You don’t need thousands of dollars to begin investing. You don’t need to be a financial expert. What you really need is the right tool—and the good news is that many of them are free.
But how do you know which ones are worth your time?
Some apps are simple but lack depth. Some are flashy but full of ads. Some push you into risky choices you don’t fully understand. I’ve tested dozens of investing apps and found a handful that truly help beginners build real skills, not just tap buttons.
Best Apps for Investors
Many new investors waste time with the wrong tools. They follow hype instead of learning real skills.
When that happens, they lose money, confidence, and the motivation to keep going. That’s why choosing the right app matters. It’s not just about downloading something that looks cool. It’s about building the habits and confidence that help you stick with investing long-term.
The apps I’m about to show you have helped real people go from knowing nothing to managing their own investments. And yes, they’re free. No hidden fees. No tricks. Just tools that work if you do.
You’re about to see what’s actually useful—not what’s popular on social media.
1. Public – Learn by Watching Real Investors
Public is built for people who are brand new to investing. You don’t need any experience to get started. The app removes the clutter and replaces it with clear steps. Right after signing up, you’re guided through basic setup without any pressure to fund your account right away.
You can invest in full stocks or just a fraction. That means if a stock costs $500, you can still buy $5 worth. This lowers the fear of starting. It also helps you experiment with real companies without risking much.
What makes Public stand out is the social feed. You can follow real investors and see what they’re buying or selling. But here’s the key: they don’t pressure you to copy them. Instead, they explain why they made a move. This teaches you to think, not follow.
Every post and update on the feed is short and easy to understand. You’ll see why a stock is moving, what news triggered it, and how others are reacting. It feels like sitting in a room full of other learners and watching how decisions are made—without having to speak up or feel lost.
There’s also a section where experts break down market news. These aren’t long reports full of hard words. Each one is clear, to the point, and built to help you understand what’s going on in the market today—not last week.
One of the best parts of Public is what it doesn’t allow. There’s no margin trading, no risky options, and no complicated order types. This means you can’t accidentally borrow money or place a bet you don’t understand. That’s a safety net beginners really need.
Another key benefit? Public doesn’t use “payment for order flow.” That’s a behind-the-scenes practice where some apps send your trade through a middleman to make a tiny profit. Public avoids this and sends your trades straight to the market. That builds trust.
If you’re someone who learns by watching others and needs short, helpful updates instead of long lessons, Public is a solid place to start. You’ll stay grounded, stay curious, and avoid bad habits from day one.
Best for: People who want to learn by observing others and reading real-world examples.
Big plus: No middlemen in your trades. Transparent pricing and a beginner-safe environment.
2. SoFi Invest – The Cleanest Start
SoFi Invest is built to be your first investment app. Everything about it is calm, clear, and easy to understand. There are no noisy charts or pushy offers. That makes it feel less like a casino and more like a calm place to learn and grow.
You can buy stocks, ETFs, and even cryptocurrency—all with no trading fees. That’s important when you’re starting with small amounts. Fees can kill your gains when you’re only investing a few dollars. SoFi makes sure that doesn’t happen.
Starting is easy. You can begin with just $1. That’s not a trick—it’s real. This removes the pressure of putting in large amounts. You can build your skills slowly while keeping your risk low.
SoFi also includes a full library of learning content. These articles and videos explain investing terms and concepts in everyday language. You won’t find long definitions or complex charts. You’ll find short, useful lessons that make sense right away.
The app stays focused on investing. You won’t be distracted by popups asking you to open credit cards, loans, or insurance products. That clean space helps you stay focused on what you came to do: learn how to grow your money.
What sets SoFi apart is access to live advisors. If you’re confused or stuck, you can talk to a real person. Not a chatbot. Not a help article. This support gives beginners confidence when they’re unsure about a step or a choice.
The app also tracks your performance in a simple way. You can see gains, losses, and total balance without digging through five menus. This builds awareness of your habits and helps you stay accountable.
If you want to keep things simple and stress-free, SoFi Invest is a great entry point. You get a clean layout, smart tools, and support from real people. That’s more than most free apps offer.
Best for: First-timers who want a relaxed and supportive place to learn.
Big plus: Real human advisors available to guide you—without paying anything extra.
3. M1 Finance – For Smart Automation
M1 Finance is perfect for anyone who wants to build a routine and not check the app every day. It helps you grow your money without needing to watch the market 24/7. That’s important when you’re just getting started and trying to stay focused.
Instead of choosing one stock at a time, you create a group of investments—called a “pie.” You can choose your own or use expert-built ones. Each slice is a different investment. You decide how much to put in each slice. Then, M1 spreads your money across them every time you deposit funds.
This system helps you build good habits. Every dollar you add gets invested right away according to your plan. You don’t have to worry about timing the market or choosing the “right” day to invest. That takes pressure off and keeps your actions steady.
The best part? You can start with a few dollars and still invest across many companies. M1 supports fractional shares. That means you don’t need to buy a full share of an expensive stock. You can own a piece of it and still stay diversified.
There are no trading fees, no account fees, and no pressure to make trades. That removes stress. It also protects beginners from overtrading, which is a common mistake.
M1 is not for people who want to trade every day. It’s built for long-term investors who want to stay disciplined. If you’re the type who wants to “set it and forget it,” this app will make that possible—with zero extra cost.
Best for: Beginners who want to build a habit and automate smart decisions.
Big plus: You get custom portfolios, auto-investing, and fractional shares—all free.
4. Fidelity Youth App – A Hidden Gem for Young Beginners
Most investment apps block teens. But the Fidelity Youth App opens the door early. Teens ages 13 to 17 can use it, with a parent’s help to set it up. From there, they take charge—with real guidance.
