Top 10 investment companies & firms 2025
Choosing the right investment company can shape your financial future. In this guide, we compare the top 10 firms of 2025 to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Whether you’re just starting your investment journey or looking to optimize your portfolio, choosing the right investment company is key.
The best firms offer more than just a place to park your money; they provide tools, advice, and tailored options to help you meet your financial goals.
In this guide, we’ve reviewed and ranked the top 10 investment companies in 2025, comparing their strengths, fees, digital tools, and who they’re best suited for.
1. Fidelity Investments
Minimum investment: $0
Fees:
$0 commission for US stock and ETF trades
Expense ratios for mutual funds vary (some index funds as low as 0.015%)
No account fees for standard brokerage or IRAs
Best for: All-in-one investing, retirement planning, and low-cost mutual funds
Fidelity consistently ranks among the top 10 investment companies thanks to its low fees, deep research, and powerful planning tools. It’s a strong choice for both beginners and seasoned investors.
Pros of Fidelity Investments:
Commission-free trades and zero account minimums
Comprehensive retirement tools and IRAs
In-depth research and fund screeners
Excellent mobile app and customer support
Cons of Fidelity Investments:
Some actively managed funds have higher expense ratios
The app interface can be dense for new users
2. Charles Schwab
Minimum investment: $0
Fees:
$0 online stock and ETF trades
Robo-advisor (Intelligent Portfolios): $5,000 minimum, no advisory fee
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium: $25,000 minimum, $30/month advisory fee + $300 initial planning fee
Best for: Long-term investing and low-cost trades
Charles Schwab blends traditional investing with digital convenience. With its robust trading platform, low fees, and access to financial advisors, it’s ideal for hands-on and hands-off investors alike.
Pros of Charles Schwab:
$0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios robo-advisor
Wide access to advisors and in-person branches
Extensive educational tools
Cons of Charles Schwab:
Limited support for crypto investors
The Charles Schwab app can be less intuitive for beginners than other platforms.
3. Vanguard
Minimum investment:
$0 for brokerage account
$1,000–$3,000 for most mutual funds
Fees:
$0 stock/ETF commissions
Mutual fund expense ratios as low as 0.03%
No account maintenance fees with e-delivery
Best for: Passive investors and retirement planning
If you’re a long-term investor focused on low-cost index funds, Vanguard remains one of the top investment firms. Its investor-owned structure keeps fees low and priorities aligned with clients.
Pros of Vanguard:
Ultra-low expense ratios
Industry-leading index and target-date funds
Strong retirement focus
Trusted brand in passive investing
Cons of Vanguard:
Limited trading tools
Not ideal for active or short-term traders
4. Robinhood
Minimum investment: $0
Fees:
$0 commissions on stock, ETF, and crypto trades
Robinhood Gold (premium research + margin): $5/month
No advisory or account maintenance fees
Best for: Mobile-first investing and active traders
Robinhood popularised commission-free trading and made investing accessible to a new generation. It now also offers IRAs, stock lending, and 24/7 customer support.
Pros of Robinhood:
Simple mobile interface
Commission-free stock, ETF, and crypto trades
Fractional shares and instant deposits
24/7 customer support
Cons of Robinhood:
Lack of Mutual Funds and Bonds
Robinhood has recently dealt with controversies surrounding trading restrictions
5. Betterment
Minimum investment: $0
Fees:
0.25% annual management fee (Digital plan)
0.40% (Premium plan with human advice)
No trading or rebalancing fees
No minimum for basic service
Best for: Hands-off investors seeking automated portfolios
Betterment is one of the leading robo-advisors, offering low-cost, algorithm-driven portfolios based on your goals and risk tolerance. You can also add real financial advice for a fee.
Pros of Betterment:
Automated tax-loss harvesting
Goal-based investing
Low fees (0.25–0.40%)
Optional access to financial planners
Cons of Betterment:
No active trading or DIY investing
Limited flexibility for advanced investors
6. Wealthfront
Minimum investment: $500
Fees:
0.25% annual advisory fee
No commissions or rebalancing fees
Free financial planning tools included
Best for: Tech-savvy investors focused on automation
Wealthfront offers powerful digital planning tools, smart portfolio management, and low fees, making it one of the best investment companies for investors who prefer automation over advice.
Pros of Wealthfront:
Intuitive planning tools and dashboards
Low 0.25% annual fee
Automated rebalancing and tax optimisation
Customisable ETF portfolios
Cons of Wealthfront:
No access to human advisors
$500 minimum to start
7. Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
Minimum investment: $100,000 for advisory services
Fees:
0.89% for accounts under $1 million
Tiered fee structure (drops to 0.49% for $1 million+)
Free access to financial tracking tools
Best for: High-net-worth individuals and retirement planning
Empower combines a powerful free financial dashboard with personalized advice for those with larger portfolios. It’s one of the top 10 investment firms for goal-based retirement planning.
Pros of Empower:
Free tools for budgeting and net worth tracking
Professional advice for $100k+ clients
Detailed retirement projections
Transparent fee structure
Cons of Empower:
Higher fees
Not ideal for small or new investors
8. BlackRock
Minimum investment: Depends on the platform holding iShares ETFs (typically $0–$1,000)
Fees:
Expense ratios for iShares ETFs range from 0.03% to 0.25%
No direct platform fees (used via brokerages)
No account-level services for retail investors
Best for: ETFs and ESG investing at scale
BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager, best known for its iShares ETF range. Though not a retail-first platform, its funds are used by advisors and DIY investors globally.
