It’s infinitely easier to start investing today than it was just even five years ago. And you don’t need a broker on the phone, large piles of money or a finance degree from an elite university to get in on the game — what you do need is a smartphone, internet access and the right app.
In this guide, we’ll review some of the best investment apps beginners can use across four popular markets: US, UK, Canada and Nigeria.
Quick reminder: This is education, not advice for anyone’s finances. As always, invest money only you can afford to leave alone for a while and do your own research.
What to Consider in a Beginner-Friendly Investment App
No matter where you live, a great app for beginners should contain:
- Regulation & Safety — Make sure the company is regulated (SEC, FCA, IIROC etc.) and uses standard security (encryption, 2FA).
- Low fees — High commissions and other hidden charges quietly erode your returns. Many of the new apps now offer commission-free trades and their fee structures are transparent.
- Low minimums — Ability to start with a little and fractional shares, so you’re not buying whole shares of expensive companies like Apple or Tesla.
- Easy to use – Clean app experience, simple onboarding to have everything setup quick and a clear impression of the portfolio.
- Education & content — Articles, explainers or tools that teach you what you are doing.
- Local compatibility – Works in your country, supports your currency and payment methods, (ideally) offers tax-efficient account types where applicable (e.g., ISAs in the UK / RRSP/TFSA in Canada).
Now let’s take a close look on the most such and top apps by region and their use-case.
Bamboo – Nigerians Buying Shares in US & Nigerian companies
Best for: Nigerians looking to access American stocks and Nigerian stocks on the same app.
Bamboo offers Africans live access to investments in the US stock market, as well as a number of other global investment opportunities, while also providing exposure to certain Nigerian stocks.
Key features
- Purchase hundreds of US and Nigerian stocks from your phone.
- Easy registration for Nigerians (e.g. NIN + contact details, etc; no complex KYC).
- Not regulated in Nigeria and not affiliated with any United States broker, with SIPC coverage on US trades (up to $500,000 limit).
Why beginners like it
- The interface is very intuitive if you’re used to banking/fintech apps.
- You start with relatively small dollar amounts and work your way up to a portfolio.
- Big if your income is in Naira, but you want assets priced in dollars.
Things to watch
- Currency conversion and funding/withdrawal fees can accumulate over time.
- You’re primarily interested in stocks & ETFs — no managed portfolios or robust financial planning tools.
Trove - Invest in Stocks with as Little as 1,000 Naira
Best for: Nigerians that need more than stocks (bonds, ETFs and mutual funds etc.).
Trove is a Nigerian investment app that provides access to fractional US, Nigerian and Chinese stocks, bonds, mutual funds,and exchange traded funds (ETFs), with the goal of making investing simple and social.
Key features
- Ability to work with different asset types (it’s not just stocks).
- Fractional investing, so you can buy a piece of pricey shares.
- Virtual in-app cards and a cash account within a “vault” to control funds and spending.
Why beginners like it
- Awesome if you want to create a diversified portfolio (ie: bonds & stocks).
- The app delivers educational content and community.
Things to watch
- As with any broker, verify all fees (FX, cashouts, inactivity) before going all-in.
- There are lots of assets to chose from; it’s overwhelming — but keep it simple.
Chipper Invest (through Chipper Cash) – Stocks + Payments Together
Best for: Africans who already use Chipper Cash to make payments and want to start investing.
Chipper Cash, it’s worth noting is famous for cross-border payments; Chipper Stocks lets you invest in fractional global stocks from as little as $1.
Key features
- Invest in international stocks such as Google, Visa, Walmart and others.
- Initial investment: From $1, in fractional shares.
- Charges commission of about 0.75% on buy/sell orders, no fee simply for owning stocks.
Why beginners like it
- If you’re already sending cash with Chipper Cash, then investing via the same app might feel intuitive.
- Extremely low start amount (so you can test the waters).
Things to watch
- Not a full-fledged wealth manager — you may have to take some things off their plate.
- Availability and features may vary by country, so check what’s supported where you live.
Risevest – Auto Dollar Investments for Nigerians
Best for: Nigerians who prefer hands-off, dollar-denominated investments.
Risevest is a digital wealth manager that aims to enable more Africans, particularly Nigerians, to invest in dollar-denominated assets including US stocks, real estate and fixed income.
Key features
- Curated portfolios in three primary asset classes: US stocks, fixed income and real estate.
- Everything is in USD, aiming to allow users beating inflation and currency devaluation.
- Automated investing — come up with a plan, fund it periodically, and leave the work to professional portfolio managers.
Why beginners like it
- You don’t select individual stocks; you select a goal and your appetite for risk, then Rise takes it from there.
- Perfect for those who have an inkling they should invest but would rather not muck around with picking stocks.
