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Robo-advisors compared: what they cost and what you get

A robo-advisor invests your money for you in a ready-made mix of funds and rebalances it automatically, usually for a small yearly fee (a percentage of your balance) or a flat monthly fee. Fund expenses are extra. Here's what each one says it charges, the minimum to start, and whether it offers tax-loss harvesting (selling losers to cut your tax bill, useful only in taxable accounts).

Betterment

Advisory fee
$5/month, or 0.25%/yr with $24,000+ or $200+/mo recurring deposits; Premium 0.65%
Minimum to start
No minimum balance
Tax-loss harvesting
Yes, included
Cash account APY
Cash Reserve: 4.25% APY including a 0.75% boost (variable)

$75 per account to transfer out to another firm (per Betterment pricing page).

Source: Betterment page (checked 2026-10-12)

Wealthfront

Advisory fee
0.25%/yr
Minimum to start
$500 (Automated Investing Account, per Wealthfront support)
Tax-loss harvesting
Yes, daily, all taxable accounts, no extra charge
Cash account APY
Cash Account: 3.55% base APY (as of 10/01/2026); 0.65% boost for new clients for 3 months

Source: Wealthfront page (checked 2026-10-12)

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Advisory fee
$0 advisory fee
Minimum to start
$5,000
Tax-loss harvesting
Yes, opt-in, $50,000+ invested
Cash account APY
not found

Part of each portfolio is held in cash swept to Schwab Bank; Schwab says it earns revenue from that cash and its ETFs.

Source: Schwab Intelligent Portfolios page (checked 2026-10-12)

Vanguard Digital Advisor

Advisory fee
0.20%/yr gross for all-index portfolios (0.25% with active funds); Vanguard says net is about 0.15% after credits
Minimum to start
$100
Tax-loss harvesting
Yes, optional, included
Cash account APY
not found

Source: Vanguard Digital Advisor page (checked 2026-10-12)

Fidelity Go

Advisory fee
$0 under $25,000; 0.35%/yr at $25,000+
Minimum to start
$0 to open; $10 to start investing
Tax-loss harvesting
not found
Cash account APY
not found

Source: Fidelity Go page (checked 2026-10-12)

SoFi Automated Investing

Advisory fee
0.25%/yr
Minimum to start
$50
Tax-loss harvesting
No (SoFi support says it doesn't offer automated tax-loss harvesting)
Cash account APY
not found

Source: SoFi Automated Investing page (checked 2026-10-12)

Acorns

Advisory fee
$4, $8 or $12 per month (Bronze, Silver, Gold plans)
Minimum to start
not found
Tax-loss harvesting
not found
Cash account APY
Emergency Savings: 3.59% APY

Source: Acorns page (checked 2026-10-12)

M1

Advisory fee
No management fee on self-directed accounts; $3/month platform fee, waived over $10,000
Minimum to start
not found
Tax-loss harvesting
not found
Cash account APY
High-Yield Cash: 3.35% APY

M1 portfolios are built and automated by you (self-directed), not managed by an adviser.

Source: M1 page (checked 2026-10-12)

Advisory fees don't include the funds' own expense ratios. Cash APYs change often; check the provider. SIPC protects against a broker's failure, not market losses.

Compare two

Facts copied from each provider's own page on the date shown; “not found” means we couldn't confirm it there. Prices change, so check the provider before you sign up. No paid placement.

FAQ

Which robo-advisor has the lowest fee?

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios says it charges no advisory fee ($5,000 minimum). Fidelity Go charges $0 under $25,000, then 0.35%. Others charge 0.25% or a flat monthly fee. Fund expenses are extra everywhere.

Is a robo-advisor safe?

These firms are SEC-registered advisers and hold assets at SIPC-member brokers, which protects against the broker failing, not against investment losses. Your investments can lose value.

What is tax-loss harvesting?

Selling investments at a loss to offset taxable gains, then buying similar ones. It only helps in taxable accounts, not IRAs.

Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.