If you’re comparing Acorns vs Betterment or Acorns vs Wealthfront, the most important difference is what each platform actually does for you. Acorns was built to help everyday people start investing and stay invested, with behavioral automation, an IRA match (Silver and Gold Plan), Custom Portfolios (Gold Plan), and tools for the whole family, bundled into three different subscriptions. The platform has a 4.7/5 App Store rating and has been named a part of “America’s Best Financial Services 2026.” Betterment and Wealthfront are robo-advisors focused on tax optimization and goal-based planning.
The pricing model matters too. Acorns uses a flat monthly subscription that stays the same. Betterment and Wealthfront use percentage-based pricing models, though Betterment now also charges a $5/month minimum for smaller accounts. If your balance increases, the difference in what you pay becomes significant.
How does Acorns pricing compare to Betterment and Wealthfront?
Acorns uses a different pricing model than Betterment and Wealthfront, and the difference matters more if your balance grows.
Acorns charges a flat monthly subscription: Bronze $3/month, Silver $6/month, and Gold $12/month. There are no per-trade commissions. The subscription covers your Invest account, Later retirement account (IRA), Checking, and every feature included in your plan. Because the subscription is a flat amount, the effective percentage decreases if your balance grows.
Betterment charges 0.25% of your balance annually for accounts at or above $24,000 (or with $200+/month in recurring deposits). For accounts below that threshold, Betterment charges a $5/month flat charge. Their Premium plan costs 0.65% annually and requires a $100,000 minimum.
Wealthfront charges 0.25% annually with a $500 minimum to open an account. Unlike Betterment, Wealthfront has no monthly minimum charge, so the percentage-based pricing applies at all balance levels.
What happens to your costs if your balance grows?
With a percentage-based model, the dollar amount you pay grows proportionally with your balance. With Acorns’ flat subscription, the dollar amount stays the same while the effective percentage drops.
Here’s how the annual costs compare across balance levels:
| Balance | Acorns Bronze ($36/yr) | Betterment (0.25%) | Wealthfront (0.25%) |
| $1,000 | $36 (3.60%) | $60 (6.00%)* | $2.50 (0.25%) |
| $5,000 | $36 (0.72%) | $60 (1.20%)* | $12.50 (0.25%) |
| $10,000 | $36 (0.36%) | $60 (0.60%)* | $25 (0.25%) |
| $14,400 | $36 (0.25%) | $60 (0.42%)* | $36 (0.25%) |
| $25,000 | $36 (0.14%) | $62.50 (0.25%)* | $62.50 (0.25%) |
| $50,000 | $36 (0.07%) | $125 (0.25%)* | $125 (0.25%) |
*Betterment charges $5/month ($60/year) for balances under $24,000 without qualifying recurring deposits.
At $14,400, the Acorns Bronze subscription matches the industry-standard 0.25% that percentage-based robo-advisors charge. Above that, the flat subscription gets progressively cheaper while percentage-based charges continue to grow. At $50,000, Acorns Bronze costs $36/year. Betterment and Wealthfront cost $125/year. At $100,000, the gap widens further: $36 vs. $250.
The pattern is straightforward. The more your portfolio is worth, the more Acorns’ pricing works in your favor. With Betterment and Wealthfront, success is penalized with higher costs. With Acorns, your monthly subscription price stays the same.
For Silver and Gold, the crossover points are higher, but those plans include additional features like an IRA match, Custom Portfolios (Gold Plan), and the Acorns Early kids’ platform (Gold Plan) that Betterment and Wealthfront don’t offer at any price. To see the full plan breakdown, check out whether Acorns is worth the monthly subscription.
What Acorns includes that Betterment and Wealthfront don’t
Acorns includes features that neither Betterment nor Wealthfront offer at any price: Round-Ups® spare-change investing, an IRA contribution match (up to 3%), Custom Portfolios for individual stock picking (Gold Plan), and an integrated kids’ financial wellness platform. For beginners, Acorns can be a stronger fit because the automation handles portfolio construction, rebalancing, and consistent investing from day one, with no account minimum or investing knowledge required to get started.
The subscription comparison doesn’t tell the full story unless you look at what each platform includes for the price.
