Best Picks

Best Automated Investing Services

Automated investing services compared by advisory cost, minimums, portfolio design, tax features, cash allocation, and access to human help.

Reviewed by Smart Digital Investing ResearchUpdated 2026-09-16

The Short Answer

Fidelity Go is the cost leader below $25,000, Vanguard Digital Advisor publishes one of the lowest percentage-based costs, Wealthfront is strongest for software-led tax automation, Betterment offers flexible goal planning, and Schwab removes the advisory fee while requiring more starting capital and a cash allocation.

At a Glance

Platform Comparison

Published terms as of 2026-09-16

PlatformBest forMinimumPublished fee

Fidelity Go Low-balance automated investing $0 to open; $10 to begin investing $0 advisory fee below $25,000; 0.35% annually at $25,000 and above

Vanguard Digital Advisor Low-cost index-focused automation $100 Approximately $15 to $16 annually per $10,000 invested

Wealthfront Automated Investing Tax-aware software automation $500 0.25% annual advisory fee

Betterment Goal-based automated investing No required minimum balance 0.25% annually or $5 per month, depending on balance and recurring deposits

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios No-advisory-fee automation at $5,000 and above $5,000 No advisory fee; underlying ETF expenses apply

Our Standard

What We Compared

Advisory fee and fund-level expenses
Minimum opening and invested balance
Portfolio diversification
Rebalancing and tax management
Cash allocation and provider conflicts
Human coaching or advisor access

Detailed Assessment

Fidelity Go

Best for: Low-balance automated investing

A strong starting point for investors who want automation without an advisory charge on balances below $25,000.

Minimum: $0 to open; $10 to begin investing
Fees: $0 advisory fee below $25,000; 0.35% annually at $25,000 and above
Account access: Taxable, IRA, HSA, and eligible retirement accounts

Strengths

No advisory charge below $25,000
Automatic portfolio management and rebalancing
Financial coaching becomes available at $25,000

Considerations

The 0.35% advisory fee begins when the account reaches $25,000
Portfolios use Fidelity mutual funds selected for the program

Sources: official provider information

Vanguard Digital Advisor

Best for: Low-cost index-focused automation

A disciplined automated option for investors who value a low published cost and Vanguard's index-investing approach.

Minimum: $100
Fees: Approximately $15 to $16 annually per $10,000 invested
Account access: Eligible taxable and retirement accounts

Strengths

Low published annual advisory cost
Automated fund and ETF portfolio management
Retirement and goal-planning tools

Considerations

This is a digital service without a dedicated human advisor
Underlying fund expenses remain part of the investor's total cost

Sources: official provider information

Wealthfront Automated Investing

Best for: Tax-aware software automation

A software-first option for investors who want automatic rebalancing, portfolio customization, and tax-aware features in eligible accounts.

Minimum: $500
Fees: 0.25% annual advisory fee
Account access: Taxable, IRA, trust, and 529 accounts

Strengths

Clear 0.25% advisory fee
Automatic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting features
Broad portfolio customization

Considerations

The service requires a $500 starting balance
Investors who want ongoing human advice may prefer a hybrid service

Sources: official provider information, official provider information

Betterment

Best for: Goal-based automated investing

A flexible goal-based service with no required minimum, but small accounts should calculate the percentage impact of the monthly fee.

Minimum: No required minimum balance
Fees: 0.25% annually or $5 per month, depending on balance and recurring deposits
Account access: Taxable, IRA, joint, trust, HSA, and selected retirement accounts

Strengths

No required minimum balance
Goal-based portfolios and automatic rebalancing
Multiple taxable and retirement account choices

Considerations

Accounts below $24,000 without at least $200 in monthly recurring deposits pay $5 per month
Fund-level expenses apply in addition to the service fee

Sources: official provider information, official provider information

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Best for: No-advisory-fee automation at $5,000 and above

A no-advisory-fee automated portfolio for investors who meet the minimum and understand the program's required cash allocation.

Minimum: $5,000
Fees: No advisory fee; underlying ETF expenses apply
Account access: Eligible taxable, IRA, and trust accounts

Strengths

No advisory fee or program commission
Automatic monitoring and rebalancing
Tax-loss harvesting is available for eligible balances of $50,000 or more

Considerations

Every portfolio includes a cash allocation
Schwab earns revenue from affiliated ETFs, third-party services, and program cash

Sources: official provider information, official provider information