Last update: July 15

Top Rated ⦁ 9.9 /10

SoFi Active Invest® Review 2026

SoFi Active Invest® is a brokerage platform that lets you trade stocks, ETFs, and options, invest in IPOs and alternative assets

Written by Christina
Start Trading

Why You Should Choose SoFi Active Invest®?

  • SoFi Active Invest® is the self-directed brokerage arm of SoFi, one of the fastest-growing fintech platforms in the US. Provided through SoFi Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC), it lets you trade stocks, ETFs, and options with zero commissions and no account minimums. What sets SoFi apart is the broader ecosystem, investing, banking, lending, and financial planning all live under one roof. With fractional shares starting at $5, IPO access for all members, and a 1% IRA match on contributions and rollovers, SoFi makes it easy to start investing and keep building without juggling multiple apps or paying hidden fees.

Key Features

  • SoFi Plus Member

    Unlock unlimited financial planner sessions, boosted rewards, and a higher APY

  • Fractional Share Investing

    Buy slices of high-priced stocks starting from just $5

  • IPO Investing

    Access upcoming IPOs before they hit the public market

  • Alternative Investments

    Diversify into real estate, commodities, and private credit through interval funds

  • Automated Investing Option

    Pair with SoFi's robo-advisor to auto-build and rebalance a portfolio of low-cost ETFs

  • Integrated Financial Ecosystem

    Investing, banking, lending, and credit cards, all managed from one app

Best Known For

  • Rated 4.9/5 for beginner-friendly investing

  • IPO access for all users, no minimums

  • No per-contract fees on options

  • Alternative investments from $500

  • All-in-one finance platform

Pros & Cons

  • No minimums, fractional shares from $5

  • IPO & alternative assets access

  • 1% IRA match on contributions and rollovers

  • Free CFP financial planning

  • Integrated investing, banking, lending

  • Low cash sweep rate (0.01%)

  • Limited research and charts

Service Highlights

9.9
Exceptional

849 visited this site today

Reputation & Regulation

9.5

Founded in 2011, regulated by SEC and FINRA

Ease of Use

9.0

Clean mobile app with intuitive navigation

Investment Options

9.8

Stocks, ETFs, options, fractional shares, IPOs, mutual funds, ADRs, and more

Customer Support

9.2

Phone & live chat available Mon–Thu 5 AM–7 PM, Fri–Sun 5 AM–5 PM

How to Get Started With SoFi Active Invest®?

  • Getting started with SoFi Active Invest® takes just a few minutes, and you don't need any prior investing experience. The platform guides you through every step with a clean, straightforward setup flow:

    1. Create Your Account: Sign up on sofi.com or the app with basic info.
    2. Choose Active Investing: Open a self-directed account or IRA.
    3. Verify Identity: Fast identity check; most accounts approved same day.
    4. Link Bank Account: Connect an external account or SoFi Checking.
    5. Start Investing: Buy stocks, ETFs, IPOs, or fractional shares from $5.
    6. Set Recurring Investments (Optional): Automate weekly or monthly deposits to grow your portfolio.

Who is SoFi Active Invest® Best For?

  • SoFi Active Invest® is ideal for beginner and intermediate investors who want simplicity, guidance, and an all-in-one financial experience, investing, banking, and lending connected in a single app. Free access to Certified Financial Planners, the 1% IRA match, and exposure to IPOs and alternative assets make it a standout for everyday investors and retirement savers alike. That said, advanced traders who need deep charting, multi-leg options, futures, or forex will find the platform too limited for their needs. If you're looking for a straightforward way to start investing without juggling multiple apps, SoFi is one of the strongest options available.

Bottom Line

  • SoFi Active Invest® is one of the most accessible brokerage platforms on the market, not just because of its pricing, but because of how much it packs into a single experience. The combination of IPO access, alternative investments, financial planner sessions, and a connected banking ecosystem gives it a breadth that most zero-commission competitors can't match. It delivers exactly what most everyday investors are looking for: a clean, affordable, and well-supported platform to grow their wealth over time.

Reviews & Ratings

See what some customers are saying about SoFi

9.9 Excellent

  • Excellent
    80%
  • Great
    6%
  • Average
    2%
  • Poor
    2%
  • Bad
    10%
avatar

Gabriel

1 day ago

Fast & Clear

The process was fast and clear. No hide information.

avatar

Carolyn Tucker

2 days ago

SoFi is awesome!

The application process couldn't have been easier and the follow up is excellent. It makes you feel like they really care and want you to succeed. SoFi rocks!

avatar

Elisa Colon

5 days ago

Fast and dependable

Fast and dependable. The rates are a little high, but very reliable service.

avatar

Mark

1 week ago

Easy to apply

Easy to apply, fast response, quick turnaround, extremely pleased.

avatar

Roger Gilbert

2 weeks ago

The application was very easy to fill

The application was very easy to fill out and the service was fast. Had the loan within days.