5 Free Apps to Automate Investing for Beginners

Investing is now easier than ever with free apps that simplify the process for beginners. These platforms offer features like commission-free trading, fractional shares, and automated portfolios, making it possible to start investing with little money or experience. Here’s a quick look at the top five apps and what they offer:

• Robinhood: Commission-free trading, fractional shares, and a user-friendly interface.
• Webull: Advanced tools like paper trading and technical analysis for beginners.
• Stash: Guided investing with automated portfolios and stock-back rewards.
• Public: Social learning with community-driven insights and fractional investing.
• SoFi Invest: All-in-one platform with automated portfolios and access to financial advisors.

Quick Comparison

These apps help you start small, automate your investments, and learn as you go. Whether you want simplicity, advanced tools, or social insights, there’s an app for every beginner. Read on to find the best fit for your needs.

Which $0 Commission Brokerage Should You Use in 2025?

1. Robinhood: Easy Stock Trading

Robinhood has made a name for itself by breaking down barriers to investing, making it a go-to choice for first-time investors. Its user-friendly design and commission-free model have drawn in many who are new to the world of stocks. Here’s a closer look at why Robinhood is so appealing for beginners.

The platform eliminates financial hurdles by requiring no minimum deposit. This means you can start investing with any amount. Plus, all trades – whether in stocks, ETFs, options, or cryptocurrencies – are completely commission-free.

Key Features for New Investors

The app’s clean, intuitive interface ensures that new users can focus on the basics without feeling overwhelmed by complex tools or charts.

Important Note: While standard withdrawals are free but take longer, instant withdrawals come with a fee (minimum $2, up to 1.75%).

For beginners, a smart approach is to invest small amounts across different industries to spread out risk. The fractional shares feature makes this easy, even with limited funds.

Robinhood’s straightforward design and cost-friendly features make it an excellent starting point for anyone new to investing.

2. Webull: Advanced Tools for Beginners

Webull is a trading platform that combines zero-commission trading with tools designed to help beginners learn and grow. It’s simple enough for newcomers but includes features that support more advanced trading as you progress. Here’s what makes it stand out:

Practice Without Risk

Webull offers a paper trading simulator, which lets you practice trading strategies without risking real money. It’s a great way to build confidence and test out ideas in a safe environment.

Built-In Learning Resources

Webull integrates educational tools directly into the platform, making it easy to learn as you trade. Some of the standout resources include:

Customize Your Experience

You can set up the dashboard to match your preferences. Arrange tools, charts, and data in a way that works best for you.

Welcome Bonus for New Users

Webull offers a generous bonus for new users. Deposit between $500 and $24,999.99 to receive 20 free fractional shares (valued between $3 and $3,000). If you deposit $25,000 or more and maintain it for 30 days, you’ll get 75 free fractional shares.

Advanced Tools Made Easy

Although Webull includes advanced trading features, they’re designed to be approachable for beginners:

• Extended trading hours let you trade outside regular market times.
• Level 2 market data (available via subscription) provides deeper insight into market activity.
• Mobile-first design ensures you can trade and learn on the go.

However, the platform doesn’t include an economic calendar or some macro-level research tools. That said, its detailed charting options and technical analysis features fill this gap, making it a great choice for beginners looking to grow their skills.

3. Stash: Guided Investing Made Simple

Stash is an investment app designed with beginners in mind. It simplifies the process of building a portfolio by offering guided, automated tools to help users get started with confidence.

Smart Portfolio: Your Automated Investment Assistant

The Smart Portfolio feature takes a passive approach to help grow your investments. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Automatically invests in ETFs that match your risk profile.
• Includes a risk slider, letting you adjust your strategy based on your comfort level.
• Automatically puts any extra cash over $1 to work for you.

Features Tailored for New Investors

Investment Goals Made Clear

Stash helps you align your investments with your financial goals using its planning tools. These can assist with:

• Growing wealth over the long term.
• Saving for retirement.
• Building an emergency fund.
• Managing your daily budget.
• Earning stock rewards on everyday spending.

Recent Updates to the Platform

In 2023, Stash made a notable shift by removing cryptocurrency options from its Smart Portfolio. This change underscores its focus on stable, long-term investment strategies aimed at helping beginners succeed.

Learning Resources for Investors

Although Stash doesn’t include financial calculators, it offers a wealth of educational materials through its Learn portal. These resources are designed to teach market basics and empower users to make informed decisions.

Stash’s simple yet guided approach makes it a great choice for those who want support while still having some control over their investments. Keep in mind that Smart Portfolio is limited to ETFs, but self-directed accounts allow access to a wider range of assets.

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4. Public: Social Investing Platform

Public blends investing with a social twist, making the process more approachable for beginners. As of 2022, over 1 million users have joined the platform, collectively trading more than $1 billion. Interestingly, 75% of these users are first-time investors, showing how accessible the platform is for those new to investing.

