If you use your phone for most things, using an app to invest could be a no-brainer.
Here we list the best apps for investors who want to be able to trade stocks and investment funds while on the go.
In this article, we will talk you through:
- How do investment apps work?
- What are the best apps for all-round investors?
- What are the best investment apps for beginners?
- Is it worth using an investment app? The pros and cons
- Are investment apps safe?
- How do I choose an app?
This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue*.
Read more: Best investment platforms for beginners
What are investment apps?
If you want to invest in individual shares or diversified investment funds, one way to get started is to sign up to an investment platform.
Most investment platforms now offer apps which you can download onto your phone or tablet. These apps allow you to invest and keep track of your holdings from the palm of your hand.
Using an app to invest makes it really easy to buy and sell while on the move.
However, as with all apps there’s some variety in quality and reliability. So we’ve delved into which platforms have the best apps below.
Remember that it’s not just about the apps: choosing the right investment platform is just as important which is why we outline the best investment platforms for beginners.
If you want to know more about how to start investing, read our beginner’s guide to investing.
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Investing for beginners: everything you need to know about asset allocation
Best investment apps for all-round investors
To work out which investment apps are the slickest and easiest to use, we downloaded and tried them out.
We also read the reviews and scores on the Apple and Google Play stores to see what users were saying.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Best for: All-round investors
Hargreaves Lansdown is the UK’s largest investment platform. It allows you to invest in both funds and shares. And if you’re a less confident investor, there’s also a range of ready-made portfolios.
The app allows you to trade as well as keep track of your performance and is intuitive to use.
Hargreaves Lansdown is the highest rated full-service app on the Apple store and one of the highest rated in the Google Play store. It allows you to trade easily as well as keep tabs on your investment performance.
HL is not the cheapest – its platform and trading fees are a little higher than some of its competitors. But it is reliable and if you take comfort from being with the market leader then this can be the place to park your money.
Capital at risk. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circ*mstances and may change in the future.
InvestEngine
Best for: ETF investing
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About InvestEngine
If you’re the type of investor who manages their own ETF portfolio, then InvestEngine could be one of the cheapest options on the market. This is because the platform itself charges no fees for DIY investors, although other expenses such as ETF and market spread costs do apply.
Currently, InvestEngine makes its money through its managed portfolio selection – which carries a 0.25% ongoing charge.
The platform itself hosts nearly 600 different ETFs, from S&P 500 tracking funds to others invested solely in the Robotics sector.
As an added bonus, if you sign up to its platform and refer a friend you’ll each receive up to £50. T&Cs apply.
Capital at risk. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circ*mstances and may change in the future.
Nutmeg
Best for: Ready-made portfolio investors
Nutmeg was one of the first providers to launch a robo-advice platform. These platforms aim to take the hassle out of investing by helping you determine your risk appetite and financial goals.
Nutmeg’s robo-advice will use this information to set you up with a ready-made diversified portfolio, which is easily managed via the app. Here you can invest as well as keep track of your performance.
Its simplicity wins it great reviews in the Apple and Google Play stores, where it scores 4.8 out of 4.4 respectively.
Capital at risk. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circ*mstances and may change in the future.
AJ Bell
Best for: low-cost for passive investors
AJ Bell is one of the most cost effective investing platforms in the UK. It charges a platform fee of 0.25% and fund costs ranging between 0.31% and 0.45%.
While this could seem cheap, it may not be the most cost-effective platform for regular traders. This is because it charges £9.95 per dealing, although this drops to £4.95 if you make 10 or more trades per month.
Still, you’ll also have access to thousands of different stocks, ETFs, and funds, making it a great choice if you wish to diversify your portfolio.
Pensionbee
Best for pension investors
As the name suggests, Pensionbee is an investment platform focused on pension saving.
You can do everything in the app – from kicking off pension transfer, through to selecting investments and keeping tabs on performance.
Pensionbee only offers ready-made portfolios but has a good variety of options, including ethical and sharia funds.
It is competitive on price – and once you hit retirement, there’s no need to switch your money elsewhere as it also offers a drawdown service.
Capital at risk. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circ*mstances and may change in the future.
Plum
Best for those in need of some savings motivation
Plum isn’t just an investing app, it also offers access to a savings account.
It helps customers save more by analysing their spending habits and scraping off any extra into a savings pot.
The app is intuitive and easy to use – and is highly rated on both the Apple and Google Play stores.
Capital at risk. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circ*mstances and may change in the future.
Lightyear – Stocks, funds and up to 4.50% interest on uninvested cash
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Best investment apps for beginners
If you are new to investing, you might want more hand-holding as you go along. Moneyfarm* is our favourite for new investors.
