Updated for 2025

Best Robo-Advisors of 2025

Expert reviews of the best automated investing platforms. Compare fees, features, and performance to find the perfect robo-advisor for your portfolio.

Quick Comparison

Top robo-advisors at a glance

Robo-Advisor	Management Fee	Minimum	Best For	Rating
Wealthfront	0.25%	$500	Overall Robo-Advisor	4.9
Betterment	0.25%	$0	Beginners	4.7
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios	0% (free)	$5,000	No Advisory Fees	4.6
Vanguard Digital Advisor	0.15%	$3,000	Low-Cost Index Investing	4.5
M1 Finance	0% (free)	$100	Portfolio Customization	4.4

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Wealthfront

Get your first $5,000 managed free

Best Overall Robo-Advisor

4.9/5.0

Fee:0.25%

Min:$500

Management Fee

0.25%

Key Features

Tax-loss harvesting on all accounts

Stock-level tax-loss harvesting

Automated portfolio rebalancing

Direct indexing for high-value accounts

Cash account with 5.00% APY

Financial planning tools included

529 college savings plans

Socially responsible investing (SRI)

Performance

Avg 8-10% annual returns (historical)

Account Types

Taxable, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, 529, Trusts

Minimum

$500

Pros

✓Best-in-class tax optimization
✓High-yield cash account
✓Low 0.25% fee
✓Advanced features
✓No account minimum for cash

Cons

✗$500 minimum for investing
✗Limited human advisor access

Best For

Tax-efficient investing, high-net-worth individuals, hands-off investors

Betterment

No account minimum

Best for Beginners

4.7/5.0

Fee:0.25%

Min:$0

Management Fee

0.25%

Key Features

Goal-based investing strategy

Automated rebalancing

Tax-loss harvesting ($10k+ accounts)

Socially responsible portfolios

Crypto portfolio allocation

Checking account with debit card

Human advisor access (premium)

Retirement planning tools

Performance

Avg 7-9% annual returns (historical)

Account Types

Taxable, IRAs, Trusts, 401(k) rollovers

Minimum

Pros

✓No account minimum
✓Excellent beginner tools
✓Goal tracking
✓Human advisors available

Cons

✗Premium tier costs 0.65%
✗Tax-loss harvesting requires $10k+

Best For

First-time investors, goal-based planning, small account balances

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Zero advisory fees forever

Best for No Advisory Fees

4.6/5.0

Fee:0% (free)

Min:$5,000

Management Fee

0% (free)

Key Features

No advisory fees or commissions

Automatic rebalancing

Tax-loss harvesting

Access to Schwab branch network

Human advisor support included

17+ asset classes

Mobile app & web platform

Retirement income strategies

Performance

Avg 7-8% annual returns (historical)

Account Types

Taxable, IRAs, Trusts, 529 plans

Minimum

$5,000

Pros

✓Zero advisory fees
✓Access to Schwab advisors
✓Strong brand reputation
✓Wide range of account types

Cons

✗$5,000 minimum
✗Cash allocation requirement
✗Limited portfolio customization

Best For

Cost-conscious investors, existing Schwab customers, higher balances

Vanguard Digital Advisor

Lowest fee in the industry

Best for Low-Cost Index Investing

4.5/5.0

Fee:0.15%

Min:$3,000

Management Fee

0.15%

Key Features

Vanguard low-cost ETFs

Automatic rebalancing

Tax-loss harvesting (optional)

Human advisor consultations

Retirement planning tools

Financial planning guidance

Mobile & web access

Market-leading expense ratios

Performance

Avg 7-9% annual returns (historical)

Account Types

Taxable, IRAs, Joint accounts

Minimum

$3,000

Pros

✓Lowest 0.15% fee
✓Vanguard's reputation
✓Low ETF expense ratios
✓Access to advisors

Cons

✗$3,000 minimum
✗Basic platform features
✗Limited customization

Best For

Vanguard fans, cost minimizers, long-term index investors

M1 Finance

Free automated investing

Best for Portfolio Customization

4.4/5.0

Fee:0% (free)

Min:$100

Management Fee

0% (free)

Key Features

Build custom portfolios (pies)

Automatic rebalancing

Fractional shares

Borrow feature (margin)

M1 Plus ($3/mo): 1% cash back

Dynamic rebalancing

Schedule recurring deposits

No advisory fees

Performance

Depends on portfolio selection

Account Types

Taxable, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA

Minimum

$100

Pros

✓Free to use
✓High customization
✓Fractional shares
✓Low minimum ($100)

Cons

✗Limited trading windows
✗No tax-loss harvesting
✗Learning curve for customization

Best For

DIY investors, custom portfolios, hands-on control

How to Choose a Robo-Advisor

Essential factors for selecting the right automated investing platform

Fees & Costs

Robo-advisor fees range from 0% to 0.50%. Lower fees mean more money stays invested and compounds over time. Don't forget to factor in the expense ratios of the underlying ETFs.

Account Minimum

Minimums range from $0 to $5,000. If you're just starting, look for platforms with no minimum or low minimums like Betterment ($0) or Wealthfront ($500).

Tax Optimization

Tax-loss harvesting can save thousands annually in taxable accounts. Wealthfront offers stock-level tax-loss harvesting, while others offer basic TLH with minimum balance requirements.

Portfolio Customization

Most robo-advisors use preset portfolios. If you want control over asset allocation or individual holdings, consider M1 Finance's custom "pie" portfolios.

Account Types

Ensure the platform supports your account needs: taxable accounts, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, 529 college savings, or trusts.

Human Advisor Access

Some robo-advisors offer access to human financial advisors for questions or planning. Betterment and Schwab provide this, often for an additional fee.

Plan Your Financial Future

Use our free investment and retirement calculators

Disclaimer: All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Historical performance does not guarantee future results. Robo-advisor fees, features, and minimums subject to change. We may receive compensation when you open an account through our links. This is not financial advice - consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.

Last updated: October 2025

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