Most investing platforms used to require hundreds or thousands of dollars to open. These nine have brought that threshold under $50, spanning fractional real estate, robo-advisors, and full-service brokerages, with Ark7 ranked first for letting investors buy fractional shares of rental property and collect monthly rental-income distributions, something none of the stock and ETF apps on this list offer.
- Ark7 – fractional ownership of rental homes with monthly distributions
- Acorns – round-up based micro-investing into diversified ETF portfolios
- Betterment – automated ETF robo-advisory across Digital and Premium tiers
- Charles Schwab – full-service brokerage with $0 commission stock and ETF trades
- Groundfloor – real estate debt investments funded through individual property loans
- Interactive Brokers – global brokerage offering tiered per-share stock and ETF pricing
- M1 Finance – automated investing with dynamic portfolio rebalancing and margin loans
- SoFi Invest – self-directed and robo investing with fractional shares and IRAs
- Stash – subscription-based investing app with fractional shares and guided portfolios
| Platform | Asset Class / Investment Type | Income / Return Mechanism | App / User Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ark7 | Fractional shares in curated rental properties | Monthly rental distributions plus potential appreciation | Apple App Store 4.7; Trustpilot 4.1/5 |
| Acorns | Diversified ETF portfolios via round-ups | ETF market returns | Not published |
| Betterment | Automated ETF portfolios; robo-advisory | ETF portfolio returns; automated rebalancing | Not published |
| Charles Schwab | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, mutual funds | Market returns; dividends; interest | Not published |
| Groundfloor | Real estate debt (loans) | Not published | Not published |
| Interactive Brokers | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, fractional shares | Market returns; dividends; interest | Not published |
| M1 Finance | Stocks, ETFs (fractional); automated portfolio investing | Market returns; dividends; automated rebalancing | Not published |
| SoFi Invest | Stocks, ETFs, fractional shares, IPOs, IRAs | Market returns; dividends | Not published |
| Stash | Fractional stocks & ETFs; Smart Portfolio | Market returns; Stock-Back® Card rewards | Not published |
The rest of this guide breaks down what each platform actually does, what it costs, and where a $50 balance goes furthest.
Why Consider Investing Platforms Under $50?
A decade ago, opening a brokerage account usually meant writing a check for a few thousand dollars. That barrier has mostly disappeared. The global micro-investing app market was valued at USD 2.06 billion in 2024 and is projected to keep climbing through the next decade, a sign that small-balance investing has become a permanent category rather than a trend.
The appeal is straightforward: investing platforms under $50 let someone test a strategy, build a habit, or start a portfolio without waiting to save up a large sum first.
The tradeoff is that “under $50” covers very different products. Some platforms are ETF robo-advisors, some are full brokerages, some fund real estate debt, and at least one lets investors buy fractional shares of actual rental property. Picking the right one depends less on the entry price and more on what that money is actually buying.
Key Takeaways
- Asset class matters more than the minimum. Investing platforms under $50 span stocks, ETFs, robo-portfolios, and fractional real estate, so the first real decision is what you want to own, not just how little you can start with.
- Adoption is broad and young. The micro-investing app market has expanded rapidly, with adoption driven by the accessibility of low minimum thresholds.
- Recurring contributions are the norm. Automated, recurring investments are a common pattern among micro-investing platform users rather than one-time deposits.
- Ongoing fees matter more than entry fees. A flat monthly charge or an annual percentage fee can cost more over time than the amount it took to open the account.
- Liquidity rules differ sharply. Some platforms allow same-day trading, while real estate and debt-based platforms require a holding period before an investor can exit a position.
- Fractional ownership now extends beyond stocks. Ark7 applies the same fractional-share model used for ETFs to individual rental properties, starting at $20 per share with monthly distributions, a structure none of the stock-focused apps on this list offer.
New to passive real estate investing?
Explore Ark7 OpportunitiesWhat Should You Look for in a Platform Under $50?
A platform worth using with a small balance should score well on five things: the real minimum to start, the ongoing fee structure, how liquid the investment is, what you actually own, and whether the firm is registered the way it should be.
On that last point, regulation is not optional. The SEC defines a robo-adviser as an automated digital investment advisory program that lets individual investors create and manage accounts through a web portal or app. Such programs may require lower minimums than traditional advisers. Firms offering these services are expected to register with the SEC or a state securities authority.
