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7 Best Investing Apps For Beginners In 2026

0h 15m video Published Feb 9, 2026 Transcribed Jul 27, 2026 Ryan Scribner Ryan Scribner
Beginner 8 min read For: Beginners looking for an overview of the top investing apps in 2026, with comparisons of features and bonuses.
AI Trust Score 75/100
⚠️ Average / Some Fluff

"Title accurately reflects content; video delivers detailed reviews of seven apps for beginners, though it includes a book plug at the end."

AI Summary

This video reviews seven top investing apps for beginners in 2026, covering their key features, account types, and sign-up bonuses. The host highlights the strengths of each platform, from crypto and stock trading to automated investing and retirement accounts.

[00:01]
Introduction and Criteria

The host reviews investing apps based on features, best use cases, and sign-up bonuses. He promotes his blog and asks for likes and subscribes.

[00:42]
Coinbase: Hybrid Crypto and Stock Trading

Coinbase now offers stock trading with fractional shares, commission-free trades, and 24-hour trading 5 days a week. It also supports over 150 cryptocurrencies, has Coinbase Advanced for professional traders, Coinbase One subscription for zero fees, a Bitcoin rewards card, and prediction markets.

[03:21]
Robinhood: All-in-One Beginner App

Robinhood offers stocks, ETFs, crypto (40 tokens), futures, options, and prediction markets. It's beginner-friendly with Robinhood Legend for advanced trading, IRA accounts with 1-3% match, managed portfolios, and a brokerage sweep program for uninvested cash.

[06:04]
Moomoo: Global Markets and Advanced Tools

Moomoo provides access to US and international markets (Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.), stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and IPO investing. It offers paper trading, Moomoo Desktop with professional features, and Moomoo AI for natural language queries.

[07:48]
M1 Finance: Automated Portfolio Investing

M1 Finance focuses on long-term, automated investing using a 'pie' model with allocation percentages. It offers pre-built portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and various account types. Note: trades only occur twice daily and there's a $3/month fee for accounts under $10,000.

[09:29]
Public: Traditional Investments with Sleek UX

Public offers stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and direct bond investments (corporate and US Treasury). It has a high-yield cash account, managed bond accounts, and retirement accounts. No prediction markets.

[10:56]
Webull: Advanced Trading for All Levels

Webull offers stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and crypto. It has a simplified light version and a full-featured platform, paper trading, and retirement accounts (IRAs) that can shelter short-term capital gains. Also has a high-yield cash management account.

[12:51]
SoFi: One-Stop Shop for Finances

SoFi provides robo-advisor (with BlackRock) and self-directed investing in stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. Features include after-hours trading, IPO investing, and IRAs with a 1% match. It's part of a broader financial ecosystem with loans, banking, and credit cards.

Each app serves different needs: Coinbase for crypto and stocks, Robinhood for beginners, Moomoo for global trading, M1 for passive investing, Public for traditional assets, Webull for active trading, and SoFi for an all-in-one financial platform. Choose based on your investment style and goals.

Mentioned in this Video

Study Flashcards (9)

Which investing app recently added stock trading to become a hybrid crypto and stock platform?

easy Click to reveal answer

Coinbase.

00:42

What is the minimum increment for buying fractional shares on Coinbase?

easy Click to reveal answer

$1 increments.

00:56

How many cryptocurrencies does Robinhood support?

medium Click to reveal answer

About 40 different tokens.

03:54

What is the IRA contribution match percentage range offered by Robinhood?

medium Click to reveal answer

1 to 3%.

04:52

Which app provides access to international markets including Hong Kong and Singapore?

hard Click to reveal answer

Moomoo.

06:20

What is the monthly platform fee for M1 Finance accounts under $10,000?

medium Click to reveal answer

$3 per month.

09:17

Which app allows direct investments in individual corporate and US Treasury bonds with a $100 minimum?

hard Click to reveal answer

Public.

10:13

What is the key tax advantage of using a Webull IRA for active trading?

hard Click to reveal answer

Trades executed within a Roth IRA are 100% sheltered from short-term capital gains taxes.

