Article
Best Financial Advisors & Robo-Advisors in 2025 - Top 10 Platforms
Compare the best robo-advisors and automated investing platforms for 2025. From Betterment to Vanguard, we reviewed fees, features, and performance to help you grow your wealth.
Investing doesn’t require a six-figure portfolio or a personal wealth manager anymore. Robo-advisors use sophisticated algorithms to build, manage, and optimize your portfolio automatically—often at a fraction of the cost of traditional advisors. Whether you’re just starting out or managing substantial wealth, there’s a robo-advisor designed for your needs.
We tested and compared the leading robo-advisors, evaluating fees, features, tax optimization, and ease of use. Here are the 10 best financial advisor platforms for automated investing in 2025.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Management Fee | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Betterment | Best Overall Robo-Advisor | 0.25% or $4/month | ★4.9/5 |
| 2. Wealthfront | Best for Tax Optimization | 0.25% | ★4.9/5 |
| 3. Vanguard Digital Advisor | Best Low-Cost Option | 0.20% (all-in) | ★4.8/5 |
| 4. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Best Fee-Free Option | $0 digital / $30/mo Premium | ★4.7/5 |
| 5. Fidelity Go | Best for Small Balances | Free under $25k / 0.35% above | ★4.7/5 |
| 6. SoFi Automated Investing | Best for SoFi Members | 0.25% | ★4.5/5 |
| 7. M1 Finance | Best for Customization | $0 | ★4.6/5 |
| 8. Ellevest | Best for Women Investors | $1-$9/month membership | ★4.4/5 |
| 9. Acorns | Best for Round-Up Investing | $3-$12/month | ★4.3/5 |
| 10. Ally Invest Robo Portfolios | Best for Ally Bank Customers | 0.30% | ★4.2/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Betterment
Betterment earned top honors as the best overall robo-advisor in 2025 with $46 billion in assets under management. Its no-minimum entry, comprehensive goal-based planning, and optional human advisor access make it ideal for investors at any level.
Pros
- ✓No minimum investment required
- ✓Access to CFPs with Premium ($100k min)
- ✓Tax-coordinated portfolios
- ✓Goal-based planning tools
- ✓Highly rated mobile app
Cons
- ✗0.25% fee higher than some competitors
- ✗Premium tier requires $100,000
- ✗Limited investment customization
Wealthfront
Wealthfront excels in tax-efficient investing with sophisticated features like direct indexing ($100k+) and Smart Beta ($500k+). Managing $36 billion in assets, it's the top choice for investors prioritizing tax optimization and advanced automation.
Pros
- ✓Advanced tax-loss harvesting
- ✓Direct indexing for accounts over $100k
- ✓Smart Beta for $500k+ accounts
- ✓Stock-level tax optimization
- ✓No trading or rebalancing fees
Cons
- ✗$500 minimum investment
- ✗No human advisor access
- ✗0.25% fee not negotiable
Vanguard Digital Advisor
Vanguard Digital Advisor earned Morningstar's top ranking for 2025 with the industry's lowest all-in fee (0.20%) and the security of $333 billion in assets. Recently lowered minimum ($100) makes it accessible while maintaining Vanguard's legendary value.
Pros
- ✓Lowest all-in fee (0.20%)
- ✓Backed by $333B in AUM
- ✓Recently lowered minimum to $100
- ✓Upgrade to Personal Advisor (0.30%)
- ✓Vanguard's legendary low-cost funds
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Personal Advisor requires $50k
- ✗Fewer features than Betterment/Wealthfront
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios charges zero advisory fees for digital-only service, though the required 6-30% cash allocation creates opportunity cost. The Premium tier ($30/month) provides unlimited CFP access at a fraction of percentage-based competitors.
Pros
- ✓No advisory fee for digital service
- ✓CFP access for $30/month flat fee
- ✓Tax-loss harvesting included
- ✓Access to Schwab's full platform
- ✓No trading commissions
Cons
- ✗High $5,000 minimum
- ✗Required cash allocation (6-30%)
- ✗Cash drag can reduce returns
Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go won Kiplinger's Best Robo-Advisor 2025 award with its unbeatable offer: completely free management for balances under $25,000 and only $10 to start. Perfect for beginners building their first investment portfolio.
Pros
- ✓Free for balances under $25,000
- ✓Only $10 to start investing
- ✓Human advisor access at $25k+
- ✓Zero expense ratio Flex funds
- ✓Kiplinger's Best Robo-Advisor 2025
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗0.35% fee higher than some competitors
- ✗Limited advanced features
SoFi Automated Investing
SoFi Automated Investing now charges 0.25% (up from $0), but integrates seamlessly with SoFi's banking, loans, and insurance products. Free CFP access and a $50 minimum make it compelling for those building a comprehensive SoFi relationship.
Pros
- ✓Low $50 minimum investment
- ✓Free CFP consultations
- ✓SoFi Plus unlimited CFP access
- ✓Integrated with SoFi banking/loans
- ✓Fractional shares available
Cons
- ✗Recent fee increase to 0.25%
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Best value requires SoFi ecosystem
M1 Finance
M1 Finance isn't a traditional robo-advisor—it's a hybrid platform letting you build custom portfolios while enjoying automatic rebalancing. With no management fees and extensive customization, it's perfect for hands-on investors who want automation.
