In today’s evolving financial landscape, technology and innovation have significantly transformed how we approach investing. What was once considered a playground for the wealthy and financially elite has now become accessible to virtually anyone with a smartphone and a single dollar.
In 2025, the concept of fractional shares is more than just a feature—it’s a revolution. For everyday individuals who want to grow their wealth with limited capital, the best stock app with fractional shares in 2025 offers a golden opportunity to invest confidently, strategically, and affordably.
Here get to know about fractional investing, the features that define the best stock app, and the top platforms that empower users to start investing with just $1. Whether you’re new to investing or looking for a more flexible approach, this will help you make smarter, informed choices.
Understanding the Shift: Investing for Everyone in 2025
The traditional stock market was once intimidating to new investors due to high minimum investment requirements, trading fees, and complex financial jargon. For years, investing was synonymous with brokerage accounts filled with paperwork, long wait times, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars required to own a single share in top companies. Fast forward to 2025, and the barriers have largely disappeared, thanks to intuitive mobile apps, zero-commission trading, and fractional share capabilities that have simplified the entire experience.
Now, instead of needing $3,000 to buy a share of Alphabet (Google’s parent company) or hundreds for a single share of Tesla, you can invest just $1 and still gain ownership in these companies. The best stock app with fractional shares allows users to access these investments without the pressure of large capital, providing them with equal footing to grow their wealth incrementally. This democratization of investing is leveling the playing field, enabling more people to participate in wealth creation regardless of their income, location, or financial literacy level.
What Are Fractional Shares and Why Are They Important for New Investors?
Fractional shares refer to a portion of a whole share of a company’s stock. Instead of purchasing one full share of a company, which can be very expensive, you can buy a fraction based on the amount of money you are willing to invest. For example, if one share of Amazon is worth $3,200, and you only have $32, you can purchase 1% of a share. This approach allows investors to tailor their investment sizes to match their budget, making investing more personalized and scalable over time.
This form of investing is particularly beneficial for:
- Beginner investors who want to get started without needing a large initial investment.
- Diversified investors who want to spread their money across multiple high-priced stocks without overexposing themselves.
- Young investors or students who want to learn and grow their money without taking on unnecessary financial risk.
Fractional investing opens the doors for consistent savings habits, the ability to invest in premium companies, and a hands-on experience with the stock market from day one. It also allows investors to experiment with different sectors, industries, and investment strategies without locking up large sums of money in a single stock.
Essential Features of the Best Stock App for Fractional Investing
When you’re searching for the best stock app in 2025, it’s important to go beyond just whether it offers fractional shares. The quality of the user experience, reliability of the tools, and flexibility of investment options play a crucial role in long-term success. Here are the must-have features that define a truly user-focused and value-driven app:
1. Intuitive User Interface and Design
A quality investing app should offer a clean, organized, and intuitive layout that makes navigation easy for users of all experience levels. From browsing stock charts to setting up recurring investments, every action should feel effortless. A confusing or outdated interface can discourage users from actively engaging with their investments, while a well-designed one can foster confidence and regular usage.
2. Zero or Low Commissions
The best stock app should offer commission-free trading, especially for fractional shares. High fees can quickly eat into small investments, making them less effective over time. If you’re only investing $1 or $10 at a time, a $5 fee could reduce your investment significantly, sometimes even resulting in negative returns. Commission-free trading ensures that even the smallest investment is fully utilized.
3. Access to Real-Time Trading and Execution
Many platforms still batch fractional share trades, meaning your order may not be executed until the end of the day. The best stock apps in 2025 support real-time or instant trade execution, allowing you to capitalize on timely opportunities in the market. This is especially important during periods of market volatility, where prices can change dramatically within minutes.
4. Robust Educational Resources
For beginners, having access to educational materials such as how-to videos, market news, glossary terms, and investment guides is incredibly helpful. Apps that provide these tools empower users to grow not just their portfolios, but also their knowledge and confidence. Some of the best stock apps even offer interactive tutorials, stock analysis breakdowns, and mock portfolios for practice.
5. Customizable Portfolio Tools and Auto-Invest Features
A good app doesn’t just help you buy stocks—it helps you build long-term habits. Tools like automatic investing, recurring deposits, goal-based planning, and stock watchlists enable you to track your progress and manage risk over time. These features also help enforce discipline in investing, promoting consistent contributions even during market downturns.
