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If you want to grow your wealth with automated investing, Wealthfront and M1 Finance are two strong options. Both provide low-cost, hands-off approaches and also let you invest directly, but they suit different styles of investors. This guide compares their key features and helps you decide which fits your goals.
Wealthfront started as a classic robo-advisor for people who want a fully managed experience. After a short questionnaire, it builds a diversified portfolio aligned with your timeline, risk tolerance, and goals. Wealthfront handles rebalancing, dividend reinvestment, and tax-loss harvesting to help improve after-tax returns. It also offers individual stocks, ETFs, and themed portfolios for additional choice.
M1 Finance focuses on choice and customization. It gives access to thousands of ETFs and stocks and provides screeners to help you design your ideal portfolio. You can pick from M1’s expert model portfolios—options for retirement, income, global exposure, socially responsible investing, and varying risk levels—or build your own. The platform rebalances to your target allocation on request. M1 offers commission-free investing with a $10,000 account balance or loan; otherwise there’s a $3 monthly fee.
Both platforms include cash management features and options for socially responsible investing. They also follow standard industry protections: cash deposits are routed through partner banks with FDIC coverage, and investment assets have SIPC protection against broker-dealer failure. That said, all investing carries market risk and potential volatility.
Choose Wealthfront if you want a hands-off, tax-aware portfolio that’s managed for you. Choose M1 Finance if you prefer more control over holdings and a highly customizable portfolio with automated rebalancing. Ultimately, the best choice depends on how involved you want to be in managing your investments.
