Our verdict
Stash
3.9 3.9 out of 5- Best for
- Beginners who want some control plus rewards on everyday spending
- Fees
- $3/month (Growth) or $9/month (Stash+); no free tier
Our Stash review covers a beginner investing app that sits between fully-automated tools and a traditional brokerage. With Stash you can pick your own fractional shares and automate contributions, earn stock on spending through its Stock-Back card, and bank in the same app. It’s a flexible starter — as long as the flat monthly fee makes sense for your balance.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. This is educational information, not investment advice.
Our take
Stash’s appeal is control with training wheels. Unlike a pure round-up app, you can choose the stocks and ETFs you invest in (in fractional amounts), while still using automation and a robo “Smart Portfolio” if you want. The Stock-Back card is a genuinely clever way to turn spending into small investments. The catch, as with most subscription investing apps, is that a flat fee is expensive when your balance is small.
Who it’s best for
Stash suits beginners who want a little more involvement than Acorns — people who’d enjoy picking a few companies or funds and learning as they go — and who value rewards on everyday spending. It’s a weaker fit if you want deep research tools or the lowest possible cost.
Pricing and fees
Stash offers two flat-fee plans: about $3/month (Growth) and $9/month (Stash+), which adds features like kids’ accounts, a larger Stock-Back rate, and market insights. There’s no free tier. (Pricing current as of mid-2026 — verify on stash.com.)
Like any flat-fee app, the cost is a high percentage of a small balance and a tiny one of a large balance, so Stash makes the most sense once you’re contributing regularly. Our Compound Interest Calculator shows how fees and time compound together.
Features
- DIY fractional investing in stocks and ETFs, plus a robo “Smart Portfolio”
- Stock-Back card — earn fractional stock on everyday spending
- Banking and retirement accounts in the same app
- Round-Ups and recurring deposits
- Education built throughout the app
How it compares
If you’d rather not think about it at all, Acorns is more automated. If you want to avoid a monthly fee and access more asset types (like bonds and Treasuries), Public is worth a look. Compare the field in our best investing apps for beginners, and learn the foundation in What Is an Index Fund?.
Bottom line
Stash is a solid middle ground for hands-on beginners who want rewards and a bit of control — just keep the flat fee in perspective relative to how much you’re investing.
Pros
- Lets you pick fractional stocks/ETFs and automate at the same time
- Stock-Back card earns fractional stock on everyday purchases
- Strong, approachable educational content
- Banking and retirement accounts included
Cons
- Flat monthly fee is pricey as a percentage of small balances
- Not a full-featured brokerage — limited research and tools
- Fewer asset types than a brokerage like Public
- No free tier
Alternatives to consider
Frequently asked questions
Is Stash free?
Is Stash safe and SIPC-insured?
What is the Stock-Back card?
Is Stash good for beginners?
Sources
Related guides
What Is Compound Interest?
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