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Bottom line: Acorns Invest is the better choice for hands-off investors who prefer automated investment management. However, Stash Invest could be the stronger option for those who want the best of both worlds when it comes to DIY trading and automated investing.
Acorns vs. Stash: The biggest differences
Acorns and Stash are two micro-investing apps that offer ways to save and invest small portions of money. Both apps offering various personal investment, retirement, and online banking accounts.
They both utilize a monthly fee structure, but the two biggest differences between Acorns and Stash are fees and investment choices. Acorns’ plans cost $3 per month or $5 per month. Stash’s pricing plans, on the other hand, carry monthly fees of $3 and $9. With Acorns, you’ll have access to ETF portfolios, but you’ll be able to individually choose stocks or ETFs with Stash.
If you’re looking for more control over your portfolio, Stash could be the better option. Acorns best suits those in search of lower fees.
Acorns and Stash also have different investment choices and account features.
Acorns
STASH
Account types
Automated personal investment
Traditional IRAs
Roth IRAs
Custodial
Checking/online banking
Account types
Personal brokerage and Smart Portfolio automatedTraditional IRAsRoth IRAsCustodialOnline banking
Investment choices
Stocks
Investment choices
Stocks and ETFs
Account perks
Acorns Round-Ups invests spare change from purchases into more securities
Acorns Later automates retirement investing
Money Basics blog with educational content on investing, taxes, retirement, and more
Acorns Earn’s Found Money portal gives you investment rewards when you shop at 350 retailers Acorns has partnered with
Account perks
Automatic investing (you can tell Stash how much — and when — to invest more money)Stock-Back card that lets you earn stock while you spendOnline banking, Round-Ups, Set Schedule automatic investing toolsAvibra-sponsored life insurance for Stash Beginner and Stash+ accountsPersonalized advice and fractional shares
Human advisors available?
No
Human advisors available?
No
Robo-advice?
Yes — Acorns manages your investment portfolio for you
Robo-advice?
Yes — Stash Growth and Stash+ members can take advantage of Smart Portfolios and other automatic saving tools
Is Acorns right for you?
Pros
No account minimumsCommission-free investmentsAcorn Round-Ups invests your spare change from purchasesETF portfolios are tailored to your risk tolerance and investment goalsAutomated custodial investment accounts for kids
Cons
You can’t invest in specific companies; Acorns assigns and manages your portfolio for youIf you don’t invest regularly, monthly fees could be high compared to other automated advisors like SoFi
Acorns is an automated investing app offering personal investment accounts, IRAs, checking accounts, and investment accounts for kids. While the investment platform has a $0 account minimum, you’ll need at least $5 to start investing.
As for fees, Acorns offers two plans at various price points: Acorns Personal and Acorns Family. If you’re solely interested in investing with a personal investment account and utilizing IRA and banking perks, Acorns Personal might be best for you. The account has a $3 monthly fee, but it: (a) invests your money in an ETF portfolio tailored toward your risk tolerance, and (b) uses Acorn Round-Ups to invest spare change from your purchases.
The Acorns Family account could be a great choice if you’re looking to merge personal investment, retirement, and family savings goals. The $5 monthly fee grants you the following: a personal investment account, Acorns Later IRA, Acorns Spend checking account, and an Acorns Early investment account for kids.
Both Acorns Personal and Acorns Family offer investing and checking account access. The Acorns Spend checking account includes all-digital banking, debit card access, direct deposit, mobile check deposit, FDIC insurance, and more.
But there’s another account perk: Acorns Earn. This feature gives you investment bonuses and rewards when you shop at any of the companies Acorns has partnered with. Acorns has partnered with more than 350 brands, including Walmart, Apple, Expedia, and Nike.
Acorns’ mobile app is available on both iOS and Android devices.
Is Stash right for you?
Pros
No minimum to get started; Round-Ups invests spare change from purchasesYou can choose your investments, but automatic investing tools are also availableAccounts include Stock-Back card, online banking options, and life insuranceSmart Portfolios invests your money into a custom ETF portfolio that aligns with your risk tolerance
Cons
Compared to Acorns, monthly fees are higher for custodial investment accountsSmart Portfolios automated investing only available at higher pricing levels
Stash is also a micro-investing app that offers a wide range of automatic investing tools. Like Acorns, Stash has a $0 account minimum and offers two pricing plans. Stash’s two are Stash Growth and Stash+.
Similar to Acorns’ Personal account, Stash Growth carries a $3 monthly fee. This plan includes a personal brokerage account, financial counseling advice, a Stock-Back card (this is a Stash debit card that qualifies you for stock rewards when you use it for purchases), online banking, saving tools, personalized advice, and Avibra-sponsored $1,000 life insurance.
It also offers Smart Portfolio automated investment management, IRAs, and personalized retirement advice. For $9 per month, you can utilize an array of features and account options in Stash+. Stash+ offers everything in Stash Growth, but it also includes investment accounts for children, Stock-Back card bonuses, investment research and advice, and more.
When it comes to investment choices, Stash offers stocks and ETFs in more than 3,700 companies. The investment app also lets you purchase fractional shares. But if you’re more of a beginner, there are still options for you.
Stash’s Smart Portfolio feature uses your specific risk level to create a personalized portfolio of ETFs. The investment app will also rebalance your portfolio if it moves 5% away from the target allocation, according to Stash.
Two other features to look out for with Stash are Set Schedule and Round-Ups. These two tools are a part of the Auto-Stash suite. Set Schedule allows you to set up automatic money transfers for your account. With Round-ups, you can use your linked debit card to have Stash round up your purchases to the nearest dollar.
Stash will transfer the remaining amount to your cash balance. For instance, if you used a debit card to purchase $20.59 worth of groceries, Stash will round the purchase up to $21.
You can set up the Stash mobile app on iOS or Android devices.
Acorns vs. Stash — Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Acorns better than Stash?
Acorns and Stash are both great for beginner investors looking for guidance as they navigate the investment process. The two investment apps both offer two pricing plans paired with monthly fees, and they generally provide the same account options.
The best option for you ultimately depends on your investing goals. Acorns is solely automated, meaning you won’t be able to pick and trade investments on your own. Acorns handles this process for you. On the contrary, Stash is more of a hybrid brokerage/automated advisor that simultaneously gives you control over your investment decisions while offering automated tools to support them.
Do people make money on Stash?
You can both earn money on Stash and lose money depending on several factors, including market conditions, your investment approach, and more.
Should you have Stash and Acorns?
Although Stash offers self-directed options and automated options, both platforms have similar automated services and account types. It’s better to pick one of the two to reduce fees.