Article
Top 10 Best Robo-Advisors for Automated Investing in 2026
Discover the best robo-advisors for hands-off investing. Our experts analyzed fees, features, and performance to find the top automated investment platforms for every investor type.
Robo-advisors have revolutionized investing by making professional portfolio management accessible to everyone. These automated platforms use algorithms to build, manage, and rebalance diversified portfolios based on your goals and risk tolerance—all for a fraction of traditional advisor costs.
Our team analyzed fees, features, performance, and user experience across dozens of robo-advisors. Here are the 10 best automated investment platforms for 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Fee | Minimum | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vanguard Digital Advisor | Best Overall Value | 0.20% | $100 | ★4.9/5 |
| 2. Wealthfront | Best for Technology & Features | 0.25% | $500 | ★4.8/5 |
| 3. Fidelity Go | Best for Beginners | 0% under $25k, 0.35% above | $0 ($10 to invest) | ★4.9/5 |
| 4. Betterment | Best for Goal-Based Investing | 0.25% Digital, 0.65% Premium | $0 ($10 to start) | ★4.7/5 |
| 5. Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Best Zero-Fee Option | $0 basic, $30/mo Premium | $5,000 basic, $25,000 Premium | ★4.6/5 |
| 6. SoFi Automated Investing | Best for Member Benefits | 0% | $1 | ★4.5/5 |
| 7. Acorns | Best for Micro-Investing | $3-$12 per month | $0 | ★4.4/5 |
| 8. M1 Finance | Best for Customization | $0 basic, $36/year Plus | $100 basic, $10,000 Plus | ★4.5/5 |
| 9. Ally Invest Robo Portfolios | Best for Banking Integration | 0% or 0.30% | $100 | ★4.3/5 |
| 10. Empower (Personal Capital) | Best for High-Net-Worth Investors | 0.89% | $100,000 | ★4.6/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Vanguard Digital Advisor
Vanguard Digital Advisor combines the investing giant's legendary low-cost approach with modern robo-advisor features. The 0.20% all-in fee includes both advisory services and fund expenses, making it one of the most affordable options available. Clients with $50,000 qualify for Personal Advisor Services with CFP access.
Pros
- ✓Industry-low 0.20% all-in fee
- ✓Legendary Vanguard low-cost ETFs
- ✓Access to CFP professionals at $50k
- ✓Tax-loss harvesting included
- ✓Lowered minimum to just $100
Cons
- ✗Less advanced features than competitors
- ✗No cryptocurrency exposure
- ✗Fewer customization options
Wealthfront
Wealthfront leads in automation technology with features like direct indexing for accounts over $100,000, automated bond ladders, and sophisticated tax-loss harvesting. The platform's cash account and comprehensive financial planning tools make it ideal for tech-savvy investors.
Pros
- ✓Advanced automation features
- ✓Direct indexing at $100k+
- ✓Automated bond ladders
- ✓Sophisticated tax-loss harvesting
- ✓Cash account with competitive APY
Cons
- ✗$500 minimum investment
- ✗No human advisor access
- ✗Higher fee than some competitors
Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go eliminates barriers to entry with no account minimum and completely free management on balances under $25,000. Using Fidelity Flex funds with zero expense ratios, investors can build diversified portfolios without paying any fees. Winner of Kiplinger's Best Robo Advisor 2026.
Pros
- ✓Zero fees under $25,000
- ✓No account minimum
- ✓Fidelity Flex funds (0% expense ratios)
- ✓Integration with Fidelity ecosystem
- ✓Award-winning customer service
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Limited customization options
- ✗Basic feature set
Betterment
Betterment excels at helping investors set and achieve specific financial goals with its intuitive planning tools. With $56 billion in assets under management and 900,000 clients, Betterment offers tax-loss harvesting, crypto exposure, ESG portfolios, and optional human advisor access.
Pros
- ✓Powerful goal-based planning tools
- ✓No account minimum
- ✓Crypto exposure available
- ✓ESG portfolio options
- ✓High-yield savings integration
Cons
- ✗Premium tier has high $100k minimum
- ✗0.65% fee for Premium is expensive
- ✗Some features require add-on costs
Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Schwab's robo-advisor charges zero management fees, though fund expenses still apply. The catch is a higher required cash allocation than competitors, which may reduce returns in rising markets. Premium tier adds unlimited CFP access for $30/month plus a $300 setup fee.
Pros
- ✓Zero advisory fees for basic tier
- ✓Tax-loss harvesting included
- ✓Unlimited CFP access with Premium
- ✓Access to Schwab's full platform
- ✓Strong brand reputation
Cons
- ✗Higher $5,000 minimum
- ✗Required cash allocation reduces returns
- ✗Premium has $300 setup fee
SoFi Automated Investing
SoFi Automated Investing stands out with zero fees and unique member benefits including career coaching, financial planning sessions, and unemployment protection. With just a $1 minimum and complimentary CFP access, it's ideal for young professionals building their first portfolio.
Pros
- ✓Zero management fees
- ✓Just $1 minimum to start
- ✓Free access to CFPs
- ✓Career coaching and member events
- ✓Unemployment protection benefits
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Limited investment options
- ✗Less sophisticated than competitors
Acorns
Acorns makes investing effortless by rounding up everyday purchases and investing the difference automatically. The $3-$12 monthly subscription includes automated investing, retirement accounts, and educational content. Ideal for beginners building the investing habit.
