Guide to the Best Investing Apps: Stocks, Real Estate and More

By 2024, the digital investment market is projected to reach $3.9 trillion, with robo-advisors accounting for $3.39 trillion and neobrokers for $0.51 trillion. This growth is partly fueled by the rise of investment apps that are reshaping how individuals approach finance.

Investment apps serve various functions, including robo-advising, stock trading and portfolio management. They provide direct access to financial markets for real-time trades and decisions. MoneyGeek has curated a list of the best investing apps, arranged alphabetically, to guide you in the digital investing landscape. Choose ones that align with your financial goals.

Robo-advisor apps automate financial planning through algorithms. You can receive tailored investment recommendations by inputting financial details and goals. While these apps typically charge lower fees than traditional advisors, they might overlook certain nuanced financial situations due to automation. We've curated a list of top robo-advisor apps based on specific criteria, including user ratings, effectiveness of tax strategies and third-party evaluations. These apps also excel in ease of use, customization options and cost-efficiency.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Betterment offers algorithm-based financial planning with minimal human intervention. You can set financial goals and risk preferences, and the platform crafts a diversified portfolio in response. Key features include tax-efficient strategies, auto-rebalancing and retirement tools.

The platform has two plans: Digital and Premium. The Digital Plan requires $0 to open (though $10 to initiate investing), while the Premium Plan has a minimum balance of $100,000 and includes complimentary financial coaching.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

M1 Finance merges robo-advisory with a flexible interface. Its "Pie" approach lets you craft and modify investment pies with stocks, ETFs, or expert-curated selections. This app is ideal for self-directed investors. It also allows you to purchase fractional shares, offers tools to track portfolio performance and provides valuable resources like articles, tutorials and insights.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

SoFi Automated Investing is SoFi's robo-advisor platform that offers automated investment solutions. Key features include automatic rebalancing and consultations with financial advisors. This app is ideal if you’re seeking a simplified investment approach that complements the comprehensive range of financial tools SoFi provides. You need to open a SoFi account to use this tool, with only $1 required for account creation and $5 to kick off investing.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Vanguard Digital Advisor is Vanguard's automated investment platform. It delivers investment management based on your objectives while leveraging Vanguard's portfolio expertise. Enrollment requires a Vanguard brokerage account holding a minimum of $3,000, eligible for a standard taxable account or a traditional or Roth IRA. Upon joining, Vanguard will invest your assets across four distinct Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Wealthfront is a robo-advisor that uses algorithms to provide personalized investment portfolios based on risk tolerance and financial goals. It also offers features like tax-loss harvesting, direct indexing and cash accounts to optimize returns and minimize taxes for its users. You can follow in-app prompts and answer a brief questionnaire to initiate automated investing. You can fund the account with a minimum requirement of $500.

Stock-trading apps allow you to buy and sell stocks in real time directly from your devices. Their main benefits include instant market access, reduced transaction fees and trading convenience. Our lineup of stock trading apps was chosen for their unique strengths, such as offering robust tools, strong security features and access to international markets.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

E-TRADE Mobile App is the mobile platform of E-TRADE that caters to the needs of on-the-go investors; the app provides a comprehensive suite of trading and investment tools. The app provides a user-friendly interface, real-time streaming quotes, advanced charting features and money transfer capabilities. It offers educational resources, news updates and customizable watchlists to inform you about market trends and their investments. E-TRADE Mobile App aims to help both novice and experienced investors manage their portfolios and execute trades.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Fidelity Investments is an app from Fidelity that offers a range of mobile investments, including stock trading. It champions zero-fee index funds and boasts an extensive array of educational materials. Key features include research capabilities, analysis tools, watchlists, alerts, retirement instruments and more. The app also integrates advanced measures like biometric login, two-factor authentication and high-grade encryption to safeguard your information.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

The Interactive Brokers app, often called IBKR Mobile, is the platform for Interactive Brokers, catering to traders and investors seeking on-the-go portfolio management, market analysis and trade execution. The app offers real-time trading capabilities in stocks, options, futures and forex. It also provides advanced charting and research tools. You can access over 135 global markets and view over 50 data columns. You can use the Options Wizard if you’re uncertain. It offers standard strategies as a starting point.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

