08/09/2025
Are Micro Investing Apps Delivering?
No.
These apps can be excellent tools for entry-level investors to develop interest and confidence around the environment. For those adopting long-term, regular-investing strategies with anything other than 'play-time' money you should have a diversified structured approach. As your portfolio grows, you need to make use of low-fee, more feature-rich platforms better suiting your evolving goals.
✅Highly accessible entry point — You can start investing with as little as 1 cent, buying fractional shares across NZ, Australian, and US markets. Perfect for beginners or those just testing the waters.
✅ Significant traction — As of late 2024, one specific app had over 700,000 users managing up to $5 billion in investments, with about $3.1 billion traded in the final quarter alone.
✅ Record trading activity — By December, one app's quarterly trades hit a record $3.21 billion.
✅ Micro and auto-invest momentum — Over half of trades in one app were via auto-invest, and many users plan to hold investments long-term (10+ years), showing a shift away from speculative trading.
⚠️ Fees may add up for larger or frequent trades — For small amounts, they are competitive. But larger portfolios can become costlier due to transaction and currency conversion fees.
⚠️ Simpler than advanced platforms — Often excelling in simplicity and accessibility, but seasoned investors may outgrow these apps, especially when seeking tools like in-depth analytics or global market breadth.
⚠️ Retail sentiment remains cautious — Despite trading surges, investor sentiment often falls into the "cautious" category, indicating selective confidence even amidst activity.
Verdict: Do these Apps Offer Real Opportunities?
Yes—for new and small-scale investors they open a door into the markets. However, for larger or active investors, the platforms may present limitations in cost efficiency and advanced functionality. We're seeing plenty of Kiwis with millionaire-plus portfolios in these apps—but often relying on a mix of ETFs and high-conviction stock picks.
At Staffords, we recommend assessing each tool in the context of your unique financial journey.