Wealthy PotSchwab Intelligent Portfolios Review (2026)
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios charges no advisory fee, but the required cash allocation is a real, if hidden, cost, especially when rates are low. It suits Schwab loyalists who understand that trade-off.
By Wealthy Pot · Last updated September 2026
Pros
- No advisory fee
- Tax-loss harvesting available at higher balances
- Backed by Schwab’s scale and support
- Wide fund selection
Cons
- A mandatory cash allocation acts as a hidden cost (cash drag)
- Higher minimum than rivals
- The "free" headline is not the whole story
Who Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is for
Best for Schwab customers who want a no-explicit-fee robo, can meet the minimum, and are comfortable holding a required cash allocation.
Fees & minimum
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios charges $0 advisory (monetized via a required cash allocation), with an account minimum of $5,000. Tax-loss harvesting: available.
The bottom line
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios charges no advisory fee, but the required cash allocation is a real, if hidden, cost, especially when rates are low. It suits Schwab loyalists who understand that trade-off. Main drawback: a mandatory cash allocation is a hidden cost (cash drag); $5,000 minimum.
Compare Schwab Intelligent Portfolios with…
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios vs Wealthfront
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios vs Vanguard Digital Advisor
See how Schwab Intelligent Portfolios stacks up in our robo-advisors comparison.
We summarize hands-on assessment, not user reviews. Advisory fees and account minimums change often and are re-checked against Schwab Intelligent Portfolios's official page. Some outbound links may be affiliate links. That never affects which services we include or how we rate them. Nothing here is investment advice.