The Merrill Edge app is the mobile platform for Merrill Edge. The app offers a range of features to manage investments on the go. You can trade stocks, options, ETFs and mutual funds, monitor their portfolios, access real-time market data and use advanced charting tools. The app also integrates research reports, market insights and educational resources to help investors make informed decisions.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Robinhood offers a streamlined interface and commission-free trades. Its user-friendly app supports transactions in stocks, options, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, appealing to a diverse user base. You can invest in over 5,000 securities and 650 global stocks. The app has been praised for making investing more accessible to a younger and broader audience. Still, its rapid growth and approach have also been subjects of debate and scrutiny within the financial community.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

The Charles Schwab app caters to novices and seasoned investors. It offers comprehensive research utilities, rich educational resources and a dedication to low fees. Its "Schwab Stock Slices" feature permits fractional share acquisitions. You can execute trades, stay updated with real-time market news and explore investment opportunities. The app incorporates fingerprint and facial recognition, top-tier encryption and the Schwab security guarantee.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

The app thinkorswim is an advanced trading platform developed by TD Ameritrade, designed for serious traders looking for sophisticated tools and analytics. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including real-time data, technical analysis tools, customizable charts and a simulated trading environment known as "paperMoney." The platform provides educational resources and support to help you make informed trading decisions.

Real estate investing apps democratize property investment by offering options like property shares, real estate loans, or direct purchases. Their primary advantage is broadening access to real estate investments. Always remember to prioritize security when investing in real estate using investment apps. We evaluated and chose our real estate investment apps based on their range of investment options, fee transparency and user experience. They provide avenues for both commercial and residential investments, and additional features like property shares and real estate loans.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Arrived allows you to browse pre-vetted properties by their experts. You can start investing from $100 to $100,000 per property. You can also diversify your portfolio by investing in real estate across multiple markets and property types.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

DiversyFund is a platform that allows everyday investors to diversify their portfolios with real estate investments. It caters to all investors, not just accredited ones. DiversyFund purchases and manages multi-million-dollar properties by pooling funds from multiple investors to achieve consistent returns.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Fundrise is a real estate crowdfunding platform that allows individual investors to invest in commercial and residential real estate projects. It provides access to previously hard-to-reach opportunities, managing real estate assets without demanding significant capital or hands-on management from investors. Notable features include diverse investment opportunities, eREITs and eFunds, performance tracking and automated investing.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

The Groundfloor app facilitates real estate investing, boasting an average annual return of 10% on investments with no associated fees. You can also monitor your investments and overall portfolio performance through their app.

Portfolio management apps are digital tools that help oversee and optimize investment portfolios. These apps facilitate performance tracking, asset rebalancing and financial planning by centralizing your assets. Although central access to investment data is attractive, always remain vigilant about data security. Our picks for portfolio management apps offer a comprehensive view of your financial landscape. They stand out for their user-friendly interfaces, human coaching support and added budgeting tools to help you oversee and optimize your investments.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Empower offers tools for effective money management, spanning budgeting to investment advice. It aims to make personal finance more approachable and actionable using a blend of AI-driven suggestions and human coaching. The app emphasizes enhanced protection with features like biometric identification and multi-factor authentication. It also integrates with Siri and the Apple Watch for a more optimized user experience.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

The Morningstar for Investors app offers insights into comprehensive investment data covering stocks, funds, ETFs and CEFs. The app also includes personalized portfolio tracking tools and the latest commentary, news and videos. Users registered with Morningstar.com can log in to the app to access existing accounts.

Data as of October 10, 2023.

Simplifi by Quicken provides a comprehensive view of their finances. It focuses on budgeting, expense tracking and forecasting, facilitating goal setting and informed financial choices. It has a consolidated view where you can see all your financial accounts in one place.

When choosing an investment app, you must ensure data security and select the app that best aligns with your investment journey. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Here are some resources to assist you in navigating the landscape of digital investment.

• BetterInvesting: A nonprofit organization that provides investment education to help individuals become better, more informed investors.
• CFA Institute: A global association of investment professionals that offers educational resources and certifications for financial analysts.
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): FINRA supervises the people and firms that sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other securities. They provide resources and tools to help investors.
• MIT OpenCourseWare: MIT offers a variety of free courses online, including some on finance and digital investment.
• National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE): This is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring educated financial decision-making for individuals and families.
• Smart About Money: A tool offered by NEFE to provide free courses, tools and resources to help individuals make informed financial decisions.
• Stanford Online: Stanford University offers a variety of online courses related to finance and investment. While not all are free, they provide in-depth knowledge from a reputable institution.
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): This is the SEC's site for individual investors. It provides a wealth of information about investing basics, including how to avoid fraud.