The investing app you choose affects your costs, your available investment types, your research tools, and ultimately your returns. Here’s how the top options compare.

Best for Beginners: Robinhood

Commission-free, clean interface, fractional shares from $1, easy deposit and withdrawal. The app that got millions of people investing for the first time. Free stock promotion for new accounts.

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Robinhood
The most beginner-friendly investing app. Commission-free on all stocks, ETFs, and crypto.
Earn: Free stock worth up to $225
Get Started Free โ†’

Best for Serious Investors: Fidelity or Schwab

More research tools, better customer service, wider investment options (bonds, mutual funds, options), better IRA management. Free to use, no account minimums.

Best for Automated Investing: M1 Finance

Build a custom “pie” of stocks and ETFs. Set allocation percentages. Deposits automatically buy shares to maintain your target allocation. Set it and forget it.

Best for Options Trading: thinkorswim (TD Ameritrade)

The most powerful options analysis tools available for free. For advanced investors only.

Best for Crypto + Stocks: eToro

Buy stocks, ETFs, and crypto in one account. “Copy trading” feature lets you mirror portfolios of successful investors. Popular in Europe, growing in the US.

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Use Multiple Accounts
Use Robinhood for quick stock buys. Use Fidelity for your IRA. Use M1 for automated regular investing. Each app has different strengths.