15 Best Investment Apps for 2025: The Complete Guide for Modern Investors

Introduction: The Digital Revolution in Personal Investing

The investment landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade, with mobile applications becoming the primary gateway for millions of Americans to build wealth. As we navigate through 2025, investment apps have evolved from simple stock trading platforms to comprehensive financial ecosystems that can handle everything from retirement planning to cryptocurrency trading, all from the palm of your hand.

Whether you’re a complete beginner looking to make your first investment or an experienced trader seeking advanced analytical tools, today’s market offers a wealth of options tailored to different needs, goals, and experience levels. The best investment apps combine intuitive interfaces, educational resources, diverse investment options, and competitive fee structures to help you maximize your financial growth.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 15 best investment apps available in 2025, examining their unique features, costs, minimum requirements, and ideal use cases. By the end, you’ll have all the information needed to select the perfect platform to help you achieve your financial goals.

What Makes a Great Investment App in 2025?

Before diving into our rankings, it’s worth understanding what criteria separate the best investment apps from the rest:

• User Experience: Intuitive navigation, clean design, and reliable performance
• Investment Options: Variety of assets available (stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, etc.)
• Cost Structure: Transparent fees, commission rates, and account minimums
• Educational Resources: Tools to help users understand investing concepts
• Security Features: Protection of financial and personal information
• Customer Support: Accessibility and quality of assistance
• Advanced Features: Research tools, real-time data, and specialized options for experienced investors
• Account Types: Availability of taxable accounts, IRAs, and other specialized accounts

With these criteria in mind, let’s explore the top investment apps that deliver exceptional value in 2025.

The 15 Best Investment Apps for 2025

1. Fidelity Investments – Best Overall Investment App

Finance Devil Rating: 5.0/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs

Fidelity has earned the top position on our list by excelling in nearly every category that matters to investors. As an established financial institution with cutting-edge technology, Fidelity offers a mobile experience that appeals to both beginners and seasoned investors.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, ETF, and options trades
• Comprehensive research tools from multiple providers
• Industry-leading customer service
• Expense-ratio-free index funds
• High interest rates on uninvested cash
• Real-time quotes and multi-leg options trading
• Consolidated research offerings
• Notebook feature to save ideas and articles

Why We Love It: Fidelity’s app delivers a seamless experience across all investment activities. You can monitor your workplace retirement plan alongside your personal investments, access robust research tools, and execute trades with just a few taps. The app’s clean interface makes navigating between different accounts effortless, while the high-quality educational content helps users make informed decisions.

Best For: Investors of all experience levels who want a comprehensive platform that combines powerful trading capabilities with excellent educational resources and customer support.

2. Webull – Best for Active Traders

Finance Devil Rating: 5.0/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 per trade

Webull has quickly established itself as a favorite among active traders who want sophisticated tools without paying premium prices.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, options, and ETF trades
• Advanced charting tools and technical indicators
• Paper trading account for practice
• Voice command functionality
• Extended trading hours
• High interest rates on uninvested cash
• High order execution quality
• Option to switch between interfaces designed for different trading styles

Why We Love It: Webull’s mobile app packs desktop-level power into a smartphone interface. The platform offers an impressive array of analytical tools, real-time data, and customizable charts that help active traders make quick, informed decisions. The paper trading feature is particularly valuable for testing strategies without risking real money.

Best For: Active traders who want professional-grade tools and analytics without paying high fees, and those who appreciate the ability to switch between interfaces designed for different trading styles.

3. Interactive Brokers – Best for Advanced Traders

Finance Devil Rating: 5.0/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 per trade

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) continues to be the platform of choice for sophisticated investors who need comprehensive trading capabilities and global market access.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, options, and ETF trades
• Access to over 150 global markets
• Advanced order types and routing options
• Powerful research tools
• Huge selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds
• Mobile app with over 400 data columns
• Option exercise and spread templates
• High order execution quality

Why We Love It: IBKR’s mobile app successfully translates its powerful desktop platform into a mobile experience. The app provides advanced trading shortcuts, comprehensive data visualizations, and sophisticated order types that satisfy even the most demanding traders. While the learning curve is steeper than some competitors, the depth of features makes it worthwhile for serious investors.

