• Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

Investing
Investing basics
Best investment apps

9 best investment apps

Eric Esposito

Fact checked by Melanie Huddart

Updated Jul 1, 2025

55M+

Readers

300+

Reviews

3,000+

Metrics

Partners on this page may provide us earnings.

With today’s investment apps, you can build and manage your portfolio right from your phone. The convenience has helped fuel a $63 billion industry — but not all apps offer the same tools, fees or support.1 Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, here are some of the best apps to help you reach your goals.

Best investment apps by category

Best investing app overall: Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, forex, bonds, commodities and cryptocurrencies
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: Fixed or tiered fees that vary depending on IBKR Lite versus IBKR Pro
  • Robo-advisor available: Yes
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.5 stars
  • Google Play rating: 4.6 stars

  • Why we chose Interactive Brokers

    +

    There are many reasons that make Interactive Brokers (IBKR) one of the most admired investment platforms for global traders. For starters, IBKR attracts traders with its low fee schedule for spot and margin trading. But beyond these attractive rates, people love the wealth of assets they have with an IBKR account. Besides stocks, options and ETFs, you can access categories like futures, forex and cryptocurrencies all with one account.

    IBKR also shines with its advanced trading features, including near-instant finality thanks to SmartRouting and its technical analysis tools on Trader Workstation (TWS).2 But you don’t have to be a pro trader to get a lot with an IBKR account. This platform also offers easy ways for beginners and long-term investors to manage their finances with IRA rollovers, a robo-advisor, and fractional shares. While the learning curve on IBKR may be a bit steeper, this brokerage remains a top contender thanks to its wealth of offerings and low fees.

Interactive Brokers pros and cons

  • Attractive fees and margin rates: While complex, IBKR fee schedules are some of the most competitive in the brokerage industry.
  • Sophisticated trading tools: Active traders love IBKR advanced features, including SmartRouting and the Trader Workstation (TWS).3
  • Access to multiple markets: IBKR users can invest in many asset classes other than stocks and ETFs, including crypto, futures and forex.
  • Less hand-holding: Although newcomers can use IBKR, this platform has a higher learning curve than more beginner-friendly competitors.
  • Fees are hard to understand: IBKR is known for its competitive fees, but it takes time to understand the differences between tiered and fixed pricing for different assets.
  • Some customer service complaints: The average Trustpilot rating for IBKR is 2.8 stars, with many complaints centering around its customer care division.4

What people are saying about IBKR on the App Store

IBKR has the most comprehensive App for the [m]obile user. No other [f]irm comes close. Plus they keep improving it each week.

wasz048

Best app for retirement: E*TRADE

E*TRADE logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds and futures
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: $0 commission for US stocks and ETFs; contract, advisory and service fees may apply.
  • Robo-advisor available: Yes
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.7 stars
  • Google Play rating: 4.7 stars

  • Why we chose E*TRADE

    +

    Although “trade” is in its name, don’t think that E*TRADE is only for active traders. Similar to IBKR, this Morgan Stanley-backed brokerage has many features that make it a suitable pick for those who prefer a long-term approach. In addition to zero commissions on US stocks and ETFs, E*TRADE makes it easy to pick up well-diversified mutual funds and use multiple IRA types to fund your account.

    For those who want a passive approach to investing, E*TRADE also offers a robo-advisor service called Core Portfolios to take the stress of managing funds out of your hands. The connection to Morgan Stanley also puts many financial services right at your fingertips. For anyone interested in a reputable and easy-to-use brokerage with plenty of retirement features, E*TRADE may be an excellent choice.

E*TRADE pros and cons

  • Low fees on trades: There are no commissions on US stocks and ETFs, plus low contract fees and zero commissions on select mutual funds.5
  • Many retirement services and planning tools: E*TRADE welcomes multiple IRA types and has a plethora of educational resources and calculators.6
  • Robo-advisory offering: Anyone interested in automated investing can easily use an E*TRADE Core Portfolios robo-advisor for a more passive experience.7
  • Limited access to alternatives: Investors who want the broadest array of assets won’t find some categories like crypto on E*TRADE.
  • Low rankings on Trustpilot: E*TRADE has poor average ratings on Trustpilot, with common complaints centered around customer service delays and account management issues.8
  • Fewer tools for advanced traders: While active traders can use E*TRADE, this platform doesn’t offer the most robust charting and technical analysis tools.