Things to watch
- Management fees are in place (you’re paying for professional management).
- Less control over individual holdings — good for most beginners, less desirable for those who intend to actively trade.
PiggyVest Investify – Piggyvest Investments in Nigeria With Low Risk
Recommended for: Nigerians that are using PiggyVest already as a savings app and want to start investing gradually.
PiggyVest is best known for its savings app, but the Investify feature provides access to pre-vetted, low-to-medium risk investment opportunities with relatively low minimums.
Key features
- Access to banked investment opportunities (such as agriculture, fixed income -type product).
- Set up to invest easily with small amounts of money and no complicated set-up.
- On every deal, PiggyVest pays really good attention to due diligence and transparent fees.
Why beginners like it
- Perfect “bridge” from regular saving to full-on stock market investing.
- There is generally less risk than with pure stock picking (although nothing is without some risk).
Things to watch
- For a period, taxable deals may lock up an investor’s money.
- Your investments are limited to individual opportunities, not a global portfolio.
Binance – Cryptocurrency for Dummies (Use with Caution!)
Best for: Beginners who know what type of cryptocurrency they want to invest in and would like an easy-to-use platform outside the US.
Binance has grown to become one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchangers with a vast range of supported crypto currencies and trading volumes, servicing over 200+ Million users around the world.
Key features
- Trade 350+ cryptos with low trading fees.
- Tons of earning options (staking, savings, P2P, etc.).
- Available in Nigeria (services can change when it comes to regulation), and another Binance. US platform is for US residents.
Why beginners like it
- Huge ecosystem and liquidity.
- The app has a “beginner mode” and plenty of educational material on crypto.
Things to watch
- Crypto is high risk and highly volatile.
- Rules about what you can do with Bitcoin and other crypto assets are subject to change — always check your country’s laws.
Robinhood – Investing, No Fees (United States)
Best for: Beginners in the US, particularly those who want a very simple, low-cost introduction to true investing.
Robinhood was instrumental in popularizing commission-free trading in the United States.
Key features
- Commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs and options.
- Easy-to-use mobile app and web interface.
- Fractional shares, recurring investments and extended-hours trading.
Why beginners like it
- Clean, minimalist interface.
- Ideal for small accounts with few or no trading commissions.
Things to watch
- Options and margin trading can be risky.
- Read up on payment for order flow and how the company makes money.
Wealthsimple Trade – Commission-Free Stock Trading in Canada
Best for: Canadians who want commission-free stock and ETF trading with a modern app.
Key features
- $0 commission trading on Canadian stocks and ETFs.
- Fractional shares for as little as $1.
- Bundled robo-adviser portfolios and cash accounts.
Why beginners like it
- Super user friendly.
- Can manage DIY investing and managed portfolios under one brand.
Things to watch
- FX fees on US trades can be significant.
- Even $0 commission doesn’t mean $0 cost.
Freetrade – Invest Commission-Free in the UK
Best for: UK-based beginners who want a low-cost way to access stocks and ETFs.
Key features
- Commission-free trading of 6,000+ stocks and ETFs.
- General Investment Account, Stock and Share ISA or SIPP.
- Awarded best beginners platform in the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2020.
Why beginners like it
- App is very clean, great for small portfolios.
- Ability to invest tax-efficiently through ISAs.
Things to watch
- FX fees may apply when buying non-GBP assets.
- Some features require a paid subscription.
Trading 212 – Commission Free App for UK and Europe
Best for: UK/EU beginners seeking easy access to ‘advanced’ trades later.
Key features
- Free unlimited commission trades on stocks & ETFs.
- Interest on uninvested cash.
- Fractional shares and automated “Pies.”
Why beginners like it
- Easy to start small.
- Automation makes diversified investing simpler.
Things to watch
- CFDs are offered — beginners should avoid them.
- All investments carry risk.
Also read Real Ways to Make Money Online in 2025: What’s Working, What’s Changing, and How Anyone Can Start
Quick Picks by Country
Nigeria
- Hands-off, dollar portfolios: Risevest
- US & Nigerian stocks: Bamboo, Trove
- Small-ticket, vetted deals: PiggyVest Investify
- Payments + stocks: Chipper
- Crypto only: Binance
United States
- Pure beginner stock/ETF trading: Robinhood
Canada
- Everything in one place: Wealthsimple
United Kingdom
- Simple, beginner-friendly: Freetrade
- Next-level beginners: Trading 212
Last Words Before You Download Anything
- Begin small — nothing wrong with learning using minimal amounts.
- Stay away from leverage & complicated products — avoid options, CFDs, margin, futures.
- Automate if you can — monthly auto-invest helps build long-term habits.
- Don’t chase hype — hype fades, long-term goals don’t.
