Ellevest Review 2026: Is It Good for ETF Investing?
Last updated: March 2026 • Rating: 7.4/10 • Goal-based investing for women
Quick Verdict
A mission-driven investing platform designed with women's financial goals in mind. Builds diversified ETF portfolios factoring in gender-specific pay curves and career breaks, with coaching and educational resources.
Ellevest at a Glance
| Commission-Free ETFs | Yes |
| Fractional Shares | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| ETFs Available | 60+ |
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Research Tools | Good |
| Best For | Goal-based investing for women |
| Our Rating | 7.4/10 |
Ellevest for ETF Investors: What You Need to Know
A mission-driven investing platform designed with women's financial goals in mind. Builds diversified ETF portfolios factoring in gender-specific pay curves and career breaks, with coaching and educational resources. With commission-free ETF trading and fractional share support (invest from $1) , Ellevest makes it easy to get started with no minimum deposit requirement.
The platform offers access to over 60 ETFs, giving you plenty of options whether you're looking for broad market index funds like VOO and VTI, dividend-focused ETFs like SCHD, or sector-specific funds. The research tools are rated good, which offers adequate tools for most beginner needs, though power users may want more.
Ellevest's mobile app lets you manage your ETF portfolio on the go, set up automatic investments, and monitor your holdings from anywhere.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓Gender-aware financial planning
- ✓Diversified ETF portfolios
- ✓Financial coaching included
- ✓Impact investing options
Cons
- ✗Monthly membership fee
- ✗Limited ETF selection
- ✗Less suitable for active traders
- ✗Fewer customization options
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
How to Open a Ellevest Account for ETF Investing
- Visit Ellevest's website and click "Open an Account." You'll need your Social Security number, government ID, and bank information.
- Choose your account type — Individual Brokerage (most common for beginners), Roth IRA (tax-advantaged retirement), or Traditional IRA. If you're not sure, start with an individual brokerage account.
- Fund your account via bank transfer. There's no minimum deposit, so you can start with any amount.
- Search for your chosen ETF (e.g., VOO, VTI, or SCHD) using the search bar and place your first trade.
- Set up automatic investing to buy your chosen ETF(s) on a regular schedule. This is dollar cost averaging — the simplest and most effective strategy for beginners.
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How Ellevest Compares
| Broker | Commission-Free | Fractional | ETFs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellevest | Yes | Yes | 60+ | 7.4/10 |
| Fidelity | Yes | Yes | 2,000+ | 9.2/10 |
| Charles Schwab | Yes | Yes | 2,000+ | 9/10 |
| Vanguard | Yes | Yes | 1,800+ | 8.8/10 |
| Robinhood | Yes | Yes | 500+ | 7.5/10 |