How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- A Roth IRA grows tax free and qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax free, which makes the account type powerful for long term savers.
- The major brokerages charge 0 dollars in stock and ETF commissions and 0 dollars to open and maintain a Roth IRA.
- What actually costs money is the fund expense ratio, so broad index funds under 0.10 percent beat expensive funds over decades.
- The 2026 contribution limit is 7,500 dollars, or 8,600 dollars if you are 50 or older, under IRS Notice 2025-67.
- This is general information, not financial advice, and contribution eligibility depends on income, so check current IRS rules before you contribute.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Fidelity | Best overall Roth IRA | $0 account fee | Yes |
 Charles Schwab | Full service investing with branches | $0 account fee | Yes |
 Vanguard | Low cost index fund investing | $0 account fee | Yes |
 Betterment | Hands off retirement planning | 0.25 percent per year | No |
 Wealthfront | Automated investing | 0.25 percent per year | No |
 M1 Finance | Self directed automated portfolios | $0 account fee | Yes |
 E*TRADE | Active traders with broad choice | $0 account fee | Yes |
 Robinhood | Simple app with an IRA match | $0 account fee | Yes |
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The best company to open a roth ira with
Starting price$0 account fee
Free planYes
What we like- Fidelity charges 0 dollars to open and maintain a Roth IRA, 0 dollars in stock and ETF commissions, and 0 dollars minimum on most index funds. Its ZERO funds carry a 0.00 percent expense ratio, and fractional shares start from 1 dollar across thousands of stocks and ETFs. Customer service runs around the clock by phone and chat, and Fidelity Go manages a portfolio for free under 25,000 dollars.
Watch out for- The ZERO funds only exist at Fidelity, so moving them elsewhere means selling first. The mobile app packs in many features, which can feel complex for a first time investor. Fidelity Go costs 0.35 percent per year above 25,000 dollars, so hands off investors with larger balances pay more than at some rivals.
#2Charles Schwab
Best for: Full service investing with branches1.5/5 on
Trustpilot (786 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit schwab.com
Starting price$0 account fee
Free planYes
What we like- Schwab charges 0 dollars to open and maintain a Roth IRA and 0 dollars in stock and ETF commissions, with index mutual funds starting at 1 dollar. It pairs a strong app with physical branches and human advisors, which suits investors who want help in person. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios manages a portfolio for 0 dollars in advisory fees, and research and education content is free.
Watch out for- Intelligent Portfolios holds a cash allocation of roughly 6 to 29 percent, and that cash drag can cost more over decades than a small advisory fee elsewhere. Some investors find the platform broad to a fault, with many tools they never use. Transferring an account out may carry a fee of 50 to 100 dollars.
Starting price$0 account fee
Free planYes
What we like- Vanguard charges 0 dollars to open and maintain a Roth IRA and 0 dollars in stock and ETF commissions, and its index funds are among the cheapest in the industry at roughly 0.03 percent for broad market ETFs. The company is built around buy and hold discipline, which suits retirement savers who want to set a portfolio and leave it alone. Vanguard Digital Advisor adds automatic rebalancing and goal planning at a low net cost.
Watch out for- Many classic Vanguard mutual funds still require 1,000 to 3,000 dollar minimums, though ETFs have no minimum beyond the share price. The website and app feel dated next to Fidelity and Schwab. Vanguard Digital Advisor requires a 100 dollar minimum, and human advice costs more through its personal advisor service.
Starting price0.25 percent per year
Free planNo
What we like- Betterment was one of the first robo advisors and remains a top choice for hands off IRA investing. The Digital plan charges 0.25 percent per year, or 4 dollars per month for small accounts without recurring deposits, with no account minimum. Retirement planning tools show clear projections of whether you are on track, and tax coordinated investing across account types improves after tax efficiency.
Watch out for- There is no direct stock or ETF trading, since Betterment runs portfolio only investing. The Premium plan costs 0.65 percent per year and requires a 100,000 dollar minimum for unlimited access to certified financial planners. Small accounts without recurring deposits pay the 4 dollar monthly fee, which is steep on a tiny balance.
Starting price0.25 percent per year
Free planNo
What we like- Wealthfront manages a diversified ETF portfolio for 0.25 percent per year, with automatic rebalancing and tax loss harvesting in taxable accounts. The platform is clean and automated, which suits investors who want to set contributions and stop thinking about the account. It supports Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs, and planning tools project retirement readiness.
Watch out for- The account minimum is 500 dollars, higher than Fidelity, Schwab, and Betterment. There is no direct stock picking, so self directed investors will feel constrained. Tax loss harvesting does not apply inside a Roth IRA, so one headline feature is irrelevant for this account type.
