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Broker Comparison

Acorns vs Wealthfront

Compare Acorns and Wealthfront side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Acorns

Acorns

Hands-off investors who want automated ETF portfolios

Acorns is an automated saving and investing app with ETF portfolios, Round-Ups, retirement accounts, and pricโ€ฆ

VS
Wealthfront

Wealthfront

Hands-off long-term investors

Wealthfront combines automated investing, stock and ETF trading, a cash account, direct indexing and bond ladโ€ฆ

Head-to-head comparison

Acorns vs Wealthfront
Feature Acorns Wealthfront
Minimum deposit No minimum opening deposit or minimum balance required for Mighty Oak and Emergency Savings banking services โ€”
Stock trading fee No commissions Zero commissions on trades and $1 to start investing
Regulators SEC, FINRA SEC, FINRA, SIPC, FDIC
Best for Hands-off investors who want automated ETF portfolios Hands-off long-term investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Bonds
Investment Plans
โ€”
Ready Made Portfolios
Funds
โ€”
Fractional Shares
โ€”

Pros & cons

Acorns

Acorns

Pros

  • Round-Ups invest spare change once it reaches at least $5
  • Automatic rebalancing keeps Base portfolio allocations on track
  • Dividends are automatically reinvested
  • No hidden costs, transaction fees, or commissions stated
  • Checking has no overdraft, maintenance, or AllPoint ATM fees
  • Gold adds individual stocks and ETFs to Custom Portfolios
  • SIPC protection up to $500,000 for Invest, Later and Early

Cons

  • Lowest listed subscription is $3/mo.
  • Gold costs $12/mo. for the full suite
  • Custom Portfolios are available only to Gold customers
  • Acorns Early Invest is a Gold subscription exclusive
  • Money Manager is available with Acorns Gold
  • No direct Bitcoin access; exposure is through BITO ETF
  • Investment products are not FDIC insured or bank guaranteed
Wealthfront

Wealthfront

Pros

  • Zero commissions on stock and ETF trades
  • $1 minimum for Stock Investing Account
  • Cash Account has zero account fees
  • Free 24/7 instant withdrawals to eligible accounts
  • Up to $8M FDIC insurance through program banks
  • S&P 500 Direct starts at $5,000 with a 0.09% fee
  • Automated Bond Ladder waives advisory fee for 3 months
  • Two out-of-network ATM reimbursements monthly, up to $7.50 each

Cons

  • Automated Investing Account starts at $500
  • S&P 500 Direct requires $5,000 to start
  • Automated Bond Ladder has a 0.15% annual advisory fee
  • 529 plan total fees are 0.39%-0.45%
  • Cash APY can change before or after account opening
  • APY Boost applies only up to a $150,000 balance
  • FDIC coverage starts only after cash reaches program banks
  • Stock Investing Account is not built for options or crypto trading
Acorns

Acorns

Acorns is an automated saving and investing app with ETF portfolios, Round-Ups, retirement accounts, and pricing from $3/mo.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Wealthfront

Wealthfront

Wealthfront combines automated investing, stock and ETF trading, a cash account, direct indexing and bond ladders with low stated fees.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Not the right match?

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