10 Best Robo-Advisors of 2025
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Nupur Gambhir
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Robo-advisors have become one of the easiest ways to invest without having to actively manage your portfolio. The best platforms handle everything for you — from building a diversified mix of stocks and bonds to rebalancing and tax strategies — at a fraction of the cost of traditional financial advisors.
If you’re looking for a hands-off, low-stress way to grow your money in 2025, these 10 robo-advisors stand out for their ease of use, smart technology, and strong track records.
See: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
What Is a Robo-Advisor?
A robo-advisor is an automated online investing platform. Digital platforms like these offer financial planning services based on algorithms. Automated services, therefore, are often more affordable for the average consumer because they require less human interaction. Using a robo-advisor account allows the financial company to charge less and offer much lower investment minimums than a traditional financial advisor.
10 Top Robo-Advisors
Robo-advisors offer many services, including investment management and retirement planning. You might also hear financial experts refer to robo-advisors as automated investment advisors or digital advice platforms.
Betterment
Betterment is one of the most approachable robo-advisors on the market, offering easy onboarding and helpful goal-based tools that make investing feel less intimidating.
Best for: Beginners and hands-off investors who want guidance without complexity.
Why it’s great:
- Low or no minimum to get started
- Excellent goal-based planning features
- Thoughtful automation and rebalancing
- Clean, user-friendly experience
Why people love it:Betterment handles the details so you don’t have to. Once your goals are set, the platform quietly does the work–balancing your portfolio, adjusting allocations and keeping everything moving forward even when life gets busy.
Wealthfront
Known for its sharp technology and strong planning tools, Wealthfront appeals to investors who want thoughtful automation and long-term tax efficiency.
Best for: Tech-savvy investors and long-term planners who want maximum automation.
Why it’s great:
- Strong tax-efficient investing tools
- Highly automated portfolios
- Detailed goal-planning features
- Modern, intuitive interface
Why people love it:Wealthfront gives your portfolio a sense of direction. It’s built for long-term investors who want a smart, disciplined strategy running in the background, helping every dollar work a little harder.
Fidelity Go
Fidelity Go makes investing simple from day one, offering a smooth setup process backed by the trust and stability of a major financial institution.
Best for: New investors or anyone who wants a low-stress start.
Why it’s great:
- No advisory fee for lower balances
- Streamlined onboarding
- Backed by Fidelity’s long-standing reputation
- Helpful for first-time investors
Why people love it:Fidelity Go feels approachable, especially for those dipping their toes into investing. You answer a few questions, choose your goals, and the platform does the rest–without overwhelming you in the process.
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Schwab delivers a rare combination: a fee-free robo-advisor backed by a major national brokerage.
Best for: Cost-conscious investors who want big-firm stability.
Why it’s great:
- No advisory fee
- Automated rebalancing and diversified portfolios
- Strong tools from a well-known provider
- Ideal for long-term investors
Why people love it:For those who want smart automation at the lowest possible cost, Schwab’s offering hits the mark. It’s built to keep fees down and portfolios balanced without needing constant attention.
Vanguard Digital Advisor
Vanguard Digital Advisor focuses on simplicity and long-term discipline, using Vanguard’s well-known index funds to keep costs low and results consistent.
Best for: Retirement-focused investors and long-term savers.
Why it’s great:
- Uses Vanguard’s low-cost index funds
- Goal-driven planning tools
- Simple, consistent investment approach
- Great for building long-term wealth
Why people love it:This robo-advisor keeps investing straightforward. It avoids unnecessary bells and whistles and instead prioritizes steady progress–something long-term investors truly appreciate.
SoFi Automated Investing
SoFi’s robo-advisor is built for people who prefer all their money tools in one place, from banking and loans to investing and financial planning.
Best for: New investors who want bundled money management and easy access to planners.
Why it’s great:
- Access to financial planners at no extra cost
- Integrates banking and investing
- Easy goal tracking
- Great for people who prefer everything in one app
Why people love it:SoFi makes it simple to see your entire financial picture. The free planner access adds a human layer of reassurance, which is especially helpful for people still building confidence with investing.
SigFig
SigFig focuses on keeping the investing process clean and simple, offering automation without forcing you to move all your money to a new institution.
Best for: Investors who want a low-hassle robo that works with existing brokerage accounts.
Why it’s great:
- Low fees
- Straightforward portfolios
- Syncs with major brokerages
- Minimal learning curve
Why people love it:SigFig appeals to people who want something easy, low-cost and already compatible with their current accounts. It cuts out the friction of transferring funds and helps keep your investments aligned without complication.
Merrill Guided Investing
Merrill Guided Investing brings together automated portfolios and access to human advice, making it a strong fit for investors who want a little more guidance.
Best for: Bank of America customers and those who want hybrid support.
Why it’s great:
- Automation plus optional access to advisors
- Good long-term planning tools
- Solid integration with Bank of America
- Balanced approach to guidance and automation
Why people love it:This option gives investors structure without feeling hands-off to the point of being disconnected. If you want reassurance and clear direction, Merrill delivers both.
E*Trade Core Portfolios
E*Trade Core Portfolios offers an easy way for existing E*Trade users to automate part — or all — of their long-term investing strategy.
Best for: E*Trade customers who want simple, automated portfolio management.
Why it’s great:
- Balanced, diversified portfolios
- Clean interface and tracking tools
- Great for retirement accounts
- Strong fit for existing users
Why people love it:Everything feels familiar and streamlined, especially if you already have accounts with E*Trade. The robo-advisor handles the allocation work while letting you stay focused on your long-term goals.
