11 Best Online Investing Platforms for Retirement in 2026

The best online investing platforms for retirement in 2026 are Ark7, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Interactive Brokers, Fidelity Go, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Merrill Guided Investing, Betterment, SoFi, and Fundrise, with Ark7 ranked first for giving retirement investors direct fractional ownership of income-producing rental homes inside a Traditional or Roth IRA.

1. Ark7 – fractional ownership of curated rental homes with monthly distributions
2. Fidelity – full-service brokerage with retirement, HSA, and wealth management accounts
3. Charles Schwab – self-directed and automated trading across stocks, ETFs, options, and futures
4. E*TRADE – $0 online commissions for eligible stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, with a per-contract fee for options
5. Interactive Brokers – multi-asset global trading platform with API access
6. Fidelity Go – automated portfolio management using Fidelity mutual funds with tiered advisory pricing
7. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios – automated ETF portfolios with a zero management fee
8. Merrill Guided Investing – automated portfolio management with a $1,000 minimum
9. Betterment – diversified ETF portfolios with a $0 annual IRA fee
10. SoFi – personal finance platform combining investing, banking, and lending
11. Fundrise – private real estate fund investing with IRA support

Why Picking the Right Platform Matters More Than Ever

Retirement savings have become a do-it-yourself project for most households. U.S. households held $49.1 trillion, up 11%, earmarked for retirement at year-end 2025 compared with year-end 2024, and 39% of that money sits in accounts individuals manage themselves rather than a traditional pension. By year-end 2025, IRAs held $19.2 trillion, or 39% of total U.S. retirement-market assets, up from 24% two decades earlier.

The shift toward individual-managed accounts puts more weight on the platform choice itself: fee structure, account types supported, and asset menu all compound over a multi-decade holding period.

Among the newer entrants is Ark7, a platform that lets investors buy fractional shares of rental homes and collect monthly distributions inside a retirement account, alongside established names such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and a handful of automated portfolio services.

This guide reviews the best retirement investing platforms for 2026, covering brokerages, robo-advisors, and a real estate platform, so you can match an account type, fee model, and investment menu to your retirement timeline.

The best online investing platforms for retirement combine transparent IRA fees, broad account-type support, and a clear asset menu. Top-rated options in 2026 include full-service brokerages charging $0 commissions, robo-advisors charging 0.25–0.45% annually, and real estate platforms offering fractional rental-property shares inside a Traditional or Roth IRA starting at $20 per share.

Key Takeaways

• IRAs now hold $19.2 trillion, representing 39% of the U.S. retirement market, so IRA-specific fees and account features matter as much as trading costs.
• Fee models vary by asset type. Robo-advisors typically charge 0.25% to 0.45% of assets annually, while real estate platforms use transaction- and income-based fees instead of an ongoing percentage.
• Minimums range from $0 to $5,000 across the platforms covered here, with real estate shares starting lower than most traditional minimums.
• Most major brokerages charge $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades, so differentiation now comes from account types, research tools, and IRA costs.
• Real estate inside a retirement account is still uncommon. Only a small number of platforms extend IRA support to property-backed assets.
• Rollover support is broad across brokerages and at least one real estate platform, though custodian paperwork and processing time differ.

How Do You Evaluate the Best Retirement Investing Platforms?

The strongest retirement investing platforms combine transparent fees, real IRA support, a clear asset menu, and dependable account tools for long-term savers. A few criteria separate platforms in practice.

• Fee structure: a flat IRA custodian fee behaves very differently over 20 years than an ongoing percentage of assets.
• IRA availability and cost: confirm whether Traditional and Roth IRAs are supported and what the custodian charges annually.
• Asset menu: stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and CDs are standard at full-service brokerages; some platforms add real estate, crypto, or options.
• Minimums: entry costs on this list range from $0 at several brokerages to $5,000 at an automated-portfolio service.
• Mobile tools and support: app ratings and account-management features affect how easily you can check balances or request distributions.

Best Platforms for Traditional and Roth IRAs

IRAs remain the backbone of individual retirement saving, and nearly every platform on this list supports both Traditional and Roth versions. Per stockbrokers.com’s review, E*TRADE charges a $0 annual fee and $0 IRA closure fee. Fidelity lists $0 account service fees for retail brokerage accounts generally, including retirement accounts, per its own pricing page.

