Best Robo Advisors For Beginners
Discover 10 deals available this month.
1.Vanguard Digital Advisor
Vanguard Digital Advisor offers a beginner-friendly robo service with an annual advisory fee between 0.15% and 0.20%, a $100 minimum investment, and no advisory fees for the first 90 days. It includes automatic rebalancing and a wide range of planning tools for U.S. investors.
View Deal →Vanguard Digital Advisor stands out by combining low fees and comprehensive planning tools with a very accessible $100 minimum. Its 90-day fee waiver is a valuable bonus for new investors looking to start small and keep costs down.
Pros:
- Low annual advisory fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.20%
- No advisory fees for the first 90 days
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing
- Broad range of planning tools for comprehensive investment management
Cons:
- Minimum investment requirement of $100 might be high for micro-investors
- Limited availability only to U.S. investors
- Fee structure may increase after initial 90-day period
2.Wealthfront
Wealthfront is a U.S.-based robo advisor charging a 0.25% management fee with a $500 minimum investment. It offers automated tax strategies, supports various account types including IRAs and 529 plans, and provides comprehensive goal-planning tools.
View Deal →Wealthfront stands out for investors seeking automated tax efficiency and a wide range of account options, backed by solid goal-planning features. Its moderate fee and minimum make it accessible yet robust for beginners aiming to grow their portfolios.
Pros:
- Strong automated tax strategies including tax-loss harvesting
- Supports diverse account types such as IRAs and 529 college savings plans
- Robust goal-planning tools designed for new investors
Cons:
- Relatively higher $500 minimum investment compared to some competitors
- Management fee of 0.25% may be higher than some low-cost alternatives
3.Betterment
Betterment is a U.S.-based robo advisor with a 0.25% management fee and no minimum deposit to open a core account. It offers automatic rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and optional access to human advisors.
View Deal →Betterment stands out for beginners seeking low entry barriers and flexibility to add human advisor support as they grow their investments. Its combination of no minimum balance and tax-loss harvesting makes it a practical choice for new investors.
Pros:
- No minimum deposit required to open a core account
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing included
- Tax-loss harvesting feature helps optimize returns
- Optional access to human financial advisors
Cons:
- Standard management fee of 0.25% may be higher than some no-fee competitors
- No specific introductory fee waiver or trial period mentioned
- Limited to U.S. investors only
4.Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go offers robo-advisory services with a $10 minimum investment and no advisory fee on accounts under $25,000; fees rise to 0.35% for higher balances. It features simple portfolios and integrates seamlessly with Fidelity brokerage accounts for U.S. beginners.
View Deal →Ideal for first-time investors seeking low minimums and fee-free management on smaller balances, Fidelity Go combines ease of use with Fidelity’s brokerage ecosystem. While its simple portfolios keep investing straightforward, fees above $25,000 may be a consideration for growing accounts.
Pros:
- Low $10 minimum investment requirement
- No advisory fees for accounts under $25,000
- Easy integration with Fidelity brokerage accounts
Cons:
- Higher advisory fee of 0.35% for balances over $25,000
- Simpler portfolio options may not suit advanced investors
- Limited fee incentives or discounts beyond the initial threshold
5.Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is a U.S.-available robo advisor requiring a $5,000 minimum investment with no management fees on the basic tier. It offers automatic portfolio rebalancing and optional paid access to human advisors.
View Deal →Investors with at least $5,000 to start will appreciate Schwab's fee-free basic robo-advisor service combined with automated rebalancing. Optional human advisor access adds flexibility for those wanting extra guidance.
Pros:
- No management fees on the basic tier
- $5,000 minimum investment
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing included
- Optional paid access to human financial advisors
Cons:
- Higher minimum compared to some competitors
- Human advisor access requires additional fees
- Limited fee-free features beyond basic management
6.Acorns
Acorns is a U.S.-based robo advisor that rounds up your purchases and invests the spare change, charging a flat monthly fee between $3 and $12 with no investment minimum. It's designed to help beginners start investing with very small amounts.
View Deal →Perfect for new investors who want to start small without worrying about minimum balances, Acorns offers a simple, flat-fee approach that makes investing easy and accessible.
