Quick Comparison: All 7 Investing Apps
The key numbers at a glance
| App | Commission | Account Min | Signup Bonus | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | $0 | $0 | Free stock | Beginners, options | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| Fidelity | $0 | $0 | Varies | Long-term investors | ⭐ 4.8/5 |
| Webull | $0 | $0 | Fractional shares | Active traders, charts | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
| SoFi Invest | $0 | $1 | Up to $1,000 | Beginners, automation | ⭐ 4.4/5 |
| Acorns | $3/mo | $0 | $5 bonus | Passive micro-investing | ⭐ 4.2/5 |
| Public | $0 | $0 | Fractional share | Social investors | ⭐ 4.1/5 |
| E*TRADE | $0 | $500 (managed) | Up to $600 | Experienced investors | ⭐ 4.3/5 |
🥇 #1 Best for Beginners: Robinhood
Best for: First-time investors, options traders, and crypto buyers who want a clean, fast experience
Robinhood wins the top spot for beginners because it removes every barrier between you and your first trade. Zero commission, zero account minimum, and an app UI so clean that stock research and order placement takes under 2 minutes. The interface was designed for the smartphone generation — and that's exactly its advantage over legacy platforms.
In 2026, Robinhood has expanded well beyond its roots. You get stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, fractional shares, an IRA with 1% match, and 24-hour trading on 900+ stocks. Robinhood Gold adds 5% APY on uninvested cash and access to Level II market data. For most beginning-to-intermediate investors, Robinhood is the right starting point.
🥈 #2 Best for Long-Term Investors: Fidelity
Best for: Serious long-term investors who want institutional-quality research and retirement tools
If Robinhood is built for the first-time trader, Fidelity is built for the serious investor. Its research tools, retirement account management, and educational resources are genuinely best-in-class. Fidelity's zero-fee index funds (the ZERO funds) have no expense ratio at all — the lowest cost investing option in the market.
The app experience is solid but not as sleek as Robinhood. If you're 25 and opening your first Roth IRA, Fidelity is arguably the better long-term home. For active stock pickers who trade frequently, Robinhood's speed and simplicity win. Many serious investors hold both.
🥉 #3 Best for Active Traders: Webull
Best for: Intermediate-to-advanced traders who need professional charting and market data
Webull punches above its weight class for active traders. The desktop platform offers technical indicators, Level II market data, and advanced charting that rivals platforms charging hundreds per month. All of it is free. If Robinhood is optimized for simplicity and Fidelity for research depth, Webull is built for the trader who lives in charts.
#4 Best for Automated Investing: SoFi Invest
Best for: Hands-off investors who want robo-advisory alongside banking and loans in one app
SoFi Invest earns its spot for investors who want their banking, loans, and investing in one app. The automated portfolios are genuinely well-constructed (diversified ETF-based), management is free, and the signup bonuses are competitive. SoFi's ecosystem benefit — where investing integrates with SoFi checking, savings, and personal loans — is real and useful for operators building financial infrastructure.
#5–7: Acorns, Public, E*TRADE
Good tools with specific use cases
Acorns rounds up your everyday purchases and invests the difference. It's the best app for turning non-investors into investors — the automation removes all friction. The $3/month fee is reasonable for small accounts but becomes expensive as a percentage at larger balances. Graduate to Robinhood or Fidelity once you're comfortable with investing basics.
Public lets you see what real investors (not bots) are buying and selling, with the ability to follow portfolios and learn from community discussion. Fractional shares start at $1, there are no commissions, and the social layer is genuinely educational for beginners. The platform lacks the power features of Webull and the research depth of Fidelity, but for community-driven learning, it's the best choice.
E*TRADE (now part of Morgan Stanley) is a legacy platform that remains solid for experienced investors. Its Power E*TRADE desktop platform is excellent for options traders, and the research library is deep. The signup bonuses ($600 for large deposits) are generous. But the mobile app and UI feel dated compared to Robinhood and Webull, and there's a $500 minimum for managed portfolios.
Bottom Line: Which Investing App Should You Use?
- Complete beginner (first investment ever): Robinhood — easiest onboarding, free stock bonus, zero friction
- Long-term wealth builder (IRA, index funds): Fidelity — zero-fee index funds and superior retirement tools
- Active trader (charts, options, technical analysis): Webull — professional tools at zero cost
- Hands-off investor (robo-advisory): SoFi Invest — free automated portfolios with banking integration
- Building the habit (can't get started): Acorns — round-ups make investing automatic
- Want a community: Public — social layer helps you learn from real investors
- Experienced investor needing full suite: E*TRADE — depth and research for serious portfolios
Start Investing Today
Robinhood is our top pick for beginners. Get a free stock worth up to $200 when you open and fund your account.
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