Robinhood vs M1 Finance: Which Is Better for ETF Investing in 2026?
Last updated: March 2026 • Robinhood Review • M1 Finance Review
Quick Verdict
M1 Finance edges out Robinhood with a rating of 8.3/10 vs 7.5/10. M1 Finance is best for customizable automated portfolios, offering commission-free ETF trading and fractional share support. That said, Robinhood (mobile-first beginners) may be the better fit depending on your specific needs and preferences.
Robinhood vs M1 Finance: Side-by-Side Comparison
This comparison table highlights the key differences between Robinhood and M1 Finance across the features that matter most to ETF investors. Both brokers offer strong platforms, but the details reveal meaningful differences that could impact your investing experience and long-term returns.
| Feature | Robinhood | M1 Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Commission-Free ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| ETFs Available | 500+ | 1,500+ |
| Research Tools | Basic | Good |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Our Rating | 7.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
Robinhood Overview
The app that popularized commission-free trading. Known for its clean, simple mobile interface. Great for beginners who want an easy on-ramp, though it lacks advanced research tools. With access to over 500 ETFs and basic research tools, Robinhood is a strong contender for ETF investors who value mobile-first beginners. The platform supports fractional shares, allowing you to invest in any ETF starting from just $1 regardless of the share price. There is no minimum deposit requirement, making it easy to get started.
Robinhood Pros
- ✓Simplest interface for beginners
- ✓Fractional shares from $1
- ✓Quick account setup
- ✓Clean mobile experience
M1 Finance Overview
A unique hybrid platform blending robo-advisor automation with self-directed investing. Lets you build custom ETF portfolios called Pies with automatic rebalancing, fractional shares, and no management fees. Offering 1,500+ ETFs with good research capabilities, M1 Finance appeals to investors seeking customizable automated portfolios. Fractional share support means you can diversify across multiple ETFs even with a small initial investment. You will need at least $100 to open an account.
M1 Finance Pros
- ✓No management or trading fees
- ✓Unique Pie-based portfolio building
- ✓Automatic rebalancing
- ✓Fractional shares for all ETFs
Key Differences Between Robinhood and M1 Finance
ETF Selection and Research Tools
Robinhood provides access to 500+ ETFs with basic research tools, while M1 Finance offers 1,500+ ETFs with good research capabilities. M1 Finance offers a wider selection of funds, which is beneficial if you want access to specialized or thematic ETFs alongside your core holdings. The research tools gap may matter if you rely heavily on built-in screening and analysis — M1 Finance has the edge here.
Fractional Shares and Minimum Investment
Both Robinhood and M1 Finance support fractional share investing, which is excellent news for beginners who want to start small. You can invest as little as $1 in any ETF on either platform, making it easy to build a diversified portfolio regardless of how much capital you have. This eliminates the need to save up hundreds of dollars just to buy a single share of a popular ETF like VOO.
Trading Costs and Fees
Both Robinhood and M1 Finance offer commission-free ETF trading, which has become the industry standard among major brokerages. You will not pay any fees to buy or sell ETFs on either platform. The real cost difference comes down to the ETFs themselves — their expense ratios. Both platforms provide access to the lowest-cost ETFs from Vanguard, Schwab, and iShares, so your costs will depend on which funds you choose rather than which broker you use. Neither platform charges account maintenance fees or inactivity fees, and both have $0 minimum deposit requirements.
Mobile Experience and Usability
Both Robinhood and M1 Finance offer mobile apps for managing your ETF portfolio on the go. The quality of mobile experience varies considerably between platforms. Robinhood (mobile-first beginners) and M1 Finance (customizable automated portfolios) approach design differently. If you plan to primarily manage your investments from your phone, testing both apps before committing is wise. For long-term ETF investors who only check their portfolio occasionally, the mobile experience matters less than research tools and fund selection.
Which Should You Choose: Robinhood or M1 Finance?
The right broker depends on your specific needs, investing style, and what features matter most to you. Here is our recommendation based on different investor profiles.
Choose Robinhood if you want:
- ✓A streamlined, simple research experience
- ✓Access to 500+ ETFs for maximum fund selection
- ✓Fractional share investing to start with any dollar amount
- ✓A broker that excels at mobile-first beginners
Choose M1 Finance if you want:
- ✓Solid research fundamentals without overwhelming complexity
- ✓1,500+ ETFs to choose from
- ✓Fractional share support for flexible investment amounts
- ✓A platform designed for customizable automated portfolios
Our Bottom Line
Overall, we give a slight edge to M1 Finance (8.3/10 vs 7.5/10) for most ETF investors, primarily because of its strengths in ETF selection and customizable automated portfolios. However, Robinhood is the better pick if mobile-first beginners is your top priority. Both are excellent platforms that will serve you well as an ETF investor. Remember that the most important decision is not which broker you choose — it is that you start investing consistently and stick with it over the long term.
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
More Broker Comparisons
Not sure Robinhood or M1 Finance is the right fit? Explore our other head-to-head broker comparisons to find the perfect platform for your ETF investing needs.