Acorns is a financial wellness app that makes it easy to save, invest, and build strong money habits over time. Built on the principle of micro-investing, Acorns helps you get started by investing small amounts consistently, also called micro-investing, without requiring big changes to your everyday life. You can begin with as little as $5, making it easier to start early and stay on track.
Beyond investing, Acorns brings together tools for retirement, banking, kids’ accounts, and financial education in one simple app. If you want the step-by-step mechanics, here's how Acorns works.
What does Acorns do?
Acorns brings several products together in one app. Each one is designed to make a different money goal easier:
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Acorns Invest is a brokerage account for everyday investing
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Acorns Later is a retirement account (an IRA)
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Acorns Banking puts investing at the center of your checking and savings
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Acorns Early Invest is an investment account for the kids in your life
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Acorns Earn gives you bonus investments when you shop with top brands
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Acorns Learn helps you grow your financial knowledge with articles, videos, and tips
Acorns Invest
Acorns Invest is your main investment account. There are no account minimums and you can get started with just a $5 initial investment.
You’ll sign up by answering a few questions, then Acorns will recommend an expert-built, diversified portfolio based on your answers. Many of our portfolios invest your money into exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Think of ETFs as baskets of different investments, which have a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets. Having a mix of assets helps your portfolio balance risk and can be a ballast during market dips.
Once your portfolio is set up, you can tap into our automated tools to invest consistently:
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Turn on Round-Ups® to automatically invest your spare change every time you swipe your debit or credit card
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Set up a Recurring Investment to invest on a day and time of your choice. You can also make a one-time investment anytime
For the full walkthrough of these mechanics, see how Acorns works.
Bitcoin-linked ETF
Acorns can allocate up to 5% of your investments towards a Bitcoin-linked ETF. Since Bitcoin is considered more volatile by investors, a Bitcoin-linked ETF gives you exposure to Bitcoin and further diversifies your long-term portfolio, without you needing to buy or store bitcoin directly. No need for extra apps, digital wallets, or vulnerable passwords.
Acorns Later
Acorns Later helps you invest for retirement in just a few minutes. Answer a few questions and we'll recommend either a Roth, Traditional, or SEP IRA based on your age and investment goals. Investing for retirement can come with potential tax benefits, and similar to Acorns Invest, you can also set up recurring contributions.
Acorns Banking
Acorns Banking helps you manage everyday money while making it easier to save and invest for your future. It can include an Acorns Checking account and an Emergency Savings account.
Acorns Checking is an online checking account designed to help you save and invest, with no hidden fees, minimum balance fees, or overdraft fees. You also get access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs and features that can help you put your money to work automatically, including:
- Smart Deposit: Automatically invest a piece of your paycheck into your Acorns Invest, Later, or Early Invest account. Pick how much to invest in each account, starting at 1% of your direct deposit, and change it anytime.
- Early Payday: Get paid up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit, and invest your money sooner
- Real-Time Round-Ups®: Instantly invest your spare change with every swipe of your debit card.
With Acorns Emergency Savings, you can prepare for life's unexpected expenses, like medical bills, car repairs, or home maintenance and earn a high APY. You can set a savings goal and Acorns can help you stay on track.
Acorns Early Invest
Acorns Early Invest is a UTMA/UGMA custodial account (Uniform Transfer to Minors / Uniform Gift to Minors). Unlike accounts intended for educational expenses only, like a 529 plan, Early Invest funds can be used for other purposes as long as it directly benefits the kid.
Acorns Early Invest is a fast, easy, and flexible investment account for the kids in your life, whether that's your own kids, nieces, nephews, godkids, or any little one who's special to you. You can create a custodial account for each kid in minutes, set up an automatic Recurring Investment, and give their money a chance to grow. Family and friends can also chip in directly using the gifting feature.
There’s also a separate, smart money app and debit card for kids called Acorns Early, equipped with chores tools, savings goals, parental controls, and bite-sized money lessons.
Acorns Earn
With Acorns Earn, you can earn bonus investments when you buy from any of our participating retailers!
Since 2016, Acorns Earn customers have earned and invested over $48,000,000 in bonus investments. You can find Earn offers in the Acorns app, or install the extension on your browser so you never miss a bonus investment.
Acorns Learn
As you start your investing journey, we want you to feel confident about the money moves you're considering. With Acorns Learn, there are bite-sized articles, videos, and tips to help you grow financial confidence. There’s a range of topics that are covered, from investing and retirement to saving and planning.
