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Brokerage Account Review🤖 Best Robo-Advisor

Betterment

Betterment LLC

Stock trades N/A — managed portfolios, not per-trade investing. Hands-off investors who want a robo-advisor to build and manage a diversified portfolio automatically.

At a Glance

Stock Trades

N/A — managed portfolios, not per-trade investing

Options Trades

Not supported

Min. Deposit

$0

Research Tools

Basic

Fractional Shares

Yes

Crypto Trading

No

Rates & Fees

Stock Trades

N/A — managed portfolios, not per-trade investing

Options Trades

Not supported

Min. Deposit

$0

Account/Inactivity Fee

$5/month flat fee for balances under $24,000 without a $200+/mo recurring deposit; 0.25% annually for balances at/above $24,000 or with $200+/mo recurring deposits; Premium plan 0.65% up to $1M, 0.15% for $1–2M, 0.10% above $2M

Full Transfer-Out Fee

$75 for a full account transfer

Key Features

Automated, goal-based investing with pre-built diversified portfolios

Tax-loss harvesting included on all taxable accounts

Human financial advisor access with the Premium plan ($100k+ minimum)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fully automated portfolio management — no trades to place yourself
  • Tax-loss harvesting can improve after-tax returns
  • Cash Reserve account offers a competitive APY on uninvested cash

Tradeoffs

  • Annual advisory fee applies regardless of performance
  • No self-directed individual stock picking beyond a limited stock/crypto add-on
  • Premium plan's $100k minimum is a high bar for advisor access

Best for: Hands-off investors who want a robo-advisor to build and manage a diversified portfolio automatically

How to Apply

Decide which account type fits your goal — Betterment LLC offers Individual, Joint, Roth IRA, and more.

Have your Social Security number, employment information, and a funding source (bank account or transfer) ready.

Open the account directly on Betterment LLC's site or app; identity verification is required by federal law for all brokerages.

Fund the account with any amount — this broker has no minimum deposit requirement.

Review commission schedules and any account fees before placing your first trade.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted
ProductStock TradesOptions TradesMin. Deposit
BettermentN/A — managed portfolios, not per-trade investingNot supported$0
Fidelity Investments$0$0.65/contract$0
Charles Schwab$0$0.65/contract$0
E*TRADE$0$0.65/contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades/qtr)$0

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Betterment LLC charge fees to trade stocks?

Betterment LLC's stock trade commission is "N/A — managed portfolios, not per-trade investing." Options trades are priced at Not supported, and other fees (like broker-assisted trades or account transfers) can still apply.

What's the minimum deposit for Betterment LLC?

Betterment LLC doesn't require a minimum deposit to open an account, so you can start with any amount.

Can I trade fractional shares and crypto with Betterment LLC?

Betterment LLC supports fractional shares, and does not offer direct crypto trading.

Are there any ongoing or account-closing fees with Betterment LLC?

Account/inactivity fee: $5/month flat fee for balances under $24,000 without a $200+/mo recurring deposit; 0.25% annually for balances at/above $24,000 or with $200+/mo recurring deposits; Premium plan 0.65% up to $1M, 0.15% for $1–2M, 0.10% above $2M. Fee to transfer your full account to another broker: $75 for a full account transfer. Transfer-out fees are common industry-wide and are charged by the broker you're leaving, not the one you're moving to.

How does Betterment LLC compare to other brokerages?

See the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives side by side, or browse the full list of brokerage accounts to compare commissions, minimums, and platform features.

Other Brokerage Accounts

Fidelity Investments

Stock trades: $0

Charles Schwab

Stock trades: $0

E*TRADE

Stock trades: $0

Fees and features shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the broker before opening an account.

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