#6M1 Finance
Best for: Self directed automated portfolios1.4/5 on
Trustpilot (200 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit m1.com
Starting price$0 account fee
Free planYes
What we like- M1 Finance charges 0 dollars in account fees and commissions, and its pie system lets you build a custom portfolio of stocks and ETFs that rebalances automatically with each deposit. Fractional shares start from 1 dollar, and the platform suits investors who want a self directed portfolio without manual rebalancing. IRAs include Traditional, Roth, and SEP accounts.
Watch out for- The IRA minimum is 500 dollars, higher than the 0 dollar minimums at Fidelity and Schwab. There is no options trading, so active traders need a second account. M1 launched a free AI powered advice tool in October 2026, but advice features are newer here than at the established robo advisors.
#7E*TRADE
Best for: Active traders with broad choice4.0/5 on
G2 (24 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit etrade.com
Starting price$0 account fee
Free planYes
What we like- E*TRADE charges 0 dollars to open and maintain a Roth IRA and 0 dollars in stock and ETF commissions, with options at 0.65 dollars per contract, or 0.50 dollars with 30 or more trades per quarter. Investment choice is broad, covering stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and CDs, and its trading tools suit investors who trade more often than the average retirement saver.
Watch out for- Fractional shares are limited to an S and P 100 list with a 5 dollar minimum, narrower than Fidelity or Schwab. The platform is built for traders, so pure retirement savers may find it busier than needed. Transferring an account out can carry a fee, so confirm the current schedule before moving.
Starting price$0 account fee
Free planYes
What we like- Robinhood charges 0 dollars to open and maintain a Roth IRA and 0 dollars in stock and ETF commissions, with fractional shares from 1 dollar. Its IRA match of 1 to 3 percent on contributions is unique among the providers on this list, and the app is the simplest here for a first time investor. The interface makes opening an account and setting recurring contributions fast.
Watch out for- Robinhood does not offer mutual funds or bonds, so investors who want those asset types need another provider. Research tools are thinner than at Fidelity or Schwab, and options terms have varied, with some 2026 reviews listing 0 dollars per contract and others 0.65 dollars for non Gold accounts. The IRA match terms should be read closely, since matches can carry conditions.
How we chose
We ranked providers on account fees, stock and ETF commissions, account minimums, fund expense ratios, investment choice, managed options, and customer service. Providers earned credit for 0 dollar account fees, 0 dollar commissions, low cost index funds, and clear managed pricing. We excluded providers that charge annual maintenance or inactivity fees for a basic Roth IRA, since the major brokerages prove those fees are unnecessary. Figures come from published fee schedules and 2026 comparison reporting, and readers should confirm current terms directly, since fee schedules change and contribution limits are set annually by the IRS.
How to choose the right Roth IRA provider
Start with how involved you want to be. If you want to pick your own funds, open a self directed account at Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard, and buy one broad index fund or a small set of them. If you want the portfolio managed for you, compare robo advisors on advisory fees and minimums, and watch for cash drag, which is the hidden cost of a large cash allocation. Next, check fund expenses: on a broad index fund held for 30 years, anything above 0.50 percent quietly subtracts tens of thousands of dollars from the final balance, so aim under 0.10 percent. Then confirm eligibility: for 2026, direct Roth contributions phase out between 153,000 and 168,000 dollars of modified adjusted gross income for single filers and 242,000 to 252,000 dollars for joint filers, and a backdoor Roth conversion remains an option above those thresholds. Finally, set automatic contributions, since the habit matters more than the provider, and keep the account at one firm to avoid transfer fees and scattered statements.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?
The 2026 limit is 7,500 dollars, or 8,600 dollars if you are 50 or older, under IRS Notice 2025-67. Contributions for the 2026 tax year can be made until April 15, 2027.
Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if my income is high?
Direct contributions phase out at higher incomes, with 2026 thresholds of 153,000 to 168,000 dollars for single filers and 242,000 to 252,000 dollars for joint filers. Above those thresholds, a backdoor Roth conversion remains available regardless of income, though tax rules apply.
When can I withdraw from a Roth IRA tax free?
Qualified withdrawals are tax free after age 59 and a half, once the five year holding period is met. Contributions can generally be withdrawn at any time without tax or penalty, though earnings follow stricter rules.
Do Roth IRAs have required minimum distributions?
No. A Roth IRA has no required minimum distributions during the owner's lifetime, which is one reason it suits long term and estate planning.
Are Roth IRA contributions tax deductible?
No. Roth IRA contributions use after tax dollars, so there is no upfront deduction. The benefit comes later, since qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax free.
What happens if I move my Roth IRA to another provider?
Transfers between providers are allowed, but the outgoing broker may charge 50 to 100 dollars. A direct trustee to trustee transfer avoids tax withholding, so never take a check made out to yourself without advice.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.