Best Investing Apps for College Students (2025): Start Building Wealth Early

In college and want to start investing?

You’re not alone. There are many students taking control of their financial futures by learning how to invest—even with just a few dollars.

Today’s best investing apps make it easy to start small, learn as you go, and build habits that can lead to long-term wealth.

These beginner-friendly platforms were designed with students in mind. So, whether you’re saving for the future, trying out stocks, or just curious about how investing works, there is an app for you.

Quick Comparison: Best Investing Apps for College Students

Smile Money Picks: How We Chose

We selected platforms that help college students invest confidently and responsibly—without pressure, high fees, or complex tools. Our criteria:

• Low (or no) account minimums
• Beginner-friendly education and user experience
• Fractional shares and automation
• Free or low-cost investing
• Perks like debit cards, savings tools, or rewards

You don’t need to be a finance major or have thousands of dollars to start investing. These student-friendly apps make it easy, affordable, and empowering to begin your journey

In Depth View: Best Investing Apps for College Students

1. Acorns

Best for: Effortless saving + investing
Minimum to Start: $5
Fees: $3–$5/month

Acorns rounds up your purchases and automatically invests the change into diversified ETFs. It’s an easy way for students to grow money in the background, while also learning the basics of investing.

Why We Like It:

• Start investing without even thinking about it
• Includes retirement, debit card, and bonus rewards
• Great for students just learning how to save and grow money

👉 Get started with Acorns »

My Smile Money Take: Although, there is a monthly fee, you get banking, spending, and investing in one app. It’s the best option for those wanting to passively invest as you go about navigating your college life.

2. Public

Best for: Learning while investing
Minimum to Start: $0
Fees: $0 commission

Public makes investing educational and social. You can follow other investors, read real-time commentary, and invest in stocks, ETFs, or alternatives like crypto and art.

Why We Like It:

• Built-in learning + transparent community
• Fractional investing and themed portfolios
• No account minimums or confusing jargon

👉 Explore Public »

My Smile Money Take: I’ve used Public for years and enjoy the community feature. The social feeds can help you learn as you go. Instead of scrolling Insta or TikTok, you can scroll a feed focused on investing.

3. SoFi Invest

Best for: All-in-one money + investing app
Minimum to Start: $1
Fees: $0 advisory fees

SoFi offers both active (DIY) and automated (robo) investing, plus integrated banking, loans, and educational content. Ideal for students ready to take control of their full financial life.

Why We Like It:

• Stocks, ETFs, crypto, and retirement accounts
• Access to free financial planners
• No fees, no pressure, all-in-one app

👉 Open an account with SoFi »

My Smile Money Take: If you prefer having banking and investing in one app, this is another great option that let’s you take a bit more control. The app is uncluttered helping new investors trade without being overwhelmed.

4. Stash

Best for: Learning how investing works
Minimum to Start: $5
Fees: $3–$9/month

Stash offers themed stock investing, budgeting tools, and educational resources that are great for first-time investors. Plus, it includes a debit card that earns Stock-Back™ rewards.

Why We Like It:

• Built-in lessons and goal-setting tools
• Fractional investing and automation
• Great combo of banking + learning

👉 Try Stash »

My Smile Money Take: It’s another app with a monthly fee but with it comes more features that can help you bank and invest.

5. Fidelity Youth Account

Best for: Teens & young students (13–17)
Minimum to Start: $0
Fees: $0

If you’re under 18, this is the rare investing account built just for you. Parents can open it for their teen, who gets access to stock and ETF investing, a debit card, and built-in education.

Why We Like It:

• No fees, no commissions
• Trusted brand with decades of experience
• Empowers students to learn early with support

My Smile Money Take: I included Fidelity for those under 18 years old who want to start investing. Why wait until college. Get started today.

Honorable Mentions

M1 Finance

Why consider it: Offers advanced auto-investing tools with no fees. Best for college students who want to customize their portfolios.

👉 Explore M1 Finance »

Robinhood

Why consider it: Simple, mobile-friendly interface and $0 trades. Better suited for students interested in more active investing.

👉 Get started with Robinhood »

Greenlight

Why consider it: Great for younger students (and parents). Offers investing tools with parental oversight, plus debit card, savings goals, and financial literacy tools.

👉 Learn about Greenlight »

Stockpile

Why consider it: Great for families and gifting. Students can receive fractional shares as gifts and learn investing through a clean, simple interface.

👉 Start with Stockpile »

Wealthfront

Why consider it: Offers long-term passive portfolios and student-friendly planning tools. Best for more serious savers and higher balances.

👉 Visit Wealthfront »

Related Learn Hub Resource

• Investing for Beginners: Start with What You Have
• What Is a Custodial Account?

FAQs About Student Investing Apps