Micro-investing is revolutionizing wealth-building for millennials and Gen Z, with 45% of investors under 35 using apps to buy fractional shares (FINRA). Whether you’re investing spare change, automating deposits, or prioritizing ESG stocks, the right app can turn 5 daily coffees into a $50,000 portfolio. This guide ranks the top 8 micro-investing apps for 2025, with tips to align your choice with financial goals, risk tolerance, and values.
Why Micro-Investing Matters in 2025
- Accessibility: Start with $1 via fractional shares (e.g., Tesla, Amazon).
- Automation: Round-up purchases or schedule recurring investments.
- Affordability: Apps charge 1–1–5/month vs. traditional brokers’ 1% fees.
- Holistic Growth: Pair with savings apps and debt payoff tools for balanced financial health.
Top 8 Micro-Investing Apps for 2025
1. Acorns – Best for Round-Up Investing
Best For: Passive investors and beginners.
- Features:
- Round-Ups: Invests spare change from daily purchases.
- Found Money: Earn bonus investments from 350+ brands (e.g., Walmart, Airbnb).
- IRAs: Roth or Traditional accounts with auto-deposits.
- Fees: 3–3–9/month.
- 2025 Updates: Crypto round-ups (Bitcoin, Ethereum).
- Why It’s #1: Turn everyday spending into a diversified ETF portfolio.
2. Stash – Best for Custom Portfolios
Best For: ESG investors and stock pickers.
- Features:
- Stock-Back® Card: Earn fractional shares on purchases.
- Thematic Investing: Focus on AI, clean energy, or LGBTQ+ inclusive companies.
- Smart-Save: Automate investments based on cash flow.
- Fees: 3–3–9/month.
- 2025 Updates: AI-driven ESG scoring for 10,000+ stocks.
- Why It’s Great: Balances education with hands-on investing.
3. Robinhood – Best for Commission-Free Trading
Best For: Active traders and crypto enthusiasts.
- Features:
- Fractional Shares: Buy $1 slices of stocks/ETFs.
- 24/7 Crypto Trading: 15+ coins, including Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.
- Options Trading: Advanced strategies (e.g., covered calls).
- Fees: $0 trades + crypto spread fees.
- 2025 Updates: NFT marketplace integration.
- Why It’s Great: Zero fees and a sleek interface for self-directed investors.
4. M1 Finance – Best for Automated Pies
Best For: Hands-off investors and dividend seekers.
- Features:
- Custom Pies: Allocate investments across stocks, ETFs, or crypto.
- Dynamic Rebalancing: Auto-adjusts to maintain target allocations.
- Borrowing: Access lines of credit at 2%–5% APR.
- Fees: 0(M1Plus:0(M1Plus:10/month).
- 2025 Updates: AI-generated “Expert Pies” based on risk tolerance.
- Why It’s Great: Combines robo-advising with self-directed control.
5. Public – Best for Social Investing
Best For: Community-driven investors.
- Features:
- Social Feed: Discuss strategies with 10M+ users.
- Thematic Collections: Invest in trends like “Space Exploration” or “Metaverse.”
- No Commissions: Free stock/ETF trades.
- Fees: $0 + crypto spread fees.
- 2025 Updates: Virtual reality portfolio reviews.
- Why It’s Great: Learn from others while building your portfolio.
6. Betterment – Best Robo-Advisor
Best For: Goal-based investing (retirement, home down payments).
- Features:
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: Automatically offsets gains with losses.
- Socially Responsible Portfolios: ESG-focused ETFs.
- Sync with External Accounts: Track 401(k)s or savings apps.
- Fees: 0.25%–0.40% annually.
- 2025 Updates: AI-powered retirement readiness scores.
- Why It’s Great: Set-it-and-forget-it simplicity with tax optimization.
7. Ellevest – Best for Gender-Smart Investing
Best For: Women and LGBTQ+ investors.
- Features:
- Gender Lens Portfolios: Invests in companies advancing women’s leadership.
- Career Coaching: Salary negotiation and career pivot guides.
- Impact Goals: Align investments with values (e.g., climate justice).
- Fees: 1–1–9/month.
- 2025 Updates: Childcare cost forecasting tools.
- Why It’s Great: Addresses systemic gender gaps in investing.
8. Webull – Best for Advanced Traders
Best For: Technical analysis and after-hours trading.
- Features:
- Advanced Charts: 50+ indicators (e.g., MACD, RSI).
- Extended Hours: Trade from 4 AM–8 PM ET.
- Paper Trading: Practice with $1M in virtual cash.
- Fees: $0 trades + regulatory fees.
- 2025 Updates: AI-driven pattern recognition alerts.
- Why It’s Great: Free advanced tools for serious traders.
How to Choose the Best App
| Investor Type | Best App |
|---|---|
| Passive/Beginner | Acorns or Betterment |
| ESG Focus | Stash or Ellevest |
| Active Trader | Robinhood or Webull |
| Community-Driven | Public |
| Debt Management | Pair with credit card payoff tools |
2025 Micro-Investing Trends
- AI-Driven Portfolios: Apps like M1 Finance auto-adjust holdings based on market shifts.
- Fractional Crypto: Buy $1 of Bitcoin via Acorns or Stash.
- Tax Automation: Betterment syncs with tax software to streamline filings.
- Mental Health Integration: Public partners with personal growth tools to reduce investing stress.
Conclusion
The best micro-investing app for you depends on your goals:
- Hands-Off Growth: Betterment or Acorns
- Values-Driven Investing: Ellevest or Stash
- Active Trading: Robinhood or Webull
Pair these tools with savings strategies and credit monitoring for a holistic financial plan.
Ready to Start? Most apps offer 5–5–10 sign-up bonuses—invest your first $10 today!