The best online investing platforms under $20 in 2026 are Ark7, Fidelity, Fidelity Go, Betterment, Public, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, Stash, Fundrise, and RealtyMogul, with Ark7 listed first for its $20 minimum share price and monthly rental-income distributions.
- Ark7 – fractional shares in curated rental homes starting at $20 per share
- Fidelity – full-service brokerage with $0 account fees and $0 commissions
- Fidelity Go – robo-advisor charging 0% advisory fee under $25,000 in assets
- Betterment – robo-advisor with no minimum balance and a 0.25% annual fee
- Public – fractional-share trading app with tiered per-order fees
- J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing – brokerage account that opens with $1
- Stash – bundled investing, banking, and budgeting app for a flat monthly fee
- Fundrise – real estate investment funds with a $10 taxable-account minimum
- RealtyMogul – private commercial real estate platform that is free to join
| Platform | Distribution Frequency | Mobile App Rating | IRA / Retirement Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ark7 | Monthly distributions | 4.7 (Apple App Store) | Not published |
| Fidelity | Not published | Not published | Yes (Roth IRA; $0 fee) |
| Fidelity Go | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Betterment | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Fundrise | Quarterly dividends (not guaranteed) | Not published | Yes; $1,000 minimum |
| RealtyMogul | Quarterly (Income REIT; not guaranteed) | Not published | Not published |
| Stash | Not published | Not published | Yes; $0.01 minimum |
The list below breaks down what each platform actually charges, who it works for, and how a $20 budget stretches across asset classes from single stocks to individual rental properties.
You Don’t Need Much Money to Start, But You Do Need to Read the Fine Print
A twenty-dollar bill used to buy a cup of coffee and a tip. Today it is enough to open a brokerage account, join a robo-advisor, or buy a fractional share in a rental property. The market built around small-balance investing has grown fast.
The micro-investing market has pulled in everything from traditional brokerages waiving minimums to robo-advisors automating ETF portfolios to platforms like Ark7 that let investors buy fractional shares of individual rental homes starting at $20 per share.
The hard part isn’t finding a platform that accepts $20. It’s figuring out what that $20 actually buys, what gets charged after the account is open, and whether the asset class fits your goal. The guide below compares nine platforms side by side on minimums, fees, account types, and what happens to your money once it’s invested.
Key Takeaways
- A low minimum isn’t the same as low cost. Several platforms accept $0 to open an account, but advisory fees, subscription fees, and fund expense ratios still apply once money is invested.
- Asset class matters more than the price tag. $20 in a brokerage account buys a few shares of stock; $20 on Ark7 buys a fractional share of an actual rental property that pays monthly distributions.
- Monthly fees compound against small balances. A monthly fee can materially damage returns on a small account, according to FINRA, even when the dollar figure looks minor.
- Fractional shares carry mechanical limits. Some firms do not guarantee the liquidity of fractional shares even when whole shares of the same stock trade freely. Fractional positions generally cannot be transferred to another brokerage without selling first.
- Account type changes the real minimum. A taxable brokerage account and an IRA on the same platform often carry different minimums and fee structures.
- Real estate platforms distribute income differently than brokerages. Ark7 pays distributions monthly, while fund-based real estate platforms typically distribute quarterly and publish no fixed schedule.
New to passive real estate investing?
Explore Ark7 OpportunitiesComparison Overview: Investing Platforms Under $20
The table below lays out minimum investment, fee structure, asset class, and account support across selected platforms covered in this guide.
