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The 13 plus Best Alternative Investment Platforms, Apps, Sites, Brokers.

The list of the best alternative investment platforms with their online websites and apps.

last updated Friday, March 22, 2024
#alternative investment platforms #alternative investment websites



John Burson     Subscribe
13 Plus Best Alternative Investment Platforms

CONTENTS

What are alternative investments?

Alternative investments, also known as alternative assets, are financial assets that exist outside of the traditional asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. This asset class offers a diverse set of unregistered investments that are not easily investigated. However, retail investors are gaining more and more access to alternative investments, making it easier to invest in these assets.

Learn more: What are alternative investments? How can alternative investments improve your portfolio?

What is a platform's business model?

In a business model, the term "platform" typically refers to a framework that facilitates the exchange of value between two or more groups that rely on each other. Platforms act as intermediaries that connect different user groups, enabling them to interact and conduct transactions.

Alternative Investment Platforms List

By making alternative investments more accessible, online alternative investment platforms have democratized an asset category once reserved for the privileged few.

Before the online platforms came along, alternative investment investors had to be more than accredited. They also had to own or rent a storage facility or a massive safe to store assets like art, wine, gold, collectibles, and commodities. In addition, investors assumed the responsibilities of insuring, securing, and maintaining the assets.

Alternative investment platforms have taken the grunt work and added expense out of investing in these alternative assets. Along with portfolio diversity and higher profit potential, these platforms give you many investment opportunities besides broker securities. 

There is a list of the best alternative investment platforms on the internet.

Investment Platform

Investment Offering

Type of Investors

Accredited investor platforms

Investment platforms are available for accredited investors.

Non accredited investor platforms

Investment platforms are available for non-accredited investors.

FarmTogether Farmland -
Yieldstreet Varied -
MasterWorks Art
Fundrise Real Estate. Equity. Credit.
Paperfree Alternatives Real Estate. Equity. Credit.
CrowdStreet Real Estate. Equity. -
Prosper Peer-to-peer lending
Fidelity Alternative Investment Platform Equity -
Vint Wine
Vaulted Gold
Citi Private Bank alternative investments Private equity. Real estate. Hedge funds. - -
Gatsby Real Estate
Schwab Alternatives Diverse - -


Related content: learn more about What is an accredited Investor?

Alternative investment platforms' detailed description

Yieldstreet is a private market platform.

Yieldstreet
source:  Yieldstree platform website

Focus: Varied
Investor Types: Accredited investors, except for the Prism Fund
Annual Fees/Minimum Investment: 2.5%/ $2,500
Yieldstreet is a popular alternative investment platform because it offers various alternative investment assets, including debt securities, commercial real estate, art equity funds, etc. Although most of Yardstreet's funds are exclusively available to accredited investors, it offers the Prism Fund to all investors.

Yardstreet offers investors institutional-grade investment opportunities among the most lucrative assets available. However, high-return assets equal higher risk. So, retail investors are better off using this platform as a training ground.


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

MasterWorks is an art investing platform.


source:  MasterWorks website

Focus: Artwork
Investor Types: All
Annual Fee/Minimum Investment: $20 increments
Masterworks is the best artwork investing platform on the web. All investors can invest in alternative assets once reserved for the rich and powerful. For example, for only $20, non-accredited investors can buy fractional ownership of famous artwork by Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir.
When Masterworks buys a world-renowned art piece, it holds it for a set period between three to ten years before selling it for profit. After that, the investors split the profit after Masterworks collected 20% and a 1.5% annual fee. Also, an investor can access a secondary marketplace to trade shares.


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

FarmTogether is a farmland investing platform.

Farm Together
source:  FarmTogether website

Focus: Land appreciation, crop yields, and land rental payments
Investor Types: Accredited Investor
Fee/Minimum Investment: $15,000

FarmTogether is one of the best platforms because it gives you access to dual sources of return from agricultural real estate. After you buy in, you can earn income from operating yield and receive profits from the sale of the land. Farmland can be an excellent investment for long-term growth. Also, since inflation increases the land value and crop income, farmland is a terrific inflationary hedge. This crowdfunding real estate platform is primarily an accredited investor platform with a few investments for non-accredited investors.


