Best Robo-Advisors Of 2026 (original) (raw)

Fidelity Go

Best Robo-Advisor for Beginner Investors

Fidelity Go

Fidelity Go

Annual advisory fee

$0*

*No advisory fees until $25,000

Fidelity Go

$0*

*No advisory fees until $25,000

Expert’s Take

Fidelity is one of the largest online brokerages, and its robo-advisory service Fidelity Go tops our list for its accessibility, vast investment offerings, low fees and wealth of expert insights.

Why We Liked It

There’s just a 10minimumamountrequirementtoopenanaccount.Youwon’tneedtopayanyfeestogetstarted,andifyourbalanceremainsbelow10 minimum amount requirement to open an account. You won’t need to pay any fees to get started, and if your balance remains below 10minimumamountrequirementtoopenanaccount.Youwon’tneedtopayanyfeestogetstarted,andifyourbalanceremainsbelow25,000, you won’t pay an advisory fee. If your balance exceeds that amount, you will have to pay an advisory fee of 0.35%. But you’ll have access to unlimited one-on-one coaching calls.

What We Don’t Like

Fidelity Go does not apply a tax-loss harvesting strategy to its portfolios, and there are fewer options to customize your portfolio than with other services on our list.

Who It’s Best For

Fidelity Go is an excellent choice for beginner investors who are starting with a low balance and want to avoid fees while leaving the work of portfolio management to their robo-advisor.

Pros & Cons

Details

After providing information about your specific situation, level or risk tolerance and financial goals, Fidelity Go will suggest an investment strategy. Your account will hold Fidelity Flex mutual funds, which have zero expense ratios and usually include domestic and foreign stocks, bonds and/or short-term investments.

The robo-advisor will handle all day-to-day investing, regularly providing updates about how your investments are doing. Once a year, you’ll be asked to review your holdings and update your preferences if needed.

If your balance hits $25,000, you’ll start paying a 0.35% fee. You’ll also have access to unlimited 30-minute personal financial coaching sessions, during which you can discuss retirement planning, budgeting, paying down debt and more.

E*TRADE Core Portfolios

Best Robo-Advisor for Portfolio Customization

E*TRADE Core Portfolios

E*TRADE Core Portfolios

E*TRADE Core Portfolios

Expert’s Take

E*TRADE’s Core Portfolios earns a spot near the top of our list for its strong customization features and customer support.

Why We Liked It

We like Core Portfolios because it strikes a nice balance between taking the work of investing off the customer’s hands, while still allowing some level of customization. Additionally, it offers strong customer service and portfolio activity reporting, as well as a highly rated app.

What We Don’t Like

To use this robo-advisor, you’ll have to pay a 0.30% annual fee, and you’ll need at least 500togetstarted.You’llalsohavetomaintainabalanceof500 to get started. You’ll also have to maintain a balance of 500togetstarted.You’llalsohavetomaintainabalanceof450 (because of market fluctuations). If you make a withdrawal that puts your balance below that amount, E*TRADE will stop managing the account until it resumes being $450.

Who It’s Best For

If you want the option to customize your portfolio without having to handle day-to-day investing, E*TRADE Core Portfolios is worth a look.

Pros & Cons

Details

Core Portfolios uses an investor profile questionnaire to gauge your time horizon, objective and risk tolerance, then suggests an investment strategy. You can choose to customize your recommended portfolio based on your needs and preferences. For example, you might decide to select a higher-risk portfolio than the one suggested, or you might want to invest in socially responsible ETFs that align with your values or smart beta ETFs that favor equities with certain favorable characteristics.

The robo-advisor will monitor your diversified portfolio daily and automatically rebalance to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. You’ll receive regular updates about your holdings and investment activity, as well as market commentary and insights on major market events.

If you want to make changes to your investor portfolio, you can do so at any time through the online dashboard or app. You can also contact a dedicated support team with your questions.

