Markets have delivered strong returns lately, and you’re researching micro-investing apps instead of opening a traditional brokerage account. That tells me something: you want to start investing, but the traditional route feels overwhelming. Stash promises to solve that problem—$1 minimums, automated everything, banking and investing in one app. But here’s what the marketing doesn’t emphasize: you’re paying $36/year in fees before you invest a single dollar. Whether that’s a bargain or a trap depends entirely on who you are.
Quick Verdict
Stash is worth it if you’re a true beginner who needs automation to build the investing habit. At $3/month, you get fractional shares, automated portfolios, banking, retirement accounts, and Stock-Back rewards that turn everyday spending into investments. The catch: that $3/month represents a 3.6% annual fee on a $1,000 balance—expensive by any standard. For investors who already have the discipline to invest consistently, fee-free alternatives like Robinhood or Fidelity make more sense.
Best for: Complete beginners, young investors building their first portfolio, anyone who needs automation to overcome inertia.
Skip if: You have $10K+ to invest, you’re already investing consistently, or you want full control over your portfolio.
What Stash Actually Delivers
Stash serves over 6 million customers with approximately $4 billion in assets under management. Those numbers suggest the platform works for its target audience—people who weren’t investing before.
The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Krieg and Ed Robinson, both Wall Street veterans who recognized that traditional investing felt inaccessible to everyday Americans. Their solution: remove every barrier.
The core promise: Start investing with $1, automate everything, and earn stock rewards on purchases you’re already making.
According to Stash’s data, users who set up Auto-Stash (automated recurring investments) have 9× more in their accounts after one year compared to those who don’t. That stat reveals the real value proposition: Stash isn’t selling stock picks or market-beating returns. It’s selling behavior change.
| Metric | Stash Claims |
|---|---|
| Customers | 6 million+ |
| Assets Under Management | $4 billion |
| Customer Deposits | $3.5 billion+ |
| Auto-Stash Impact | 9× more after 1 year |
The Bottom Line: Stash’s value isn’t in the investments—it’s in making you actually invest.
What You Get With Stash
Stash Starter ($3/month)
The base tier includes everything most beginners need:
Investing:
- Access to 1,000+ stocks and ETFs
- Fractional shares starting at $1
- Smart Portfolio (automated, expert-managed portfolios)
- Quarterly professional rebalancing
- Automatic dividend reinvestment
- Recurring investments (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Stock Round-Ups (invest spare change automatically)
Retirement:
- Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRA options
- 3% match on IRA contributions (yes, really)
Banking:
- FDIC-insured checking and savings
- Stock-Back Card (earn fractional shares on purchases)
- 55,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Early direct deposit (up to 2 days early)
- No overdraft fees
Family:
- Custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) for kids
Extras:
- $10K life insurance via Avibra
- Priority customer support
- Educational content library
Stash+ ($12/month)
Here’s where things get confusing: according to Stash’s pricing page, both tiers include the same features. The company doesn’t clearly differentiate what the additional $9/month buys you. Before subscribing to Stash+, confirm exactly what premium features you’re getting.
Pro Tip: Start with Starter at $3/month. You can always upgrade if you find genuine value in the premium tier.
Start With Stash Starter — $3/month
How Stash Works
The Smart Portfolio Approach
When you sign up, Stash asks about your timeline, risk tolerance, and experience level. Based on your answers, it recommends a Smart Portfolio—an automated, diversified mix of investments that Stash manages for you.
Every quarter, Stash rebalances your portfolio to maintain your target allocation. Dividends are automatically reinvested. You don’t have to make any decisions after the initial setup.
Self-Directed Investing
If you want more control, you can pick individual stocks and ETFs from Stash’s library of 1,000+ options. Fractional shares mean you can own a piece of Amazon or Tesla with $5.
Stash also offers themed portfolios—curated collections based on trends, values, or sectors. Examples include “Clean Energy,” “Women-Led Companies,” and “AI & Robotics.” Each theme includes a mix of 3-5 ETFs or stocks.
The Stock-Back Card
This is Stash’s most distinctive feature. When you use the Stock-Back debit card at participating merchants, you earn fractional shares of stock instead of points or cash back.
Buy coffee at Starbucks? Earn Starbucks stock. Shop at Amazon? Earn Amazon stock. It’s a clever way to turn spending into investing without any extra effort.
The Starter tier earns 1% Stock-Back on all purchases. Unlike points programs, stock rewards don’t expire and can grow over time.
The Fee Math: Is $3/Month Worth It?
This is where most Stash reviews get it wrong. They either dismiss the fee as “only $3” or condemn it as “expensive.” The truth depends on your balance.