11:51

Which app offers a robo-advisor built in partnership with BlackRock?

medium Click to reveal answer

SoFi.

13:20

💡 Key Takeaways

💡

Coinbase Adds Stock Trading

Transforms a crypto exchange into a hybrid platform, expanding its user base.

00:42
📊

Robinhood IRA Match

Incentivizes retirement investing with a contribution match, a rare feature among trading apps.

04:52
🔧

Moomoo Global Access

Offers international market access, differentiating it from most US-only apps.

06:20
⚖️

M1 Finance Pie Investing

Automated rebalancing simplifies portfolio management for passive investors.

07:48
💡

Webull IRA Tax Shelter

Highlights a strategy to avoid short-term capital gains taxes using retirement accounts.

11:51

[00:01] reviewing and testing different investing apps here on YouTube and over on my blog, investingssimple.com. In this video, I'll be giving you a rundown of the best investing accounts to get started with right now, including

[00:15] what they are best for, key features, and most importantly, any sign up [music] bonuses. Now, guys, dozens of hours of research went into making this video happen. So, if you appreciate that, make sure you drop a like and hit

[00:28] that subscribe button. With that said, let's dive into the best investing apps for 2026. [music] Starting out with number one on our list, Coinbase. Now, Coinbase is traditionally viewed as a crypto exchange, but they are at the

[00:42] very top of our list here because of this big update. [music] Coinbase is officially rolling out stock trading on their platform, turning them into a hybrid crypto and stock investing platform. You'll be able to take

[00:56] advantage of fractional share investing, allowing you to buy in $1 increments, as well [music] as commissionfree trades. In addition, this will be 24-hour trading offered 5 days a week during the normal market schedule. With this big

[01:12] update, Coinbase is truly becoming a one-stop shop [music] for investing. Now, beyond that, Coinbase is also the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange. Through the main exchange, you can trade over 150 different tokens. But

[01:28] beyond just the US market, Coinbase is also available in over 100 different countries, giving them a massive global footprint. The basic version of the app is designed for simplicity with an interface that is easy to navigate for

[01:42] casual investors. But if you're looking for a more robust trading [music] experience, Coinbase Advanced is available for both desktop and mobile. This will get you trading view charts, advanced indicators, advanced order

[01:56] types, order [music] books, and an all-around professional-grade trading platform. The best part is Coinbase Advanced comes with no subscription fees required to trade. Now, on that note, they do offer a subscription service

[02:10] called Coinbase [music] 1. This gets you zero trading fees on a set volume each month, access to the Coinbase 1 card, boosted staking rewards, and more. And the Coinbase 1 card is a Bitcoin rewards credit card that enables you to earn up

[02:26] credit card that enables you to earn up to 4% Bitcoin back on every purchase. And if you prefer to avoid credit altogether, they also have the Coinbase debit card that can link [music] directly to your exchange account. In

[02:38] addition, through the separate base app, you can take self-custody of your crypto giving you full control over your private keys. They also offer USDC rewards, which functions similarly to a high yield savings account, but with

[02:54] stable coins instead. Finally, one of their latest updates has been adding prediction markets to the app, allowing users to bet on realworld events and outcomes. I have a full Coinbase tutorial that I will leave in the

[03:07] corner, as well as a base app tutorial for self-custody that I will link to sign up for Coinbase, be sure to visit sign up for Coinbase, be sure to visit ryanoscribner.com/coinbase

[03:21] Bitcoin bonus. Next on our list here is one of the most recognizable investing apps out there, Robin Hood. Robin Hood has also built a reputation of being an all-around investing app offering stocks, crypto, ETFs, futures, and

[03:38] [music] more. As far as stocks and ETFs go, they support the trading of over 11,000 different securities listed on the major exchanges, and that comes with zero trading commissions, fractional shares, and even a 24-hour market for

[03:54] many popular stocks. Looking at crypto investments, Robin Hood offers about 40 different tokens, so not quite as many as a full-blown exchange, but Robin Hood is frequently adding to this list. In terms of other investment categories,

