9 Best Micro Investing Apps to Grow Your Spare Change

I’m happy to tell you, without a doubt, that you don’t need a mountain of cash to start investing!

Many people want to invest but feel shut out by high minimums, trading fees, and complex platforms.

But with micro-investment apps, anyone can now start investing with just a few bucks.

So, if you’re ready to kickstart your investing journey without breaking the bank, keep reading to learn more about the best investing apps I could find.

Key Takeaways

• With micro-investing apps, you can begin investing with just the change in your pocket.
• Set up your micro-investment app account with a linked bank account to automatically stash away a little money regularly.
• Micro investing apps aren’t just about saving money; they also have easy-to-digest financial advice, tips, videos, and articles.
• Robinhood is my top pick- great for newbies and easy day trading without commission fees.

Best Micro Investing Apps

These micro-investing apps keep things simple. They offer a selection of easy-to-understand investment portfolios based on your risk tolerance.

Micro-investing apps are perfect if you’re looking to start investing without needing large amounts of money.

So here are my top picks for the best micro-investing apps.

1. Robinhood

• Cost: Free
• Ratings: 4.1 stars – Google Play; 4.2 stars – Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: None
• Investment Options: U.S. exchange-listed stocks, 650 global stocks through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), ETFs, and Options

Robinhood is a popular micro-investing app for an accessible way to start investing in active trading.

What’s super cool about Robinhood is that it lets you open an investment account with no minimum balance—that’s right, you can start with just a few dollars!

One of my favorite features of Robinhood is the ability to buy fractional shares. This is perfect for me because it means I don’t need to commit to buying a whole share if it’s out of my budget.

Newbie traders can also get in on the action, and I like that it encourages taking the initiative as long as you’re comfortable with the risks involved.

Plus, you get a free stock when you sign up!

I started using Robinhood years ago- for more of my thoughts on the app, check out my in-depth Robinhood Review.

Pros:

• Commission-Free Trades
• Free stock
• User-Friendly Interface
• No Minimum Account Balance

Cons:

• Limited Research Tools
• Primarily app-based support

2. Betterment

• Cost: Basic account – $4 monthly fee or .25% annual fee; fees change for higher investment amounts
• Ratings: 4.7 stars on Google Play; 4.7 stars on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: $0 (investments); $10 (high-yield savings)
• Investment Options: Stocks, bonds, ETFs, High-Yield Cash Accounts, IRAs, and 401(k) rollovers

Betterment is the best micro-investing app for anyone looking to start investing without needing to become a stock market expert.

Wall Street Journal recognized it as the “Best Overall Robo Advisor for 2024;” Betterment could be great for you if you want a hands-off investment experience.

With either investing account (Digital or Premium), you can set your targets, and Betterment handles the rest, from selecting investments to automatically rebalancing your portfolio.

Betterment also uses strategies like tax loss harvesting to help you legally reduce your tax bill and maximize the growth of your investments.

Check out my full Betterment Review to see why people think it’s the best Roboadvisor you can use!

Pros:

• Automated Portfolio Management
• Can buy fractional shares with ETFs
• Goal-Based Investing
• Offers Retirement accounts
• Tax Efficiency

Cons:

• Limited Customization
• No Direct Stock Trading

3. Acorns

• Cost: Acorns Personal- $3/mo, Acorns Personal Plus- $5/mo, Acorns Premium – $9/mo
• Ratings: 4.6 stars on Google Play; 4.7 stars on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: None
• Investment Options: Stocks and ETFs, bonds, Children’s Investment accounts, and IRAs

Acorns is a user-friendly micro-investing app that’s designed to help you effortlessly grow your savings through small, automatic investments.

Their signature feature is “Round-Ups.” It rounds up your everyday purchase amounts to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change.

For example, if you buy a coffee for $3.75, Acorns will round it up to $4.00 and invest the extra 25 cents into your portfolio.

With an Acorns Invest account, you can boost your investment efforts by setting up recurring contributions—daily, weekly, or monthly.

Read my honest Acorns Review to check out more of its unique features.

Pros:

• Automated Investing through Round-Ups
• Simple Portfolio Options
• Recurring Investments
• Retirement and Family Accounts

Cons:

• Potentially slow growth with smaller investments

4. Webull

• Cost: No commissions
• Ratings: 4.3 stars on Google Play; 4.7 stars on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: $0
• Investment Options: Individual Stocks, Options, Futures, ETFs, OTC, Margin, and Fractional Shares

Webull is a commission-free trading platform that has become popular among investors seeking accessible and user-friendly options for buying and selling financial assets.

