Investing Reviews

Robo-Advisors Compared

A side-by-side look at the robo-advisors worth using in 2026. The two numbers that matter most are the advisory fee and the account minimum — and because some robos are free at small balances, the cheapest option changes with how much you invest. Filter and sort to find the one that fits your balance and goals.

Last updated: September 2026

A robo-advisor builds and manages a diversified portfolio for you, automatically, for a fraction of a traditional advisor's cost. There is no single "best" one — it depends on your balance, whether you want tax-loss harvesting or human advisors, and whether you already bank with a big broker. The table below compares 8 robos on fees, minimums, and tax features. We focus on the services, not investment tips — nothing here is investment advice.

Compare robo-advisors

Robo-advisorTypeAdvisory feeAccount minTax-loss harvestingBest for
BettermentBettermentTax-loss harvestingStandalone0.25%/yr (or $5/mo under $24k without a $200+ recurring deposit)$0YesHands-off investors who want goal-based automation with no minimum to start
WealthfrontWealthfrontTax-loss harvestingStandalone0.25%/yr$500YesAutomation-first investors who want direct indexing and planning tools at low cost
Fidelity GoFidelityTax-loss harvestingBroker-owned$0 under $25k, then 0.35%/yr$10 to start investingYesBeginners with smaller balances who already use Fidelity and want a free start
Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles SchwabTax-loss harvestingBroker-owned$0 advisory (monetized via a required cash allocation)$5,000YesSchwab investors who want a no-advisory-fee robo and will tolerate a cash allocation
Vanguard Digital AdvisorThe Vanguard GroupTax-loss harvestingBroker-owned0.20%/yr (index) or 0.25%/yr (active), gross; lower net after fund-fee offsets$100 per Vanguard Brokerage AccountYesCost-conscious long-term investors who want Vanguard funds managed for them
SoFi Automated InvestingSoFiHybrid0.25%/yr$50NoSoFi users who want automated investing bundled with banking and CFP access
M1M1Hybrid$0 advisory (+ $3/mo platform fee, waived at $10k)$100 ($500 for IRAs)NoDIY investors who want automated "pie" portfolios they design themselves
AcornsAcornsMicro-investing$4–$12/mo (Bronze / Silver / Gold tiers)$0 (invests spare change)NoBeginners who want to invest spare change automatically via round-ups

How to choose a robo-advisor

  • Small balance / just starting? Fidelity Go and SoFi have almost no minimum, and Fidelity Go is free below a threshold.
  • Want tax-loss harvesting? Betterment, Wealthfront, and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios offer it.
  • Lowest all-in cost? Vanguard Digital Advisor and Schwab (no advisory fee, but watch the cash allocation) lead.
  • Want human advisors too? Betterment (premium) and SoFi (CFP access) blend robo with human help.
  • Want to design the portfolio yourself? M1 automates a portfolio you build.

Prefer to pick your own funds instead? Compare low-cost index funds in our ETF comparisons, choose a home for the account in our online brokers comparison, and project growth with the free compound interest calculator.

Popular comparisons

Deciding between two specific robo-advisors? These head-to-head breakdowns go deeper:

How we compare

We track each robo's current advisory fee, account minimum, tax-loss-harvesting availability, and what it is genuinely best at, and summarize the experience of using it rather than reprinting marketing copy. Fees and minimums change often; figures are re-checked regularly against each provider's official page. Some links may be affiliate links; that never changes which services we include or how we rank them. Nothing here is investment advice.