What people are saying about E*Trade on the App Store

We are now using E*TRADE for our IRAs and getting more involved in our individual brokerage accounts now that we're more comfortable with the process. The trades go through quickly and we get confirmation emails that let us know when it's occurred. We've been very happy.

dragonsdw#2345

Best app for active traders: tastytrade

tastytrade logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, micro futures, and crypto
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: $0 for stocks/ETFs to open and close, but contract-based fees for options and futures. Other fees may apply (regulatory, service, crypto, etc.)
  • Robo-advisor available: No
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.8 stars
  • Google Play rating: 4.0 stars

  • Why we chose tastytrade

    +

    The brokerage tastytrade never hides the fact that it’s tailor-made for active traders. Indeed, the founders behind this app often boast of their experience creating the advanced trading platform thinkorswim. Beyond its charting customizability, tastytrade stands out with traders for its transparent and low trading fees, including attractive margin rates.

    In recent years, tastytrade has also gotten into the crypto game and offers direct or indirect access to over a dozen digital assets. While this isn’t a great fit for beginners or passive investors, people who feel comfortable making quick trades will likely get a lot out of tastytrade analytics.

tastytrade pros and cons

  • Competitive fee schedule: People who use tastytrade don’t have to worry about commissions on stocks and ETFs, and this site boasts competitive per-contract and margin rates.
  • Advanced charting and analytics tools: A major reason people get interested in tastytrade is its exceptional charting and technical tools.
  • Direct access to crypto: Unlike other brokers offering crypto exposure, tastytrade lets you buy and transfer a few crypto assets to a private wallet.9
  • Not beginner-friendly: Experienced traders may feel at home on tastytrade, but this platform can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • No advisory services: Befitting its advanced trader focus, you won’t get access to human or robo-advisory services on tastytrade.
  • Doesn’t offer some asset classes: A few assets you can’t trade on tastytrade include forex and mutual funds

What people are saying about tastytrade on the App Store

I LOVE being able to view the IVx structure of the underlying I'm trading - this is fantastic for calendars and diagonals. I also really love all the innovative metrics Tasty displays: POP, P50, beta-weighted delta. The community and research, are, of course, top-notch.

Roger T.

Best app for low fees: Vanguard

Vanguard logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, annuities and money market funds
  • Minimum investment: $1,000
  • Fees: $0 commission for US stock, ETF and options trades; mutual fund expense ratios; advisory, service and contract fees may apply
  • Robo-advisor available: Yes
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.7 stars
  • Google Play rating: 3.4 stars

  • Why we chose Vanguard

    +

    Vanguard became famous for inventing the index fund, and it continues to play a powerful role in financial management and retirement planning. In fact, this financial firm often ranks as one of America’s “Big Four” brokerages due to its wide client base and immense Assets Under Management AUM.10 Besides its legendary reputation, clients stick with Vanguard because of its low fees and expense ratios on ETFs and mutual funds.

    For long-term investors, Vanguard offers one of the most cost-effective ways to create a diversified portfolio, whether you build it independently or use robo-advisory, hybrid or wealth management services. While Vanguard isn’t the place to be if you’re interested in alternatives or swing trading, it remains an attractive option for fee-conscious clients most interested in passive and long-term investments.

Vanguard pros and cons

  • No commissions and zero expense ratios: Vanguard is one of the most cost-effective platforms for long-term investors, particularly those interested in ETFs and mutual funds.
  • Access to advisory services: Whether you’re interested in automated or personalized investing, Vanguard offers a wide range of advisor-led services.
  • Reputable financial firm: Vanguard has a history going back to the 1970s and ranks as one of the “Big Four” US brokers in terms of size.
  • High minimum for mutual fund offerings: For those interested in Vanguard’s signature mutual funds, there’s a minimum investment of $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the product.11
  • Concerns about customer service: Overall sentiment for Vanguard’s customer service is low on sites like Trustpilot.12
  • Lacks alternative investments: Vanguard is known for its focus on ETFs and mutual funds, so don’t expect to find many alternatives like crypto on this site.

What people are saying about Vanguard on the App Store

Low fees, and near perfect performance of website and app, make Vanguard the most popular and reliable investment platform.

