If you’ve ever wondered how to start investing with little money, Acorns is one of the most popular micro-investing apps in 2025. It’s designed to help beginners grow wealth automatically by investing spare change from everyday purchases.
š Sign up for Acorns today and get a free $5 investment bonus
How Acorns Works: Invest Spare Change Effortlessly
- Round-Ups® Investing: Every purchase you make is rounded up to the nearest dollar, and the difference is invested. Buy a $3.50 coffee? Acorns invests $0.50 for you.
- Recurring Contributions: Automate deposits starting at just $5 per day, week, or month.
- Smart Portfolios: Your money is invested in diversified ETFs (stocks and bonds) managed by experts.
- Automatic Rebalancing: Acorns keeps your portfolio balanced without you lifting a finger.
Acorns Pricing & Plans (2025)
| Plan | Price | Best For | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $3/month | Beginners | Invest, Later (retirement), Checking |
| Silver | $6/month | Growing wealth | Everything in Bronze + Premium Education, Emergency Savings, Rewards Match (25%) |
| Gold | $12/month | Families & advanced savers | Everything in Silver + Early (kids accounts), Custom Portfolios, Rewards Match (50%) |
Key Benefits of Acorns
- Start investing with just $5
- Beginner-friendly, no experience required
- No account minimums
- Earn rewards when shopping with Acorns partners
- Access to retirement accounts (IRA) and checking
- Learn with built-in financial education tools
Who Should Use Acorns?
- College students who want to start investing early
- Young professionals looking for an easy way to save
- Families who want to invest for their kids’ future
- Anyone new to investing who feels overwhelmed by traditional brokerages
š Claim Your Free $5 Bonus
Acorns makes it easy to start small and grow over time.
š Click here to join Acorns and get your free $5 investment
ā Frequently Asked Questions About Acorns
Is Acorns safe to use?
Yes. Acorns uses bankālevel security and encryption to protect your data. Your investments are also insured up to $500,000 by SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation), though investment values can go up or down with the market.
Can you really make money with Acorns?
Acorns isn’t a getārichāquick app. It’s designed for longāterm investing. By consistently saving and investing your spare change, you can gradually build wealth over time.
How much money do I need to start?
You can begin with as little as $5. There are no account minimums, making it one of the most beginnerāfriendly investing apps.
Does Acorns charge fees?
Yes. Acorns has subscription plans starting at $3 per month. These cover your investment account, retirement account, and other features depending on the plan you choose.
Who is Acorns best for?
Acorns is ideal for beginners, busy professionals, students, and families who want an easy, automated way to start investing without needing deep financial knowledge.
Is Acorns legit or a scam?
Acorns is a legitimate, SECāregistered investment advisor and brokerādealer. It partners with trusted financial institutions and uses regulated ETFs for its portfolios. While no investment is riskāfree, Acorns itself is not a scam — it’s a widely used microāinvesting platform with millions of users.
How does Acorns make money?
Acorns earns revenue primarily through its monthly subscription fees ($3, $6, or $12 depending on your plan). It may also earn interchange fees when you use the Acorns debit card. Importantly, Acorns does not charge trading commissions on your investments.
Can Acorns replace a savings account?
Not exactly. Acorns is designed for investing, not for shortāterm savings. While you can withdraw funds at any time, your balance is subject to market fluctuations. For emergency funds or bills, a traditional savings account is still better. Acorns works best as a complement to your savings.
What happens if the stock market goes down?
Like any investment, your Acorns balance can decrease when markets drop. However, Acorns is built for longāterm investing. By staying invested and continuing to contribute, you can benefit when markets recover. Acorns also automatically rebalances your portfolio to manage risk.
Is Acorns good for college students?
Yes. Acorns is beginnerāfriendly and requires only $5 to start, making it ideal for students who want to build good financial habits early. The RoundāUps® feature is especially useful for investing small amounts without feeling the pinch.
Can I withdraw money from Acorns anytime?
Yes. You can withdraw funds from your Acorns Invest account at any time, though it may take 3–6 business days for the money to transfer back to your linked bank account. Keep in mind that withdrawing during a market downturn could lock in losses.
Does Acorns work outside the U.S.?
Currently, Acorns is only available to U.S. residents. International users cannot open accounts at this time.
What is the Acorns referral program?
Acorns offers a referral program where both you and the person you refer receive a $5 investment bonus when they sign up using your referral link. This is different from an affiliate program, as it is a userātoāuser reward system rather than a commercial commission.