Pros
- ✓No management fees
- ✓Build custom portfolios (stocks + ETFs)
- ✓60 pre-built 'pie' portfolios
- ✓Tax minimization feature
- ✓Automatic rebalancing
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Premium features cost $10/month
- ✗More complex than traditional robo-advisors
Ellevest
Ellevest's investment algorithm factors in realities of women's financial lives—pay gaps, career breaks, and longer life expectancy. Monthly membership ($1-$9) includes goal-based portfolios, with discounted access to financial planners and career coaches.
Pros
- ✓Algorithm accounts for women's pay gaps
- ✓Considers longer life expectancy
- ✓Career coaching available
- ✓Financial planner sessions discounted
- ✓Low $1/month Essential membership
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Limited investment options vs competitors
- ✗Monthly fees add up over time
Acorns
Acorns automates investing by rounding up purchases to the nearest dollar and investing the difference. While the $3-$12/month fee is steep for small balances, its set-it-and-forget-it approach and $5 minimum make investing effortless for beginners.
Pros
- ✓Automatic round-up investing
- ✓Only $5 to start
- ✓Kids investment accounts included
- ✓Educational content library
- ✓Banking integration
Cons
- ✗$3/month fee high for small balances
- ✗Limited investment customization
- ✗No tax optimization features
Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
Ally Invest Robo Portfolios seamlessly integrate with Ally Bank accounts, making it convenient for existing customers. While the 0.30% fee is higher than competitors, the tax-loss harvesting and $100 minimum provide solid value within the Ally ecosystem.
Pros
- ✓Integrates with Ally Bank accounts
- ✓Tax-loss harvesting included
- ✓$100 minimum investment
- ✓Cash-enhanced portfolios available
- ✓Easy account funding from Ally Bank
Cons
- ✗0.30% fee higher than competitors
- ✗Limited features vs top robo-advisors
- ✗Best value for existing Ally customers
How We Evaluate Robo-Advisors
Our comprehensive testing process evaluates robo-advisors across the factors that matter most to investors.
Fees and Costs
We analyze the complete fee structure:
- Management fees: Annual percentage or flat monthly fees
- Minimum investments: Entry barriers for new investors
- Underlying fund expenses: Total all-in costs
- Hidden fees: Account closure, transfers, or inactivity
- Value for money: Features and service vs. cost
Investment Strategy
We evaluate portfolio construction and management:
- Asset allocation methodology
- Diversification across asset classes
- Rebalancing frequency and triggers
- Fund selection (ETFs vs. mutual funds)
- Risk-adjusted returns and performance
Tax Optimization
We examine tax-saving capabilities:
- Tax-loss harvesting: Automated selling to offset gains
- Direct indexing: Stock-level tax management ($100k+)
- Tax-coordinated portfolios: Asset location optimization
- Tax efficiency: Fund selection and portfolio turnover
- Cost-basis tracking: Record-keeping accuracy
Features and Tools
We test the platform capabilities:
- Goal-based planning and tracking
- Mobile app functionality
- Account linking and aggregation
- Retirement planning calculators
- Educational resources and support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a robo-advisor?
A robo-advisor is an automated investment platform that builds and manages your portfolio using algorithms. You answer questions about your goals and risk tolerance, then the platform invests your money in diversified ETFs, rebalances automatically, and optimizes for taxes—all without human intervention.
How much do robo-advisors cost?
The median management fee is 0.25% annually ($25 per year per $10,000 invested). Vanguard Digital Advisor charges the lowest at 0.20%, while Schwab and M1 Finance charge nothing. Flat-fee options include Betterment ($4/month), Ellevest ($1-$9/month), and Acorns ($3-$12/month).
Are robo-advisors worth it?
Yes, especially for hands-off investors who want professional portfolio management without high minimums or fees. Robo-advisors typically charge 0.20-0.35% vs. 1-2% for human advisors. Tax-loss harvesting alone can offset fees for taxable accounts, while automatic rebalancing ensures your allocation stays on target.
What’s the minimum to invest with a robo-advisor?
Minimums vary widely: Betterment, Ellevest, and Vanguard Digital Advisor have no minimum, Fidelity Go requires $10, M1 Finance needs $100, and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios requires $5,000. Most platforms allow you to start with $100 or less.
Do I need tax-loss harvesting?
Tax-loss harvesting only benefits taxable accounts (not IRAs or 401(k)s) and works best for balances above $50,000. It automatically sells losing positions to offset capital gains, potentially saving hundreds to thousands annually. Betterment, Wealthfront, Schwab, and Ally offer this feature.
Can I talk to a human advisor?
Several robo-advisors offer human support: Betterment Premium ($100k minimum), Vanguard Personal Advisor Services ($50k minimum), Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium ($30/month), and SoFi provide CFP access. This hybrid approach combines automation’s low cost with human guidance for complex questions.
How are robo-advisors different from investing apps?
Robo-advisors build diversified portfolios and manage them for you, while investing apps like Robinhood let you pick individual stocks. Robo-advisors are passive, automated, and designed for long-term wealth building. Investing apps are active, hands-on, and better for traders who want full control.