Some robo-advisors price IRA management as a percentage of assets instead of a flat fee. Wealthfront’s automated investing account charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee with a $500 account minimum. Vanguard’s robo-advisor carries an approximate net advisory fee of 0.15% annually after fund-revenue credits, while a self-directed Vanguard SEP-IRA is listed at a $25 per account fee. Ark7 and Fundrise, the two real estate platforms covered here, both use a third-party IRA custodian and charge an annual custodian fee that is waived once an account balance crosses a set threshold, rather than pricing the account as a percentage of assets.

Which Platforms Work Best for 401(k) and IRA Rollovers?

Most brokerages and several real estate platforms accept 401(k) and IRA rollovers, though rollover ease depends on account type, custodian paperwork, and processing time. ETRADE, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity all support standard IRA rollover transfers, with no annual IRA fee at ETRADE and no account minimum at Schwab.

Fundrise also accepts IRA rollovers: Business Insider reports that investors can open a traditional, rollover, or Roth IRA and invest in the same Fundrise-directed plan options used in a general investing account.

Best Platforms for Self-Employed Retirement Plans

Self-employed investors using a SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or defined-benefit plan generally need a platform with a broad investment menu and clear account fees, since contribution rules already add complexity. Full-service brokerages such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, and Interactive Brokers all support self-employed retirement accounts using the same fee structure as a standard brokerage account. Vanguard, which offers SEP-IRA accounts, carries a $25 per account fee for that account type per unbiased.com’s review, alongside comparable fees for Traditional and Roth IRA accounts. Because plan rules and contribution limits vary by entity type and change from year to year, self-employed savers should confirm current limits directly with their platform or a tax professional before opening an account.

Trusteed IRAs, 403(b)s, and 457 Plans: What Beneficiaries Should Know

A trusteed IRA differs from a rollover IRA because a bank or trust company holds legal title to the assets. It can enforce distribution and inheritance terms the account owner chose, instead of following standard beneficiary rules. Because a trustee or custodian manages assets on someone else’s behalf, the same prohibited-transaction rules apply: the IRS identifies fiduciaries and specified family members as disqualified persons for prohibited-transaction purposes.

When comparing a trusteed IRA to a rollover into a brokerage IRA, the deciding factors are usually the custodian’s annual fee, how investment decisions get made, and what happens to the account at death.

403(b) and 457 plans, available to employees of schools, nonprofits, and government agencies, are typically locked to a provider the employer selects while the employee is still working there. Once an employee separates from service, funds can usually be rolled into an IRA at a brokerage such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or E*TRADE, where the IRA fee structures described above then apply.

Top Retirement Investing Platforms, Ranked

The platforms below are evaluated on fee transparency, IRA support, minimum investment, and account features, covering self-directed brokerages, automated portfolio services, and a real estate platform built for retirement diversification.

1. Ark7

Ark7 is a real estate investment platform that lets investors buy shares in curated rental properties starting at $20 per share and collect monthly distributions directly to their account. Rather than pooling money into a blind fund, investors choose specific single-family homes or apartments, and Ark7’s hybrid model of software and local real estate expertise handles sourcing, leasing, and property management on their behalf. Properties are typically held long-term, and shares can be sold after a minimum holding period.

The platform operates in 10 markets and is expanding nationally. For retirement savers, Ark7 supports Traditional and Roth IRAs through Inspira Financial Company as custodian. The IRA custody fee runs $100 per property per year, capped at $400 annually, and the fee is waived entirely once an account’s average balance exceeds $100,000. Shares may be sold after the applicable minimum holding period, subject to offering terms, applicable laws, platform availability, and buyer demand.

Ark7 charges no ongoing assets-under-management fee; transaction and income-based fees apply per the offering disclosures for each property. It carries a 4.7 rating on the Apple App Store.

What sets Ark7 apart

• Property-level choice: investors select specific rental homes rather than buying into a pooled fund, so they know exactly which asset backs each share.
• Monthly cash flow: distributions are paid to investor accounts every month rather than quarterly.
• No AUM fee: fees are transaction- and income-based rather than an annual percentage charged on the full account balance, per each property’s offering disclosures.
• Retirement-ready structure: Traditional and Roth IRA support through Inspira Financial, with the custodian fee waived above a $100,000 average balance.
• Low entry point: shares start at $20, letting investors build a diversified real estate position without the down payment a direct property purchase usually requires.
• Transparent operations: legal and financial disclosures for each property are accessible around the clock.