Merrill Guided Investing

Best Robo-Advisor for Bank of America Customers

Merrill Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing

Expert’s Take

As a robo-advisor, Merrill Guided Investing uses algorithms to make portfolio adjustments. But Merrill’s investment professionals have a hand in ETF and mutual fund selection and asset allocation, meaning there’s a level of human involvement—though not on an individual level.

Why We Liked It

We like Merrill Guided Investing’s expert-backed asset selection process, which complements its algorithm-led, robo-advisory services. Tax-efficient management services can also help you maximize your returns. Plus, you can have a hand in personalizing your portfolio in alignment with your social or environmental values.

What We Don’t Like

Requiring a minimum of $1,000 to get started, Merrill Guided Investing may not be a feasible option if you’re just starting. You’ll also face a 0.45% fee on all balances, which is higher than most of the robo-advisors on our list.

Who It’s Best For

Though Merrill Guided Investing is an appealing option for the general investor, it’s especially suitable for Bank of America customers who can link their banking and investing accounts to earn extra perks.

Pros & Cons

Details

Though Merrill Guided Investing uses algorithmic processes, its investment professionals are the ones who manage the portfolios. If you want a robo-advisory service with a human touch, this could be a valuable service for you.

Bank of America customers specifically can benefit from a Merrill Guided Investing account, since investing and banking balances count toward Preferred Rewards requirements. If you meet certain criteria, you could earn perks like lower fees and discounted rates on loans.

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Best Robo-Advisor for Cost-Conscious Investors

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Expert’s Take

With no advisory fees, Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is a cost-effective automatic investing platform. However, you’ll need a larger sum to get started.

Why We Liked It

We like that there’s no advisory fee, so you can focus on growing your balance. You’ll also have access to 24/7 U.S.-based customer support.

What We Don’t Like

At 5,000,theminimumbalanceyouneedtogetstartedisoneofthehighestoftherobo−advisorsonourlist.Additionally,youwon’tbenefitfromtax−lossharvestingunlessyouhaveabalanceof5,000, the minimum balance you need to get started is one of the highest of the robo-advisors on our list. Additionally, you won’t benefit from tax-loss harvesting unless you have a balance of 5,000,theminimumbalanceyouneedtogetstartedisoneofthehighestoftherobo−advisorsonourlist.Additionally,youwon’tbenefitfromtax−lossharvestingunlessyouhaveabalanceof50,000 or more.

Who It’s Best For

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is best for investors searching for a robo-advisor with minimal fees.

Pros & Cons

Details

With Intelligent Portfolios, you can invest in a portfolio of low-cost ETFs chosen by experts. There are 80+ portfolio variations, so you can be confident that your recommended portfolio is fine-tuned to meet your timeline, goals and risk tolerance.

The robo-advisor monitors portfolios daily and rebalances them as needed. Plus, if you have $50,000 or more in assets, you can choose to automate tax-loss harvesting so that your account is tracked daily to check for opportunities to offset capital gains. Schwab also assesses ETF performance quarterly to check if your portfolio needs to be updated.

If you invest with Schwab, a percentage of your portfolio will be cash, placed in an FDIC-insured deposit account.

Interactive Advisors

Betterment

Best Robo-Advisor for Goal-Oriented Investors

Betterment

Betterment

Account minimum 0(toopenanaccount);0 (to open an account); 0(toopenanaccount);10 starting balance

Betterment

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On Betterment's Website
Paid non-client promotion* 0(toopenanaccount);0 (to open an account); 0(toopenanaccount);10 starting balance

Expert’s Take

Betterment offers curated portfolios as well as customizable investment plans, all consisting of low-cost ETFs. Its reasonable fee structure and low balance requirement make it a solid option.