One of the standout features of a brokerage account with Webull is its intuitive and streamlined interface.

It provides users with real-time market data, customizable charts, technical indicators, and advanced trading tools to make informed portfolio decisions.

Webull also offers educational resources to help users deepen their understanding of investing, which is great for new investors.

Pros: 

• Commission-Free Trading
• Advanced Trading Tools
• Wide Range of Assets for a diversified portfolio
• User-Friendly Interface

Cons: 

• Limited Customer Support
• Limited educational resources
• Some account fees apply

5. Charles Schwab

• Cost: $0
• Ratings: 2.3 stars on Google Play; 4.8 stars on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: None
• Investment Options: IRAs, ETFs, 3 Investment Strategies, 6 Risk Profiles

Charles Schwab, primarily known as a full-service brokerage firm, also offers micro-investing options through its Schwab Intelligent Portfolios service.

This service allows users to invest in a diversified portfolio of ETFs with no advisory fees, account service fees, or commissions.

One of the key features of Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is its automated investment approach.

Users answer a series of questions about their goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeline, and the platform uses this information to create and manage a personalized portfolio.

The platform automatically rebalances the portfolio as needed to maintain the desired asset allocation.

Pros: 

• Automated Investing
• No Advisory Fees or Commissions
• Diverse Range of ETFs
• Customizable Portfolios

Cons: 

6. Fidelity

• Cost: $0; .35% per year for $25,000+
• Ratings: 4.4 stars on Google Play; 4.8 stars on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: $0
• Investment Options: 14 portfolios- seven taxable and seven retirement portfolios

Fidelity is a well-known financial services company that offers micro-investing options through its Fidelity Go® platform.

Fidelity Go® provides users with a straightforward and automated approach to investing, making it easy for beginners to get started in the market.

It creates a customized portfolio comprised of a mix of Fidelity Flex mutual funds, which includes stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents, allowing for diversification within the portfolio.

Fidelity also offers the “Stocks by the Slice” feature, an innovative way for investors to buy fractional shares of individual stocks.

With Stocks by the Slice, investors can choose from a selection of popular stocks listed on major exchanges and purchase a fraction of a share with as little as $1.

Pros: 

• No management fees for accounts under $25,000
• Human management of portfolios
• Integrates with other Fidelity accounts

Cons:

• Limited Investment Option
• It does not offer tax-loss harvesting

7. SoFi Active Investing

• Cost: $0
• Ratings: 3.9 on Google Play; 4.8 on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: No minimum deposit
• Investment Options: Stocks, ETFs, upcoming IPOs, fractional shares, IRAs

SoFi has been helping folks refinance their student loans for years, but now they offer a whole bunch of other stuff, too!

Their SoFi Invest platform lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and even cryptocurrencies—all without paying any pesky commissions.

What’s neat about SoFi is that they’re all about community and perks.

So-Fi members get access to exclusive benefits like career coaching, networking events, and financial planning resources.

Pros: 

• Access to IPO offerings
• No account minimums
• Fractional shares are available
• Commission free trading

Cons: 

• Limited portfolio
• It does not offer tax-loss harvesting

8. J.P. Morgan

• Cost: $0
• Ratings: 3.9 stars on Google Play; 4.7 on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: $1
• Investment Options: stocks, bonds, IRAs, mutual funds, and ETFs

J.P. Morgan is like having a trusted financial advisor in your pocket!

With J.P. Morgan’s platform, you get access to a bunch of investment options, personalized advice, and the backing of one of the biggest names in finance.

They offer all sorts of tools and resources to help you stay on top of your investments and make informed choices.

After using their resources to create your investing game plan, you can build your own investment portfolio that suits your goals and risk tolerance.

Pros:

• Access to Professional Advice
• Diverse Investment Options
• Research and Analysis Tools
• Brand Reputation

Cons: 

• Higher Fees
• Limited Accessibility for new investors

9. Public

• Cost: $0
• Ratings: 4.1 on Google Play; 4.7 on Apple Store
• Minimum Deposit: $0
• Investment Options: Stocks, Options, Bonds, High-Yield Cash Account, Crypto, ETFs, Treasuries, Investment Plans, Royalties

Public is a platform where you can buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and even cryptocurrencies while connecting with other investors.

What’s cool about Public is that it’s not just about trading stocks—it’s also about building a community.

You can follow other investors, see what they’re investing in, and share your own insights and strategies.

Plus, Public gives you access to real-time market data and educational material to help you learn more about investing and make smarter decisions.

