Best investing apps in 2026: 9 apps compared

Fidelity is our pick for most new investors because it covers the basics so completely. You can open an account with no minimum, buy fractional shares from $1, and use the same app for a brokerage account, an IRA and a health savings account. The research and education material is deep, which helps when you move from a first ETF purchase to questions about asset allocation. The catch is mainly about expectations. Fidelity is not the flashiest app, and some features sit in a separate desktop platform for more active traders. That is a fair trade for most long-term investors, since the core app stays clear and the fee schedule stays easy to follow. Check the list of ETFs that carry a transaction fee before you buy a fund outside the commission-free range.

Schwab pairs $0 online equity trades with human support that many app-only brokers do not offer. Fractional share orders from $1 let you build positions in higher-priced stocks without waiting to save the full share price. Retirement accounts, education savings and banking sit alongside brokerage in one login, which keeps a household plan in one place. New users may find the range of platforms confusing, since Schwab offers a mobile app, a website and the thinkorswim platform for active traders. Start in the main app and move to the advanced tools only if you need them. Schwab also suits investors who want to talk through a rollover or a retirement question rather than rely only on chat support.

Robinhood remains the simplest way to place a first trade from a phone. The app keeps the order screen short, supports fractional shares from $1, and charges no contract fee on options trades. For people who already know what they want to buy, that simplicity is a real benefit, and the optional Gold plan adds research and a higher rate on uninvested cash for $5 per month. The trade-off is depth. Research, retirement planning tools and customer support are thinner than at the large full-service brokers. Robinhood also charges $100 for a full account transfer out, so think about whether you plan to stay before you build a large position there. It fits confident, mobile-first traders better than people who want guided planning.

Webull gives active beginners a middle path between a bare-bones trading app and a professional terminal. Paper trading lets you practise orders, test a chart setup and learn how a position moves without risking cash. The desktop and mobile apps include technical indicators, extended-hours trading and market data that Robinhood keeps simpler. That depth can also distract. Charts and news feeds make it easy to trade more often than a long-term plan requires, and frequent trading usually hurts returns. Use Webull if you want to learn charting and order types, and set a clear rule for how often you will trade. Investors who mainly want an IRA and automatic contributions will find Fidelity or Schwab calmer choices.

SoFi Invest suits people who want investing to sit next to their bank account and run with little attention. Active investing offers $0 commissions and fractional shares, while automated investing builds and rebalances a diversified portfolio for you. That combination works well for a first IRA or a regular contribution plan where the goal is steady saving rather than stock picking. SoFi is less suited to investors who want mutual funds or deep research tools. The app is built for simplicity, so advanced traders will miss the screeners and desktop platforms offered elsewhere. If you already use SoFi for banking or student loan refinancing, the shared login is a practical plus, but judge the investing service on its own merits first.

Vanguard is the natural pick for investors who plan to hold broad index funds for years and care most about keeping fund costs low. The brokerage offers $0 commissions on most online stock and ETF trades, and Vanguard funds are known for low expense ratios. Retirement accounts and target-date funds are easy to set up, which helps people who want a plan they can leave alone. The app will not excite anyone who wants fast charts, social features or crypto trading. Vanguard also limits its appeal for active traders, since its tools are built around long-term holding rather than frequent orders. For a buy-and-hold investor, that restraint is a feature, not a flaw, because it keeps attention on contributions and time in the market.

Betterment builds a diversified portfolio from your goals, risk level and time horizon, then rebalances it and harvests tax losses in taxable accounts. That structure helps people who know they should invest but do not want to choose funds or watch the market. The planning tools let you set separate goals for retirement, a home deposit or a general nest egg, each with its own allocation. Pricing needs a close read. Digital costs $5 per month for smaller balances without a qualifying recurring deposit, and 0.25% per year once the balance or deposit condition is met. That flat fee can feel high on a tiny balance, so Betterment makes most sense once you contribute regularly. Premium, at a higher fee, adds unlimited access to certified financial planners.

Wealthfront takes a similar automated path to Betterment, with a strong focus on tax management and financial planning tools. The automated investing account charges 0.25% per year, rebalances for you, and includes tax-loss harvesting in taxable accounts. Direct indexing becomes available at higher balances, which can improve tax efficiency for larger taxable portfolios. The $500 minimum means Wealthfront is not the best first stop for someone starting with $20, and there is no human advisor to call for a complex question. People who are comfortable with a fully digital service and want tax-aware automation will get the most from it. Compare the total fee at your expected balance, since a percentage fee grows in dollar terms as the portfolio grows.

Acorns turns spare change into an investing habit, which is its real strength. Round-ups move small amounts into a diversified portfolio automatically, and recurring deposits can add to that habit each week or month. The app also offers retirement accounts and, on higher tiers, accounts for children, so a family can keep several goals in one place. The fee structure is the honest catch. Bronze costs $4 per month for new customers, and that flat fee is a large percentage of a $100 balance, even though it becomes modest as the balance grows. Acorns is best for people who will use it as a main investing account with regular deposits, not only for occasional round-ups. If you want to pick individual stocks, choose a brokerage instead.