Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Stash vs Wealthfront
Stash vs Wealthfront: the differences
| Compare |  Stash |  Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $1 |
| Account fee | $144 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA | SIPC |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS app, Android app |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free instant withdrawals |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.55% |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Wealthfront scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Regulators: only Wealthfront offers SIPC.
- Founded is lower at Wealthfront: 2011 vs 2015.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Stash: $0 vs $1.
- Account fee is lower at Wealthfront: $0 vs $144.
- Markets: only Wealthfront offers Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Stash offers iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Wealthfront offers iOS app, Android app.
- Account types: only Wealthfront offers Joint.
Our verdict on each
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.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront suits beginners who want their portfolio run for them, with a management fee of 0.25% on automated portfolios and a deposit starting at $1. Commission-free dealing at $0 and free instant withdrawals keep running costs low, though the managed minimum is higher than some rivals.
Score breakdown
| Area | Stash | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherA free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. | 9.0Cash pays 3.55%, the account fee is $0 and the management fee of 0.25% sits below 0.4% for robo-advisors here. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.0 | 9.1Higher |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Stash
$144
48 × $0 + 1 × $144
Wealthfront
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Wealthfront costs $144 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
How they place
| Ranking | Stash | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 148 of 471 | 129 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 31 of 86 | 27 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 38 of 88 | 35 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 57 of 151 | 47 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 22 of 43 | 19 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Stash | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Stash Investments LLC | WEALTHFRONT BROKERAGE LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2015 | 2011Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Stash | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | $108 to $144 | 0.25% |
| Minimum investment | $5Lower | $500 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF, ESG, CashCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Stash | Wealthfront | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $144highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.55%above the median | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
Wealthfront
Pros
- Trading is commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0 on share dealing.
- The cash account fee is $0, and the management fee on automated portfolios is 0.25%.
- A minimum deposit of $1 and fractional shares make it easy to spread small amounts across stocks, etfs and bonds.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, which narrows the options for anyone who wants live chat.
- Managed portfolios need $500 to open, well above the typical entry point across the brokers listed here (€25).
- Asset choice stops at stocks, etfs and bonds, so the product list suits long-term holders more than active traders.
Who each suits
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.
Wealthfront
Who it suits
- Beginners, since the audience is listed as beginners and the deposit and fee levels keep the entry small.
- US savers building retirement or shared accounts, with ira, roth ira and joint on offer.
- Long-term holders who want a robo portfolio alongside cash, reachable from Web, iOS app and Android app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a lower floor for managed investing: Axos Invest starts at $100, against $500 here.
- Readers after a plan fee rather than a robo charge, since Vivid Standard charges 0.5% to 1.5%.
Current offers
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthfront
Current offer
Bonus
Cash Account APY Boost: up to 4.45% APY (3.55% base APY as of 09/18/2026)
APY Boost applies up to a $150,000 balance; 3.55% base APY as of 09/18/2026, provided by program banks and subject to change; funds held at program banks
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Stash | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
Wealthfront
What does Wealthfront charge to manage my portfolio?+
The management fee is 0.25% on automated portfolios, while the cash account fee is $0. Stock trade fees are $0, so for most readers the robo charge is the only recurring cost to weigh against a rival's plan fee.
How much do I need to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $1, so an account can be opened with a small transfer, and instant withdrawals are free if plans change. An automated portfolio needs $500 to open, which is the figure most readers should compare with other robo-advisors.
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