Why We Liked It

Betterment scored well across all our categories. If your balance is 24,000orlessandyoudon’treceiverecurringmonthlydepositsortransfersof24,000 or less and you don’t receive recurring monthly deposits or transfers of 24,000orlessandyoudon’treceiverecurringmonthlydepositsortransfersof200 or more, you’ll pay a flat 5monthlyfee.Otherwise,you’llpayarelativelylowannualadvisoryfeeof0.255 monthly fee. Otherwise, you’ll pay a relatively low annual advisory fee of 0.25%, on balances of 5monthlyfee.Otherwise,you’llpayarelativelylowannualadvisoryfeeof0.2524,000 to 1millionorwith1 million or with 1millionorwith200+ monthly recurring deposit across eligible investments. We also like that you have the option to access a human advisor, though this will increase your advisory fee.

What We Don’t Like

To access a human advisor, you’ll need to have a minimum $100,000 balance across eligible investments.Additionally, you won’t be able to reach live customer service on the weekend.

Who It’s Best For

If you want to align your long-term savings goals with your investing portfolio, Betterment could be a viable option.

Pros & Cons

Details

Offering a low minimum balance requirement, an attractive advisory fee and customization capabilities, Betterment is a strong contender. You can choose from almost a dozen curated portfolios, with their focus ranging on innovative tech or the climate to social impact and crypto.

Betterment also helps you work toward your long-term financial goals with savings tools and makes it easy to donate shares to benefit causes you believe in.

Disclosures

Paid non-client. Views may not be representative. See App Store & Google Play reviews. Learn more.

Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor

Best Robo-Advisor for Financial Advice

Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor

Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor

Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor

Expert’s Take

Wells Fargo’s Intuitive Investor is its robo-advisory service, but it still gives customers access to financial advisors without requiring a high balance.

Why We Liked It

With Intuitive Investor, you can speak with a financial advisor when you need to at no additional cost, and without needing a hefty minimum balance. Though the $500 minimum to open an account is higher than some of the other robo-advisors on our list, it’s still attainable for many investors.

What We Don’t Like

The 0.35% advisory fee is higher than other management fees you’ll find among our top picks. Though you might get a discount on this fee by linking a Wells Fargo checking account, you’ll have to do so within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Who It’s Best For

Wells Fargo Intuitive Investor is an excellent option if you want access to a human financial advisor without having to invest a large sum.

Pros & Cons

Details

After completing a questionnaire and selecting your investing style (globally diversified or sustainably focused), you will be able to fund your investment account. Your portfolio will be monitored daily and rebalanced as necessary.

The main perk associated with Intuitive Investor is that customers have access to financial advisors, which is not always the case with robo-advisory services. Often, human advisory services require significant balances.

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios

Best Robo-Advisor for Adapting to Investing Styles

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios

Expert’s Take

Rounding out our list of best robo-advisors is Ally Invest Robo Portfolios, which has several different types of portfolios to choose from and a low financial threshold to get started.

Why We Liked It

We like that Ally Invest Robo Portfolios offers different kinds of portfolios that align with different kinds of investors. You can choose from core, income, tax-optimized, socially responsible, cash-enhanced and market-focused portfolios. The low $100 minimum also makes this robo-advisory service accessible to beginner investors.

What We Don’t Like

If you choose a market-focused portfolio, you’ll have to pay a 0.30% advisory fee, which is higher than others on our list. And though Ally offers a tax-optimized portfolio, it lacks a tax-loss harvesting feature.

Who It’s Best For

If you want the option to choose from a set of portfolios designed for different kinds of investors, this could be the right robo-advisor for you.

Pros & Cons

Details

Based on your risk tolerance, you can choose a cash-enhanced portfolio or a market-focused portfolio. A cash-enhanced portfolio sets aside 30% of your funds in cash, and that balance earns 3.60% in annual interest. If instead, you choose to invest nearly all of your money, you’ll face a 0.30% advisory fee.

Based on your goals and investing preferences, you will also be able to choose from a few different portfolio types, which include tax-optimized portfolios and socially responsible portfolios.

Though your portfolio will be monitored daily and rebalanced as needed, it won’t benefit from tax-loss harvesting.

