Ally Invest Review

DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options

FINRA SIPC SEC

Why investors choose this broker

$0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs
$0 options commission with a $0.50 contract fee
$100 minimum for Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
Cash-enhanced Robo Portfolios have no advisory fee

Review summary

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs.

Pros

$0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs
$0 options commission with a $0.50 contract fee
$100 minimum for Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
Cash-enhanced Robo Portfolios have no advisory fee
Daily robo review and rebalancing at no extra fee
$75 ACAT transfer-fee credit on $2,500+ transfers
Apex adds up to $150 million aggregate excess coverage

Cons

$2,000 minimum deposit for Self-Directed margin accounts
$100,000 minimum assets for Personal Advice
Market-focused Robo Portfolios charge 0.30% annually
Low-priced securities cost $4.95 plus $0.01 per share
Personal Advice is available only to current customers
Withdrawals over 20% of Personal Advice account require a call
Robo ETF expense ratios are not included in advisory fee

Company background

Ally Invest is the investing arm of Ally, offering self-directed brokerage, automated investing and personal advice. Ally Invest is a trade name used by Ally Invest Group Inc. and its brokerage and advisory subsidiaries. Securities are offered through Ally Invest Securities LLC, while advisory services are offered through Ally Invest Advisors Inc. The service serves self-directed investors, automated portfolio clients and customers who want remote financial advice.

Fees and pricing

Self-Directed brokerage cash accounts have no minimum deposit. Margin accounts require a $2,000 minimum deposit. Ally Invest charges $0 commission for stocks and ETFs, and $0 commission for options with a $0.50 per contract fee. No-load mutual funds are $0 per trade, bonds cost $1 each with a $0 minimum, and low-priced securities carry a $4.95 base commission plus $0.01 per share for stocks under $2.

Robo Portfolios require a $100 minimum. The Cash-enhanced portfolio has no advisory fee and keeps 30% of the portfolio in cash. The Market-focused portfolio charges a 0.30% annual advisory fee and keeps about 2% in cash. Personal Advice requires $100,000 in assets under care and has a blended annual advisory fee ranging from 0.85% to 0.75%.

Regulation and safety

Ally Invest Securities LLC is a member of FINRA and SIPC. Ally Invest Advisors Inc. is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. SIPC protection is available up to $500,000, including up to $250,000 for cash claims. Apex Clearing also provides additional coverage that applies after SIPC limits are exhausted.

Platform experience

Ally Invest supports online account opening, online account transfers and online access to investing tools. Self-directed clients can use research, watchlists, pricing information, dividend dates, stock screeners, ETF screeners and TipRanks tools. Robo Portfolio clients can monitor performance 24/7 and update goals as circumstances change.

Pros and cons

The main appeal is the combination of low explicit trading commissions, managed portfolio options and account protection. The main limits are specific minimums and fees: margin accounts require $2,000, Robo Portfolios require $100, and Personal Advice requires $100,000 in assets under care.

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Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading fees & commissions

Self-Directed brokerage cash accounts have no minimum deposit, while margin accounts require $2,000. Ally Invest charges $0 commission on most U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs and options, with a $0.50 per contract options fee. Robo Portfolios start at $100 and either charge no advisory fee with a 30% cash buffer or a 0.30% annual advisory fee for market-focused portfolios.

Fees

Item	Fee
Bonds	$1 each; minimum $0
Funds	$0 per trade; applies to no-load funds
Options	$0 commission; $0.50 per contract fee
Min Deposit	No minimum deposit required for Self-Directed brokerage cash account; $2,000 for Self-Directed brokerage margin accounts; $100 for Robo Portfolios; $100,000 for Personal Advice
Robo Advisory	No advisory fees for Cash-enhanced portfolio; 0.30% annual advisory fee, charged monthly, for Market-focused portfolio
Personal Advice	Blended annual advisory fee ranges from 0.85% to 0.75%
Low Priced Securities	$4.95 base commission; $0.01 per share for stocks less than $2
Account Transfer Reimbursement	$75 credit when you complete an online account transfer of $2,500 or more

Trading platform & features

Platforms

Web app

Regulation and investor protection

Securities are offered through Ally Invest Securities LLC, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered by Ally Invest Advisors Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser, with account protection through SIPC and additional coverage from Apex Clearing.