The math:
| Balance | Annual Fee ($36) | Effective Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | $36 | 7.2% |
| $1,000 | $36 | 3.6% |
| $2,500 | $36 | 1.4% |
| $5,000 | $36 | 0.72% |
| $10,000 | $36 | 0.36% |
| $25,000 | $36 | 0.14% |
At $500, you’re paying 7.2% annually just in platform fees—before any ETF expense ratios. That’s brutal.
At $10,000, the fee drops to 0.36%—reasonable for a platform that includes banking, retirement accounts, and automation.
The breakeven question: At what balance does Stash become cost-competitive?
Betterment charges 0.25% of assets under management. At that rate, you’d pay $25/year on a $10,000 balance. Stash’s $36 is higher, but Stash includes features Betterment doesn’t (individual stocks, Stock-Back rewards, banking).
Robinhood and Fidelity are free. If you can invest consistently without automation, these are objectively better for your wallet.
The real question: What’s the cost of not investing at all?
If Stash’s automation is the difference between investing $200/month and investing $0/month, the $3 fee is irrelevant. You’re not comparing Stash to Fidelity—you’re comparing Stash to your savings account earning 0.01%.
Warning: The fee math only works if you’re actually using the automation. If you sign up, pay $3/month, and never invest, you’re just donating to Stash.
For comparison, see our Betterment review for a 0.25% AUM alternative.
The Trade-Offs
What Stash Does Well
Removes every barrier to starting. $1 minimums, fractional shares, and a mobile-first interface mean you can start investing during your lunch break with whatever’s in your checking account.
Automates the hard part. Round-Ups, recurring investments, and Smart Portfolios turn investing into something that happens automatically. You don’t have to remember, decide, or act.
Combines banking and investing. One app for checking, savings, investing, and retirement. Transfers are instant. The Stock-Back card makes spending feel productive.
Makes retirement accessible. The 3% IRA match is genuinely valuable. On $6,000 in annual IRA contributions, that’s $180 in free money—more than covering the $36 annual fee.
Educates without overwhelming. The app includes articles, videos, and personalized recommendations designed for beginners.
Where Stash Falls Short
Fees hurt small balances. The $3/month flat fee is expensive if you’re investing less than $5,000. Most beginners start with less.
Limited investment selection. 1,000+ stocks and ETFs sounds like a lot, but it’s a fraction of what you’d access at a full-service broker.
No tax-loss harvesting. More sophisticated robo-advisors like Betterment offer tax optimization features Stash doesn’t.
Unclear tier differentiation. The difference between Starter ($3) and Stash+ ($12) isn’t clearly explained on the website.
No cryptocurrency. If you want crypto exposure, you’ll need another platform.
Stock-Back limitations. You only earn stock rewards at participating merchants, not everywhere.
Who Should Use Stash
Stash is ideal for:
- True beginners who have never invested before and find traditional brokers intimidating
- Young investors building their first portfolio with limited capital
- People who struggle to save and need automation to build the habit
- Families who want to invest for their kids through custodial accounts
- Anyone who values simplicity over control and is willing to pay for it
Stash is NOT for:
- Investors with $10K+ who would benefit from fee-free platforms
- Active traders who want full control and real-time execution
- Cost-conscious investors who already have the discipline to invest consistently
- Crypto enthusiasts who need digital asset exposure
- Tax-optimization seekers who want tax-loss harvesting
If you’re not a beginner: Skip Stash and go directly to Fidelity or Charles Schwab. You’ll get more features, more investment options, and zero platform fees.
Best Alternatives to Stash
For Similar Micro-Investing
Acorns — The closest competitor. Same pricing structure ($3-12/month), similar features (Round-Ups, banking, retirement). Key difference: Acorns focuses on pre-built ETF portfolios, while Stash offers individual stock picking. Acorns also offers up to 3.59% APY on savings (Silver/Gold tiers).
M1 Finance — Free automated investing with “Pies” (custom portfolio allocations). No monthly fees, but requires $100 minimum to start. Better for investors who want automation without the fee.
For Commission-Free Trading
Robinhood — Free trading, fractional shares, crypto access. No automation features, but zero fees make it attractive once you’ve built the investing habit.
Fidelity — Full-service broker with zero commissions, fractional shares, and no account minimums. More complex interface but vastly more powerful.
For Automated Investing
Betterment — 0.25% AUM fee, tax-loss harvesting, sophisticated portfolio management. Better for investors with $10K+ who want hands-off investing without the flat fee.
Acorns — Similar to Stash with Round-Ups and banking integration. Compare both before choosing.
| Platform | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Stash | $3-12 | Beginners who need automation |
| Acorns | $3-12 | Round-Up-focused micro-investing |
| M1 Finance | Free | DIY automated portfolios |
| Robinhood | Free | Simple trading, crypto |
| Betterment | 0.25% AUM | Hands-off investors with $10K+ |
Final Verdict
Stash solves a real problem: most people don’t invest because they find it confusing, intimidating, or easy to postpone. By removing every barrier and automating the behavior, Stash turns non-investors into investors.