Best For: Professional and advanced traders who require sophisticated tools, global market access, and excellent execution quality.

4. Wealthfront – Best for Automated Investing

Finance Devil Rating: 5.0/5

Minimum Balance Required: $500

Fees: 0.25% management fee

Wealthfront remains the gold standard for robo-advisors in 2025, offering sophisticated automated investing with tax optimization features.

Key Features:

• Low-cost, globally diversified portfolios
• Daily tax-loss harvesting
• Risk parity fund option
• Low portfolio management fee
• DIY and automated investing options
• Automated Bond Ladder for U.S. Treasury exposure
• High-interest cash account
• External account linking for holistic financial view

Why We Love It: Wealthfront excels at combining sophisticated investment strategies with an intuitive user experience. Their tax-loss harvesting and risk parity options bring institutional-level strategies to everyday investors. The recently introduced Automated Bond Ladder feature provides exposure to low-risk U.S. Treasurys with varying maturity dates, adding valuable diversification options.

Best For: Hands-off investors who want sophisticated portfolio management without the high fees of traditional advisors, and those who value tax efficiency.

5. Robinhood – Best for Beginner Stock Traders

Finance Devil Rating: 4.5/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 per trade

Robinhood revolutionized the investment app market with its commission-free trading model, and it continues to attract new investors with its streamlined interface.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, options, and ETF trades
• Cryptocurrency trading
• Fractional share investing
• IRA with 1% match (3% for Gold members)
• High interest rates on uninvested cash
• Streamlined, intuitive interface
• Educational content for beginners
• Instant deposit availability

Why We Love It: Robinhood’s clean, intuitive interface makes stock trading accessible to complete beginners. The app eliminates the intimidation factor often associated with investing, allowing users to start with as little as $1 through fractional shares. The addition of retirement accounts with contribution matching has significantly enhanced its value proposition.

Best For: New investors who prioritize simplicity and want to start with small amounts through fractional shares, as well as those looking for an easy entry point to cryptocurrency investing.

6. SoFi Active Investing – Best for IPO Access

Finance Devil Rating: 4.4/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 per trade

SoFi has established itself as a compelling one-stop financial platform that brings together banking, investing, and lending.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, options, and ETF trades
• Access to IPO offerings
• IRA accounts with matching contributions
• Integrated banking features
• Financial planning services
• Educational resources
• SoFi rewards program
• All-in-one financial platform

Why We Love It: SoFi’s investment app stands out for providing access to IPO offerings, a feature typically reserved for high-net-worth clients at traditional brokerages. The platform also excels at integration, allowing users to seamlessly manage multiple financial accounts in one place. While its trading tools may not be as advanced as some competitors, the user-friendly options trading experience and comprehensive rewards program add significant value.

Best For: Investors who want to participate in IPO offerings and those looking for an integrated platform that combines investing, banking, and personal finance tools.

7. Public – Best for Social Investing and Learning

Finance Devil Rating: 4.6/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 for stock, options, and ETF trades; up to 1.25% transaction fee on crypto

Public has carved out a unique position in the market by combining social features with investing, creating a community-driven experience.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, options, and ETF trades
• Social feed to follow other investors
• Thematic investing options
• “Town hall” meetings with business leaders
• Educational content and “Public Live” podcast
• Alternative asset offerings
• High interest rates on uninvested cash
• AI-powered stock analysis assistant

Why We Love It: Public transforms investing from a solitary activity into a social experience. The platform allows users to follow experienced investors, participate in discussions, and learn through community interaction. The Options Hub makes it extremely easy to learn complex trading strategies, while the Alpha AI assistant helps users analyze stocks through natural language questions. Public’s Treasury account, which enables investment in U.S. Treasury securities, adds a low-risk dimension to its offerings.