Core criteria to weigh:
- True minimum to start, not just the marketing headline (some platforms quote a round-up threshold rather than a lump-sum minimum)
- Fee structure: flat monthly fee, percentage-of-assets fee, per-trade commission, or none of the above
- Liquidity: can you sell on demand, or is there a required holding period
- What you’re buying: shares of a stock/ETF, a managed portfolio, a loan, or a fractional stake in a physical asset
- Regulatory status: is the offering SEC-qualified, and who is the broker-dealer of record
Top Investing Platforms Under $50 in 2026
The nine platforms below all let someone start investing for less than $50, but the mechanics behind that number vary considerably.
1. Ark7
Ark7 is a real estate investment platform that lets investors buy fractional shares of curated rental properties rather than shares of a stock or ETF. Offerings are qualified under SEC Regulation A+, and the sale of securities is facilitated through Dalmore Group LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC.
Mechanically, Ark7 combines artificial intelligence with local real estate expertise to source, lease, and manage each property. Investors who buy shares receive monthly rental-income distributions directly to their account. Shares can be sold after a minimum holding period, with properties typically held long-term for appreciation. Ark7 currently operates in 10 markets and is expanding nationally.
Ark7 holds a small percentage of funds to cover property sourcing and management expenses, deducted from rental income before distributions are paid out, rather than a recurring charge on the amount invested. There is no ongoing assets-under-management fee. IRA account fee details are available in-app or by contacting Ark7 directly.
On performance transparency. Independent reviewer Finder puts Ark7’s Trustpilot score at 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 224 customer reviews, and notes that reviews lean favorable, with customers praising the platform’s customer service and its straightforward approach to real estate investing.
What sets Ark7 apart
- $20 per-share minimum, far below the cost of buying a property outright
- Monthly distributions paid directly from rental income, not dependent on selling shares
- No ongoing AUM fee: a one-time 3% sourcing fee plus a property-management fee deducted from rental income, rather than a recurring percentage of invested capital
- 4.7 rating on the Apple App Store, with a 4.1/5 Trustpilot score from independent reviewers
- 24/7 legal and financial disclosure for every property
Real estate has historically required significant capital and hands-on management to access. Fractional platforms like Ark7 are part of a broader shift that lets everyday investors hold a stake in physical property the same way they already buy fractional shares of a stock.
How to buy your first Ark7 share
New investors can review available properties and their disclosures before committing any money. Browse Properties on Ark7 to see current offerings starting at $20 per share.
2. Acorns
Acorns is a round-up based micro-investing app that links to a user’s debit or credit cards, rounds up everyday purchases, and automatically invests the difference into a diversified portfolio of ETFs, functioning like a robo-advisor once money is in the account.
According to NerdWallet, Acorns starts investing once accumulated round-ups reach at least $5, though users can also make lump-sum deposits rather than waiting on round-ups alone.
Key Features
- Automatic round-up investing from linked cards
- Diversified ETF portfolio construction
- Robo-advisor style automatic rebalancing
- Option to make lump-sum deposits outside of round-ups
Pricing
Acorns charges a monthly subscription fee for its service; current tier pricing is published on Acorns’ own pricing page.
3. Betterment
Betterment is an automated investing platform offering ETF-based portfolios through a Digital tier and a higher-touch Premium tier, aimed at investors who want portfolio management handled for them.
Per Betterment’s pricing page, Betterment Digital costs $5 per month unless the customer qualifies for a 0.25% annual rate through a $200 or more monthly recurring deposit or a $24,000 or more balance. Standard investment portfolios carry no minimum balance. Betterment Premium costs 0.65% annually and requires a $100,000 minimum eligible investment balance.
Key Features
- Digital and Premium automated portfolio tiers
- ETF-based diversified investing
- Cash management tools
- Recurring deposit options to qualify for lower fees
- No minimum balance for standard investing accounts
Pricing
$5/month or 0.25% annually (Digital, conditions apply); 0.65% annually for Premium with a $100,000 minimum balance.
4. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab provides brokerage, banking, and financial advisory services, spanning self-directed investing, active trading through thinkorswim®, automated investing, and full wealth management, accessible through Schwab.com, thinkorswim® platforms, Schwab Mobile, and Schwab APIs.
