How to Invest from Zero: App Comparison to Invest and Earn Money in 2025

The investment landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection can access financial markets that were once reserved for professionals. Apps for investing and making money have democratized access to trading, allowing novice investors to build diversified portfolios without the need for significant initial capital.

What Makes an Investment App Truly Effective?

Before diving into the available options, it is crucial to understand which parameters differentiate truly innovative brokers from mediocre proposals.

Execution speed is fundamental. In the world of trading, milliseconds can mean the difference between profits and losses. Competitive brokers like MiTrade have built their reputation precisely on this: a technological infrastructure that guarantees instant orders on both web and mobile apps.

The diversification of available assets determines how much control you have over your strategy. Access to cryptocurrencies alone is not enough if you need coverage in commodities or forex. Leading platforms offer stocks, currencies, commodities, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies all in one place.

Transparent costs are non-negotiable. Competitive spreads and the absence of hidden commissions significantly reduce operational expenses that erode your returns.

The Top 5 Options to Start Your Investing Journey

MiTrade: The Broker That Revolutionized Asia Pacific

Founded in Australia in 2009, MiTrade has accumulated 2.4 million users by consistently demonstrating a clear value proposition. Its specialization in contracts for difference (CFD) has allowed both conservative and aggressive investors to find opportunities.

What Defines MiTrade:

• Minimum initial deposit of just $20
• Zero commissions, only spreads
• Leverage up to 1:200 for speculative trading
• Free demo account with $50,000 virtual funds

The platform stands out for its protection against negative balances. This means your risk is strictly limited to the capital you deposited, an aspect often overlooked by less cautious platforms.

Available Access Channels: Web trader, iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows. Device synchronization is seamless, allowing you to close a position started on desktop from your mobile without delays.

Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, debit/credit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Worldpay, PayID, and USDT.

XM: The Global Platform Present in 196 Markets

Established in 2009, XM has built its empire on providing quality economic information. With 2.5 million clients worldwide, the platform is notable for its analytical approach.

Distinctive Features:

• Extremely low minimum deposit: just $5
• Massive leverage up to 1:1000 (requires caution)
• Ultra-competitive spreads starting at 0.01 pips
• Multiple regulatory support (FCA, IFSC, DFSA, CySEC, ASIC)

The constant generation of analysis, news, and economic reports positions XM as a preferred choice for investors studying markets before taking positions. This information allows you to anticipate significant movements.

Account Types: XM offers four different modes, each with specific rules based on your risk profile and objectives.

Notable Limitation: Inactivity for 3 months incurs a $15 fee. Spreads tend to be wider than direct competitors during periods of high volatility.

AvaTrade: Technological Innovation from Ireland

Founded in 2006, AvaTrade holds a banking license from the Irish regulator, which is exceptional in the industry. The company has continuously invested in innovation, launching tools like Zulu Trade and Dupli Trade to automate strategies.

Value Proposition:

• Proprietary platform AvaTrade GO optimized for mobile
• Compatible with MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
• Minimum deposit of $100
• Integrated copy trading

Strong Regulation: FCA (United Kingdom), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), providing multiple layers of regulatory protection.

Considerations: Inactivity fees are applied aggressively. After 3 months without trading, a fee is charged. If inactivity extends to 12 consecutive months, a significant annual management fee is applied.

Plus500: The Platform Sponsoring Sports Teams

Since its founding in 2008, Plus500 has become a household name among CFD investors. Its aggressive advertising strategy (sponsor of Chicago Bulls) has led 25 million users to try its platform.

What It Offers:

• Considered one of the most comprehensive interfaces in the sector
• Automatic price change alert tool
• Unlimited free access to demo account
• Full compatibility with Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android

Important Warning: Fraudulent clones of Plus500 operate on the internet. Always verify the authenticity of the site before registering.

Learning Curve: Although it has a user-friendly interface, it is better suited for investors with prior experience. Beginners may feel overwhelmed initially.

Commissions: $10 inactivity fee if you do not trade for 3 consecutive months.

eToro: The Platform That Democratized Markets

With over 30 million users, eToro defined the concept of simplified investing. Its greatest strength lies in its extreme ease of use: from creating an account to executing an order takes just minutes.

Key Differentiators:

• Allows both CFD trading and investment in real assets
• Access to stocks and cryptocurrencies in their non-leveraged form
• Copy trading of other investors
• eToro Club membership system with tiered benefits

For Beginners: eToro is probably the most user-friendly option. Friction is minimal at every step of the process.

Limitations: The platform falls short for experienced investors requiring more sophisticated tools. The KYC verification process is notoriously complicated and can take time.

Spreads and Costs: Higher than direct competitors, with a $5 withdrawal fee.

Regulation Comparison Matrix

Choosing a broker requires verifying its regulatory status. These are the main authorities overseeing operators in the industry:

A broker with multiple licenses provides additional layers of protection.

Decisive Factors When Choosing Your Investment App

Fund Security: Do not compromise on this aspect. Work only with providers regulated by recognized authorities. The risk of financial fraud on unregulated platforms is extremely high.

Operational Agility: Ensure you can open and close positions without unnecessary complexities. Some brokers apply convoluted processes that slow down critical execution.

Product Range: An efficient portfolio requires access to multiple asset classes. Cryptocurrencies, forex, stocks, indices, and commodities in a single ecosystem streamline your management.

Cost Structure: Expenses are the main factor impacting results. Compare spreads, commissions, and inactivity fees among competitors. A difference of 0.5 pips per trade adds up significantly over time.

Management Tools: Leverage, short positions, stop-loss, and take-profit are critical elements. These instruments determine how much control you have over your risk.

Customer Support: 24-hour availability is essential. A technical incident can occur at any time during market sessions, and you need quick resolution.

Conclusion: Your First Step in Trading

The revolution of apps for investing and making money has removed barriers that once seemed insurmountable. Today, with $20 and a smartphone, you have access to the same markets as institutional funds.

The recommendation is to explore through demo accounts. All the platforms mentioned offer free simulators where you can practice without real risk. Once you identify the one that best fits your trading style and objectives, opening a real account takes just minutes.

Your future success as an investor will depend less on choosing the “best broker” and more on mastering a selected platform, maintaining trading discipline, and adjusting your strategy as you gain experience. The time to start is now.