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Fundrise is a real estate investing platform.

fundrise
source:  Fundrise platform website

Focus: REITs
Investor Type: All
Annual Fee/Minimum Investment: $10
Fundrise differs from the traditional model of accredited investor platforms by offering the benefits of real estate assets to retail investors without the high investment minimums, long timelines, and low liquidity. Technically, Fundrise is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that allows you to buy shares in it. In return, you earn quarterly dividends and asset value appreciation.

Fundrise reviews usually indicate that Fundrise investors' average annual return was 22.99% in 2021. In addition, REITs have a low correlation to stocks and bonds, making them useful for portfolio diversification.

FAQ

Q: Do you need to be an accredited investor for fundrise?

A: No. Fundrise offers investment opportunities for both accredited and non-accredited investors.


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Paperfree is an alternative investment platform.

paperfree
source: alternative investments platform  website - paperfree.com

Focus: real estate, private equity, private debt
Products: Paperfree EB 5 ProgramReal Estate Investment Platform.
Investor type: Accredited Investor

The platform offers passive alternative investments focusing on real estate private equity and private debt opportunities.


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CrowdStreet is a private equity real estate platform.

crowdstreet
source:  Crowdstreet Platform Website

Focus: Private equity real estate
Investor Type: Accredited investor
Fees/Minimum Investment: 0.5% to 2.5%/$25,000
Although it has many competitors, CrowdStreet's stringent vetting process and vast investment opportunities make it the best alternative investment platform for investing in debt-based assets. However, this popular platform's high minimum investment and low liquidity narrow its pool of investors and potential investors.


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Fidelity alternative investment platform.

Fidelity is a global financial services company headquartered in Boston, founded in 1946.
Fidelity liquid alternative funds have flexibility regarding what they can invest in, offering a more diverse array of strategies than traditional long-only funds.

There are three featured funds:

  1. Fidelity Long/Short Alternative Fund.
    A blended "130/30" that focuses on North American equity.
  2. Fidelity Market Neutral Alternative Fund.
    A market-neutral fund that aims to achieve absolute returns through a balanced combination of long and short positions.
  3. Fidelity Global Value Long/Short Fund.
    Global equity fund that focuses on value-oriented stocks through long and short exposures.

Related content: Download Fidelity white page—introduction to alternative mutual funds by fidelity investments.

fidelity alternative investment platform
source: Fidelity platform website

  • Focus: diverse opportunities 
  • Investor type: accredited and non-accredited investor
  • Fee/Minimum Investment: $NA


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Vint is a wine-investing platform.

Vint provides retail investors with a unique opportunity to take advantage of premium wines' growing demand and finite availability. Their platform allows individuals needing more buying power, connections, or knowledge to access these coveted vintages at attractive prices before their peak value - all while eliminating prohibitive minimum investments associated with seeking them out independently.

wine investing platform
source:  Vint website

Prosper is a peer-to-peer platform.

Prosper was among the first investment platforms to offer peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. To many observers, it was the prototype that other peer-to-peer platforms copied. This alternative investment platform facilitates loans between various borrowers and an investment pool of Prosper users. For loan amounts between $2,000 and $40,000, Prosper users lend the total or partial payment of the loan to borrowers using a similar criterion to banks, such as credit score, income, and the amount of return from the interest.

Prosper
source:  Prosper website

  • Focus: Peer-to-peer lending
  • Investor type: accredited and non-accredited investor
  • Minimum Investment: $25 a note


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Vaulted is a gold investing platform.

Gold possesses the potential to protect the economy in a challenging environment. It's primarily because it preserved riches to a remarkable degree for centuries. However, holding gold bullion is also an expensive investment. VALUED offers gold investment tools for manufacturing, certification, storage, and security. An investor gets more income by increasing gold prices and reinvesting in gold.

Vaulted gold investing platform

source:  Vaulted website  

  • Focus: gold
  • Investor type: accredited and non-accredited investor



Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Citi private bank alternative investments.

