Robo-Advisors: How Automated Investing Works and Costs
Robo-advisors build and manage a diversified portfolio for you, automatically and at a low cost. Find out if automated investing is the right fit.
Understand How Robo-Advisors Work
Our complete robo-advisor guide explains how portfolios are built, rebalanced and managed, and how robo-advisor fees compare with traditional advice. It also covers regulation, account types and tax features such as automated tax-loss harvesting.
Compare the Best Robo-Advisors Today
Our current robo-advisor comparison lists the top platforms side by side, including management fees, account minimums, portfolio options and extra services. Learn quickly when a robo-advisor beats a financial advisor and when it does not.
Six Investors, Six Automated Plans
Beginners, busy parents and retirement savers all had different reasons. Read their stories. Each has a dedicated page showing their situation, their problems and why they chose a robo-advisor.
Investing involves risk. Browse all robo-advisor articles below.
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Robo-Advisor for Beginners: Investing for the First Time Without the Overwhelm
By Jozsef Huszar • Updated: September 16, 2026 A robo-advisor for beginners turns investing for the first time into a short questionnaire and a portfolio that manages itself, with no stock picking required. Carmen has never invested before, and the thought of choosing stocks or funds on her own feels genuinely overwhelming. She doesn’t even…
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How to Choose a Robo-Advisor Beyond Your 401(k) Without Learning Everything First
By Jozsef Huszar • Updated: September 16, 2026 Wondering how to choose a robo-advisor for investing beyond your 401(k)? Compare robo-advisor fees, pick the right account, and let automatic rebalancing handle the technical work. Justin is new to investing outside his 401(k), and he wants a simple app that builds and rebalances a portfolio for…
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Trustworthy Robo-Advisor: How to Choose One You Can Leave Alone
By Jozsef Huszar • Updated: September 16, 2026 A trustworthy robo-advisor makes hands-off investing possible. Check SEC registration, SIPC insurance, and the management fee, and you can start with confidence. Melissa knows she should be investing, but she’s put it off longer than she’d like to admit, mostly because the idea of choosing individual stocks…