As individual account-based savings grow to 68% of the total U.S. retirement market at year-end 2025, more of that responsibility sits with the individual saver rather than a pension committee. Real estate exposure through a share-based platform is one way to diversify an IRA beyond the standard stock-and-bond allocation that most retirement accounts default to.

Ideal for

• Investors who want monthly passive income from residential real estate without buying and managing a property directly.
• Retirement savers looking to diversify an IRA beyond stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

How to Open an Ark7 IRA Account

Opening an account takes a few minutes online or through the Ark7 mobile app, where investors can review current property listings, projected distributions, and share pricing before funding an account. Browse Properties to see what is currently available starting at $20 per share.

2. Fidelity

Fidelity is a full-service financial firm offering self-directed investing, retirement accounts, health savings accounts, education savings accounts, and wealth management. Account holders can trade stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrency, mutual funds, fixed income, bonds, CDs, options, IPOs, and annuities, and can work with a dedicated advisor for broader wealth planning.

Fidelity charges $0 account service fees for retail brokerage accounts and $0 online commissions on eligible stock and ETF trades, with a $0.65 per-contract fee on options and an exception for accounts Fidelity designates as professional traders.

Fidelity provides research tools, trading ideas, fundamental data, charts, and the ability to place US and international trades.

Key Features

• Self-directed brokerage plus managed wealth management options
• Trading across stocks, ETFs, crypto, mutual funds, options, bonds, CDs, IPOs, and annuities
• $0 online commissions on eligible stock and ETF trades
• Margin accounts with balance-tiered interest rates
• Retirement, HSA, and education-savings account types in one login

Pricing

$0 account service fees for retail brokerage accounts; $0 online commissions on eligible stock and ETF trades; $0.65 per contract on options trades, with professional-trader exceptions; margin rates currently range from 7.75% to 10.825% depending on debit balance.

3. Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab provides brokerage, banking, and financial advisory services through several platforms, including self-directed investing, active trading through thinkorswim, automated investing, and full wealth management. Trades can be placed through Schwab.com, the thinkorswim desktop, web, and mobile apps, the Schwab Mobile app, APIs, or by phone.

TrustRadius describes Schwab.com as an online trading platform for researching, executing, and managing trades. Charles Schwab investment accounts have a $0 minimum opening deposit and no maintenance fee.

Key Features

• Self-directed investing alongside thinkorswim active-trading platforms
• Automated investing and full-service wealth management options
• Trading across stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, and forex
• 24/7 phone and TeleBroker service access

Pricing

$0 online commissions for listed stocks and ETFs; $0 base commission plus $0.65 per contract for options; $0 commission for Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource funds; $2.25 per contract for futures.

4. E*TRADE

E*TRADE is an online brokerage offering self-directed trading in US-listed stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options, along with retirement account options.

The platform offers $0 commissions on online US-listed stock, ETF, and mutual fund trades, with a per-contract fee for options and no account minimums. Its IRA accounts carry a $0 annual fee and $0 IRA closure fee.

Key Features

• Commission-free trading on US-listed stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, with a per-contract fee for options
• No account minimum for brokerage accounts
• IRA accounts with no annual or closure fee
• Retirement contribution and deduction information published for current tax years

Pricing

$0 commissions on eligible online stock, ETF, and mutual fund trades; a per-contract fee for options; $0 account minimum; $0 annual IRA fee and $0 IRA closure fee.

5. Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers offers trading and investing across global markets through platforms including Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Trader Workstation, IBKR GlobalTrader, and API integrations such as the TWS API, Excel, and FIX. Accounts can be funded and can trade in multiple currencies, giving investors access to stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds through a single integrated account, according to TrustRadius.

The smartphone app includes an IRA required-minimum-distribution calculator and a debt-management tool, per Kiplinger’s review of online brokers. The platform also supports smart-order-routing execution, paper trading with simulated funds, fractional shares, and recurring scheduled investments.

