Top ETFs to Invest In (Under $100!)—And Why Beginners Love Them

Ready to start investing but don’t know where to begin? This beginner-friendly guide breaks down what ETFs are, how they work, and why they’re a smart choice for new investors. Plus, get a curated list of top-performing ETFs you can invest in today—each under $100. Perfect for anyone looking to build long-term wealth without picking individual stocks.

Written by Kelli, founder of The Pink Ledger with over a decade of experience in the finance industry.

9/5/20252 min read

Investing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

If the word investing makes you picture Wall Street traders or complicated stock charts, you’re not alone. For many beginners, investing feels intimidating — something reserved for people with thousands of dollars or advanced financial knowledge.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be an expert, and you don’t need a huge bank account to get started. Thanks to ETFs (exchange-traded funds), investing can be simple, affordable, and beginner-friendly. ETFs are basically baskets of investments (like stocks or bonds) that you can buy in one share — giving you instant diversification without having to research dozens of individual companies (Investor.gov on ETFs).

The best part? You can start with very little. Some of the most popular ETFs trade under $100 a share, and many brokerages now let you buy fractional shares — meaning you can invest with as little as $10–$50 (SEC Investor Bulletin on Fractional Shares; FINRA on Fractional Shares). That means no matter where you’re starting from, you can begin building a portfolio that grows alongside you.

In this post, we’ll walk through why ETFs are such a powerful tool for beginners, share a curated list of ETFs under $100, and show you exactly how to start investing today — even if you’re starting small.

Why ETFs Work for Beginners

ETFs are like investment baskets: instead of buying one company’s stock, you’re buying a bundle of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of stocks or bonds all at once.

Benefits of ETFs for beginners:

✅ Instant diversification → lowers risk compared to picking individual stocks
✅ Low fees → some as low as 0.03%
✅ Simple to buy → trade just like a stock on platforms like Vanguard or Fidelity
✅ Accessible pricing → many ETFs trade under $100, and some platforms allow fractional shares

Why Price Isn’t Everything (But Still Matters for Beginners)

While low share prices make ETFs more accessible, what matters most are:

Diversification → spreads out your risk
Expense ratio → lower fees mean more money stays invested
Long-term performance → consistency matters more than short-term gains

Tip: Many platforms now offer fractional shares, so you can invest in ETFs even if they’re priced over $100.

How to Start Buying ETFs Under $100

Ready to jump in? Here’s a beginner-friendly roadmap:

Open a brokerage account → Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, or apps like Robinhood.
Deposit funds → You can start with as little as $10–$50.
Choose your ETF(s) → Use the list above or explore similar options.
Buy shares (or fractional shares) → Place your order just like buying stock.
Stay consistent → Invest small amounts regularly (weekly/monthly).

Quick ETF Checklist:

When choosing an ETF, ask yourself:

Is it under $100 (or available as fractional shares)?
Does it have a low expense ratio (under 0.10%)?
Is it diversified (covers multiple companies/industries)?
Is it recommended by trusted financial sources?

If the answer is yes, you’ve likely found a solid beginner ETF.

Final Thoughts

Investing doesn’t have to feel complicated. You don’t need to pick the perfect stock, time the market, or have thousands in the bank. With ETFs under $100, you can start today—building wealth slowly and consistently over time.

Even $20 or $50 a month adds up. The key isn’t doing everything perfectly—it’s simply starting.