Investing comparison
Acorns vs Stash
Updated
Data as of
Acorns checked Stash checked
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Stash
Investing app
Visit site for Stash (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Acorns if you want the lower monthly price ($4, compared with $12).
- Pick Stash if you want no minimum to open an account (Acorns lists $5 to start).
- The biggest difference is price: Acorns lists $4 a month, and Stash lists $12 a month.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Acorns vs Stash at a glance
Acorns- Price
- $4a month
- Rating
- 4.7 of 5App Store, 960,195 ratings
- Platforms
- 2Mobile app, Web app
- Stash
- Price
- $12a month
- Rating
- 4.7 of 5App Store, 311,450 ratings
- Platforms
- 2App, Web
What it costs
- AcornsLower price
$4a month
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.
Source
acorns.com/pricing, checked . - Stash
$12a month
The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually.
Source
stash.com/pricing, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. "Lower price" marks the lowest monthly price the sources list. It's a number, not our pick. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
Acorns and Stash, side by side
| Detail | Acorns | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management or subscription feeDiffers | AcornsAcorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | StashThe Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually. Stash also charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more and on Managed Retirement Accounts. Sourcestash.com/pricing, checked . |
| Account minimumDiffers | AcornsAcorns' Form ADV wrap fee brochure says there is no minimum account size, and most clients can begin investing with as little as $5.Clients using real-time Round-Ups through Acorns' banking partners may begin investing with less than $5. | StashStash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees. Sourcestash.com/pricing, checked . |
| Stock and ETF commissionsDiffers | AcornsAcorns' home page says: No hidden fees. No commissions. Sourceacorns.com, checked . | StashStash's pricing page says it doesn't charge add-on transaction fees, just a flat monthly subscription ($12 per month).The footnote says the $12 subscription is a wrap fee, and you also pay standard ETF expenses and any applicable ancillary service fees charged by Stash or its custodian. Sourcestash.com/pricing, checked . |
| Account typesDiffers | AcornsAcorns lists these account types: Investment account, IRA account and UGMA/UTMA.Also named on another official page: Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, SEP IRA. Sourceacorns.com/later, checked .Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | StashStash lists these account types: Brokerage, Retirement and Custodial accounts for kids.Also named on another official page: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA. Sourcestash.com/retire, checked .Sourcestash.com/pricing, checked . |
| Fractional sharesDiffers | AcornsAcorns' Form CRS says a Custom Portfolio lets customers invest a portion of their Acorns Invest Account in fractional shares of equity securities.Custom Portfolios are capped at up to 50% of the account's value based on the customer's risk profile, and the CRS lists them with the Gold plan. | StashStash says you can invest in fractional shares with $5 or less, from thousands of stocks and ETFs. Sourcestash.com/pricing, checked . |
| Automatic investingDiffers | AcornsAcorns says it puts investing on autopilot, and Round-Ups invest your spare change every time you make a purchase. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | StashStash lists recurring investments: tell it how much and how often to auto-invest, and it does the rest. Stock Round-Ups automatically invest your spare change. Sourcestash.com/invest, checked . |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | AcornsAcorns says it recommends an expert-built, diversified investment portfolio for your money goals, so you don't pick stocks yourself. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | StashStash says you can let its investing team manage a diversified portfolio for you (a Smart Portfolio). Sourcestash.com/pricing, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | AcornsBrokerage products come from Acorns Securities, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Acorns Checking balances are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor through the partner banks. Sourceacorns.com/pricing, checked . | StashStash's security page says Apex Clearing Corporation is a member of SIPC, so the investments in your account are protected up to $500,000 total (including $250,000 for claims for cash). Sourcestash.com/security, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | AcornsAcorns lists Mobile app and Web app. | StashStash lists App and Web. Sourcestash.com/invest, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | AcornsAcorns has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 960,195 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | StashStash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,450 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Acorns
Google Play marketing imageThe Android tab bar: Home, Investing, a round Money Hub button, Learning and Earning, with Investing selected.Google Play listing, as of
Stash
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Make your money work" showing the home screen with a $2,513.44 total value and a chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe home screen: Total Value $2,513.44, investment performance +$2.57 since Jan 07 2026, a line chart with 1M, 3M, 1Y and ALL tabs and a Your next move card suggesting Invest in Smart Portfolio.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTotal Value $2,513.44 with investment performance +$2.57 since Jan 07 2026 and a wavy line chart up to $4K.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
Acorns
Google Play marketing imageEmergency Savings at $500 with a Save $1,000 goal at 50%, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, Current APY 3.59%, a Recent activity header and the tab bar with Home selected.Google Play listing, as of
Stash
No official screen found yet
Goals
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline about APY showing an Emergency Savings screen with a Save $1,000 bar and a debit card.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageEmergency Savings at $500 with a Save $1,000 goal card at 50%, partly covered by an image of an Acorns Visa debit card.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageMilestones: 1, Checking balance at $5,000 with $0 in Checking, and 2, Savings balance at $15,000 with $0 in Emergency Savings.Google Play listing, as of
