Top 10 Investment Platforms Compared (2025 Guide)

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Compare the best platforms for stocks, ETFs, crypto, and retirement.

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? Why Choosing the Right Investment Platform Matters

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned trader, the platform you choose can impact:

Your returns (due to fees & tools)
The assets you can invest in
Your overall experience & confidence

In 2025, investment platforms are smarter, cheaper, and more diverse than ever. Let’s break down the top 10 options, based on fees, features, usability, and asset variety.

? Top 10 Investment Platforms Compared (2025)

Platform	Best For	Fees	Min. Investment	Assets Available	Standout Feature
M1 Finance	Long-term investors	$0	$0	Stocks, ETFs, Roth IRA	Auto-investing “pies”
Fidelity	Retirement & research	$0	$0	Stocks, ETFs, options	Deep research tools
Robinhood	Beginners & mobile-first	$0	$0	Stocks, crypto, options	Easy-to-use app
Public.com	Social investing	$0	$0	Stocks, ETFs, crypto	Community-based investing
Charles Schwab	All-around investing	$0	$0	Stocks, mutual funds	$0 fees & wide access
Webull	Active traders	$0	$0	Stocks, crypto, options	Extended hours trading
Vanguard	Index fund lovers	$0	Varies	ETFs, mutual funds	Low-cost index investing
Betterment	Hands-off investors	0.25% AUM	$0	ETFs, IRAs	Robo-advising
SoFi Invest	New investors	$0	$0	Stocks, ETFs, crypto	Free financial planning
Acorns	Micro-investors	$3–$5/mo	$5	ETFs, retirement	Round-up investing

? Platform Breakdown & Highlights

1. M1 Finance – Best for Long-Term Wealth Building

Automated investing with custom “pies”
Supports Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs
Fractional shares + recurring investments
? Start with $0 and get a free bonus

2. Fidelity – Best for Retirement & Research Nerds

Massive tools, calculators, and analysis
$0 trades, $0 account minimum
Excellent customer support
? Open a Fidelity Brokerage Account

3. Robinhood – Best for Beginners & Crypto Curious

Simple UI with zero commissions
Real-time quotes, crypto support
Margin trading available
? Get Free Stock on Signup

4. Public.com – Best for Social & Community Investing

Invest in fractional shares
Social feed with investor insights
Transparent revenue model
? Join Public & Get a Free Slice of Stock

5. Charles Schwab – Best All-Around Traditional Broker

Access to everything from stocks to futures
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios (robo option)
24/7 phone support
? Explore Schwab Investment Options

6. Webull – Best for Active Traders & Data Geeks

Real-time market data
Technical analysis tools
Extended trading hours
? Sign Up for Webull & Get Free Stocks

7. Vanguard – Best for Passive Index Fund Investors

Trusted for decades
Low expense ratios on mutual funds
Ideal for long-term wealth
? Start Investing with Vanguard

8. Betterment – Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners

Set it and forget it
Automatic rebalancing
Tax-loss harvesting
? Try Betterment Today

9. SoFi Invest – Best for All-in-One Finance

Stocks, crypto, loans & budgeting in one app
No commissions
Member benefits like free career coaching
? Start Investing with SoFi

10. Acorns – Best for Micro-Investing Beginners

Round-up your spare change
Great for college students or budgeters
Auto-investing for retirement too
? Get $5 When You Sign Up for Acorns

? What to Look For in a Platform

When comparing investment apps, keep these features in mind:

Fees & commissions (lower = better for returns)
Ease of use (especially for beginners)
Asset options (stocks, ETFs, crypto, etc.)
Support & education tools
Automated vs. DIY options

? Safety: Are These Platforms Secure?

Yes — all platforms listed are SIPC-insured (up to $500,000 in securities). They also use bank-level encryption, and many offer 2-factor authentication.

Always enable security settings and don’t share your credentials.

? Which Platform Should You Choose?

If you want to…	Use this platform
Invest automatically	M1 Finance, Betterment
Trade actively	Webull, Robinhood
Invest with $5 or less	Acorns, Public.com
Plan for retirement	Fidelity, Vanguard
Buy crypto & stocks in one app	Robinhood, SoFi

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