5 Best Investing Apps with Instant Deposits

When you trade stocks, the last thing you want to deal with is not having enough funds to execute a trade. On some platforms, it can take up to five business days for your deposited cash to become available.

By the time your funds clear with apps like E*TRADE or other competitors, the technicals for your desired investment may no longer make it a screaming buy. This causes you to have to wait for another opportunity to invest.

Thankfully, there are investing apps with instant deposits that can ensure this scenario never happens to you. Whether you are looking for self-directed investing or a robo-advisor, we’ve found the best options on the market.

What Is An Instant Deposit Feature On An Investing App?

Instant deposits allow you to invest cash immediately by transferring funds from your linked bank account. For example, you may want to transfer $500 to buy stock or cryptocurrency trading at a relatively low price according to your preferred technical indicators. 

A brokerage with instant deposit makes these funds available for trading even before the deposit has left your checking account and arrived in your investment account.

If instant deposit isn’t available, you must wait three to five business days for your funds to settle before you can invest. This is a standard policy for apps like E*TRADE to prevent transfer reversals due to insufficient funds in your bank account.

Luckily, there are investing apps offering instant deposits. These platforms typically make up to $1,000 available for investing after initiating a transfer. Any excess balance becomes investable after the transaction clears.

This feature ensures you never miss an opportunity to execute a trade.

Top Investing Apps With Instant Deposits

These investing apps allow you to instantly buy shares of stocks and cryptocurrencies while the deposit transfer processes. Many platforms also let you purchase fractional shares, making the investment process easier. 

Keep in mind that the following recommendations are listed in alphabetical order. Make sure you compare the pros and cons of each one to determine the right platform for your investing needs.

1. Firstrade

Firstrade is one of the oldest discount brokerages. It supports up to $1,000 in instant transfers and offers multiple research features. The company is one of the better platforms for accessing advanced charting tools and Morningstar stock reports.

This trading app features a real-time streaming watchlist, making it easy to monitor current prices for stocks you’re considering buying and may need to transfer instantly. The list syncs between the mobile and the customizable Navigator online platform.

In addition to the detailed research tools and 100% fee-free trading, the service offers extended trading hours. While standard stock market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern) will have the best liquidity and price spreads, you can trade from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Taxable and retirement accounts are available. Plus, there are no account minimums.

Pricing

The following assets trade commission-free with Firstrade:

• Stocks
• ETFs
• Mutual funds
• Options
• Crypto

Even each option contract costs $0, which is unique because most mobile app options charge up to $0.65 per contract. You won’t have to deal with an account minimum.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a fractional investing app. This means that you must buy whole shares of stocks and ETFs.

2. Robinhood

Robinhood is a trailblazing investing app offering innovative features that make it easier for retail investors to access stocks, funds, and cryptocurrencies.

For example, it was one of the first sites to offer commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs successfully. The platform also offers fractional investing for those with a limited amount of money to invest. It even provides extended-hours trading from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

You can have up to $1,000 in instant buying power and fractional shares in $1 increments. It’s even possible to qualify for larger instant deposit limits if you join the Robinhood Gold program ($5/month after a 30-day free trial).

You might even be able to get free stock when you sign up for an account with Robinhood.

Other Gold benefits include:

• Morningstar research
• Nasdaq Level II market data
• Reduced margin interest rates (5% vs. 9% APR)

Upgrading to Robinhood Gold is necessary if you want to enjoy many of the research features that are complimentary with other top investment apps that offer instant deposits. 

Unfortunately, the free platform has minimal research features. You can only access a basic price chart and analyst opinions. You won’t get third-party analyst reports or a stock screener.

Other notable limitations include the availability of only taxable brokerage accounts and limited customer service options. While you can receive help 24/7, you must request that the service call you. Then, you must wait for a notification when it’s your turn.

The platform is best for making fractional trades, but you will most likely rely on a separate research service for technical and fundamental analysis.

Pricing

ETFs, stocks, and cryptocurrency trade fee-free. Options contracts are also commission-free.

The optional Robinhood Gold service is free for the first 30 days and then $5 per month after that. Margin interest costs 5% yearly (9% for non-Gold members) on loan balances exceeding $1,000.

Learn More: Robinhood Review

3. SoFi

You can enjoy some of the most flexible instant deposit limits through SoFi. While most deposits only offer up to $1,000 in immediate access from an external bank account, this trading platform may allow you to access your complete transfer, depending on the funding account.

The daily incoming transfer limit can be as high as $100,000. It’s also possible to have up to $50,000 in instant access when transferring from a fee-free SoFi Banking account.

This mobile app is best suited for new or beginner investors, as the platform is easy to navigate and doesn’t offer high-risk investment opportunities, such as options and penny stocks. However, stocks, crypto, and ETFs can still be traded. The stock and fund trading window is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. 

This trading platform’s research tools are potentially the most primitive on our list. You only get a basic price chart and can view news article headlines. There are no charting tools or analyst reports.

It’s possible to purchase fractional stock slices as small as $5 for over 4,000 stocks and ETFs, making this an excellent platform if you have $100 or less to invest. Taxable and retirement accounts are available with zero balance requirements.

This service can also be an excellent option if you use SoFi’s lending and banking services. You can even earn rewards points for various activities that you can redeem for investment credit.

Pricing

Stocks, cryptocurrency, and ETFs trade commission-free through the SoFi Active service for self-directed investing. This self-directed investing option can help you save money.

