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Young People Are Entering the Stock Market Earlier Than Ever Now--These Investing Apps Are Opening The Door To Wealth Building

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 19:22 GMT by Forbes
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Investing in 2025: The Best Apps for Absolute Beginners

If you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of investing, the sheer number of mobile apps can feel overwhelming. From robo‑advisors that automatically re‑balance your portfolio to commission‑free trading platforms that let you buy fractional shares, each option has its own learning curve and fee structure. Forbes Advisor’s 2025 guide—“Best Investing Apps for Beginners” (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/d/investing-apps-beginners-2025/)—cuts through the noise and offers a concise, hands‑on review of the top apps, complete with pros, cons, and real‑world scenarios where each tool shines.

Below is a 500‑plus‑word summary of the article, plus extra context on the links it includes so you can dive deeper where you want.

1. What Makes an Investing App Beginner‑Friendly?

Forbes Advisor’s editors weighed several criteria before narrowing the field:

With these pillars in mind, the article narrows down to six apps that stand out for 2025.

2. The Six Best Beginner‑Friendly Investing Apps (2025)

Let’s walk through each app in more detail.

Betterment – The “Set It and Forget It” Choice

Betterment is a classic robo‑advisor. It asks a handful of questions about risk tolerance, investment goals, and time horizon. After the questionnaire, it assembles a diversified portfolio of ETFs that automatically re‑balances whenever you add or withdraw funds.

• Pros: Automatic re‑balancing, tax‑loss harvesting, no minimum deposit for the free tier, and a suite of educational tools.
• Cons: Annual fee (0.25%‑0.40%) is higher than commission‑free brokerages, and you’re locked into Betterment’s ETFs.
• Best For: Those who want a low‑maintenance, long‑term investment strategy, especially for retirement.

Link Highlighted in the Article: [ Betterment’s website ]

Acorns – Tiny Rounds, Big Gains

Acorns is built around micro‑investing. Every time you swipe a debit or credit card, the app rounds the transaction up to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change in a diversified portfolio. They also offer “Found Money” rebates and a high‑yield savings account.

• Pros: No minimum deposit, automatic contributions, a savings account, and a generous “Found Money” program.
• Cons: The annual fee of 0.49% is higher than many alternatives, and the portfolio is quite generic.
• Best For: Newbies who want to invest passively without looking at numbers.

Link Highlighted in the Article: [ Acorns’ website ]

M1 Finance – Customizable with Zero Commissions

M1 Finance lets you build “pies” of fractional shares from any of its 600+ ETFs and stocks. You set the allocation percentages, then M1 handles the rest—buying, re‑balancing, and dividend reinvestment automatically.

• Pros: Zero commissions, fractional shares, and flexible “pie” customization.
• Cons: No cash management features (no debit card), and the platform can be a bit confusing for absolute beginners.
• Best For: Those who want control over asset allocation but still want an automated system.

Link Highlighted in the Article: [ M1 Finance website ]

Robinhood – The Free‑Trade Classic

Robinhood continues to dominate the conversation about commission‑free trading. Its UI is minimalist, and the app even lets you buy and sell fractional shares, plus crypto and options. A recent “Robinhood Gold” tier offers instant deposits for a fee.

• Pros: Zero commissions, instant deposits for Gold subscribers, and a straightforward UI.
• Cons: Limited research tools, occasional outages, and a history of controversy over order routing.
• Best For: Traders who want quick, no‑fee trades and don’t need advanced research.

Link Highlighted in the Article: [ Robinhood website ]

Charles Schwab – The Full‑Featured Broker

Schwab offers commission‑free online trades, a large library of ETFs with low expense ratios, and no minimum balance for U.S. brokerage accounts. Their mobile app is robust, with advanced charting and research tools.

• Pros: Zero commission, high‑quality research, and robust customer support.
• Cons: No auto‑investment feature (unless you link to their Schwab Intelligent Portfolios).
• Best For: Beginners who want a full-service brokerage with plenty of educational resources.

Link Highlighted in the Article: [ Charles Schwab website ]

Public.com – The Social Investing Playground

Public offers commission‑free trades and fractional shares, and it adds a social element: you can follow other investors, read their trades, and see a real‑time “leaderboard.” It’s designed to let you learn by observing peers.

• Pros: Zero commissions, peer‑learning features, and an intuitive interface.
• Cons: Limited research resources and no cash management.
• Best For: Those who want a social approach to investing and like to learn from others.

Link Highlighted in the Article: [ Public.com website ]

3. Extra Resources and Links

The Forbes Advisor article links to several additional pieces that can help deepen your understanding:

1. “How to Choose the Right Investment Account” – A primer on brokerage vs. robo‑advisor accounts.
2. “Tax‑Advantaged Accounts for 2025” – Updates on Roth IRA and 401(k) fee structures.
3. “The Beginner’s Guide to ETFs” – A primer on the most popular exchange‑traded funds.
4. “What Is Fractional Share Investing?” – A quick explanation of buying fractions of a stock.

These links (found within the original article) provide context for the numbers and recommendations and are worth exploring for anyone who wants to get more than just a surface‑level overview.

4. Key Takeaways for 2025

• No‑fee trading is still available: Apps like M1 Finance, Robinhood, Schwab, and Public all offer zero‑commission trades, making them attractive for small accounts.
• Robo‑advisors still win on automation: Betterment and Acorns streamline the process, though at a cost.
• Fractional shares matter: All but Schwab’s “brokerage” accounts allow fractional shares, enabling diversification with less capital.
• Security stays top priority: Every platform uses FDIC‑insured custodians and state‑of‑the‑art encryption.
• Educational value is critical: For beginners, a platform that explains what you’re buying and why is a major advantage.

If you’re new to investing and uncertain about which platform to start with, the Forbes Advisor guide points you toward a simple test: try a free or low‑fee option (Robinhood or M1 Finance) for a couple of months, then consider upgrading to a robo‑advisor (Betterment) if you want automated diversification.

5. How to Choose Your Starter App

Use the “investment profile quiz” that Forbes Advisor offers (linked in the article) to determine your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment preference. Once you have that profile:

1. Match the profile to the best app: For example, if you’re risk‑averse and planning for a long‑term retirement goal, Betterment may be a good fit.
2. Check the fee structure: For a $5,000 account, a 0.49% annual fee on Acorns translates to $24.50 per year—just compare that to a $0 commission on a platform like M1 Finance.
3. Look at the educational tools: If you’re not comfortable reading charts, opt for a platform that provides easy‑to‑understand guides.
4. Start small: Open a demo or a “micro‑invest” account, then gradually increase contributions.

6. Final Thoughts

The investment landscape in 2025 is more accessible than ever. Whether you prefer the full control of a brokerage, the hands‑off automation of a robo‑advisor, or the social learning angle of Public, there’s a platform that aligns with your comfort level and financial goals. The Forbes Advisor article provides a solid starting point, but remember that the right app for you also depends on your unique situation, preferences, and appetite for learning.

If you’re ready to turn your spare change into a diversified portfolio, download one of the recommended apps today and start building a brighter financial future—one small step at a time.