Best For: Investors who learn best through community interaction and those interested in transparent, social investing experiences with educational support.

8. Betterment – Best for Goal-Based Investing

Minimum Balance Required: $0 for digital service; $100,000 for premium service

Fees: Management fee of 0.25-0.65% of assets annually

Betterment pioneered the robo-advisor concept and continues to excel at helping investors achieve specific financial goals.

Key Features:

• Professionally managed portfolios based on risk tolerance
• Goal-based investing approach
• Socially responsible investment options
• Tax-loss harvesting
• Cash management account
• Automatic rebalancing
• Retirement planning tools
• Financial advisor access (premium tier)

Why We Love It: Betterment excels at helping investors organize their finances around specific goals, whether that’s retirement, a home purchase, or building an emergency fund. The platform automatically adjusts risk based on your timeline and provides intuitive visualizations of your progress. The socially responsible portfolio options focusing on climate change or social impact allow investors to align their investments with their values.

Best For: Goal-oriented investors who prefer a hands-off approach and those who value socially responsible investing options with professional management.

9. Charles Schwab – Best for Comprehensive Investment Options

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and no-load mutual funds; 65-cent contract fee for options

Charles Schwab has successfully transformed from a traditional brokerage to a digital-first investment platform without sacrificing depth or quality.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock and ETF trades
• Over 4,000 no-transaction-fee mutual funds
• Fractional share investing
• Comprehensive research and educational resources
• Excellent customer service
• Robo-advisor option (Schwab Intelligent Portfolios)
• Integrated banking features
• Branch access for in-person support

Why We Love It: Schwab’s mobile app brings the company’s comprehensive investment platform to your fingertips. The breadth of investment options, particularly in mutual funds, is unmatched by most competitors. Beginners benefit from the extensive educational resources and responsive customer support, while advanced investors appreciate the robust research tools and trading capabilities.

Best For: Investors who value having access to a complete range of investment products, educational resources, and the option for in-person support when needed.

10. Tastytrade – Best for Options Traders

Finance Devil Rating: 4.5/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 for stock and ETF trades; low options contract fees

Tastytrade (formerly tastyworks) has built a platform specifically optimized for options trading with powerful analytical tools.

Key Features:

• Powerful trading platform tailored for options
• Low options contract fees
• Commission-free stock and ETF trades
• Strong mobile trading app
• Fast execution speed
• Educational content focused on options trading
• Intuitive UX with customization options
• Real-time data and analytics

Why We Love It: Tastytrade offers an exceptional experience specifically designed for options traders. The platform provides intuitive trade analysis, probability calculations, and visualization tools that help traders evaluate potential strategies. Despite its focus on sophisticated trading, the platform maintains an accessible interface that even newer investors have found approachable. The combination of speed, specialized tools, and competitive pricing makes it the top choice for dedicated options traders.

Best For: Active options traders who require specialized tools, competitive pricing, and fast execution for complex strategies.

11. Moomoo – Best for Flat-Rate Margin Trading

Finance Devil Rating: 4.7/5

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0 for stock, ETF, and options trades

Moomoo has gained popularity for its competitive margin rates and advanced technical analysis tools.

Key Features:

• Commission-free stock, ETF, and options trades
• No contract fee on equity options
• Low margin rates
• Advanced technical analysis tools
• Level 2 market data
• Extended trading hours
• High yield on uninvested cash
• Smooth account setup process

Why We Love It: Moomoo stands out for offering sophisticated trading tools typically found on professional platforms at no cost. The app provides free access to Level 2 market data, advanced charting capabilities, and pre/post-market trading. The competitive margin rates make it particularly attractive for traders who use leverage strategies. While the interface might overwhelm complete beginners, it offers tremendous value for those willing to learn.

