Betterment Promotions
Read our in-depth review of Betterment to see why Betterment scored 4.1 stars out of 5. We like their no minimum investment, customized portfolios, and automatically invest extra funds.
Get up to 1 Year Managed Free
New Betterment customers only. Accounts must be funded within 45 days of signup. Terms apply.
Get 1 Month Managed Free
Deposit $15,000 - $99,999 within 45 days and get 1 month managed free
Get 6 Months Managed Free
Deposit $100,000 - $249,999 within 45 days and get 6 months managed free
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Betterment Cash Reserve - Earn 3.75% APY**
- FDIC insurance covering up to $1,000,000 at program banks†
- Access cash in 1-2 business days
- No minimum balance
- No fees on balance
- Unlimited withdrawals
Invest with Automated Portfolios
Betterment Retirement
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$100 Visa® Gift Card
- Sign up for free, easy-to-use financial tools
- Link bank and investment accounts of at least $250,000 (savings, investment accounts, employer-sponsored 401ks, etc.)
- Receive a free financial analysis after talking with an expert
- Earn a FREE $100 Visa® gift card
Commission Free Stock Trading
M1 Finance allows investors the choice of ETFs and stocks. M1 charges no management fees or commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Betterment.
Is Betterment a good investment?
Betterment is a good option for beginners who aren't ready to invest on their own. It's also good for passive investors who don't want to manage their own portfolios. The 0.25% annual fee is reasonable and there is no minimum. But experienced investors could earn better returns by choosing their own investments.
Is my money safe with Betterment?
You retain full ownership of your assets. Even if Betterment were to go out of business, your investments are insured up to $500,000 per account type by the SIPC. Betterment also uses 256-bit SSL encryption to keep your data secure.
Is Betterment worth the cost?
Betterment's 0.25% annual fee is lower than traditional financial advisors. It could be worth it for new investors or if you want to be hands-off. However, if you know how to manage your own portfolio, the fee gets expensive on bigger balances. $100,000 balance costs $250 a year in fees.
How much should I put in Betterment?
Betterment has no minimum investment. All balances cost 0.25% in annual advisory fees at the basic tier. You can deposit as little or as much as you're comfortable with and still have access to benefits such as tax harvesting. If you have at least $100,000, you have the option to upgrade to the Betterment Premium Plan at 0.40% annual fee.
Can I take my money out of Betterment?
You can withdraw funds from Betterment at any time with no withdrawal fees. Withdrawals take about 4-5 days to complete. When you withdraw, your shares are sold off. Any profits will be considered taxable income. If you withdraw funds from an IRA account early, there will be a tax penalty.
Is Betterment better than Vanguard?
Betterment is better for new investors as it has no minimum to start. Vanguard Personal Advisor requires $50,000 minimum. However, the advantage of Vanguard is that you get actual human advisors managing your portfolio. The fees are comparable at 0.25% for Betterment and 0.30% for Vanguard.
Is Betterment better than Fidelity?
Both Betterment and Fidelity Go have a $0 minimum investment. However, Fidelity's annual advisory fee is higher at 0.35% (vs 0.25% for Betterment). Betterment offers more comprehensive services and accounts types. On the other hand, Fidelity has active human managers.
- 0.25% for accounts under $100,000
- 0.40% for accounts $100,000+
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Pricing information from published website as of 04/04/2018
Betterment | Wealthfront | |
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Benefits and Features | ||
Savings | ![]() | |
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Checking | ||
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Tax Loss Harvesting | ||
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iPhone App | ||
Android App | ||
Mobile App | ||
Single Stock Diversification | ||
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IRA Accounts | ||
Roth IRA Accounts | ||
SEP IRA Accounts | ||
Trust Accounts | ||
529 Plans | ||
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 04/04/2018 Wealthfront: Pricing information from published website as of 04/04/2018 |
More Deals to Save Money at Betterment
Betterment Checking
- ATM and foreign fees reimbursed
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No minimum balances
- FDIC-insured account up to $250,000
Betterment Alternatives
Get M1 Plus Free for First 3 Months
New M1 customers get M1 Plus for free on their first 3 months. M1 Plus is $125/year.
M1 Plus is a $125 annual subscription offering products and services from M1 Spend LLC and M1 Finance LLC, both wholly-owned, separate but affiliated subsidiaries of M1 Holdings Inc.
*Your free trial (a $31.25 value) begins the date you enroll in the M1 Plus subscription, and ends 90 days after ("Free Trial"). Upon expiry of the Free Trial, your account is automatically billed an annual subscription fee of $125 unless you cancel under your Membership details in the M1 Platform.
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