Stash Review 2025: Is This Beginner-Friendly App Worth It?

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly investing app, this Stash Review breaks down everything you need to know. Stash combines automated tools with hands-on investing options. Let’s see whether it truly helps new investors build confidence and wealth.

Stash Review: Quick Stats (2025)

• Founded: 2015
• Users: 6+ million
• Pricing: $3/month (Growth) or $9/month (Stash+)
• Account Minimum: $0 to open, $5 to start investing
• Investment Options: 4,000+ stocks and ETFs
• App Ratings: 4.7/5 (iOS), 4.5/5 (Trustpilot)
• Best For: Beginners wanting to learn and choose investments

At a Glance

The Verdict: Stash is ideal for beginners who want to learn investing while choosing their own stocks, but fees are high for small balances (3.6% on $1,000).

What Is Stash?

Overview

Stash is a personal finance app that combines investing, banking, and financial education into one beginner-friendly platform. Founded in 2015, Stash has grown to over 6 million users by making investing approachable with themed ETFs, fractional shares, and a unique Stock-Back® debit card that earns you fractional shares instead of cash back. With $3 or $9 monthly subscription tiers, Stash offers both DIY stock picking and automated Smart Portfolio management.

Core Mission: “We’re driven to help you learn and take control” of your financial future

How Stash Is Different

Not a Pure Robo-Advisor: Stash is not a true robo-advisor. Stash allows you to invest in individual stocks and a small handful of ETFs of your choosing.

Hybrid Approach:

• DIY Option: Pick from 4,000+ individual stocks and ETFs
• Smart Portfolios: 4 automated, managed ETF portfolios
• Educational Focus: Learn as you invest with interactive content

Founding Story: Launched in 2015, Stash was created to “make investing easy and affordable for everyone.” The founders recognized that traditional investing platforms weren’t accessible for the majority of Americans.

Pricing and Fees

Subscription Tiers

Stash Growth ($3/month = $36/year)

Includes:

• Personal investment account (taxable)
• Traditional IRA or Roth IRA
• Banking account with Stock-Back® Card (0.125% back)
• Automatic and manual saving/investing tools
• Round-Ups (invest spare change)
• Free financial education (Stash Learn)
• $1,000 life insurance (through Avibra)

Stash+ ($9/month = $108/year)

Includes everything in Growth PLUS:

• Up to 2 custodial accounts for kids (UGMA/UTMA)
• Enhanced Stock-Back® rewards (1% on first $1,000/month, up to 5% at select merchants)
• $10,000 life insurance (through Avibra)
• Priority customer support

Note: Stash previously offered a $1/month “Beginner” tier, but this has been discontinued in most markets as of 2025.

Fee Analysis: When Stash Gets Expensive

The low monthly fee for the basic Stash investing plan is worth it, if you take advantage of the platform’s features and benefits. However, at $3/month, Stash can be surprisingly expensive for small balances:

At $100 Balance:

• $36/year ÷ $100 = 36% annual fee ❌

At $1,000 Balance:

• $36/year ÷ $1,000 = 3.6% annual fee ❌

At $5,000 Balance:

• $36/year ÷ $5,000 = 0.72% annual fee ⚠️

At $14,400 Balance:

• $36/year ÷ $14,400 = 0.25% annual fee (matches Betterment/Wealthfront) ✅

Critical Point: You need $14,400+ to match typical robo-advisor fees of 0.25%

ETF Expense Ratios

Each fund has an expense ratio, which represents the cost of owning the fund each year. As of the time of writing, the annual expense ratios of Stash’s various ETF options range from 0.03% to 0.95%

Average: 0.15-0.30% (reasonably priced)

No Additional Trading Fees

✅ No commission fees on stock/ETF purchases
✅ No account maintenance fees
✅ No minimum balance fees
✅ No overdraft fees (banking)

Investment Options

What You Can Invest In

The company provides investment access to around 4,000 ETFs and stocks

4,000+ Investment Choices:

