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Best robo-advisors

8 best robo-advisors: compare fees, features & portfolios

Eric Esposito

Fact checked by Eric Esposito

Updated Sep 5, 2025

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While some investors still crave a “personal touch,” millions don’t mind handing over their money to robots. In fact, recent statistics suggest the robo-advisory market is already valued at over $2 trillion and is set to reach 34 million users by 2029.1 Considering all of the cost savings robo-advisors offer over their human counterparts, it’s easy to see why more people are willing to work with these programs. 

But not all robo-advisors use the same tech or techniques to build wealth. Find out the strengths of the eight best robo-advisors to see if one fits your strategy.

Best robo-advisors by category

Best robo-advisor overall: Betterment

Betterment logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $10
  • AUM % fee: 0.25% annually above $20K balance, or a deposit of $250 a month. Above $1 million (0.15% for $1M - $2M; 0.10% above $2M).
  • Flat fee: $4 a month below $20K balance.
  • Access to human advisor: No, unless upgrading to Premium
  • Services offered: Automated investing, IRAs, checking account and high-yield savings
  • Assets offered: ETFs and crypto

Paid non-client of Betterment. Views may not be representative, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store. Learn more about this relationship.

  • Why we chose Betterment

    +

    With a 2010 founding, Betterment is one of the more established platforms dedicated to robo-advisory investing. It’s also clearly a popular option for many investors. With 900,000 clients and $56 billion in assets under management (AUM), Betterment has built a lot of credibility for its products and services, including automated ETF investing.2

    As Betterment strives to make its offerings even “better,” it introduced many other features like high-yield savings, crypto exposure and ESG portfolios. Beginners also appreciate the simplicity of Betterment’s UI/UX and super low minimum of $10. As a bonus, for those who want a human advisor, there is a Betterment Premium offering for those with over $100,000 in savings who prefer more personalized guidance.

Betterment pros and cons

  • Accessible for beginners: Betterment makes it easy to start investing thanks to its intuitive layout and low minimum of just $10.
  • Diverse and automated investments: While Betterment focuses on ETFs, it offers ESG investing and crypto ETFs to give you more room for growth and personalization.
  • Access to high-yield savings: Beyond robo-investing, you’ll get access to an attractive high-yield savings account to earn on idle cash.3
  • Low BBB and Trustpilot scores: Although there aren’t many reviews on the BBB and Trustpilot, the majority are negative and cite issues related to customer support and ease of transfer.4
  • Doesn’t support custodial accounts: For those interested in using a robo-advisor for minors, Betterment lacks this option.5
  • Lacks direct indexing: Some investors don’t like that Betterment focuses on ETF investing rather than direct indexing with shares, which may reduce tax efficiency.

Best low-cost robo-advisor: Ally Invest

Ally Invest logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $100
  • AUM % fee: 0% to 0.3% annually
  • Flat fee: None
  • Access to human advisor: Only through Personal Advice
  • Services offered: Goal-based investing, IRAs, automatic rebalancing and tax-optimized portfolios
  • Assets offered: ETFs

  • Why we chose Ally Invest

    +

    Ally Bank may have banking services at its core, but it’s steadily becoming an all-in-one financial app with features like IRAs, a self-directed brokerage and a robo-advisory service. One of the unique features of an Ally robo-advisor is it offers two broad portfolios depending on your risk profile. With the “cash-enhanced portfolio,” Ally keeps 30% of your cash balance in a high-yield savings account and only invests the remaining 70% with zero advisory fees.

    By contrast, the “market-focused portfolio” invests all but 2% of the cash balance and charges a 0.3% advisory fee. Within these portfolios, you can choose different strategies, including core, tax-optimized, income, and even socially responsible. Add a reasonable minimum of $100, and it’s easy to start with Ally’s robo-advisor.

Ally Invest pros and cons

  • Security of a cash buffer: Conservative investors may prefer Ally’s high cash position to earn interest without excessive volatility.
  • Option for zero fees: If you opt for the cash-enhanced portfolio, you can grow your account with zero advisory fees.
  • Multiple portfolios to choose: Beyond the cash versus market portfolios, you can tailor your robo-advisor strategy for features like income, tax optimization or ESG.
  • Not ideal for growth investors: Ally emphasizes the security of its cash buffer, income options or tax-optimization strategies, which may stunt growth potential.
  • Limited IRA types: If you’re using Ally for retirement savings, you can only choose from Traditional, Roth and Rollover IRAs.6
  • Tax efficiency option is limited: Instead of offering tax optimization across all accounts, Ally restricts it to one portfolio offering.

