Key takeaways
- Top pick: Wealthfront, best for: Tech-savvy investors wanting advanced planning tools.
- Also near the top: Betterment and Personal Capital.
- How it was ranked: 10 AI tools compared. Each verdict is below.
Wealthfront and
Betterment stand out as the top AI investment-advisory platforms, offering automated portfolio management and tax-loss harvesting. Wealthfront suits tech-savvy investors seeking advanced planning tools, while Betterment is ideal for beginners looking for straightforward, goal-based investing with low fees and dependable customer support.
Top 10 AI Investment-Advisory Platforms, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
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| 1 |  WealthfrontWealthfront manages over 50 billion dollars in assets for clients across the United States. | Tech-savvy investors wanting advanced planning tools | 95.0 | $0.25% annual advisory fee |
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| 2 |  BettermentBetterment was one of the very first automated investment advisors to launch in the market. | Beginners seeking goal-based investing | 92.7 | $0.25% annual advisory fee |
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| 3 |  Personal CapitalEmpower provides free financial dashboard software to millions of registered users. | High net worth individuals needing holistic wealth tracking | 90.3 | 0.89% annual advisory fee |
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| 4 |  M1 FinanceM1 Finance uses custom investment pies to help users build and automate their ideal portfolios. | Hands-on investors wanting automated execution | 88.0 | $0 commission |
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| 5 |  SoFi InvestSoFi offers automated investing with zero management fees and complimentary career counseling. | Users looking for a unified financial ecosystem | 85.7 | $0 management fee |
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| 6 |  Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles Schwab is one of the largest brokerage firms in the world. | Investors loyal to the Charles Schwab ecosystem | 83.3 | $0 advisory fee |
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| 7 |  Vanguard Digital AdvisorVanguard is famous for pioneering low-cost index fund investing. | Cost-conscious long-term retirement savers | 81.0 | $0.20% annual advisory fee |
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| 8 |  AcornsAcorns has helped millions of users save and invest spare change automatically. | Absolute beginners starting with small amounts | 78.7 | $3.00 monthly |
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| 9 |  EllevestEllevest customises investment projections based on female salary curves and life events. | Women seeking financial planning tailored to career realities | 76.3 | $3.00 monthly |
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| 10 |  StashStash integrates automated recurring deposits with educational guidance for beginners. | Novice investors wanting to learn while investing | 74.0 | $3.00 monthly |
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How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
- Wealthfront (#1): Tech-savvy investors wanting advanced planning tools
- Betterment (#2): Beginners seeking goal-based investing
- Personal Capital (#3): High net worth individuals needing holistic wealth tracking
- M1 Finance (#4): Hands-on investors wanting automated execution
- SoFi Invest (#5): Users looking for a unified financial ecosystem
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios (#6): Investors loyal to the Charles Schwab ecosystem
- Vanguard Digital Advisor (#7): Cost-conscious long-term retirement savers
- Acorns (#8): Absolute beginners starting with small amounts
- Ellevest (#9): Women seeking financial planning tailored to career realities
- Stash (#10): Novice investors wanting to learn while investing
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
Automated investing and savings made effortless
An automated investment service that uses software to build and manage a diversified portfolio tailored to your risk tolerance and financial goals.
From $0.25% annual advisory fee
PROS- Advanced automated tax-loss harvesting
- High-yield cash account integration
CONS- No human advisor access on basic tiers
- Best for
- Tech-savvy investors wanting advanced planning tools
- Where it falls short
- Basic tier users cannot access human advisors for guidance.
- Pick something else if
- you need personal advice from a human advisor.
95.0
02
Investing made better
A pioneering robo-advisor offering personalised portfolio management, goal-based investing, and automated rebalancing.
From $0.25% annual advisory fee
PROS- User-friendly mobile app and website
- Flexible goal setting options
CONS- Management fees apply to the lowest tier
- Best for
- Beginners seeking goal-based investing
- Where it falls short
- It charges management fees on its lowest tier.
