Acorns
SEC/FINRA
M1 Finance
SEC/FINRA
Acorns vs M1 Finance
Head-to-Head Comparison 2026
Our Verdict
M1 Finance has a higher rating of 4.2/5 compared to Acorns (3.8/5). The minimum deposit is lower at Acorns with 0 $. Acorns has been in the market since 2012, making it the more experienced provider.
Comparison Table
| Criteria | Acorns | M1 Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 (1500 reviews) | 4.2/5 (1200 reviews)✓ |
| Regulation | SEC/FINRA | SEC/FINRA |
| Fees | $3/month (Bronze), $5/month (Silver), $9/month (Gold) | $0 commission, M1 Plus $125/year for premium features |
| Min. Deposit | 0 $ | 100 $ |
| Instruments | ETF Portfolios, Individual Stocks, Bonds, Bitcoin ETF | US Stocks, ETFs, Fractional Shares, Crypto |
| Platforms | Acorns App | M1 Finance Web, M1 Finance App |
| Options Trading | No | No |
| Founded | 2012 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Irvine | Chicago |
Detailed Comparison
Fee Comparison
Acorns: $3/month (Bronze), $5/month (Silver), $9/month (Gold). Minimum deposit: 0 $.
M1 Finance: $0 commission, M1 Plus $125/year for premium features. Minimum deposit: 100 $.
Product Range
Acorns (4 categories)
M1 Finance (4 categories)
Trading Platforms
Acorns
- Acorns App
M1 Finance
- M1 Finance Web
- M1 Finance App
Regulation & Security
Acorns is regulated by SEC/FINRA (HQ: Irvine).
M1 Finance is regulated by SEC/FINRA (HQ: Chicago).
Who Is It For?
Acorns
Micro-investing app: automatically invest spare change and save
✓ Round-up feature invests spare change automatically
✓ Ideal for beginners and passive investing
✓ Integrated retirement planning and kids accounts
✗ Monthly fees relatively high for small portfolios
✗ Very limited investment options
M1 Finance
US neobroker with pie investing, credit line and high-yield account
✓ Unique pie investing for automated portfolio
✓ Commission-free stock and ETF trading
✓ Integrated credit line (M1 Borrow) at low rates
✗ Only one trading window per day (Standard)
✗ No advanced trading tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acorns or M1 Finance cheaper?
Which broker offers more products: Acorns or M1 Finance?
Which broker is better regulated?
Is Acorns or M1 Finance better for beginners?
Acorns vs M1 Finance: Which broker is better overall?
Acorns
Micro-investing app: automatically invest spare change and save
Open Account →From 0 $ min. deposit
M1 Finance
US neobroker with pie investing, credit line and high-yield account
Open Account →From 100 $ min. deposit