All Architect

Best app for impact investing: SoFi

SoFi logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and alternative funds
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: $0 commission for stocks and ETFs. Other fees may apply for some services, including transfers, IRA closures and advisory fees
  • Robo-advisor available: Yes
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.8 stars
  • Google Play rating: 4.1 stars

  • Why we chose SoFi

    +

    SoFi originally launched in 2011 as a student loan refinancing company, but it continues to expand its services and evolve into an all-in-one financial suite. In terms of investing, this app often appeals to beginners because of its user-friendly design, low fees and access to a free consultation call with a financial planner.13 For those interested in impact investing, there are ways to pick up curated ETFs through its brokerage portal and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing via SoFi’s robo-advisor feature.14,15 SoFi also offers a basket of alternative assets like pre-IPO companies and commodities for even greater diversification.16 While SoFi isn't the most robust brokerage for advanced traders, users who don't plan on frequent trading often find it has more than enough resources for their needs.

SoFi pros and cons

  • Free financial planner consultation: A signature perk SoFi offers is a free call with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).17
  • Accessibility: Not only is SoFi easy to use, it has low minimums, fractional shares and easy access to alternatives and ESG.
  • Robo-advisor feature: SoFi makes it easy to create an automated portfolio with or without ESG and alternatives.
  • Strong online reviews: SoFi has thousands of positive ratings on sites like the App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot.18
  • Lacks crypto trading: Although SoFi offers alternative assets, it shut down its crypto trading hub.19
  • Doesn’t have advanced trading tools: SoFi focuses more on helping beginners than on offering technical tools for experienced traders.
  • Inactivity fee: Be sure to log into your SoFi account at least once every six months to avoid an inactivity fee.20

What people are saying about SoFi on the App Store

SoFi has great banking, decent interest rates and also you can just buy your stock directly though them and their partner. They help you move funds easily [and] to buy your stock directly through them and their partner [...] You can also sell stock [...] very quickly. So far has been a pleasure to work with so far I look forward to working with him for many more years.

Hbrake

Best app for alternative investments: eToro

eToro logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Stocks, ETFs, crypto and options
  • Minimum investment: $50 to $10,000 (depending on home territory)
  • Fees: Commission-free stocks, ETFs and options; 1% fees for crypto; other service fees may apply
  • Robo-advisor available: Yes
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.4 stars
  • Google Play rating: 2.7 stars

  • Why we chose eToro

    +

    Headquartered in Tel Aviv, eToro has become a powerful multi-asset investment platform following its 2007 launch. Although best known for crypto trading in the US, this global brokerage offers access to other assets like stocks and options, depending from what nation traders access the site. Besides its product offerings, eToro really sets itself apart thanks to its focus on social trading.

    eToro seamlessly weaves the interactivity of a social media app into its brokerage so you can see how other traders are positioning and get a read of the latest market sentiment. To go one step further, you could use CopyTrader to mirror a pro trader’s account with real money. There’s also a “Smart Portfolios” feature which works similar to a wealth advisory service and includes a managed basket of assets.21 Anyone who feels energized rather than overwhelmed by a barrage of opinions is the best fit for eToro’s distinctive platform.

eToro pros and cons

Pros
  • Unique social trading feature: An eToro signature feature is its focus on merging social media with trading and offering CopyTrade services.
  • Solid Trustpilot score: Thousands of reviewers on Trustpilot (as well as the App Store and Google Play) give the eToro platform a positive score.22
  • Paper trading: You can take advantage of the built-in simulated trading hub to test strategies with fake money.23
Cons
  • No retirement accounts: You can’t open any IRA with a US-based eToro account.
  • High minimums in some countries: While most countries only have to deposit $50 to use eToro, some territories have high requirements (e.g., $10K in Israel).24
  • Withdrawal fees for USD: Keep in mind there are $5 withdrawal fees each time you take out USD from eToro.25

What people are saying about eToro on the App Store

I've invested in crypto (Hodl) for several years. They have been a secure, trust crypto platform for me in this time.

Safetypro

Best app for crypto: Coinbase

Coinbase logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Cryptocurrencies
  • Minimum investment: $1
  • Fees: Transaction fees, spread fees, deposit, withdrawal, Coinbase One subscription (optional) and potential network fees
  • Robo-advisor available: No
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.7 stars
  • Google Play rating: 4.4 stars

  • Why we chose Coinbase

    +

    For investors who are bullish on Bitcoin, it may be worth considering a Coinbase account. As the USA’s largest centralized crypto exchange (CEX), Coinbase enjoys high praise as one of the most trusted trading platforms for digital assets. Not only does Coinbase have a long reputation in the crypto industry, it’s one of the most transparent companies thanks to its public listing on the US stock exchange.