Round-Ups® take the spare change from your everyday purchases and invest it automatically using dollar-cost averaging. Buy a coffee for $4.50 and the remaining $0.50 goes into your portfolio. To date, Acorns customers have put more than $4 billion into their portfolios through Round-Ups® alone. Neither Betterment nor Wealthfront offers any form of spare-change investing.
IRA match. Acorns matches a percentage of your new IRA contributions during your first year: 1% on the Silver Plan, 3% on the Gold Plan. For 2026, the IRS has set the IRA contribution limit at $7,500, so a Gold customer contributing the maximum could receive $225 in matched funds. Neither Betterment nor Wealthfront offers an IRA match.
Custom Portfolios (Gold Plan) give you the ability to pick individual stocks and ETFs that sit alongside your managed Base portfolio. You get personal control over part of your investments while your diversified foundation stays intact. Neither Betterment nor Wealthfront allows individual stock picking within managed portfolios. Wealthfront offers a separate self-directed stock investing account, but it’s not integrated into the managed portfolio experience.
Acorns Early (Gold Plan) includes Acorns Early Invest (UGMA/UTMA custodial accounts for kids) and the Acorns Early kids’ smart money app with a debit card, parental controls, savings goals, and Money Missions financial education. Betterment and Wealthfront do not offer custodial accounts or kids’ financial tools.
Money Manager (Gold Plan) automatically splits your deposits across investing, saving, and spending based on percentages you set. Wealthfront offers a similar automation feature called Self-Driving Money. Betterment does not.
Acorns Earn invests bonus cash when you shop with partner brands, and those bonus investments go directly into your diversified portfolio.
Tax-loss harvesting, goal-based tools, and other differences
Betterment and Wealthfront focus on different capabilities than Acorns.
Tax-loss harvesting is available on Betterment and Wealthfront taxable accounts. This strategy automatically sells investments at a loss to offset taxable gains, potentially reducing your annual tax bill. Acorns does not currently offer tax-loss harvesting.
Goal-based investing tools. Betterment and Wealthfront offer scenario modeling and goal-tracking features for planning around specific milestones. Acorns separates these goals by design: your Invest account, Later retirement account, and Emergency Savings each serve a distinct purpose with dedicated features, keeping your money organized without requiring you to configure individual goal portfolios.
Human advisor access. Betterment’s Premium plan includes access to certified financial planners for an additional cost. Wealthfront and Acorns do not offer human advisors.
Account types. Betterment offers joint and trust accounts. Wealthfront offers 529 college savings plans. Acorns offers SEP IRAs and custodial accounts for kids (UGMA/UTMA), which neither Betterment nor Wealthfront does.
Is Acorns, Betterment, or Wealthfront the best fit?
Consider Acorns if you want automated investing with behavioral tools that help you stay consistent. Round-Ups®, Recurring Investments, and Money Manager work together to keep your portfolio on track without requiring you to think about each deposit. If you want an IRA match, the ability to pick individual stocks through Custom Portfolios, Emergency Savings with a high APY, and financial tools for kids, Acorns bundles everything into a single subscription. More than 14 million people have invested with Acorns, putting over $30 billion to work since the platform launched. And if your balance grows, your subscription stays the same, meaning more of your money stays invested. If you’re just getting started, our guide to investing for beginners covers the fundamentals.
All three platforms are registered with the SEC, members of FINRA, and covered by SIPC up to $500,000 per account. For independent guidance on evaluating investment platforms, Investor.gov provides educational resources.
Betterment and Wealthfront may appeal to investors who prioritize tax-loss harvesting on taxable accounts or who want access to financial planning tools like scenario modeling. Betterment also offers a Premium plan with human advisor access.
Already using Betterment or Wealthfront? Some investors keep a separate Acorns account for Round-Ups®, the IRA match, and kids’ investing alongside their existing platform.
For a different comparison, see how Acorns vs. Robinhood compares on portfolio customization and self-directed trading.
Acorns was built to help everyday people build wealth through consistent, automated investing. The flat subscription means Acorns grows with you, not off of you. Every feature, from Round-Ups® to the IRA match to Acorns Early, is designed to make long-term investing the easy default.
Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Neither flat-subscription nor percentage-based pricing structures guarantee investment performance. Diversification does not ensure profits or protect against losses. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Acorns is not affiliated with Betterment or Wealthfront. This comparison is for informational purposes only.
Compare Acorns plans to find the right fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a flat subscription or percentage-based pricing better for investing?
It depends on your balance. A flat subscription like Acorns’ stays the same regardless of how much you invest, so the effective percentage decreases the higher your balance. A percentage-based model charges more in dollars as your balance increases. Above roughly $14,400, Acorns’ Bronze subscription is more cost-effective than a 0.25% annual charge.
Both models have trade-offs. Percentage-based pricing can cost less at very small balances (on Wealthfront specifically), but it penalizes growth. Flat subscription pricing rewards growth by staying constant.
How much does Acorns cost compared to Betterment?
Acorns charges a flat monthly subscription: Bronze $3/month, Silver $6/month, Gold $12/month, with no per-trade commissions. Betterment charges 0.25% of your balance annually for accounts at or above $24,000, or $5/month for smaller accounts without qualifying recurring deposits.
At a $50,000 balance, Acorns Bronze costs $36/year while Betterment costs $125/year. Acorns’ subscription also includes features Betterment doesn’t offer, such as Round-Ups®, an IRA match, and Custom Portfolios for individual stock picking.
Does Acorns offer tax-loss harvesting?
No. Acorns does not currently offer tax-loss harvesting. Betterment and Wealthfront both offer this feature on taxable accounts. Tax-loss harvesting automatically sells investments at a loss to offset taxable gains, which can reduce your tax bill.
For investors with small or moderate taxable account balances, the tax savings from harvesting may be minimal. For investors with larger taxable balances, it can be a more significant benefit. Acorns offers other cost advantages, including the IRA match and flat subscription pricing that gets cheaper as a percentage if your balance grows.
What is the Acorns IRA match?
Acorns Silver Plan customers receive a 1% match on new IRA contributions during their first year. Gold Plan customers receive a 3% match. The match applies to contributions made to your Acorns Later retirement account (Traditional, Roth, or SEP IRA).
Neither Betterment nor Wealthfront offer an IRA match. For a Gold customer who maxes out the 2026 IRA contribution limit of $7,500, the 3% match adds $225 to their retirement account. The Gold Plan costs $144/year, so the match alone produces a net gain of $81 before market returns.
Can you use Acorns and Betterment at the same time?
Yes. Some investors use Acorns for automated spare-change investing through Round-Ups®, the IRA match, and behavioral tools, while maintaining a separate Betterment or Wealthfront account for a taxable portfolio with tax-loss harvesting.
The platforms serve different strengths. Acorns offers features Betterment doesn’t (Round-Ups®, IRA match, Custom Portfolios, kids’ accounts). Betterment offers tax-loss harvesting that Acorns doesn’t. Using both lets you access the benefits of each.
How does Acorns compare to Wealthfront?
Acorns and Wealthfront are both robo-advisors that manage diversified ETF portfolios, but they differ on pricing, features, and investing philosophy. Acorns charges a flat monthly subscription ($3 to $12/month). Wealthfront charges 0.25% of your balance annually with a $500 minimum.
Wealthfront offers daily tax-loss harvesting and direct indexing for accounts above $100,000. Acorns offers Round-Ups® spare-change investing, an IRA match (up to 3%), Custom Portfolios for individual stock picking, and a kids’ financial wellness platform. Acorns has no account minimum and no per-trade commissions.
This material has been presented for informational and educational purposes only. The views expressed in the articles above are generalized and may not be appropriate for all investors. The information contained in this article should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. There is no guarantee that past performance will recur or result in a positive outcome. Carefully consider your financial situation, including investment objective, time horizon, risk tolerance, and fees prior to making any investment decisions. No level of diversification or asset allocation can ensure profits or guarantee against losses. Article contributors are not affiliated with Acorns Advisers, LLC. and do not provide investment advice to Acorns’ clients. Acorns is not engaged in rendering tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult a qualified professional for this type of service.
Investment advisory products and services offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC (“Acorns”), an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Brokerage products and services are provided by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Acorns is not affiliated with Betterment LLC or Wealthfront Corporation. This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any platform. Competitor pricing, features, and offerings are based on publicly available information as of April 2026 and are subject to change.