Schwab’s own pricing page states a $0 minimum deposit for active investing, while Schwab Intelligent Portfolios requires $5,000, and standard Schwab brokerage accounts carry no account fees and charge $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades.
Key Features
- $0 online commissions on listed stocks and ETFs
- thinkorswim® desktop, web, and mobile trading platforms
- $0 options base commission plus $0.65 per contract
- Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® with $0 trades on thousands of funds
- 24/7 phone support and physical branch access
Pricing
$0 online commissions on stocks and ETFs; $0.65 per options contract; $2.25 per futures contract; no account or trade minimums for standard brokerage accounts; $5,000 minimum for Schwab Intelligent Portfolios.
5. Groundfloor
Groundfloor is a real estate debt investing platform. Rather than buying ownership shares in a property, investors fund individual short-term real estate loans and earn a return as those loans are repaid.
Business Insider reports that Groundfloor can list a $10 investment minimum but still require $100 to invest in practice, and that additional loan service fees may apply.
Key Features
- Loan-by-loan selection for real estate debt investments
- Short-term loan terms tied to individual properties
- Fixed-income style return structure
- Access to individual deals rather than pooled funds
Pricing
$10 minimum listed, though $100 may be required to invest in practice; additional loan service fees may apply.
6. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a global broker offering trading across stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and forex through multiple platforms, including Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, and IBKR GlobalTrader.
NerdWallet reports that Interactive Brokers offers fractional-share trading on more than 10,500 stocks and ETFs with a $0.01 minimum.
Key Features
- IBKR Lite and Pro pricing tiers
- Fractional-share trading on 10,500+ stocks and ETFs
- Global market access across multiple asset classes
- Trader Workstation (TWS) for active traders
- Recurring investment feature for fractional-share accounts
Pricing
Per Interactive Brokers’ own pricing page, IBKR Lite charges $0.00 for US-listed stocks and ETFs (US residents only); IBKR Pro Fixed charges $0.005 per share; IBKR Pro Tiered charges $0.0005 to $0.0035 per share; minimum order fees apply.
7. M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a money-management platform that combines automated investing with dynamic portfolio rebalancing, margin loans, and high-yield cash accounts in a single app.
Key Features
- Automated investing with dynamic rebalancing
- Custom portfolio construction (“pies”)
- M1 Margin Loans, available on accounts with at least $2,000 invested
- Individual and Joint High-Yield Cash Accounts
- Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRA support
Pricing
Standard account pricing is not publicly available; per M1 Finance’s own pricing page, M1 Margin Loans require a minimum of $2,000 invested per account and are not available for retirement or custodial accounts.
8. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest offers both self-directed and automated investing, along with retirement accounts, stock trading, IPO investing, fractional shares, and ETFs under one account.
ConsumerAffairs reports that SoFi Automated Investing requires $1 to open, while SoFi Active Investing has no minimum.
Key Features
- Self-Directed Investing and Robo Investing
- Retirement accounts (IRAs)
- IPO investing access
- Fractional shares and ETFs
Pricing
$1 to open Automated Investing; $0 minimum for Active Investing. Detailed fee schedules are published on SoFi’s pricing page.
9. Stash
Stash is a digital financial advisor and investing app that provides a personalized investment plan, fractional shares, and a Smart Portfolio option alongside banking and budgeting tools.
Key Features
- Personalized investment plan
- Fractional shares and a Smart Portfolio option
- Brokerage, retirement, and custodial accounts for kids
- Stock-Back® Card rewards
- 24/7 financial guidance
Pricing
Per Stash’s own pricing page, the plan costs $12/month or $108 billed annually (a 25% savings versus monthly); a 0.25% annual AUM fee applies to Smart Portfolios and Managed Retirement Accounts with balances of $1,000 or more.
How Far Does $50 Really Go on Each Platform?
The $50 threshold means very different things depending on the platform. A fixed per-share or per-contribution minimum determines how much of your money is actually put to work on day one versus how much flexibility you get.