Vanguard Personal Advisor (Hybrid)
This hybrid advisor combines Vanguard’s low-cost investing philosophy with access to real financial advisors when you need them.
Best for: Investors with higher balances or more complex planning needs.
Why it’s great:
- Automation plus human advisors
- Ideal for retirement planning
- Uses Vanguard’s low-cost index fund lineup
- More guidance for major life decisions
Why people love it:You get the best of both worlds: automation that runs the daily investment strategy and human support for the big-picture moments. It’s a comfortable, confidence-building option for long-term planners.
Robo-Advisor Fee Breakdown
Robo-advisors may feel similar on the surface, but their fees vary more than most people realize. Even a small difference — like 0.25% vs. 0.40% — can add up over years of compounding. This table gives a clear side-by-side look at what each platform charges so readers can quickly spot which services fit their budget and investing style.
| Robo-Advisor | Advisory / Management Fee* | Notes / Fee Structure Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment | ~0.25% annually for Digital; ~$4/month for small balances; ~0.65% for Premium | No minimum for most accounts; Premium tier includes access to financial planners. |
| Wealthfront | ~0.25% annually | Flat, simple fee with strong automation and tax-saving features. |
| Fidelity Go | 0% for balances under ~$25,000; ~0.35% for higher balances | One of the best low-cost entry points for beginners. |
| Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | $0 advisory fee for Standard plan; Premium has a one-time planning fee + monthly subscription | Standard plan still has fund expenses; mandatory cash allocation may affect returns. |
| Vanguard Digital Advisor | Roughly ~0.15% or low single-digit basis points | Very low cost; built around Vanguard index funds. |
| SoFi Automated Investing | ~0.25% annually | Includes access to financial planners at no additional cost. |
| SigFig | Typically around industry-standard robo-advisor fees | Integrates with existing brokerage accounts. |
| Merrill Guided Investing | Around ~0.45% annually | Hybrid-leaning robo with deeper guidance options. |
| E*Trade Core Portfolios | Around ~0.25% annually | Good fit for current E*Trade users. |
| Vanguard Personal Advisor (Hybrid) | Typically ~0.30%-0.50% depending on assets | Combines automation with human advisor support. |
*Underlying ETF or fund expense ratios apply in addition to platform advisory fees.
Once you understand the fee differences, the next step is figuring out which robo-advisor best matches your personal investing style, goals, and comfort level.
Best Robo-Advisors by Investor Type
Choosing a robo-advisor isn’t about finding the “top” platform overall — it’s about finding the one that fits your specific situation. Whether you’re just starting out, managing a growing portfolio, or looking for hands-off automation, this chart helps match real-life needs with the right robo-advisor.
| Investor Scenario | Best Robo-Advisor Choice | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out with under ~$25,000 | Fidelity Go | No advisory fee for lower balances and simple setup. |
| Want the lowest overall fees | Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Zero advisory fee on the standard tier. |
| Want smart automation + tax-efficient strategies | Wealthfront | Excellent automation features and tax-loss harvesting. |
| Want easy tools and strong guidance for beginners | Betterment | Great goal-based planning and a user-friendly experience. |
| Want banking + investing + planning in one place | SoFi Automated Investing | Everything lives under one account, plus access to planners. |
| Prefer long-term, low-cost index investing | Vanguard Digital Advisor | Very low fees and steady, disciplined portfolio design. |
| Already use E*Trade and want automation | E*Trade Core Portfolios | Seamless integration with existing accounts. |
| Want hybrid automation + human advisor access | Merrill Guided Investing | Robo guidance with the option for real people when needed. |
| Have a larger balance and want human support | Vanguard Personal Advisor (Hybrid) | Strong combination of low cost and human advice. |
| Want simple automation that works with existing brokerage accounts | SigFig | No need to transfer assets; easy setup and low cost. |
Using both charts together helps readers quickly narrow down which robo-advisors are worth considering based on cost, comfort level, and the type of guidance they want.
Is a Robo-Advisor Worth It?
Opting for a robo-advisor has both benefits and drawbacks. Deciding whether to work with a digital system depends a lot on your priorities and comfort level. Whether you’re making your decisions based on a robo-advisor’s returns, expense ratios or accessibility, here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Convenience and accessibility
- Fees typically much lower than at traditional financial companies
- More power over your investment decisions
- Returns may be more stable since the algorithm automatically adjusts investments to meet your financial goals
Cons
- Limited investment options and less flexibility compared to traditional brokerage accounts
- Automatic investment options might lead to less scrutiny of accounts, causing you to miss needed adjustments
- Less hands-on attention than with a regular brokerage
What To Consider When Choosing a Robo-Advisor
Though sometimes you may want access to human financial advisors, the best robo-investors automate your investing process without the need for human interference. Once your account is set up and there is a clear assessment of your financial situation and goals, a robo-investor will automatically invest for you based on the information you have provided from its digital platform.
As with any financial investment, you should take the time to find the best match for your financial and personal situation. When considering which robo-advisor to work with, here are a few things to consider:
- Accessibility for beginners
- Range of services
- Fees
- Minimum balance requirements
- Overall financial performance
Reviewing a robo-advisor’s performance over the last year gives you an idea of what your returns might look like. You not only want to see decent growth but also growth that either closely parallels or outperforms the broader stock markets. While there’s no guarantee the robo-advisor will replicate that performance in the future, you’ll at least have a baseline.
Final Take To GO
Investing in stocks and bonds doesn’t have to be intimidating. Emerging technologies make it easier for all investors to participate in the stock market from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you’re working with a small budget or a large one, a robo-advisor could be a helpful tool to diversify your investments.
John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
