In today’s digital age, teens are more tech-savvy and financially aware than ever before. With access to smartphones, social media, and online banking, young individuals are starting to explore investing early—an essential step toward long-term financial independence.
Thanks to a wave of innovative financial apps, investing is no longer limited to adults. There are now investment apps specifically designed for teens, offering easy-to-use platforms, educational tools, and parental oversight. In this article, we’ll explore the best investment apps for teens in 2025, what makes them unique, and how parents can guide young investors toward smarter decisions.
📲 Why Should Teens Start Investing Early?
Starting early offers major benefits:
- Compound interest grows wealth over time.
- Teaches teens about risk and reward.
- Builds financial literacy and money management skills.
- Encourages goal setting (e.g., saving for college or a car).
“The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow.”
🧑💻 What to Look for in an Investment App for Teens
Before jumping into the list, here are some features that the best apps should offer:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Parental Control | Allows guardians to monitor and approve transactions |
| Educational Resources | Guides, videos, and quizzes for financial learning |
| User-Friendly Interface | Easy for teens to navigate |
| Low Fees | Affordable for young investors |
| Diverse Investment Options | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, or fractional shares |
| Custodial Accounts | Legally required for minors under 18 in many countries |
🏆 Top 8 Best Investment Apps for Teens (2025)
Here’s a detailed look at the best platforms currently helping teens learn and invest wisely.
1. Greenlight
Best For: All-in-one financial education + investing
Minimum Age: Any age (with guardian)
Parental Control: ✅ Yes
Greenlight is a popular app that combines spending, saving, investing, and earning in one place. It offers a custodial investment account, allowing teens to invest in stocks and ETFs with parental approval.
Pros:
- Excellent financial literacy content
- Parents can approve every trade
- Debit card included
Cons:
- Monthly fee starts at $4.99
- Limited crypto options
2. Acorns Early
Best For: Passive investing and savings
Minimum Age: No age limit (managed by parent)
Parental Control: ✅ Yes
Acorns Early is part of Acorns Family, offering custodial investment accounts for kids and teens. It automatically rounds up purchases to invest the spare change into diversified portfolios.
Pros:
- Set-it-and-forget-it investing
- Educational tools for families
- Long-term growth focus
Cons:
- No individual stock trading
- Monthly fee starts at $5/month
3. Fidelity Youth Account
Best For: Teens aged 13–17 managing real investments
Minimum Age: 13
Parental Control: ✅ Limited, teens have control
Fidelity offers a teen-owned brokerage account with no fees, no commissions, and access to a wide range of investments.
Pros:
- No fees or commissions
- Real-world investing experience
- Great research tools
Cons:
- Teens manage their own accounts
- Parental control is advisory, not mandatory
4. Step
Best For: Banking + investing for beginners
Minimum Age: 13+
Parental Control: ✅ Yes
Step is a banking app for teens with an integrated investing feature. It lets teens invest in stocks and ETFs, starting with as little as $1.
Pros:
- No fees or minimums
- Instant peer-to-peer payments
- Great mobile interface
Cons:
- Limited investing features
- Basic portfolio management
5. UNest
Best For: Long-term investment goals
Minimum Age: No age limit
Parental Control: ✅ Yes (parent-owned account)
UNest focuses on saving and investing for kids through UTMA/UGMA accounts. Parents control the account, making it ideal for long-term goals like college or a first home.
Pros:
- Automated investing
- Tax-advantaged account structure
- Financial gifts from family/friends
Cons:
- Subscription fees apply
- Limited direct control for teens
6. Stockpile
Best For: Learning to trade stocks
Minimum Age: Any (with guardian)
Parental Control: ✅ Yes
Stockpile allows minors to buy fractional shares of top companies and provides a gift card system to get started.
Pros:
- Buy stock gift cards (as low as $5)
- Easy to understand interface
- Good for learning by doing
Cons:
- Fees on gift card purchases
- Limited asset types
7. BusyKid
Best For: Earning, saving, and investing from chores
Minimum Age: 5+
Parental Control: ✅ Yes
BusyKid is a chore-based app where kids and teens earn money doing tasks, then choose to save, donate, or invest.
Pros:
- Teaches financial responsibility
- Includes investing in real stocks
- Parental approval required
Cons:
- Small investment selection
- Fees apply after trial period
8. Stash
Best For: Teens and young adults transitioning into investing
Minimum Age: 18 (or custodial via Stash for Kids)
Parental Control: ✅ Yes (for Stash for Kids)
Stash offers a Stash for Kids feature under custodial accounts. It’s packed with educational content and fractional share investing.
Pros:
- Low entry point
- Educational content for families
- Wide range of ETFs and stocks
Cons:
- Monthly subscription fee
- Less interactive than some competitors
📊 Comparison Table: Best Investment Apps for Teens
| App | Age | Fees | Parental Control | Investment Options | Educational Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenlight | Any | $4.99+/mo | ✅ Yes | Stocks, ETFs | ✅ Yes |
| Acorns Early | Any | $5+/mo | ✅ Yes | ETFs | ✅ Yes |
| Fidelity Youth | 13+ | $0 | ⚠️ Limited | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds | ✅ Yes |
| Step | 13+ | $0 | ✅ Yes | Stocks, ETFs | ⚠️ Basic |
| UNest | Any | $4.99+/mo | ✅ Yes | ETFs | ✅ Yes |
| Stockpile | Any | Fee per trade | ✅ Yes | Fractional stocks | ⚠️ Basic |
| BusyKid | 5+ | $3.99+/mo | ✅ Yes | Stocks | ✅ Yes |
| Stash for Kids | Any | $4+/mo | ✅ Yes | Stocks, ETFs | ✅ Yes |
🧠 How Parents Can Help Teens Succeed in Investing
While technology makes investing easier, teens still need guidance and mentorship. Here are some tips for parents:
✅ 1. Start with Education
Discuss basics like what a stock is, risk vs. reward, and the importance of diversification.
✅ 2. Set Clear Goals
Help teens set savings goals (e.g., $500 by end of year) and align investment choices accordingly.
✅ 3. Encourage Research
Promote understanding of companies, markets, and industries before investing.
✅ 4. Monitor Progress Together
Use monthly check-ins to review the portfolio and celebrate wins—even small ones!
🛡️ Safety and Legal Considerations
- Custodial Accounts (UTMA/UGMA): Required for minors under 18 in most countries.
- Data Protection: Choose apps with high-level encryption and parental control.
- Financial Literacy: Apps that teach responsible investing help reduce risky behavior.
💡 Final Thoughts
Investing as a teen is more than just buying stocks—it’s about building discipline, confidence, and long-term thinking. The best investment apps for teens in 2025 offer the tools, resources, and safety nets needed to help young people succeed.
Whether your teen is just starting or already curious about the stock market, the right platform can make all the difference. Use this guide to pick an app that fits your goals, budget, and educational needs.
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can a 13-year-old invest in stocks?
Yes, but only through custodial accounts managed by a parent or guardian.
Q2: Which investment app is best for beginners?
Greenlight and Step are great starting points due to their simple interface and strong educational tools.
Q3: Is it safe for teens to invest?
Yes, when done under parental supervision and with proper education.
Q4: Can teens buy cryptocurrency through these apps?
Some apps offer limited crypto access (like Greenlight), but always verify age and legal requirements in your region.