Best Micro-Investing Apps Review 2024: Top Platforms Compared for Beginners

What are Micro-Investing Apps?

Micro-investing apps are financial platforms that enable users to invest small amounts of money, often by rounding up purchases or setting aside spare change. These apps are designed for people who may not have large sums to invest but want to build wealth gradually. The primary goal is to lower the barrier to entry and make investing accessible to everyone.

• Low minimum investments (sometimes as low as $1)
• Automated investment options for hands-off investing
• User-friendly interfaces designed for beginners
• Access to fractional shares and diversified portfolios

These features have contributed to the explosive growth of micro-investing platforms and made them a go-to choice for young investors, students, and anyone new to the world of investing.

Key Benefits of Micro-Investing Apps

The surge in popularity of micro-investment platforms is not accidental. There are several compelling advantages that make them particularly attractive:

• Accessibility: Almost anyone can start investing with minimal funds.
• Automation: Features like round-ups and recurring deposits simplify the investing process.
• Education: Many apps offer educational content and tools tailored for beginners.
• Low fees: Compared to traditional brokerage accounts, many micro-investing apps have lower or no commissions.
• Diversification: Access to portfolios containing stocks, bonds, ETFs, and even cryptocurrencies.
• Financial discipline: Encourages consistent investing and better money habits.

What to Look for in a Micro-Investing App

Choosing the right micro-investing app can be challenging, especially with so many options available. Here are some critical factors to consider when reading any micro-investing app review:

• Fees and pricing: Monthly fees, trading commissions, and expense ratios.
• Investment options: Availability of stocks, ETFs, crypto, or socially responsible investments.
• Ease of use: How intuitive is the app interface?
• Educational resources: Does the app help beginners learn about investing?
• Automation: Tools for round-ups, recurring deposits, and rebalancing.
• Account types: Individual, retirement, custodial, or joint accounts.
• Customer support: Accessibility and quality of help available.

Top Micro-Investing Apps for Beginners in 2024

After extensive research and user feedback, weve compiled a detailed micro-investing apps comparison for 2024. Here are the leading platforms, each excelling in specific areas for new investors.

1. Acorns

Acorns remains one of the most popular micro-investing apps, known for its round-up feature that invests your spare change. The app automatically invests the difference between your purchase and the next dollar into a diversified portfolio.

• Best for: Automated investing and hands-off beginners
• Fees: $3/month (Personal), $5/month (Family)
• Minimum investment: $0 to open, $5 to start investing
• Key features:
  • Round-up purchases to invest spare change
  • Pre-built diversified portfolios
  • Retirement and custodial accounts available
  • Found Money rewards for shopping with partner brands
  • Integrated checking and savings accounts

Pros: Acorns is incredibly easy to use, making it ideal for beginners who want to “set it and forget it.” The round-up feature automates saving and investing, while educational content helps users understand their investments. The Family plan allows you to open investment accounts for kids, making it a great choice for parents.

Cons: The monthly fee can be expensive for those with small balances. Limited investment customization may not suit advanced investors.

2. Stash

Stash offers a blend of micro-investing, banking, and educational resources. Unlike Acorns, Stash lets users choose their own investments, including individual stocks and ETFs, with fractional shares available.

• Best for: Investors who want to choose their own stocks/ETFs
• Fees: $3/month (Growth), $9/month (Stash+)
• Minimum investment: $0 to open, $5 to start investing
• Key features:
  • Choose from thousands of stocks and ETFs
  • Fractional share investing
  • Banking with Stock-Back rewards
  • Retirement and custodial accounts
  • Extensive educational resources

Pros: Stash provides more control over investment choices, ideal for those who want to learn about individual stocks. The Stock-Back card rewards users with stock for purchases, encouraging investing with everyday spending.

Cons: The monthly fee is relatively high for small portfolios, and some users may feel overwhelmed by the number of options.

3. Robinhood

Robinhood is a commission-free trading platform that has expanded to include fractional shares, making it a popular choice for micro-investors.