Acorns Invest is an individual investment account which invests in a portfolio of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) recommended to customers based on their responses to the Acorns investor profile questionnaire.
Acorns Later is an Individual retirement account consisting of a Traditional, ROTH or a SEP IRA selected for customers based on investor profile questionnaire answers.
Acorns Early Invest is an UTMA/UGMA investment account managed by an adult custodian until the minor beneficiary reaches the selected age of transfer, at which point the minor assumes control of the account assets. Money in a custodial account is the property of the minor.
Acorns Early® is not a bank. Kids aged 6-18. Cards are issued by nbkc bank, Member FDIC, under license from Visa USA. Inc. Charges apply (min. $8/mo) until cancelled. Terms & Limits apply. Two subscriptions offered: Acorns Early Lite and Acorns Gold.
Custom Portfolios are non-discretionary investment advisory accounts, managed by the customer. Custom Portfolios are available only to Acorns Gold customers with an open Acorns Invest Account and are not available as a stand alone account. Custom portfolios are not instant trading. Customers wanting more control over order placement and execution may need to consider alternative investment platforms before adding a Custom Portfolio account. This is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. Acorns Advisers does not provide investment advice with regard to orders directed in a Custom Portfolio.
Acorns is not a bank. Acorns Visa™ debit cards and banking services are issued and provided by Lincoln Savings Bank and nbkc bank, Members FDIC.
Effective March 26, 2025, customers who open an Acorns Gold or Acorns Silver subscription plan or upgrades to an Acorns Gold or Silver subscription plan can opt into the Acorns Later Match feature and receive either a 3% or 1% IRA match, respectively, on new contributions made to an Acorns Later account during the first year subscribed to these subscription plans. New customers in these subscription plans are automatically eligible for the Later Match feature at the applicable 3% and 1% match rate on all contributions made during the first subscription year. All Later funds for customers must be held in an Acorns Later account for at least four years to keep the earned IRA match and all or a portion of IRA Match may be subject to recapture by Acorns if customer downgrades to a Subscription Plan with a lower monthly fee. See full terms and conditions. Terms and conditions applicable to those who opened an Acorns Gold or Acorns Silver subscription plan before March 26, 2025 and opted into Later Match are unchanged.
Dollar Cost Averaging and Automatic investing do not ensure a profit or protect against losses. It involves continuous investing regardless of fluctuating price levels.
Spare change invested with Round-Ups® is transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account when activated. Round-Up investments from an external account will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups reach or exceed $5.
The ETFs comprising the Acorns portfolios charge fees and expenses that will reduce a customer’s return. Investors should read each fund’s prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds carefully before investing.
Tax-loss harvesting is offered by Betterment and Wealthfront on their respective platforms. Acorns does not provide tax-loss harvesting. Investors should consult a tax professional regarding their specific tax situation.
Default splits among the accounts in Money Manager take into consideration your estimated income based on verified paycheck amounts deposited to your Acorns Checking Account. Milestone targets consider the income information provided by the customer during onboarding. Money Manager may not account for all market conditions or individual circumstances, may not be suitable for all individuals, and may not consider all factors relevant to your specific financial circumstances. You should carefully consider your unique financial situation, including factors such as your investment objective, time horizon, risk tolerance, tax implications, estate planning needs, and Acorns’ fees, prior to making any allocation decisions. Acorns’ Money Manager is not a financial planning service.
Acorns receives compensation from business partners to promote or refer customers to such partners for the purchase of non-investment consumer products or services. This type of promotional partnership incentivizes Acorns to refer customers to these businesses instead of businesses that are not partners of Acorns. This affects the ability of Acorns to provide unbiased promotions and could mean that the products and/or services of other businesses, that do not compensate Acorns, may be more appropriate for a customer than the products and/or services promoted by Acorns. Customers are not required to purchase any products and services Acorns promotes.
Over 14 million all-time customers and over $30 billion invested since inception as of 2/8/2026.
The platform has been recognized as “America’s Best Financial Services 2026” by TIME and included among the “World’s Top FinTech Companies 2025,” and holds an App Store rating of approximately 4.7 out of 5.
