Betterment vs M1 Finance
Betterment is a great robo-advisor for beginners with low fees, good tools, and tax strategies. How does it compare to M1 Finance? Read our comparison chart below.
Betterment offers automatic investing starting at $4/month for accounts with less than $20,000. There is no fee to open an account and no minimum deposit required. All balances get automatic rebalancing, tax loss harvesting, and access to financial experts.
While M1 Finance offers automated investing with no commissions or trading fees. M1 lets you select your own investments and their automation will manage it for you. This is great for investors who want a say. The downside is that there are no human advisors. The minimum to start is just $100.
Compare Betterment with M1 Finance, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.
Betterment | M1 Finance | |
|---|---|---|
Compare Pricing - | Commission Free Stock Trading - | |
Benefits and Features | ||
| Savings |
| |
| Stock Trading | ||
| Options Trading | ||
| Annual Fee |
| A $3 monthly platform fee will apply to clients with less than $10,000 in M1 assets or without an active M1 Personal Loan. |
| Cryptocurrency Trading | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $100 ($500 for IRAs, $5,000 for Trust Account) | |
| Checking | ||
| Mutual Fund Trading | ||
| Commission Free ETFs | All U.S. listed ETFs | |
| Phone Support | Monday - Friday 9:30 am to 4 pm EST | |
| Live Chat Support | ||
| Email Support | ||
| Human Advisors | ||
| Robo Advisor | ||
| Assets Under Management | ||
| Minimum Investment | ||
| Tax Loss Harvesting | No, but offers tax minimization features | |
| Goal Tracker | ||
| Automatic Deposits | ||
| Broker Assisted Trades | ||
| Good For | DIY investing with passive portfolio management | |
| Inactivity Fee | $50 (for accounts with $50 or less and no trading or deposit activity for 90+ days) | |
| Maintenance Fee | $3 monthly platform fee for accounts with less than $10,000 in M1 assets, or without an active M1 Personal Loan | |
| Online Platform | ||
| iPhone App | ||
| Android App | ||
| Banking | Offers checking account with a free debit card, and a high-yield cash account | |
| Mobile App |  | |
| Two-Factor Authentication | ||
| Locations | ||
| Online Community | ||
| Seminars | ||
| Trading Platform | ||
| Virtual Trading | ||
| Single Stock Diversification | ||
| Fractional Shares | ||
| Taxable Accounts | ||
| 401k Plans | ||
| IRA Accounts | ||
| Roth IRA Accounts | ||
| SEP IRA Accounts | ||
| Trust Accounts | ||
| 529 Plans | ||
CreditDonkey® Reviews | ||
| Annual Fee |   | |
| Minimum Deposit | | |
| Human Advisors |  | |
| Customer Service | | |
| Mobile App | | |
| Ease of Use | | |
| Research | | |
| Pros & Cons | Pros:
| Pros:
|
| Bottom Line | Great robo-advisor for beginners with low fees, good tools, and tax strategies... | Commission-free investing app that allows you to choose your own investments... |
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details. Betterment: Pricing information from published website as of 01/12/2025 M1 Finance: Pricing information from published website as of 12/26/2023. | ||
Which is Better: Betterment or M1 Finance?
Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Betterment or Acorns.
Articles on Betterment
Betterment Investing
Betterment offers low fees and good returns. But there are risks you should NOT ignore. Read this review to see if Betterment is better.
Is Betterment Worth The Fee
Betterment will manage your investments, but they charge a fee. Is Betterment worth the fee? Read on to answer all your questions.
Betterment Roth IRA
Is Betterment a good way to invest for retirement? What about the fees and withdrawals? Read on to learn how Betterment's Roth IRA account works.
Betterment vs Wealthfront
Betterment and Wealthfront are two of the oldest and most popular robo-advisors. Is there a difference? Which is better for you? Read on to find out.
Articles on M1 Finance
M1 Review
Is M1 Finance legitimate and safe? Find out the pros, cons, fees, and more. An essential read for beginners interested in M1 Finance.
Best M1 Finance Pie
M1 Finance is a commission-free investment app offering ready-made portfolios that are made up of "pies." What's the best M1 Finance Pie? Find out.
M1 Finance Alternatives
M1 Finance is a popular app for commission-free investing. But is there a better option for you? Find out in this detailed guide to M1 Finance alternatives.
Which Do You Think is Best?
You Might Also Like
Apps Like Acorns
Acorns is one of the best micro-investing apps out there. But is it for everyone? Read on to see some of your alternatives.
Retirement Calculator
Get on track with your retirement goals. Find out your needs & how far your savings will stretch with this calculator.
Best Investment Accounts
Looking to open an investment account? In this list, review the best investment accounts to choose from and how to pick the right one for you.
FIRE Calculator for Beginners
"Financially independent, retire early" has a nice ring to it. But if you're new to the FIRE movement, it can be tough to know where to start.
Small Investments That Make Money
You don't need to be rich to start investing. Here are 15 easy ways to invest small amounts of money.
Best Micro Investing App
Micro investing apps allow anyone to invest in stocks with a few dollars. Learn about the best apps for beginners, like Acorns, Robinhood and Stash.
The Best Way to Invest $5,000
Got $5,000 to invest? The right strategy can turn it into long-term wealth. Here's how you can make the most out of your money based on your goals.
Best Investment Apps for Beginners
Looking to start investing but are overwhelmed with the process? These low-cost, beginner-friendly apps can help you get started.
Best Investment Apps
There are a ton of investing apps to help you get started. But which ones will fit your investing style? Read on to find out.
Wealthfront Review: Is It Good?
Wealthfront simplifies long-term, low-cost investing with a diversified portfolio. But is it safe? Read on to learn if Wealthfront is worth it.
Next Page: Betterment
