Automatic investing has transformed the way people build wealth. Instead of trying to time the market or constantly monitor stocks, modern investment apps allow users to automate contributions, diversify portfolios, and grow their money with minimal effort. Whether you are a beginner starting with small amounts or an experienced investor looking for convenience, automatic investing apps can help simplify the process.
In this guide, we explore the best apps to invest automatically, their key features, advantages, disadvantages, and how to choose the right platform for your financial goals.
Why Automatic Investing Is Becoming So Popular
Automatic investing removes much of the stress and emotion from investing. Instead of making decisions every day, users can create a strategy once and allow the app to handle recurring investments, portfolio balancing, and long-term growth.
Some of the biggest advantages include:
- Consistent investing habits
- Reduced emotional decision-making
- Easy portfolio diversification
- Low minimum investment requirements
- Beginner-friendly interfaces
- Time-saving automation features
With many apps offering fractional shares and low fees, automatic investing is now accessible to almost everyone.
Best Apps to Invest Automatically
1. Acorns
Acorns is one of the most popular apps for beginners who want to start investing automatically with minimal effort.
Key Features
- Round-up investments from daily purchases
- Automated recurring deposits
- Diversified ETF portfolios
- Retirement account options
- Educational financial content
Pros
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Helps users invest spare change automatically
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Ideal for passive investors
Cons
- Monthly subscription fee
- Limited investment customization
- Not ideal for advanced traders
Best For
Beginners who want a simple “set it and forget it” investment solution.
2. Betterment
Betterment is one of the leading robo-advisors and focuses on long-term automated investing.
Key Features
- Automated portfolio management
- Tax-loss harvesting
- Goal-based investing
- Retirement planning tools
- Automatic rebalancing
Pros
- Professionally managed portfolios
- Excellent retirement planning tools
- Strong automation features
- Easy account setup
Cons
- Management fees apply
- Limited direct stock investing
- Less control for experienced investors
Best For
Investors looking for hands-off wealth management and retirement planning.
3. Wealthfront
Wealthfront combines automation with advanced financial planning tools.
Key Features
- Automated investing portfolios
- Financial planning dashboard
- Tax optimization strategies
- High-yield cash account
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing
Pros
- Advanced automation technology
- Strong financial planning features
- Low management fees
- Great for long-term investors
Cons
- Less personalized advice
- Limited human advisor interaction
- Not ideal for active traders
Best For
Users who want advanced automated investing and financial planning tools.
4. Robinhood
Robinhood is widely known for commission-free trading, but it also offers recurring investments for automated investing.
Key Features
- Recurring investments
- Fractional shares
- Cryptocurrency investing
- Commission-free trading
- User-friendly mobile app
Pros
- No commission fees
- Easy to use
- Supports automatic investments in stocks and ETFs
- Good for younger investors
Cons
- Limited retirement tools
- Minimal portfolio guidance
- Can encourage short-term trading behavior
Best For
Investors who want flexibility while automating stock and ETF purchases.
5. M1 Finance
M1 Finance offers a unique combination of automation and customization.
Key Features
- Customizable portfolio “pies”
- Automatic portfolio balancing
- Recurring deposits
- Fractional shares
- Borrowing and cash management options
Pros
- High portfolio customization
- Fully automated investing options
- No management fees for basic accounts
- Excellent long-term investing tools
Cons
- Less suitable for day trading
- Limited customer support hours
- Learning curve for beginners
Best For
Investors who want more control while still benefiting from automation.
6. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest combines automated investing with educational resources and financial services.
Key Features
- Automated investing portfolios
- Access to financial advisors
- Fractional shares
- Retirement accounts
- No management fees on automated investing
Pros
- Beginner-friendly platform
- Strong educational content
- Access to human advisors
- Competitive fee structure
Cons
- Fewer advanced investing tools
- Smaller portfolio selection
- Limited customization
Best For
Beginners looking for automation plus educational support.
7. Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go is the automated investing platform from Fidelity, one of the most trusted names in finance.
Key Features
- Professionally managed portfolios
- Automatic rebalancing
- Retirement planning support
- Low minimum investment requirements
- Integration with Fidelity accounts
Pros
- Trusted financial institution
- Strong customer support
- Low fees for small balances
- Excellent retirement tools
Cons
- Limited customization
- Requires larger balances for advanced features
- Fewer unique automation tools
Best For
Long-term investors who prefer established financial companies.
How to Choose the Best Automatic Investing App
Not every app is right for every investor. Before choosing a platform, consider the following factors:
1. Fees
Some apps charge monthly subscriptions, while others charge management fees based on your portfolio size. Lower fees can significantly improve long-term returns.
2. Investment Options
Check whether the app supports:
- ETFs
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Cryptocurrency
- Retirement accounts
3. Automation Features
Look for tools such as:
- Recurring deposits
- Automatic rebalancing
- Round-up investing
- Dividend reinvestment
4. User Experience
A clean and intuitive interface is especially important for beginners.
5. Financial Goals
Choose an app that aligns with your objectives:
- Retirement savings
- Long-term wealth building
- Passive income
- Short-term investing
Benefits of Automatic Investing Apps
Automatic investing apps offer several important advantages for modern investors.
Consistency
Regular investing helps build disciplined financial habits.
Reduced Emotional Investing
Automation prevents panic selling and impulsive buying decisions.
Accessibility
Many apps allow users to start with very small amounts of money.
Diversification
Most robo-advisors automatically diversify investments across multiple asset classes.
Time Efficiency
Investors spend less time researching and managing portfolios manually.
Potential Risks of Automatic Investing
Although automatic investing is convenient, investors should still understand the risks.
Market Volatility
All investments can lose value during market downturns.
Limited Customization
Some robo-advisors provide limited flexibility for advanced strategies.
Fees Can Add Up
Even small management fees can impact long-term performance.
Over-Reliance on Automation
Investors should still review portfolios periodically and adjust goals when necessary.
Tips for Successful Automatic Investing
To maximize the benefits of automatic investing:
- Invest consistently every month
- Focus on long-term growth
- Diversify your investments
- Reinvest dividends when possible
- Avoid reacting emotionally to market changes
- Increase contributions as income grows
Building wealth takes time, and consistency is often more important than trying to predict the market.
Final Thoughts
The best apps to invest automatically make investing easier, more accessible, and less stressful. Whether you choose Acorns for simplicity, Betterment for robo-advising, Wealthfront for financial planning, or M1 Finance for customization, automated investing can help you build long-term wealth with minimal effort.
For beginners, automatic investing apps are an excellent way to start developing healthy financial habits. For experienced investors, they offer convenience and portfolio management efficiency.
The most important step is getting started. Even small automatic contributions can grow significantly over time thanks to consistency and compound growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are automatic investing apps safe?
Most reputable investing apps use bank-level security and are regulated financial platforms. However, investments are always subject to market risk.
Can I start investing with little money?
Yes. Many apps allow users to start with as little as $1 or through spare-change investing.
Which automatic investing app is best for beginners?
Acorns, Betterment, and SoFi Invest are considered highly beginner-friendly.
Do automatic investing apps guarantee profits?
No investment app can guarantee profits. Returns depend on market performance and investment strategy.
Is automatic investing worth it?
For many people, automatic investing is an effective way to build long-term wealth while reducing stress and maintaining consistent contributions.
