11 Best Investing Apps of November 2024
Investing apps allow you to manage your portfolio and buy or sell investments via your phone. Here are our testers' top picks for the best investment apps available right now.
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The best investment apps are intentional about ensuring users and the mobile app experience are top of mind. They allow you to quickly trade stocks and other investments, review your portfolio's performance and analyze potential investment opportunities.
How we review investing apps
We do comprehensive testing of brokers, their websites, trading platforms and investment apps, which includes opening and funding accounts. For investment apps specifically, we focus on ease of use, available functionality (especially as compared to the company's website and online platform), trading and account fees and customer support. The apps that make our list must have high scores from users in mobile app stores, in addition to favorable feedback from our independent testing.
The best investment apps are intentional about ensuring users and the mobile app experience are top of mind. They allow you to quickly trade stocks and other investments, review your portfolio's performance and analyze potential investment opportunities.
How we review investing apps
We do comprehensive testing of brokers, their websites, trading platforms and investment apps, which includes opening and funding accounts. For investment apps specifically, we focus on ease of use, available functionality (especially as compared to the company's website and online platform), trading and account fees and customer support. The apps that make our list must have high scores from users in mobile app stores, in addition to favorable feedback from our independent testing.
Best Investing Apps
| Broker | NerdWallet rating | Fees | Account minimum | Promotion | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Charles Schwab Learn more on Charles Schwab's website | $0 per online equity trade | $0 | None no promotion available at this time | Learn more on Charles Schwab's website | |
 Webull Learn more on Webull's website | $0 per trade | $0 | Get up to 40 free fractional shares ( each valued up to $3,000) when you open and fund an account with Webull. | Learn more on Webull's website | |
 Interactive Brokers IBKR Lite Learn more on Interactive Brokers' website | $0 per trade | $0 | None no promotion available at this time | Learn more on Interactive Brokers' website | |
 Public Learn more on Public's website | $0 | $0 | Earn up to $10,000 when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public. | Learn more on Public's website | |
 SoFi Active Investing Learn more on SoFi Invest's website | $0 per trade | $0 | Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account. | Learn more on SoFi Invest's website |
$0
per online equity trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Five trading platforms with no minimums or fees.
Access to thinkorswim platforms.
Extensive research offerings.
Large fund selection.
Cons
Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Why We Like It
Schwab offers three different mobile apps: Schwab Mobile (best for beginners), StreetSmart Mobile (advanced features) and thinkorswim, formerly TD Ameritrade's advanced trading platform. Schwab's mobile app and thinkorswim have good ratings, but the StreetSmart Mobile app only earns 1 to 2 stars in the iOS and Android app stores.
$0
per trade
$0
Get up to 40 free fractional shares ( each valued up to $3,000)
when you open and fund an account with Webull.
Pros
Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Easy-to-use platform.
Advanced tools.
High interest rate on uninvested cash.
High order execution quality.
Cons
No mutual funds.
Separate app required to trade crypto.
Why We Like It
Within Webull's mobile app users can access advanced features, like charts and indicators, price alerts, a paper trading account and voice command functionality. Webull earns 4.7 stars on the Apple app store and 4.3 stars on Google Play.
Best Online Broker for Advanced Traders 2024
$0
per trade
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Large investment selection.
Strong research and tools.
Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
High order execution quality.
Cons
High minimum to earn interest on uninvested cash.
Website can be difficult to navigate.
Why We Like It
The IBKR mobile app is available to both Lite and Pro customers. The app features advanced trading shortcuts, over 400 data columns, option exercise and spread templates, news, research, charting and scanners. Users can create order presets, which prefill order tickets for fast entry. The app earns 4.5 stars on the Apple app store and 4.7 on Google Play.
$0
$0
Earn up to $10,000
when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public.
Pros
Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Rebates for trading options.
Impressive selection of alternative assets.
Easy-to-use signup and trading interface.
High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
No mutual funds.
Lack of tools (e.g. customizable investment screeners).
No IRA accounts.
Why We Like It
Public's app makes it extremely easy to learn how to trade options through their Options Hub. You can ask Alpha (powered by AI) questions about any stock and easily manage your portfolio. Public scores 4.7 stars on the Apple app store and 4.1 stars on Google Play.
