They both offer easy, automated ways to invest small amounts of money into a taxable brokerage account.
But these micro-investing rivals differ in a few key ways.
Specifically, investing with Acorns is completely automated while Stash can offer a more DIY, hands-on experience.
Acorns and Stash aren’t your only options. Check out our review of thebest micro-investing appsto see how they compare.
However, these apps differ in a few key ways.
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Stash vs. Acorns: How Do They Compare?
But unlike Acorns, Stash gives you the option to handpick your own stocks andexchange traded funds.
Like Acorns, Stash charges a flat monthly fee for its services.
Theres no minimum amount to open an account and you need just $5 to start investing.
Acorns helps you automate investing and save money in a few different ways, including its hallmark round-up feature.
Round-ups put your spare change into the stock market when you make purchases with a linked card.
These features helpset your finances to autopilot.
We love that convenience.
However, you cant pick your own stocks, bonds or ETFs with an Acorns account.
(Nope, you cant buy shares of Tesla or GameStop.)
Instead, Acorns creates a diversified investment portfolio for you.
If youre looking for a truly simplified set-it-and-forget-it approach, its hard to go wrong with Acorns.
Acorns charges a flat monthly fee for its services.
They both simplify investing, and they both charge flat monthly fees for their services.
Features Unique to Stash
Heres how Stash differs from Acorns.
Remember, investing involves risk.
From there, Acorns uses computer software and algorithms to select a pre-made portfolio for you.
Aggressive portfolios are mostly stock ETFs while conservative portfolios are mostly bond ETFs.
The Acorns app also offers a tax-advantaged retirement account and UTMA/UGMA accounts for minors.
Stash
Stash lets you decide how hands-on you want to be with your portfolio.
All Stash users can pick and choose from more than 3,000 stocks, bonds and ETFs.
Smart Portfolio, Stashsrobo-advisoroption, is available with Stash Growth and Stash+.
Like Acorns, you might open a taxable brokerage account, IRA and UTMA/UGMA accounts on Stash.
Cost and Fees
Both Stash and Acorns offer subscriptions with flat monthly fees.
Acorns is a better deal if you want to open a custodial account for a child.
Acorns Family lets you create multiple custodial UTMA/UGMA accounts for $5 a month.
Many other robo-advisors charge a management fee as a percentage of your portfolio balance.
For example,BettermentandWealthfrontcharge a 0.25% annual fee, which is much more affordable for small accounts.
Compare that to at least $36 a year with Acorns and Stash.
Acorns vs. Stash: Which Is Right For You?
Stash and Acorns both help you take baby steps toward your financial goals.
Acornsis a better fit if you prefer a simplified, set-it-and-forget experience.
Its also a good choice if youre looking for a SEP IRA or multiple custodial accounts for children.
Stash also offers a less expensive debit card and banking options.
The best option for you really depends on what you want out of an investment app.
The most important part of investing is getting started, so its hard to go wrong with either app.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
The Penny Hoarder is a paid Affiliate/ partner of Stash.
Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Bank Account Services provided by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC.
Account opening of the bank account is subject to Green Dot Bank approval.
For additional disclosures,click here.
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