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An investing and robo-advisor app, Stash seeks to simplify stock-picking and trading. It does this in a number of ways, including narrowing the universe of investments to around 4,000 stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It offers these options through an easy-on-the-eyes interface and making even high-priced stocks like Amazon and Apple accessible through fractional shares.

Technically anyone can use Stash, but it will probably appeal most to younger investors. It has no minimum to buy investments, and its subscription fees are low and easy to understand ($3 or $9 per month). Additionally, Stash tries to streamline your finances by putting everything - your checking account, brokerage account, retirement account and debit card - all in one app. You're more likely to do this if you don't already have any of these accounts.

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Best for

Beginner investors looking for a hands-on experience; Investors looking for a robo-advisor.

Drawbacks

Some of Stash's extra features may not appeal to everyone.

Pricing: How Much Does Stash Cost?

Stash offers investors two subscription plans that come with monthly flat fees. This is unlike some other robo-advisors, who instead charge fees based on account size. Stash has no minimums for investing, no matter which account you choose. Both plans feature unlimited free trading and no add-on commissions. Each plan offers users personal investment accounts and free financial education, but the pricing and perks vary for each.

The Stash Growth plan charges investors a monthly flat fee of $3. You won’t have to pay trading or commission costs, and the plan also gives users access to a debit card and account, automatic and manual saving and investing tools, free financial education and $1,000 of life insurance coverage through Avibra. Stash Growth also gives users the ability to open a traditional IRA or Roth IRA.

The Stash+ plan comes with a $9 monthly flat fee. This plan includes everything offered in the Stash Growth plan, but also includes $10,000 of life insurance coverage through Avibra, investing accounts for kids, a Stock-Back® debit card that offers 1% back on up to $1,000 in purchases a month, a monthly market insights report, personalized advice and more.

The company provides investment access to around 4,000 ETFs and stocks. An ETF is a tradeable, inexpensive type of fund that's become an extremely popular way to invest. As of the time of writing, the annual expense ratios of Stash's various ETF options range from 0.03% to 0.95%.

The company also offers retirement options through its Roth IRA and traditional IRA accounts. Clients who choose either account will have access to all of Stash's investments. Both account types have no minimum, and they come with tax benefits. Like all IRAs, the 2025 maximum contribution is $7,000 a year for clients under the age of 50 and $8,000 for clients who are older than 50.

Stash’s Investing Strategy

When it comes to investing with Stash, you’re in control as much as you want to be. The company's mantra is “invest in what you believe in.” With about 4,000 stocks and ETFs to choose from, you have a range of options to find an investment fund or stock that you care about. There is no minimum to begin investing with Stash.

The Stash service primarily works through fractional shares, which allows for its low initial costs. This involves the app's buying a full share and splitting it up into smaller shares. So if it splits up the ownership of a $100 share, you can own a portion of that amount for an incremental amount of money. Fractional shares allow you to invest in more and different stocks and funds, increasing your potential financial flexibility and portfolio diversification.

Stash offers a retirement account option, which follows the same investment model as Stash. With this, you’ll be able to invest money in a tax-advantaged account, meaning you won’t need to pay taxes until you withdraw the money if it's a traditional IRA. With the Roth IRA variation, you pay your taxes up front, but no taxes on the earnings when you withdraw. However, as with all IRAs, to avoid a penalty from the IRS, you'll have to wait until you’re at least 59 ½ to touch the money. Note that this feature is available to both Stash Growth and Stash+ users.

Who Stash Is For

If you want the option of a hands-on experience with investing, then Stash could be the option is for you. Often, robo-advisors pride themselves on a creating an entirely hands-off experience for users, as they do all the investing and trading for you. But with Stash, you have the opportunity to take advantage of either or both approaches. It also provides comprehensive help and guidance for investors through its in-app and online educational blog.

By also integrating traditional and Roth IRAs into its offerings, Stash gives users the ability to expand beyond just normal investing and into preparing for retirement, no matter how far away it may be. Of course, its still up to you as the account owner to understand the inner workings and rules of these accounts, but nonetheless that gives you something not all robo-advisors offer.

Would you prefer help from a human financial advisor? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with advisors who serve your area today.

How Stash Works

Prospective Stash customers can get started without having to worry about a minimum opening deposit to their account. You can create an account online or throgh its Apple and Android mobile apps.

You start by creating your profile. You provide information like your age and investment goals. This helps the company determine factors, like risk level, which affects your suggested investments. Risk levels act as an accurate gauge of your financial standing and ability to stomach a riskier or safer portfolio composition.

Next you'll fund your account and verify your identify. When money is transferred from your bank to Stash, there are no transfer fees. However, you’ll be subject to overdraft fees if the account does not have enough funds to cover the transfers. Once everything is verified, you’ll be able to start investing.

Once your account is created and profile arranged, you can choose your first investment. Because the company uses fractional shares, you can begin investing with any amount of money. For each investment, Stash details its description, performance history and the holdings that make it up if its an ETF.

What's the Catch?

Stash's two account options (Stash Growth and Stash+) both come with a plethora of features. However, they may not be useful for all types of investors and users. For instance, by upgrading to Stash + for $9 a month, you gain access to kids portfolios, $10,000 in life insurance and 1% back on stock card purchases, all of which isn't available with Stash Growth.

What if you don't have any kids though, or you already have life insurance? If that's the case, you might find it pointless to spend $6 more a monthly basis to only get the 1% back. This is a personal decision for each person though, so it may not apply to your situation.

Competition: How Stash Stacks Up

Acorns, another robo-advisor app, has similar rates to Stash. Like Stash, Acorns, offers both a savings and investing option. Acorns also tracks your purchases, rounds up the change and invests that spare change. Stash analyzes your spending habits to find categories with extra cash. Acorns’ approach to investing is hands-off, at a similar cost to Stash’s investing service.

If you want to choose and manage your investments, Stash is the better option. Not only will you learn the ins and outs of investing, but you’ll also be better equipped for hands-on investing.

Bottom Line: Should You Use Stash?

Stash gives you control over your investments. For a low cost, it allows you to create your own investment portfolio, putting your money toward your personal interests. On the flip side, you can also take advantage of its robo-advisory services if you'd prefer to have the work done for you. Lastly, for those who have never invested before, it provides the necessary knowledge to help you become a long-term investor.

Investing Tips

• A financial advisor can help you with your investments in a more in-depth manner. If you need this help, finding an advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
• If you’re investing primarily for retirement, you should first see how much more you need to save. SmartAsset's retirement calculator will help you estimate how your money will grow over time and how much more you need to sock away.