After answering questions about your investment goals and risk tolerance, the platform recommends a portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and cash.
The portfolios are built using TD Wealth’s Strategic Portfolios, which are professionally managed and continuously monitored. Accounts are automatically rebalanced to remain aligned with your risk profile.
For clients who want more than automated management, TD also offers TD Automated Investing Plus, a hybrid robo-advisor service that combines automation with access to live financial advisors for personalized planning and support.
Summary: TD Automated Investing provides an automated, goal-based investing platform, while the Plus service has human advisor support for clients with higher balances.
What are the pros and cons of TD Automated Investing?
TD Automated Investing provides digital portfolios that are built and monitored by TD Wealth, with automated rebalancing and optional access to advisors through the Plus service.
While this makes it convenient and goal-focused, the service also sets minimum annual fees and higher entry requirements for the Plus service.
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros of TD Automated Investing:
Investors can complete onboarding and manage their accounts fully online, making setup and ongoing access convenient and accessible.
The platform enables goal-based investing. Once you share your goals and risk profile, the automated tool recommends a portfolio tailored to your profile.
Your portfolios are automatically monitored and rebalanced, ensuring that allocations remain consistent with the investor’s chosen risk profile.
Compared to many traditional advisory services, the Basic version has relatively low entry requirements, lowering the barrier for new investors to get started.
The Plus service provides access to licensed financial advisors, giving clients more personalized guidance in addition to automated portfolio management.
Cons of TD Automated Investing:
There is a higher minimum balance required for Plus ($25,000), which may not be accessible for all investors.
Minimum annual fees apply even for accounts below certain balances, making it less cost-efficient for investors with very small portfolios.
TD Automated Investing fees: How much does it cost?
TD Automated Investing charges a quarterly wrap fee based on account balances, with a minimum annual charge applied if balances fall below certain levels.
The Basic version uses a lower percentage fee, while the Plus version charges more, but includes advisor support.
TD Automated Investing (Basic)
The Basic version charges an annual wrap fee of 0.3% of assets under management (AUM), which covers advisory, custodial, and brokerage services.
If the account balance is below $5,001, a minimum annual fee of $15 is applied to maintain the account.
Fees are calculated and billed quarterly, based on the average account balance during the billing period.
In addition to the wrap fee, investors are also responsible for paying the underlying ETF or mutual fund expense ratios included in their portfolios.
TD Automated Investing (Plus)
The Plus version charges a higher annual wrap fee, which is 0.6% of AUM, reflecting the additional advisor services provided.
Accounts in the Plus program are subject to a minimum annual fee of $250, regardless of account size.
Similar to the Basic version, fees are billed quarterly, based on average assets.
Unlike Basic, the Plus program also includes access to licensed financial advisors who provide personalized financial planning in addition to automated portfolio management.
Summary: Both Basic and Plus have a quarterly wrap-fee structure based on average account balances. The main difference is that the Basic plan focuses on automated portfolio management, while the Plus plan adds professional advisor support at a higher cost. In both cases, investors are also responsible for the underlying fund expenses.
TD Automated Investing: Basic vs Plus plans
| Feature | Basic (Automated Investing) | Plus (Automated Investing) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual wrap fee | ||
| Minimum annual fee | $15 (for balances under $5,001) | $250 |
| Minimum account size | $1,000 | $25,000 |
| Access to human advisors? | No | Yes |
| Portfolio management | Automated only | Automated and advisor support |
What is TD Automated Investing’s minimum account size?
TD Automated Investing requires a modest balance to start, while the Plus version sets a significantly higher threshold to reflect the added advisor support.
The Basic version requires a minimum of $1,000 to open an account, making it relatively accessible for new investors.
The Plus version requires a significantly higher minimum balance of $25,000, which aligns with its inclusion of professional advisor support.
Our take: TD Automated Investing’s $1,000 minimum for the Basic plan makes it more accessible than many robo-advisors, such as Vanguard Digital Advisor ($3,000) or Merrill Guided Investing ($1,000–$5,000). The Plus tier’s $25,000 requirement, however, places it closer to services like Schwab Wealth Advisory, which also target clients seeking dedicated advisor support.
Who should choose TD Automated Investing?
TD Automated Investing is designed for investors who want a simple, digital way to start investing toward specific goals without needing to actively manage their portfolio.
It is most suitable for:
Those who seek a convenient and fully online investment solution, without the need for face-to-face meetings or manual portfolio tracking.
Individuals with a specific financial goal, such as saving for retirement or a large purchase, and who want their investments to reflect that objective.
Those who prefer that their investments be automatically monitored and rebalanced to stay aligned with their risk profile.
Individuals who want to track their investments online, with portfolio updates accessible digitally.
TD Automated Investing Plus may appeal to individuals who meet the higher minimum balance and want the combination of robo-advisory technology with access to live financial advisors for personalized planning.
TD Automated Investing: Is it secure?
Yes, it is secure. TD Automated Investing operates within a regulated framework and applies multiple safeguards to protect client assets and maintain portfolio integrity.
Regulatory oversight and investor protection: The service is offered through TD Private Client Wealth (TDPCW), a registered investment adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). TDPCW is also a broker-dealer and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). This means clients benefit from SIPC protection of up to $500,000 for securities and $250,000 for cash.
Automated monitoring and rebalancing: Portfolios are continuously monitored and automatically rebalanced to align with each investor’s chosen risk profile. This systematic process reduces the likelihood of portfolios missing target allocations, enhancing long-term consistency.
Low-balance safeguards: According to TDPCW, accounts that fall below certain thresholds may be restricted or closed:
TD Automated Investing: Below $900
TD Automated Investing Plus: Below $15,000
TD Automated Investing: Mobile app
TD Automated Investing does not offer a dedicated mobile app. Instead, accounts are managed through the TD Wealth online platform, which is accessible on both desktop and mobile browsers. From this portal, investors can securely view balances, track portfolio performance, and access key documents such as statements, trade confirmations, and tax forms.
Is TD Automated Investing worth it?
TD Automated Investing offers a simple way to invest with professional oversight at relatively low cost. The Basic plan delivers automated portfolio construction, monitoring, and rebalancing with a modest $1,000 minimum, making it accessible to investors seeking a digital, goal-based solution. The Plus plan adds access to licensed financial advisors but requires a higher $25,000 minimum and an added wrap fee.
Our take: TD Automated Investing is best suited for investors who want the convenience of automation backed by the credibility of TD Wealth. Those primarily seeking low-cost automation might compare it with Fidelity Go or Wealthfront, which also feature low minimums. Meanwhile, investors with larger balances who value personal guidance could consider alternatives like Schwab Wealth Advisory or Vanguard Personal Advisor Services, which combine digital tools with dedicated advisor support.
Get expert financial advice
TD Automated Investing offers automated portfolios from $1,000, with the Plus plan adding advisor support at higher balances. It’s a practical choice for hands-off investors who want convenience with professional oversight.
For more tailored guidance, Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor who will help you manage your money and maximize your investments.