Stash review 2024: Automated investing, stock trading and banking

Stash at a glance

To learn how our star ratings are calculated, read our methodology.

Stash is best for beginners

Stash is tailored for beginners and passive investors, offering a user-friendly interface that streamlines the investing process.

Its automated investing option creates custom portfolios of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs), ideal for those who prefer a hands-off approach, while access to commission-free stocks and ETFs allows for more active control when desired.

With features like fractional shares, low account minimums and the ability to start with just $5, Stash makes it easy for new investors to begin and gradually build a diversified portfolio at their own pace.

Stash’s plans

What we like about Stash

Stash stands out with its low minimums, custodial accounts, user-friendly platform and access to commission-free stocks and ETFs.

Low minimums

Stash allows you to open an account with no minimum and start investing with just $5, making it far more accessible compared to robo-advisors like Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and Wealthfront, which require minimums of $5,000 and $500, respectively.

Access to custodial accounts

Stash is among the few robo-advisors to offer custodial brokerage accounts and custodial IRAs, giving parents, guardians or other family members and friends a way to invest on behalf of a minor. When the child reaches the age of majority, all the money in the account becomes their property.

Commission-free stock and ETFs

In addition to its robo-advisor, Stash offers the ability to invest in commission-free stocks and ETFs, with benefits like automatic dividend reinvestment, fractional shares and round-up investing using spare change from the Stash Stock-Back card.

You can also receive personalized guidance through Stash’s diversification analysis, which helps ensure your portfolio is well-balanced and provides tailored recommendations for improvement.

Beginner-friendly investing platform

Stash is accessible through both its web platform and mobile app, offering a seamless and straightforward investing experience. Users benefit from tools like curated collections of stocks and ETFs, along with basic charts and company statistics, all designed to make investing intuitive and informed.

Where Stash falls short

Stash’s prebuilt portfolios are more limited than other robo-advisors, and Stack lacks features like tax-loss harvesting, access to human advisors and the ability to earn interest on uninvested cash. These may be drawbacks for some investors seeking more comprehensive services.

It offers only three prebuilt portfolios that span large-, mid- and small-cap companies, foreign companies and US government bonds. You won’t find ETFs with exposure to municipal or corporate bonds, commodities, cryptocurrency or real estate.

While it offers banking services, its savings account is non-interest bearing. Compare that to the 5% APY you can earn with robo-advisors such as Wealthfront and Betterment.

Stash’s fees

Is Stash legit?

Yes, Stash is a legitimate company and broker. Founded in 2015, Stash currently has 1.5 million subscribers and manages approximately $3 billion in assets.⁽¹⁾ Stash is an SEC-registered investment advisor and broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

In terms of security, Stash’s platform is considered safe and secure. Stash employs two-factor authentication, industry-standard encryption and biometric recognition.

Stash reviews and customer experience

Stash has received mostly negative reviews across platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot and mixed reviews across Reddit. While the platform is generally well-regarded for its beginner-friendly design and educational resources, others criticize its high fees for small balances and issues with customer service, including difficulties with fund withdrawals and account closures.

As of August 2024, Stash earns a 1.09 out of 5 stars based on over 120 reviews, with over 780 complaints closed within the last three years. It holds a B rating and is not BBB-accredited.

On Trustpilot, Stash earns a 1.3 out of 5 stars based on over 720 reviews.

Compare Stash to other platforms

Compare similar platforms by available asset types, trade fees and minimum deposit requirements. Select Go to site to sign up for an account.

Stash

★★★★★

Finder rating 3.7 / 5

Go to site

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Available asset types

Stocks, ETFs

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Annual fee

$3 per month

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Minimum deposit

$0

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Signup bonus

Get $10 when you sign up and deposit $5

Wealthfront

★★★★★

Finder rating 4.5 / 5

Go to site

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Available asset types

Stocks, ETFs

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Annual fee

0.25%

---

Minimum deposit

$500

---

Signup bonus

Get $50

Frec

★★★★★

Finder rating 4.4 / 5

Go to site

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Available asset types

Stocks, Mutual funds, ETFs

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Annual fee

0.1%

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Minimum deposit

$20,000

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Signup bonus

N/A

Frequently asked questions

Is Stash good for beginners?

Stash is an excellent option for beginners because of its low-cost automated investing, user-friendly interface and simple tools that make investing accessible even to those with no prior experience.

Does Stash offer other financial products?

In addition to investing, Stash offers low-fee banking services that include a debit card with spare-change investing, a savings account and early direct deposit access.