Citi Private Bank alternative investments help qualified investors grow wealth and manage risk—allocations from opportunistic to core transactions powered by private equity, real estate, and hedge funds.
Opportunities that are unavailable in the public market.

citi private bank alternative investments
source:  Citi Private Bank Website

  • Focus: Residential and Commercial Real Estate
  • Type of investor: qualified investors
  • Fee/Minimum Investment: NA


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Gatsby is a real estate investing platform.

Gatsby Investment gives investors access to new developments, renovations, house flips, short-term rentals, and long-term rental properties in the Los Angeles real estate market. With its real estate syndicated structure, Gatsby allows investors to bundle their funds and buy large properties they could not own individually.

Also, Gatsby can help investors generate profits by overseeing maintenance, renovations, and tenant relations. With these benefits, this platform's low $10,000 minimum can be an excellent motivator to get investors started.

Gatsby platform
source: Gatsby platform website

  • Focus: Residential and Commercial Real Estate
  • Type of investor: accredited investor
  • Fee/Minimum Investment: $10,000 


Scroll Up to Platforms Matrix

Schwab alternative investment marketplace platform.

Schwab alternative investment marketplace platform was introduced by Schwab Advisor Services in 2019.

The platform offers access to various alternative investments, primary to private funds provided by third-party platform sponsors.
Financial Advisors can build diversified portfolios for clients - high-net-worth investors.

Schwab alternative investment marketplace platform
source: Schwab platform website

  • Focus: Diverse opportunities
  • Type of investor: financial advisors
  • Fee/Minimum Investment: $100,000



List of alternative investment websites

Below is the list of active platforms for represented alternative investment firms with each website.

Investment Platform

Alternative Investment Sites

FarmTogether https://farmtogether.com/
Yieldstreet https://www.yieldstreet.com/
MasterWorks https://www.masterworks.com/
Fundrise https://fundrise.com/
Paperfree Alternatives https://paperfree.com/
CrowdStreet https://www.crowdstreet.com/
Prosper https://www.prosper.com/
Fidelity Alternative Investment Platform https://www.fidelity.com/
Vint https://vint.co/
Vaulted https://vaulted.com/
Citi private bank alternative investments https://www.privatebank.citibank.com/outlook/alternative-assets-portfolio
Gatsby https://www.gatsbyinvestment.com/
Schwab Alternatives https://advisorservices.schwab.com/serving-your-clients/products/alternative-investments

What is the List of Alternative Investment Brokers?

As of February 2024, there are several alternative investment brokers available.

  1. Robinhood
    Offerings - cryptocurrency trading.
  2. eToro
    Offerings - cryptocurrencies, commodities, and more.
  3. Fidelity Investments.
    Offerings - real estate investment trusts (REITs).
  4. SoFi Invest
    Offerings - cryptocurrency trading.
  5. Kraken
    Offerings - cryptocurrency trading.
  6. PeerStreet
    Offerings - real estate loans.
  7. Fundrise
    Offerings - private real estate assets.
  8. Groundfloor
    Offerings - real estate debt investments.
  9. Schwab Alternative Investment Marketplace™ platform
    Offering - real estate investment trusts (REITs).
  10. BlackRock Alternative Investments Platform.
    Offerings - real estate investment trusts (REITs), commodities.

Conclusion

Alternative Investment options have gained traction recently for those looking to diversify their investments. In addition to traditional assets like real estate or gold, online platforms have created new opportunities for investors - such as startup shares, wine futures, art items shares, or farmland ownership. Depending on your risk appetite and investment objectives, these unconventional alternatives can offer high reward potential while ranging in volatility.

The Best Alternative Investment Platform for You

Alternative investment platforms have successfully exposed more investors to assets once regarded as exotic and hard to obtain. Now that you can buy shares in commercial real estate and fine wines, the question is which alternative investment opportunities suit your investment goals.

Some alternative investments offer potentially high returns, but they come with higher risk and require a steep cash commitment. So, your choice of alternative investment platform should depend on your financial resources, risk tolerance, and willingness to do your due diligence.

Q&A

Can non-accredited investors invest in REITs?

Yes. Investors can diversify their portfolios or earn passive income by buying REIT shares on alternative investment platforms like Fundrise, Paperfree.

How are traditional and alternative investments different?