Top 5 Best Stock Apps with Fractional Shares in 2025
Let’s explore the standout platforms that offer powerful fractional investing features, along with their strengths and unique offerings. Each of these apps meets the essential criteria mentioned above and caters to different types of investors, from total beginners to more experienced traders.
1. Robinhood: A Leading Choice for Beginner-Friendly Fractional Investing
Robinhood has cemented its place as one of the most popular investment platforms for new investors. In 2025, it continues to excel by offering real-time fractional shares on many popular U.S. stocks. The app is sleek, modern, and highly intuitive, making it ideal for people who are new to investing or want a simplified experience.
With no account minimums and no trading fees, Robinhood allows you to start investing with as little as $1. It also includes educational blogs, earnings reports, and news updates to help you make better decisions. Features like “Recurring Investments” encourage users to automate their strategy and build wealth over time without having to monitor the market daily. While the app is perfect for ease of use, it may lack some advanced research tools that more experienced investors might need.
2. Fidelity: A Trusted Name Offering Deep Research and Fractional Shares
Fidelity remains a top-tier choice for investors who want both flexibility and robust research tools. In 2025, its “Stocks by the Slice” feature allows fractional investments starting at just $1. What sets Fidelity apart is its combination of strong customer support, advanced research tools, and no-fee investing, which appeals to both beginner and intermediate investors.
Fidelity’s platform provides access to detailed stock screeners, analyst ratings, earnings reports, and retirement planning tools, all of which are integrated into its mobile and desktop platforms. Although its interface may feel slightly more complex than Robinhood, it offers much more in-depth financial analysis, ratings, and projections—making it a favorite for those aiming for serious, informed growth.
3. Public: A Community-Focused Investing Experience with Fractional Shares
Public stands out by integrating social interaction into its investing platform. It allows users to follow friends, see what others are investing in, and share insights through a transparent and interactive feed. This creates a learning community for investors who may benefit from shared knowledge and real-time discussions.
It also offers fractional investing across thousands of stocks and ETFs. With no commissions or payment-for-order-flow models, Public maintains transparency, which many ethical investors appreciate. Additionally, Public offers themed portfolios and curated collections that help beginners align their investments with causes or sectors they care about, such as clean energy, women-led companies, or cryptocurrency.
4. SoFi Invest: A Financial Super App Offering Automated Investing
SoFi Invest is more than just a stock trading platform—it’s a complete financial app offering student loans, personal loans, credit cards, and savings accounts. Its investing platform is beginner-friendly and offers fractional shares with no commissions, making it an attractive option for users who want everything in one place.
SoFi is ideal for users who want a hands-off approach, thanks to its auto-invest tools and financial goal planning features. It also provides access to certified financial planners, which is a rare offering for an app with no minimum investment requirement. SoFi’s educational library, webinars, and community forums provide extra value for anyone serious about learning to invest and save.
5. Charles Schwab: Ideal for Conservative, Long-Term Fractional Investors
Charles Schwab brings decades of experience into the modern investing world through its Schwab Stock Slices program. This program allows investors to purchase fractional shares of any stock listed on the S&P 500, with a minimum of $5 per trade. While its fractional offering is more limited in scope, Schwab’s reputation for reliability and its full suite of investment tools make it a strong contender for conservative investors.
It is particularly well-suited for those who want to build a solid long-term portfolio with well-established companies. Schwab’s educational platform, research reports, and customer service support make it a comprehensive solution for those serious about their financial future.
Comparison Chart: Best Stock App with Fractional Shares (2025)
| Platform | Min Investment | Fractional Shares | Auto-Invest | Education Tools | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | $1 | Yes (real-time) | Yes | Moderate | Beginners |
| Fidelity | $1 | Yes | Yes | Extensive | Intermediate/advanced users |
| Public | $1 | Yes | Yes | Community-based | Social/ethical investors |
| SoFi Invest | $1 | Yes | Yes | Strong | All-in-one finance users |
| Charles Schwab | $5 | S&P 500 Only | Yes | Strong | Conservative investors |
How to Get Started with Fractional Investing Using Just $1
The process of investing in 2025 is streamlined and beginner-friendly. Here’s how you can start investing like a pro:
- Download and Sign Up on Your Chosen App: Select the best stock app that fits your needs, such as Robinhood for ease or Fidelity for more control.
- Link Your Bank Account: Securely transfer funds to your app’s brokerage account.
- Search for Stocks or ETFs: Choose high-performing companies or diversified ETFs that align with your goals.