| Dimension | Ark7 | Betterment | Fidelity | Fidelity Basket Portfolios | Fidelity Go | Fundrise | RealtyMogul | Stash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | $20/share | $0 | $0 | Not published | $0 | $10 (taxable); $1,000 (retirement) | $5,000 (REIT); $25,000-$50,000 (commercial) | $0.01 (brokerage/retirement); $5 (Smart Portfolio) |
| Fee Structure | Small percentage of funds held to cover property sourcing and management expenses, with no hidden fees; no AUM fee | 0.25% annual AUM; or $5/mo (balances under $24,000 under specified conditions) | $0 account fee; $0 commissions on online U.S. stocks/ETFs | Not published | $0 under $25,000; 0.35%/yr at $25,000+ | 0.15% advisory + 0.85% mgmt/yr (real estate funds) | Free to join; investment-specific fees vary by offering | $12/mo or $108/yr; 0.25% AUM/yr (Smart Portfolio at $1,000+) |
| Asset Class | Fractional shares of individual rental properties | ETF portfolios | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, IRAs, HSA, 529 | Customized stock/ETF baskets | Managed ETF portfolios | Real estate funds, venture capital, private credit | Private commercial real estate | Stocks, ETFs, fractional shares; managed Smart Portfolio |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Quarterly (not guaranteed) | Quarterly (not guaranteed) | Not published |
| Liquidity | Sellable after minimum holding period | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Liquidity varies by fund; subject to terms and limitations. | Not easily sold or traded | Not published |
How We Evaluated These Platforms
Real estate platforms and brokerages aren’t judged the same way, so this roundup draws on an established framework before comparing specifics. NerdWallet’s 2026 real estate investment platform methodology awards the highest rating to platforms requiring $500 or less to start and the lowest to platforms requiring $25,000 or more, and it gives the highest score to providers charging no investment fee and the lowest to those charging more than 3%.
For brokerages and robo-advisors, the comparable factors are account minimums, advisory or subscription fees, and whether fractional shares are available at all. A separate 2026 estimate found that individual users represent approximately 85% of the global micro-investing-platform market, with minimum thresholds across the category ranging from $0 to $5.
This guide focuses on platforms where investors directly open an account and hold an asset. It does not cover simulated trading-challenge programs, such as proprietary firms offering demo accounts in CFDs and futures, since those products work differently from a retail investing or ownership account.
Top Online Investing Platforms Under $20
1. Ark7
Ark7 is a real estate investment platform that lets investors buy fractional shares in individual rental properties rather than pooling money into a fund.
The platform uses a hybrid model of automated sourcing combined with local property management to handle leasing, maintenance, and tenant relations, so investors receive distributions without taking on landlord responsibilities. Properties are typically held long-term, and investors can sell their shares after a minimum holding period or hold for appreciation.
What sets Ark7 apart:
- Monthly distributions. Investors receive passive income paid out every month, rather than quarterly, directly to their account.
- No ongoing AUM fee. Ark7 holds a small percentage of funds to cover property sourcing and management expenses, with no annual asset-management fee layered on top.
- Property-level transparency. Each investment is a specific, named rental home with its own financial and legal disclosures, not a blended fund.
- $20 entry point. Shares start at $20, giving investors a way to own a fraction of an individual property without a five- or six-figure down payment.
- Mobile-first access. Ark7 carries a 4.7 rating on the Apple App Store.
Ark7’s $20 entry point is built for a specific asset class: direct ownership in an individual rental property, not a pooled fund or an ETF share. That distinction matters because a $20 real estate share and a $20 stock purchase behave very differently once the money is invested, something the comparison sections below cover in more detail.
Getting started: Opening an account takes a few minutes, and new investors can browse current property listings before committing any money. Browse Properties to see which rental homes are currently open for fractional investment.
2. Fidelity
Fidelity is a full-service brokerage offering brokerage, Roth IRA, HSA, and 529 accounts alongside fractional-share investing.
Key Features
- $0 account fees and $0 minimums to open a retail brokerage account, including IRAs, per Fidelity’s pricing page
- $0 commissions on online U.S. stock and ETF trades
- Fractional-share investing available for building small positions in individual stocks
- Access to a dedicated advisor relationship for broader wealth management needs
Pricing No account fees or minimums; $0 commission on online U.S. stock and ETF trades; options trades cost $0.65 per contract, per Fidelity’s own fee schedule.
3. Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go is Fidelity’s automated, robo-advisor product that builds and manages a portfolio based on an investor’s stated goals and risk tolerance.
Key Features
- No minimum account balance required to open
- Hands-off portfolio management with no trading, transaction, or rebalancing fees
- Automatic rebalancing as market conditions shift
- Goal-based onboarding questionnaire to set the initial strategy
Pricing No advisory fee for balances under $25,000; 0.35% annually for balances of $25,000 or more, per Fidelity’s own FAQ.
