This article will cover the best alternatives to M1 Finance for 2026, particularly the competitors which offer more advanced and sophisticated trading platforms, tools and research.
M1 Finance has gained popularity in recent years for its “Pie” Portfolio feature, however, many investors have their reasons for looking beyond M1 Finance. This article will review the competitors and describe and compare their pros and cons in relation to investors’ needs. The goal of this article is to help prospective clients with their financial resource allocation and direct them to the platforms most suited for them.
What Are M1 Finance Alternatives?
M1 Finance alternatives are investment companies that allow customers to create income-producing portfolios with features similar to M1’s “Pie” portfolios. M1 Finance was launched in 2015 with features like the ability to purchase fractional shares and provide automated services such as rebalancing and margin.
However, M1 Finance is restricted by trade windows, and does not allow options or futures trades, and does not provide access to cryptocurrencies.
M1 Finance’s competitors provide services with features including real-time trading, and provide access to other financial instruments. Some also provide tools for research and automate various financial services. Overall, investors can find the services they need to meet their financial goals.
Which Alternative Is Best For Options Trading?
M1 Finance doesn’t support options trading, so tastytrade is the best options trading broker compared to M1 Finance. Founded in 2011, tastytrade is focused on options and other derivatives trading and has a low-cost options trading fee structure.
Trades on stock and ETFs are fee. Options trades are $1 to open and free to close. Trading options is affordable, and therefore, an attractive strategy with tastytrade. Compared to M1 Finance, tastytrade offers options trading, has low trading fees, and provides financial content and services through tastylive.
Options traders are provided with futures and crypto trading, as well. With no minimums on trading, tastytrade allows traders to leverage options trading and other more complex securities trading strategies. Thus, tastytrade is the best options trading broker.
Key Points
| Platform | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | Active trading + research | $0 commissions, fractional shares, real-time execution, Active Trader Pro, deep research tools. |
| Charles Schwab | Full-service ecosystem | $0 commissions, thinkorswim integration, banking + wealth management. |
| Robinhood | Simplicity + crypto | IRA 1% match, fractional shares, crypto trading, easy mobile UX. |
| tastytrade | Options-first traders | $0 stock trades, $1 open/$0 close options, tastylive education. |
| Public.com | Social investing | $0 commissions, community features, Alpha AI, access to bonds. |
| SoFi Invest | Banking + IPO access | $0 commissions, fractional shares, integrated loans + banking, retail IPOs. |
| Betterment | Automated robo-advising | Tax-loss harvesting, goal-based investing, diversified portfolios. |
| Wealthfront | Tax-efficient automation | Automated rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, financial planning tools. |
| Moomoo | Commission-free global trading | $0 commissions, advanced charting, paper trading, international access. |
| Webull | Crypto + accessibility | $0 commissions, fractional shares, crypto trading, extended hours. |
1. Fidelity
Established in 1946, Fidelity is a broker-dealer with $0 commissions on trades of stocks and ETFs, and also offers broker-dealer services for institutional clients and investment advisors. Fidelity’s Active Trader Pro platform, accessible for a monthly fee, offers real-time data and comprehensive research.
Similar to Webull and TD Ameritrade, Fidelity offers commission-free trades for thousands of stocks and ETFs, as well as fractional shares. Unlike M1 Finance, Fidelity provides clients with the ability to execute orders immediately, making Fidelity a good option for traders seeking speed.
Fidelity, like other neobanks, offers clients access to a host of other financial services, including digital banking and cash management services, and a robo-advisor.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, $1 minimum |
| Research Tools | Active Trader Pro, Morningstar, CFRA |
| Minimum Investment | $1 for fractional shares |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs, 401(k) rollovers |
| Banking Services | Cash management, credit cards |
| Robo-Advisory | Fidelity Go |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Global Access | Limited international ETFs |
| Strength | Best for active traders + research depth |
2. Charles Schwab
Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab is a full service brokerage firm. Traders can purchase stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) for free. Schwab’s Stock Slices program allows clients to purchase individual shares of stock. Individual share minimums are $5.
Traders can also purchase stock and ETF options through the thinkorswim platform, which is owned by Schwab. The platform offers more advanced charting and options data.
