Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Betterment vs Wealthfront
Betterment
Higher score in this comparison
Wealthfront
Betterment vs Wealthfront: the differences
| Compare | BettermentReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | WealthfrontReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | $10Lower | $500 |
| Regulators | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPCCovers more | SIPC |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF, ESG, Cash |
Same on both: Management fee (0.25%), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Betterment scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Betterment offers U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member.
- Founded is lower at Betterment: 2008 vs 2011.
- Minimum investment is lower at Betterment: $10 vs $500.
- Account types: only Wealthfront offers Joint.
- Portfolio types: only Betterment offers Crypto.
- Support channels: only Betterment offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Betterment
Betterment suits US savers who want a managed portfolio and a cash sweep in the same app, charging a management fee of 0.25% on top of an account fee of $0. Cash earns a variable 3.5%, so the income side moves with policy rates, and its overall score is 7.9.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront suits US savers who want automated investing and a cash account in one place, with a management fee of 0.25% and no dealing charge on stocks. Costs stay low against robo rivals, though the accounts serve the US market only.
Score breakdown
| Area | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherManagement fee of 0.25% ranks 18 of 49, and the account fee is $0. | 9.1Management fee of 0.25% on robo portfolios, $0 for commission-free share dealing, $0 and $0 on cash |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.9Higher | 9.1 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 51906 | SIPC SIPC member 68534 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Savings | 56 of 1492 | 321 of 1492 |
| Savings accounts | 39 of 658 | 216 of 658 |
| Cash management accounts | 8 of 46 | 10 of 46 |
| Investing | 52 of 654 | 142 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 30 of 358 | 102 of 358 |
| Robo-advisors | 7 of 154 | 36 of 154 |
Choosing between them
Pick Betterment if cost, offer, trust, minimum investment, regulators, and portfolio types matter most.
Pick Wealthfront if account types matter most.
Where these facts come from
Betterment
- betterment.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthfront
- wealthfront.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | MTG LLC | WEALTHFRONT BROKERAGE LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2008Lower | 2011 |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Brokers
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $1Lower |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Features | Not confirmed | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No fees | Free instant withdrawals |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, iOS app, Android app |
| Interest on cash | 3.5% | 3.55%Higher |
Savings
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.5% | 3.55% to 4.45%Higher |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Deposit protection | FDIC up to USD 250,000 | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Access terms | Cash Reserve: no minimum balance ($10 minimum deposit), unlimited withdrawals, sweep cash held at FDIC-insured program banks up to $8M (joint) | Free 24/7 instant withdrawals, withdraw any time with no fees |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
| Account kind | Cash management | Cash management |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Betterment | Wealthfront | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.25%below the median | 0.25%below the median | 0.35% |
| Minimum investment | $10below the median | $500at the median | $500 |
Median across 86 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Betterment
Pros
- A single app holds a managed portfolio and a cash sweep paying a variable 3.5%.
- The management fee of 0.25% sits under the site median management fee of 0.35%.
- The monthly fee is $0 and the minimum deposit is $10, so an account that is opened and left alone carries no standing charge.
Cons
- Cash pays a variable rate of 3.5%, so the income from the sweep can be cut without warning.
- Betterment ranks 18 of 49 on management fee, so cheaper robo-advice sits on the same list.
- Account types cover ira and roth ira, which rules out a UK ISA or workplace pension wrapper for most UK readers.
Wealthfront
Pros
- Management fee of 0.25% sits below the site median of 0.35%
- Commission-free share dealing at $0, with fractional shares in the app
- Cash account with a variable rate, a monthly fee of $0 and free instant withdrawals
Cons
- A management fee of 0.25% still applies, so returns are capped by cost
- The managed portfolio needs a minimum investment of $500
- Markets cover stocks, etfs and bonds, with no derivatives or share dealing outside listed asset types
Who each suits
Betterment
Who it suits
- US savers who want automated investing and a variable cash yield handled from the same app.
- First-time investors who can begin from a minimum investment of $10 without a large opening balance.
- Retirement savers who want a traditional or Roth IRA built around automatic contributions.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you would rather choose individual markets yourself, since the portfolio options here are etf, esg and cash.
- Axos Invest, whose minimum investment of $100 suits readers who want a higher entry point and a managed portfolio.
- Empower Personal Dashboard, whose management fee is 0%, for readers who put the advisory charge ahead of a managed account with a cash sweep.
Wealthfront
Who it suits
- US beginners who want automated portfolios set up with a minimum investment of $500
- Savers who want a variable-rate cash account with 3.55% and free instant withdrawals
- IRA holders, since account types include ira, roth ira and joint
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, where the management fee is 0% and the focus is trading rather than managed portfolios
- Axos Invest, where the minimum investment is $100 and the range sits in a robo portfolio
- Empower Personal Dashboard, where the management fee is 0%
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
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 | Betterment | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Betterment
What does Betterment charge to run an account?+
Two figures matter. The management fee is 0.25%, charged on the portfolio, and the monthly fee is $0, with an account fee of $0. Taking money in and out carries nothing, with the deposit and withdrawal fee reading No fees. Over a year the management fee is the line that reduces the balance, since nothing else here charges for holding the account open.
How much do I need to open an account and start investing?+
The minimum investment is $10 and the minimum deposit for the cash side is $10. The site median minimum deposit is €0.88 and the median minimum investment is €25, so the floor here sits inside the normal range rather than at either extreme. Neither figure asks for a large opening balance.
Wealthfront
What does Wealthfront charge to manage my money?+
The advisory fee is 0.25% a year on automated portfolios, which sits below the site median of 0.35%. Self-directed share dealing is separate and commission-free at $0. There is no separate account charge, with an account fee of $0.
How much do I need to start investing?+
The managed portfolio needs a minimum investment of $500. If you would rather pick shares yourself, buying starts from a minimum deposit of $1. Fractional shares are offered in the app, so a small sum can still be spread.
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Betterment
Wealthfront