In the modern age of technology, investing has become more accessible and user-friendly than ever before. Thanks to investment apps, even those starting from scratch can build and grow their investment portfolios. Whether you’re interested in stocks, ETFs, real estate, or cryptocurrencies, there’s an app out there for you. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at two of the best investment apps for new investors: Public.com and Webull. These apps not only offer easy-to-use interfaces but also prioritize learning and educational resources to help users become smarter investors.
Public.com:
Public.com takes the top spot as our top choice for new investors and is a standout trading app overall. Its clean and user-friendly interface makes it an excellent option for beginners. One of its main advantages lies in the ample opportunities it provides for learning about investing.
A key feature of Public.com is its “Themes” – curated lists of stocks and funds organized by categories or purposes. This feature allows users to easily find investments that match their interests. Themes range from dividend stocks and women-led companies to artificial intelligence and green power.
Additionally, Public.com enables users to trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Fractional shares are available, making it feasible to invest with small amounts of money, and the app offers commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs.
Beyond traditional investments, Public.com has ventured into the realm of alternative investments, offering NFTs, fine art, and collectibles. This sets it apart from other stock trading apps. Moreover, Public.com boasts a unique social aspect, allowing users to follow other investors, learn from their trades, and engage in conversations about investing. Virtual town halls with executives of publicly-traded companies offer further opportunities for interaction.
Public.com offers a range of advantages for investors, including commission-free trades on stocks and funds with no minimum balance required, access to trade over 25 cryptocurrencies without needing a separate digital wallet, and the option to purchase fractional shares for portfolio diversification.
Additionally, the platform caters to diverse investment interests by offering alternative investment options like NFTs and fine art. The social features allow users to interact with other investors, while Themes simplify the process of finding investments aligned with individual preferences. However, a free account may have limited data and analysis, which can be addressed by upgrading to a Premium account for more comprehensive features.
Webull:
Webull is another top investment app that appeals to self-directed investors seeking advanced analysis tools. While it may not be as user-friendly as Public.com, Webull compensates with comprehensive reporting and analysis features.
Like Public.com, Webull offers commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Fractional share purchases are also available, making it suitable for new investors looking to start small.
Webull offers a range of advantages for investors, including commission-free trading on a wide range of stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and options, along with the option to purchase fractional shares with a minimum investment of $5. There are no account maintenance or software platform fees, and Webull provides leverage for margin trades, offering increased potential for returns. The platform also boasts excellent analysis tools tailored to intermediate and advanced investors, extended trading hours, and the option to open IRAs.
On the downside, some users may find the user interface not as intuitive as Public.com. Despite this drawback, Webull remains a compelling choice for its commission-free trading and robust features catering to a diverse range of investors.
M1 Finance:
M1 Finance takes pride in offering free automated investing, making it an excellent choice for long-term investment goals. Its “pies” – customizable portfolios – allow users to create their ideal investment approach. With 80 expert-made portfolios available, users can also design their own custom portfolios. M1 Finance automatically invests contributions based on user settings, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. Fractional share purchases and zero commissions further enhance its appeal. Although M1 Plus offers additional perks for a fee, the free account suffices for most users.
M1 Finance offers several advantages, allowing users to easily rebalance and customize portfolios, supporting various types of accounts, including IRAs, without any fees or minimum balance requirements. The platform also enables the purchase of fractional shares, making it accessible to investors with smaller budgets. M1 Finance caters to investors of all experience levels. However, it is limited to stocks, ETFs, and crypto investments, and trades are executed at the end of the day, which may not be ideal for active traders seeking real-time execution.
Fundrise:
For investors looking to diversify their portfolios with real estate, Fundrise shines as an exclusive crowdfunding platform focused solely on this asset class. With an initial investment of just $10, Fundrise provides a passive and accessible way to own a share of a diversified real estate portfolio. Unlike traditional real estate investing, Fundrise removes the burden of being a landlord while offering historical returns that have impressed investors since its inception. With multiple core strategies available, such as long-term growth or supplemental income, Fundrise caters to various investment goals.
Fundrise offers several advantages, making it an attractive option for real estate investing. With easy and low-cost entry, it provides an excellent opportunity for passive investors seeking diversification in their portfolios. The platform boasts a low minimum deposit requirement and has a track record of delivering excellent historical returns. Its user-friendly dashboard and clear performance reports make it easy for investors to track their investments.
Moreover, Fundrise is accessible to both accredited and non-accredited investors, allowing a broad range of individuals to participate. However, it’s essential to consider that investments may not be 100% liquid, which may limit short-term flexibility for some investors.
eToro:
Ideal for crypto enthusiasts, eToro stands out for its emphasis on cryptocurrency trading. In addition to commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs, eToro offers an extensive selection of cryptocurrencies, making it a top choice for crypto investments. The unique Smart Portfolios allow users to invest in managed crypto funds, while the option to copy trades of top-performing crypto traders adds a social element to the platform.
eToro stands out among investment apps with a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, Smart Portfolios for managed crypto funds, and the option to copy trades of successful crypto traders. Investors can buy fractional shares for as little as $10. However, some may find eToro’s tools and reports limited. Despite this, it remains a popular choice for crypto trading, offering diverse options and unique features for investors looking to enter the world of cryptocurrencies.
Moomoo:
Moomoo stands out as a commission-free trading app that surpasses its competitors with an array of data and tools. Ideal for active traders, Moomoo allows you to buy or sell stocks, ETFs, options, and ADRs. What sets it apart is its comprehensive range of opportunity-tracking tools, such as Stock Compare and Institutional Tracking. These features empower investors with valuable insights and visualized portfolios from renowned institutions like Warren Buffett and Softbank Capital.
Additionally, Moomoo offers a plethora of tools and data, including AI-powered price forecasts, real-time level 2 data, and advanced charting tools. Its support for paper trading provides a risk-free learning experience for new investors. With 24-hour live chat support and an engaging community, Moomoo caters to both beginners and experienced traders.
Moomoo offers several pros, such as commission-free trades on various investment options, access to premium news and free level 2 data, and exclusive tools for research and analysis, including AI monitoring. The platform also boasts a user-friendly interface and provides rich educational resources for investors. However, Moomoo has a couple of drawbacks: it lacks support for fractional shares and does not currently offer IRA accounts.
Robinhood:
Renowned for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, Robinhood takes the lead as the best investment app for ease of use. Perfect for new investors, the app allows hassle-free buying and selling of stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Pioneer of free trades, fractional shares, and no account minimums, Robinhood democratizes investing, making it accessible to everyone. While it lacks social features like Public.com, Robinhood compensates with options trading and a wide range of investment choices. Its straightforward platform, coupled with commission-free trades, caters to active investors looking to save on trading fees.
Robinhood offers commission-free trades on stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies with no account minimum balance requirement, making it an attractive choice for cost-conscious investors. Its easy-to-use and intuitive interface appeals to both beginners and experienced traders, and it supports margin trading with Robinhood Gold, catering to more active investors seeking leverage.
However, Robinhood has limited support for mutual funds and bonds, which may not meet the preferences of some investors, and it lacks advanced reporting and analysis tools for more sophisticated users.
Titan:
Titan is a world-class investment manager and mobile platform that offers a unique approach to investing, combining the benefits of hedge funds and robo advisors. With a focus on managed portfolios, Titan offers four distinct strategies: Flagship, Opportunities, Offshore, and Market Index.
Additionally, investors can explore other funds, including Cathie Wood’s renowned ARK Venture Fund. The platform allows users to create personalized portfolios by answering a few questions about their preferences and investment goals. While Titan provides portfolio suggestions, users have the flexibility to allocate percentages differently if they choose.
One of the major advantages of Titan is the professional management of portfolios by a team of experts, offering the potential for high returns. This makes it an excellent choice for investors seeking a hands-free approach to their investments. Moreover, Titan ensures complete liquidity, allowing users to withdraw their investment at any time. The app’s user-friendly interface and educational resources further empower investors to understand the investments being made on their behalf.
Titan caters to a wide range of investors with a low minimum initial investment of $100 and the option to open taxable or retirement accounts (IRAs). This accessibility makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced investors. Additionally, the platform stands out by charging a flat 1% investment management fee for accounts with a balance of $10,000 or more, with no performance fees like those often associated with hedge funds or alternative investments.
While Titan offers an impressive array of benefits, it is essential to consider its limited track record due to its relative youth as a platform. For risk-averse investors, this might pose some uncertainty. Furthermore, the $5 per month fee on smaller balances could be considered relatively high for certain investors.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, investment apps have revolutionized the way people invest, providing easy access to stocks, ETFs, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and more. Public.com and Webull are excellent choices for beginners, offering user-friendly interfaces and commission-free trades. Moomoo caters to active traders with its data and tools, while M1 Finance provides automated investing. Fundrise allows diversification into real estate, and eToro specializes in cryptocurrencies. Titan offers a managed portfolio approach. Consider your goals and preferences to choose the best app for your investment journey.
FAQ’s:
Q: Which investment app is best for beginners?
A: Public.com and Robinhood are great choices for new investors due to their user-friendly interfaces and commission-free trades.
Q: Are there any investment apps that focus on real estate?
A: Yes, Fundrise is a crowdfunding platform exclusively focused on real estate investing, providing an easy and low-cost entry into this asset class.
Q: Is there an investment app that offers a managed portfolio option?
A: Yes, Titan is a top investment app that offers managed portfolios, combining the benefits of hedge funds and robo advisors for a hands-free approach to investing.