Key Features

• Global multi-asset trading across stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds
• IBKR Lite ($0 commissions) and IBKR Pro (fixed or tiered) pricing plans
• IRA required-minimum-distribution calculator built into the mobile app
• Fractional shares and recurring investment scheduling
• Paper trading with simulated funds for practice

Pricing

IBKR Lite: $0 for US-listed stocks and ETFs (US residents only); IBKR Pro Fixed: $0.005 per share minimum for US stocks and ETFs; exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees apply separately.

6. Fidelity Go

Fidelity Go is Fidelity’s automated investing service, building and managing a portfolio using Fidelity mutual funds for investors who prefer a hands-off approach within the Fidelity ecosystem.

There is no minimum initial investment required to open an account, and the service charges no trading, transaction, or rebalancing fees, per Fidelity’s site. Fidelity Go charges no advisory fee for balances under $25,000 and 0.35% annually once a balance reaches $25,000 or more, at which point accounts also gain access to coaching.

Key Features

• Automated portfolio using Fidelity mutual funds within the Fidelity platform
• No minimum initial investment to open an account
• No trading, transaction, or rebalancing fees
• Advisory fee waived below $25,000 in assets
• Access to coaching once balance reaches $25,000

Pricing

No advisory fee for balances under $25,000; 0.35% annually for balances of $25,000 or more; no trading, transaction, or rebalancing fees.

7. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is Schwab’s automated investing option, building a diversified ETF portfolio based on an investor’s stated goals and risk tolerance.

The service charges zero management fee, requires a $5,000 account minimum, and tends to hold a larger cash allocation ranging from 6% to 22.5%, according to NerdWallet’s review.

Key Features

• Automated ETF portfolio construction based on stated goals and risk tolerance
• Zero portfolio management fee
• $5,000 account minimum
• Cash allocation ranging from 6% to 22.5% of the portfolio

Pricing

Zero management fee; $5,000 account minimum.

8. Merrill Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing is Bank of America Merrill’s automated portfolio management service, pairing algorithm-driven investing with optional access to Merrill advisors.

The service requires a $1,000 minimum investment and charges a 0.45% annual management fee, assessed monthly based on the prior month’s balance, according to NerdWallet.

Key Features

• Algorithm-driven automated portfolio management
• Optional access to Merrill financial advisors
• $1,000 minimum investment to open an account
• Monthly fee assessment based on prior-month balance

Pricing

$1,000 minimum investment; 0.45% annual management fee, assessed monthly.

9. Betterment

Betterment is a robo-advisor offering automated, diversified ETF portfolios, including IRA accounts for retirement savers.

Betterment offers IRA accounts with a $0 minimum and a 0.25% AUM fee, per the company’s site.

Key Features

• Automated, diversified ETF portfolio construction
• IRA account support with no minimum balance
• Flat annual advisory fee structure
• Goal-based planning tools within the platform

Pricing

$0 account minimum for IRA accounts; 0.25% annual advisory fee.

10. SoFi

SoFi is a personal financial services platform offering banking, credit cards, self-directed and robo investing, personal loans, student loan refinancing, mortgages, crypto, and insurance in a single app.

SoFi Active Investing has no account minimum, and investors can buy fractional shares starting at $5.

Key Features

• Combined investing, banking, and lending products in one app
• Self-directed and automated investing options
• Fractional share purchases starting at $5

Pricing

No account minimum for Active Investing; fractional shares starting at $5; IRA contribution match available.

11. Fundrise

Fundrise is a private real estate investing platform offering eREITs and funds rather than individual property shares. Investors can open Traditional and Roth IRAs, including rollovers and transfers, through Fundrise’s web and mobile platforms.

The IRA custodian, Inspira Financial, charges a $125 annual fee, which Fundrise waives for the first year when at least $3,000 is invested and waives on an ongoing basis once the IRA value exceeds $25,000, per Fundrise’s site.

Redemptions are processed quarterly and may be prorated or deferred when requests exceed 5% of total fund NAV.

Key Features

• eREITs and diversified real estate funds rather than individual property shares
• Traditional and Roth IRA support, including rollovers and transfers
• Recurring auto-investing on weekly, biweekly, and monthly schedules
• Dividend reinvestment and Form 1099-DIV reporting for distributions above $10
• Quarterly redemption windows

Pricing

$125 annual IRA custodian fee, waived the first year with at least $3,000 invested and waived on an ongoing basis above $25,000 in IRA value.