Best For: Technical analysis enthusiasts, margin traders, and those who value advanced market data without premium costs.

12. Acorns – Best for Automated Saving and Investing

Minimum Balance Required: $0 for savings account, $5 to start investing

Fees: $3, $6, or $12 per month depending on service tier

Acorns continues to innovate in the micro-investing space, making saving and investing accessible through everyday transactions.

Key Features:

• Round-up investing from purchases
• Portfolio construction based on risk tolerance and time horizon
• IRA options with contribution matching
• FDIC-protected checking account
• Cash back rewards for spending at partner merchants
• Educational content (“Money Basics”)
• Family accounts for kids (Gold tier)
• Individual stock investing (Gold tier)

Why We Love It: Acorns excels at removing the friction from investing by automatically investing spare change from everyday purchases. The platform has evolved beyond its original concept to offer retirement accounts, banking services, and even investment accounts for children. The recent addition of individual stock investing at the Gold tier brings more flexibility to a platform known for its simplicity. The tiered subscription model provides clear value progression as users’ needs become more sophisticated.

Best For: People who struggle to save consistently and want automated solutions that work in the background, families looking to teach children about investing, and those who prefer subscription pricing over percentage-based fees.

13. Ellevest – Best for Socially Responsible Investing

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $12 a month

Ellevest stands out for its commitment to addressing the unique financial challenges faced by women investors, while welcoming all genders.

Key Features:

• Investment strategies that account for women’s career trajectories and longevity
• Impact portfolio with up to 53% allocation to ESG and social impact funds
• Goal-based investing approach
• Financial planning tools
• Educational content focused on women’s financial empowerment
• Banking features
• Executive coaching and career planning (higher tiers)
• One-on-one financial advisor access (higher tiers)

Why We Love It: Ellevest addresses a significant gap in the investment industry by creating portfolios that account for women’s unique financial circumstances, such as longer lifespans and different career trajectories. The platform’s Impact portfolios allow investors to support companies with more diverse leadership and stronger environmental and social practices. Beyond investing, Ellevest provides valuable resources for holistic financial wellness, including salary negotiation tips and career coaching.

Best For: Investors who prioritize social impact, particularly those interested in advancing gender equality, and those who value a holistic approach to financial wellness beyond just investment returns.

14. Invstr – Best for Learning Through Simulation

Minimum Balance Required: $0

Fees: $0, $3.99 a month for Invstr Pro

Invstr combines education, community, and real investing in a gamified experience designed to build confidence.

Key Features:

• Fantasy stock game with $1 million virtual portfolio
• Social network to share ideas and follow top performers
• News feed with market updates
• Commission-free fractional share investing
• Educational courses and quizzes
• Monthly cash prizes for top performers
• $5 minimum investment
• Cryptocurrency trading

Why We Love It: Invstr stands out by making investing education engaging through gamification. The fantasy stock game allows users to practice investment strategies with no risk while competing for real cash prizes. The social aspect of following other investors and discussing strategies creates a supportive learning environment. When ready to transition to real investing, users can start with as little as $5, making the barrier to entry extremely low.

Best For: Beginners who want to learn investing through practice before risking real money, and those who enjoy social, game-like experiences as part of their learning process.

15. Fundrise – Best for Direct Real Estate Investing

Minimum Balance Required: $10 for taxable accounts; $1,000 for IRAs

Fees: 0.15% annual advisory fee, 0.85% annual asset management fee; 1.85% for Innovation fund

Fundrise has democratized real estate investing by allowing individuals to participate in commercial real estate deals with minimal capital.

Key Features:

• Access to private real estate investments
• Low minimum investment requirements
• Automatic dividend reinvestment
• IRA options for tax-advantaged investing
• Diversified real estate portfolios
• Transparent performance reporting
• Long-term investment approach
• Mobile app for portfolio monitoring

Why We Love It: Fundrise has opened up commercial real estate investing to everyday investors who previously couldn’t access this asset class. The platform’s strong track record (averaging 65% total return over eight years for the average investor) demonstrates the value of their approach to selecting and managing properties. The recent addition of IRA accounts allows investors to incorporate real estate into their retirement planning with favorable tax treatment.