    Whether investors use Coinbase on mobile or desktop, they’ll find easy ways to add hundreds of digital assets to their portfolios and send them to self-custodial wallets. There are also a few bonus features Coinbase users enjoy, including access to staking rewards and a Visa debit card. While the Coinbase fee schedule isn’t the most attractive, it scores high points for its brand reputation, usability, and easy access to web3.

Coinbase pros and cons

  • Large and transparent brand: Coinbase is one of the biggest names in crypto, and it has a solid reputation for security and high liquidity.
  • Wide range of crypto investments: There are hundreds of altcoins as well as derivatives to pick up on Coinbase's platform.
  • Passive income opportunities: In addition to investing in crypto, Coinbase offers ways to earn rewards through staking and a Visa debit card.26,27
  • High and complex fee structure: The Coinbase fee structure isn’t the most transparent, and the costs of using this crypto exchange aren’t the cheapest.
  • Some customer service complaints: Although Coinbase has many positive ratings on Trustpilot, there are some complaints over customer service, and the company prioritizes paying “Coinbase One” subscribers.28,29
  • Nothing outside of crypto: Unlike some brokers that offer crypto plus stocks and ETFs, Coinbase doesn’t allow you to diversify outside of digital assets.

What people are saying about Coinbase on the App Store

Coinbase has been an incredible platform for me to efficiently and instantly buy, sell, and transfer cryptocurrency worldwide. Its user-friendly interface makes navigating the world of crypto easy, even for beginners. Transactions are fast and reliable, and I love how secure the platform feels.

Ninkanbop

Best app for real estate: Fundrise

Fundrise logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Real estate, private credit and venture capital
  • Minimum investment: $10 (or $1,000 for IRA)
  • Fees: 0.15% annual advisory fee and 0.85% annual asset management fees
  • Robo-advisor available: Yes
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.8 stars
  • Google Play rating: 4.7 stars

*We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.

  • Why we chose Fundrise

    +

    When Ben and Dan Miller offered a DC property investment online in 2012, they sparked what we now know of as “online crowdfunded real estate.” Since that auspicious start, these brothers have continued to expand accessibility to real estate investments through their Fundrise platform. For as little as $10, investors get access to exclusive real estate deals and eREIT funds with both growth and income opportunities.

    And it’s not just real estate investing that makes Fundrise shine. In recent years, this site has introduced private credit and pre-IPO companies as potential investments for nonaccredited investors. While Fundrise doesn’t offer traditional assets or high liquidity, it’s a reputable platform that offers attractive ways to add alternatives to a long-term portfolio.

Fundrise pros and cons

  • Accessibility: With minimums of $10 and no accredited status requirement, Fundrise makes it easy for anyone to get involved with real estate.
  • Fee transparency: For most Fundrise products, you have to pay a 1% total annual fee on your investments.30
  • Established brand: Fundrise has been around since 2012, and it has high ratings from investors on Trustpilot, Google Play, and the App Store.31
  • Diverse asset categories: Beyond real estate deals, Fundrise is branching out into other investment opportunities like private credit and venture capital.
Cons
  • Long holding period: Expect a minimum five-year hold on Fundrise investments.32
  • Limited control over investments: While you can specify the types of deals you want, Fundrise's team will choose the specific assets on your behalf.
  • No phone support: The only ways to contact Fundrise are via email and chat support, and it might take one to two business days to hear back.33

What people are saying about Fundrise on App store

I’ve been with Fundrise since it was rolled out. I was intrigued and curious to grow another personal source of income/revenue. But really I also wanted access to real estate investments that Fundrise purported to offer. These are real locations as Fundrise is descriptive about where it has investments and I’ve seen a couple in person. All I can say is I’ve been very satisfied since. While my account is not huge, it has certainly grown to an amount that can have a real positive impact for me. There have been some downsides but only because of wider economic forces. Yet overall, there has been nothing but positive yields.”