4. Betterment
Betterment is a robo-advisor that builds diversified ETF portfolios for investors who prefer automated management over picking individual stocks.
Key Features
- No minimum balance required to open an account
- Automated ETF portfolio construction and rebalancing
- Goal-based planning tools for retirement and general investing
- Alternative flat monthly pricing option for smaller balances
Pricing No minimum balance, with an annual account fee of 0.25% of the fund balance. Investors can also start with $10 and pay $5 per month for balances up to $24,000 under specified conditions.
5. Public
Public is a trading app offering fractional shares of stocks and other assets, with pricing that varies by order type and account tier.
Key Features
- Free trades of exchange-listed stocks during market hours for all users
- Fractional-share purchases on supported securities
- Tiered fee schedule for after-hours trades, OTC stocks, and multi-asset plan orders
Pricing According to NerdWallet’s review, Public’s multi-asset investment plan trades run from $0.49 to $1.99 for free-tier users depending on order size, while after-hours and OTC trades cost $2.99.
6. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is a brokerage account integrated with J.P. Morgan’s broader banking products, aimed at investors who want to trade stocks and ETFs without a dedicated advisor.
Key Features
- Commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
- Access to fractional shares for building small positions
- Integration with existing J.P. Morgan banking relationships
- Beginner-oriented account setup with built-in educational content
Pricing Customers can start trading with $1, with no minimum deposit required to open the account.
7. Stash
Stash is a digital financial app that combines investing, banking, retirement, and budgeting tools under a single subscription, built for long-term investing rather than day-trading.
Key Features
- Choice between self-directed stock and ETF picks or a managed Smart Portfolio
- Fractional-share investing for building positions with small amounts
- Budgeting and banking tools bundled into the same app
- Retirement account option alongside the taxable brokerage account
Pricing A flat monthly fee of $12, or $108 billed annually, per Stash’s pricing page. Stash also charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more, and requires a $5 minimum for the Smart Portfolio or $0.01 for brokerage and retirement accounts.
8. Fundrise
Fundrise is a real estate investment platform structured around pooled funds rather than individual property selection, covering real estate, venture capital, and private credit.
Key Features
- Taxable accounts open with a low entry threshold; retirement accounts require more
- Diversified exposure to multiple properties or assets within a single fund
- Quarterly cash-flow distributions, where applicable, though not guaranteed
- Quarterly liquidity option at the platform level, subject to applicable terms
Pricing According to Forbes Advisor, Fundrise permits investments starting at approximately $10 for taxable accounts, with retirement accounts requiring a $1,000 minimum. Fundrise charges a 0.15% annual advisory fee plus an additional 0.85% annual management fee on its real estate funds, per Fundrise’s own fee disclosure.
9. RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul is a platform offering access to private commercial real estate investments, including REITs and individual deals sourced from outside real estate companies.
Key Features
- Free to join and browse available offerings
- Access to both pooled REIT products and individual deal-specific investments
- Investment-specific fees set by each real estate company offering a deal, not a flat platform fee
- Quarterly distribution target for its Income REIT product, not guaranteed
Pricing Joining and using the platform is free, per RealtyMogul’s FAQ; specific investments list minimums of $5,000 for certain REIT options and $25,000 to $50,000 for typical commercial deals.
Fees Beyond the Advertised $0 Commission
A $0 commission headline rarely tells the whole story. Brokerages can still charge for options contracts, margin interest, or paper statements, and robo-advisors layer an annual advisory fee on top of whatever the underlying ETFs already cost.
FINRA has noted that apps may charge fees beyond trading commissions, including premium-service, transfer, and paper-statement charges, and that a monthly subscription fee can erode returns on a small balance even when the number looks small.
Real estate platforms carry a different fee shape entirely. Ark7 holds a small percentage of funds to cover property sourcing and management expenses with no hidden fees, and charges no ongoing AUM fee on invested capital. Fund-based real estate platforms like Fundrise instead layer an advisory fee plus a separate management fee that recurs every year regardless of performance. Before opening any account, it’s worth mapping out the total annual cost at a realistic balance, not just the cost of the first trade.
Minimum Deposits, Fractional Shares, and Account Safety
A $0 minimum and enough to build a real portfolio are two different numbers. Without fractional shares, one full share of some stocks costs hundreds of dollars even when the account minimum is zero.