[04:09] Robin Hood offers futures, trading, options, and the recent addition of prediction markets. You might think all of these different features would bog down the overall user experience, but Robin Hood is known for being one of the

[04:22] most beginnerfriendly and easy to navigate investing apps. But for those looking for more, they offer Robin Hood Legend, which is an advanced desktop focused trading platform. This free-touse platform supports technical

[04:36] analysis tools, customizable layouts, multi-chart views, and more. Another popular feature they've rolled out is IRA accounts with a contribution match. You can open a traditional or Roth IRA account and get a 1 to 3% match on what

[04:52] you put in, making this a very popular option among retirement investors. And if you prefer a more hands-off approach to investing, which many long-term investors do, they've recently rolled out Robin Hood strategies. These are

[05:07] expert-managed portfolios that are specifically curated based on your investment goals. Robin Hood offers a lot, but the last thing I want to point out is their brokerage sweep program. With this, your uninvested cash will be

[05:21] automatically swept into a network of high yield FDIC insured banks. So, this can be extremely helpful, especially if you plan to keep some extra money on the sidelines. I have a full Robin Hood tutorial that I'll put a card in the

[05:37] corner for, as well as a Robin Hood Legend walkthrough that I will link to in the description. [music] And you can get a free stock worth up to $200 when you open a new Robin Hood account. Just visit

[05:49] account. Just visit ryanoscribner.com/roinhood then deposit any amount of money after signing up. From there, you'll get to choose your free fractional share from a list of 20 leading American companies.

[06:04] Coming in at number three on our list is Mumu. If you're looking for an investing app with robust trading tools and advanced features, this could be the perfect fit for you. Mumu offers a wide range of assets including stocks, ETFs,

[06:20] options, crypto, and even IPO investing, but one of the key differentiators is access to global markets. In the US, Mumu supports the trading of securities that are listed on the major exchanges.

[06:34] And outside of the US, they offer access to international markets, including those in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Canada, and Malaysia. Now, Mumu offers a lot of advanced trading features, charting tools, and

[06:49] data, which can be a little bit overwhelming, but they also offer a paper trading simulator within the app, which allows you to familiarize yourself with everything before using real money. For advanced and more active traders,

[07:03] Mumu Desktop [music] is where the platform really shines. This is a full-blown trading workstation with features that are most often associated with professionalgrade platforms. But unlike many others, Mumu is free to use.

[07:18] In addition, they've recently rolled out Mumu AI, which is like a chat GPT tool searching through data sources, you can just ask simple questions and get an answer in just a matter of seconds. If you want to see these powerful features

[07:33] in action, check out my full Mumu tutorial in the corner. And if you want to learn more about Mumu, be sure to visit ryanoscribner.com/moomu to get your free bonus. Right now, it's free Nvidia shares based on how much

[07:48] money you deposit, but be sure to check out the link because they change the promotion from time to time. The next investing app on our list is geared towards more passive portfolio-based investors, and that is M1 Finance. M1 is

[08:02] built around long-term and automated investing strategies, making it a popular option for those looking for a set it and forget it approach. The core set it and forget it approach. The core of M1 Finance is its PI based investing

[08:16] model. Instead of placing individual trades, you create a portfolio or PI by setting allocation percentages for each stock or ETF. Then, as you add money, it's going to divvy up that money according to the PI that you've created.

[08:32] And if you don't want to build from scratch, they also offer pre-built [music] This PI-based approach to investing has many benefits, but one of the biggest is ongoing rebalancing. With each dollar

[08:46] that you add, M1 Finance will spread this out according to your allocations, keeping you as close as possible to what you originally set. M1 Finance offers a variety of different account types, including individual, joint, and

[09:01] They also have a competitive high yield savings account, too. But two important things to note here. M1 Finance places all trades during just two trading windows per day and they have a $3 per month platform fee for accounts under

[09:17] 10,000. So, make sure you take this into consideration. If you want to check them out, be sure to visit ryanoscribner.com/m1

[09:29] get an APY boost. Coming in at number five on our list is Public. This app combines the user experience of new age platforms with more traditional investments you'd expect from old school firms, for example. You won't find

