If you’ve never tried investing, it can seem pretty intimidating. With complex charts, terms that make it seem like you’re learning a new language, and fear of losing money, investing for beginners can be daunting. However, it doesn’t have to be.

Thanks to advances in technology, there are several investment apps that can make investing a breeze, even for those who’ve never tried it before. Read on to discover some of the best investment apps for beginners and how to start investing using these modern tools.

Robinhood: Simple and Straightforward

Robinhood revolutionized the world of investing by removing transaction fees and making investing available to everyone. The clean, easy-to-use interface makes it a great choice for beginning investors who don’t want to wade through multiple layers of red tape while trying to learn more about their own investment style. Users can buy stocks, ETFs, and even crypto with just a few taps.

The only drawback to Robinhood is that it doesn’t offer the best educational tools. However, if you learn by doing instead of by reading and watching videos, Robinhood is a great option.

The simplicity does mean that you’ll need to do some research before making trades, but a willingness to research is probably why you’re looking for stock trading apps. For users interested in free investment apps that are fast and beginner-friendly, Robinhood is a major player.

Acorns: Investing Your Spare Change

Depending on how involved you want to be in managing your investments, you may be looking for a “set it and forget it” investment platform. Acorns is just that. It rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference.

For example, if you spend $4.65, Acorns will round your transaction to $5 and invest the $0.35 into a diversified portfolio.

Acorns is ideal for investing for beginners who don’t want to think too much about strategy, but still want to build wealth slowly over time. While you probably won’t become a multimillionaire by investing your spare change, you can turn your Acorns portfolio into a sizeable investment.

It also offers retirement accounts and budgeting tools that make it a one-stop shop for personal finance. The small fees are worth the automation and simplicity, especially for new investors who may feel overwhelmed by the variety of investment apps.

Stash: Learn as You Grow

Stash is designed to teach you how to start investing by offering a hands-on, personalized experience. Since you can get started with as little as $5, there’s very little risk involved. Unlike some of the other options on our list, Stash allows you to invest in themed investments.

For instance, if you want to invest in the tech industry, you can choose “Tech Giants.”

If you’re passionate about sustainability and believe that it’s going to offer financial returns for years to come, choose “Clean and Green.” Obviously, you can invest more money and apply it to different sectors.

Stash also stands out from the crowd because of its educational content. Each time you log in, you’ll be nudged toward learning more about markets, money management, and risk levels. Unlike some of the other investment apps for beginners, Stash also offers a debit card that rewards you with stocks instead of cash back and has personal banking features.

Fidelity: A Trusted Name with a Modern Touch

Fidelity has been a player in the investment industry for decades, so it’s no surprise that the company’s app is one of the best investment apps for beginners. There are no trading fees, and the research tools are robust, but still beginner-friendly.

Traditionally, Fidelity has been a top choice for more tenured investors, but the introduction of the company’s app has put one of the most trusted names in investing in the hands of new investors.

If you're looking for a beginner-friendly experience with a trusted financial institution behind it, Fidelity is a great option for new investors who plan on investing in stocks for the long term.

SoFi Invest: For the Goal-Oriented Investor

SoFi Invest brings together financial goal-setting and low-cost investing, creating an investment platform that’s perfect for beginners. You can choose between active investing and automated portfolios that align with your financial objectives.

However, what sets the app apart is the free access to financial advisors, which is a huge bonus for beginning investors.

SoFi Invest’s modern interface and social feed make it feel less like a banking app and more like a personal financial advisor. You can even invest in fractional shares of expensive stocks like Amazon or Apple, making it easier to diversify with a smaller budget. By buying fractional shares of some of the biggest companies in the world, you can set yourself up for long-term success.

SoFi also offers budgeting tools, credit score tracking, and loans, making it a well-rounded financial app overall. If you want to invest while taking a more hands-on approach to your finances, SoFi Invest is an excellent option among the top 5 investment apps for new users.

There’s An App for That

For decades, investing in the stock market required a surplus of cash on hand and the assistance of a financial professional who charged fees for his or her services. Thanks to modern technology, that’s no longer the case. Instead, beginning investors can dip their toes into the pool of investing with as little as $5.

You don’t have to be intimidated by the complexity of the stock market. Instead, download one of these investment apps and find out how it can set you up for financial success using one of the best investment apps for beginners.