Robo-advisers have taken the investment world by storm since their inception over a decade ago. Although they started out primarily as automated portfolio managers, they have evolved to provide a whole range of services and benefits, such as access to human financial advisers, harvesting tax losses, and managing money. Treasury.

Due to the large number of platforms available today, it can be overwhelming figuring out which robotics advisor is best for you. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 robo-advisers based on the amount of client money they manage or assets under management (AUM). While the bigger isn’t always the best, these have a proven track record in the industry and have steadily increased their holdings over time.

All data comes from Statista at the end of the first quarter of 2021.

1. Vanguard Personal Advisor Services

Considering its name recognition and huge company-wide AUM of $ 8 trillion worldwide, it’s no surprise that Vanguard is also a heavyweight in the robo world. advisors.

Vanguard offers two robo-advisers, a purely robotic platform called Vanguard Digital Advisor, and hybrid personal advisor services that offer automated portfolios and access to human advisers. Both come with higher minimums than most startup bots, like Betterment or Wealthfront: Digital Advisor requires new customers to have at least $ 3,000 to sign up, while personal advisor services require $ 50,000. $.

Digital Advisor charges a fee of 0.15% of a client’s assets under management. Personal Advisor Services charges an AUM of 0.30%, which is lower than many hybrid competitors.

2. Schwab Smart Wallets

Another giant financial powerhouse, Schwab also offers two automated investment options. The fully digital Schwab smart wallet offers cost-free investment management, and the Schwab Intelligent Portfolio Premium hybrid wallet adds access to Certified Financial Planners (CFP) for a monthly subscription.

Schwab Smart Wallets require clients to have at least $ 5,000 to get started while their Premium counterpart sets the bar at $ 25,000. Intelligent Portfolios clients pay no management fees to Schwab, although the company requires clients to hold approximately 10% of their assets in cash at all times.

Premium charges a subscription of $ 30 per month, regardless of the amount of assets you have in your account, as well as a one-time planning fee of $ 300. Without taking into account the planning fees, this means that even those who only have the minimum in their Premium account will pay a fee equivalent to 1.44%. While this is high for a hybrid robot (or even a human financial advisor), the subscription fee remains the same as your account balance grows, meaning the effective percentage decreases as your savings increase.

It’s also important to note, however, that even Premium holds some of your assets in cash, which can hamper your returns over time.

3. Improvement

One of the first robo-advisors, Betterment offers a pure robo (Betterment Digital) as well as a hybrid (Betterment Premium). Digital clients can access low cost a la carte financial planning packages, while Premium clients can virtually view CFPs at any time within their management level.

Betterment Digital has no minimum investment and charges an inexpensive 0.25% managed asset management fee. Premium customers need $ 100,000 and pay an asset under management fee of 0.40%.

4. Personal capital advisers

Known for its strong suite of free financial management tools, Personal Capital also offers paid hybrid robotics advisory services through Personal Capital Advisors. Recently acquired by Empower Retirement, the company employs a unique strategy of sector weighting equal to its asset allocations. Clients can contact CFPs for financial planning services and invest in individual stocks when they reach larger account balances.

Personal Capital Advisors requires a minimum of $ 100,000 and charges 0.89% of assets under management. As assets increase, fees decrease and new services are added. At higher asset levels, clients can also access estate and tax professionals.

5. Wealth front

Another of the original Autonomous Robo-Advisors, Wealthfront exclusively offers a fully digital platform. That said, the platform’s Path online financial planning tool, in which users link their financial accounts and goals to see the likelihood of achieving them, is so comprehensive that it could rival a human financial planner. . Plus, Wealthfront is the only startup robot to offer a 529 account to help you save for children’s future education expenses, and higher account balances unlock features like harvesting inventory-level tax losses.

Wealthfront charges a fee of 0.25% of assets under management and requires $ 500 to get started.

6. Flowering

Unlike the other bots on this list, Blooom only specializes in managing retirement accounts. After linking your retirement accounts, Blooom analyzes your existing asset allocation, funds, and fees to deliver better asset allocation with risk-adjusted returns and potentially improved fees based on what’s available. in your plan.

You can test Blooom’s planning platform and tools for free, but to receive portfolio suggestions you’ll need to sign up and pay a fee. Fees range from $ 45 to $ 250 per year; more expensive plans include more services. Access to financial advisers is also available.

7. Tassels

Acorns started out as an aftermarket app and is expected to go public this year with a reported value of $ 2.2 billion. The basic plan allows users to invest coins and schedule recurring deposits into a portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs); more comprehensive plans include investment accounts for retirement and minors.

Acorns uses a subscription model, charging $ 1 per month for a single taxable investment account, $ 3 per month for a taxable investment account, retirement account, and checking account, and $ 5 per month for anything else. above, as well as taxable investment accounts for important children in your life. There is no minimum balance to open an account, and you can start investing with just $ 5.

8. M1 Finances

Launched in 2015, M1 Finance has rapidly grown to become an important (and unique) player in the field of robo-advisory. While it offers over 80 predefined investment portfolios that allow it to function much like a robo-advisor, it also allows clients to create custom portfolios from a stable of over 6,000. stocks and ETFs.

With the new additions of banking and borrowing services, the robo-advisor and do-it-yourself investing app offers a lot of value for little or no fees and a low minimum. The basic application is free. For $ 125 per year, however, M1 Plus clients enjoy a second trading window, low margin rates, and higher cash returns. You will need at least a deposit of $ 100 to start your taxable investment account.

9. FutureAdvisor by BlackRock

Originally founded in 2010, FutureAdvisor was acquired by BlackRock in 2015. FutureAdvisor offers two main offerings: a free investment portfolio review and FutureAdvisor Premium, a robo-advisor that manages your investments in Fidelity or TD Ameritrade accounts. existing.

Like other robo-advisers, Premium investors are directed to a diversified portfolio of low-cost ETFs that match your goals and level of risk; all Premium customers have access to financial advisers. Unique to this platform, however, you can own a small amount of securities that you select yourself.

The minimum of FutureAdvisor Premium to open an account is $ 5,000 and its annual management fee is 0.50%.

10. SigFig

Founded in 2012, SigFig manages the investments you hold in TD Ameritrade, Schwab or Fidelity accounts. The company uses a combination of investment research and technology to create investment portfolios aligned with user goals, and financial advisors are available to all clients. It also offers free portfolio tracking to anyone who links their accounts to SigFig.

The minimum SigFig to open an account is $ 2,000. You will not pay a management fee on the first $ 10,000 managed by SigFig. Once you cross this threshold of $ 10,000, you will pay a fee of 0.25% of assets under management.