D-RodM5

Best app for students: Uphold

Uphold logo
Fast facts:
  • Investment type offered: Cryptocurrencies and precious metals
  • Minimum investment: $1
  • Fees: Deposit, withdrawal, debit card and trading fees
  • Robo-advisor available: No
  • Research tools: Yes
  • App Store rating: 4.7 stars
  • Google Play rating: 3.9 stars

  • Why we chose Uphold

    +

    Interestingly, recent statistics suggest younger investors are as interested in precious metals as cryptocurrencies.34 Luckily for students, Uphold offers access to both of these trending asset categories in one user-friendly platform. Whether you want Bitcoin, altcoins or digital representations of precious metals, it’s easy to start investing in these assets on Uphold. As a bonus, people who have an Uphold account unlock many ways to generate passive income on their holdings. For instance, users could stake cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana directly on Uphold.35 There’s also an FDIC-insured high-yield account on Uphold for people who want to earn interest on their USD.36 Considering its high rankings on sites like the App Store and Trustpilot, Uphold clearly has a large following among tech-savvy investors.

Uphold pros and cons

  • User-friendly platform: The Uphold mobile app and desktop layout are easy for beginners to use from day one.
  • Offers both crypto and metals: Unlike many competing platforms, you can invest in precious metals directly from an Uphold account.
  • Multiple passive income opportunities: Uphold offers ways to stake cryptocurrencies or earn a yield on USD directly on its platform.
  • High customer support ratings: Reviews for Uphold on the App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot are consistently high.37
  • Doesn’t offer equities: There’s no way to diversify outside of digital assets and precious metals with an Uphold account.
  • No advanced trading tools: Uphold is more geared toward beginning traders and lacks the nuances of advanced platforms like IBKR.
  • Relatively high fees: The 2%+ trading fees for altcoins and precious metals aren’t as attractive as some competitors.

What people are saying about Uphold on the App store

As a beginner, I was amazed how easy this platform is to use and navigate, I'd recommend it to anybody.

TJ Dizzy Dizzle

Which investment app is right for you?

There are plenty of high-quality investment apps that will let you securely buy assets like stocks and ETFs, but choosing the “best” one depends on the unique features they offer, your skill level and your preferences. 

Investment app
Who is it for and why?
Risk level
Interactive Brokers
A good all-around platform for investors who want multiple assets and low fees 
Medium
E*TRADE
Good for investors of all skill levels who are primarily interested in long-term investments with competitive fees 
Low
tastytrade
Targets active traders who want to use advanced strategies like margin and futures 
High 
Vanguard
Perfect for long-term investors who want to work with a reputable brand that offers low-fee ETFs and mutual funds 
Low
Uphold
A popular platform for mobile-first investors most interested in cryptocurrencies and precious metals 
High
SoFi
An excellent option for beginners thanks to its free financial planner consultation and dozens of additional resources 
Medium
eToro
Great for traders who like to engage with others in a social media-style setting 
Medium
Coinbase
Good for dedicated crypto traders interested in directly owning their digital assets or dabbling with derivatives 
High
Fundrise
A solid pick for long-term investors who want to diversify with private real estate deals 
Medium 

What is low/medium/high risk tolerance?

Note that these risk rankings are related to the assets available on each platform and the types of investors they tend to attract rather than the security of the brokerage. For example, Coinbase is “high” risk because it only deals with more volatile and speculative cryptocurrencies, not because the exchange is “unsafe.” Similarly, tastytrade is a “high” risk platform because it caters to short-duration strategies involving margin, which is better suited for experienced traders who know how to manage risk. 

How to choose the best investment app

If you’re still struggling to choose the right investment app, it helps to break each brokerage down into a few key features, such as its target audience, fees and available assets. Also, look at what others are saying on sites like the App Store, the BBB and Trustpilot to get a sense of its customer service and ease of use.

Brokerage
Best for
Fees
Assets
App Store rating
Interactive Brokers
Overall
Fixed or tiered fees that vary depending on IBKR Lite versus IBKR Pro
Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, forex, bonds, commodities and cryptocurrencies
4.5 stars out of 9.7K ratings
E*TRADE
Retirement
$0 commission for US stocks and ETFs; contract, advisory and service fees may apply
Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, futures and options
4.7 stars out of 312.1K ratings
tastytrade
Active traders
$0 commission and fees for stocks/ETFs to open and close, but contract-based fees for options and futures. Other fees may apply (regulatory, service, crypto, etc.)
Stocks, ETFs, futures and cryptocurrencies
4.8 stars out of 12.7K ratings
Vanguard
Low fees
$0 commission  for US stock, ETF and options trades; mutual fund expense ratios; advisory, service and contract fees may apply
Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, annuities and money market funds
4.7 stars out of 75.4K ratings
Uphold
Students
Deposit, withdrawal, debit card and trading fees
Crypto and precious metals
4.7 stars out of 73.5K ratings
SoFi
Impact investing
$0 commission for stocks and ETFs, and other fees may apply for some services, including transfers, IRA closures, and advisory fees
Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and alternative funds
4.8 stars out of 374.3K ratings
eToro
Alternative investments
Commission-free stocks, ETFs and options; 1% fees for crypto; other service fees may apply
Stocks, options, ETFs and crypto
4.4 stars out of 33 ratings
Coinbase
Crypto
Transaction fees, spread fees, deposit, withdrawal, Coinbase One subscription (optional) and potential network fees
Crypto
4.7 stars out of 1.8M ratings
Fundrise
Real estate
0.15% annual advisory fee and 0.85% annual asset management fees
Real estate, private credit and venture capital 
4.8 stars out of 33.9K ratings

