Ever thought investing was only for the rich? Think again! Thanks to micro-investing apps, you can start growing your wealth with just a few dollars—or even spare change. These apps make investing simple, affordable, and automated, perfect for beginners and seasoned investors alike.
But with so many options out there, which ones are worth your time? Don’t worry—we’ve researched for you! Here are the top 10 micro-investing apps in 2025 that can help you build wealth effortlessly.
What Are Micro-Investing Apps?
Micro-investing apps allow you to invest small amounts of money—sometimes as little as $1 or even pennies—into stocks, ETFs, or other assets. They often use round-up features, where your everyday purchases are rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the difference is invested.
Why Use Micro-Investing Apps?
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Low barrier to entry—no need for thousands of dollars.
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Automated investing—set it and forget it.
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Educational tools—great for beginners.
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Diversification—Spread your risk across multiple assets.
1. Acorns—Best for Round-Up Investing
Why Acorns Stands Out
Acorns is one of the most popular micro-investing apps, perfect for beginners. It automatically rounds up your purchases and invests the spare change.
Key Features
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Round-Up feature—Invest your spare change.
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Recurring investments—Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposits.
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Acorns Earn—Get cashback from partner brands.
Pricing: $3–$9/month
Best For:Â investors who want a hands-off approach.
2. Robinhood—Best for Commission-Free Trading
Why Robinhood is a Game-Changer
Robinhood revolutionized investing by introducing commission-free trading. While not strictly a micro-investing app, its fractional shares feature makes it accessible for small investors.
Key Features
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Fractional shares—Buy parts of expensive stocks.
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No account minimums—start with just $1.
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User-friendly interface—great for beginners.
Pricing:Â Free (with optional Gold membership at $5/month)
Best For:Â Active traders and beginners.
3. Stash—Best for Themed Investing
Why Stash is Unique
Stash lets you invest in themed portfolios based on your interests (e.g., tech, green energy, or even “American Innovators”).
Key Features
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Themed investments—Align with your passions.
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Stock-Back® Card—Earn stocks instead of cashback.
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Educational content—learn as you invest.
Pricing: $3–$9/month
Best For:Â Investors who want personalized portfolios.
4. Public—Best for Social Investing
Why Public is Different
Public combines investing with social media, allowing users to share portfolios, discuss stocks, and follow top investors.
Key Features
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Social investing—See what others are buying.
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Fractional shares—Invest in expensive stocks affordably.
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No commission fees—free stock trading.
Pricing:Â Free
Best For:Â Investors who enjoy community-driven insights.
Visit Public’s website here.
5. Betterment—Best for Automated Investing
Why Betterment is a Top Robo-Advisor
Betterment is a robo-advisor that automates investing based on your goals, making it ideal for hands-off investors.
Key Features
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Goal-based investing—save for retirement, a house, etc.
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Tax-loss harvesting—Minimize taxes automatically.
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Low fees—competitive pricing.
Pricing:Â 0.25% annual fee
Best For:Â Long-term, automated investing.
Learn more about Betterment here.
6. M1 Finance—Best for Custom Portfolios
Why M1 Finance is Flexible
M1 Finance allows you to create custom portfolios (Pies) with stocks and ETFs, blending automation with control.
Key Features
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Custom Pies—Build your own investment mix.
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Automated rebalancing—keeps your portfolio aligned.
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Borrowing power—Access low-interest loans.
Pricing:Â Free (M1 Plus at $10/month)
Best For:Â Investors who want customization.
7. SoFi Invest—Best for All-in-One Finance
Why SoFi Invest is Versatile
SoFi Invest offers investing, banking, and loans in one app, making it a great all-in-one financial platform.
Key Features
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Fractional shares—Invest with small amounts.
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Automatic investing—Set recurring deposits.
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Free financial advisors—Get expert advice.
Pricing:Â Free
Best For:Â Those who want banking and investing in one place.
8. Wealthfront—Best for High-Yield Cash Accounts
Why Wealthfront is Great for Savings
Wealthfront offers high-yield cash accounts alongside automated investing, making it a solid choice for growing wealth.
Key Features
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High APY on cash accounts—earn more on idle cash.
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Tax-efficient strategies—optimize returns.
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Low fees—0.25% management fee.
Pricing:Â 0.25% annual fee
Best For: savers and investors.
9. Qapital—Best for Goal-Based Saving & Investing
Why Qapital is Unique
Qapital blends saving and investing with customizable rules (e.g., round-ups, spending triggers).
Key Features
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Goal-setting tools—Save for specific targets.
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Automated rules—Invest based on habits.
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FDIC-insured savings—safe and flexible.
Pricing: $3–$12/month
Best For:Â Goal-oriented savers and investors.
10. Ellevest—Best for Women Investors
Why Ellevest is Empowering
Ellevest is designed by women, for women, focusing on gender-specific financial planning.
Key Features
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Gender-specific advice—tailored financial planning.
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Impact investing—Support women-led companies.
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Retirement planning—optimized for women’s earnings.
Pricing: $1–$9/month
Best For:Â Women looking for tailored investing.
How to Choose the Best Micro-Investing App
Not sure which app suits you? Consider these factors:
1. Fees & Pricing
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Some apps charge monthly fees, while others are free.
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Look for hidden costs.
2. Investment Options
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Do you want ETFs, stocks, or crypto?
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Check if fractional shares are available.
3. Automation Features
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Round-ups, recurring deposits, and auto-rebalancing save time.
4. Educational Resources
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Great for beginners who want to learn.
5. User Experience
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A smooth, intuitive app makes investing easier.
Final Thoughts
Micro-investing apps make building wealth accessible to everyone. Whether you prefer round-ups (Acorns), social investing (Public), or automated portfolios (Betterment), there’s an app for you.
The best part? You don’t need much to start—just a few dollars and a smartphone. So why wait? Pick an app, start small, and watch your money grow!
FAQs
1. Are micro-investing apps safe?
Yes! Most apps are SEC-regulated and use bank-level security. Always choose reputable platforms.
2. Can I make real money with micro-investing?
Absolutely! While returns vary, consistent small investments can grow significantly over time.
3. Do these apps charge fees?
Some do (e.g., Acorns, Stash), while others are free (Robinhood, Public). Always check pricing.
4. What’s the minimum investment?
Many apps let you start with just $1 or spare change.
5. Which app is best for beginners?
Acorns and Robinhood are great for beginners due to their simplicity and low barriers.
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