• Individual US stocks (mid to large-cap)
• Dow 30, NASDAQ 100, S&P 500 companies
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
• Fractional shares (buy $1 worth of any stock)

What You CANNOT Invest In: ❌ Options contracts
❌ Cryptocurrency
❌ Futures or forex
❌ International stocks (except via ETFs)
❌ Mutual funds

Themed Investing (Unique Feature)

You can select exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are basically packages of stocks and bonds that fit a “theme”

Popular Investment Themes:

• Clean and Green: Renewable energy (solar, wind)
• Social Media Mania: Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat
• Home Sweet Home: American homebuilders
• Delicious Dividends: High dividend-paying stocks
• Tech Giants: Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon
• Real Estate: REIT exposure
• Defense: Aerospace and defense contractors

Why Themes Matter: Stash organizes these thematic investment options in a way that’s very approachable for new investors. Instead of overwhelming ticker symbols, you see recognizable concepts.

Smart Portfolios (Automated Option)

Using proprietary research and your own input around risk tolerance and investing goals, Smart Portfolio manages your investments with virtually no action required

4 Managed Options:

• Conservative Mix (iShares AOK)
• Moderate Mix (iShares AOM)
• Long-Term Mix (iShares AOR)
• Aggressive Mix (iShares AOA)

Features:

• Quarterly automatic rebalancing if portfolio drifts 5%
• Professionally managed
• Available with both subscription tiers

Important: Smart Portfolios offer quarterly automatic rebalancing if your portfolio drifts 5% away from your target allocation. Individual stock portfolios do NOT get automatic rebalancing.

Unique Features

1. Stock-Back® Card (Earn Stocks, Not Cash)

Stash’s banking accounts come with a debit card that earns stock instead of cash back

How It Works:

• Use Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® for purchases
• Earn fractional shares (not cash back)
• Choose which stocks you receive

Earning Rates:

Stash Growth ($3/month):

• 0.125% back in stock on all purchases
• Up to 3% at select partner merchants

Stash+ ($9/month):

• 1% back on first $1,000 spent per month ($10 max)
• Up to 5% at select partner merchants

Reality Check: The concept sounds cool, but the reality is the cap is 1% up to $1,000 every month, which is only $10. Traditional cash-back cards often offer 1.5-2% unlimited.

2. Round-Ups (Spare Change Investing)

Stash allows customers to round up their transactions and invest the difference. Purchases must be made on the debit card, and the amount is automatically transferred to the individual investing account

Example:

• $4.75 coffee → rounds to $5.00 → invests $0.25
• $127.32 groceries → rounds to $128 → invests $0.68
• 100 purchases/month × $0.30 avg = $30/month invested

3. Auto-Stash (Recurring Investments)

You can easily set up automatic transfers to a Stash account that automatically purchase investments you’ve pre-selected

Features:

• Set recurring investments (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Choose specific stocks/ETFs to purchase
• Dollar-cost averaging automation

4. SmartStash (Spending Analysis)

You can also analyze your bank account’s spending in an attempt to boost your savings through the SmartStash scheme

How It Works:

• Analyzes spending patterns in linked bank accounts
• Identifies potential savings opportunities
• Suggests automatic investment amounts
• Helps find “invisible” money to invest

5. Extensive Educational Content

Stash Learn is Stash’s collection of articles and how-to guides that cover topics like investment basics, national and global money news, personal finance issues, etc.

