Betterment for Advisors Review

Selecting a custodian is an important decision when launching a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm. Your custodian holds and safeguards client assets, while your firm oversees investment advice and portfolio management. Betterment Advisor Solutions, formerly Betterment for Advisors, is an all-in-one custodial platform that’s built for independent RIAs. This technology-focused custodian is designed to help advisors scale their practices while meeting client needs more efficiently.

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Betterment for Advisors Overview

Betterment for Advisors, which was rebranded to Betterment Advisor Solutions in 2024, is an RIA custodian that caters to emerging and established firms. The platform was launched in 2014 by Betterment, one of the largest robo-advisor firms in the financial services space.

Since its launch, Betterment for Advisors Solutions has undergone numerous updates to enhance the range of services and features offered to advisors. For example, in April 2025, Betterment announced that it would be adding solo 401(k)s to its list of offerings. Self-directed investing for retail investors launched in November 2025, while new 401(k) rollover capabilities were introduced in January 2026.

In October 2026, Unified Managed Accounts (UMAs) were added to allow for greater personalization. The platform continues to expand AI adoption; the latest innovation is an AI-powered document reader that reduces the need for manual entry during the new client onboarding process. Additionally, Betterment announced that beginning in January 2027 it would lower standard platform fees for advisors with $10 million or more AUM in custody.

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Betterment for Advisors Key Features

Betterment for Advisors Solutions is an end-to-end custodian and emphasizes the use of technology to help advisors grow their practices. Key features include portfolio management, back-office services, enhanced client experience, cash management services, advised 401(k) plans and tax optimization tools.

Here’s a brief look at how Betterment serves advisors in each of these areas.

Portfolio Management

Betterment offers access to portfolios with flexible investment options and equips advisors with the digital tools they need to manage them. This area of focus centers on two core activities:

Portfolio construction: Betterment offers a suite of tools that allow you to build bespoke client portfolios that include single stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds using an intuitive workflow.
Modeling: Betterment’s model marketplace offers access to a dozen in-house and third-party portfolios, including socially responsible and crypto-focused options. Third-party model portfolios include selections from Vanguard, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs.

You also get the benefit of real-time insights, along with trade simulation tools to anticipate outcomes prior to execution. In addition to Unified Managed Accounts, Betterment has plans to make direct indexing available to advisors, allowing for even greater customization in building client portfolios.

Back-Office Services

Managing the back office can be time-consuming. As a result, many advisors choose to outsource this part of their operations. Betterment for Advisors Solutions makes it easier to streamline the back office and automate your most important tasks.

Some of the things advisors can simplify through Betterment include:

New client onboarding: Digital onboarding reduces paperwork and saves time, since you can easily move client assets between accounts. It’s possible to open a new account for a client in as little as five minutes with Betterment’s suite of onboarding tools, which are powered by AI.
Client billing: Betterment offers a streamlined, customizable billing solution that’s easy to implement and tax-efficient. You can set fee schedules by household and the on-demand billing feature allows you to charge for one-off services.
Integrations: Betterment integrates with a number of industry-leading tech tools, including Wealthbox, Orion and portfolio reporting and billing tools like Capitect. If you don’t see your preferred integration listed, you can reach out to Betterment to request a solution.

Betterment provides advisors with a dedicated relationship manager, and you also have access to Betterment support specialists should you need help or have questions. The Platform Solutions team can assist with the transfer of assets if you’re moving to Betterment from a different custodian.

Client Experience

Client experience can influence retention rates and referrals, both of which can shape your firm’s growth outcomes. Some of the features Betterment offers to help improve client experience include:

A secure client portal that allows you to add your firm’s branding to statements and tax forms
Automated money movement, with the option for one-click Roth conversions
Dynamic performance reporting with customization capabilities
Account aggregation and syncing for assets held away
Goal-based planning tools

This approach reflects Betterment’s tech-focused approach to serving RIAs and their clients.

Cash Management

If you work with clients who prefer to keep some of their assets in cash, it’s important to ensure they’re getting a decent return on their money. Betterment for Advisors Solutions includes access to a Cash Reserve account that features a competitive yield.

Key highlights of this account include no monthly or maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements and unlimited withdrawals. Eligible Cash Reserve deposits can receive up to $4 million in FDIC insurance for individual accounts or $8 million for joint accounts through participating program banks, subject to applicable conditions.

You’ll also have access to automated savings tools that your clients can use to work toward their financial goals. A $10 minimum deposit is required for clients to open a cash management account.