Traditional investments are SEC-regulated assets like stocks, bonds, and cash. Investors primarily trade traditional investments on well-established exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. On the other hand, alternate stocks are unavailable for trade on the SEC-regulate exchanges. As a result, they are more challenging to convert to cash. Alternative investments also lack the transparency of traditional assets. However, they generally offer high returns for investors willing to assume higher risks.

How peer to peer lending and crowdfunding platforms different?

Unlike crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending is a loan with specified repayment terms and interest rates. Crowdfunding investors collectively provide capital to business entities in return for dividend income and asset value appreciation.

What are the best alternative investment platforms by Robo-advisor?

Many alternative investments are available today, and the best one for you will depend on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and other personal factors. Some popular alternative investment platforms include real estate crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and hedge funds.

  • Real estate crowdfunding platforms allow investors to pool their money to buy properties or lend to developers. These platforms can offer access to various real estate projects, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. Some popular real estate crowdfunding platforms include Fundrise, Roofstock, and DiversyFund.
  • Peer-to-peer lending platforms connect borrowers with investors who are willing to lend money. These platforms allow investors to earn interest on their loans and can offer higher returns than traditional investments. Some popular peer-to-peer lending platforms include LendingClub, Prosper, and Upstart.
  • Hedge funds are alternative investment vehicles that use various strategies to generate returns. These funds are typically only available to accredited investors and require a significant minimum investment. Some popular hedge fund platforms include KKR, Blackstone, and Paulson & Co.

It's essential to research and carefully consider any alternative investment platform's risks and potential returns before committing your money.

What are the best alternative investment apps?

There is a list of applications with a focus or optional opportunity to invest in alternatives,  private or public.
You can download it on Google Play.

Fidelity Investments AppsFidelity Investments Appshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fidelity.android Yieldstreet Alt Investments Apps

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yieldstreet 
PeerBerry AppsPeerBerry Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.peerberry
Tyke Invest in Startups Apps
Tyke Invest in Startups Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tykeinvest.tyke
E-TRADE Invest Trade Save Apps

E*TRADE: Invest. Trade. Save.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.etrade.mobilepro.activity
KredX Invest Apps
KredX-Invest-Apps-on-Google-Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kredxinvest
Orowealth Alternate Investment

Orowealth Alternate Investment Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orowealth.orowealthv11
Investcorp Wealth Apps
Investcorp Wealth Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.investcorp.wealth
Hedonova App
Hedonova-Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hedonova
Public Invest in Everything Apps
Public Invest in everything Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.public.app
Groundfloor Investing Apps
Groundfloor Investing Apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.groundfloor.merlin

What is the list of commercial real estate investing platforms?

There are several commercial real estate investing platforms available. Most platforms support both residential and commercial real estate investment transactions.
Some platforms include:

  • CrowdStreet.
    CrowdStreet platform provides access to commercial real estate investments backed by office buildings, hotels, multifamily properties, etc. Investors can browse offerings and review due diligence materials. CrowdStreet offers a range of educational resources for investors.
  • Papefree REI.
    Paperfree REI is a Commercial Real Estate Investing Platform that offers passive investment opportunities in real estate equity and debt investment transactions, supported by residential and commercial real estate.
  • Cadre.
    Cadre is a platform that provides access to institutional-quality commercial real estate deals, including office buildings, multifamily properties, and hotels. Investors can invest directly in deals or through a fund.
  • Fundrise.
    Fundrise is a real estate investment platform that allows investors to invest in private market commercial real estate deals through various REITs and eFunds. Fundrise also offers investment portfolios based on different risk profiles.
  • RealtyMogul.
    RealtyMogul is a platform that offers strictly commercial real estate opportunities, offering a range of investment options, including equity investments, preferred equity, and debt investments.

When choosing a commercial real estate investing platform, it's essential to carefully review the available investment opportunities, the platform's fees and costs, and the level of due diligence provided to investors. It's also a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or investment professional before making investment decisions.

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Last update Friday, March 22, 2024
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Story Author(s) John Burson
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Tailored to accredited, nonaccredited investors
Keywords alternative investment platforms  alternative investment websites crowdfunded real estate
Social hashtags #REIT #RealEstate
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Related story

How Alternative Investments Can Improve Your Portfolio

 
 
 

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