Investing can be an intimidating endeavour, especially for beginners. With so many options and platforms, knowing where to start is hard. Fortunately, several investment platforms are specifically designed to cater to novice investors. These platforms provide user-friendly interfaces, educational resources, and tools to help you make smarter investment decisions as you begin your financial journey.

In this post, we will explore some of the best investment platforms for beginner investors, highlighting their features, benefits, and why they stand out. Whether you’re looking to invest in stocks, ETFs, or other asset classes, these platforms offer a great starting point to help you grow your wealth.

Investing is about small, consistent steps toward long-term wealth. With today’s investment apps, growing your money is easier than ever. Start small, stay committed, and watch your investments grow over time.

1. Robinhood

Stock and ETF investing with zero commissions
Robinhood has become one of the most popular platforms for beginner investors due to its easy-to-use interface and no-commission trading. You can start investing in stocks, ETFs, options, and even cryptocurrency with no account minimums. Robinhood is an ideal choice if you’re looking to start small and get your feet wet in the world of investing.
Why it’s great for beginners:
  • No commissions or hidden fees
  • Fractional shares allow for investing with less money
  • Simple mobile app interface for on-the-go investing
  • Educational resources for learning about basic investing

2. Betterment

Automated investing with a focus on growth
Betterment is a robo-advisor that automatically builds a diversified portfolio for you, taking into account your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Betterment is an excellent choice if you prefer a hands-off approach to investing. It also offers goal-based features, allowing you to save for retirement, a down payment on a home, or any other major life event.
Why it’s great for beginners:
  • Automatic portfolio management based on your goals
  • Low fees (for robo-advisor services)
  • Access to financial planning tools
  • Beginner-friendly with simple, guided investment options


3. Acorns

Automatic investing and micro-investing

Acorns is a popular platform that helps you invest spare change automatically. By linking your credit or debit card to Acorns, it rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference. For example, if you make a $3.50 purchase, Acorns rounds up to $4 and invests that 50 cents in a diversified portfolio.

Why it’s great for beginners:
  • No need to actively think about investing; it’s automatic
  • Simple, easy-to-understand portfolios designed for different risk levels
  • Low minimum investment requirement ($5)
  • Helps develop good financial habits by investing spare change

4. M1 Finance

Customizable portfolios and passive investing

M1 Finance is a hybrid investment platform that combines elements of both robo-advisors and self-directed investing. You can create a personalized portfolio by choosing from pre-built “pies” (diversified investment portfolios) or create your own custom portfolio. M1 Finance also allows fractional share investing, making it accessible for beginners with small budgets.

Why it’s great for beginners:
  • Customizable portfolios (“pies”) that make it easy to diversify
  • No trading fees
  • Fractional shares, so you can invest as little as you want in different stocks
  • Auto-rebalancing to keep your portfolio in line with your goals

5. Stash

Learning about investing with small money

Stash is an investment app designed for beginners who are looking to start investing with as little as $5. It provides access to a wide range of stocks and ETFs, and you can choose from pre-built portfolios or create your own based on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Stash also offers educational content to help you learn about investing along the way.

Why it’s great for beginners:
  • Start investing with as little as $5
  • Pre-built portfolios tailored to different risk levels
  • Educational resources for understanding investing basics
  • Offers banking features alongside investing (Stash+)

6. Webull

Commission-free trading and in-depth research tools

Webull is an excellent platform for beginners who want to explore more advanced features over time. Like Robinhood, it offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options, but Webull also provides more robust research tools, making it a great choice for those who want to take a more active role in their investments.

Why it’s great for beginners:
  • Commission-free trading
  • User-friendly interface with access to more advanced research tools
  • Fractional share investing
  • No account minimum

7. SoFi Invest

A range of investment options with educational resources

SoFi offers a comprehensive investment platform with options for stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency. It’s a great option for beginners who are looking for more flexibility in their investment choices. SoFi also provides educational resources to help you understand the ins and outs of investing.

Why it’s great for beginners:
  • Commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs
  • Fractional shares for small investments
  • Access to cryptocurrency trading
  • Educational resources and financial planning tools

8. Public

Beginners who want to invest in individual stocks and ETFs with no commissions.

Public is a commission-free trading app that allows you to buy and sell stocks and ETFs with zero fees. One unique feature of Public is its social investing community, where you can follow other investors, share ideas, and discuss strategies. This is a great app for beginners who want to learn from others while managing their own portfolio.

Why it’s great for beginners:
  • No commission fees for buying and selling stocks and ETFs
  • Social investing features to learn from other investors
  • A wide range of stocks and ETFs to choose from
  • Fractional shares available to invest in expensive stocks

Final Thoughts

Starting your investment journey can feel overwhelming, but with the right platform, you can take the first steps with confidence. The platforms mentioned above are beginner-friendly, offer low fees or no commissions, and come with a range of features designed to help you grow your wealth over time. Whether you’re looking for automated investing, hands-off micro-investing, or more advanced options, there’s a platform for you.

Remember, investing is a long-term game, so choose a platform that aligns with your financial goals and personal preferences. With the right approach, you can start investing today and watch your money grow over time.

Disclaimer: If you choose any platform for investment. Always do your own research before making any financial decisions.
– Anna Z.