Investing comparison
Acorns vs Stash
Updated
Priceless Tay may earn a commission from some links on this page, and that never changes how we compare apps.
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.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Short answer
Acorns and Stash are both investing apps. Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month, while The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026, and the official sources differ on 5 of the 10 rows in the table below.
Acorns vs Stash at a glance
Acorns and Stash are both investing apps. This page puts what each company's official pages and app store listings say side by side, with the date we checked every fact. The sources differ on 5 of the 10 rows in the table below.
Management or subscription fee
Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month. 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 both on Oct 24, 2026.
Account minimum
Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees. We haven't verified this for Acorns yet, so check the official site for Acorns before you decide. We checked Stash on Oct 24, 2026.
Account types
Acorns lists these account types: Investment account, IRA account and UGMA/UTMA. Stash lists these account types: Brokerage, Retirement and Custodial accounts for kids. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Fractional shares
Stash says you can invest in fractional shares with $5 or less, from thousands of stocks and ETFs. We haven't verified this for Acorns yet, so check the official site for Acorns before you decide. We checked Stash on Oct 24, 2026.
Automatic investing
Acorns says it puts investing on autopilot, and Round-Ups invest your spare change every time you make a purchase. We haven't verified this for Stash yet, so check the official site for Stash before you decide. We checked Acorns on Oct 24, 2026.
Managed portfolios (robo)
Acorns says it recommends an expert-built, diversified investment portfolio for your money goals, so you don't pick stocks yourself. Stash says you can let its investing team manage a diversified portfolio for you (a Smart Portfolio). We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
Protection
Brokerage 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. Stash'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). We checked both on Oct 24, 2026.
App store rating
Acorns has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 959,943 ratings. Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 ratings. We checked both on Oct 24, 2026. Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score.
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.
As of · acorns.com/pricing
Stash$12a month
The Stash Plan costs $12 a month, or $108 billed annually.
As of · stash.com/pricing
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.
At a glance
App Store rating
- Acorns
- 4.7959,943 ratings
- Stash
- 4.7311,480 ratings
Source
- Acorns has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 959,943 ratings. App Store listing, as of Oct 24, 2026.
- Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 ratings. App Store listing, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Platforms
- Acorns
- Not verified yet
- Stash
- Not verified yet
Source
- Acorns: Not verified yet.
- Stash: Not verified yet.
Account minimum
- Acorns
- Not verified yet
- Stash
- Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees.
Source
- Acorns: Not verified yet.
- Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees. stash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Stock and ETF commissions
- Acorns
- Not verified yet
- Stash
- Not verified yet
Source
- Acorns: Not verified yet.
- Stash: Not verified yet.
Protection
- Acorns
- Brokerage 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.
- Stash
- Stash'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).
Source
- Brokerage 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. acorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026.
- Stash'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). stash.com/security, as of Oct 24, 2026.
Features
We haven't verified a feature list for either app yet, so this grid is empty for now.
✓ means the official site lists it. ? means we haven't verified it yet, not that the app lacks it.
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.
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
Stash
No official screen found yet
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
Stash
No official screen found yet
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
Stash
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 1 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 2 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 3 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image 4 of 4 from the Stash listing.App Store listing, as of
Acorns and Stash, side by side
Rows marked “Differs” are where the official sources say different things, and 5 rows do here. "Lower price" marks the lowest monthly price the sources list. It's a number, not our pick.
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps.
| Field | AcornsInvesting appAcorns is an automated investing app that bundles investing, retirement and banking tools into monthly subscription plans.Visit Acorns's site | StashInvesting appStash is a subscription investing app with brokerage, retirement and custodial accounts, fractional shares and managed Smart Portfolios.Visit Stash's site |
|---|---|---|
| Management or subscription feeDiffers | Acorns has three monthly plans: Bronze at $4 a month, Silver at $8 a month, and Gold at $12 a month.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: acorns.com/pricing | 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.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing |
| Account minimum | Not verified yet. | Stash's pricing page says: No minimums. No hidden fees.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing |
| Stock and ETF commissions | Not verified yet. | Not verified yet. |
| Account typesDiffers | Acorns lists these account types: Investment account, IRA account and UGMA/UTMA.Also named on another official page: Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, SEP IRA.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: acorns.com/laterAs of Oct 24, 2026. Source: acorns.com/pricing | Stash lists these account types: Brokerage, Retirement and Custodial accounts for kids.Also named on another official page: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/retireAs of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing |
| Fractional shares | Not verified yet. | Stash says you can invest in fractional shares with $5 or less, from thousands of stocks and ETFs.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing |
| Automatic investing | Acorns says it puts investing on autopilot, and Round-Ups invest your spare change every time you make a purchase.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: acorns.com/pricing | Not verified yet. |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | Acorns says it recommends an expert-built, diversified investment portfolio for your money goals, so you don't pick stocks yourself.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: acorns.com/pricing | Stash says you can let its investing team manage a diversified portfolio for you (a Smart Portfolio).As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/pricing |
| ProtectionDiffers | Brokerage 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.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: acorns.com/pricing | Stash'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).As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: stash.com/security |
| Platforms | Not verified yet. | Not verified yet. |
| App store ratingDiffers | Acorns has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 959,943 ratings.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: App Store listing | Stash has 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store from 311,480 ratings.As of Oct 24, 2026. Source: App Store listing |
App store ratings are a dated snapshot from each store listing, not our score. “Not verified yet” means we don't have a current official source for that line. 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 to this table and compare up to four side by side.
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. The questions come from app help centers, FAQ pages and user forums, and every answer comes from the app's own pages, with the date we checked it.
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.
As of . Source: acorns.com
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.
In their words: “Smart money app & up to 4 debit cards”
As of . Source: acorns.com
Stash
Not verified yet
“Not verified yet” means we haven't found a current official source that answers it, not that the app can't. 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 24, 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 Oct 24, 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 both on Oct 24, 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 24, 2026.
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Keep comparing
- 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
- Not verified yet
- 7 of 20 facts
Acorns6 of 10 verified, 4 not verified yet, last checked Oct 24, 2026
- Management or subscription feeacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account minimumNot verified yet
- Stock and ETF commissionsNot verified yet
- Account typesacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Fractional sharesNot verified yet
- Automatic investingacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)acorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Protectionacorns.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- PlatformsNot verified yet
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 24, 2026
Stash7 of 10 verified, 3 not verified yet, last checked Oct 24, 2026
- Management or subscription feestash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Account minimumstash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsNot verified yet
- Account typesstash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Fractional sharesstash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Automatic investingNot verified yet
- Managed portfolios (robo)stash.com/pricing, as of Oct 24, 2026
- Protectionstash.com/security, as of Oct 24, 2026
- PlatformsNot verified yet
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Oct 24, 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 its app's window (8 days for apps whose rates change often, 35 days for the rest), it reads “Not verified yet” until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
