If you've never thought you had enough money to start investing, the good news is you may not need much at all. Micro-investing apps let you put small amounts of money into the market, sometimes just the spare change from your everyday purchases. Top apps are easy to set up, simple to use, and can help you build savings over time without big upfront commitments. Understanding some of the best options can help you get started.
Acorns: The Original Spare Change Investor
Acorns is one of the most popular micro-investing apps and was built around the idea of investing your spare change. You link a debit card to the app, and it automatically rounds up your purchases and invests the difference for you (source). When you sign up, the app asks a few simple questions about your goals and risk comfort, then builds a portfolio of low-cost funds and rebalances it as needed.
Beyond round-ups, Acorns also lets you set up automatic contributions on a schedule that fits your budget. You can open a retirement account or a custodial account for a child, and you can earn bonus investments by shopping at partner retailers (source). One thing to keep in mind: monthly fees can take a bigger bite out of your returns if your balance is small.
Stash: Hands-On or Hands-Off, Your Call
Stash works for people who want to pick their own investments and for people who want the app to do the work for them. You can build your own mix from thousands of ETFs and individual stocks, or let Stash handle a portfolio for you (source). Like Acorns, it offers automatic round-ups on your everyday purchases.
Every Stash account comes with a linked bank account that has no minimum balance and no overdraft fees. The app also has a Stock-Back card that earns you a small amount of stock when you spend at certain stores (source). You can open custodial accounts for kids, set up an IRA for retirement, and buy fractional shares so you don't need much money to get started (source).
SoFi Active Invest: Low Fees and Plenty of Choices
SoFi Active Invest stands out because it doesn't charge monthly or annual fees, and you can start investing with just a few dollars. You can choose between active stock trading and a hands-off automated portfolio, depending on how involved you want to be.
SoFi gives you access to retirement accounts including a traditional, Roth, or SEP IRA, and each one can be either actively or passively managed (source). It also offers access to human financial advisors, which is a nice feature for newer investors who may have questions. Like other apps on this list, it supports fractional shares so you can invest small amounts in well-known companies.
Robinhood and Public: Two More Ways to Start Small
Robinhood is known for commission-free trading and a clean, easy-to-use design. There are no account minimums and no maintenance fees, and you can trade stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto (source). You can also start with just a small amount of money thanks to fractional shares, and you can set up recurring investments so you never forget to add to your account.
Public takes a different angle. It lets you buy fractional shares, called "slices," and groups stocks into "themes" like American Made or eCommerce to help you build a mix of investments quickly (source). It also has a social-media-style feed where you can see what other investors are doing, which beginners may find helpful for learning (source). Public doesn't charge monthly or annual fees and offers commission-free trading (source).
What to Look for When Choosing an App
The best micro-investing apps share a few key features. They have low minimums, often letting you start with just a few dollars, and they support fractional shares so you can buy a piece of an expensive stock instead of waiting to afford a full share. They're also easy to use, which matters a lot if you've never invested before.
Look closely at fees, especially if you plan to keep a small balance for a while. A flat monthly fee can eat into a small account faster than a percentage-based fee (source). Recurring transfers are another big plus, since setting up automatic deposits helps you build the habit of saving. Since personalized advice is often hard to come by, educational tools, like simple articles and videos, can also help you learn as you go (source).
Small Steps, Real Progress
Micro-investing won't make you rich overnight, and it shouldn't replace bigger long-term plans like an employer's 401(k). But it's a great way to get started, especially if you've been waiting until you "have enough" to invest. Even small contributions add up over time, and the act of getting started can build the habit you need for bigger goals later (source).
Before you pick an app, think about what you want most. Do you want round-ups and a hands-off experience, or do you want to pick your own investments? Are you saving for retirement, for your kids, or just trying to grow extra cash? The best app is the one that fits your goals and that you'll actually use. Whatever you choose, the most important step is starting — and then sticking with it.