Best for students: SoFi

Sofi invest logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $50
  • AUM % fee: 0.25%
  • Flat fee: None
  • Access to human advisor: Yes
  • Services offered: Financial planning, alternative assets, high-yield savings, IRAs, automatic rebalancing and ESG investing
  • Assets offered: ETFs, alternatives and mutual funds

  • Why we chose SoFi

    +

    The mobile-first platform SoFi started out in the student loan business, but it now offers features like a robo-advisory service to make it easier for anyone to start saving. One of the unique features of a SoFi robo-advisor is that it’s not all about the algorithms. In fact, with a SoFi account, you get complimentary video calls with a human financial advisor. Another distinction you’ll only find on SoFi is access to a basket of alternative assets like commodities and pre-IPO companies in one of its robo-advisory portfolios.7 For anyone new to investing who wants some hand-holding and a convenient digital platform, SoFi has many compelling features to check out.

SoFi pros and cons

  • Simple and highly-rated platform: A big reason behind SoFi’s success is its clean UI/UX, and high Trustpilot score attest to this brand’s ease-of-use.8
  • Call with human advisor included: One of the rare perks of using a SoFi robo-advisor is you get to meet with a real financial advisor to talk about your goals.
  • Access to alternatives and ESG: If investors want extra risk or feel passionately about the environment, there are ways to craft SoFi portfolios with alternatives or ESG assets.
  • No tax-loss harvesting: Unlike some competitors, you won’t get automatic tax-loss harvesting built into a SoFi portfolio.9
  • No weekend support: Note that you can only call SoFi Invest’s support line between Monday and Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.10
  • Inactivity fee: If you don’t log into your SoFi account once every six months, you’ll have to pay $25 extra for inactivity.11

Best for long-term retirement planning: Vanguard Digital Advisor

Vanguard logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $100
  • AUM % fee: 0.2% to 0.25% annually
  • Flat fee: None
  • Access to human advisor: No
  • Services offered: Active/indexed account options, ESG investing, IRAs, automatic rebalancing and tax-optimization
  • Assets offered: ETFs

  • Why we chose Vanguard Digital Advisor

    +

    When it comes to mutual funds and retirement planning, few firms are as big as Vanguard. After all, this is the team that brought the first index fund to the financial market. But for those who don't want to drop $1,000 to $3,000 into a mutual fund, you could put a $100 minimum into the company’s robo-advisor service and get similar diversified investment exposure.12

    The Vanguard Digital Advisor offers three broad portfolios including All-Index, Active/Indexed and ESG, and you’ll have to take a 30-minute questionnaire to find the right plan for your goals and risk profile. As a plus, Vanguard offers a few premium features to help with long-term financial health, including a debt payoff calendar, emergency fund tool and goal tracker.

Vanguard Digital Advisor pros and cons

  • Trusted name in retirement planning: With a history going back to 1975, Vanguard is one of America’s most respected financial firms.
  • Highly personalized test: Vanguard suggests taking 30 minutes on its comprehensive test to get a portfolio that fits your goals and risk tolerance.
  • Automatic tax-loss harvesting: Vanguard includes tax-loss harvesting as a part of your portfolio rebalancing, so you can take advantage of potentially lower IRS obligations.13
  • Access to other investment tools: In addition to the robo-advisor portfolio, Vanguard offers a suite of financial planning tools to help with debt and saving.
  • Zero human interaction: Vanguard separates the Digital Advisor from its more human-centric advisory strategies.
  • Prioritizes Vanguard ETFs: You aren’t going to get exposure to assets that aren’t already in the Vanguard family of funds.
  • Limited customization: The focus on proprietary ETFs and only three broad categories doesn’t offer as much room for personalization compared to some competitors.

Best for business investors: Fidelity Go

Fidelity investments logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $10
  • AUM % fee: 0.35% (above $25K)
  • Flat fee: None
  • Access to human advisor: Yes (above $25K)
  • Services offered: Rebalancing and monitoring, IRAs, personalized portfolios, human advisory help and annual reviews
  • Assets offered: Fidelity Flex mutual funds (domestic stock, foreign stock, bonds, short-term)

  • Why we chose Fidelity Go

    +

    Like Vanguard, Fidelity is a massive multinational name in wealth planning that now offers a robo-advisory service called Fidelity Go. Given Fidelity’s scale, it’s a common choice for businesses that want the assurance of a major firm with years of experience. Unsurprisingly, Fidelity Go focuses on Fidelit’s “Flex” mutual funds, which give investors a mix of stocks (both domestic and foreign), bonds and short-term debt.