What can you trade with investment apps?

Today’s investment apps aren’t just about traditional categories like stocks and bonds. While you could find these common financial vehicles on these apps, take a peek at the alternatives available on different platforms to offer enhanced diversification.

  • Stocks: These are shares of publicly traded companies like Microsoft and McDonald’s, some of which offer passive returns (aka dividends). Look out for investment apps that support “fractional shares,” which make investing in high-priced stocks more accessible by splitting up whole shares.
  • ETFs and mutual funds: Investors often turn to ETFs and mutual funds for greater diversification since these funds hold baskets of assets rather than being tied to one company. A team of financial managers watches over these funds and typically charges a percentage each year for their services.
  • Cryptocurrencies: More investment apps now offer some support for decentralized digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Keep in mind cryptocurrencies tend to be more volatile than other asset categories. Also, some investment sites only offer indirect exposure to crypto through ETFs or futures rather than directly owning coins.
  • Options and futures: Options and futures are legal contracts known as “derivatives” that guess the future price of an underlying asset. Short-term traders tend to use these products to either bet on the price direction of an asset or reduce the loss potential (aka hedge) a position they already hold.
  • Commodities: Raw physical assets like gold, oil or agricultural products are in the “commodities” category. While investment apps typically don’t directly sell these assets, they offer ways for investors to gain exposure to their price movements through ETFs or futures contracts.
  • Bonds: For investors who favor a more stable, low-risk asset, bonds are a standard choice. These loans pay investors regular interest over time and tend to have a low risk of default if they come from reputable governments or businesses.
  • Forex: Short for “foreign exchange,” forex means trading price differences between foreign currencies like the US dollar, euro, or yen. This is typically used by active traders and institutions looking to take advantage of small price discrepancies or trends in the currency markets.
  • REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate and pay out their profits as dividends. Due to their consistent yield, these funds are most attractive for income-focused investors who want exposure to real estate without managing property.
  • Real estate: While REITs and real estate deals have the same underlying asset, the latter category refers to specific commercial or residential properties. Investment apps may offer exposure to these real estate developments through fractional shares, where you own a portion of a home, business or factory.

FAQs

  • What is the best investing app to use?

    +

    There’s no way to choose the “best” investing app because everyone has different preferences and risk tolerances. For example, advanced traders may love the sophisticated features on tastytrade, while beginners may gravitate to a broker like E*TRADE or SoFi.

  • Which app is best to start investing?

    +

    Beginners should focus on an investment app that has a user-friendly design and a high reputation for educational and customer care resources. For example, SoFi offers access to a financial planner, and Vanguard has many advisory services to use.

  • How to invest $1,000 wisely?

    +

    To begin, consider investing your $1,000 in a diversified pool of assets like an index fund or an ETF for a balance of growth and downside protection. Alternatively, you could use a service like a robo-advisor to automatically build your portfolio according to your goals.

  • Is $3,000 enough to start investing?

    +

    Many investment apps have low or no minimum requirements, so $3,000 is usually more than enough to get started.

  • Can you lose money using an investment app?

    +

    Investing is inherently risky. While there are degrees of risk depending on which assets you choose, there’s always the chance of losing money if an investment goes down in value.

Eric Esposito Freelance Contributor

Eric Esposito is a freelance contributor on MoneyWise with an interest in financial markets, investing, and trading. In addition to MoneyWise, Eric’s work can be found on financial publications such as WallStreetZen and CoinDesk. When not researching the latest stock market trends, Eric enjoys biking, walking his dog, and spending time with family in Central Florida. Eric holds a BA in English from Quinnipiac University.

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.

†Terms and Conditions apply.