[09:44] prediction markets here, but that might be a good thing because some people view that as a form of gambling and not investing. [music] What you will find is an easy to use app with an overall excellent user experience. With Public,

[09:58] you can invest in stocks, ETFs, options, and about 40 different cryptocurrencies. [music] In addition, they also offer direct investments into bonds, whereas most others only offer indirect ETF exposure to this asset. You can invest

[10:13] in individual corporate and US Treasury bonds with a low $100 minimum. They also offer a managed bond account, which has a higher interest rate compared to a high yield savings account. But for those [snorts] who prefer certainty and

[10:28] FDIC insurance, they also have a simple high yield cash account, too. You'll find a variety of account types with Public, including individual and retirement accounts with crypto IAS coming soon. [music] Overall, Public is

[10:42] a great option for those looking for simplicity, traditional investments, and a sleek app. Be sure to visit ryanoscribner.com/pub to get started. Moving back into the world of active trading, we have our

[10:56] next [music] investing app, Weeble. Weeble is a fantastic bridge into the world of advanced trading, offering both a simplified and a more robust version of the app. If you're just getting started, Weeull Light is an easy to

[11:11] navigate version of their trading platform. But with a simple swipe, you can switch over to the full-blown version of the app, which offers a lot of advanced features and research tools. Weeble supports the trading of stocks,

[11:24] ETFs, options, futures, and over 50 different cryptocurrencies. And similar to Mumu, they also have a paper trading simulator built into the app, which means you can practice without risking any real money. One of

[11:38] the key features here with Wee Bowl is actually their account types because they offer both individual and retirement accounts. This might not seem like a big deal, but a robust trading platform with retirement accounts is a

[11:51] powerful combination. Traders often pay the highest capital gains taxes on their profits because these are short-term capital gains. But if these trades are executed within a Roth IRA, for example, you can be 100% sheltered from those

[12:07] taxes. So, a lot of people will use Weeble for this exact purpose. They also have a robust desktop trading platform for advanced traders [music] similar to Mumu and it doesn't cost anything either. In addition, Weeble also offers

[12:23] a high yield cash management account within their app allowing you to make within their app allowing you to make the most of your uninvested cash. I just did a full tutorial on Weeble for beginners that I will leave down below

[12:35] as well as my sign up link which is ryanoscribner.com/weeeble. up bonus, and they do change that offer from time to time, so be sure to check it out. Rounding out the list at number seven is SoFi. [music]

[12:51] SoFi has been building the ultimate one-stop shop for your money over the last decade and a half. From personal loans to banking, credit cards, and even mortgage loans, they've got a huge menu of financial services. But just looking

[13:05] at the investing side of the equation, SoFi offers a simple hands-off or [music] handson approach to things. The handsoff side refers to their robo advisor. For investors who prefer little involvement, their automated investing

[13:20] tool builds and manages a diversified portfolio on your behalf. Your portfolio [music] committee in partnership with experts from BlackRock. But if you're looking for that hands-on approach, SoFi offers

[13:35] a self-directed investing option, too. That means you can pick and choose your own investments, which includes stocks, ETFs, options, and about 30 different cryptocurrencies. SoFi also offers after hours trading,

[13:50] which can be helpful if you're looking to trade stocks based on market news that happens after the bell, such as corporate earnings. Another standout feature is access to IPO investing, allowing everyday investors to

[14:03] participate in company [music] listings before they hit the public markets. You'll also find IRA accounts with a 1% match, making them a popular destination for retirement investors. [music] If you're looking for simplicity and a

[14:18] one-stop shop for your finances, SoFi could be a perfect fit. Be sure to visit ryanoscribner.com/sulfi to learn more. And you can check out my full tutorials for these platforms in the corner as well as links down below.

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[15:01] gets into taking on business partners, selling off equity in your business, and even investing into other startup businesses. So, grab your copy today at Barnes & Noble, at your local library, over on Amazon, or on Audible. And if

[15:15] another vacation day again, make sure you subscribe to learn how to build wealth on your terms. Be sure to check out this next video that we think you'll out this next video that we think you'll enjoy.

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