Pros
- ✓Round-up spare change investing
- ✓Zero account minimum
- ✓Kids accounts included
- ✓Educational content library
- ✓Easy automation for beginners
Cons
- ✗Monthly fee model vs percentage
- ✗$3/month expensive for small balances
- ✗Limited customization
M1 Finance
M1 Finance bridges robo-advisors and self-directed investing with its unique 'pie' interface allowing precise portfolio customization. The free tier offers automated rebalancing and fractional shares, while M1 Plus ($36/year) adds margin borrowing and higher interest on cash.
Pros
- ✓Highly customizable portfolios
- ✓Zero management fees
- ✓Fractional share investing
- ✓Automated rebalancing
- ✓Plus tier adds margin borrowing
Cons
- ✗No tax-loss harvesting
- ✗Single daily trading window
- ✗Steeper learning curve
Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
Ally offers two robo-advisor tiers: a 0% fee cash-enhanced portfolio and a 0.30% tax-optimized market-focused portfolio. The seamless integration with Ally Bank makes money management simple, while socially responsible and income-focused strategies provide options for values-based investing.
Pros
- ✓Two tier options (cash-enhanced or tax-optimized)
- ✓0% fee for cash-enhanced strategy
- ✓Tax-loss harvesting on 0.30% tier
- ✓Seamless Ally Bank integration
- ✓Socially responsible portfolios available
Cons
- ✗Cash-enhanced tier has lower potential returns
- ✗Limited features vs top competitors
- ✗$100 minimum
Empower (Personal Capital)
Empower (formerly Personal Capital) targets high-net-worth investors with comprehensive wealth management combining human advisors and technology. The $100,000 minimum and 0.89% fee reflect the premium service level, including dedicated CFPs, tax planning, and estate planning guidance.
Pros
- ✓Dedicated human financial advisors
- ✓Comprehensive wealth management
- ✓Advanced financial planning tools
- ✓Tax optimization strategies
- ✓Holistic financial dashboard
Cons
- ✗High $100,000 minimum
- ✗0.89% fee is expensive
- ✗Overkill for simple portfolios
How We Evaluate Robo-Advisors
Our expert team uses a comprehensive methodology to test and compare robo-advisors. Here’s what we evaluate:
Management Fees and Costs
We analyze the complete fee structure:
- Annual management fees: Percentage of assets charged annually
- Fund expense ratios: Underlying ETF costs
- All-in costs: Total annual expense including all fees
- Fee breakpoints: How fees change with account size
Investment Strategy
We evaluate portfolio construction and management:
- Asset allocation: Diversification across stocks, bonds, and alternatives
- Portfolio options: Range of strategies (conservative to aggressive)
- Rebalancing: Frequency and methodology
- ETF selection: Quality and cost of underlying funds
Tax Optimization
We assess tax-saving features:
- Tax-loss harvesting: Automated selling of losses to offset gains
- Asset location: Strategic placement across account types
- Tax-efficient funds: Use of low-turnover index funds
- Direct indexing: Individually owned stocks for tax benefits
Account Features
We review practical capabilities:
- Account minimums: Accessibility for new investors
- Account types: Individual, joint, IRA, trust options
- Funding options: Transfer methods and speed
- Withdrawal flexibility: Access to your money when needed
Technology and User Experience
We test platform usability:
- Mobile app: Quality and functionality
- Goal planning: Tools for retirement, major purchases, etc.
- Dashboard: Clarity of performance reporting
- Automation: Set-it-and-forget-it capabilities
Customer Support
We evaluate advisor access and help:
- Human advisors: CFP access and availability
- Customer service: Response times and quality
- Educational resources: Learning materials and guidance
- Account management: Ease of making changes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a robo-advisor?
A robo-advisor is an automated investment platform that uses algorithms to build and manage portfolios based on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. They typically invest in low-cost ETFs and handle rebalancing, tax optimization, and portfolio adjustments automatically.
Are robo-advisors safe?
Yes, reputable robo-advisors are regulated by the SEC, members of SIPC (protecting up to $500,000), and use bank-level security. Your investments are held in your name at established custodians like Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab.
How much do robo-advisors cost?
Most robo-advisors charge 0.25%-0.50% of assets annually, far less than traditional advisors (typically 1%). Some like Fidelity Go and SoFi charge 0% management fees. Don’t forget to include underlying ETF expenses (usually 0.05%-0.15%) in your total cost calculation.
What’s the minimum investment for robo-advisors?
Minimums range from $0 (Betterment, Fidelity Go, SoFi) to $100,000 (Empower). Most mainstream platforms require $100-$500 to start. Several offer free management for small accounts, making them accessible to beginning investors.
Do robo-advisors offer tax-loss harvesting?
Many premium robo-advisors include tax-loss harvesting, which can save hundreds or thousands in taxes annually by automatically selling investments at a loss to offset gains. This feature alone can exceed the management fee for higher-balance accounts.
Can I talk to a human advisor?
Some robo-advisors offer human advisor access: Vanguard at $50k, Betterment Premium at $100k, SoFi for free, and Schwab Premium for $30/month. Others like Wealthfront and Acorns are purely digital.
How do robo-advisors compare to DIY investing?
Robo-advisors provide automatic rebalancing, tax optimization, and professional portfolio construction—benefits that can outweigh their modest fees. DIY investing offers complete control and zero management fees but requires more knowledge and discipline to maintain optimal allocation.
Which robo-advisor is best for beginners?
Fidelity Go is ideal for beginners with its $0 minimum, free management under $25k, and simple interface. Betterment and SoFi also excel for newcomers with strong educational resources and goal-planning tools.