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Betterment

Paid

Get a personalized portfolio with low fees, tax-loss harvesting, and excellent customer support.

4.9
Type
Saas
Company
Betterment

About Betterment

Betterment is an easy-to-use online investment platform that helps you make smart decisions with your money. With Betterment, you can rest assured that your investments are secure and you can build your wealth over time. We offer a personalized portfolio tailored to your individual needs, with a wide selection of stocks and bonds that are designed to maximize your returns and reduce your risk. Plus, our low management fees and integrated tax-loss harvesting can help you save money in the long run. Our user-friendly interface and comprehensive customer service team make investing effortless and straightforward. With Betterment, you can take control of your financial future and build a secure investment portfolio with minimal effort.

Key Features

Automated portfolio tailored to individual needs.
Low management fees and tax-loss harvesting.
User-friendly interface and comprehensive customer service team.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Low fees: $5/month or 0.25% annual for standard investing
  • Tax-loss harvesting can potentially cover advisory fees
  • High-yield cash account offers 4.00% APY (variable)
  • Automated portfolio management with ongoing optimization
  • No commission fees for self-directed trading
  • FDIC insurance up to $4 million on cash reserves (individual)
  • Good customer support and high user ratings (4.8 stars)
  • Fiduciary standard ensures advice in client's best interest
Cons
  • Standard plan has a $5/month fee for balances under $24k (unless $200+ monthly recurring deposit)
  • Premium plan fee is 0.65% annually, higher than standard
  • APY on cash account is variable and can change
  • Securities lending involves additional risk and is optional
  • Cash Reserve is not a bank account; FDIC coverage via program banks
  • Some features (e.g., tax-loss harvesting) may only cover fees for eligible clients

Best For

Automated portfolio tailored to individual needs.Low management fees and tax-loss harvesting.User-friendly interface and comprehensive customer service team.

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FAQ

How does Betterment work?
Betterment helps manage money through cash management, guided investing, and retirement planning. It acts as a fiduciary, asking about your goals and financial situation to build a personalized plan. The platform automates investing, rebalancing, and tax management.
How are the fees taken from my account?
Fees are taken directly from your Betterment Investing account at the end of each month. They are calculated based on your daily invested balance in eligible automated investing accounts. No fee is charged if you have no balance.
Are there discounts if I hold a high balance?
Yes, eligible balances over $1M automatically receive progressive fee discounts on both standard and Premium plans.