Informational purposes only, not financial advice — always do your own research. See our full legal disclosure for details.

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.

  • How to Choose a Robo-Advisor: Six Investor Profiles

    Jozsef Huszar

    By Jozsef Huszar • Updated: August 23, 2026 These personas are illustrative examples, not real customer testimonials. Bank bonuses aren’t one-size-fits-all — the best move depends on where you’re starting from. A college student opening their first account has different needs (and different offers available to them) than a freelancer juggling three income streams or…

Subscribe to Newsletter

Get the Free Guide: Finding Your True North.

A plain-English map of your money options, from savings accounts and bonds to stocks and retirement accounts. Plus one smart money move in your inbox every week.

  • Find your financial starting point
  • See what each option can realistically offer
  • Spot the risks before they cost you

Finding Your True North free guide cover

Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We may receive compensation from our partners when you click on links or apply for products featured here; this does not influence our editorial opinions or ratings. For complete terms, see our full legal disclosure.