This is a full-service investing app. There are no trading fees or monthly charges. Teens get access to real stocks and ETFs. They can also learn about savings, goals, and budgeting—all in one place.
The education features are built right into the experience. There are short videos, mini-quizzes, and real-time lessons. Teens earn points for learning and unlock new levels as they grow. This rewards learning, not guessing.
Unlike apps that feel like games, this one teaches real financial skills. The layout is clean. There’s no fake money. Teens use real dollars and make real decisions—with a parent on the account for safety.
It’s also secure. Parents can monitor the account and see what’s happening at any time. That makes it a safe space for learning and building confidence. And it starts building money habits before adulthood.
If you’re a parent who wants your child to get a head start—or a teen ready to take control of your future—this app gives you a rare chance to do it right.
Best for: Teens or parents looking for a real, safe way to start investing.
Big plus: Learn with real money, no fees, and built-in education made for young minds.
5. Investopedia Simulator – Practice Before You Risk
Starting with real money can be scary. That’s why the Investopedia Simulator is a great first step. You don’t risk anything, but you learn everything.
You get $100,000 in fake money. It’s not real cash, but you use it to trade real stocks. Prices move in real time. This means your experience matches the real market, just without the pressure.
You can try strategies. Buy what you believe in. Sell when it makes sense. And if you mess up? You learn from it without losing a dollar. That’s a powerful way to build confidence before going live.
This tool also tracks your performance. You’ll see how your choices play out over time. You’ll start to notice patterns, reactions, and habits. That’s what helps turn beginners into smart investors.
There’s no flashy design. No social feed. No distractions. It’s built to teach you how to think—not how to react. If you want to try investing without fear, this is where to do it.
Best for: Anyone who wants real-world practice without the financial risk.
Big plus: Live market data, zero cost, and full access to trial-and-error learning.
6. Yahoo Finance App – Track, Learn, and Stay Updated
Yahoo Finance isn’t where you buy stocks. But it’s where you learn how markets work. If you’re serious about understanding what moves prices, this app is a must.
You can search for any stock and instantly see key info: price changes, company history, earnings, and news. You don’t need to know what every word means—just keep reading, and the app makes it clear. Each piece of news is short, focused, and updated in real time.
You can build your own watchlist. Just pick the companies you want to follow. Yahoo Finance tracks them all for you, updates their prices, and sends alerts when something changes. That keeps you in the loop without being glued to your phone.
Want to know why a stock jumped 5%? Or why it dropped during a speech? Yahoo shows the connection between news and price. It teaches you to think like an investor—asking “why” instead of reacting with “what now?”
It also gives you free access to deep market data. You’ll see financial statements, analyst ratings, and earnings reports. That’s the kind of info pros pay for—but here, it’s free.
The app doesn’t try to sell you anything. There’s no hype. Just clean charts, current news, and the data that helps you stay informed. If you’re watching your money and want to understand how the world impacts stocks, this tool makes that possible—without cost or clutter.
Best for: New investors who want to track trends and learn how markets respond to news.
Big plus: Pro-level data and real-time updates, all free and beginner-friendly.
7. Robinhood (with a warning) – Use with Caution
Robinhood is one of the easiest investing apps to use. That’s both good and bad. It removes friction. It makes investing simple. But it can also make it feel like a game.
You can open an account in minutes. Start trading with zero fees. And the app feels smooth and exciting. Each trade gives you fast results and colorful effects. It feels fun—but that’s where beginners can fall into bad habits.
Robinhood pushes alerts that tell you what’s rising, falling, and trending. That sounds useful, but it can lead to chasing hype. You feel the urge to act fast without thinking long. That’s not real investing—it’s reaction.
There’s also a big risk: options trading is just a few taps away. You might not know what it is, but the app makes it easy to try. That can lead to big losses if you’re not careful.
Here’s the safe way to use Robinhood: pick solid companies, invest small amounts, and hold long term. Don’t use it to gamble. Don’t check it every 10 minutes. Use it to buy and grow slowly.
If you can ignore the distractions, it’s a powerful tool. No fees. Fast execution. Easy deposits. Just know the risks—and avoid the features that feel too fun to be safe.
Best for: Beginners who stay disciplined and resist impulsive trading.
Big plus: Zero-commission trading, fast performance, and easy access to real stocks.
What You Shouldn’t Use
Let’s break the pattern here.
Not every free app is worth your time.
Avoid apps that push margin trading right away. Avoid any app that sends too many alerts. Avoid apps that have “hot picks of the day” flashing in your face.
Why? Because those apps aren’t built to help you win. They’re built to get clicks, fast trades, and risky behavior.
You want to build wealth, not chase dopamine spikes. Choose tools that teach you, guide you, and help you stay focused.
Here’s where most people mess up. They download too many apps. Then they get confused.
Don’t do that.
Pick one. Stick with it for 30 days. Use it. Explore every page. Learn the tools. Track your progress. Then decide if you need another app.
Most beginners don’t need more than one app at first. You need clarity, not clutter.
What to expect in your first 90 days? The first week is exciting. You’ll see prices go up and down. You’ll feel tempted to buy or sell quickly. Don’t.
The second week is confusing. You might feel lost. That’s okay. Keep learning.
By week four, you’ll understand how to read a chart. You’ll know what a ticker is. You’ll stop panicking when prices drop.
By 90 days, you’ll be on track to becoming a confident investor. You’ll understand your app, your portfolio, and your habits.
This is the turning point. This is when investing starts to feel real.
You don’t need advanced tools to build wealth. You don’t need to follow stock tips. You don’t need to time the market.
What you need is one good tool, a bit of patience, and a reason to keep going.
Use one of the apps above. Commit to learning. And invest small, steady amounts. You’ll build skill, not just hype. You’ll build confidence, not just clicks.
That’s how real investors get started.
And now, so can you.
