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Verdict
For new investors with small balances, Fidelity Go is the most accessible option — zero management fees under $25,000 and no account minimum. Betterment and Wealthfront charge 0.25%/yr but offer tax-loss harvesting and broader features. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios has a $5,000 minimum and a mandatory cash allocation that creates drag on returns.
⚠ Not Financial Advice
The information on this page is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute personalized investment advice, a recommendation, or an endorsement of any specific investment product or strategy. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment decisions involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. You should consult a qualified financial advisor or investment professional before making any investment decisions. Fee structures, account minimums, and platform features are subject to change — verify current terms directly with each provider before opening an account.
Select tools:
Feature
Fidelity Go
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Betterment
Starting Price
Free · From $0.35/mo
Free · From $30/mo
From $0.25/mo
Under $25,000
Free
Free
$0.25/yr
Above $25,000
$0.35/yr
Free
$4/mo
Best For
Freelancers
Freelancers
Freelancers
Regions
US
US
US
Platforms
Web, Ios, Android
Web, Ios, Android
Web, Ios, Android
Key Features
•Automated portfolio management using Flex Asset Allocation methodology
•Zero management fee on balances under $25,000
•0.35% annual management fee on balances above $25,000
•No account minimum — start investing with $10
•Zero advisory fee — no percentage-based management fee
•Portfolio of Schwab ETFs, stocks, and bonds selected based on risk profile
•$5,000 account minimum
•Mandatory cash allocation of 6–30% held in Schwab Bank deposit account
•Goal-based investing with separate portfolios for different goals (retirement, emergency, home, etc.)
•Tax-loss harvesting on taxable accounts (Standard tier)
•Socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolios using ESG-screened ETFs
•Flat $4/month fee option for balances under $20,000
Pros
+Genuinely free at low balances — no management fee under $25,000 is unique among major robo-advisors
+No account minimum makes it the most accessible option for new investors starting with small amounts
+Unlimited human coaching calls provide a bridge between automated management and live guidance
+Zero advisory fee — no percentage charged on assets under management
+Physical branch access at over 300 locations offers in-person support unavailable from digital-only platforms
+Tax-loss harvesting included at no additional cost for taxable accounts
+No account minimum — start investing with any amount
+Flat $4/month option for smaller balances is more cost-effective than percentage-based fees for accounts under ~$19,000
+Tax-loss harvesting included at the standard tier — a feature some competitors (Fidelity Go) lack entirely
Cons
−No tax-loss harvesting — a notable gap compared to Betterment, Wealthfront, and Schwab
−0.35% fee above $25,000 is higher than Betterment's standard tier (0.25%) and Schwab ($0)
−Limited customization — Fidelity Go constructs the portfolio; you cannot choose individual stocks or ETFs
−Mandatory 6–30% cash allocation creates cash drag — a portion of the portfolio earns deposit rates rather than participating in market returns
−High account minimum ($5,000) compared to zero-minimum competitors like Fidelity Go, Betterment, and Wealthfront
−No ability to customize portfolio holdings beyond the algorithm's allocation
−Premium tier requires $100,000 minimum for CFP access — not accessible to most users
−No 401(k) integration for holistic retirement planning within the platform
−Percentage fee (0.25%) above $25,000 is not zero-fee like Schwab or Fidelity Go under $25k