Index funds, robo-advisors & brokers in the US
Index funds track a whole market at low cost. Robo-advisors build and rebalance a portfolio for an annual fee; brokers let you buy funds yourself. Brokerage accounts at SIPC members are protected up to $500,000 (including $250,000 cash) if the firm fails — not against market losses.
Comparison
| Product | Rate / return | Cost | Conditions | Promo end | Protection | Risk | Verified | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity – index funds & brokerage | No guaranteed return | pending verification | Fees and fund expense ratios could not be confirmed on the official page this week. | n/a | SIPC up to $500,000 (incl. $250,000 cash) if the firm fails — not market losses | medium SIPC member broker | ⏳ pending verification official source for Fidelity – index funds & brokerage | |
| Vanguard – index funds & brokerage | No guaranteed return | pending verification | Fees and fund expense ratios could not be confirmed on the official page this week. | n/a | SIPC up to $500,000 (incl. $250,000 cash) if the firm fails — not market losses | medium SIPC member broker | ⏳ pending verification official source for Vanguard – index funds & brokerage | |
| Wealthfront – automated investing | No guaranteed return | pending verification | Fees and fund expense ratios could not be confirmed on the official page this week. | n/a | SIPC up to $500,000 (incl. $250,000 cash) if the firm fails — not market losses | medium Robo-advisor; market risk | ⏳ pending verification official source for Wealthfront – automated investing | |
| Betterment – automated investing | No guaranteed return | pending verification | Fees and fund expense ratios could not be confirmed on the official page this week. | n/a | SIPC up to $500,000 (incl. $250,000 cash) if the firm fails — not market losses | medium Robo-advisor; market risk | ⏳ pending verification official source for Betterment – automated investing |
Order: as collected, not a sponsored ranking. "Pending verification" values could not be confirmed on the official website and must not be used to decide. Sources: "official source" link in each row · how we read protection.
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Frequently asked questions
Robo-advisor or DIY index funds?
A robo-advisor automates allocation and rebalancing for an advisory fee; buying a broad index fund yourself avoids that fee. Fund expense ratios apply in both cases.
What does SIPC cover?
Missing cash and securities if a member brokerage fails, up to $500,000 including $250,000 cash. It does not cover investment losses.