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You want to invest small amounts automatically or on the go. Choose an app that works with $1, $5, or spare change. Skip high minimums and steep learning curves.
Compare apps that round up purchases, set recurring $1–$5 deposits, and sell fractional shares (partial shares that let you invest less than the full stock price). Check fees: some apps charge $0 per trade, others charge $1–$5 per month. Look for automated tools that add $10–$50 per month without effort.
Decide fast. Pick automation for passive growth. Pick fractional trading for targeted buys from $1. Pick a robo-advisor for long-term rebalancing over $100. Use the guide to match your habit to an app and a fee that makes sense.
Quick Answer / TL;DR
- If you want fully automated spare-change investing → Acorns (round-ups, $1–$5/mo plans).
- If you want hands-on learning with guided picks → Stash (self-directed, educational content, low recurring plans).
- If you want commission-free fractional trading from $1 → Robinhood or Cash App (both $0 commission; fractional shares).
- If you want long-term automated portfolios plus fractional pies → M1 Finance (automated rebalancing; $100 threshold in some accounts).
- If you want social discovery and zero fees → Public (social feed + fractional shares, $0 commission).
Choose one based on how often you invest. For $5–$50 monthly, Stash or Acorns work. For one-off $1 buys, Robinhood, Cash App, or Public work.
What We Looked For
Check these criteria before you sign up. Compare minimums, fees, and features against your budget.
- Minimum investment — Check $0, $1, $5, or $100 minimums. Smaller minimums help if you invest $1–$10 per week.
- Fees and pricing structure — Compare $0 per trade, $1–$5 per month, and possible small spreads of 0.5%–2% on crypto.
- Fractional share support — Verify $1 fractional buys or 1% minimum orders. Fractionals let you buy $5 of a $1,000 stock.
- Automation tools — Look for round-ups, $1 recurring deposits, and automated rebalancing every 30–90 days.
- Investment options and account types — Confirm stocks, ETFs, crypto, and IRA options. Robo-advisors may require $100 or $500 to unlock features.
Use these steps to compare:
1. List your monthly contribution (e.g., $5, $20, $100).
2. Check platform fees (e.g., $0, $1, $3, $5).
3. Project fee impact: $3/month on a $200 balance equals 1.8% annual cost equivalent.
4. Prioritize either automation or control. Choose one path.
Watch out for: flat monthly fees that can exceed 2%–5% of tiny balances.
Comparison table intro sentence
Quick at-a-glance comparison of minimums, typical fees, fractional availability, and best-use cases.
| App | Typical minimum | Typical fees | Fractional shares | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorns | $0–$5 to start | $1 / $3 / $5 per month (tiers) | Yes | Automated spare-change investors |
| Stash | $1 | $1 / $3 / $9 per month (tiers) | Yes | Guided learning + hands-on investing |
| Robinhood | $0 | $0 commission (possible other fees) | Yes (from $1) | Active micro traders, commission-free |
| Cash App | $1 | $0 commission (spread costs possible) | Yes | Simple fractional trading + payments |
| Public | $1 | $0 commission | Yes | Social investing and discovery |
| M1 Finance | $100 (some accounts) | $0 (paid tier optional) | Yes | Automated pies and long-term rebalancing |
Table summary sentence
Most apps let you start with $0–$5, charge $0–$5/month, and support fractional shares.
1. Acorns — Automated round-ups and portfolios with $1–$5 monthly plans
Acorns automates investing by rounding purchases up to the next dollar and investing the spare change. Expect round-ups to add roughly $15–$50 per month depending on spending. Add recurring transfers of $1–$50 to speed growth.
The app places cash into diversified ETF portfolios by risk level (e.g., conservative, moderate, aggressive). Each portfolio holds 5–12 ETFs. Rebalancing occurs automatically every 30–90 days. Dividends get reinvested.
Acorns also offers a cash account with a debit card and the Found Money program that invests partner cashback directly. Earn 1%–5% back at partners on purchases and see the funds invested without extra steps.
Best for: New savers who want automatic spare-change investing without managing portfolios.
Skip if: You prefer full control over stock picks or you have very low monthly spending that yields minimal round-ups.
Key points:
– Minimums: start with $0–$5 depending on offers and plan selection.
– Fees: $1 / $3 / $5 per month across Lite, Personal, and Family tiers.
– Round-ups: common round-ups total $15–$50 per month for moderate spenders.
– Portfolios: 5–12 ETFs per portfolio, auto-rebalanced every 30–90 days.
– Found Money: partner cashback often 1%–5% invested automatically.
Watch out for: Flat monthly fees impact small balances. A $3 monthly fee on a $200 balance equals about 1.8% yearly cost.
2. Stash — Guided learning plus fractional investing from $1
Stash blends investing with educational content and themed ETFs. Start with $1 to buy fractional shares. Schedule recurring deposits of $5, $25, or $50 to build a habit.
Get personalized lessons and simple guidance based on your goals. The app suggests mixes of ETFs and individual stocks. Use a $20 allocation example: $15 to an ETF and $5 to one stock.
Plans range from $1 to $9 per month depending on features like retirement accounts and banking. Retirement options include traditional and Roth IRAs. Use fractional investing to buy expensive stocks with $5–$50 per month.
Best for: New investors who want guidance and control over specific picks.
Skip if: You want pure passive automation or the lowest-fee structure for tiny balances.
Key points:
– Minimum: fractional buys from $1 per order.
– Fees: typical tiers $1 / $3 / $9 per month depending on services.
– Recurring deposits: set $5, $25, or $50 per transfer.
– Options: stocks, ETFs, Traditional/Roth IRA support on higher tiers.
