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-advisor | Type | Advisory fee | Account min | Tax-loss harvesting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BettermentBettermentTax-loss harvesting | Standalone | 0.25%/yr (or $5/mo under $24k without a $200+ recurring deposit) | $0 | Yes | Hands-off investors who want goal-based automation with no minimum to start |
| WealthfrontWealthfrontTax-loss harvesting | Standalone | 0.25%/yr | $500 | Yes | Automation-first investors who want direct indexing and planning tools at low cost |
| Fidelity GoFidelityTax-loss harvesting | Broker-owned | $0 under $25k, then 0.35%/yr | $10 to start investing | Yes | Beginners with smaller balances who already use Fidelity and want a free start |
| Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles SchwabTax-loss harvesting | Broker-owned | $0 advisory (monetized via a required cash allocation) | $5,000 | Yes | Schwab investors who want a no-advisory-fee robo and will tolerate a cash allocation |
| Vanguard Digital AdvisorThe Vanguard GroupTax-loss harvesting | Broker-owned | 0.20%/yr (index) or 0.25%/yr (active), gross; lower net after fund-fee offsets | $100 per Vanguard Brokerage Account | Yes | Cost-conscious long-term investors who want Vanguard funds managed for them |
| SoFi Automated InvestingSoFi | Hybrid | 0.25%/yr | $50 | No | SoFi users who want automated investing bundled with banking and CFP access |
| M1M1 | Hybrid | $0 advisory (+ $3/mo platform fee, waived at $10k) | $100 ($500 for IRAs) | No | DIY investors who want automated "pie" portfolios they design themselves |
| AcornsAcorns | Micro-investing | $4–$12/mo (Bronze / Silver / Gold tiers) | $0 (invests spare change) | No | Beginners who want to invest spare change automatically via round-ups |
No robo-advisors match those filters.
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.