Just started investing? Bankrate's top 6 trading apps make it easy for beginners

The investing app you choose shapes how you build wealth. Bankrate identified the most accessible apps for new traders

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Getting into the market used to mean calling a broker, paying hefty commissions, and navigating platforms built for professionals. That world is mostly gone. Today, a first-time investor with $50 and a smartphone can buy a fraction of a share in minutes — no financial background required.

The shift has been dramatic. Commission-free trading, once a novelty pioneered by a handful of upstarts, is now the industry standard. Robo-advisors have taken the guesswork out of portfolio construction for those who would rather not pick their own stocks. Fractional shares have made it possible to invest in high-priced companies without saving up for a full share. And mobile apps have made all of this available in an interface most people find as intuitive as ordering a meal.

But the abundance of options creates its own challenge. For a beginner, choosing between a full-service brokerage, a streamlined trading app, and an automated investment platform can feel overwhelming — especially when the wrong choice might mean paying unnecessary fees.

The most important first question is a simple one: Do you want to manage your own trades, or would you rather have someone — or something — do it for you? Active traders need low costs, broad access to securities, and clean execution. Those who want a hands-off approach are better served by a robo-advisor that builds and rebalances a portfolio automatically. A few platforms try to do both.

Bankrate identified the following six apps as the best investing and trading apps for beginners. Each stands out for its combination of low costs, ease of use, and resources. Each also serves a slightly different kind of investor. The best one for you depends on what you're actually trying to do.

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A strong all-around pick for new investors who want real support, Charles Schwab $SCHW offers commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs, fractional share investing, and access to research and educational resources. Bankrate argues Schwab has "some of the best customer support around," including specialized service by phone and live chat, making it a particularly good fit for beginners who expect to have questions. With low-cost trading and deep educational content, it is a natural starting point for those building a portfolio from scratch.

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Robinhood's streamlined app and commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto helped open financial markets to a generation of younger, phone-first investors. Bankrate notes the platform is easy to navigate and supports fractional share investing — a feature especially useful for beginners who are starting with smaller sums. Trade orders are simple to place, and basic stock research pages surface key metrics that new investors could find useful.

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Webull also offers commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options, with no minimum deposit required to open an account. Where it distinguishes itself is in the extras: advanced charting tools, 24/5 trading, competitive interest rates on cash accounts, and access to futures and crypto for those curious about more exotic asset classes. Bankrate describes Webull as offering "a comprehensive lineup of features many investors will appreciate" — a platform that can grow with a user as their knowledge expands.

4. Fidelity Investments

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For investors who want everything in one place, Fidelity covers the full range of what most will ever need: commission-free stock and ETF trades, a wide variety of account types including retirement accounts, thousands of no-transaction-fee mutual funds, and access to Fidelity Go, its low-cost robo-advisor. Bankrate calls it "a great choice for investors looking to keep most of their financial life with one firm." Its customer support is also rated among the industry's best, and its educational content spans ETFs, mutual funds, and personal finance broadly.

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Betterment automatically builds and manages an ETF portfolio around a user's goals and risk tolerance. It's a natural fit for investors who don't want to pick individual stocks. Bankrate reports that Betterment charges a 0.25% annual management fee for accounts with at least $24,000 or $200 per month in recurring deposits. Smaller accounts pay just $5 per month. Tax-loss harvesting is available, and investors who want access to human advisors can upgrade to Betterment's premium tier.

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Wealthfront builds portfolios using low-cost ETFs and charges a 0.25% annual management fee for automated management that includes tax-loss harvesting and automatic rebalancing. Beyond its robo-advisor, it also offers commission-free stock, ETF trading, and a cash management account with checking, bill pay, and fee-free ATM access. Wealthfront's suite earned it top honors in the Bankrate Awards. For beginners who want a single platform to handle both their investments and their everyday cash, Wealthfront is a compelling option.

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