– Education: personalized lessons often 3–10 minutes per module.
Watch out for: Monthly subscription can exceed 2%–6% of returns on very small balances.
3. Robinhood — $0 commissions and fractional shares from $1
Robinhood offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs and supports fractional shares starting at $1. Open an account with $0 and buy a $1 slice of a $1,500 stock. Use instant deposits commonly up to $1,000 for eligible users.
The interface is fast and mobile-first. Set recurring transfers of $1–$1,000 to dollar-cost-average. Expect ACH deposits to clear in 2–5 business days for larger amounts beyond instant limits.
Robinhood recently added cash management and options trading for advanced users. Use watchlists and simple charts to track 5–50 positions. No robo-advisor features for automatic rebalancing.
Best for: Micro traders who want self-directed fractional trading with no per-trade fees.
Skip if: You want automated round-ups or built-in robo-advice.
Key points:
– Minimum: $0 to open; fractional buys often start at $1.
– Fees: $0 commission on stocks and ETFs; small regulatory fees may apply.
– Instant deposits: often allow $500–$1,000 instantly for eligible accounts.
– ACH timing: larger ACH transfers clear in 2–5 business days.
– Order types: basic market and limit orders; more advanced types may be limited.
Watch out for: No round-up automation. You must schedule recurring transfers or make manual buys.
4. Cash App — Simple fractional stocks and Bitcoin from $1
Cash App began as a payments tool and added investing with low friction. Buy fractional stocks and Bitcoin with as little as $1. Move funds instantly from your balance, or link a bank for $5–$1,000 transfers.
Expect $0 commission on stock trades. Crypto purchases include spreads that vary—often 0.5%–2% depending on market conditions. Withdrawals to bank accounts can take 1–3 business days for standard transfers.
Use Cash App if you already receive $20–$200 per week in payments. Allocate $5–$20 of that to buying fractional shares or $5–$50 to Bitcoin purchases. Track holdings and pricing in the same app you use for peer payments.
Best for: Users who already use Cash App and want a frictionless way to invest spare balances.
Skip if: You want advanced order types, in-depth research, or IRAs.
Key points:
– Minimum: often $1 to purchase stock or BTC.
– Fees: $0 commission on stocks; crypto spreads typically 0.5%–2%.
– Deposit speed: instant transfers for caps like $100–$1,000 depending on verification.
– Options: fractional stocks and Bitcoin; ETF options limited.
– Withdrawal timing: standard bank withdrawals 1–3 business days.
Watch out for: Limited retirement accounts and fewer long-term investing tools. Crypto tax reporting can get complex.
5. Public — Social investing with $0 fees and fractional shares from $1
Public mixes social features with commission-free investing. Buy fractional shares from $1 and follow investors or curated lists. See real user commentary on 10–100 stocks and ETFs in feeds.
Public emphasizes long-term ownership and learning. Use the social feed to discover ideas and follow investors who post returns, rationale, and trade sizes. Expect to hold 5–20 core positions for a diversified small portfolio.
The app charges $0 commission on trades and supports recurring buys as small as $1. It also offers a Roundups-like feature on some accounts to collect spare change. Public does not charge monthly custody fees for basic accounts.
Best for: Social discovery and gradual dollar-cost-averaging into positions with community insight.
Skip if: You want high-frequency trading or professional-level research tools.
Key points:
– Minimum: fractional buys from $1 per order.
– Fees: $0 commission for stocks and ETFs; optional tipping on certain features.
– Discovery: follow 10–100 active accounts or themed lists.
– Recurring buys: set recurring investments from $1 per buy.
– Position sizing: many users hold 5–20 core positions for balance.
Watch out for: Social noise. Limit following to 5–15 trusted contributors to avoid chasing short-term moves.
6. M1 Finance — Automated pies and long-term rebalancing
M1 Finance uses “pies” (custom portfolios) and automates allocation and rebalancing. Expect automated rebalancing when you add cash or when target allocations drift by set percentages. Basic accounts often require $100 to start for some features.
Build a pie with 2–50 slices and specify target percentages that add to 100%. Set recurring deposits of $10, $50, or $100 to fund your pie. M1 will automatically place fractional buys to keep allocations on target.
The platform charges $0 commission for trades on the basic tier. The paid Plus tier offers faster transfers and additional features for a monthly or annual fee. Use M1 for buy-and-hold strategies over 3–30+ years.
Best for: Automated pies and investors who want long-term, low-maintenance rebalancing.
Skip if: You want instant trades, active day trading, or bank-style round-ups.
Key points:
– Minimums: $100 standard for certain account types; some accounts open with $0.
– Fees: $0 commission on basic accounts; paid Plus tier optional.
– Pie structure: 2–50 slices per pie with percentage targets summing to 100%.
– Recurring deposits: recommended $10, $50, or $100 to unlock automation benefits.
– Rebalancing: automatic when adding cash or when allocations drift by set thresholds.
Watch out for: $100 minimum can block micro-investors who only have $1–$50 to start.
Closing
Pick the app that matches your habit and budget. If you spend daily and want passive growth, choose an app with round-ups and $1–$5 monthly plans. If you want to buy specific stocks with $1–$10, pick a fractional platform with $0 commissions.
Compare these factors before you commit:
– Your monthly contribution: $1, $5, $20, $50, or $100.
– Fee type: $0 per trade, $1–$5 per month, or spreads of 0.5%–2%.
– Automation needs: round-ups, recurring transfers, or auto-rebalancing.
– Account types: taxable brokerage, Roth/Traditional IRA, or cash accounts.
Test one app with $1–$10 to learn. Reassess after 30–90 days. Switch if fees or workflows cost you time or returns.