Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content
Advertiser Disclosure Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear) and may influence which products we write about, but our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace. Websites may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened.
    |    Accessibility Options

SoFi Active Investing Review 2026: Low-Cost Investing for Beginners

Review Updated
Joel O'Leary
Author: Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

SoFi Active Investing has become one of the better beginner investing platforms out there. Commission-free trades, no account minimum, fractional shares, and a 1% IRA match make it a solid pick for anyone just getting started.

For most everyday investors, it delivers exactly what you need for long-term success.

SoFi Active Investing
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

Featured Offer
Award Icon 2026 Award Winner
SoFi Active Investing

SoFi Active Investing

Our Rating:

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Bottom Line

This brokerage is a clear standout for its well-rated mobile app and 1% IRA match on rollovers. It also has unique investment offerings like IPOs, options, and fractional shares.

Fees:

$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts

Account Minimum:

$0

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.

Circle with letter I in it. Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 45 days of opening the account. Probability of member receiving $1,000 is  0.026%. Percentages for the $1,000 are subject to decrease.
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

Who should consider SoFi Active Investing?

SoFi Active Investing is a great fit for beginner and casual investors who want a user-friendly, low-cost platform. The interface is clean, the fees are minimal, and the investment options cover the basics well. If you're just starting out or want a no-fuss brokerage you don't have to think too hard about, SoFi® is one of the top brokers for beginners.

What I like about SoFi Active Investing

1% IRA match on contributions

SoFi® now matches 1% on IRA contributions and rollovers. Terms apply. -- a perk you don't see often outside of employer-sponsored retirement plans.

If you max out your IRA in 2026, that's $75 straight back into your retirement account. It's not life-changing money, but it's easy money, and that's always a win.

Commission-free trading for beginners

SoFi® makes trading stress free by cutting out commissions on stocks and ETFs. With SoFi®, you can invest without worrying about sneaky fees eating into your gains. This is one of many reasons we rate SoFi® as one of the best brokerages.

While competitors like Robinhood and Webull also offer commission-free trades, SoFi® stands out by offering commission-free mutual funds in addition to stocks and ETFs. Mutual funds are great for beginners since they spread your investment across many stocks, reducing risk.

IPO investment options for regular investors

Typically, investing in IPOs requires big budgets or accreditation, but SoFi® gives all its users access to new IPOs. This opens the door for newer or lower-budget investors to participate in these exciting offerings.

Even better, SoFi® offers exclusive access to Ark Invest's ARK Venture Fund. This pre-IPO fund lets you invest in private companies before they go public, with a minimum investment of just $500. This is a rare opportunity and a major perk for anyone interested in IPO investing.

Fractional share investing

Ever wanted to own a piece of Apple, Google, or Amazon but didn't have the cash for a full share? SoFi®'s fractional shares make it possible. You can buy just part of a share, making high-value stocks accessible to everyone. Not all brokers offer this, so it's a big win for SoFi®.

Alternatives to Consider

We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2026.

Broker Best For Commissions Learn More
Logo for Fidelity
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Full-service investing at every experience level $0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****.
Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Logo for Charles Schwab
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Low-cost investing with a full-featured platform $0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares.
Learn More for Charles Schwab

On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.

Logo for Robinhood
4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Low fees on stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options $0 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply.
Learn More for Robinhood

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

Downsides you should consider

Limited market research

SoFi® does offer some market insights and access to third-party research, so you're not going in blind. But if you're a more experienced investor who relies on advanced research tools and in-depth analysis, platforms like Fidelity or Charles Schwab are going to serve you better.

SoFi®'s strength is simplicity -- and that's a great thing for most people. Just know its limits if you're more advanced.

No bonds or CDs

While SoFi®'s investment options are solid, it doesn't include bonds or CDs. These lower-risk investments are great for beginners who want a stable return. If you're looking for these, you might need to explore other brokers for beginners.

Is SoFi Active Investing worth the cost?

Yes, SoFi® is highly affordable with no account management or trading fees. Some mutual funds and ETFs have their own fees -- but these aren't charged by SoFi®, and apply at any brokerage.

The main fees SoFi® charges are associated with closing your account:

  • $100 for closing an IRA
  • $100 for outgoing transfers
  • $25 outgoing wire transfer
  • $50 for selling IPO investments within 120 days

SoFi® also charges a $25 inactivity fee (easily avoided by logging in every six months).

Paper statement fees apply only if email delivery fails. SoFi® also charges a flat rate for margin trading, which is mostly for advanced investors.

SoFi® is a top investment app for beginners. Its diverse investment options and low costs offer an excellent value for new investors.

How to open a SoFi Active Investing account

Getting started is easy. Here's how:

  1. Visit the broker online or in-app: Go to SoFi®'s website to open an account.
  2. Create an account and verify your identity.
  3. Link your bank account.
  4. Start trading with as little as $5 -- there's no minimum balance required.

Final thoughts

SoFi Active Investing hits the sweet spot for beginner and casual investors. No account minimum, fractional shares, and access to IPOs make it a standout stock app for budgets of any size. Plus, it's one of the few beginner-friendly brokers to offer mutual funds.

That said, advanced traders might want to look elsewhere for more in-depth research tools. But for most people just starting out, SoFi® delivers exactly what you need.

If you think SoFi® is right for you, click here to get started opening an account on SoFi®'s website.

FAQs

  • Yes. All SoFi® members get one free 30-minute appointment with a Certified Financial Planner. SoFi® Plus members get unlimited access.