Stash is a personal finance investing app created for people who are beginning investors. It’s available through the Stash mobile app and also directly online on a desktop. With Stash’s brokerage accounts, you can choose your investments, or you can automate them and have Stash choose them for you with its robo-advisor. If you choose the latter, the robo-advisor creates a diversified portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.
Stash also offers the Stock-Back Card, a debit card that gives you up to 3% in stock rewards with qualifying payments and purchases. Note that the Stock-Back Card is available only if you have a Stash brokerage account.
Stash
Stash
Min. deposit
$1
Monthly fee
Stash Growth $3 a month
Stash+ $9 a month
Stash pros and cons
Pros:
- Low minimum of $4 ($1 minimum and $3 account fee) to open a basic account.
- Offers a debit card option with stock back rewards.
- Allows you to both pick your own investments and use the robo-advisor.
Cons:
- Does not have access to a human financial advisor.
- No tax-loss advice.
- Monthly fees may be high if you are not investing much
Stash overview
Stash has two brokerage account tiers, Stash Growth and Stash+. Stash Growth is the basic tier and costs $3 per month. It gives you access to [invest in stocks](/article/how-to-invest-in-stocks) and [ETFs](/article/what-is-an-etf) and create a retirement portfolio. Stash+ gives you access to everything offered in Growth, and it also includes two kids portfolios and it gives you 1% in stock in card purchases. Both brokerage account tiers include the Stock-Back debit card.
With Stash, you can automate your investments with their robo-advisor service called Smart Portfolio. To start, you answer a few questions and Stash builds a diversified portfolio, depending on how much risk you are comfortable taking and your goals.
A big pro of Stash is that you can get started with just $1, and it offers access to fractional shares. So you can start investing with very little money and still have a diversified portfolio. The Stock-Back Card is also a good opportunity to use the rewards to learn about investing and choose your own stocks.
One of the cons, though, is that, while you have access to a robo-advisor, you do not have access to a human financial advisor on Stash. The app does not offer tax-loss advice, either. Last, if you are not investing a large amount of money, the plans’ monthly fees are high.
If you’re looking for life insurance, both brokerage tiers offer access to life insurance offered by Avibra.
Stash features and services
Investing
Investing is Stash's bread and butter, and it offers two tiers, Stash Growth and Stash+. Stash Growth has a $3 monthly fee and offers limited features. Stash+ charges $9 monthly and you get access to all the investment features.
With Stash, you can have a Personal Portfolio where you choose your own investments, or you can turn to Stash’s robo-advisor with the Smart Portfolio.
On top of that, you can create a retirement portfolio, as well as up to two Kids Portfolios. Note that the Kids Portfolio is only offered to Stash+ users..
You are not charged an added commission fee for your retirement account because it’s already included in Stash+.
The custodial account, also known as the Kids Portfolio, has its tax advantages because until the child turns 18, this account is taxed at a child's tax rate. The money in this account is owned by the child.
Banking
Both of Stash’s investment brokerage tiers — Stash Growth and Stash+ — offer the Stock-Back Card. The Stock-Back Card is a debit card with two important features. One is that you earn up to 3% in stock rewards on select purchases and payments. For instance, when you shop at Starbucks, McDonalds, Taco Bell or Nike, you’ll earn 3% back in that company’s stock. The other feature is that you can choose to round up your purchases, and the extra amount goes toward your investment accounts.
The Stock-Back Card is a debit Mastercard issued by Stride Bank. The earned stock rewards are held in your Stash investment account. To have access to the Stock-Back Card, you must have a Stash investing account.
Insurance
Both brokerage tiers offer access to life insurance. With Stash Growth, you get access to $1,000 in life insurance coverage, offered by Avibra, a benefits and lifestyle app offering life insurance. With Stash+, you have access to $10,000 of coverage with Avibra.
Who is Stash best for?
Stash is best for beginner investors who don’t necessarily want to invest large amounts yet. Stash allows you to choose your own investments or have Stash pick them for you. Stash gives you access to fractional shares, which means you can invest with very little money or by using the Stock-Back debit card.
How Stash compares
Stash allows you to either choose your own investments or have Stash’s robo-advisor pick them for you. This is a key differentiator with Stash. Services from other institutions, such as SoFi's automated investing, offer only automated investing.
The other key difference is the fee. With Stash, there is a $1 minimum to open the account, and you must also pay the $3 monthly fee. With SoFi, you must start with $1 and there are no fees. If you want to transfer your money to another account, however, there is a $75 outgoing fee with SoFi. Another investment platform, Betterment, charges a 0.25% management fee or $4 a month. There is a $0 account minimum with Betterment, and with a Premium account, you get access to a team of human advisors.
SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest
Min. deposit
$0
Monthly fee
$0
All in all, Stash is great if you want to have access to a robo-advisor but also still have the ability to call your own shots. It’s a good way to learn and also have some risk control via automated investing.
Methodology
By employing this comprehensive review methodology, we aim to empower consumers like you to make informed decisions when choosing a brokerage account that aligns with your financial goals and preferences. We evaluate key factors, such as fees and features, and more to help you make informed decisions. Please note that our reviews are based on publicly available information, and we recommend verifying the latest details directly from the respective financial institutions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is Stash legit?
Yes, Stash is legit. For its mobile banking service, the Stock-Back Card, customers have access to FDIC-insured banking accounts, which are powered by Stride Bank.
Is Stash good for beginners?
Yes, Stash is good for beginners, and it’s created for and with beginners in mind.
Does Stash charge a monthly fee?
Yes, Stash charges a monthly fee of $3 and $9, depending on the tier. Currently, Stash offers the first month free.