Pros of BlackRock:
Thousands of ETF options
Leader in sustainable investing (ESG)
Powerful institutional research
Partnered with most major brokers
Cons of BlackRock:
Not a direct-to-consumer platform
Limited account types for retail investors
9. UBS
Minimum investment: Typically $1 million+
Fees:
Custom pricing model based on services
May include management fees, performance fees, and advisory fees
Dedicated wealth management team included
Best for: Ultra-high-net-worth investors
UBS is a premier choice for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offering fully personalized financial advice, tax planning, and international investment opportunities.
Pros of UBS:
Personalized portfolio construction
Tax, estate, and legacy planning
Global market access
Private banking services
Cons of UBS:
High minimum requirements
Not designed for everyday investors
10. Morgan Stanley
Minimum investment:
ETRADE: $0
Core portfolios: $500
Portfolio management: $10.000
Individualized services: $500,000
Fees:
Custom advisory fees (can range from 0.50–1.50% AUM)
No commissions on E*TRADE stock/ETF trades
Additional fees may apply for planning and portfolio structuring
Best for: Full-service wealth management
Morgan Stanley combines traditional investment services with elite-level wealth planning. From self-directed trading to managed portfolios, it caters to a broad client base, including high-net-worth individuals.
Pros of Morgan Stanley:
Wide range of investment solutions
Dedicated financial advisors
Strong research and insights
Access to self-directed and managed accounts
Cons of Morgan Stanley:
Advisory fees may be higher
Minimums vary by program
Compare the Top 10 Investment Companies
| Company | Best for | Account minimum | Fees | Advisor access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Best for | Account minimum | Fees | Advisor access |
| Fidelity | All-in-one, retirement | $0 | $0 trades | Yes (human + robo) |
| Charles Schwab | Long-term, low cost | $0 | $0 trades | Yes |
| Vanguard | Passive, retirement | $0 | Low fund fees | Limited |
| Robinhood | Mobile, active traders | $0 | $0 trades | No |
| Betterment | Automated investing | $0 | 0.25–0.40% AUM | Optional |
| Wealthfront | Tech-first, automated tools | $500 | 0.25% AUM | No |
| Empower | HNW & retirement advice | $100,000 | 0.49–0.89% AUM | Yes |
| BlackRock | ETFs, institutional quality | Fund-based | Varies | Via advisors |
| UBS | HNW wealth management | High | Custom pricing | Yes |
| Morgan Stanley | Full-service investing | Varies by product | Advisory fees apply | Yes (in-person + app) |
What is the best investment company in 2025?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what is the best investment company, because the right choice depends on your investing style, financial goals, and how much guidance you want.
Here’s a breakdown based on your preferences:
For full-service retirement planning → Fidelity, Empower, or Morgan Stanley
For low-cost passive growth → Vanguard or Charles Schwab
For automated investing → Betterment or Wealthfront
For mobile-first access → Robinhood
For high-net-worth or global advice → UBS or BlackRock
How to choose the best investment firm for your needs
Picking the right investment company starts with understanding how much guidance you need and how much you’re willing to pay for it.
Here are a few key things to weigh:
Your investing style
Self-managed: For confident investors, a self-managed approach offers full control at low cost. It’s ideal if you prefer making your own decisions and have the time or experience to manage your portfolio.
Key benefits include:
Commission-free stock and ETF trades
Low-cost index/mutual funds (<0.10% fees)
Advanced research tools and trackers
Low or no account minimums
Robo-advisor: Ideal for hands-off investors, robo-advisors use algorithms to manage your portfolio automatically.
They offer:
Automated rebalancing and tax optimization
Goal-based planning tools
Transparent fees (0.25%–0.40% annually)
Low account minimums ($0–$500)
Financial advisor: For complex finances or expert guidance, a financial advisor can be a valuable partner.
Benefits include:
Personalized planning for retirement, estate, and more
Ongoing advice tailored to your goals and risk tolerance
Fees are typically around 1% of assets managed
Access to fiduciaries who prioritize your best interests
Costs and fees
DIY platforms can cost next to nothing, especially if you stick with ETFs and avoid premium tools.
Robo-advisors typically charge 0.25% to 0.40% annually, often with added features like tax optimization.
Full-service firms can charge around 1% AUM, but bring personalized advice and long-term strategy.
Other important factors
Account minimums: Do you meet the platform’s entry threshold?
Available account types: Do they support retirement, taxable, and business accounts?
Range of investments: Stocks, ETFs, crypto, ESG, etc.
Support and experience: Can you get help when you need it? Are the tools easy to use?
FAQs about investment companies
What is the best investment company for beginners?
Betterment, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab are great places to start. They offer low fees, easy onboarding, and support for retirement accounts.
Are robo-advisors safe?
Yes. Firms like Wealthfront and Betterment are regulated and use encryption and SIPC protection. They're great for low-cost, automated investing.
What’s the difference between a broker and an investment firm?
A broker helps you buy and sell assets, while an investment firm may offer broader services like financial planning, wealth management, and tax advice.
Writers
Our team of writers, who have decades of experience writing about personal finance, including investing and retirement, are here to help you find out what you must know about life’s biggest financial decisions.