Like other online trading platforms, Schwab provides research and screening tools, and allows clients to set up individual and retirement accounts (IRAs). Schwab has more investment offerings than M1 Finance, and offers more control and services to clients.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, $5 minimum via Stock Slices |
| Research Tools | Morningstar, proprietary equity reports |
| Minimum Investment | $0 standard accounts |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, futures |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs, 401(k) |
| Banking Services | Checking, savings, credit cards |
| Robo-Advisory | Schwab Intelligent Portfolios |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Platform Integration | thinkorswim (TD Ameritrade acquisition) |
| Strength | Full-service ecosystem with advanced tools |
3. Robinhood
Robinhood’s commission-free model has made investing very approachable. The app, which boasts $0 commissions for trades of stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, with fractional shares for just $1, is simple to use and compact, making it a great starter platform.
While the research tools on the app are extremely limited, investors can find analyst ratings, view earnings calendars and subscribe to Robinhood’s premium service, Robinhood Gold to gain access to additional research and tools. Traders can also use their platforms to set up an IRA and receive a 1% match.
Unlike other platforms, like M1 Finance, Robinhood allow for real-time trades, and trades of options and cryptocurrency. Robinhood has a user base of mostly younger clients due to its simple and contemporary design, and easy to use platform.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, crypto |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, $1 minimum |
| Research Tools | Analyst ratings, earnings calendars |
| Minimum Investment | $1 |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, options |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs with 1% match |
| Banking Services | Cash card, savings |
| Premium | Robinhood Gold (advanced data) |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Extended Hours | Yes |
| Strength | Best for beginners + crypto access |
4. tastytrade
Launched in 2011 (formerly known as tastyworks), this platform is geared toward options trading. It offers zero-commission trades on stocks and ETFs, with $1 commission on options trades. tastytrade offers a wide range of educational content, particularly through its program tastylive, and advanced options trading tools.
One of the few platforms to offer futures and crypto trading, tastytrade offers a fair level of asset diversity, including stocks and ETFs. Additionally, the platform enables customers to trade options.
Though it doesn’t offer automatic portfolio management services, like some other online brokerages, tastytrade focuses on trading tools and education. Because of its unique offerings and focus on options trading, the platform may appeal to investors who prefer trading derivatives and seek an active portfolio management strategy.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Trading Fees | $0 stocks/ETFs, $1 open/$0 close options |
| Fractional Shares | No |
| Research Tools | tastylive education, advanced options analytics |
| Minimum Investment | $0 |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, crypto |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs |
| Banking Services | None |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Platform | Customizable dashboards |
| Education | Strong focus on options learning |
| Strength | Best for options-focused traders |
5. Public.com
Public.com launched its no-commission brokerage in 2017, integrating social media with investing. Public charges no commissions for trades of stocks, ETFs, and Cryptos, and offers fractional shares at a minimum of one dollar.
The on-platform minimum for investing is very low, making the platform attractive to first-time investors. Public provides research tools and offers users access to alternative investments, including Bonds and U.S. Treasuries. Unlike M1 Finance, Public encourages community investing.
The platform provides tools to allow users to view and research other community members’ portfolios. Like other brokers, Public provides tools to help investors of all experience levels. Public focuses on offering a social media and investing experience integrated in one place.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, $1 minimum |
| Research Tools | Alpha AI, community insights |
| Minimum Investment | $1 |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds |
| Retirement Accounts | Not primary focus |
| Banking Services | Limited |
| Social Features | Community-driven investing |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Education | Built-in learning content |
| Strength | Best for social + collaborative investing |
6. SoFi Invest
Launched in 2011, SoFi Invest offers commission-free trading for US-listed ETFs and stocks. It offers fractional shares for just a dollar, and integrated banking. SoFi also has research tools that consist of educational material, automated portfolio services, and analyst ratings.
