The world of investing is changing rapidly. Gone are the days when investing was something only the wealthy or seasoned financial experts could navigate. Today, anyone with a smartphone or computer can start building their wealth through various investment platforms. This democratization of finance has opened doors for millions of people to begin their investing journey.
If you’re a new investor in 2025, you’re in luck. There’s an abundance of investment platforms designed to help you grow your wealth with ease and confidence. Whether you’re looking to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, or even cryptocurrency, the right platform can make all the difference.
But with so many choices, where should you start? In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the top 10 investment platforms for new investors in 2025—platforms that are easy to use, educational, and tailored to help you make smart investment decisions as a beginner.
Let’s explore these platforms in detail.
1. Robinhood: Best for Commission-Free Trading
Overview:
Robinhood is one of the most popular investment platforms for beginners, offering commission-free trading on a wide range of assets, including stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. With its user-friendly interface and no-fee structure, Robinhood revolutionized the investment space by making investing accessible to the masses.
Key Features:
- Commission-Free Trading: Robinhood charges no fees on trades, allowing you to keep more of your gains.
- Fractional Shares: Robinhood offers fractional shares, allowing you to invest in high-priced stocks without needing to buy a full share.
- Crypto Trading: You can trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, all within the same platform.
- User-Friendly Mobile App: Robinhood’s sleek, easy-to-navigate app makes it easy for new investors to start trading.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Robinhood’s simple design and commission-free trading make it a great platform for new investors who want to dive in without paying high fees. The ability to invest in fractional shares and trade crypto further enhances its appeal.
Who Should Use It:
Robinhood is ideal for beginners who want to start trading stocks and crypto without paying commissions. It’s also great for those who are comfortable with a self-directed investment approach.
2. Acorns: Best for Hands-Off Investors
Overview:
Acorns is perfect for new investors who don’t want to spend time managing their portfolio. It’s an app that automatically invests your spare change by rounding up your purchases and investing that difference in a diversified portfolio of ETFs. Acorns makes investing easy, especially for beginners who are looking to start small.
Key Features:
- Round-Ups: Acorns automatically rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change.
- Automated Portfolio: You can choose from a range of portfolios based on your risk tolerance and financial goals.
- Low Minimum Investment: You can start investing with as little as $5.
- Retirement Accounts: Acorns also offers retirement accounts like IRAs to help you save for the long term.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Acorns’ automatic investing feature makes it easy for new investors to start building their portfolio without having to think too much about it. It’s like setting and forgetting, while watching your money grow passively.
Who Should Use It:
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, hands-off investment experience, Acorns is a great choice. It’s also ideal for beginners who want to start investing with little effort and no initial big capital.
3. Stash: Best for Educational Resources and Fractional Shares
Overview:
Stash is an investment platform that not only allows you to buy fractional shares but also provides robust educational resources to help new investors learn as they invest. With a low minimum investment of just $5, Stash makes it easy to get started, and its educational tools make sure you stay informed.
Key Features:
- Fractional Shares: Stash lets you buy fractional shares, so you don’t need a lot of money to invest in high-value stocks.
- Personalized Guidance: Stash offers personalized recommendations based on your financial goals, making it easier for you to choose the right investments.
- Educational Content: Stash provides a library of educational content and tools that can help you learn about investing, saving, and managing your portfolio.
- Retirement Accounts: Stash also offers retirement accounts, so you can start investing for the future.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Stash provides not only a platform to invest but also the knowledge to back up your choices. The personalized recommendations and educational content make it a perfect fit for first-time investors.
Who Should Use It:
If you’re looking for a platform that offers both investment opportunities and educational resources, Stash is a great choice. It’s also perfect for those who want to start with small amounts of money and learn as they go.
4. SoFi Invest: Best for All-in-One Financial Management
Overview:
SoFi is an all-in-one financial management platform, offering services ranging from investing to loans and financial planning. SoFi Invest is particularly attractive to new investors, as it allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies with no management fees. It also offers automatic rebalancing of your portfolio, making it easier to maintain a diversified investment strategy.
Key Features:
- No Fees: SoFi Invest offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, with no management fees for automated portfolios.
- Crypto Investing: SoFi allows you to invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.
- Automatic Rebalancing: The platform automatically rebalances your portfolio, so you don’t need to worry about adjusting it yourself.
- Robo-Advising: SoFi’s robo-advisor service helps you create a personalized portfolio based on your goals.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
SoFi Invest simplifies investing by offering a variety of options—stocks, ETFs, and crypto—all in one place. The automatic portfolio rebalancing and educational resources make it a great tool for new investors.
Who Should Use It:
SoFi is ideal for beginners who want a comprehensive, hands-off investment platform. It’s especially good if you’re looking for a platform that offers a variety of services, including financial planning and student loan refinancing.
5. Webull: Best for Active Investors Looking for Advanced Features
Overview:
If you’re a new investor looking for a bit more control over your trading experience, Webull might be the right choice. Webull offers commission-free stock and options trading, as well as advanced charting tools and real-time market data. It’s perfect for those who want to engage more deeply in the markets but don’t want to pay fees.
Key Features:
- Commission-Free Trading: Webull offers commission-free trades for stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Advanced Charting Tools: Webull has a range of technical analysis tools, which is helpful for those interested in learning more about the markets.
- Paper Trading: If you’re unsure about your trading skills, Webull allows you to practice with simulated money through its paper trading feature.
- No Minimum Deposit: You can start trading on Webull without a minimum deposit, which is perfect for new investors with limited funds.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
While Webull is slightly more advanced than platforms like Robinhood, it still offers a user-friendly experience for beginners. The educational resources and paper trading feature make it a great stepping stone for those looking to grow their trading skills.
