools in a single platform, often alongside banking or cash management features. They let you mix hands-on stock and ETF picking with model portfolios or robo-advisor options while keeping everything in one place.
M1 Finance is an investment app designed for long-term portfolio construction using customizable allocations. It allows you to build portfolios of stocks and ETFs, automate contributions, and combine self-directed selections with model portfolios. Trading occurs only in scheduled windows.
Public supports self-directed investing alongside portfolio-building tools. It offers access to stocks, ETFs, Treasuries, cryptocurrencies, and other assets, including fractional shares. The platform incorporates educational content and community features, allowing users to observe market activity while maintaining direct control over investment decisions.
SoFi Active Investing is the self-directed investing component of the SoFi platform. It lets you trade stocks and ETFs with fractional share support and no commissions. The service operates within a broader financial ecosystem that includes banking and automated investing options, enabling flexible portfolio construction.
SoFi Invest is an investing app that combines active trading, automated portfolio management and cryptocurrency access within one platform. Users can choose between self-directed investing and robo-advisor portfolios based on goals and risk tolerance. The app integrates investing activity with other financial services offered by SoFi.
International and multi-asset investment apps give you access to markets and asset classes that go beyond a standard domestic stock-and-bond portfolio. They often combine global equities, ETFs, real estate, and cross-border tools in a single mobile platform, so you can diversify across regions and asset types with relatively low minimums.
Fundrise is an investment app that provides access to private real estate investments through a digital platform. It allows users to invest in commercial and residential real estate projects with relatively low minimums. Investments are typically long term and may involve limited liquidity compared with traditional brokerage assets.
Revolut is a multi-service financial app that includes investing alongside banking features. It allows users to invest in stocks and ETFs through a mobile interface, often with low minimums. The app also incorporates educational elements and is commonly used by investors seeking simple, cross-border financial access.
This is an international investment platform that provides access to a wide range of global asset classes. Its app supports advanced trading tools, research resources, and multi-market access. The platform is typically used by experienced investors who require detailed analytics and exposure to international markets.
Trade Republic is a European-based investment app focused on low-cost access to stocks and ETFs. It offers a streamlined mobile interface with minimal account requirements. The app is structured for straightforward investing and appeals to users seeking simple execution across European markets.
These are just some of the apps on the market today. The sheer number makes it critical for investors to look through each one before deciding. Here's a guide on how to make that selection:
The best investment apps today cover a wide range of tools, from full-service brokerage platforms to automated portfolio managers and trading-focused applications. While the structure and features vary, each app reflects a different approach to market access, portfolio management, and investor involvement. Choosing one, therefore, requires careful evaluation of all factors before taking that big step forward.
A recent survey by CFA Institute found 20% of retail investors say their primary reason for using trading accounts is entertainment or speculation.