Most Popular is calculated from the number of times each affiliate product was selected by Forbes Advisor users over a six month time period.

Compare the Best Robo-Advisors

Methodology

We evaluated more than 35 queries in our evaluation to determine the best robo-advisors. Our team verified the data by conducting thorough online research and directly contacting companies to confirm or fill in any missing details.

For our assessment of robo-advisory firms, we also included research from Condor Capital Wealth Management. As part of industry research, the New Jersey-based wealth firm puts out The Robo Report. This quarterly report evaluates and tracks data on leading robo-advisor portfolios.

We weighed several factors in examining the best robo-advisors, including the following:

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Robo-Advisor?

When choosing a robo-advisor you’ll want to pick an option that is easier than doing it yourself and better than working with a traditional financial advisor. Consider these categories when comparing your options:

How To Open a Robo-Advisor Account

To open a robo-advisor account, visit the robo-advisor’s website or download its app. Robos all have their unique registration process, but in general, you’ll need to provide the following information:

You have to inform robo-advisors of this information so they can comply with federal regulations and place you in investments matching your goals and ability to tolerate risk.

Some robo-advisors may charge a percentage fee that varies based on your account balance. Make sure you understand what fee you will be charged based on how much money you plan to invest in the account.

How Do Robo-advisors Compare to Traditional Financial Advisors?

With a robo-advisor you get to benefit from lower fees and automated investing. With a financial advisor, you get to benefit from a big-picture look at your finances and a managed investment portfolio.

A robo-advisor is a better choice for you if your top priority is having a managed portfolio for cheap. A financial advisor is better for you if you don’t mind paying more and your financial situation is more complex (e.g., multiple income streams, large investments, and more). It’s also a route for those who want assistance in achieving their long-term strategic goals.

DIY investing may be a better option for you if you only want to invest in lifecycle or index funds, and you’re looking to save money on fees.

If your needs are fairly straightforward and primarily focused on investment management, a robo-advisor can match your risk preference to a decent and diverse portfolio that gets you 80% of the way. It’s a great starting point to build a diversified portfolio and automate good habits like regular contributions and rebalancing.
– Lei Deng, CFA, CFP and founder of Savor Financial

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a robo-advisor?

A robo-advisor is a low-cost, online platform that uses algorithms to build and manage investment portfolios. While experts design the strategies, computers handle day-to-day management.

Unlike traditional advisors, robo-advisors typically have low or no minimum balances and charge lower fees. Since they run automatically and are accessible online, robo-advisors can help you get started investing very quickly, often in a matter of minutes. They can help you take the emotion out of investing decisions, using proven strategies that are tailored to each user’s risk tolerance and financial goals.

What are hybrid robo-advisors?

Hybrid robo-advisors combine the benefits of human advisors and automated investment management. Vanguard’s Digital Advisor is one example, although you’ll need $50,000 in minimum assets.

They aim to provide the best of both worlds by combining the personalized advice and guidance of live advisors with the automated algorithms of robo-advisors. They typically use technology to streamline portfolio management and create efficiencies, while also providing access to human advisors for personalized advice, financial planning and other services.

How do robo-advisors work?

The robo-advisor experience usually begins with a brief questionnaire. A new user answers questions related to their age, income, investment goals and risk tolerance. Goals can be anything from saving for college expenses or a home down payment, to investing for retirement.

With this information in hand, the robo‑advisor builds the new user a diversified portfolio of ETFs or index funds from a limited menu of options selected by investment professionals. The choice of funds matches the goals and risk tolerance outlined in the questionnaire.

Are robo-advisors safe?

Robo-advisors are as safe as traditional investment services. All investing carries risks. You could choose bad investments and lose your money. Robo-advisors, like traditional advisors, encourage customers to mitigate risks through diversification.

Cybersecurity is also a risk with robo-advisors or any other online investing, but most reputable companies employ state-of-the-art encryption technology and other security measures to protect your accounts.