Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Betterment vs Stash
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Betterment |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.25% | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | $10 | $5Lower |
| Regulators | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPC | SEC, FINRA |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000), Account types (IRA, Roth IRA).
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Key differences
- Betterment scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Betterment offers U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Founded is lower at Betterment: 2008 vs 2015.
- Minimum investment is lower at Stash: $5 vs $10.
- Portfolio types: only Betterment offers ESG, Cash, Crypto.
- Support channels: only Betterment offers Phone, Email, Chat.
Our verdict on each
Betterment
Betterment suits US savers who want a robo-managed IRA with a flat, low management fee and SIPC cover. It charges a management fee of 0.25%, sits mid-table among robo-advisors on that fee, and offers only IRA and Roth IRA accounts, so UK and European readers may look elsewhere.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | Betterment | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherManagement fee of 0.25% and no account fee, with a minimum investment of $10. | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.0 |
Choosing between them
Pick Betterment if offer, trust, and portfolio types matter most.
Pick Stash if minimum investment matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Betterment | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 51906 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Betterment | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 42 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 7 of 86 | 31 of 86 |
| Robo-advisors | 10 of 151 | 57 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 4 of 43 | 22 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Betterment | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | MTG LLC | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2008Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Help centre |
Brokers
| Fact | Betterment | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $0Lower |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0Lower | $144 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Features | Not confirmed | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No fees | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, iOS, Android |
| Interest on cash | 3.5% | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Betterment | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | $10below the median | $5below the median | $300 |
Median across 28 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Betterment
Pros
- A management fee of 0.25% sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%
- An account fee of $0 and a deposit and withdrawal charge listed as No fees
- Covered by SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- Account types run only to ira and roth ira, so there is no taxable or ISA-style account for UK and European readers
- A management fee of 0.25% still ranks 18 of 49 brands, so cheaper robo-advisors exist
- Markets cover only stocks, etfs and bonds, with no forex, options or crypto trading
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
Who each suits
Betterment
Who it suits
- US savers who want a robo-managed IRA or Roth IRA
- People starting small, with a minimum investment of $10
- Investors who want automated portfolios of etf, esg and cash
Who should look elsewhere
- UK and European readers, since account types cover only ira and roth ira
- Active traders wanting forex, options or crypto beyond the stocks, etfs and bonds it lists
- Anyone seeking a management fee of 0% as at eToro
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
Current offers
Betterment
Current offer
Bonus
Invest and earn up to $2,000: up to $2,000
Terms apply; new customers only; open any individual investing account and make a deposit
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
0.75% APY boost on Cash Reserve: 0.75% APY boost, 4.25% variable APY on balances up to $1M
New clients with a qualifying deposit; guaranteed through February 15; base variable APY 3.50% as of 9/21/2026; $10 min deposit for base APY
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Discounted mortgage rate through Rate partnership: up to 0.75% off
Via partnership with Rate; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Betterment | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Betterment
How much does Betterment charge to manage my money?+
The annual management fee is 0.25%, taken as a percentage of the portfolio. That sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%, and Betterment ranks 18 of 49 brands on this measure. There is no separate account charge, listed as $0.
Is my money protected if Betterment fails?+
Stated protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and Betterment appears on the SIPC member register as SIPC member 51906. The cover applies to cash in the brokerage account if the broker-dealer fails, and the legal entity named is MTG LLC. Portfolio market values are not protected by the scheme.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
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