Acorns vs M1 Finance
Complete comparison to help you choose the right app
A
Acorns
$3-5/month
M
M1 Finance
Free / M1 Plus $125/year
Quick Summary
Choose Acorns if you want:
- Effortless investing
- Great for beginners
- Round-ups add up
Choose M1 Finance if you want:
- No trading fees
- Automated investing
- Fractional shares
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Acorns | M1 Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 (890.0K reviews) | 4.5/5 (45.0K reviews) |
| Pricing | $3-5/month | Free / M1 Plus $125/year |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best For | first time investors, beginners | first time investors, high earners |
| Founded | 2012 | 2015 |
Features Overview
Acorns Features
- Round-up investing
- Recurring investments
- Retirement accounts
- Checking account
- Bonus investments
- Found Money rewards
- Educational content
M1 Finance Features
- Fractional shares
- Automated rebalancing
- Custom portfolios
- Expert pies
- Retirement accounts
- Borrowing against portfolio
- Cash management
Pros & Cons
Acorns
Pros
- Effortless investing
- Great for beginners
- Round-ups add up
- All-in-one financial app
- Educational resources
Cons
- Fees high for small balances
- Limited investment options
- Not for active traders
M1 Finance
Pros
- No trading fees
- Automated investing
- Fractional shares
- High-yield cash account
- Flexible portfolios
Cons
- Limited trading windows
- No tax-loss harvesting in free tier
- Learning curve