Who Should Use It:
Webull is great for new investors who are looking for more control over their investments and who may be interested in learning advanced trading strategies. It’s also ideal for those who want to start trading options and stocks with no minimum deposit.
6. Betterment: Best for Long-Term Investors and Robo-Advising
Overview:
Betterment is one of the leading robo-advisor platforms, designed for investors who want to take a hands-off approach to growing their wealth. It offers personalized portfolio management, automatic rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting—all for a reasonable fee. Betterment is ideal for long-term investors who want a well-diversified portfolio with minimal effort.
Key Features:
- Robo-Advisor: Betterment uses algorithms to help you invest based on your goals, risk tolerance, and timeline.
- Automatic Rebalancing: The platform automatically rebalances your portfolio to keep it aligned with your goals.
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: Betterment offers tax-loss harvesting to minimize your tax liability.
- Low Fees: Betterment’s fees are competitive and lower than many traditional financial advisors.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Betterment’s automated portfolio management and low fees make it an excellent choice for beginners who are looking to invest for the long term without needing to micromanage their investments.
Who Should Use It:
If you’re a new investor who wants a passive, long-term investment strategy, Betterment is a great option. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to worry about individual stock picks or constant portfolio rebalancing.
7. M1 Finance: Best for Customizable Portfolios and Automation
Overview:
M1 Finance is an investment platform that
allows you to create customizable portfolios, also known as “Pies,” that are automatically rebalanced. It combines the flexibility of self-directed investing with the automation and convenience of robo-advising.
Key Features:
- Customizable Pies: You can create a portfolio based on your preferences, choosing individual stocks or ETFs to fill your Pie.
- Automatic Rebalancing: M1 Finance rebalances your portfolio automatically to ensure it stays aligned with your goals.
- Fractional Shares: Like other platforms, M1 Finance allows you to buy fractional shares, so you can invest in high-priced stocks with smaller amounts.
- Low Fees: There are no trading fees, and the management fee for its robo-advising service is low.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
M1 Finance provides a mix of flexibility and automation, which is perfect for new investors who want to customize their portfolios but don’t want to actively manage them all the time.
Who Should Use It:
M1 Finance is great for those who want control over their portfolio’s composition but appreciate automation. It’s ideal for beginner investors who want a balance between self-management and robo-advising features.
8. Fundrise: Best for Real Estate Investment
Overview:
If you’re interested in real estate but don’t have the capital to buy property, Fundrise is the solution. This platform allows you to invest in real estate with as little as $10. Fundrise pools money from investors to fund commercial real estate projects and then distributes profits to investors.
Key Features:
- Low Minimum Investment: You can start investing in real estate with just $10.
- Real Estate Focus: Fundrise focuses specifically on real estate investments, allowing you to diversify into this asset class.
- Automated Portfolio: Fundrise offers automated portfolio management based on your investment goals.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Fundrise provides an easy way to diversify your investments by adding real estate to your portfolio. With a low entry point and minimal fees, it’s a great platform for those looking to invest in property without the hassle of owning it.
Who Should Use It:
If you’re interested in diversifying into real estate and want to start with a small amount, Fundrise is an excellent choice. It’s especially suitable for beginners who want to add property investments to their portfolio without large capital.
9. E*TRADE: Best for DIY Investors
Overview:
E*TRADE is a well-established investment platform that offers both self-directed and managed portfolios. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools and resources for investors who prefer a DIY approach but still want access to financial planning assistance when needed.
Key Features:
- Wide Range of Investment Options: Stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and more.
- Educational Tools: E*TRADE provides a wealth of educational resources, including videos, webinars, and articles to help new investors.
- Advanced Tools: For those looking for more complex trading strategies, E*TRADE offers advanced charting and analysis tools.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
E*TRADE is perfect for new investors who want a DIY investing approach. With its educational resources and easy-to-use platform, it provides everything you need to start investing.
Who Should Use It:
If you prefer a DIY approach to investing with the option to seek advice when necessary, E*TRADE is a great choice. It’s ideal for beginners who want flexibility in their investment strategy.
10. Charles Schwab: Best for Reliable Customer Support and Resources
Overview:
Charles Schwab has been a trusted name in investing for decades. The platform offers everything from low-cost ETFs to retirement accounts, with a strong focus on customer support and financial advice.
Key Features:
- Wide Range of Investment Choices: Stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and more.
- Strong Customer Support: Schwab offers top-tier customer service, helping investors navigate the investing world.
- Educational Resources: Schwab offers an extensive library of articles, videos, and webinars designed to teach new investors about the market.
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Schwab’s focus on customer service and educational resources makes it ideal for first-time investors. If you’re unsure where to start, Schwab’s team can help guide you through the process.
Who Should Use It:
Charles Schwab is perfect for new investors who want personalized customer service and educational resources to guide them through the investing process. It’s also a solid choice for those planning for retirement.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right investment platform in 2025 can feel overwhelming, but it’s all about understanding your goals, risk tolerance, and the type of investing you’re interested in. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform for stock trading, a robo-advisor for hands-off investing, or something in between, there’s an option that fits your needs.
As a beginner, it’s essential to start with a platform that offers educational tools, low fees, and the features that match your investment strategy. Platforms like Robinhood, Acorns, Stash, and Betterment are all excellent choices for new investors who want to learn, grow, and start building wealth.
Happy investing in 2025, and may your financial journey be a successful one!
This blog post is designed to provide an engaging, energetic, and educational overview of the Top 10 Investment Platforms for New Investors in 2025, with each platform clearly explained so readers can choose the one best suited to their needs.