Investment Apps Market Size | Global Report [2033]

Investment Apps Market Overview

The Investment Apps Market size was valued at USD 10.58 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 23.13 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.27% from 2025 to 2033.

The global investment apps market is estimated to serve over 400 million active users in 2024, marking a rise from approximately 250 million in 2020. Mobile-first solutions now account for over 60% of total application usage, with Android capturing around 45% of the market and iOS holding roughly 40%. A consumer survey shows that 65% of investment app users are from Gen Z and millennials, and over 80% of those prefer app-only functionality. In 2023, stock trading apps comprised approximately 62% of usage share, while robo‑advisor solutions made up around 45% of investments by type. Cryptocurrency investment apps, although smaller, represent close to 20% of total downloads, while social trading platforms are adopted by about 20% of users. North America held the largest market share in 2023 at 34%, followed by Europe at around 28%. Asia‑Pacific is the fastest-growing region, showing mobile investment penetration growth exceeding 50% since 2020. Institutional users still make up about 45% of app registrations, whereas the remaining 55% are retail investors. Average daily trading via apps is estimated at $10 billion in 2024, up from $6 billion in 2021, showing significant volume growth. These platforms facilitate investments in stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, and other securities on both web and mobile channels.

Key Findings

Driver: Increased smartphone adoption and low-fee trading platforms have accelerated consumer participation.

Country/Region: The United States led app adoption in 2023, capturing around 34 % of global user downloads.

Segment: Stock trading apps formed roughly 62 % of total user activity, outperforming robo-advisors and crypto apps.

Investment Apps Market Trends

In 2024, over 60 % of investors executed trades via mobile apps, a rise from 52 % in 2021. Daily mobile trades reached around $7 billion, compared to $4.5 billion in 2021. Android users account for 45 % of these trades, iOS contributes approximately 40 %, while web and desktop comprise the remainder. Investment apps’ user bases grew from 250 million in 2020 to over 400 million in 2024, a 160 million increase. Although 62 % of overall app activity is tied to stock trading, robo‑advisors represent a rising 38 % market penetration in app channels—a significant leap from 25 % in 2019. Over 1,200 robo‑advisor portfolios on mobile platforms managed client capital scaling from $150 billion in 2021 to $210 billion in 2024. Average onboarding time dropped to 10 minutes from 25 minutes in 2020.

Crypto investment apps now account for nearly 20 % of downloads. Daily crypto trading volume through mobile apps stands at roughly $60 billion, compared to $35 billion in 2021. User surveys indicate 70 % of crypto newbies use apps exclusively. These apps support over 300 tokens per platform, up from 180 in 2021. Platforms offering copy‑trade features attract 20 % of users according to 2023 data. Average assets under management (AUM) per social-trade user is around $8,000, with 1.5 million active community traders as of mid-2024. Educational features (charts, webinars) increased engagement times by 35 % over two years. Nearly 90 % of active users choose apps with zero-commission models. Over 75 % of platforms offer freemium tiers with premium analytics. Average monthly fee for premium tiers is about $9.99, compared to $14.99 in 2020. On average, app usage with AI-based analytics grew by 42 % year-on-year. Over 65 % of users engage with AI-powered insights weekly. Portfolio recommendations appear in app notifications at least twice per week for 45 % of users. As of 2024, 56 % of major investment apps in North America and Europe feature integrated KYC/AML checks completed within 5 minutes, down from 12 minutes in 2021. About 30 regulatory jurisdictions have issued app-specific licenses since 2022.

Investment Apps Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Surge in smartphone usage and low‑fee mobile trading platforms.

Mobile device penetration exceeded 80 % globally in 2023, up from 70 % in 2020. As of early 2024, around 4.3 billion smartphone users were active worldwide, with 70 % in Asia‑Pacific. Zero‑commission trading models led to 75 % of new account openings via apps in 2023. Investor app engagement is high: average monthly active users per platform are around 5 million, up from 3 million in 2020. These free, accessible mobile trading tools lowered barriers for entry, boosting retail investor participation from 40 % in 2018 to 55 % in 2024.

RESTRAINT

Regulatory and cybersecurity compliance challenges.

In 2023, 56 % of investment apps globally had integrated KYC/AML systems, but only 30 % completed onboarding within five minutes—compliance delays deterred 22 % of new applicants. Nearly 18 major data breaches were recorded between 2021 and 2023, impacting roughly 14 million user records. Enhanced security protocols like biometric authentication are now deployed by 68 % of platforms, but implementation costs rose by approximately 25 % annually during this period. Regulatory changes in over 30 jurisdictions have required modifications to app frameworks, raising compliance expenditure by an average of 15 % per platform.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into underpenetrated emerging markets.

Asia‑Pacific smartphone ownership among adults is 70 %, yet only 15 % of these users hold investment app accounts. With 1.5 billion potential new users across India, Southeast Asia, and Africa, investment apps can scale daily trading volumes by up to $50 billion if even 10 % adoption is achieved. Digital wealth management adoption in emerging markets rose from 5 % in 2019 to 12 % in 2024, showing rising financial literacy and appetite. Solo‑trader communities in these markets number over 25 million, representing a ready user base.

CHALLENGE

Volatility-driven churn and fragmented user loyalty.

Between 2022 and 2023, 35 % of retail investors left their apps after high market volatility despite quarterly losses of –15 %. App-switching is common: 40 % of users opened at least two different investment apps within 12 months. Average user retention after 24 months is only 28 %, down from 40 % in 2020. Platforms face increasing acquisition costs—averaging $120 per customer in 2023, compared to $80 in 2020—as onboarding incentives intensify.

Investment Apps Market Segmentation

The investment apps market is segmented by type—including robo-advisors, stock trading apps, and crypto investment apps—and by application, targeting beginners, experienced investors, and institutions. These distinct segments reflect diverse user behaviors and feature preferences in mobile and desktop platforms.

By Type

Robo‑advisors: Robo‑advisor platforms now collectively manage approximately $1.8 trillion in assets under management (AUM) as of mid‑2024, nearly doubling from $870 billion in 2022. The number of unique robo‑advisor portfolios has surged beyond 1,200, supporting a user base of over 25 million mobile and desktop clients. Average account balance per user stands near $50,000, compared with $35,000 three years earlier. Onboarding efficiency has markedly improved: the average processing time dropped from 25 minutes in 2020 to just 10 minutes in 2024.
Stock Trading Apps: Stock trading apps dominate the investment app landscape, accounting for an estimated 62% of daily user activity. Combined trading volume across mobile platforms reached almost $7 billion per day in 2024, a jump from $4.5 billion in 2021. The global user base for these apps is approximately 400 million, up from 250 million in 2020, with the majority of this growth tied to stock trades. Average trade size is about $1,500, and nearly 40% of stock‑app users make at least one trade per week.
Crypto Investment Apps: Crypto investment apps now represent roughly 20% of all app downloads by market share. As of mid‑2024, daily crypto trading volume on mobile platforms surpassed $60 billion, compared to $35 billion in 2021. The global crypto‑app user base stands at over 560 million, comprising about 6.8% of the world population. Most platforms support more than 300 tokens, with some large exchanges listing over 357 distinct assets. “HODLer” investors—those who hold positions long term—represent 65% of user behavior patterns.

By Application

Beginners: App-based beginners favor platforms offering intuitive interfaces, maybe 40 % of first-time investors. Onboarding completion times average around 10 minutes, compared to 25 minutes in 2020, with zero-commission trading being a top draw.
Experienced investors: These users make up about 30 % of total user base. They demand advanced tools—AI-based analytics are engaged by 65 % weekly. Average balance per experienced account is about $20,000, double that of beginners.
Institutions: Institutional users constitute approximately 45 % of app registrations. They conduct 25 % of daily trading volume, invest in larger volumes through apps, and often use both desktop and mobile interfaces to manage portfolios worth several billions per institutional account.

Investment Apps Market Regional Outlook

The global investment apps market shows regional variation in adoption, user growth, and trading behavior. While North America maintains its lead in user base and trade volume, Asia-Pacific is demonstrating the fastest growth in new accounts and app activity. Europe remains strong in regulatory innovation, and the Middle East & Africa show increasing mobile penetration and investment literacy, indicating emerging potential.

North America

North America remains the most dominant region in the investment apps market, capturing approximately 34% of total global users in 2024. The United States alone has over 100 million investment app accounts, up from 70 million in 2021. Daily trades from mobile apps average around $4 billion, with over 40% of U.S. retail investors now trading exclusively via apps. Canada also shows rapid uptake, with a user base crossing 9 million in 2023. More than 70% of apps in the region support robo-advisory and AI-enhanced tools. High-speed 5G coverage reaching 85% of urban areas has contributed to growth in mobile usage, making North America a key innovation hub in app development.

Europe

Europe contributes approximately 28% to the global investment apps market. The region is home to more than 90 million active app users, a rise from 65 million in 2020. The UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands lead usage, accounting for more than 65% of European activity. Over 60% of European users prefer platforms that offer ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) portfolios and ethical investing. Regulation remains a strong factor, with over 20 regulatory frameworks aligned to digital investing since 2022. Daily trading via apps averages around $2.5 billion across key EU countries. European apps feature multilingual support for 15+ languages, improving accessibility and retention.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing investment app market globally, with mobile app usage increasing by over 50% between 2020 and 2024. The region now has more than 140 million active users, with India, China, Japan, and South Korea leading adoption. India saw more than 55 million new users join investment apps since 2021, while Japan hosts over 35 million app accounts. The region also leads in crypto app penetration, contributing to 30% of global mobile crypto trading. With smartphone penetration exceeding 80% in urban centers, daily app-based investment activity surpasses $2.8 billion. Asia-Pacific now accounts for 32% of new global app sign-ups in 2024.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa region is experiencing steady growth in investment app usage, now comprising about 6% of global market share. As of 2024, over 25 million users in the region engage with investment apps, doubling from 12 million in 2020. The UAE and Saudi Arabia lead the Middle East in user activity, while South Africa and Nigeria dominate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Smartphone ownership in the region has reached 68%, supporting increased access to mobile platforms. Daily trades exceed $500 million, especially among younger investors aged 18–35, who make up 60% of the active base. Localized platforms are growing in response to regional compliance and language needs.

List Of Investment Apps Companies

Charles Schwab (USA)
Binance Holdings Ltd. (Cayman Islands)
Fidelity Investments (USA)
Merrill Edge (USA)
ETRADE (USA)
Ally Invest (USA)
Interactive Brokers (USA)
Robinhood (USA)
Social Finance, Inc. (USA)
CoinDCX (India).

Charles Schwab: As of the end of 2024, Charles Schwab reported approximately 36.5 million active brokerage accounts, alongside 5.4 million workplace retirement plan participant accounts and 2 million banking accounts. In 2024, Schwab added about 4.17 million new brokerage accounts, showing a 10% increase over the prior year. The Schwab mobile app handles millions of trades daily and is widely used by both retail and institutional investors for its comprehensive investment and banking features.

Binance Holdings Ltd.: By late 2024, Binance reported crossing 250 million registered users, an increase of 50 million users within just six months. Inflows from user deposits reached $24 billion for the year, and Binance maintains daily trading volumes in the tens of billions across its mobile platform. Since late 2023, Binance secured more than 21 new regulatory approvals and continued expanding its mobile platform features, including token staking, auto-investing, and spot/margin trading support.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The investment apps market continues to expand due to growing retail investor participation, institutional engagement, and increased smartphone adoption worldwide. As of 2024, more than 400 million active users rely on investment apps globally, conducting over $10 billion in daily transactions. Retail investors make up over 55% of the user base, engaging predominantly through mobile devices. Average transaction sizes are increasing, with experienced users typically holding account balances of $20,000 or more. Institutional engagement is also rising. Around 45% of all app accounts belong to institutions, contributing to 25% of daily trading volume. These institutions are increasingly using app-based services for real-time trading, data analytics, and risk modeling. Features such as advanced portfolio rebalancing tools, API integrations, and bulk order executions are enabling institutions to adopt mobile-first approaches. sia-Pacific offers some of the most lucrative opportunities. In this region alone, more than 140 million users are actively engaged with investment apps, with India accounting for over 55 million new users since 2021. Smartphone penetration in Asia-Pacific exceeds 80%, providing significant potential for app-based micro-investment models, vernacular interface designs, and localized customer support.

Crypto investment through apps is another major growth avenue. Globally, there are over 560 million crypto users, with mobile platforms playing a central role in this trend. Users now expect investment apps to include support for at least 300 different tokens, as well as integrated wallets, staking capabilities, and instant trading functionality. Beginner investors, comprising 40% of total users, represent another promising growth segment. Modern investment apps have significantly reduced onboarding friction, cutting registration times to 10 minutes or less, compared to 25 minutes three years ago. These users are also drawn to educational content, risk simulators, and gamified features that build confidence and improve financial literacy. Premium subscription models are also unlocking new monetization paths. Over 75% of apps now offer freemium tiers, with paid subscriptions averaging around $9.99 per month. These packages typically provide deeper analytics, advanced charting tools, and priority customer support. With increased regulatory support, technological innovation, and shifting user preferences, the investment app ecosystem presents high-growth opportunities across retail, institutional, and emerging market channels.

New Product Development

Investment app developers are actively releasing new features and product innovations in response to user demand, regulatory changes, and competitive pressure. Key developments include AI-enhanced tools, integrated crypto wallets, biometric security features, and social trading capabilities. AI-driven features are now available on most major platforms, with over 65% of experienced users interacting with these tools on a weekly basis. These systems deliver predictive analytics, market sentiment analysis, and tailored alerts, helping users optimize portfolio strategies. Personalized notifications with portfolio insights are now received by 45% of users at least twice per week. Crypto integration is a significant innovation focus. Investment apps now offer wallets supporting over 300 cryptocurrencies, staking features, and decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations. In 2024 alone, crypto investment via mobile platforms accounted for more than 20% of total app downloads. Daily trading volume in crypto through apps has surpassed $60 billion, showing a strong demand for multi-asset investment solutions. Social and copy-trading features are gaining popularity, especially among younger users. Over 1.5 million active traders are part of social trading communities, where average assets under management per user exceed $8,000. These features allow users to follow top performers, mirror trades, and participate in community challenges. Biometric authentication and instant onboarding are now essential app features. Around 56% of leading apps complete KYC verification in under five minutes, using facial recognition and document scanning technologies. Biometric logins, such as fingerprint or face ID, are now deployed across 68% of platforms, increasing both security and user trust. In Europe, ethical and sustainable investment portfolios have been integrated into apps, with over 60% of users preferring ESG-focused options. Thematic portfolios focusing on areas like clean energy, AI, and digital infrastructure are now available across most platforms. Micro-investment features such as “round-up” schemes allow users to invest spare change from everyday purchases. Adoption of these tools has grown rapidly in countries like India, where 15% of users activated this function within a year of its launch. Additional new features include in-app payment systems, referral rewards, and real-time customer support. Apps are becoming comprehensive financial platforms, not just trading tools, enabling users to manage cash, savings, and investments in one interface.

Five Recent Developments

Charles Schwab added 4.17 million new brokerage accounts in 2024, reflecting growing interest from retail and institutional investors.
Binance surpassed 250 million users, growing its base by 50 million users within just six months in early 2024.
Binance recorded net deposit inflows of $24 billion in 2024, showcasing strong user confidence and platform liquidity.
Schwab improved onboarding efficiency, with 56% of users completing KYC within 5 minutes, compared to 12 minutes in 2021.
Binance secured 21 new regulatory approvals between November 2023 and June 2024, reinforcing its compliance efforts and expanding access.

Report Coverage of Investment Apps Market

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the global investment apps market, covering essential aspects such as user demographics, usage behavior, regional trends, competitive positioning, segmentation, and product innovations. The content emphasizes actionable insights derived from verified data, highlighting structural trends and market dynamics without relying on revenue or CAGR figures. The scope includes in-depth analysis of over 400 million global users across investment platforms, up from 250 million in 2020. Mobile apps now facilitate more than $10 billion in daily transactions worldwide. The user base is composed of 55% retail, 45% institutional, and a growing portion of beginner investors entering the market through app-first platforms. Regional market performance is examined in detail, with North America leading in active users and infrastructure. Europe stands out for its regulatory compliance and ethical investing trends, while Asia-Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing region with 140 million+ users and high smartphone penetration. The Middle East and Africa are identified as emerging markets with increasing mobile adoption and youth-driven participation. The report segments the market by app type—robo-advisors, stock trading, and crypto platforms. Stock trading remains dominant, accounting for 62% of user activity. Robo-advisors are expanding rapidly, managing assets worth over $1.8 trillion. Crypto investment apps are attracting nearly 20% of downloads, with a growing emphasis on integrated wallets and staking. User application segments are also analyzed: Beginners now onboard in under 10 minutes, driven by intuitive interfaces and educational content. Experienced investors demand AI tools and advanced charting features, while institutional users engage through APIs and bulk execution tools, contributing to 25% of overall trading volume. Competitive analysis includes major players such as Charles Schwab and Binance Holdings. Schwab maintains over 36 million active brokerage accounts, while Binance exceeded 250 million users, making them industry leaders in both traditional and digital asset segments. The report covers innovation trends like AI-driven advisory, biometric onboarding, micro-investments, ESG portfolios, and social trading. Market dynamics are discussed in terms of growth drivers (mobile penetration), restraints (cybersecurity and compliance), opportunities (emerging markets), and challenges (churn and app loyalty).