• Best for: Fee-conscious investors who want flexibility
• Fees: $0 for basic accounts; Robinhood Gold at $5/month for premium features
• Minimum investment: $1 for fractional shares
• Key features:
  • Commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto
  • Fractional shares available
  • Simple, intuitive interface
  • Real-time market data

Pros: Robinhood is one of the few platforms with no monthly fees, making it cost-effective for micro-investors. The app is easy to use and offers a wide range of investment options, including cryptocurrencies.

Cons: Robinhood lacks automated investing and educational resources. It is better suited for those willing to make their own investment decisions.

4. SoFi Invest

SoFi Invest provides both active and automated investing with no management fees, making it a compelling choice for beginners.

• Best for: Beginners who want flexibility between automated and DIY investing
• Fees: $0 management fees
• Minimum investment: $1 for active investing, $5 for automated investing
• Key features:
  • Commission-free stock and ETF trades
  • Automated investing with pre-built portfolios
  • Fractional shares
  • Access to cryptocurrencies
  • Free financial planning and career coaching

Pros: SoFi stands out for its no-fee structure and access to financial advisors. The platform is beginner-friendly and offers both hands-off and hands-on investing.

Cons: Investment options are more limited than some competitors, especially for active investors seeking niche assets.

5. Public

Public is a social investing app that lets users buy fractional shares, interact with other investors, and follow portfolios for inspiration.

• Best for: Social learners and community-oriented investors
• Fees: $0 commission, optional tipping
• Minimum investment: $1
• Key features:
  • Fractional shares of thousands of stocks and ETFs
  • Social feed for sharing ideas and following others
  • No payment for order flow—transparent business model
  • Educational content and town halls with CEOs

Pros: Public’s social features are excellent for beginners who want to learn from peers. The app’s transparency about how it makes money is a plus.

Cons: No automated investing or retirement accounts. Some users may find the social aspect distracting.

6. Betterment

Betterment is a leading robo-advisor that has adapted its services for micro-investors by eliminating minimum balance requirements and offering low-cost, automated portfolios.

• Best for: Hands-off investors who want professional portfolio management
• Fees: 0.25% annual management fee (Digital), 0.40% for Premium
• Minimum investment: $0
• Key features:
  • Automated, diversified portfolios
  • Tax-loss harvesting
  • Retirement and cash management accounts
  • Goal-based investing and planning tools
  • Access to financial advisors (Premium tier)

Pros: Betterment is ideal for those who want a “set it and forget it” approach with expert portfolio management. Its low fees and lack of minimums make it accessible to beginners.

Cons: No control over individual stock selection. Monthly fees can add up for very small balances.

Micro-Investing Apps Comparison Table

How Micro-Investing Apps Work: A Closer Look

Round-Ups and Recurring Investments

One of the most innovative features of top micro-investing apps is the round-up function. This works by linking your debit or credit card to the app, and every time you make a purchase, the app rounds the amount up to the nearest dollar. The difference is then automatically invested. For example, if you buy a coffee for $2.50, the app will round up to $3.00 and invest the $0.50 difference.

Many platforms also allow you to set up recurring investments, so a set amount is deposited into your investment account at regular intervals (e.g., weekly or monthly). This helps build consistent investing habits.

Fractional Shares: Breaking Down Barriers

Fractional share investing is a game-changer for those who want to invest in expensive stocks like Apple, Amazon, or Tesla without needing hundreds or thousands of dollars. Most micro-investing platforms now offer fractional shares, allowing you to buy a “slice” of a share for as little as $1.

Automated Portfolios and Robo-Advisors

For those who prefer a hands-off approach, many micro-investment apps offer automated portfolios managed by robo-advisors. These portfolios are constructed based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment goals. The app will automatically rebalance your investments to maintain your desired asset allocation.

Educational Resources for Beginners

A critical aspect of any micro-investing app review is the quality of educational content available. Beginners often need guidance on basic investment concepts, market trends, and personal finance strategies. Here’s how the top platforms stack up:

• Stash: Offers one of the most comprehensive libraries, including articles, videos, and quizzes.
• Acorns: Provides simple explanations and helpful blog posts for new investors.
• Public: Unique town halls with CEOs and interactive social feeds for peer learning.
• SoFi: Access to webinars, financial planning, and career advice.
• Robinhood: Basic educational articles and