Stash Learn Topics:

• Investment basics (stocks, bonds, ETFs)
• National and global money news
• Personal finance strategies
• Tax season guides
• Market insights
• Portfolio management

Delivery Method:

• Interactive app lessons
• Blog articles
• How-to guides
• Video content
• Tips throughout user journey

Account Types

Investment Accounts

Personal Investment Account (Taxable)

• No minimum to open
• $5 to start investing
• Fractional shares available
• Both subscription tiers

Traditional IRA

• 2025 contribution limit: $7,000 (under 50), $8,000 (50+)
• Tax-deferred growth
• Required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 73
• Available: Growth and Stash+ tiers

Roth IRA

• 2025 contribution limit: $7,000 (under 50), $8,000 (50+)
• Tax-free growth and withdrawals
• No RMDs
• Available: Growth and Stash+ tiers

Custodial Accounts (UGMA/UTMA)

• For minor children
• Up to 2 accounts (Stash+ only)
• Control transfers to child at age of majority
• Great for teaching kids to invest

Note: Stash doesn’t offer the ability to roll over existing retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA from another provider

Banking Account

Stash Banking (provided by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC)

Features:

• Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard®
• No monthly maintenance fees
• No minimum balance requirement
• No overdraft fees
• 19,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide
• Mobile check deposits
• Direct deposit available
• Bill pay

Downside: The downside to Stash’s cash management account: It doesn’t offer any interest (0% APY)

User Experience

Mobile App

Stash’s mobile app is the star of the show. Stash has 300,000 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars in the App Store

iOS: 4.7/5 stars (300,000+ reviews)
Android: 4.6/5 stars (estimated)
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 stars (4,437 reviews)

Praised For:

• Easy, sleek interface
• Intuitive navigation
• Investment theme organization
• Educational content integration
• Simple account setup

Complaints:

• Android users report technical issues
• Some account freeze incidents
• Customer service delays

Account Setup

Time Required: 10-15 minutes

Process:

1. Download Stash app or visit stashinvest.com
2. Create username and password
3. Provide basic information (SSN, age, identity proof)
4. Connect bank account
5. Answer risk tolerance questions
6. Set savings goals
7. Choose subscription tier ($3 or $9/month)
8. Fund account ($5 minimum to start investing)
9. Select investments or Smart Portfolio

What type of investor do you see yourself as?

• Conservative
• Moderate
• Aggressive

Stash presents you with a list of investment options from which to choose based on your profile.

What Stash Lacks

No Tax-Loss Harvesting

There are no tax strategies offered or services like tax-loss harvesting. Some competitors do offer these features.

Impact: Tax-loss harvesting can add 0.5-1.5% annually in tax benefits at competitors like Betterment and Wealthfront.

No Automatic Rebalancing for Individual Stocks

Tax loss harvesting and automatic rebalancing are nice-to-have features inside an online brokerage account. With Stash Invest, you don’t get either one.

Reality: Only Smart Portfolios get automatic rebalancing (quarterly, 5% drift). If you pick individual stocks, you must rebalance manually.

Limited Retirement Account Features

Smart Portfolios don’t offer tax-loss harvesting. No automated IRA management.

Cannot:

• Roll over 401(k) or IRA from another provider
• Automate Roth conversions
• Get personalized retirement income planning

No Advanced Trading

Not Available:

• Options trading
• Margin trading
• Short selling
• Futures or forex
• Day trading tools
• Direct cryptocurrency

Customer Support

Contact Methods

From the Stash app, you’ll find built-in customer service support. You can search the FAQ section, submit your question, or call the number listed

Available:

• Phone support
• In-app messaging
• FAQ/Help Center
• Email support

Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday

Customer Service Reputation

According to online reviews, Stash isn’t known for its great customer service

Better Business Bureau (BBB): 1.08 out of 5 stars (78 complaints)

Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,437 reviews)

Common Complaints:

• Account freezes without explanation
• Long hold times
• Difficulty canceling subscriptions
• Unexpected fees at ATMs
• Slow response times

Common Praise:

• Helpful when you finally reach someone
• Positive sentiments about ease of use
• Automated investing features appreciated
• Round-up feature loved

Security and Safety

Regulatory Protection

SEC-Registered: Stash Investments LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser

SIPC Coverage: Up to $500,000 per account (including $250,000 cash)

FDIC Insurance: Banking accounts insured up to $250,000 through Stride Bank, N.A.