Published minimums across comparable apps:
- Ark7: $20 per share
- SoFi: $1 to open Automated Investing, according to ConsumerAffairs
- Interactive Brokers: $0.01 minimum for fractional shares on 10,500+ stocks and ETFs
- Acorns: round-ups accumulate to at least $5 before investing, per NerdWallet
- Fidelity and Robinhood: Kiplinger reports a $10 minimum for Fidelity and a $50 minimum for Robinhood in its comparison; by contrast, Ark7 lets investors buy fractional shares of a rental property starting at $20 per share with monthly income distributions
At $50, a stock or ETF investor can typically buy fractional shares across several holdings, while an Ark7 investor can buy two full $20 shares of a single rental property with $10 left over, or spread a slightly larger deposit across more than one property as funds allow.
Other Low-Minimum Platforms Worth Knowing
Very low or $0 minimums are now common across traditional stock and ETF brokerages. This is part of why asset class, not entry price, has become the more useful way to compare options.
What to Know Before You Invest a Small Balance
Small-balance investing carries a few mechanical realities worth understanding before you start, regardless of which platform you choose.
SmartAsset notes that returns from micro-investing may not be substantial enough to meaningfully affect long-term financial goals unless contributions increase significantly over time. It also points out that fees that look small in isolation can be disproportionately high relative to a small account balance, which is why flat monthly fees deserve as much scrutiny as the headline minimum.
On the regulatory side, the SEC notes that robo-advisers typically register as investment advisers and must file Form ADV like traditional advisers, which gives investors a way to check a platform’s registration status before committing funds. Ark7’s offerings, for comparison, are SEC Regulation A+ qualified, with securities issued electronically and sold through Dalmore Group LLC, a FINRA- and SIPC-member broker-dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start investing with $50?
Yes, $50 is enough to open an account on nearly every platform in this category, including Ark7, where $50 covers two full $20 shares of a rental property with $10 remaining. Several stock and ETF apps also accept deposits well under $50, including options with $0 or $1 minimums.
What is the best investing platform for beginners with little money?
The best platform for a beginner with little money depends on what they want to own. For fractional real estate with monthly income, Ark7 starts at $20 per share with no ongoing AUM fee. Several robo-advisors on this list accept $0 to $1 to open an account for ETF-based portfolios. The most important step is matching the asset class to the goal before comparing minimums.
Which investing app has no minimum deposit?
Several brokerage platforms list a $0 account minimum on their own pricing pages, including Charles Schwab for standard brokerage accounts and SoFi for Active Investing. A $0 minimum to open an account is different from a $0 minimum to buy a specific asset, so check both numbers before funding an account.
Do investing apps charge monthly fees?
Some do and some don’t. Stash charges $12 per month, Betterment Digital charges $5 per month unless a recurring deposit or balance threshold is met, and Ark7 charges no ongoing monthly or AUM fee, instead using a one-time sourcing fee and a fee deducted from rental income.
Is it better to invest $50 in stocks or ETFs?
Neither is inherently better; the right choice depends on whether you want exposure to a single company or broad diversification. ETFs spread $50 across many holdings in one purchase, while individual stocks concentrate that same $50 in one company, and fractional shares now make both accessible at this price point.
Are investing apps safe?
Safety depends on registration status more than the app itself. The SEC notes that robo-advisers and investment-advisory programs are generally required to register with the SEC or state securities authorities and file Form ADV, so checking a platform’s registration and broker-dealer of record is a reasonable first step before investing.
What is the difference between a brokerage account and a robo-advisor?
A brokerage account lets you choose and trade individual securities yourself, while a robo-advisor builds and manages a portfolio for you. The SEC describes a robo-adviser as an automated digital investment advisory program that typically uses an online questionnaire to gather your goals and risk tolerance before building that portfolio.
Starting with less than $50 no longer limits what kind of investor you can be. Whether that means a diversified ETF portfolio, a managed robo-advisor account, or a fractional stake in a rental property paying monthly distributions, the entry price is rarely the deciding factor anymore. Create Your Free Account on Ark7 to see current rental properties available from $20 per share.
Can you make passive income with a small investment?
Yes. Ark7 offers monthly rental-income distributions to investors starting at $20 per share, making it one of the few platforms under $50 that generates recurring passive income rather than requiring a sale to realize a return. Stock dividend payments on most other platforms in this list depend on the individual securities held.
Real estate investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