Community-Driven Learning

Public’s Town Hall feature fosters an interactive learning environment. It connects beginners with seasoned investors, offering opportunities to:

• Follow experienced investors and track their portfolio moves.
• Join discussions about investment strategies.
• Gain insights from a community-oriented approach to investing.

Investment Options and Accessibility

Public offers a variety of beginner-friendly features:

Educational Resources

Public supports its users with a range of learning tools aimed at helping beginners make smarter investment decisions. These resources are built right into the platform, making learning part of the experience.

Automated Investing Feature

The platform also simplifies investing with its automated feature. Users can schedule recurring investments, making it easier to adopt a dollar-cost averaging strategy while benefiting from community insights.

Safety and Support

Public prioritizes user security and assistance. It offers 24/7 customer support and provides priority help for those who need extra guidance. With SIPC insurance and round-the-clock support, Public ensures a safe and supportive environment for new investors.

5. SoFi Invest: All-in-One Money Management

SoFi Invest combines investing and financial tools into one user-friendly platform. With over 5 million members and $50 billion in loans processed as of 2023, SoFi has become a well-known name in fintech. Let’s dive into how its features simplify both investing and daily money management.

Automated Investment Solutions

SoFi Invest offers automated portfolios with no management fees, making it a great choice for beginners. You can set up recurring investments tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance, helping you stay consistent with your contributions.

Investment Options and Banking Integration

Professional Support and Education

SoFi Invest connects users with financial advisors who can create personalized strategies and answer questions, making it easier for newcomers to navigate investing.

Member Benefits and Security

New users can earn a sign-up bonus of $5 to $1,000 in free stock by depositing at least $10. With a 4.5-star rating on the App Store from over 100,000 reviews, SoFi’s platform is praised for its intuitive design on both mobile and desktop. Key features include:

• Seamless management of investments and banking with recurring contributions
• Access to educational resources and up-to-date market insights
• The ability to connect with financial advisors for tailored advice

To protect your assets, SoFi employs advanced security measures, including SIPC protection for investment accounts up to standard limits.

How These Apps Stack Up

This breakdown compares key aspects of popular automated investing apps, helping you figure out which one fits your needs best. Here’s how they measure up on beginner-friendly features:

Core Features and Costs

Educational Resources and Support

Each platform caters to beginners with tools and resources to make learning easy. Robinhood simplifies investing with its user-friendly interface and learning center. Webull lets you practice risk-free through paper trading. Stash offers guided investments via its Smart Portfolio feature. Public focuses on community-driven insights, while SoFi includes professional guidance alongside its app.

Investment Options

All these apps offer commission-free trading, but their standout features vary. Robinhood provides extended trading hours and cryptocurrency options, perfect for those who want variety. Webull gives access to detailed market data for users interested in deeper analysis. Stash emphasizes themed, guided investments. Public encourages social interaction around investing, and SoFi delivers a well-rounded package, including access to financial advisors.

Platform Security and Protection

Each app ensures user safety with industry-standard security measures and SIPC protection.

Mobile Experience

Mobile accessibility is a priority for all these platforms. Robinhood focuses on simple navigation, Webull offers customizable tools for analysis, and Stash, Public, and SoFi provide easy-to-use interfaces for managing portfolios on the go.

Next Steps for New Investors

Kick off your automated investing journey with this step-by-step guide:

Build a Strong Foundation

Start by setting clear investment goals and understanding how much risk you’re comfortable taking. If you’re new to investing, SoFi Invest is a great option. It gives you free access to financial planners and helps you create a personalized strategy.

Choose Your First Platform

If you’re just starting out, consider Stash. It offers a beginner-friendly experience with tools to plan your goals and analyze your portfolio. For $3 per month, their basic subscription includes educational resources and automated tools to help you create a diversified portfolio with ease.

Try Before You Commit

Not ready to jump in? Use Webull’s paper trading simulator to test your strategies without any financial risk.

Start Small and Automate Your Investments

Begin with a small amount and use tools like Robinhood’s recurring investments to develop consistent investing habits. As you go, take advantage of the educational features each platform offers to improve your skills and adjust your approach.

Explore Educational Tools

Here’s how different apps can help you learn:

Keep an Eye on Your Progress

Regularly reviewing your investments ensures your portfolio stays aligned with your goals. Most apps provide tracking tools and performance metrics, so you can make adjustments without constant manual effort.

Prioritize Security

Before making deposits, enable all available security features, protect your account details, and monitor for any suspicious activity. A secure account is a key part of a smooth investing experience.

Focus on building strong habits and mastering the basics. Once you’re comfortable, you can gradually increase your investments and explore more advanced strategies. This approach helps you grow at your own pace while making the most of the tools each platform offers.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions that new investors often have:

What’s the best app to start investing for beginners?

Many experts suggest SoFi Invest as a great starting point. It offers an easy-to-use platform with features like:

• Free automated investing with professionally managed portfolios
• Access to financial advisors for guidance

From there, it’s all about finding the app that fits your trading style.

Which app is best for beginner trading?

The best app depends on your goals and how you prefer to learn. Here’s a quick comparison of popular options: