Stock Trading Apps: An Introduction

The main benefit of a contemporary stock trading app is its inclusivity. Almost anyone can become an investor with a stock app, regardless of income, assets, or financial knowledge. All of the stocks apps we list above are inexpensive to start and maintain; in addition, the majority have built-in educational tools for customers newer to stock trading.

Stock trading apps typically allow users to trade more than traditional stocks. Many platforms allow customers to invest and trade stocks, bonds, mutual funds, index funds, ETFs, and even cryptocurrencies. Keep reading to learn the specifics of these different types of investments.

This is Why You Should Invest

We get it: if you’re new to stock trading, it can all feel a bit…overwhelming. That’s where stock trading apps come in. These user-friendly platforms teach you the ins and outs of trading, so you can meet your investing goals without investing all of your free time.

For most everyday people, the overall goal of stock trading is to build their wealth. Money that sits idle in a savings account can lose value with time due to inflation. Sure, your bank account might accrue 1% interest, but these dividends would be wiped clean if the inflation rate is 2% or higher. When savings are properly invested, they can accrue much higher returns that far outpace inflation.

To protect your savings against inflation—and to grow these savings in your sleep—try downloading a stock trading app.

How to Use a Stock Trading App

Although stock trading apps will vary from platform to platform, the basics are all the same. Here are the steps:

• Fund: Customers start by investing a principal, or an amount of money you fund for your future investments.
• Buy: Using the app’s tools and other resources, customers choose investments to buy with their principal funds.
• Sell: When the time is right, customers sell their investments in the hopes of making a profit.

Investments You Can Buy, Sell, or Trade with Apps

Stock trading apps offer a variety of investments. Here are three of the more common investments available:

• Stocks: A stock represents an investor’s ownership in a percentage of a publicly-traded company.
• ETFs: An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a low-cost investment in an entire index, or sector, of a publicly-traded security
• Crypto: Cryptocurrencies are forms of digital currency that have value due to a complex computing network. To see our list of top crypto trading apps, click here.

Trading apps offer customers an even wider range of investment options: bonds, mutual funds, index funds, futures, options, precious metals, and NFTs. Click out to a trading app in the list above to learn more.

Our List is Great for All Skill Levels, Beginner–Expert

Stock trading apps are useful for customers with any experience level.

For trading beginners, apps offer ease-of-use and educational materials. New traders can build a portfolio at the touch of their fingers, making it easy to see which investments are performing well and which ones might be taking a dive. New users can often opt-in to hands-on investment tips as they use the apps, such as suggestions for what to buy, when to sell, and definitions of complex securities.

Experienced traders will find that trading apps offer an impressive suite of tools to suss out the market and increase profits. Advanced tools may include real-time market data streams, asset testing, automatic trading, and AI-powered trading.

Disclaimers

Public.com Disclaimers

All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Open to the Public Investing, member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.

*APY as of 6/11/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change.

**Terms and Conditions apply.

SoFi Disclaimers

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA (www.finra.org) / SIPC (www.sipc.org).

Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 30 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.

Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.

Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdf