Stockpile / Investing App Where Parents and Kids Invest Together

Stockpile review quick take: A platform to help parents invest with their kids with parental controls, fractional trading, crypto access, and gift cards.

What is Stockpile?

Stockpile is an online brokerage that lets you trade individual stocks, fractional shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and crypto. The platform is designed specifically to help parents invest with their children.

The company is registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC.

Get started investing with Stockpile.

How Does Stockpile Work?

You can open two types of accounts: an individual brokerage account and a custodial account for someone under 18 years old.

Parents or guardians can open a Stockpile custodial account for children under 18 years old. This gives kids hands-on learning because they can make their own trades with their parent’s supervision and approval.

With Stockpile, you can do the following:

• Buy and sell shares of stock, ETFs, and cryptos.
• Own fractional shares stock, ETFs, and cryptos.
• Buy stocks immediately with your debit card.
• Give the gift of stock to family and friends.

You can invest in stocks and funds with as little as $1.

Key Features

• Zero commissions – No commissions for buying and selling stocks.
• Stocks and ETFs – Buy shares in companies you know and enjoy. The ETFs offered are managed by experts like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Blackrock.
• Fractional shares – Buy stock or crypto in any amount you can afford. You can start with as little as $1 without needing to afford the entire share.
• Gift cards – Family and friends can help contribute to your child’s financial future by giving gift cards to purchase stocks and crypto.
• Custodial accounts – Teach kids the importance of investing with a custodial brokerage account.

Account Minimums

• There are no account minimum requirements.
• For stock buys, fractional trading requires a minimum of $1.

Pricing

A membership fee of $4.95 per month applies. You can cancel anytime.

With a Stockpile membership, you get 1 adult account and 5 kid accounts, trade over 4000 stocks and ETFs, and access to crypto and fractional trading.

Fees

Excluding the monthly subscription, other fees include:

• Trading fees: $0
• Electronic statement fees: $0
• Gift card redemption: $0

Please note that additional fees may apply.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• No minimum balance requirement
• Parent-supervised and kid-friendly app
• Zero commissions, no debit card fees, no gift card redemption fees.

Cons

• Mobile-only access
• Limited research tools or charts
• No access to mutual funds and bonds.
• All trades are executed at the close of the stock market at 4 PM Eastern Time.

Who is it best for?

Stockpile is best for parents with children under 18 years old. Its simple interface helps parents teach kids the importance of investing.

Open an account and buy your first share of stock. 

Stockpile Review

Stockpile is a legitimate company and is not a scam. It is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars in the App Store and has glowing reviews, including one that says it’s great for beginners. However, Stockpile Trustpilot reviews are average, with disgruntled users unhappy with the membership fee.

In our Stockpile review, we learned that it’s a good investing app for parents who want to introduce their children to investing. Its user-friendly, intuitive mobile app allows beginners to get an easier start on their investing journey.

However, it lacks many research tools and charts to make better-informed decisions. Then, again, beginners and children don’t need to start with robust research tools. The goal is to get started and Stockpile is good for beginners.

Additionally, Stockpile gift cards are a good way to give people stocks and crypto instead of retail store cards. When it comes to your kids, you could give them gift cards for special occasions and inform loved ones to do the same. This could help build up your kid’s investment portfolio.

Now, if you’re an adult starting your investing journey, there are other options that would be better suited. Find another online brokerage in the marketplace.

Another drawback to some is that Stockpile customer service help is only through email at [email protected].

How to start a Stockpile account

Minimum Requirements

• Be 18 years or older for individual brokerage account
• Valid Social Security Number
• Legal U.S. residential address within the 50 states, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia
• U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have a valid U.S. visa

Step-by-Step to Open a Stockpile Account

The time needed: 3 minutes.

1. Get started
   • Create an account by clicking on the link here. 
2. Enter your information 
   • Provide your first and last name, social security number, and address. You’ll need your kids information, if you’re opening a custodial account.
3. Account Verification
   • Identity is verified electronically. Otherwise, additional documents may be requested.

Keep in mind: Stockpile does not use credit scores to open accounts. It may also take 24 hours before you can start trading during regular business hours.

Stockpile Alternatives

Stockpile alternatives include Public.com for its community features, Webull for its research tools, and Robinhood for its simplicity. For custodial accounts, consider Stash Invest and Acorns.

Stockpile FAQs

Why Fractional Shares?

Many soon-to-be investors believe they cannot afford to invest. Fractional shares can help children and adults enter the stock market by giving them a more affordable way to invest in their favorite brands.

Why Stockpile Gift Cards?

Stockpile gift cards are a unique way to get others–children and adults—interested in investing. Instead of gifting your children toys, you could give them a gift card for a share of stock of their favorite brands, like Amazon and Disney. Pick a stock and any dollar amount—even pay with a debit card.

Why Stockpile Custodial Account?

Custodial accounts allow you to invest in your children and have them participate in the trades. You can open a custodial account for any child in your life with features that include:

• Owned by a minor but managed by an adult called the “custodian.”
• The custodian does not have to be a parent.
• You can’t take back the gift after you give it to the minor.

You can buy whole or fractional shares of 4,000+ stocks and ETFs. The child owns the stock, while the adult (custodian) has legal account responsibility. You can teach a child the importance of investing. In addition, you can give e-gifts or physical gift cards to help your child buy more shares.