The minimum-deposit gap is solved by fractional shares, but they come with mechanical trade-offs. Fractional positions generally cannot be transferred to another brokerage without selling first. Brokerages also differ in how they execute fractional orders. Some brokerages aggregate customer orders throughout the day before filling them as whole-share blocks. This can affect the price an investor actually pays or receives. Fractional shares are also typically restricted to regular market hours, with no pre-market or after-hours access, and fractional shareholders may not carry voting rights.
None of this makes fractional investing unsafe, but it does mean a $20 fractional-share order and a $20 whole-share order aren’t functionally identical.
Brokerage Accounts vs. Robo-Advisors vs. Fractional Real Estate
A self-directed brokerage account puts the investor in charge of every trade, with account minimums and commissions varying by platform. A robo-advisor automates portfolio construction and rebalancing in exchange for an annual advisory fee, generally without the investor picking individual securities. Both models typically deal in stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds, meaning the underlying asset is a security tied to a company or a basket of companies.
Fractional real estate investing works differently at the asset level. Instead of buying a slice of a publicly traded security, an investor buys shares in a property-specific Ark7 Properties series whose offering is tied to that rental property’s income and potential appreciation.
The account mechanics (how you deposit money and view your balance) look similar across all three models, but what that money is actually invested in, and how income flows back to the investor, differs substantially.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Goals
Start with the account type you actually need. A taxable brokerage account, a Roth IRA, and a custodial account often carry different minimums and fee waivers even on the same platform, so check the specific account type before assuming a $0 headline minimum applies.
Next, separate the entry price from the ongoing cost. A platform with a $0 minimum can still carry an annual advisory fee or a flat monthly subscription that adds up over a year. Compare total annual cost at a realistic balance, such as $1,000 or $5,000. Headline minimums alone do not capture what you will actually pay.
Finally, match the platform to the asset class you want. Stocks and ETFs behave differently from individual rental properties in terms of income frequency, liquidity, and transparency into the underlying asset. Ark7’s monthly distribution schedule and property-level disclosure work well for investors who want to know exactly which asset their money is tied to. Brokerage and robo-advisor accounts suit investors focused on building a diversified securities portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start investing with $20?
Yes, several platforms accept $20 or less to begin.
Which investing apps let you start with $1?
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing allows customers to begin trading with just $1, with no separate minimum deposit required to open the account. Other platforms set their entry point higher, ranging from $10 to $20 depending on the asset class.
Do commission-free investing apps really have no fees?
Not entirely. Commission-free trading removes the per-trade charge, but platforms can still apply advisory fees, subscription fees, fund expense ratios, or options-contract fees. FINRA notes that apps may charge fees beyond trading commissions, including premium-service and transfer fees, so reviewing the full fee schedule still matters.
Is it worth paying a monthly fee to invest?
It depends on the account balance and the value received for the fee. FINRA warns that a monthly fee can materially damage returns on a small account, even when the dollar amount looks minor, so a flat subscription fee is worth weighing against what the platform actually delivers at your balance size.
Are fractional shares safe?
Fractional shares are a legitimate way to invest small amounts, but they carry mechanical limits worth knowing. Fractional positions generally can’t be transferred to another brokerage without selling first, and they are often restricted to regular market hours, according to investor.gov.
What is the best investment app for beginners?
The right choice depends on the goal, since beginners should prioritize low or no minimums, clear fee disclosure, and an asset class they understand. Several brokerages publish $0 account minimums, while Ark7 offers fractional real estate shares starting at $20 with monthly distributions and full property-level disclosure.
What investment app is best for passive investors?
Passive investors generally want income or growth that doesn’t require active trading decisions. Robo-advisors automate ETF portfolio rebalancing for a recurring fee, while Ark7 pays monthly distributions, when available, from rental properties without requiring the investor to manage tenants, maintenance, or leasing.
Choosing a platform under $20 ultimately comes down to what that $20 is buying: a few shares of a stock, a slice of an automated ETF portfolio, or direct, fractional ownership in a specific rental property. Create Your Free Account on Ark7 to see which curated rental properties are currently open for investment.
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.