Broker FAQs

Is Ally Invest safe?

Ally Invest Securities LLC is a member of FINRA and SIPC. SIPC protection is available up to $500,000, including a maximum of $250,000 for cash claims.

Is Ally Invest a scam?

No. Securities are offered through Ally Invest Securities LLC, a member of FINRA and SIPC, and advisory services are offered by Ally Invest Advisors Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser.

Is Ally Invest regulated and by whom?

Ally Invest Securities LLC is a member of FINRA and SIPC. Ally Invest Advisors Inc. is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser.

How are Ally Invest accounts protected?

SIPC protection is available up to $500,000, including up to $250,000 for cash claims. Apex Clearing has also purchased additional insurance that provides protection for securities and cash up to an aggregate of $150 million after SIPC limits are exhausted.

What products does Ally Invest offer?

Ally Invest offers stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and fixed income products, including corporate, agency, treasury and municipal bonds, strips and zeros, CDs and new issues. It also offers Robo Portfolios and Personal Advice.

What does Ally Invest charge for stock trades?

Ally Invest charges $0 commission for stocks. Low-priced securities have a $4.95 base commission plus $0.01 per share for stocks less than $2.

What does Ally Invest charge for ETF trades?

Ally Invest charges $0 commission for ETFs. ETF expense ratios may still apply inside managed portfolios and are deducted from the ETF's net asset value.

What does Ally Invest charge for options?

Ally Invest charges $0 commission for options plus a $0.50 per contract fee.

What is the Ally Invest minimum deposit?

A Self-Directed brokerage cash account has no minimum deposit. Self-Directed margin accounts require $2,000, Robo Portfolios require $100, and Personal Advice requires $100,000 in assets under care.

Does Ally Invest offer Robo Portfolios?

Yes. Ally Invest Robo Portfolios are automated portfolios built with diversified ETFs and managed by Ally Invest. The minimum investment is $100.

What is the Ally Invest Robo Portfolio fee?

Cash-enhanced Robo Portfolios have no advisory fee and keep 30% of the portfolio in cash. Market-focused Robo Portfolios charge a 0.30% annual advisory fee and keep about 2% in cash.

What portfolio types does Ally Invest offer?

Ally Invest offers Core, Income, Tax optimized and Socially responsible portfolio types for Robo Portfolios. Each portfolio type can be Cash-enhanced or Market-focused.

Does Ally Invest offer ETFs?

Yes. Ally Invest offers ETF trading in Self-Directed accounts and uses diversified exchange-traded funds in Robo Portfolios.

Does Ally Invest offer options?

Yes. Ally Invest offers options, including equity and index options. Options are listed with $0 commission and a $0.50 per contract fee.

Does Ally Invest offer margin accounts?

Yes. Self-Directed brokerage margin accounts require a $2,000 minimum deposit. Margin trading is subject to margin requirements and interest charges.

How do I transfer an account to Ally Invest?

Ally Invest allows online account transfers from another firm. Ally Invest credits $75 to cover possible transfer fees when an online account transfer of $2,500 or more is completed.

How long does an Ally Invest account transfer take?

Once an account transfer is requested online, Ally Invest says it generally takes 5 to 7 business days to process the request.

What is Ally Invest Personal Advice?

Ally Invest Personal Advice is a remote financial advice service with a personalized plan and ongoing advice from a financial advisor. It is available to current customers only.

How much does Ally Invest Personal Advice require?

Ally Invest Personal Advice requires $100,000 in assets under care. Its blended annual advisory fee ranges from 0.85% to 0.75%.

How long do Ally Invest Personal Advice withdrawals take?

Ally Invest says Personal Advice withdrawals can take up to five business days. Withdrawals of more than 20% of a single Personal Advice account's value require a call.

Bottom line

Ally Invest suits investors who want self-directed trading with access to automated portfolios and remote advice. It may not suit investors who want Personal Advice without a $100,000 asset minimum or margin access without a $2,000 deposit.

Ally Invest

DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options

Open Account

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.