Acorns vs. Webull: Points to Remember
• Robo accounts can be opened at both Acorns and Webull.
• Only Webull has self-directed (brokerage) accounts.
• Cash-management resources are available at both firms, although these differ significantly.
Webull vs. Acorns Introduction
Before opening your next securities account, be sure to check out Webull and Acorns. Since investing is only part of what each firm offers, you might discover more services than you expected.
Pricing
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Options
Commission |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
|
Webull
|
$0
|
na
|
$0 per contract
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
Acorns
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
$3, $6, or $12 per month
|
$3, $6, or $12 per month
|
Promotion Links
Acorns:
Get $20 when you open an Acorns account with this referral link.
Webull:
Up to $20,000 cash with 2% match and 8.1% APY at Webull.
Securities
Webull and Acorns are both securities firms, but they use different methods. Acorns has only managed accounts, while Webull provides both robo and brokerage accounts. Each firm offers a small set of ETFs for automated investing. For self-managed trading, Webull supports options, stocks, ETFs (a much larger list), bonds, futures, and closed-end funds.
Webull charges 0.20% for robo management and nothing for brokerage. Acorns has a flat monthly fee for its robo service (three levels from $3 to $9).
Winner: Webull
Cash
Besides investing, Acorns offers checking accounts with several perks. For instance, Acorns has a tungsten debit card that can earn fractions of stocks, plus FDIC insurance, direct deposit, and a
2.47% APY on balances. An emergency fund linked to it pays
4.04% APY. All these benefits are included in Acorns’ monthly fee.
Webull has a cash account with no monthly fee, giving an annual yield of
4.1% under FDIC protection. However, Webull doesn’t have the extra features Acorns provides, like debit cards or paycheck splitting.
Winner: Acorns
Margin Accounts
Webull stands out for margin traders. It has some of the lowest interest rates around
(from 8.74% to 4.54%), and its software shows details on margin for entered tickers, such as maintenance and overnight leverage. An account needs at least $2,000 in equity for margin, and day trading can go up to 4:1 leverage.
Because Acorns only does advisory accounts, margin trading is unavailable.
Winner: Webull
Mobile Apps
Acorns is a robo-only company and focuses on simplicity. Its mobile app is quite basic, with no advanced tools. It does, however, emphasize Acorns’ many services, like a checking account, early payday, learning materials, and a cash-back program. The bottom menu makes navigation easy.
Webull’s app is more complex, mostly because it delivers a variety of trading features. There are two trade tickets: TurboTrader and Classic. Together, they provide an array of advanced order choices, including bracket and conditional orders.
On Webull’s app, charts can be viewed in horizontal mode, and there are technical indicators and drawing tools. Options chains come with built-in multi-leg strategies, and a user forum lets Webull clients chat about stocks.
Winner: Webull
Websites
On the website side, Acorns again focuses on providing the same resources as its mobile app. The site’s dashboard has tiles for various Acorns features, such as IRAs, gift cards, and referral bonuses. There’s a shopping portal that offers bonuses on purchases made at certain stores. There isn’t much in terms of investing, though there is a calculator that estimates future balances.
Webull leans more toward trading than long-term investing, though you can still access robo accounts via its website. The self-directed side has a web-browser platform. Compared to the app, the browser version has better charting tools, extra technical studies, and full-screen mode for more detailed price analysis.
Webull’s web platform also includes an extra ticket called Price Ladder, which shows clickable prices in a vertical format. It has Level II data and time & sales info to give a professional vibe.
Winner: Webull
Desktop Software
Wrapping up the trading picture is a powerful desktop platform from Webull. Acorns doesn’t offer one. Webull’s software includes features like heat maps, news feeds, global index info (though not global trading), a stock screener, a paper-trading mode, and built-in option spreads with profit-loss visuals.
Winner: Webull
Supplementary Services
Fully-Paid Lending Income Program: Available at Webull.
Extended Hours: Webull has pre-market and after-hours sessions.
Dividend Reinvestment Plans: Automatic dividend reinvesting can be set up at both.
IPOs: Offered at Webull.
Fractional Shares: Both firms let you invest with whole dollars.
IRA Service: Both have Roth and Traditional IRAs, while Acorns also has a SEP IRA.
Winner: Webull
Our Recommendations
Beginners: A robo program at either firm is a good way to start investing under professional oversight.
Small Accounts: Webull’s automated service starts at $100, while brokerage accounts have no minimum. Acorns has no minimum balance requirement, though you need at least $5 to begin investing.
Retirement Planning & Long-Term Investing: Acorns has better educational materials that could be used for building a long-term strategy.
Active Stock and ETF Trading: Definitely Webull, using its desktop or browser platform.
Promotion Links
Acorns:
Get $20 when you open an Acorns account with this referral link.
Webull:
Up to $20,000 cash with 2% match and 8.1% APY at Webull.
Webull vs Acorns Summary
Acorns offers strong services for cash management and financial education. But for hands-on investing and
trading, Webull comes out on top.
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Updated on 5/21/2025.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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