Is the $3/month fee worth it? For true beginners, yes. The automation, simplicity, and 3% IRA match deliver genuine value. If Stash is the difference between investing and not investing, the fee is trivial compared to the cost of staying on the sidelines.
But Stash is training wheels, not a destination. Once you’ve built the habit and accumulated $5,000-10,000, graduate to a fee-free platform. Keep the discipline Stash taught you; ditch the fees.
The bottom line: Stash is worth it if you’re starting from zero and need help building the habit. It’s not worth it if you already have the discipline to invest consistently.
Five years from now, the best outcome isn’t “I’m still using Stash.” It’s “Stash taught me to invest, and now I manage a six-figure portfolio on my own.”
Explore all your investing options in our guide to the best stock market research websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stash worth the money?
Yes, for true beginners who need automation to start investing. At $3/month, Stash provides fractional shares, automated portfolios, banking, and a 3% IRA match. The fee is expensive for small balances (3.6% on $1,000) but becomes reasonable as your balance grows. If you already invest consistently, fee-free alternatives like Fidelity or Robinhood are better choices.
What are the best alternatives to Stash?
Acorns is the closest competitor with similar pricing and features. See our Acorns review for comparison. M1 Finance offers free automated investing. Robinhood and Fidelity provide commission-free trading without monthly fees. Betterment charges 0.25% of assets and includes tax-loss harvesting. The best alternative depends on whether you need automation (Acorns, M1) or just want free trading (Robinhood, Fidelity).
Stash vs Acorns: Which is better?
Both charge $3-12/month and offer similar features. Stash wins if you want to pick individual stocks (1,000+ options vs Acorns’ pre-built portfolios). Acorns wins if you want higher savings APY (up to 3.59%) and clearer tier differentiation. See our Acorns review for the full comparison. Both offer Round-Ups, banking, and retirement accounts. For most beginners, the difference is minimal.
How do I cancel Stash?
You can cancel your Stash subscription anytime through the app. Go to Settings > Subscription > Cancel. Your investments remain in your account after cancellation, but you’ll lose access to premium features. To fully close your account and withdraw funds, you’ll need to sell your investments and transfer the cash to an external bank account. Standard settlement periods apply (T+2 for stocks).
Does Stash actually help you invest more?
According to Stash, users who set up Auto-Stash have 9× more in their accounts after one year compared to those who don’t use automation. This suggests the platform’s automation features are effective at encouraging consistent investing. However, this is company-reported data, not independently verified performance.
What is the Stock-Back Card?
The Stock-Back Card is a debit card that rewards purchases with fractional shares of stock instead of cash back or points. When you shop at participating merchants, you earn stock in that company. For example, buying coffee at Starbucks earns you Starbucks stock. The Starter tier earns 1% Stock-Back on all purchases. Unlike points, stock rewards don’t expire and can grow in value.
Is Stash safe and legitimate?
Stash is a legitimate, SEC-registered investment platform that has operated since 2015 and serves over 6 million customers. Your investments are held through Apex Clearing Corporation, a member of SIPC, which protects securities up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash claims) if the brokerage fails. Your banking funds are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through Stash’s partner banks. The company has raised over $400 million in venture funding from investors including Union Square Ventures and Goodwater Capital. Stash is not a scam, but like all investments, your portfolio value can go up or down based on market conditions.
Can you make money with Stash?
Yes, you can build wealth with Stash, but returns depend on market performance and your investment strategy, not the platform itself. Stash provides access to stocks and ETFs that historically return 7-10% annually over long periods. The key factors are consistency and time: investing $100/month for 30 years at an average 8% return could grow to approximately $150,000. Stash’s 3% IRA match adds immediate 3% returns on retirement contributions up to certain limits. However, the $3/month fee reduces your effective returns, especially on small balances—on a $1,000 portfolio, that’s 3.6% in fees alone. For maximum growth, keep your balance above $5,000 where fees drop below 1%.
What is Stash’s minimum investment?
Stash allows you to start investing with just $1, one of the lowest minimums in the industry. This is possible through fractional share investing, where you purchase a portion of a stock rather than a full share. For example, you can own a fraction of Amazon stock without paying the full share price (currently over $200). The $1 minimum applies to both individual stocks and ETFs. The Smart Portfolio automated investing feature has no separate minimum beyond the platform’s $1 threshold. However, while you can technically invest $1, the $3/month fee means you should aim to invest at least $200-300/month to make the fee worthwhile relative to your balance.