Is Acorns legitimate and safe?
Yes. Acorns is a legitimate, SEC-registered platform. Investment products and services are offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, and brokerage products are provided by Acorns Securities, LLC, a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).
Your money is protected the same way as a traditional brokerage or bank. Securities in your Acorns investment accounts are SIPC-protected up to $500,000, and bank balances in Acorns Checking are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor through Lincoln Savings Bank or nbkc bank, members FDIC. SIPC does not protect against market risk, which is the risk inherent in a fluctuating market. Acorns also uses encryption and other security features to help keep your money safe. (Investment products are not FDIC-insured, are not bank guaranteed, and may lose value.)
Acorns by the numbers
A few proof points that show how Acorns has grown:
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Over 14 million all-time customers and over $30 billion invested since inception (as of 2/13/2026)
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A 4.7 out of 5 rating on the App Store
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Recognized by TIME as one of America's Best Financial Services 2026, and included among the World's Top FinTech Companies 2025
Acorns is a financial wellness company, which means everything is designed around one idea: financial wellness is when your money is helping you live life well.
How much does Acorns cost?
Acorns uses a flat, monthly subscription model, and offers three plans: Acorns Bronze ($3/month), Acorns Silver ($6/month), and Acorns Gold ($12/month). Each plan includes a different set of tools for you and your family, with Silver and Gold adding more saving, investing, and family features as you go. There’s no hidden charges and commissions. For a full breakdown of what's included at each price and who each plan is best for, see our guide to Acorns plans and pricing.
How do I get started with Acorns?
You can sign up and start investing in just a few minutes, with as little as $5 and your spare change. Acorns will recommend an expert-built, diversified portfolio for you, so you don't have to pick investments yourself.
Want to weigh the costs first? Read Is Acorns worth it? Plans, pricing, and who it's for.
Frequently asked questions
What is Acorns in simple terms?
Acorns is a financial wellness app that automatically saves and invests your money, starting with as little as $5. It's built on micro-investing, which means you can invest small amounts at a time, and Acorns puts that money into an expert-built, diversified portfolio for you.
What does the Acorns app actually do?
Acorns combines investing, retirement, banking, kids' accounts, rewards, and education in one app. You get Acorns Invest (a brokerage account), Acorns Later (an IRA), Acorns Banking (checking and savings), Acorns Early Invest (an investment account for kids), Acorns Earn (bonus investments when you shop), and Acorns Learn (financial education).
Is Acorns an investing app or a bank?
While Acorns is primarily an investing app, it also offers banking through partner banks. Acorns is not a bank. Acorns Invest is a brokerage account, while Acorns Banking provides checking and savings through Lincoln Savings Bank or nbkc bank, members FDIC. So you can invest and bank in the same app, but the banking piece is held at FDIC-insured partner banks.
Is Acorns safe and legit?
Yes. Acorns is a legitimate, SEC-registered platform with industry-standard protections. Investments are offered through Acorns Advisers, LLC (an SEC-registered investment adviser) and Acorns Securities, LLC (a FINRA member), with SIPC protection up to $500,000. Bank balances are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. Keep in mind that investing always involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
How much money do I need to start with Acorns?
You can start investing with Acorns with as little as $5 and no account minimum. After that, many customers add to their accounts automatically with Round-Ups® spare change or a Recurring Investment, so you can keep investing without thinking about it.
How does Acorns invest my money?
Acorns recommends an expert-built, diversified portfolio of ETFs based on your goals and risk tolerance, then manages it for you. Your portfolio is automatically rebalanced over time to help keep it on track, and you can personalize it with options like a Bitcoin-linked ETF or, on the Acorns Gold plan, Custom Portfolios that let you add individual stocks and ETFs.
This material has been presented for informational and educational purposes only. The views expressed in the articles above are generalized and may not be appropriate for all investors. The information contained in this article should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. There is no guarantee that past performance will recur or result in a positive outcome. Carefully consider your financial situation, including investment objective, time horizon, risk tolerance, and fees prior to making any investment decisions. No level of diversification or asset allocation can ensure profits or guarantee against losses. Article contributors are not affiliated with Acorns Advisers, LLC. and do not provide investment advice to Acorns’ customers. Acorns is not engaged in rendering tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult a qualified professional for this type of service.
