Betterment vs Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Review

For our 2017 Robo-Advisor Review we assessed, rated, and ranked eight different firms. Instead of relying on website information and marketing materials as most editorials do, we opened and funded an account with each robo-advisor to acquire a true client experience. Here, we will compare Betterment vs Schwab Intelligent Portfolios to see which robo-advisor is best.

To start our comparison, we will take a look at the annual fees for both services. Cost is broken down into two separate buckets: the annual management fee charged for having an account and the annual fee charged for holding each ETF in the portfolio. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios's score is 5.00 stars versus Betterment's 4.50 stars.

Exploring both robo-advisor feature sets, we can also find differences. Betterment and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios both offer tax-loss harvesting. For running calculations on being ready for retirement, clients will want a retirement calculator. Betterment offers an advanced retirement calculator while Schwab Intelligent Portfolios does not. Some customers like to monitor their personal financial goals. Betterment alongside Schwab Intelligent Portfolios offer goal tracking. Finally, an attractive feature includes providing deeper account analysis thanks to the ability to import and aggregate third-party financial accounts. Betterment has external accounts analysis, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios doesn't.

Lastly, more web savvy customers may find it valuable to have access to customer service through phone, email, and live chat. However, not every robo provides live chat support as an option. Betterment and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios both offer live chat support.

Overall, both Betterment and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios are rated 4.50 stars. And, as far as individual category awards go, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios was rated Best in Class - Cost, Best in Class - Investment Approach and Best in Class - Platforms & Tools in 2017, while Betterment was rated Best in Class - Cost, Best in Class - Investment Approach, Best in Class - Platforms & Tools and Best in Class - Customer Service.