Acorns vs. Stash: Which App Grows Your Money Better?

In a digital age where investing is more accessible than ever, micro-investing platforms like Acorns and Stash have emerged as leading choices for beginner investors. But if you're trying to decide which one to trust with your money in 2025, you're probably asking the big question:
Acorns vs. Stash — which app helps you grow your money faster and smarter?

This in-depth comparison covers everything you need to know: features, fees, investment performance, user experience, and which platform is best suited for your financial goals.

 

 

What Is Micro-Investing?

Before diving into Acorns and Stash, it’s important to understand what micro-investing is.
Micro-investing platforms allow users to start investing with just a few dollars. These apps are designed to simplify the investment process for beginners by automating contributions and offering access to diversified portfolios or fractional shares.

With Acorns and Stash, the idea is not to beat Wall Street overnight, but to build steady, long-term financial growth through small, consistent investments.

 

 

Overview: Acorns vs. Stash

Feature	Acorns	Stash
Minimum Investment	$0 (round-ups)	$5
Fee Structure	$3 to $5 per month	$3 to $9 per month
Investment Control	Fully automated	Semi-automated, more customizable
Fractional Shares	Yes	Yes
Retirement Accounts	Yes (Acorns Later)	Yes (with higher-tier plans)
Banking Integration	Yes (Acorns Spend)	Yes
Education Resources	Basic	Extensive
Stock Access	No (ETF-based only)	Yes (individual stocks & ETFs)

 

 

 

Acorns: Automated Simplicity

Acorns is designed for users who want to invest without actively managing their portfolio. It works by rounding up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and investing the spare change in a diversified ETF portfolio.

Key Features of Acorns:

• Round-Up Technology: Links to your debit/credit card and automatically invests spare change
• Pre-built Portfolios: Based on your risk tolerance, powered by Modern Portfolio Theory
• Found Money: Cash-back feature when you shop with partnered brands
• Acorns Later: Automatically opens a retirement IRA for long-term savings

Pros:

• Completely automated — set it and forget it
• Ideal for beginners who prefer simplicity
• Encourages passive saving and investing habits
• Includes a checking account with rewards (Acorns Spend)

Cons:

• Monthly fees can eat into small balances
• Limited investment control (you can't pick individual stocks)
• Less educational content compared to Stash

Best For: Passive investors and those who struggle with saving consistently.

 

 

Stash: Learn and Customize

Stash takes a more educational and customizable approach. While it also offers automation and fractional investing, Stash gives users the option to choose individual stocks, ETFs, and thematic investments like “Clean Energy” or “Tech Giants.”

Key Features of Stash:

• Stock Back Card: Earn stock instead of cash when you spend
• Themed Portfolios: Align investments with your values
• Smart Portfolio: Automated option for passive investors
• Extensive Learning Hub: In-app articles and tips on financial literacy

Pros:

• Combines flexibility with education
• Great for users who want to be more hands-on
• Includes banking and insurance features
• Offers access to real stocks, not just ETFs

Cons:

• Higher monthly fees for full features
• Can feel overwhelming for total beginners
• Requires more active decision-making

Best For: Beginners who want to learn investing while doing it, and those who want more control over where their money goes.

 

 

Performance & Growth Potential

So, which app actually grows your money better?

The answer depends on your behavior and goals.
Acorns emphasizes consistent, automatic contributions that compound over time, which is powerful if you stick with it.
Stash, on the other hand, gives you tools to potentially outperform the market — but only if you make informed decisions.

Neither app guarantees big returns. Their growth depends on:

• Your investment habits (frequency, amount)
• Market performance
• The portfolios or stocks you choose
• Your fee-to-balance ratio

In general:

• Acorns works better for passive long-term growth through discipline.
• Stash offers higher upside potential if you engage actively and pick smart investments.

 

 

Real-Life Use Cases: Which App Fits Your Lifestyle?

To help you decide between Acorns vs. Stash, let’s explore a few common beginner investor personas.

1. The Passive Saver – “I don’t want to think about investing.”

Best pick: Acorns
You’re busy and don’t have time (or interest) to research stocks. You want something that works in the background. Acorns automatically invests your spare change and sets up retirement options without overwhelming you with choices.

2. The Learner – “I want to understand where my money goes.”

Best pick: Stash
You’re motivated to learn and want to understand how stocks and ETFs work. Stash provides bite-sized educational resources and lets you invest in themed portfolios or individual stocks, which gives you control and learning opportunities.

3. The Teen or College Student – “I have a low income but want to start now.”

Best pick: Acorns or Stash (basic plan)
Both apps allow you to start with just a few dollars, but Acorns’ automated features might suit students who are juggling busy schedules. Stash might appeal to those interested in learning more about the market while investing small amounts.

 

 

How Fees Impact Growth

Monthly Fees vs. Small Account Balances

Balance	$3/month Fee Impact (Acorns/Stash basic)	% of Balance Lost in Fees
$100	$36/year	36%
$500	$36/year	7.2%
$1,000	$36/year	3.6%
$5,000	$36/year	0.72%

 

As shown above, if your account balance is low, the flat monthly fee can consume a large portion of your returns. This is crucial to consider when starting out — especially if you’re only investing $5–$50 per month.

Pro Tip: These apps are most efficient for users who plan to grow their balances past $1,000 quickly.

 

 

What Users Are Saying (2025 Snapshot)

Acorns User Reviews:

• “The round-up feature changed how I save. It’s painless.”
• “I wish I could pick my own stocks, but I love the automation.”
• “Fees are fine, but only if you’re investing enough.”

Stash User Reviews:

• “Love how I can invest in companies I believe in.”
• “Helpful for learning about money and investing.”
• “The app feels busy sometimes — not great for complete beginners.”

Overall, both platforms receive strong ratings for ease of use, but Stash gets extra points for customization, while Acorns scores higher in automation and habit-building.

 

 

Final Verdict: Acorns vs. Stash — Which One Grows Your Money Better?

Here’s the honest answer: it depends on your style and commitment.

• If you're looking for a hands-off way to build wealth slowly, go with Acorns. Its simplicity and automation are perfect for people who struggle with consistency or savings discipline.
• If you want to learn, grow, and engage more actively, then Stash is a better fit. It offers broader tools and more educational value — but requires a little more effort and awareness.

Both apps will help you start investing and build financial confidence, which is the most important part of growing your money over time.

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Micro-Investing Apps for Beginners in 2025

 

The Psychology of Budgeting: How to Stay Motivated Month After Month

 

How to Budget on an Irregular Income (Freelancers & Side Hustlers)