- Enter the Amount You Want to Invest: Instead of buying one full share, simply input the dollar amount—starting at $1.
- Monitor and Adjust: Use the app’s tracking features to observe your portfolio and reinvest based on performance.
Benefits of Fractional Investing in 2025
Fractional investing offers real, tangible advantages:
- Inclusivity: No one is left out because of financial limitations.
- Smart Risk Management: Diversify easily, even with small amounts.
- Flexibility: Start, stop, or adjust investments anytime without heavy costs.
- Learning Through Action: Hands-on experience builds financial literacy faster than any classroom.
Challenges to Be Aware Of
Despite its benefits, fractional investing isn’t without limitations. Some apps may restrict which stocks are available in fractional form. There may also be slight delays in order execution. Moreover, holding fractional shares might not always come with shareholder voting rights or dividend eligibility, depending on the platform.
Tips to Grow Wealth with Fractional Shares
To make the most of your fractional investing experience:
- Invest Regularly: Set recurring investments weekly or monthly.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Choose companies with strong long-term performance.
- Use Goal-Based Investing Tools: Align your investments with personal milestones.
- Stay Educated: Read the latest news, attend webinars, and follow financial influencers responsibly.
As the financial world continues to evolve, remember that starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. Your $1 could be the beginning of a powerful, diversified, and disciplined investment strategy that serves you for decades.
FAQs
1. What is the Best Stock App for Fractional Shares in 2025?
The best stock app for fractional shares in 2025 is one that combines low fees, intuitive user experience, robust security, and the ability to invest with as little as $1. Based on market trends and user reviews, top contenders include Robinhood, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, SoFi Invest, and Public. These apps allow users to buy fractional shares of popular stocks like Apple, Tesla, and Amazon without needing to purchase full shares.
2. What are Fractional Shares and Why Should I Care?
Fractional shares allow you to own a portion of a stock, rather than a whole share. For example, if one share of Google costs $3,000, you can invest just $1 or $10 and own a fraction of that share. This feature is especially useful for beginners or small investors looking to diversify their portfolio without needing large amounts of capital.
3. Can I Really Start Investing with Just $1?
Yes, in 2025, many stock apps now support fractional investing starting at $1. This empowers users to start their investment journey with minimal risk while learning the ropes of stock market investing. Apps like Public and Robinhood are popular choices for such low minimum investments.
4. Is Investing in Fractional Shares Safe?
Investing in fractional shares is just as safe as investing in full shares, as long as you use a regulated and secure platform. Look for apps registered with FINRA and SIPC, which offer investor protection up to $500,000. Security features like 2FA and encryption are also standard on the best stock apps in 2025.
5. Which Apps Offer Fractional Shares for Big-Tech Stocks Like Amazon and Tesla?
Most leading apps offering fractional shares in 2025—such as Fidelity, Robinhood, Charles Schwab, and SoFi—provide access to high-priced, big-tech stocks including Amazon, Tesla, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. These apps make it easier to invest in premium stocks without needing thousands of dollars upfront.
6. Do I Pay Dividends on Fractional Shares?
Yes, if the stock you own pays dividends, you will receive a proportional dividend based on your fractional shareholding. For example, if you own 0.25 shares of Coca-Cola, and Coca-Cola pays a dividend of $1 per share, you would receive $0.25 in dividends.
7. What Are the Fees or Commissions for Fractional Share Trading?
Many of the best stock apps now offer commission-free trading even for fractional shares. It’s essential to check if the app charges hidden fees such as spreads, inactivity fees, or transfer fees. Apps like SoFi and Public are known for transparency and minimal costs.
8. Can I Sell My Fractional Shares Anytime?
Yes, most stock apps let you sell your fractional shares at any time during market hours, just like regular shares. Liquidity and execution time may vary slightly depending on the platform and stock liquidity.
9. Are There Any Tax Implications for Investing in Fractional Shares?
Absolutely. Fractional shares are still taxable investments. Any capital gains, dividends, or sales profits from your fractional shares must be reported to the IRS. Most best stock apps in 2025 offer automated tax forms (1099) to make filing easier.
10. Which App Is Best for Beginners Wanting to Start with Fractional Shares?
For beginners in 2025, apps like SoFi Invest, Robinhood, and Public stand out due to their user-friendly design, educational resources, and low entry barriers. They also allow auto-investing, customizable watchlists, and fractional trading with as little as $1, making them ideal for new investors.
