You don't need a lot of money or a finance degree to start investing — you need a platform that fits how hands-on you want to be. Robo-advisors build and manage a portfolio for you for a small fee; brokerages let you pick investments yourself for $0 in trade commissions. To see why starting early matters so much, run a few numbers through our compound interest and retirement calculators first.
We compared management fees, account minimums, account types, and beginner-friendliness, then picked six platforms that make it easy to get started.
1. Fidelity Investments -- Best Overall
Fidelity pairs $0 stock and ETF trades with no account minimum and a wide range of account types, making it a strong all-around home for most investors.
Why it stands out: One platform that covers nearly every account type — taxable, IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, 529 — plus fractional shares and zero-expense-ratio index funds, with a Fidelity Go robo-advisor if you'd rather automate.
Pros:
- $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades
- No minimum to open an account
- Fractional shares and zero-expense-ratio index funds
- Covers brokerage, IRAs, HSA, and 529 in one place
Cons:
- Wide feature set can feel like a lot for total beginners
- Self-directed accounts leave the investing decisions to you
Key specs: $0 trades | $0 minimum | 0% management fee | Robo option (Fidelity Go)
2. Betterment -- Best Robo-Advisor
Betterment's hands-off robo-advisor with goal-based planning and tax-loss harvesting carries no account minimum, so you can start automated investing right away.
Why it stands out: The cleanest "set it and forget it" experience here. You answer a few questions, and Betterment builds, manages, and rebalances a diversified portfolio for a flat 0.25% fee.
Pros:
- Automated, hands-off investing with no minimum to start
- Tax-loss harvesting and goal-based planning
- Socially responsible portfolio options
- Covers taxable, IRA, and 401k accounts
Cons:
- 0.25% management fee on top of fund costs
- Limited control over the underlying investments
Key specs: 0.25% management fee | $0 minimum | Automated portfolios | Tax-loss harvesting
3. Wealthfront -- Best Automated Investing + Planning
Wealthfront's robo-advisor adds tax-loss harvesting and financial planning tools, a fit for hands-off investors who can meet the $500 minimum.
Why it stands out: Like Betterment, it automates your portfolio for 0.25% — and layers on strong planning tools plus a high-yield cash account so your saving and investing live in one place.
Pros:
- Automated investing with tax-loss harvesting
- Built-in financial planning tools
- Direct indexing available at higher balances
- High-yield cash account alongside investing
Cons:
- Requires a $500 minimum to start investing
- 0.25% management fee on top of fund costs
Key specs: 0.25% management fee | $500 minimum | Automated portfolios | Planning tools
4. Robinhood -- Best for Beginners
Robinhood's simple app, no account minimum, and $0 trades on stocks, ETFs, and options make it an easy on-ramp for first-time investors.
Why it stands out: The lowest-friction way to buy your first share. The app is clean and beginner-friendly, supports fractional shares, and now offers IRAs alongside taxable accounts.
Pros:
- $0 commissions on stock, ETF, and options trades
- No minimum to open an account
- Fractional shares and a beginner-friendly app
- Offers IRAs alongside taxable and crypto accounts
Cons:
- Fewer account types than the big brokerages
- Crypto and margin trading can tempt risky habits
Key specs: $0 trades | $0 minimum | Fractional shares | IRA + crypto
5. SoFi Invest -- Best for Guidance
SoFi Invest bundles $0 stock and ETF trades, fractional shares, and no account minimum with access to financial advisors — a friendly mix for newer investors.
Why it stands out: You get a low barrier to entry plus access to financial advisors and member perks, so you're not entirely on your own as you learn.
Pros:
- $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades
- No minimum to open an account
- Fractional shares and automated investing
- Access to financial advisors and member perks
Cons:
- Fewer account types than the larger brokerages
- Crypto trading can encourage riskier moves
Key specs: $0 trades | $0 minimum | Fractional shares | Advisor access
6. M1 Finance -- Best for Custom Portfolios
M1's pie-based portfolios with fractional shares and automated rebalancing let you build a custom mix and keep it on track, with $0 stock and ETF trades.
Why it stands out: A middle ground between a robo and a brokerage — you design your "pie" of investments once, and M1 automates the buying and rebalancing from there.
Pros:
- $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades
- Custom pie-based portfolios with fractional shares
- Automated rebalancing keeps your mix on target
- Covers taxable, IRA, and trust accounts
Cons:
- Requires a $100 minimum to start investing
- More setup involved than a fully automated robo
Key specs: $0 trades | $100 minimum | Custom "pie" portfolios | Auto-rebalancing
How We Chose These Platforms
We evaluated investing platforms based on:
- Fees: Trade commissions and any ongoing management fee
- Account minimum: How much you need to start
- Account types: Taxable, IRA, Roth IRA, 401k rollover, and more
- Hands-on vs. hands-off: Whether the platform manages your portfolio for you
- Beginner-friendliness: How easy it is to open an account and make your first investment
This is educational information, not investment advice — all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Figures are current as of June 2026 and may change. To see how starting today could grow over time, try our compound interest calculator. See our editorial standards for how we evaluate financial products.