5 Best Stock Trading Apps for Beginners in 2025: Invest with Low Fees

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Investing in the stock market used to require expensive brokers and confusing paperwork. In 2025, all you need is a smartphone and $5.

Whether you want to buy shares in tech giants like Apple and Tesla, or simply automate your savings into an index fund (ETF), there is an app for that. The rise of “commission-free” trading in the US and UK has democratized wealth building.

We have reviewed the most popular investment platforms to find the ones that offer the lowest fees, the best educational tools, and the easiest user experience for beginners.

1. Robinhood

Best for Absolute Beginners (US Only)

Robinhood revolutionized the industry by forcing everyone else to drop their trading commissions to zero. It remains the most user-friendly app on the market. Its interface is as simple as ordering an Uber.

  • The Offer: $0 commission on stocks, options, and ETFs.
  • Fractional Shares: You don’t need $200 to buy a share of stock. You can buy $1 worth of Apple or Amazon.
  • Retirement: They now offer an IRA with a unique “1% Match” (they give you free money for saving for retirement), which is rare for a non-employer account.

Visit Site:https://robinhood.com

2. eToro

Best for Social Trading (UK & US)

eToro is unique because it treats investing like a social network. It is famous for its “CopyTrader” feature.

  • Copy Trading: You can view the portfolios of top-performing investors on the platform and click one button to automatically copy their trades. If they make money, you make money.
  • Crypto & Stocks: It is a hybrid platform that allows you to trade traditional stocks and cryptocurrencies in one place.
  • Demo Account: Comes with a virtual portfolio of $100,000 so you can practice trading with “fake money” before risking real cash.

Visit Site:https://www.etoro.com

3. Trading 212

Best for UK Investors (ISA Compatible)

For our readers in the United Kingdom, Trading 212 is widely considered the best low-cost option. It is extremely popular for its sleek interface and transparency.

  • The ISA Benefit: They offer a Stocks & Shares ISA (Individual Savings Account), meaning any profit you make is 100% tax-free in the UK.
  • AutoInvest: You can create a “Pie” (a basket of stocks) and tell the app to automatically invest a set amount into that pie every month.
  • Fees: One of the few UK platforms with truly low FX fees (currency conversion) for buying US stocks.

Visit Site:https://www.trading212.com

4. Webull

Best for Data & Charts (US Only)

If you find Robinhood too simple and want more data to make decisions, Webull is the next step up. It is a favorite among active traders.

  • Analysis Tools: extensive charts, technical indicators, and analyst ratings are built right into the app for free.
  • Extended Hours: Allows you to trade in the “Pre-Market” (4:00 AM – 9:30 AM) and “After-Hours” (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM) sessions.
  • Paper Trading: Excellent simulator mode to test strategies without risk.

Visit Site:https://www.webull.com

5. Acorns

Best for “Hands-Off” Passive Saving (US)

Acorns is for people who don’t want to think about stocks at all. It uses a “Round-Up” strategy to invest your spare change.

  • How it Works: If you buy a coffee for $3.50, Acorns rounds it up to $4.00 and invests the extra $0.50 automatically.
  • Portfolios: You don’t pick stocks. You just tell them your risk tolerance (Conservative, Moderate, Aggressive), and they build a diversified portfolio for you.
  • Found Money: When you shop at partner brands (like Nike or Walmart) with your linked card, those brands will invest cash back into your Acorns account.

Visit Site:https://www.acorns.com

Conclusion: Start Small, Start Now

The biggest mistake beginners make is waiting for “the right time” to start. Time in the market beats timing the market.

  1. Want simplicity in the US? Download Robinhood.
  2. Want to copy experts? Try eToro.
  3. Living in the UK? Max out your ISA with Trading 212.
  4. Want to invest spare change? Use Acorns.

Disclaimer: Investing involves risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in. This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice.

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