Best Picks
Best Automated Investing Services
Compare automated investing services by advisory cost and portfolio design. See tax features, cash requirements and access to human help.
The Short Answer
Fidelity Go is the cost leader below $25,000. Vanguard publishes one of the lowest percentage-based costs, while Wealthfront is strongest for software-led tax automation. Betterment and Schwab make different tradeoffs around pricing and cash. Merrill and E*TRADE add established brokerage relationships at higher published rates.
At a Glance
Platform Comparison
Published terms as of 2026-10-09
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
Merrill Guided Investing
Best for: Goal-based management inside a Merrill relationship
A professionally managed option for investors who value Merrill's goal-based portfolios and connection to the wider Bank of America relationship more than the lowest advisory fee.
- Minimum
- $1,000 for growth-focused strategies; $50,000 for income-focused strategies
- Fees
- 0.45% annual program fee without an advisor
- Account access
- Eligible taxable and retirement accounts
Strengths
- Portfolio strategies developed by Merrill's Chief Investment Office
- Automatic monitoring and rebalancing
- Lower minimum for growth-focused strategies than Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Considerations
- The 0.45% program fee is higher than the standard fees in this comparison
- Income-focused strategies carry a $50,000 minimum
- The separate Guided Investing with Advisor program costs 0.85% annually
Sources: official provider information, official provider information
E*TRADE Core Portfolios
Best for: ETF automation with a $500 starting minimum
A practical middle-ground option for investors who want a low starting minimum, ETF portfolios, and support from an established brokerage without paying for an assigned advisor.
- Minimum
- $500 to begin; $450 maintenance minimum
- Fees
- 0.30% annual advisory fee; underlying fund expenses are separate
- Account access
- Most eligible retail brokerage and retirement accounts with a U.S. address
Strengths
- $500 initial investment minimum
- Daily monitoring with automatic rebalancing when the portfolio drifts
- Tax-loss harvesting is available for eligible taxable accounts
Considerations
- The 0.30% advisory fee is higher than Vanguard and Wealthfront
- No individual financial advisor or portfolio manager is assigned
- Fund expenses are charged in addition to the advisory fee
Sources: official provider information, official provider information