One distinguishing factor of SoFi, in comparison to other brokers, is providing retail clients the opportunity to invest in IPOs. While Fidelity and other full-service brokers offer a plethora of research and trading tools, SoFi differentiates itself by providing simplicity and automatic features to customers looking to bundle several financial products (e.g. loans, banking, investing, and insurance products).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, $1 minimum |
| Research Tools | Analyst ratings, educational content |
| Minimum Investment | $1 |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, crypto |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs |
| Banking Services | Loans, credit cards, checking |
| IPO Access | Yes, retail investors |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Robo-Advisory | Automated portfolios |
| Strength | Best for integrated finance ecosystem |
7. Betterment
Betterment is an automated investing service founded in 2008. It costs 0.25% of a user’s investment per year to manage digital portfolios, and 0.40% to manage the user’s investment in Betterment Premium. Betterment’s minimum investment is $10.
Betterment’s web platform provides limited tools for users to analyze securities. Betterment offers tax-loss harvesting and a feature it calls “ Goal Investing.” It uses exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to construct users’ portfolios. ETFs permit greater diversification. Betterment’s portfolios are fully automated and, therefore, do not require user intervention.
Like M1 Finance, Betterment supports taxable accounts and retirement accounts (IRAs). Betterment also supports trusts. Betterment is primarily used to automate and streamline income tax alignment. Betterment’s features create a barrier to use Betterment for short-term speculative investments.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Trading Fees | 0.25% digital, 0.40% premium advisory |
| Fractional Shares | Yes |
| Research Tools | Automated portfolio allocation |
| Minimum Investment | $10 |
| Assets Available | ETFs across asset classes |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs, trusts |
| Banking Services | Cash accounts |
| Tax Tools | Tax-loss harvesting |
| Automation | Goal-based investing |
| Real-Time Trading | No (automated) |
| Strength | Best for passive investors seeking automation |
8. Wealthfront
Wealthfront is an automated investment advisory service started in 2008. Wealthfront charges a fee of 0.25% of a customer’s investment balance, but requires a minimum investment of only $500.
Automated investing means there are few research tools available to the customer; however, Wealthfront offers other features like tax-loss harvesting and automated portfolio rebalancing. Wealthfront offers other financial planning tools as well.
Like M1 Finance, Wealthfront builds customer portfolios with ETFs; however, Wealthfront includes ETFs representing all asset classes including real estate. Like M1 Finance, Wealthfront also offers cash accounts. In contrast to M1 Finance, Wealthfront is geared toward the long-term, passive investor.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Trading Fees | 0.25% advisory fee |
| Fractional Shares | Yes |
| Research Tools | Automated planning tools |
| Minimum Investment | $500 |
| Assets Available | ETFs across global markets |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs |
| Banking Services | Cash accounts |
| Tax Tools | Tax-loss harvesting |
| Automation | Automated rebalancing |
| Real-Time Trading | No |
| Strength | Best for tax-efficient automation |
9. Moomoo
Started in 2018, Moomoo provides users with a commission-free platform where users can purchase stocks and ETFs and use advanced charting tools. Users are allowed to make investments in as low as zero-dollar amounts and purchase fractional shares.
Research tools include real time data, virtual trading, and artificial intelligence. Users can trade in the U.S. as well as in Hong Kong and China. moomoo offers users the ability to trade outside regular trading hours.
Because of the tools offered, moomoo is best used by active traders. The platform does offer tools for virtual portfolios, but does not offer automated portfolios like some other platforms. moomoo is best used for International trading because of tools that it offers.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions |
| Fractional Shares | Limited |
| Research Tools | Advanced charting, AI insights |
| Minimum Investment | $0 |
| Assets Available | U.S., Hong Kong, China stocks |
| Retirement Accounts | Limited |
| Banking Services | None |
| Paper Trading | Yes |
| Extended Hours | Yes |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Strength | Best for global + advanced charting |
10. Webull
Since its inception in 2017, Webull has offered no-commission trading for stocks, ETFs, and cryptos, and has allowed fractional shares for $1. As a discount brokerage, it charges no fees, and has a low account threshold.
It has instruments and educational resources for research and trading, including level 2 advanced charts and indicators. It provides trade windows outside regular market hours, and gives access to options trading and a wide selection of cryptocurrencies.