    How Fidelity splits up these ratios depends on how conservative or aggressive you want to be. While this may not offer as much diversification with offerings that have alternatives, ESG or crypto, it does have a big perk in the fee department with no hidden expense ratios (great for business investors who are fee-conscious). Plus, you could access a Fidelity financial advisor for one-on-one service if your account crosses the $25K mark. But even if you’re below $25K, Fidelity waives the advisory fee, so you can build your account fee-free.

Fidelity Go pros and cons

  • No advisory fees below $25K: For smaller accounts, the Fidelity 0% advisory fee below $25K makes it easier to build wealth.
  • One-on-one support available: If you cross the $25K mark, you get to speak with a Fidelity agent one-on-one.
  • No hidden expense ratios: These portfolios use Fidelity Flex mutual funds with zero-expense ratios.
  • Only Fidelity funds: You have to rely on the basket of assets in Fidelity’s funds, which tend to be more conservative assets like stocks, bonds and short-term debt.
  • Lacks tax-loss harvesting: You won't have a dedicated tax-loss harvesting tool with a Fidelity Go portfolio.
  • Complaints on Trustpilot: There are a sizable number of negative reviews for Fidelity on Trustpilot, often citing poor customer service.14

Best for Citi banking customers: Citi Wealth Builder

Citibank logo

4.4

Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $5,000 or $25,000
  • AUM % fee: 0.25% or 0.6% annually
  • Flat fee: None
  • Access to human advisor: Yes (with Plus account)
  • Services offered: Personalized portfolios, rebalancing, IRAs, tax-sensitive strategies, human advisors for Plus members
  • Assets offered: ETFs and mutual funds

  • Why we chose Citi Wealth Builder

    +

    Citi is a big deal in the world of finance, with hundreds of millions of accounts worldwide.15 If you’re already in the Citi suite, then it makes sense that you’d first consider this bank’s robo-advisor so you have all of your finances in one place. But even those who don’t have a Citi account may be intrigued by what Citi Wealth Builder brings to the table. Unlike many other options, this robo-advisor is available as a regular and “Plus” version. Plus members pay higher advisory fees and need a steeper deposit, but they get to work with a Citi financial advisor and can choose from 10 additional portfolios. Still, even with a regular Citi Wealth Builder account, you’ll get access to over 15 curated funds, a decent advisory fee, and a personalized portfolio (including ESG investing).

Citi Wealth Builder pros and cons

  • Over a dozen portfolios available: Citi advertises 15 portfolios for its regular Citi Wealth Builder platform, including strategies like active/passive management and ESG.
  • Possible to add a human advisor: For accounts with over $25K, you can speak with a Citi financial advisor anytime to personalize your portfolio.
  • Access to Citibank services: As a member of Citi, you’ll instantly get access to many convenient banking services, including loans, savings and checking.
  • High investment minimum: Even the standard Citi Wealth Builder has one of the steepest minimums at $5K.
  • Limited supported accounts: Currently, Citi Wealth Builder doesn’t offer joint accounts or IRA types like SEP and SIMPLE.16
  • Mandatory Citibank account: If you already have a bank elsewhere, you may not feel comfortable opening another account with Citi.

Best for managing large portfolios: SigFig

Sigfig logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $2,000
  • AUM % fee: 0.25% annually (above $10K)
  • Flat fee: None
  • Access to human advisor: Yes
  • Services offered: Personalized portfolio monitoring, rebalancing, IRAs, tax-loss harvesting and concierge service
  • Assets offered: ETFs

  • Why we chose Sigfig

    +

    SigFig began services as “Wikinvest” in 2006, and it continues to grow a presence in the robo-advisory scene. While both of these names might sound silly, SigFig is serious about providing high-quality service to those who want a managed long-term investment account. The minimum deposit is a bit high at $2,000, but you get many perks for becoming a SigFig member, including access to a human advisor, tax-loss harvesting and automatic dividend reinvestments.

