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Best Robo-Advisors

Updated · By YouRetire Editorial

Editor’s picks

Our top picks

Picks are based on total cost, retirement tools, and access to human help, not on partnerships. All links are plain links. Fees are shown with the date we checked; confirm current pricing and read each firm's Form CRS before you open an account.

  1. Best overall
    Fidelity Go
    $0 advisory fee under $25,000; 0.35% at $25,000+ including coaching; no minimum to open
  2. Best for retirement planning tools
    Betterment
    Goal-based planning; Premium (0.65%, $100K minimum) adds access to human advisors
  3. Best for hands-off automation
    Wealthfront
    0.25% annual advisory fee with fully automated portfolios
  4. Best for building your own portfolio
    M1
    No commissions or management fees; $3/month platform fee waived above $10,000
  5. Best for SoFi members
    SoFi Automated Investing
    0.25% wrap fee through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered adviser
  6. Best for small-dollar habits (not for large balances)
    Acorns
    Flat $4–$12/month plans; Gold includes a 3% IRA match in year one

Key takeaways

Updated 2026-10-28.

  • A robo-advisor builds and manages a portfolio from your answers to a questionnaire, often for a lower fee than a traditional adviser.
  • Compare the total cost: the advisory fee (percentage or subscription) plus the expense ratios of the funds it uses.
  • Ask how much human help you can get. Some services offer access to a planner; others only offer tech support.
  • For retirees, look for withdrawal planning, IRA support, and how the service handles RMDs.

Our reviews

Pick #1

Fidelity Go

Best overall

Our rating: Not star-rated. Qualitative award; see Methodology.

Key data (checked 2026-10-28)

  • Advisory fee: $0 under $25,000; 0.35% per year at $25,000 and up (includes one-on-one coaching sessions)
  • No minimum to open; $10 to start investing

Why we chose it

It costs nothing on small balances, has a reasonable fee on larger ones, and includes coaching at the $25K level.

Pros

  • Free under $25K
  • Coaching included at 0.35%
  • Fidelity's retirement tools and service

Cons

  • 0.35% is higher than some robo fees at larger balances

Who should skip it

Investors with large balances who want the lowest percentage fee.

Visit Fidelity Go Plain link to the provider's site

Pick #2

Betterment

Best for retirement planning tools

Our rating: Not star-rated. Qualitative award; see Methodology.

Key data (checked 2026-10-28)

  • Digital: $5/month or 0.25% per year, depending on balance or deposits
  • Premium: 0.65% per year, $100,000 minimum, with access to human advisors
  • $75 outbound account transfer fee
  • Cash account APY 3.50% as of 2026-09-21 (variable; check current rates)

Why we chose it

Strong goal-based planning, plus an upgrade path to human advice for retirees who want it.

Pros

  • Goal-based planning tools
  • Human-advisor tier available

Cons

  • $75 transfer-out fee
  • Premium requires $100K

Who should skip it

People who want a $0 fee on small balances; Fidelity Go may cost less.

Visit Betterment Plain link to the provider's site

Pick #3

Wealthfront

Best for hands-off automation

Our rating: Not star-rated. Qualitative award; see Methodology.

Key data (checked 2026-10-28)

  • Annual advisory fee: 0.25%
  • Account minimum for automated investing
  • Tax-loss harvesting on taxable accounts

Why we chose it

Fully automated portfolios at a low flat percentage fee.

Pros

  • Low 0.25% fee
  • Highly automated

Cons

  • No human advisor tier
  • Automation may feel impersonal for some retirees

Who should skip it

People who want to talk to a person about retirement income.

Visit Wealthfront Plain link to the provider's site

Pick #4

M1

Best for building your own portfolio

Our rating: Not star-rated. Qualitative award; see Methodology.

Key data (checked 2026-10-28)

  • No commissions or management fees
  • $3/month platform fee, waived for balances above $10,000

Why we chose it

You choose the investments ('pies') and M1 automates rebalancing. It isn't a traditional robo-advisor, but costs are low above $10K.

Pros

  • No management fee
  • Automated rebalancing of your own choices

Cons

  • $3/month under $10K
  • You pick the investments, so you need some investing knowledge

Who should skip it

People who want someone else to choose their portfolio.

Visit M1 Plain link to the provider's site

Pick #5

SoFi Automated Investing

Best for SoFi members

Our rating: Not star-rated. Qualitative award; see Methodology.

Key data (checked 2026-10-28)

  • 0.25% wrap fee
  • Advisory services through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser
  • Account minimum

Why we chose it

Simple to add if you already bank with SoFi.

