Acorns is an investment app designed to help individuals grow their savings with minimal effort. It is especially popular for its “micro-investing” feature, which automatically rounds up purchases made on linked debit or credit cards to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio. This app aims to make investing accessible, especially for beginners who may not have a large amount of capital to invest initially.
The app offers a range of account types, including taxable investment accounts, retirement accounts (IRA), and a checking account with a debit card that also features investment tools. With Acorns, users can set up automatic recurring investments or make one-time contributions to further grow their portfolios.
Key Features:
- Round-Ups: Acorns automatically rounds up your everyday purchases and invests the spare change in a diversified portfolio.
- Automated Portfolio Management: Acorns uses low-cost ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) to create a diversified portfolio based on the user’s risk tolerance and financial goals.
- Acorns Later: This feature allows users to invest for retirement by creating an IRA (Traditional or Roth), helping them save for the future.
- Acorns Spend: This is a checking account and debit card that offers cashback at certain retailers and helps users manage their everyday finances while investing simultaneously.
- Found Money: Acorns has partnerships with various brands and retailers who contribute money to your account when you shop with them, further boosting your investment.
- Educational Resources: Acorns offers educational content to help users better understand investing and personal finance.
- Security: The app employs high-level encryption to ensure that users’ financial data is kept safe, including FDIC insurance for accounts.
Pros:
- Ease of Use: Acorns is designed with simplicity in mind, making it ideal for beginners who want to start investing without dealing with complicated stock market jargon.
- Automated Investing: The round-up feature helps users invest effortlessly without needing to actively manage their investments.
- Variety of Account Types: Users can choose from a range of account types, including IRAs and general investment accounts, allowing for flexible investment strategies.
- No Minimum Investment: Acorns allows you to start investing with as little as $5, making it highly accessible for people of all income levels.
- Found Money: The Found Money feature gives users access to extra contributions from partner brands, which can significantly boost investment growth.
Cons:
- Monthly Fees: While Acorns has low fees, there are still monthly charges associated with using the app. The fees can be higher for users with lower account balances, making it less ideal for small investors.
- Limited Investment Options: Acorns limits users to its pre-built ETF portfolios, which may not be ideal for those who want more control over their investment choices.
- Fees May Be Proportional: For small accounts, the monthly fee can account for a significant portion of your investment, reducing returns.
Cost:
- Acorns Core: $3 per month (includes basic investing and retirement options).
- Acorns Family: $5 per month (adds features for managing multiple accounts, including custodial accounts for children).
Best For:
Acorns is perfect for people looking to start investing with minimal effort, particularly those who want to use their everyday spending to fuel their investment portfolio. It’s also great for beginners who don’t want to worry about managing a complex portfolio.
Why It’s Worth Considering:
Acorns makes investing simple, accessible, and even automatic. Its unique features, like round-ups and Found Money, make it easy to build an investment portfolio without actively thinking about it. It’s a great tool for people looking to grow their savings passively and for those who are new to investing.