It doesn’t offer mobile banking like Robinhood, but focuses more on active traders with resources to aid and facilitate trading, and on removing barriers for entry to investing. Due to its mobile design and architecture, it has a large clientele of Gen Z and Millennial investors.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Trading Fees | $0 commissions |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, $1 minimum |
| Research Tools | Advanced charting, technical indicators |
| Minimum Investment | $1 |
| Assets Available | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, options |
| Retirement Accounts | IRAs |
| Banking Services | Limited |
| Paper Trading | Yes |
| Extended Hours | Yes |
| Real-Time Trading | Yes |
| Strength | Best for mobile-first active traders |
Comparison Table – M1 Finance Alternatives 2026
| Platform | Founded | Trading Fees | Fractional Shares | Minimum Investment | Research Tools | Assets Available | Retirement Accounts | Banking Services | Special Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | 1946 | $0 stocks/ETFs | Yes ($1 min) | $1 | Active Trader Pro, Morningstar, CFRA | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options | IRAs, 401(k) | Cash mgmt, credit cards | Best for active traders + research |
| Charles Schwab | 1971 | $0 stocks/ETFs | Yes ($5 min) | $0 | Morningstar, proprietary equity reports | Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, futures | IRAs, 401(k) | Full-service banking | Best full-service ecosystem |
| Robinhood | 2013 | $0 stocks, ETFs, crypto | Yes ($1 min) | $1 | Analyst ratings, earnings calendars | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, options | IRAs (1% match) | Cash card, savings | Best for beginners + crypto |
| tastytrade | 2011 | $0 stocks/ETFs, $1 open/$0 close options | No | $0 | tastylive education, options analytics | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, crypto | IRAs | None | Best for options traders |
| Public.com | 2017 | $0 commissions | Yes ($1 min) | $1 | Alpha AI, community insights | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds | Limited | Limited | Best for social investing |
| SoFi Invest | 2011 | $0 commissions | Yes ($1 min) | $1 | Analyst ratings, education | Stocks, ETFs, crypto | IRAs | Loans, credit cards, checking | Best for integrated finance ecosystem |
| Betterment | 2008 | 0.25% digital, 0.40% premium | Yes | $10 | Automated allocation | ETFs across asset classes | IRAs, trusts | Cash accounts | Best for passive automation |
| Wealthfront | 2008 | 0.25% advisory fee | Yes | $500 | Automated planning tools | ETFs across global markets | IRAs | Cash accounts | Best for tax-efficient automation |
| Moomoo | 2018 | $0 commissions | Limited | $0 | Advanced charting, AI insights | U.S., Hong Kong, China stocks | Limited | None | Best for global + advanced charting |
| Webull | 2017 | $0 commissions | Yes ($1 min) | $1 | Advanced charting, technical indicators | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, options | IRAs |
Conclusion
M1 Finance will still be a great option for automated “Pie” portfolios in 2026. However, its lack of real-time trading, options and crypto will let other services shine in that year. Others, like Fidelity and Charles Schwab will provide more research.
Robinhood and Webull will provide trading of Crypto and Equities in a fractional share capacity. Betterment and Wealthfront will provide automated investments and tax loss harvesting. tastytrade will offer options trading.
Public.com will allow for social trading. Lastly, SoFi Invest and others will offer a myriad of investment products. Investors should identify their goals and choose a broker that complements those goals.
FAQ
What is M1 Finance?
M1 Finance is a U.S. brokerage founded in 2015 that offers customizable “Pie” portfolios, fractional shares, automated rebalancing, and low-cost margin loans. It’s popular for passive investors but limited in real-time trading, options, and crypto.
Why look for alternatives?
Alternatives are sought because M1 Finance only executes trades in windows, doesn’t support options/futures/crypto, and introduced a $3 monthly fee for accounts under $10,000 in 2026. Active traders and crypto investors often prefer platforms with more flexibility.
Which alternative is best for active traders?
Fidelity and Charles Schwab are best for active traders due to real-time execution, advanced research tools, and broad asset access. They support stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, and options.
Which alternative is best for beginners?
Robinhood, SoFi Invest, and Public.com are beginner-friendly thanks to $0 commissions, fractional shares starting at $1, and simple mobile-first interfaces. They also integrate crypto and community features.
Which alternative is best for options trading?
tastytrade is the leader in options trading, charging $1 to open and $0 to close contracts. It also offers futures and crypto, making it ideal for derivatives-focused investors.