Best For: Investors looking to diversify beyond stocks and bonds with real estate, particularly those seeking passive income and long-term appreciation without the responsibilities of direct property ownership.

Comparing the Top Investment Apps

To help you quickly identify which app might best suit your needs, here’s a comparative breakdown of our top picks:

How to Choose the Right Investment App for You

With so many excellent options available, selecting the right investment app depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Assess Your Investment Goals

Are you investing for retirement, a house down payment, or general wealth building? Different apps excel at supporting different goals:

• Long-term retirement planning: Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Betterment, Wealthfront
• Active trading: Webull, Interactive Brokers, Tastytrade
• Learning to invest: Public, Invstr, Robinhood
• Automatic saving: Acorns, Betterment

2. Consider Your Investment Style

Your preferred level of involvement will heavily influence which app is right for you:

• Hands-off (automated): Wealthfront, Betterment, Acorns
• Guided DIY: Public, SoFi, Robinhood
• Active management: Webull, Interactive Brokers, Tastytrade, Moomoo

3. Evaluate Fee Structures

Different pricing models can significantly impact returns over time:

• Commission-free trading: Most apps now offer this for stocks and ETFs
• Management fees: Typically 0.25-0.65% for robo-advisors
• Subscription models: Fixed monthly fees (Acorns, Ellevest)
• Hidden costs: Check for inactivity fees, transfer fees, and margin rates

4. Assess Available Investment Types

Make sure the app supports the assets you want to invest in:

• Stocks and ETFs: Universally available
• Mutual funds: Best selection at Fidelity, Charles Schwab
• Cryptocurrencies: Robinhood, Public, Webull (separate app)
• Options: Interactive Brokers, Tastytrade, Webull
• Real estate: Fundrise
• Alternative assets: Public, Fundrise

5. Consider Educational Resources

If you’re new to investing, prioritize platforms with strong learning tools:

• Public: Town halls with business leaders, community discussions
• Invstr: Fantasy trading game, educational courses
• Robinhood: Learn content, simplified explanations
• Fidelity: Comprehensive educational articles and videos

How Investment Apps Are Evolving in 2025

The investment app landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with several key trends shaping the industry:

AI-Powered Analysis

Artificial intelligence is transforming how apps help users make investment decisions. Public’s Alpha AI assistant, which can answer questions about stocks in natural language, represents the leading edge of this trend. Expect more apps to integrate sophisticated AI tools that can explain complex concepts, analyze portfolio risks, and provide personalized recommendations.

Expanded Alternative Investments

Traditional stocks and bonds are no longer the only options for app-based investors. Platforms like Public and Fundrise are expanding access to alternative assets like real estate, art, collectibles, and private equity. This democratization of previously exclusive investment categories allows for greater portfolio diversification.

Enhanced Social Features

Investment communities are becoming increasingly important, with apps like Public pioneering social features that allow users to learn from and interact with experienced investors. This social dimension helps demystify investing for beginners while creating accountability and knowledge-sharing networks.

Comprehensive Financial Ecosystems

The lines between investing, banking, and financial planning continue to blur. SoFi exemplifies this trend with its all-in-one approach to financial services. Many investment apps now offer high-yield cash accounts, debit cards, and lending products alongside their investment platforms.

Personalization and Goal Tracking

Investment apps are becoming more adept at helping users visualize and track progress toward specific financial goals. Betterment’s goal-based approach, which adjusts investment strategies based on time horizons and risk tolerance, illustrates this evolution toward more personalized investing experiences.

Security Considerations for Investment Apps

As you entrust your financial future to digital platforms, security becomes paramount. Here are key security factors to consider:

SIPC Insurance

All legitimate brokerages and investment apps are members of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities and cash in brokerage accounts up to $500,000 (including $250,000 in cash). All the apps on our list offer this protection, providing a safety net against brokerage failure (though not against investment losses).

