M1 Finance

M1 Finance blends the customization of self-directed investing with the automation of a robo-advisor. The core concept is the 'Pie' — a visual portfolio where you allocate percentages to individual stocks, ETFs, or pre-built portfolios. M1 then automatically invests deposits and rebalances according to your target allocations.

Unlike pure robo-advisors (Wealthfront, Betterment), M1 gives you complete control over what you own. You pick the stocks and ETFs, set the percentages, and M1 handles the execution, rebalancing, and dividend reinvestment. Unlike pure brokerages, M1 automates the tedious work. It is the best of both worlds for investors who know what they want to own but do not want to manually rebalance.

M1 also offers M1 Borrow (margin loans at competitive rates using your portfolio as collateral), M1 Spend (a checking account with a debit card), and M1 Plus ($95/year) for extra trading windows and higher interest rates. The platform is built for buy-and-hold investors who want automation without surrendering control.