$0
per trade
$0
Get up to $1,000
in stock when you fund a new account.
Pros
No commissions on stock, options and ETF trades
Complimentary access to financial planners.
IPO access.
IRA match.
Cons
Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Why We Like It
SoFi may be a better choice for those looking for a low-key trading experience. SoFi's trading tools may not be as advanced as some of the competitors, but you can invest in stocks and ETFs, access IPOs and experience user-friendly options trading through the app. SoFi scores 4.8 stars on the Apple app store and 3.9 stars on Google Play.
$0
per trade
$0
Get up to $700
when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account with qualifying new money.
Pros
Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Easy-to-use platform.
App connects all Chase accounts.
In-person customer support at Chase branches.
Cons
Bare-bones trading platform isn't for advanced traders.
Low interest rate on uninvested cash.
Why We Like It
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is a clear-cut investment platform that is great for beginners looking to learn how to buy and sell investments. More advanced investors, however, may find it lacking in terms of available assets, tools and research. Through the app, users can trade stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs, as well as access charting tools, screeners, J.P. Morgan research, stock watch lists and more. J.P. Morgan's full-service app earns 4.8 stars on the Apple app store and 3.9 stars on Google Play. INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
4.4
/5Reviewed in: Oct. 2024
Period considered: Aug. - Oct. 2024
on Stash's website
AD
Paid non-client promotion
$3 or $9
per month, depending on selected plan
$0
Get $25
when you open a personal brokerage account and deposit at least $5. Subject to T&Cs.
Pros
Both DIY and automated investing options.
Fractional shares available.
Values-based investment offerings.
No account minimum ($5 required to start investing through Smart Portfolios).
Option to round-up purchases and invest the change.
Cons
Smart Portfolios don't offer tax-loss harvesting.
No automated IRA management.
Monthly fees can be significant for small balances.
Why We Like It
Stash is unique in that it supports both automated investing and DIY investing in the same platform. Beginners will appreciate the easy-to-understand Diversification Score tool and thematic ETFs. And while Stash may be a great stepping stone for beginner investors, advanced investors won't have nearly the tools and research they may want. Stash scores 4.7 stars on the Apple app store but only 3.7 stars on Google Play.
4.6
/5Reviewed in: Oct. 2024
Period considered: Aug. - Oct. 2024
on Acorns' website
AD
Paid non-client promotion
$3 - $12
per month
$0
$10 sign-up bonus
Pros
Automatically invests spare change.
Cash back at select retailers.
Educational content available.
No account minimum ($5 required to start investing).
IRA match at some service tiers.
High interest rate on checking and savings at some service tiers.
Cons
Monthly fees can be significant for small balances.
$35 per ETF to transfer funds to another broker.
No tax-loss harvesting.
Why We Like It
Acorns is a robo-advisor that stands out for its clean and uncomplicated user interface. Acorns offers up to a 3% match on IRA contributions, which can effectively wipe out the management fee and put a little extra cash in your pocket. Acorns may be the best investment app for kids, and it includes a kid-friendly debit card and learning app. Acorn scores 4.7 stars on the Apple app store and 4.7 stars on Google Play.
Best App for Investing 2024
$0
per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs
$0
None
no promotion available at this time
Pros
Commission-free stock, options and ETF trades.
Large selection of research providers.
Strong customer service.
Expense-ratio-free index funds.
Highly rated mobile app.
High interest rate on uninvested cash.
Cons
Relatively high broker-assisted trade fee.
Why We Like It
Fidelity's app is great for beginners and advanced traders alike, and includes real-time quotes, multi-leg options trading, a consolidated version of the company’s research offerings, and a notebook to save ideas and articles from your mobile browser. Fidelity scores 4.8 stars on the Apple app store and 4.5 stars on Google Play.
Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks:
Which investment apps do the Nerds use? | |
|---|---|
 | Chris Davis | Assigning editor I really appreciate that Webull gives you the option of using an interface designed either for advanced trading, or more hands-off, long-term investing. And whichever you choose, the interface is really good. Toggling back and forth between the two is easy, too. Previously, that biggest drawback of mobile-first investing platforms like Webull was the lack of retirement accounts or any long-term financial planning tools, but that's starting to change. |
 | Alana Benson | Lead investing writer I use the Fidelity app to keep track of my investments. I like how I can see my workplace retirement plan and my Roth IRA in the same place. I'm a pretty boring long-term investor and Fidelity suits my needs really well. I also like that I can get in touch with an advisor right through the app if I need to. |
 | Sam Taube | Lead investing writer In my experience, Fidelity combines the convenience of a mobile-first investing app with the wide investment selection of a large institution. In the last few years, Fidelity has built a mobile user experience that is almost as smooth as Robinhood or Webull — its app allows you to transact, change your settings and more with just a few taps after logging in. However, it also offers something that those upstart brokers don't: a huge variety of mutual funds, including target-date funds for IRAs. |
Which features are most important when choosing the best investing app?
The most important thing to consider when choosing an investing app is how you're going to use it — if you're a frequent stock trader, you might prioritize an app with strong trading capabilities or stock analysis tools. (To see a list specifically focused on stock trading, check out our picks for the best stock apps).
How much money do you need to start investing through an app?
For some apps, $1. Thanks to micro-investing apps like Acorns and Stash, you can kick-start an investment portfolio with small amounts of money — just your spare change, in fact. Acorns, for example, sweeps a linked credit or debit card account, rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the change. Stash offers a similar opt-in feature that rounds up purchases to deposit money in a user's account.
Beyond the micro-investing apps, the amount of money you’ll need to begin investing after you open your account depends on the assets you intend to buy — but in most cases, you'll be able to find options you can afford now matter how much you can invest.
What investments can you trade through an investing app?
The investments available to you will vary by broker. Typically, an app from a traditional online broker will offer the largest range of investment options, while smaller apps or start-ups tend to limit their selection. Here are some investments that may be offered through an investment app:
Stocks
Bonds
Mutual funds
Index funds
Exchange-traded funds
Options
Cryptocurrencies
Futures
Forex
Commodities
What is the best investment app for beginners?
For new investors, working with a larger, established brokerage like Fidelity or Charles Schwab is often a good fit — their apps rate highly, and they also offer higher levels of educational support and strong customer service. You might also consider an investing app from a robo-advisor. Robo-advisors build and manage portfolios for you, often using ETFs, so you don't have to choose any investments yourself. On the list above, Acorns and Stash both offer robo-advisor services.
Are investing apps safe?
Just as FDIC insurance insures bank accounts, SIPC insurance insures the money you have in your brokerage account (or robo-advisor account) up to $500,000. This includes investing apps. $250,000 of that total can be applied to protect cash that you haven’t yet invested. All of NerdWallet’s picks for best apps are members of the SIPC. (Here’s more on SIPC insurance and what it does and doesn’t protect.)
Some of the investment apps listed here also offer bank or savings accounts, which are FDIC insured against loss.
Investment apps typically also use industry-standard security measures, including two-factor authentication, hashing of passwords and encryption of personal information.
What happens if an investment app goes out of business?
If your brokerage (app or brick-and-mortar institution) goes out of business, it's highly unlikely that you will lose money. In most scenarios, another institution will agree to buy the investing app or take over its accounts, and your assets will be transferred to the new brokerage.
Can you lose money with an investing app?
Yes, it is possible to lose money through an investment app, but that largely depends on how you invest your money within the app, rather than the app itself. Like traditional brokers, your investment decisions can determine how much money you gain or lose and how "safe" your money is overall. Some investments carry more risk than others — for example, individual stocks or cryptocurrencies are known to be riskier than funds, bonds or Treasurys.
The bottom line: No matter what app or investment company you're using, it's important to align your investment selections with your risk tolerance and time horizon. Generally speaking, many financial advisors suggest not investing money you need within the next five years — most investments should be considered long-term.
Last updated on November 1, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks the largest U.S. brokers by assets under management, along with emerging industry players. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of providers to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
We collect data directly from providers through detailed questionnaires, and conduct first-hand testing and observation through provider demonstrations. The questionnaire answers, combined with demonstrations, interviews of personnel at the providers and our specialists’ hands-on research, fuel our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance across more than 20 factors. The final output produces star ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).
For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.
To recap our selections...
