We looked at the top ESG investing apps for 2025 — from beginner-friendly platforms to automated robos. Our picks: Fidelity (best overall for ESG fund selection), SoFi (best for automated ESG portfolios), and Public (best for hands-on ethical investing). No minimums, low fees, and real sustainability screening.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing means choosing companies that score well on sustainability metrics — lower carbon emissions, fair labor practices, diverse boards — while avoiding industries like fossil fuels or tobacco. It used to be a niche for wealthy institutional investors, but apps have opened the door for anyone.[1]
Today you can start with as little as $1, choose from hundreds of ESG-screened funds, and even let a robo-advisor handle the ethics for you. Here's who we recommend for different needs.
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| App | Best For | Minimum | Fee Structure | ESG Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Overall ESG fund selection | $0 | 0% management fee (fund expense ratios apply) | Broad ETF & mutual fund access, including Fidelity's own ESG index funds |
| SoFi | Automated ESG portfolios | $0 | 0% management fee for self-directed; 0.25% for robo-advisor | Uses BlackRock ESG-aware ETFs in automated portfolios |
| Public | Hands-on ethical investing | $0 | 0% commissions; optional 2.5% spread on crypto | User picks individual ESG ETFs and stocks; no auto-screening |
Fidelity offers one of the largest selections of ESG-screened mutual funds and ETFs, with zero account minimums and no management fees for self-directed accounts.[1] Their own Fidelity Sustainability Index Funds track MSCI ESG indices, giving you broad exposure to companies that pass environmental and social screens.
Why it wins: If you want to build your own ESG portfolio with maximum choice — including active funds, passive index funds, and ETFs — Fidelity has the deepest bench. You pay only the underlying fund expense ratios, which average around 0.10%–0.35% for ESG funds.
Trade-off: You need to pick your own funds. There's no automated ESG portfolio builder (though Fidelity Go offers robo-advice, it doesn't specialize in ESG).
SoFi Invest partners with BlackRock to offer ESG-aware automated portfolios. When you set up a SoFi robo-advisor account, it allocates your money into BlackRock's ESG ETFs, which screen for companies with strong sustainability ratings while excluding controversial industries.[1]
Why it wins: It's truly hands-off. You answer a few questions about your goals and values, and SoFi builds and rebalances an ESG portfolio for you. The robo-advisor charges just 0.25% annually — and if you manage your own investments, it's free.
Trade-off: You're limited to BlackRock's fund lineup. If you want specific non-BlackRock ESG funds or individual stocks, you'll need another platform.
Public is a social investing app with zero commissions and no minimums. It gives you access to hundreds of ESG ETFs (like iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and individual stocks of companies with strong sustainability profiles.[1]
Why it wins: Public makes it easy to research what you're buying. Each stock and ETF shows sustainability ratings and carbon footprint data, so you can decide for yourself what "ethical" means. The community features also let you see what other ESG investors are buying.
Trade-off: No automated ESG portfolio. You pick everything yourself, and there's no dedicated ESG screening tool built into the app — you rely on third-party ratings displayed on each asset.
| If you want... | Pick this |
|---|---|
| Maximum fund selection, DIY portfolio | Fidelity |
| Set-it-and-forget-it ESG investing | SoFi |
| Social features + full control over picks | Public |
All three are free to start, charge no commissions on stocks/ETFs, and offer legitimate ESG exposure. The right choice depends on how involved you want to be.
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