Security Measures

• 256-bit encryption
• Two-factor authentication available
• Biometric login (fingerprint, Face ID)
• Secure bank linking
• Transaction monitoring

Pros and Cons

Stash Pros ✅

✅ Very beginner-friendly interface
✅ $5 minimum to start investing
✅ 4,000+ stocks and ETFs to choose from
✅ Themed investing (makes stock selection approachable)
✅ Fractional shares available
✅ Stock-Back® Card (earn fractional shares)
✅ Round-Ups (invest spare change)
✅ Extensive educational content (Stash Learn)
✅ Smart Portfolios for automation option
✅ Banking integrated (no overdraft fees)
✅ Life insurance included ($1,000-$10,000)
✅ Custodial accounts for kids (Stash+)

Stash Cons ❌

❌ Expensive for small balances (36% on $100)
❌ No tax-loss harvesting
❌ No automatic rebalancing (individual stocks)
❌ Banking account earns 0% interest
❌ Cannot roll over 401(k)/IRA
❌ No options, futures, or crypto trading
❌ Stock-Back® rewards capped (only $10/month max for Growth)
❌ Customer service issues reported
❌ Android app technical problems
❌ Some account freeze incidents
❌ Fees at out-of-network ATMs

Who Should Choose Stash?

Ideal Candidates

Complete Beginners Wanting to Learn

If you want to start investing but don’t know where to start, Stash teaches you how to select suitable investments, manage your portfolio and offers insight on good trading tactics

Those Who Want Investment Control

Unlike pure robo-advisors (Acorns), Stash lets you pick individual stocks while still offering educational guidance

Themed Investors

Love the idea of investing in “Clean Energy” or “Tech Giants” rather than mysterious ticker symbols

Parents Teaching Kids

Stash+ custodial accounts great for teaching children about investing

Investors Wanting Hybrid Approach

Want both DIY stock picking AND automated Smart Portfolio options

Not Right For

Small Balance Investors

At $100 balance, you’re paying 36% in fees. Better to use commission-free brokers until you have $1,000+

Tax-Conscious Investors

No tax-loss harvesting means missing 0.5-1.5% annual benefits available at Betterment/Wealthfront

Active Traders

No options, no margin, no advanced tools. Use Robinhood, Fidelity, or Schwab instead

Retirement Account Rollovers

Cannot roll over existing 401(k) or IRA. Must start fresh IRA at Stash

Those Wanting Highest Interest

Banking account earns 0% vs. 3-4% at competitors

Stash vs Competitors

vs. Acorns

Pricing	$3 or $9/month	$3, $6, or $12/month
Investment Control	✅ Pick stocks	❌ No control
Educational Content	✅ Extensive	Basic
IRA Match	❌ None	1-3%
Banking Interest	0%	2.42% (Silver/Gold)

Winner: Stash for learning and control; Acorns for automation and IRA matching

Full Comparison- Acorns vs Stash 2025: Which Micro-Investing App Is Better?

vs. Robinhood

Pricing	$3-$9/month	Free
Educational Content	✅ Extensive	Minimal
Options Trading	❌ No	✅ Yes
Crypto	❌ No	✅ Yes
Themes	✅ Yes	No

Winner: Robinhood for active traders; Stash for beginners

Final Verdict

Overall Rating: 3.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stash is an excellent educational platform for beginners who want to learn investing while maintaining control over stock selection. The themed investing approach makes stock picking approachable, and the extensive educational content (Stash Learn) is best-in-class. However, flat monthly fees are prohibitively expensive for small balances, and the lack of tax-loss harvesting is a significant disadvantage.

Get started at: stash.com (Get $25 bonus when you deposit $5)

Disclaimer: This Stash review is for educational purposes. Investment decisions should be based on your personal situation. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. All information accurate as of October 2025 but subject to change.