More people are trying their hand at trading and investing using online platforms. Much of the trend is driven by trading apps, with a rise in the number of people signing up since the coronavirus pandemic hit last year.

Investors can buy shares in companies and investment funds and keep track of them on their phones. Many of the apps say their services are free to use and commission-free, so how do they make money?

Why have trading apps grown so quickly and what are the risks and benefits of investing this way?

Presenter Charmaine Cozier is joined by:

Martin Bamford, chartered financial planner and head of client education at Informed Choice and

Ryan King, founder of Making Money Simple.

If you're thinking about investing using an app or would like to share your experience, then please get in touch. E-mail [email protected] or tweet @MoneyBox.

Producer: Darin Graham