Two-Factor Authentication

This security feature requires a second verification step beyond your password, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Look for apps that offer biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition) for additional security.

Encryption Standards

Investment apps should use bank-level encryption (256-bit or higher) to protect your personal and financial information during transmission and storage.

Account Monitoring

Many top apps now offer real-time fraud monitoring and instant alerts for suspicious activities or login attempts from unfamiliar devices.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Investment Partner

The investment app landscape in 2025 offers unprecedented options for investors of all experience levels. From comprehensive platforms like Fidelity that excel across all categories to specialized tools like Tastytrade for options traders or Fundrise for real estate investors, there’s truly something for everyone.

When selecting an investment app, focus on aligning the platform’s strengths with your personal financial goals, preferred level of involvement, and the types of assets you want to include in your portfolio. Consider starting with one of our top all-around picks like Fidelity or Webull, which provide robust features while maintaining user-friendly interfaces.

Remember that the best investment strategy is one you’ll actually follow consistently. Choose an app that makes investing feel accessible and engaging for you personally, whether that’s through educational content, social features, automated management, or powerful analytical tools.

By leveraging the power of these digital platforms, you can build a diversified investment portfolio that works toward your financial goals—all from the convenience of your smartphone. The democratization of investing through these apps has truly transformed how Americans build wealth, making sophisticated investment strategies accessible to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Investment Apps

How much money do I need to start investing with an app?

Many investment apps allow you to start with as little as $1-$5, particularly those offering fractional shares like Robinhood, Public, and SoFi. Robo-advisors typically have slightly higher minimums—Wealthfront requires $500, while Betterment has no minimum for its digital service. Acorns lets you start investing with just $5.

Are investment apps safe to use?

Reputable investment apps employ bank-level security measures and are registered with regulatory bodies like FINRA and the SEC. Your securities are protected by SIPC insurance up to $500,000 per account. However, this protection doesn’t cover investment losses—all investments carry risk regardless of the platform you use.

What happens if an investment app goes out of business?

If a brokerage or investment app fails, your assets are typically transferred to another financial institution. The SIPC ensures that your securities and cash are protected during this process (up to coverage limits). Your actual investments remain yours and are not assets of the failed company.

Can I trade cryptocurrencies on investment apps?

Many investment apps now offer cryptocurrency trading, including Robinhood, Webull (via a separate app), and Public. Traditional brokerages like Fidelity are more limited in their crypto offerings. Specialized crypto exchanges like Coinbase may offer more extensive options for crypto enthusiasts.

How do investment apps make money if they offer commission-free trading?

Apps with commission-free trading generate revenue through various other means:

• Interest on uninvested cash balances
• Payment for order flow (routing orders through specific market makers)
• Premium subscription tiers with additional features
• Margin lending
• Foreign exchange fees
• Account service fees (paper statements, wire transfers, etc.)

Are robo-advisors worth the management fees?

Robo-advisors like Wealthfront and Betterment typically charge 0.25-0.50% of assets under management, which is significantly lower than traditional financial advisors (1-2%). For this fee, you receive automated portfolio management, rebalancing, tax optimization, and in some cases, access to financial planning tools. Whether this is worth it depends on your comfort with DIY investing and the value you place on your time.

Can I open an IRA through an investment app?

Yes, most major investment apps offer Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Betterment, Wealthfront, and Robinhood all provide traditional and Roth IRA options. Some, like Robinhood and SoFi, even offer contribution matching for IRAs, a rare feature in the industry.

How do I transfer investments between apps?

Most investment apps support account transfers through the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS). This allows you to transfer securities between brokerages without selling. Typically, you’ll initiate the transfer from the receiving brokerage by providing your account information from the previous platform. Transfers usually take 5-7 business days to complete.