Should you choose Stash, Acorns or Robinhood? They’re not all the same. Learn if you can actually make money with investing apps. Investing is the best way to grow your money and retire stress-free. But who has a thousand bucks lying around to start?
That’s why many beginners use Acorns vs Stash vs Robinhood. These micro-investing apps allow anyone to start, even if you just have a few dollars. Each one works a little differently. Acorns automatically invests your spare change, while Stash guides you through the process of building a portfolio. Robinhood lets you trade completely commission-free. Are they worth the hype? Read on to see how they compare and which one is best for you.
WHO IS EACH APP BEST FOR?
Each app is targeted toward a different type of investor.
Acorns is best for hands-off investors. Acorns automatically chooses your investments and manages your portfolio for you. It’s best for “set it and forget it” long-term investing.
Stash is best for beginners who want to learn. Stash guides you through the steps and helps you choose investments suited for your goals. You manage your own portfolio but still have some hand holding.
Robinhood is best for experienced active traders. Robinhood is completely DIY investing. There’s no guidance at all, so you manage everything yourself.
CUSTOMIZATION
Robinhood offers the most customization : Robinhood allows you to select your own individual stocks, funds, and options. You can even invest in gold and cryptocurrency. This lets users completely hand pick their investment mix.
Stash has a mix of custom and ready-made portfolios: Stash lets you choose your own individual stocks or you can invest in their curated themed portfolios. You can select portfolios based on industry or causes you support.
For example, you can invest in their “Clean and Green” mix. That fund is comprised of clean energy sources like wind and solar.
Acorns chooses everything for you: You can only select one of five pre-built portfolios based on your risk tolerance, ranging from conservative to aggressive.
SECURITY
Acorns, Stash, and Robinhood all use industry standard 256-bit encryption to protect your personal and financial data. You can trust that your data is safe with them.
All three are members of the SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation). The SIPC protects your securities up to $500,000 per account type if the platform goes out of business.
But the SIPC will NOT protect you from losing money through investing. Any cryptocurrency investments through Robinhood are also not protected by SIPC.
BOTTOM LINE
If you’re looking for a way to invest right from your mobile device, Robinhood, Acorns, and Stash all have something to offer. While they all offer investment accounts, the features and service you get with each of them varies.
Take your time to weigh the options based on what will fit your lifestyle the best.