Stash
App Store marketing imageAn On Track 2 month streak screen with three numbered steps, and Auto-Stash schedules for a Smart Portfolio at $20 weekly and a Personal Portfolio at $10 weekly, both on, plus a Retirement Portfolio Set up row.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageOn Track: 2 month streak! "Consistency is key to building a habit that sticks. Great work." with steps 1 and 2 done and step 3 next.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
Acorns
App Store marketing imageA tilted Your Acorns Potential screen: $491,395 made of a $418,395 return and $73,000 invested, a rising bar chart to age 65 and Years to grow 40 and Average return 8% chips.App Store listing, as of
Stash
App Store marketing imageA Your next move card: "Invest in your expert-built, professionally managed portfolio today" with an Invest in Smart Portfolio link.App Store listing, as of
Investments
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Save & invest for your future" showing a "Your Acorns Potential" projection chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Easy, automatic investing" showing an Invest account at $27,953 with Round-Ups and transfer buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Auto-invest for retirement" showing a Later account with a 3% match badge.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Invest account: $27,953, up $2,236.24 (8.00%) all time, a line chart, Round-Ups, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, and Round-Ups Settings Automatic and Recurring $5 / Daily rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Later retirement account: $90,159, up $7,212.72 (8.0%) all time, a line chart with a 3% match badge placed over it, Transfer in and Transfer out buttons, and Recurring $5 / Daily and 3% IRA Match Active rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageInvest $27,953 with $2,236.24 (8.00%) all time market gain and a green line chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTwo settings rows: Recurring $5 / Daily and 3% IRA Match Active.App Store listing, as of
Stash
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Expert, stress-free investing" showing a Smart Portfolio mix.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageSmart Portfolio: Your Smart Mix with Bonds 41%, US Companies 36%, Foreign Companies 16% and Up & Coming Markets 5%, a referral card and Recent activity.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Invest tab: a Search all investments field, Stocks and ETFs filters, Stock Spotlight with NVIDIA, Alphabet and Costco, and Stash Curated Collections such as Widely Held Stocks and Growth Stocks.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAsset classes with percent of portfolio rings: Bonds 41%, US Companies 36%, Foreign Companies 16% and Up & Coming Markets 5%.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAuto-Stash: Smart Portfolio $20 weekly, next investment on Feb 3, and Personal Portfolio $10 weekly, next on Feb 1, both on, then Retirement Portfolio with a Set up button.App Store listing, as of
Transfer and send
Acorns
App Store marketing imageThree round buttons: Round-Ups, Transfer in and Transfer out.App Store listing, as of
Stash
No official screen found yet
Getting started
Acorns
No official screen found yet
Stash
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Do more with Auto-Stash" showing a How much can you invest each week? setup step.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageHow much can you invest each week? with $5, $10, $20 and $50 weekly options, $20 weekly marked Recommended and selected, a Skip link and a Continue button.App Store listing, as of
AI assistant
Acorns
No official screen found yet
Stash
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "An advisor in your pocket" showing a Money Coach chat.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageMoney Coach answering "What stock should I buy?" by suggesting ETFs, with Blue Chips (MCG) and Stocks Nationwide (VTI) cards and a Let's talk about Money field.App Store listing, as of
Other screens
Acorns
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Your money on autopilot" showing your next deposit of $2,500 split across investing, saving and spending.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Get smart about money" showing a Learn screen with articles.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Like cash-back that can grow" showing an Earn screen with brand offers.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageYour next deposit of $2,500 with $2,500 received this month and $5,000 scheduled, split into tiles: Investing 4% $100, Saving 10% $250, Spending 85% $2,125, Kid 1% $25 and Giving coming soon.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Learn tab with Just for you, Investing and Retiring filters, a 7 min video card titled "The American Dream isn't dead" and a Trending for you row.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Earn tab: +50% Rewards Match, $128.59 earned, a featured Hello Fresh offer with $25 invested, All offers, Delivery and Grocery filters and a For you row of brand logos with rates.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageNext deposit on Feb 3, $1,000 from Chase Checking, split into Investing 5% $50, Saving 10% $100 and Spending 85% $850 with Giving coming soon, $0 received and $4,000 scheduled in Feb., and a Milestones list.Google Play listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageGreen tiles splitting a deposit: Investing 4% $100, Saving 10% $250, Spending 85% $2,125, Kid 1% $25 and Giving coming soon.App Store listing, as of
Stash
No official screen found yet
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is it free?
Acorns: Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.
Source
acorns.com/pricing, checked .Stash: The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually.
Source
stash.com/pricing, checked .Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Acorns: Yes. Chat (Acorns app or Help Center), email and phone.
Source
In their words: “Chat: Chat with us anytime through the Acorns app or from the Acorns Help Center (click "Need Help?" in the bottom right corner).” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/How-do-I-contact-Acorns, checked .Stash: Yes. Phone and email.
Source
In their words: “If you cannot log in, call Stash Support at 1-800-205-5164, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, or email” stash.com/learn/account-management, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
Acorns: No. Your partner signs in to your same account.