Pros: 

• Social Investing Community
• Commission-Free Trading
• User-Friendly Interface
• Fractional Investing

Cons: 

• Limited Investment Offerings

Pros & Cons Of Micro-Investing

Pros

• Low-to-no minimum investment amounts
• Diverse Investment Options
• Easy to use
• Helpful resources to teach users
• Simplified Investing on most micro-investing accounts

Cons

• Limited Investment Options
• Lower Potential Returns
• Lack of Personalized Advice

FAQs

What is micro-investing?

Micro-investing is a great way to start investing without investing big bucks. It lets you start investing with tiny amounts of money, even just the spare change from your daily purchases.

And even though you’re starting small, you still get to play in the big leagues with a mix of investments in stocks, bonds, and ETFs.

Is micro-investing worth it?

It can be, especially for beginners or those with a tight budget.

Micro-investing platforms can be a stepping stone for beginner investors to learn about the stock market without having to commit large amounts of money.

But, to see large returns quickly, larger investments are usually required to make micro-investing apps worth it.

Which app is best for micro-investing?

Choosing the best micro-investing app really depends on your personal financial goals, your preferred level of involvement in managing your investments, and the features you value most.

Here are a few popular options that I have used and like. Each has its own strengths:

• Acorns: Best for those who want to invest without thinking about it. Acorns rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference.
• Robinhood: It’s best suited for those with a bit more experience who want to build and manage their investment portfolio actively. Plus, they give you free stock when you open an account.
• Betterment: Perfect for users who prefer a hands-off approach but want a bit more sophistication than Acorns offers.

What should I look for in an investing app?

When choosing an investing app, there are a few things to look for with investing apps to make sure you choose an app that fits your requirements when you open an account:

1. User Experience: The app should be easy to use and navigate, especially if you’re a beginner. Read reviews to know how well micro-investing apps have worked for people.
2. Fees and Costs: Know the fees with your brokerage account, including account fees, trading fees, and any other management fees that might impact your take-home cash.  
3. Investment Options: Look for an app that offers the types of investments you want, such as individual stocks and ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), mutual funds, or cryptocurrencies.
4. Account Types: Depending on your financial goals, you might need different accounts- an individual taxable account, a Roth IRA, a 529 plan, etc.
5. Security: Make sure that the investing apps have strong security measures – encryption, secure login processes, and, ideally, two-factor authentication.
6. Reviews and Reputation: Check user reviews and research the app’s reputation to see how satisfied other users are with the service. 

How do investment apps work?

Investment apps make investing easy with their smart and user-friendly setups, so even if you’re new to investing, you won’t feel lost.

Basically, they use some pretty advanced software to handle all the buying and selling of stocks or managing your portfolio in real-time.

These apps also have some clever automated features, like robo-advisors, that can manage your investments based on your personal goals and how much risk you’re comfortable taking.

Micro investing apps connect seamlessly with your bank account and financial markets, which means all your transactions are smooth and quick.

Do I need a lot of money to start investing?

Not at all! One of the great things about modern investing, especially with the rise of micro-investing apps, is that you can start with very little money.

Many apps allow you to begin investing with just a few dollars, and some can even work with your spare change from everyday purchases.

Acorns rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and invests the difference, so you can slowly increase your investments.

How much will I pay to invest?

When it comes to micro-investing apps, the costs can vary depending on which app you use and what features you choose. Make sure to review the fee structure before you start investing.

Here’s the lowdown on typical fees:

• Monthly Fees: Many of these apps charge a monthly fee or trading fees, which can range from $1 to $5.
• Investment Fees: Even though trading stocks and ETFs are often free (no commissions), keep an eye out for fees hidden in other products like mutual funds.
• Withdrawal Fees: It’s not too common, but some apps might charge a fee to withdraw money.
• Extra Services: If you decide you want some premium features, like chatting with a financial advisor or getting into more sophisticated investment strategies, there could be extra charges.

Am I less likely to lose money with micro-investing?

Micro-investing doesn’t necessarily reduce your risk of losing money compared to other forms of investing.

While investing smaller amounts with a micro-investment app can limit initial losses, you’re still subject to the same market risks as any investment.

The key benefit is that it allows you to start small and get used to investing without risking a large sum upfront.

Final Thoughts

Micro-investing apps have made investing more accessible and affordable, particularly for beginners who have less money to invest right out of the gate.

While each app has its unique features, all aim to help users grow their investments over time.

Consider you’re financial goals and risk tolerance to pick the one that works best for you and has the investment options you want.

I’ve really enjoyed using Robinhood to invest when I’ve got the money available, so I highly recommend it for new investors.