92.7
03
Empowering financial confidence
Now known as Empower, this platform combines robust financial dashboard tools with human and algorithmic wealth management.
From 0.89% annual advisory fee
PROS- Comprehensive free financial tools
- Access to certified financial planners
CONS- High advisory fees for managed accounts
- Best for
- High net worth individuals needing holistic wealth tracking
- Where it falls short
- Managed accounts incur high advisory fees.
- Pick something else if
- you need low-cost managed accounts.
90.3
04
The Finance Super App
A financial platform that blends automated investing with self-directed customisation through fractional shares.
From $0 commission
PROS- No trading commissions or management fees on basic accounts
- High customisation through pies
CONS- Limited trading windows during the day
- Best for
- Hands-on investors wanting automated execution
- Where it falls short
- You cannot trade continuously because the platform enforces limited trading windows during the day.
- Pick something else if
- you need real-time continuous trading access.
88.0
05
Get your money right
An all-in-one financial app offering automated investing portfolios alongside stocks, crypto, and retirement accounts.
From $0 management fee
PROS- Zero management fees for automated investing
- Access to financial advisors at no extra cost
CONS- Limited advanced analytical tools
- Best for
- Users looking for a unified financial ecosystem
- Where it falls short
- Limited advanced analytical tools.
85.7
06
Intelligent investing made simple
An automated investing service from Charles Schwab that builds diversified portfolios with no advisory fees.
From $0 advisory fee
PROS- No advisory fees or commissions
- Backed by a major established financial institution
CONS- High cash drag requirement in portfolios
- Best for
- Investors loyal to the Charles Schwab ecosystem
- Where it falls short
- High cash drag requirement in portfolios.
83.3
07
Advice that puts you first
Vanguard's automated advisory service focusing on low-cost index funds and long-term retirement goals.
From $0.20% annual advisory fee
PROS- Very low advisory fees
- Strong focus on low-cost Vanguard index funds
CONS- Limited investment customisation
- Best for
- Cost-conscious long-term retirement savers
- Where it falls short
- Limited investment customisation.
81.0
08
Invest your spare change
A micro-investing app that automatically invests spare change from everyday card purchases into diversified portfolios.
From $3.00 monthly
PROS- Extremely easy to start investing spare change
- Includes educational content and banking features
CONS- Monthly fee can be high relative to small account balances
- Best for
- Absolute beginners starting with small amounts
- Where it falls short
- Monthly fee can be high relative to small account balances.
78.7
09
Invest in yourself
An investment platform designed by women, using an algorithm that factors in gender pay gaps and longer lifespans.
From $3.00 monthly
PROS- Tailored salary curves for accurate planning
- Access to career and financial coaching
CONS- Flat monthly fee is costly for small portfolios
- Best for
- Women seeking financial planning tailored to career realities
- Where it falls short
- Flat monthly fee is costly for small portfolios.
76.3
10
Invest in what you love
A subscription-based financial app that helps users build fractional share portfolios and learn investing basics.
From $3.00 monthly
PROS- Fractions of shares let you buy expensive stocks
- Built-in financial education tools
CONS- Subscription model rather than percentage fee
- Best for
- Novice investors wanting to learn while investing
- Where it falls short
- Subscription model rather than percentage fee.
74.0
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Frequently asked questions
What is an AI investment-advisory platform?
An AI investment-advisory platform, often called a robo-advisor, uses computer algorithms and automated software to build, monitor, and rebalance investment portfolios based on your goals and risk tolerance without requiring human intervention for daily tasks.
Are AI investment platforms safe to use?
Yes, reputable AI investment platforms are registered financial institutions protected by regulatory bodies and typically offer account insurance such as SIPC coverage up to specific limits against brokerage firm failure.
How much do AI investment advisors typically cost?
Most automated investment advisors charge either a low percentage fee of assets under management, usually around 0.25 percent annually, or a flat monthly subscription fee ranging from three to five dollars depending on the features included.
Sources
Where we checked each company's facts, and when.
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