Source
In their words: “Today, we do not offer the option to set up a joint Acorns account.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-set-up-a-joint-account, checked .Stash: No. Your partner signs in to your same account.
Source
In their words: “No. Your Stash account is for you. You can add a beneficiary to eligible accounts, but that is different from sharing access or ownership while you are living.” stash.com/learn/account-management, checked .Can we keep shared and individual views?
Acorns: No. You both see the same shared view.
Source
In their words: “Today, we do not offer the option to set up a joint Acorns account.” support.acorns.com/hc/en-us/articles/Can-I-set-up-a-joint-account, checked .Stash: No. You both see the same shared view.
Source
In their words: “No. Your Stash account is for you. You can add a beneficiary to eligible accounts, but that is different from sharing access or ownership while you are living.” stash.com/learn/account-management, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Acorns: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Smart money app & up to 4 debit cards” acorns.com/early, checked .Stash: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “With a custodial account (aka Kids Portfolio at Stash), you can buy stocks and ETFs on behalf of the children in your life” stash.com/custodial, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverAcorns lists an APY on deposits. That fits a Saver, whose first fix is putting saved money to work.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Acorns nor Stash feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
What real users say
These are other people's opinions, not Priceless Tay's. We quote public reviews and posts word for word, link each one and show its date, but we haven't checked the claims in them. A post counts toward a theme when it uses one of that theme's keywords, so a mention can be praise or a complaint.
What Acorns users say
Based on 500 App Store reviews, 3 Reddit posts and 1 YouTube video dated Nov 2025 to Oct 2026, read Oct 2026. We collected the Reddit and YouTube data with Apify, a scraping service, on Oct 24, 2026.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 78 mention the price, fees or the subscription.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 75 mention how easy or hard the app is to use.
- Of the 504 reviews, posts and videos we read, 52 mention deposits, transfers or getting paid.
Positive
“Great investing app for beginners. Acorns makes saving and investing simple with automatic deposits and round-ups.”
Positive
“Acorns. I love that app. I have it set to like $20 a week and then 3x round up...”
Critical
“This place just kept charging me a monthly fee even though the account had been closed.”
Where these come from
- Acorns reviews on the App Store, read Oct 24, 2026. The public feed returns the 500 most recent US reviews. We kept every one dated inside the window.
- Hacker News search for Acorns, read Oct 24, 2026. Public search of comments and posts. 5 named the app; we kept 0 where the writer shares their own use of it.
- Reddit search for Acorns, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (harshmaur/reddit-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a keyword search for "Acorns app", posts and comments from after Oct 24 2025. It returned 84, most of them about something else. We kept 3 where the writer shares their own use of the app or a clear opinion of it. We left out moderators, bots, company accounts, referral posts and people promoting their own apps.
- YouTube search for Acorns, collected Oct 24, 2026. Collected with Apify (streamers/youtube-scraper) on Oct 24 2026: a search for "Acorns app review" from the past year, up to 8 videos. It returned 7. We kept 1 and left out the app's own channel, sponsored videos, videos with affiliate or referral links and videos about a different product. We count themes from each video's title, description and captions, but we don't quote videos, because the captions we have carry no timestamps.
- u/Yikes_big_oof in r/budget on Reddit, Oct 23, 2026.
- u/LewisRyan in r/acorns on Reddit, Oct 21, 2026.
- u/DAT4korrupt in r/povertyfinance on Reddit, Oct 12, 2026.
- "I'm Leaving Acorns Investing..." by Keep Going on YouTube, Nov 12, 2025.
FAQ
How much does Acorns charge?
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
How much does Stash charge?
The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually. Stash also charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee on Smart Portfolios with balances of $1,000 or more and on Managed Retirement Accounts. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
Which is cheaper, Acorns or Stash?
The lowest monthly price Acorns lists is $4 a month, and the lowest Stash lists is $12 a month, so Acorns lists the lower monthly price. We checked Acorns on Oct 29, 2026 and Stash on Nov 3, 2026, and plans change, so check both pricing pages before you decide.
What APY does Acorns list?
Acorns lists a 3.59% APY on Emergency Savings and a 2.33% APY on Mighty Oak Checking, stated as of Sep 22, 2026. Acorns says the rate is variable. Acorns says there is no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance for these accounts. We checked this on Oct 29, 2026.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- Read our Acorns review.
- See Acorns alternatives, closest category first.
- See Stash alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 20 facts, each linked and dated
Acorns10 sourced facts, last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Management or subscription feeacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Account minimumsqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Wrap-Fee-Program-Brochure--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsacorns.com, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Account typesacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Fractional sharessqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Securities-Acorns-Advisers-Form-CRS--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Automatic investingacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)acorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Protectionacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 29, 2026
- Platformssqy7rm.media.zestyio.com/Acorns-Securities-Acorns-Advisers-Form-CRS--August-2026-.pdf, as of Oct 29, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 29, 2026
Stash10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feestash.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumstash.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsstash.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesstash.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesstash.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingstash.com/invest, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)stash.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionstash.com/security, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsstash.com/invest, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
