Investing doesn’t have to be intimidating when five bucks is all it takes to get started.
Most people think investing is only for folks with money to burn, complicated spreadsheets, and a finance degree. But micro-investing apps have flipped that old narrative on its head. These platforms make it insanely easy to start building wealth—even if you’ve only got a few dollars to your name. No suits, no jargon, no intimidating charts. Just simple tools designed for real people who want to stop sitting on the sidelines and start making their money work.
With so many options now, you don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.” You just need five bucks and a little curiosity. These apps strip away the barriers and let you dip your toes into investing while teaching you the ropes as you go. Whether you’re saving for the long haul, experimenting with round-ups, or just trying to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, there’s something here that fits. These ten micro-investing apps aren’t just easy to use—they’re built to turn spare change and tiny deposits into actual progress toward your financial goals.
1. Acorns turns your everyday spending into automatic investing.
Acorns is the OG of micro-investing for a reason. It rounds up your everyday purchases—like coffee, gas, or groceries—to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio, according to Nathan Reiff at Investopedia. You barely notice the money leaving your account, but over time, those tiny amounts quietly grow into something meaningful.
Beyond round-ups, Acorns also lets you set recurring investments, access retirement accounts, and even earn rewards when you shop with certain brands. The app’s design is clean and beginner-friendly, with easy-to-understand projections and risk options. It’s perfect for anyone who wants investing to feel more like a habit than a chore. If you want a totally hands-off way to start building wealth, this one’s a great first step.
2. Stash lets you invest in what you believe in.
Stash isn’t just about investing—it’s about investing in a way that reflects your interests, as reported by the authors at Liberty Standard Bank Group. With as little as $5, you can buy fractional shares of big-name stocks and themed ETFs based on values like clean energy, tech innovation, or social justice. It feels more personal than picking random funds, and it helps you learn by doing.
What sets Stash apart is its built-in education. The app gives you clear, straightforward info on what you’re buying and why it matters. You can also set up auto-investing and link a debit account for smoother money management. It’s great if you want more control over where your money goes but still want training wheels while you figure things out.
3. Robinhood offers zero-commission trades with a sleek interface.
Robinhood made headlines by making stock trading accessible to the masses, as stated by Barbara Friedberg at U.S. News. You don’t need a brokerage account or thousands of dollars—just a few bucks and a phone. The app’s clean design and no-fee trades make it easy to jump in, buy fractional shares, and keep track of your performance in real time.
While it’s not built specifically for long-term micro-investing like some other apps, it’s great for experimenting. You can dip your toe into ETFs, individual stocks, or even crypto if you’re feeling adventurous. Just be mindful—Robinhood doesn’t hold your hand the same way others do, so make sure to read up before placing trades. Still, it’s a powerful tool if you want to feel like you’re in the driver’s seat.
4. SoFi Invest combines banking, investing, and learning in one app.
SoFi Invest is part of the broader SoFi ecosystem, which includes loans, banking, and financial education. On the investing side, it offers both active and automated portfolios with no account minimums—so even $5 gets you started. You can pick your own stocks or let the robo-advisor do the heavy lifting.
One of SoFi’s biggest perks is access to free financial planners and educational content. If you’re trying to build your money smarts while growing your investments, it’s a solid platform to explore. The app also offers crypto trading, automatic rebalancing, and themed investing. It’s a well-rounded choice if you want more than just a basic investing tool.
5. Public adds a social twist to stock investing.
Public blends investing with community. It’s a micro-investing app where you can buy fractional shares with small amounts of money—but it also has a social feed where you can see what others are buying and why. You can follow investors, ask questions, and share insights in a space that feels more like a conversation than a classroom.
This transparency can be encouraging for beginners who want to learn by watching others. Public also focuses on educational content and breaks down jargon so it’s less intimidating. If you like the idea of learning in public (pun intended) and feeling connected while building your portfolio, this app might be your speed.
6. Round offers impact-focused portfolios with every transaction.
Round is a lesser-known micro-investing platform that takes a unique approach: instead of buying individual stocks, it puts your money into actively managed portfolios run by experienced fund managers. You set your risk preferences, and they do the rest.
It’s a good fit if you’re not interested in picking stocks but want your money working for you in the background. Round also emphasizes socially conscious investing, so you can align your investments with your values. There’s no minimum balance, and the focus on professional management makes it feel like you’re getting the white-glove treatment on a budget.
7. Greenlight lets kids and teens start investing early.
Greenlight started as a debit card for kids and teens, but it now includes investing features that let families introduce smart money habits early. Parents can approve investments, monitor transactions, and even set up allowance-based recurring deposits.
This is an awesome option if you want to teach financial literacy to a younger sibling, child, or even yourself in a simpler environment. You can start with as little as $1 and build fractional portfolios together. Greenlight makes investing less intimidating by tying it into everyday money management and decision-making.
8. Betterment automates everything so you don’t have to.
If you want a “set it and forget it” experience, Betterment might be your best bet. It’s a robo-advisor that builds and manages your portfolio based on your goals, risk tolerance, and timeline—all with zero judgment and no financial jargon.
You can open an account with just a few bucks, set your investment schedule, and let Betterment handle the rebalancing, tax optimization, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff. It’s ideal for people who want to start investing but have zero interest in checking the market every day. Think of it as cruise control for your financial future.
9. Ellevest is built by women, for women—and it shows.
Ellevest is a robo-advisor that takes gender-based pay gaps, career breaks, and longevity into account when building investment plans. It’s specifically designed to support women’s financial realities, though anyone can join. You can start with just $1 and access goal-based portfolios, retirement planning, and educational resources.
What makes Ellevest stand out is its blend of investing, banking, and coaching. You’re not just getting an app—you’re getting a community and toolkit tailored to long-term financial success. It’s a powerful option if you want to invest with purpose and feel like your financial goals are finally being acknowledged and respected.
10. Cash App makes investing as casual as sending a text.
Most people think of Cash App for quick payments and peer-to-peer transfers, but it also offers investing in stocks and bitcoin with no minimums. You can buy fractional shares of your favorite companies and track your portfolio alongside your regular transactions.
The simplicity is its biggest strength. You don’t need to download another app or sign up for anything new if you’re already using Cash App. It’s a seamless way to introduce investing into your daily financial habits—and a great option if you’re just getting curious and want to test the waters with spare change.