Pros

  • Low wrap fee
  • One app with SoFi banking

Cons

  • Fewer retirement-income tools than Fidelity or Betterment

Who should skip it

Investors who don't otherwise use SoFi.

Visit SoFi Plain link to the provider's site

Pick #6

Acorns

Best for small-dollar habits (not for large balances)

Our rating: Not star-rated. Qualitative award; see Methodology.

Key data (checked 2026-10-28)

  • Bronze $4/month · Silver $8/month · Gold $12/month
  • Gold includes a 3% IRA match in the first year (conditions apply)

Why we chose it

Round-ups and small automatic deposits can help younger family members start saving.

Pros

  • Easy habit-building
  • IRA match on Gold

Cons

  • A flat monthly fee is a high percentage of a small balance (e.g., $4/month on $1,000 is 4.8% a year)

Who should skip it

Retirees and anyone with a larger balance; percentage-fee robos cost less.

Visit Acorns Plain link to the provider's site

Compare at a glance

Figures change often. Each row shows the date we checked it; confirm on the provider's site before you decide.

Robo-advisorAdvisory feeMinimumHuman helpChecked
Fidelity Go$0 under $25K; 0.35% at $25K+$0 to open; $10 to investCoaching at $25K+2026-10-28
Betterment$5/mo or 0.25%; Premium 0.65%Premium $100KPremium tier2026-10-28
Wealthfront0.25%#pendingNo2026-10-28
M1$0; $3/mo platform fee under $10K#pendingNo2026-10-28
SoFi Automated Investing0.25% wrap#pending#pending2026-10-28
Acorns$4 / $8 / $12 per month#pendingNo2026-10-28

How to choose

Robo-advisors are automated investment services. You answer questions about goals, timeline, and risk tolerance, and the service builds a portfolio, usually of index funds, and rebalances it for you. The SEC’s investor bulletin suggests checking several things before choosing one.

How much human contact do you want? Some robo-advisors offer calls with a financial professional, sometimes for a higher fee. Others offer only technical support. Retirees making withdrawal decisions may value a human.

What does it really cost? Fees are often a percentage of assets per year. Some charge a flat subscription instead. The SEC notes subscription fees can be a large share of a small account. Add the expense ratios of the underlying funds to see the total.

What information does it use? A short questionnaire may not capture your pension, Social Security timing, or a spouse’s accounts. Check whether you can add outside information or adjust the plan.

Does it fit retirement? Look for IRA support, withdrawal planning, and RMD help. Tax-loss harvesting matters mainly for taxable accounts.

Check registration. Robo-advisors are generally registered investment advisers. Look them up on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site and read their Form ADV brochure and Form CRS.

Frequently asked questions

What is a robo-advisor?

An automated digital investment advisory service that builds and manages a portfolio based on your answers to a questionnaire.

Are robo-advisors safe?

They’re registered investment advisers; your account is usually held at an affiliated or partner broker. Investments can still lose value.

How much do robo-advisors cost?

Typically an annual percentage of assets or a subscription fee, plus fund expenses. We’ll publish dated fees per provider.

Can a robo-advisor manage my IRA?

Many offer IRAs. Check rollover support and RMD handling.

Is a robo-advisor enough in retirement?

For some people. Complex situations, like pensions, Social Security timing, or estate planning, may call for a human planner.

How do I check a robo-advisor’s record?

Use the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database.

Methodology

We reviewed 6 providers' public pricing, rate, and disclosure pages on 2026-10-28. We don't assign star scores. Each pick gets a qualitative "Best for…" award based on the criteria below, and "Preliminary" marks picks where our research is still thin. Partner or affiliate status plays no role in which providers we pick or how we rank them.

We evaluated providers on:

  • Total cost: advisory fee structure (asset-based vs. subscription), fund expense ratios, minimums
  • Human access: none / on request / dedicated planner
  • Retirement features: IRA/rollover, withdrawal or income planning, RMD handling, tax-loss harvesting (taxable accounts)
  • Portfolio approach: diversification, rebalancing, ability to adjust risk
  • Registration and disclosures: SEC/state registration via IAPD, Form ADV and Form CRS clarity
  • Family access and support

All rates, fees, and terms are shown with the date checked; check current rates before acting. Affiliate relationships do not affect scores.

Read our full review process

Why trust us

YouRetire Editorial writes for families planning retirement and care. We use regulator and government sources, show when we last checked data, and don’t let partners buy ratings. Read how we review and our editorial standards.

This guide is educational and not individual financial, tax, insurance, or legal advice.

Sources