Advised 401(k) Plans

If you manage one or more 401(k) plans or are adding plan management to your services, you may be interested in Betterment’s capabilities in that area. The platform offers customizable investment options, administrative and compliance support, comprehensive and user-friendly advisor dashboards and onboarding specialists to provide dedicated support.

This feature integrates with most payroll providers, which can help with automating plan management and administration. In addition to advised 401(k)s, Betterment for Advisors supports solo 401(k)s with paperless account opening and no setup fees. These accounts are fully digital, and married clients can add a spouse at no extra cost.

Tax Optimization

Helping clients manage the tax impact of investing can add value to your advisory services. Betterment offers tax management tools to further that goal, including:

Automated tax-loss harvesting
Customizable drift-based rebalancing
Tax-smart portfolio transitions
Automated asset location
Optimized tax lot selection

Tax planning strategies can be tailored to each client’s individual needs and goals.

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Betterment for Advisors Pricing and Billing

Betterment for Advisors can help you automate some back-office tasks, allowing you to spend more time with clients.

Betterment for Advisors charges an asset-based platform fee that generally ranges from 0.12% to 0.20% of assets under management.¹ In October 2026, the company announced that starting Jan. 1, 2027, advisors with $10 million or more in assets on the platform will pay a flat fee of 0.12% or 12 basis. This fee will cover all features of the platform: custody, trading, models, tax tools, billing, and dedicated support.²

Other RIA custodians may charge higher or lower fees. Schwab, for example, charges no base custody fees and has no account minimums. Comparing costs to the features and benefits offered can help you determine which RIA custodian offers the best value for the money.

Who Is Betterment for Advisors Best For?

Betterment is designed for financial advisors who are ready to embrace the possibilities of tech to improve their firm’s efficiency and increase revenue. The platform serves advisors who:

Are ready to transition to an independent RIA model
Want to grow an existing practice
Are interested in diversifying their clientele
Would like to streamline the onboarding process

Small, mid-sized and larger firms can utilize Betterment’s services to manage client assets and accounts. There is no minimum AUM required, which could make it attractive to new RIAs with no assets under management.

Getting Started With Betterment for Advisors

If you’re interested in partnering with Betterment for custodian services, you have the option to schedule a demo to test out the platform’s features. Should you decide to move ahead, the next steps include adding your firm’s logo and branding, uploading required documents, including your Form ADV, Client Agreement and Privacy Policy, if available, setting your fee information and choosing an onboarding process for your clients.

Betterment’s support team can walk you through the setup process to ensure that you’re completing all of the required steps. They can also help you get familiar with your advisor dashboard and the various features you have access to through the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Pros and Cons of Betterment for Advisors?

On the pro side, it’s a comprehensive platform that’s equipped to meet multiple needs for advisory firms of all sizes. Advisors can also build custom portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds and individual stocks, giving them flexibility while keeping automated management tools. Potential drawbacks include investment choices that are limited to the securities the platform supports. Advisors who want investments outside those options or prefer managing portfolios manually may find the platform less suitable.

Is There a Minimum AUM for Betterment for Advisors?

Betterment recognizes that firms of every size need quality service from their RIA custodian. For that reason, there is no minimum AUM advisors need to get started with the platform.

How Do I Contact Betterment for Advisors?

If you need to contact Betterment for Advisors, you can contact the sales department at (646) 809-4181, or reach support at (888) 646-2581. Support is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. You can also submit a secure online form to have someone from the Betterment for Advisors team reach out to you.

Bottom Line

Financial advisor onboarding new clients, using Betterment for Advisors to automate back-office tasks.

Choosing an RIA custodian requires some research to find the right provider. Betterment for Advisors aims to make running your business easier so you can focus on your clients. Reviewing all of the platform’s features or scheduling a demo can help you decide if it might be right for you.

Tips for Growing Your Advisory Business

Offering a stellar client experience can increase retention rates and potentially help you gain new clients through referrals. However, relying on referrals alone to grow your business may not be enough. If you’re looking for new ways to expand your client base, you might consider working with an advisor marketing platform. SmartAsset AMP, for instance, is designed to help advisors find right-fit leads while giving them the tools they need to build relationships and increase conversions. Get started today.
When considering any RIA custodian, it’s helpful to look at what you’re getting versus what you’re paying, and which features or services you’re most likely to use. Some custodians offer more features and benefits than others, but it doesn’t make sense to pay for more than what you need.