    Plus, you’ll pay zero advisory fees until you hit $10K — and afterward, the annual fee is extremely competitive for anyone who wants the benefit of one-on-one support. Keep in mind that SigFig only works with Charles Schwab and Fidelity as partner brokers, and it will hold your funds in Fidelity if you don’t already have an account with these firms.17

Sigfig pros and cons

  • Human advisor access: A big positive for using SigFig is it offers a financial advisor for one-on-one support alongside its robo-advisory service.
  • Tax optimization and reinvestment: SigFig has many features to save on taxes and compound your gains into their robo-advisory portfolios.
  • Competitive fees: You won’t pay any advisory fees before $10K, and the 0.25% fee for higher accounts is attractive.
  • Supports all account types: SigFig claims to work with all IRAs plus individual, joint and trust accounts.18
  • High investment minimum: While not the highest, the $2,000 deposit is more than many competing robo-advisors.
  • No socially conscious portfolio: SigFig may include a few ESG options in their ETF portfolios, but it doesn’t advertise this as a special offer.
  • Limited partner brokerages: You must have your accounts at one of SigFig’s partner brokerages (Fidelity or Charles Schwab), otherwise you’ll get a managed account at Fidelity.19

Best for micro-investing: Acorns

Acorns logo
Fast facts:
  • Minimum investment: $5
  • AUM % fee: None
  • Flat fee: $3, $6, or $12 per month
  • Access to human advisor: No
  • Services offered: Round-up investing, automated and personalized investing, retirement accounts (Later), checking account with investing features, Bitcoin ETFs, ESG investing, kids’ accounts (Early), bonus investments and educational content
  • Assets offered: ETFs and mutual funds

  • Why we chose Acorns

    +

    Feel like you don’t have enough to get started saving in a robo-advisor? Acorns will find a solution. This robo-advisor is the master of micro-investing with its signature “Round-Ups” (where you bring daily purchases up to the next full dollar and send the change to your Acorns account). So, where is this spare change going? Similar to other platforms, Acorns focuses on ETFs, but you could get some exposure to Bitcoin and ESG. Acorns also offers multiple account options for different financial milestones ranging from saving for college to retirement accounts. While the recurring monthly fees may not be optimal in terms of overall costs, Acorns’ micro-investing features make it a compelling option for those who find it difficult to squirrel away savings.

Acorns pros and cons

  • Effortless micro-investing: One of Acorns’ signature features is its micro-investing add-ons, including Round-Ups for card purchases.
  • Wide range of accounts and offerings: From custodial accounts and IRAs to Bitcoin ETFs and ESG, there are quite a few investment options on Acorns.
  • Low barrier to entry: With a $5 minimum and a base monthly fee of $3, Acorns makes it easy to get started building your account.
  • Potentially higher fees: While the monthly fees don’t look bad on the surface, they can be more of a drain on accounts versus a competitor’s AUM fee.
  • No option for human advisors: There are no options to speak one-on-one with a human advisor when you open an Acorns account.
  • Limited investment customization: Despite a few options to choose from, investors can’t customize their portfolios beyond selecting a risk level.

Comparing top robo-advisor

Financial advisor
Who is it for and why?
Betterment 
A long-standing favorite in the robo-advisory industry that’s perfect for all investors thanks to its well-diversified, goal-oriented portfolios. 
Ally Invest
Great for conservative investors who like the option of earning interest on cash or creating conservative accounts with income or tax optimization perks. 
SoFi
Excellent for tech savvy beginners who want included one-on-one guidance and are itching for investment options outside the norm. 
Vanguard Digital Advisor
Great for retirement-focused investors who trust Vanguard’s low-cost, long-term investment philosophy and want extra financial health tools.
Fidelity Go
A solid option for investors who want to work with a reputable financial firm that offers compelling advisory fees and zero-expense ratios. 
Citi Wealth Builder
A smart pick for those who want access to Citibank’s suite of services and don’t mind higher minimums to keep all their finances in one place. 
SigFig
Tailored to investors who want robo efficiency plus access to human advisors for competitive fees. 
Acorns
Perfect for beginners with small accounts who want to effortlessly grow wealth through automated Round-Ups and recurring contributions.

How to choose a robo-advisor

Each robo-advisory service is rearing to let its algorithms manage your funds. However, you have to be sure the robo-advisor you’re looking into has the features and investment philosophy that match your goals and risk preferences. Consider a few factors against your experience level and financial goals before sending money to a robo-advisor.