For informational purposes only. This is solely intended to provide notification of an available product or service. This is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or roll over any asset, adopt an investment strategy, or use a particular account type. This information does not consider the specific investment objectives, tax and financial conditions or particular needs of any specific person. Investors should discuss their specific situation with their financial professional.
Investment advisory products and services offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC (“Acorns”), an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Brokerage products and services are provided by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Acorns Securities, LLC is a member of SIPC. Securities in the account are protected up to $500,000. For details, please see www.sipc.org. SIPC does not protect against market risk, which is the risk inherent in a fluctuating market.
Acorns Invest is an individual investment account which invests in a portfolio of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) recommended to customers based on their responses to the Acorns investor profile questionnaire.
Acorns Later is an Individual retirement account consisting of a Traditional, ROTH or a SEP IRA selected for customers based on investor profile questionnaire answers.
Acorns Early Invest is an UTMA/UGMA investment account managed by an adult custodian until the minor beneficiary reaches the selected age of transfer, at which point the minor assumes control of the account assets. Money in a custodial account is the property of the minor.
Custom Portfolios are non-discretionary investment advisory accounts, managed by the customer. Custom Portfolios are available only to Acorns Gold customers with an open Acorns Invest Account and are not available as a stand alone account. Custom portfolios are not instant trading. Customers wanting more control over order placement and execution may need to consider alternative investment platforms before adding a Custom Portfolio account. This is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. Acorns Advisers does not provide investment advice with regard to orders directed in a Custom Portfolio.
Acorns is not a bank. Acorns Visa™ debit cards and banking services are issued and provided by Lincoln Savings Bank and nbkc bank, Members FDIC.
Acorns is not a bank. Acorns Emergency Savings is a demand deposit account. Banking services are issued and provided by Lincoln Savings Bank or nbkc bank, Members FDIC.
Acorns Early® is not a bank. Kids aged 6-18. Cards are issued by nbkc bank, Member FDIC, under license from Visa USA. Inc. or by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Charges apply (min. $8/mo) until cancelled. Terms & Limits apply. Two subscriptions offered: Acorns Early Lite and Acorns Gold.
Spare change invested with Round-Ups® is transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account when activated. Round-Up investments from an external account will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups reach or exceed $5.
Acorns Real-Time Round-Ups® invests small amounts of money from purchases made using linked cards to an Acorns Checking account into the customer’s Acorns Investment account. Requires both an active Acorns Checking account and an Acorns Investment account. Real-Time Round-Ups® investments accrue instantly for investment during the next trading window. Real-Time Round-Ups® investments from linked cards to Acorns Checking accounts will be processed on an ongoing basis if the Round-Ups setting is set to automatic.
Acorns receives compensation from business partners to promote or refer customers to such partners for the purchase of non-investment consumer products or services. This type of promotional partnership incentivizes Acorns to refer customers to these businesses instead of businesses that are not partners of Acorns. This affects the ability of Acorns to provide unbiased promotions and could mean that the products and/or services of other businesses, that do not compensate Acorns, may be more appropriate for a customer than the products and/or services promoted by Acorns. Customers are not required to purchase any products and services Acorns promotes.
Acorns does not provide access to invest directly in Bitcoin. Bitcoin exposure is provided to Acorns customers through an ETF that invests in Bitcoin futures. They are considered high-risk investments given the speculative and volatile nature. Investments in Bitcoin ETFs may not be appropriate for all investors and should only be utilized by those who understand and accept those risks. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of bitcoin should consider a different investment. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. Investment policies, management fees and other information can be found in the individual ETF’s prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
Over 14 million all-time customers and over $30 billion invested since inception as of 2/13/2026. App Store rating as of 8/19/25. Acorns was recognized by TIME as one of America's Best Financial Services 2026 and included among the World's Top FinTech Companies 2025.
The ETFs comprising the Acorns portfolios charge fees and expenses that will reduce a customer’s return. Investors should read each fund's prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds carefully before investing. Investment policies, management fees and other information can be found in the individual ETF’s prospectus.
"Save and Invest" refers to a customer's ability to utilize the Acorns Checking Real-Time Round-Ups® feature to invest small amounts of money from purchases made using an Acorns Checking account, and seamlessly investing those small amounts using an Acorns Investment account. Requires both an active Acorns Checking account and an Acorns Investment account in good standing.
Automatic investing does not ensure a profit or protect against losses. It involves continuous investing regardless of fluctuating price levels.
Acorns does not provide tax or legal advice, you should consult with a tax or legal professional to address your particular situation.