SoFi Automated Investing portfolios are also available. These don’t charge annual advisory fees and have a $1 investment minimum. 

However, their investment strategy tends to be more conservative than most robo-advisor apps, resulting in reduced investment performance. 

4. TD Ameritrade

Investors of any experience level can benefit from the numerous features offered by TD Ameritrade, now part of Schwab, including research tools and educational materials. 

There are desktop, web, and mobile platforms available, including thinkorswim. This feature is specifically for advanced traders. 

Plus, you can perform just about any technical study, have in-depth fundamental research capabilities, and use a stock screener.

Your investment options include:

• Stocks
• ETFs
• Mutual funds
• Options

Unlike the other best investment apps on this list, TD Ameritrade doesn’t offer crypto trading. In addition, you must buy full shares as fractional investing isn’t available. The service offers 24/5 extended hours trading on select securities from 8 p.m. Sundays through 8 p.m. Fridays.

However, TD Ameritrade’s instant deposit feature is the most restrictive on this list. Your funds are only instantly available for trading when your mobile deposit arrives before 4 p.m. into a margin account. 

Other deposits can take up to four business days to clear your funds. Taxable and retirement accounts are offered. Joint and custodial investment accounts are also available. 

Pricing

Stocks and ETFs trade commission-free but are not available in fractional shares. Options cost $0 plus $0.65 per contract.

Mutual funds are also likely to incur buy or sell fees. There are no account service fees and minimum balance requirements.

Learn More: TD Ameritrade Review

5. Webull

Webull is one of the best investment app options. It allows up to $1,000 in same-day deposit access, and you can invest through taxable and retirement accounts. There are no account minimums for either account type and no minimum balance requirements.

The investment options include:

• Stocks
• ETFs
• Options
• Crypto

This brokerage has several investing features you will struggle to find with other instant deposit brokerages. With Webull, you can purchase $5 fractional shares of stocks and ETFs. A free desktop platform, as well as web and mobile versions, is available to all users.

One of the unique tools is its paper trading account. This stock market simulator lets you test trading strategies without devoting your hard-earned cash to new ideas if you’re new to trading. 

Its extended trading hours are also longer than most. The window extends from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern on market days.

The platform’s charting tools are also impressive. The fundamental data is sufficient but lacks third-party analyst reports. You can even purchase Level 2 data for in-depth access.

While there are many positives, one of the primary drawbacks is the platform’s limited customer support. A toll-free phone number is available, but wait times can be longer than those of traditional online brokerages.

In addition, you might be able to get fractional shares of free stock when you sign up. The potential for free stock makes WeBull an appealing option.

Pricing

There are no trading fees for ETFs, stocks, and crypto. Options incur approximately $0.04 in trading fees per contract. 

An optional service is Nasdaq TotalView Level 2 quote data. This service is free for the first three months and $1.99 monthly after the trial period. You also don’t incur an account minimum.

Investing App Instant Deposits and Your Overall Strategy

Instant deposits are an excellent benefit for short-term traders who want to use a mobile app and are waiting for the perfect opportunity to enter a position, but need cash to fund their orders. 

Investing your money before the transaction clears means you don’t have uninvested cash. Not having to wait several business days is helpful in today’s fast-paced world.

Being able to instantly access $1,000 in pending funds can be enough to buy shares for most stocks. Choosing a brokerage offering fractional investing makes it possible to get exposure to companies with high share prices or to maintain asset allocation.

FAQs About Investing Apps with Instant Deposits

Are you still not sure if investing apps with instant deposits are right for you? These questions might be able to help.

How much money should I invest through a stock trading app?

You can usually invest $1,000 in instant deposits at one time, and your remaining balance will be available within three to five business days.

It’s best to invest only as much as you can afford while paying for your other expenses and maintaining a diversified portfolio. 

Why should I want an investment app with instant deposit?

While using an app like E*TRADE may seem appealing, using a mobile app with instant deposit allows you to invest your cash for short-term or long-term holdings immediately. 

Using your cash right away with any mobile app can help you secure a better price if the stock is poised to increase in the coming days, as more investors buy shares. 

Is the money I deposit into an investment app insured?

Legit investment apps offer up to $250,000 in cash coverage and up to $500,000 in total coverage for your securities. As a result, it’s possible to recover your cash positions if a brokerage fails.

However, no investment app has FDIC insurance like a savings account because they are a different financial product. 

How Do Investment Apps with Instant Deposits Compare?

App	Minimum Investment	Fees	Instant Deposit Limit
Firstrade	Cost of one share	None	$1,000
Robinhood	$1	$0 for ETFs, stocks, and crypto. Approximately $0 + $0.04 for options contracts. Level 2 data is up to $1.99/month.	$1,000
Sofi	$5	None	$1,000 (or $50,000 if coming from your SoFi Money Account)
TD Ameritrade	Cost of one share	$0 for stocks and ETFs, $0 +$0.65 per options contract.	$250,000
Webull	$5	$0 for ETFs, stocks and crypto. Approximately $0 + $0.04 for options contracts. Level 2 data is up to $1.99/month.	$1,000

Summary

Instant deposits may not seem essential to investing, but this perk can be helpful when you want to act on an investment idea the same day you research it. To sweeten the pot, this feature is free.

Most mobile app options that offer this feature also offer fractional investing, other research tools, or function as a robo-advisor. Combined, the various benefits can help you become a successful investor.

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