  • Reputation: First of all, does this provider have a solid track record and a trustworthy status in the financial world? Look through the history of each firm and read a few unbiased reviews on Trustpilot and the BBB to get a feel for how it stacks up. You could also call the company to ask questions and test their customer service.
  • Investment strategy: Most robo-advisors have a long-term mentality, but how do they plan to grow wealth over the years? For instance, some robo-advisors offer more risk-heavy strategies with assets like crypto and alternatives, while others may be more conservative with bonds or high yields on cash. Be sure you’re comfortable with the asset baskets in a robo-advisor portfolio.
  • Fees: It’s hard to avoid advisory fees when using a robo-advisor, but there are some services with low or even no extra costs for specific account sizes. Also, remember to factor in potentially hidden fees like expense ratios and inactivity when researching this category.
  • Account minimums: How much are you willing to commit to a robo-advisor portfolio from the start? After you figure this number out, you’ll have an easier time deciding whether the minimum investment for a robo-advisor is too steep or just right.
  • Access to human advisors: The point of using a robo-advisor is to take advantage of algorithms to save fees, but some people still like to chat about their finances with a human. Check out if you could easily add this option to your robo-advisory account and whether it costs extra.
  • Tools and features: Many robo-advisors add features like tax optimization or retirement planning tools, but not all have these bells and whistles. Compare the unique features of different robo-advisor platforms if you’re still struggling between options.

FAQs

  • Which robo-advisor has the best performance?

    +

    It’s impossible to say who has the “best” performance since each robo-advisory has multiple portfolios. However, platforms like Betterment and Wealthfront have published solid long-term performance reviews.20,21

  • What is the best robo-advisor app?

    +

    Choosing the “best” robo-advisor app is subjective and will depend on your preferences and goals, but names like Betterment, SoFi, and SigFig are often strong contenders.

  • Is it worth paying for a robo-advisor?

    +

    If you want hands-off investing without the comparatively high costs of a human advisor, then a robo-advisor offers a low-cost, automated solution to save you time maintaining a portfolio.

  • Is Wealthfront or Charles Schwab better?

    +

    Wealthfront has a strong reputation as a robo-advisor with advanced automated index investing and tax-loss-harvesting features, but Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios appeals to those who want zero advisory fees and high brand trust.22

  • Which robo-advisor has the lowest fees?

    +

    There are a few robo-advisors that offer no fees on smaller accounts, like Fidelity Go and SigFig. However, you’ll need to compare the current rates on different robo-advisors and consider factors like how much you’re depositing and what features you want to find the best fee structure.

  • Do any robo-advisors beat the market?

    +

    Generally, robo-advisors take a more conservative approach to investing that aims to match the market through diversified portfolios. However, some robo-advisors may offer more growth-oriented opportunities like alternative investments that have the potential for greater volatility.

  • Is $500,000 enough to work with a financial advisor?

    +

    Although some elite private wealth management firms may have higher minimums, $500K is well above the threshold for many reputable financial advisors, especially robo-advisor services.

Methodology

Product rankings for the best robo-advisors are determined by the Moneywise editorial team and are based on factors and features that everyday users care about most. We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. The apps featured in this article were independently selected, but please be aware that some products and services linked in this article are from our sponsors.

Moneywise rates products and services on a sale of 1 to 5 stars, where 5 stars is the best rating possible. Ratings are rounded up to the nearest 0.5 of a star. 

Our rating system is based on the factors that mean the most to the everyday user. These factors include:

  • Account minimums
  • Account fees
  • Trading costs
  • Account types
  • Portfolio and asset types
  • Tools and educational materials
  • Customer support
  • App user experience

We collect data from providers' websites, by using the services and watching demonstrations as required. The data is analyzed and the result is a star rating. Each factor is weighted depending on the category in which the product is being evaluated, in order to ensure it meets the needs of different users like beginners or advanced users.

Our goal is to provide an independent review, and give you the information you need to make a decision on which service is best for you.

Eric Esposito Contributor

Eric Esposito is a freelance contributor on MoneyWise with an interest in financial markets, investing, and trading. In addition to MoneyWise, Eric’s work can be found on financial publications such as WallStreetZen and CoinDesk. When not researching the latest stock market trends, Eric enjoys biking, walking his dog, and spending time with family in Central Florida. Eric holds a BA in English from Quinnipiac University.

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