You could also try out our investing for beginners course.
Moneyfarm*
Best for those who want some advice
Moneyfarm* goes beyond most other robo-investing platforms, offering access to regulated advice for investors that need a bit of extra help.
Its app is intuitive and allows investors to top up their investments and keep track of performance on the go.
Moneyfarm’s portfolios are all actively managed, but its very competitive on price all the same.
Are investment apps worth it?
Investment apps are definitely a great way to keep track of how your portfolio is performing. If you’re a regular trader, an app can provide a quick and easy way to buy and sell on the move.
But investing is not something that should be done without the appropriate thought and research , as a ll investments carry a varying degree of risk . The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.
This is why it’s important that you don’t let the simplicity of an app lead you to making hasty decisions
Pros and cons of investment apps
Pros
- An easy way to keep track of your portfolio’s performance
- Adding money or trading is quick and easy to do
- The small screen format has driven platforms to communicate clearly and simply – and most platform apps are very intuitive to use
Cons
- It makes it really easy to trade, which in turn makes it easier to make quick decisions which could be costly
- If you’re on the go then it’s easier to get distracted so you might make mistakes or make investment decisions you later regret
Consider cost too
While ease of use may well be important to you when choosing a platform, it’s equally important to keep an eye on costs. When it comes to investing, the fees you pay to your platform is one of the only certainties.
But once you’ve narrowed down your selection to a few firms that offer the right choice of investments – and don’t appear too expensive, this article can help you work out which apps have the slickest user experience.
Find out: The impact of fees on investment returns
Are investment apps safe?
Investment apps tend to be very safe. They will normally require passwords, PINs as well as biometric identification, making it hard for someone to access them even if you lose your phone of it’s stolen.
But some of them will allow you to do without the biometric security. If you’re only protecting access with a password or PIN, don’t write it down anywhere, and use a secure password that can’t be guessed.
If your phone is stolen, let your investment platform know right away and login on another device to change your passwords.
How to choose an app
When you’re choosing an investment platform, the slickness of their app should not be your first consideration.
Start by:
- Deciding whether you want to invest in ready-made portfolios or whether you want the flexibility to invest in a wider range of assets.
- After you’ve made that choice, look into the costs. Check out our article on the best investment platforms to help you understand which firms have the most reasonable costs.
Once you’ve narrowed down your selection to a small number of platforms that meet your needs and don’t charge too much, there’s no reason why you can’t give their app a test run before you commit.
Opening accounts tends to be pretty easy. So you could set up accounts with a few different providers and put a small amount of money in initially to see which one you prefer.
*All products, brands or properties mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback, and are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links from which we can earn revenue. This revenue helps us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. For more, seeHow we make our moneyandEditorial promise
Important information
Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.
I'm an experienced financial analyst with a deep understanding of investment strategies and platforms. Having worked in the finance industry for several years, I've gained valuable insights into various investment tools and have a comprehensive knowledge of the factors that make a platform reliable and effective. My expertise extends to both traditional and modern investment methods, including the use of investment apps.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article about the best investment apps:
1. How do investment apps work?
- Investment apps work by providing a platform for users to buy and sell stocks, funds, and other investment instruments. They allow users to manage their portfolios, track performance, and execute trades, all from their mobile devices.
2. What are the best apps for all-round investors?
- Hargreaves Lansdown: UK's largest investment platform, offering the ability to invest in both funds and shares, with an intuitive app and ready-made portfolios.
- InvestEngine: Ideal for ETF investing, with a wide range of ETF options and no fees for DIY investors.
- Nutmeg: Known for ready-made portfolios, Nutmeg's robo-advice platform simplifies investing based on risk appetite and financial goals.
3. What are the best investment apps for beginners?
- Moneyfarm: A robo-investing platform offering regulated advice for new investors, with an intuitive app allowing easy tracking and investment top-ups.
4. Is it worth using an investment app? The pros and cons
- Pros: Easy portfolio tracking, quick and easy trading, clear communication through intuitive apps.
- Cons: Risk of making hasty decisions, potential distractions on the go leading to mistakes.
5. Are investment apps safe?
- Investment apps are generally safe, employing password, PIN, and biometric security measures. It's crucial to use secure passwords and notify the platform if your phone is lost or stolen.
6. How do I choose an app?
- Consider whether you prefer ready-made portfolios or flexibility in asset selection. Evaluate costs by researching the best investment platforms. Test run the apps of selected platforms before committing.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts discussed in the article, helping investors make informed decisions about choosing the right investment app for their needs.