Pros:
- No investment minimum required to start
- Flat monthly fee between $3 and $12 instead of a percentage-based fee
- Automatically rounds up purchases to invest spare change
- Designed specifically for beginner investors
Cons:
- Monthly fees may outweigh investment returns for very small balances
- Lacks advanced portfolio customization features
- Higher fees compared to percentage-based robo advisors for larger accounts
7.Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
Ally Invest Robo Portfolios offers automated diversified portfolios with relatively low minimums and seamless integration with Ally’s online bank accounts. It’s designed for new investors seeking a simple, all-digital experience.
View Deal →New investors looking for a straightforward, digitally integrated investing option will find Ally Invest Robo Portfolios easy to use and accessible without high entry barriers.
Pros:
- Low account minimums suitable for beginners
- Automated portfolio diversification to simplify investing
- Easy integration with Ally bank accounts for streamlined management
Cons:
- Limited advanced planning or tax strategy features compared to some competitors
- No mention of access to human advisors
- Fewer specialized account options than some other robo advisors
8.SoFi Robo Investing
SoFi Robo Investing offers low or no management fees on many portfolios and requires low account minimums. It includes automatic rebalancing and free access to human financial planners for beginner investors.
View Deal →Investors looking for a cost-effective robo advisor with personal guidance will find SoFi’s offering appealing due to its minimal fees and complimentary planner access. Its blend of automation and human support makes it a practical choice for newcomers.
Pros:
- Low or no management fees on many portfolios
- Low account minimums
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing
- Complimentary access to human financial planners
Cons:
- Limited details on investment options compared to some competitors
- May not offer as comprehensive planning tools as specialized robo advisors
- Potentially fewer account types available compared to others
9.Stash
Stash is a U.S. micro-investing and robo-advisor platform that charges a subscription fee, offers low minimums, and provides guided portfolios combined with educational tools designed for new investors.
View Deal →New investors looking for a blend of automated investing and learning resources will find Stash’s subscription model and educational focus especially useful.
Pros:
- Low minimum investment requirements
- Subscription fee model instead of percentage-based fees
- Guided portfolios tailored for beginners
- Includes educational tools to support investor learning
Cons:
- Subscription fees may be costly compared to percentage-based management fees
- Limited information on advanced portfolio options
- May not suit investors looking for purely automated investing without educational content
10.SigFig
SigFig is a U.S.-based robo advisor that manages portfolios including those at major brokerages like Schwab and Fidelity. It charges 0.25% management fee after the first $10,000 managed free and offers automated investing combined with on-demand human advisors.
View Deal →Beginners seeking a blend of automation and personalized advice will find SigFig’s free management on the first $10,000 plus access to human advisors a compelling combination.
Pros:
- No management fee on the first $10,000 invested
- Access to on-demand human financial advisors
- Supports portfolios held at major brokerages like Schwab and Fidelity
Cons:
- Charges 0.25% management fee after $10,000
- Minimum investment details not explicitly stated
- Less known compared to larger robo advisors
Final Words
Take time to compare the features, fees, and services of different robo advisors to find the best fit for your financial goals and comfort level. You can explore current offers to make a well-informed decision that sets your investing journey on the right path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanguard Digital Advisor is beginner-friendly, with a low annual advisory fee between 0.15% and 0.20%, a low $100 minimum investment, and automatic portfolio rebalancing. It also offers broad planning tools to help new investors manage their goals effectively.
Yes, Vanguard Digital Advisor offers no advisory fees for the first 90 days, allowing new users to try the service without incurring fees during that period.
The minimum investment required to start with Vanguard Digital Advisor is $100, making it accessible for beginners looking to begin investing with a modest amount.
Most robo advisors charge an annual management or advisory fee, usually a small percentage of your assets under management. Some also offer flat monthly fees or tiered pricing depending on the account size.
Several robo advisors, such as Betterment, SoFi Robo Investing, and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, offer optional access to human advisors, providing extra guidance for new investors.
Many beginner robo advisors support a variety of account types including taxable brokerage accounts, IRAs, and 529 college savings plans, enabling users to plan for different financial goals.