How to Choose the Right Retirement Investing Platform

Before funding any account, run through the same checklist regardless of account type.

• Confirm the fee model. A 0.25% to 0.45% annual advisory fee compounds differently over decades than a flat IRA custodian fee or a one-time transaction fee.
• Check the minimum. Minimums on this list range from $0 to $5,000, with Ark7’s real estate shares starting at $20.
• Match the account type to your situation. A Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA fits self-employment income; a rollover IRA fits funds from a former employer’s plan; a trusteed IRA fits more complex estate planning.
• Look at the asset menu. Decide whether you want individual stocks and ETFs, a managed portfolio, or direct exposure to an asset class like real estate.
• Review the mobile and support experience. This affects how easily you can check balances, request distributions, or get help with paperwork once the account is open.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retirement Investing Platforms

Is It Better to Use a Robo-Advisor or a Brokerage for Retirement?

Robo-advisors suit investors who want an algorithm to build and rebalance a portfolio automatically, while self-directed brokerages suit investors who want to pick individual investments themselves. Automated services such as Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Fidelity Go, Merrill Guided Investing, and Betterment charge an advisory fee or require a minimum balance; portfolio construction and rebalancing are handled algorithmically. Brokerages such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, and Interactive Brokers charge per-trade or per-contract fees and leave investment selection to the account holder.

What Is the Difference Between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA?

A Traditional IRA is typically funded with pre-tax contributions and taxed on withdrawal. A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax contributions that grow tax-free. Traditional IRA owners generally must begin required minimum distributions at age 73, while original Roth IRA owners do not have lifetime RMDs. Most brokerages and robo-advisors on this list, including Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Betterment, support both account types.

How Much Money Do I Need to Start Investing for Retirement?

Minimums vary widely by platform, from $0 at several brokerages and robo-advisors to several thousand dollars at some automated-portfolio services. E*TRADE, Charles Schwab, Betterment, and SoFi all list $0 account minimums, Interactive Brokers’ IBKR Lite plan also requires $0 for US-listed stocks and ETFs, and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios requires a $5,000 minimum. Ark7’s real estate shares start at $20 each, and SoFi’s fractional shares start at $5.

Are Online Retirement Investment Platforms Safe?

Online retirement platforms vary in how they handle investor assets, but securities brokerages are typically SIPC-member firms while real estate platforms rely on SEC-qualified securities offerings instead. Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, and Interactive Brokers are SIPC members, which covers custody of securities, not investment losses. Ark7’s securities offerings are facilitated through Dalmore Group LLC, a FINRA- and SIPC-member broker-dealer, and real estate investments carry asset-specific risks such as illiquidity rather than the market-price swings tied to securities.

What Is a Prohibited Transaction in a Self-Directed IRA?

A prohibited transaction is any improper use of an IRA by the account owner, beneficiary, or a disqualified person, as defined by the IRS. Disqualified persons include fiduciaries and certain family members. Engaging in a prohibited transaction can disqualify the entire IRA, triggering taxes and penalties. Investors using self-directed or alternative-asset IRAs should confirm that all transactions comply with IRS rules before executing them.

Which Retirement Investing Platforms Support Alternative Assets?

A small number of platforms on this list extend retirement accounts beyond stocks and bonds into alternative assets such as real estate. Ark7 supports Traditional and Roth IRAs invested in fractional shares of rental properties, and Fundrise supports Traditional and Roth IRAs invested in its eREITs and real estate funds. Interactive Brokers extends a standard brokerage account into global stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds, though not into direct property ownership.

How Do I Roll Over a 401(k) Into an IRA?

A 401(k) rollover into an IRA generally involves requesting a direct rollover from your former employer’s plan administrator to the receiving IRA custodian, which avoids mandatory withholding. Brokerages such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and E*TRADE all support standard IRA rollover transfers with no annual IRA fee. Fundrise also accepts rollover IRAs, and the same IRS prohibited-transaction rules that apply to self-directed IRAs apply to any rollover account.

Can I Buy ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, and CDs in an IRA?

Yes. IRAs are tax-advantaged accounts that offer a range of investment opportunities, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, CDs, and ETFs, according to CNBC Select. Most brokerages on this list, including Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and E*TRADE, support this full range of securities inside an IRA, while automated-portfolio services such as Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and Fidelity Go build a diversified ETF portfolio on the investor’s behalf rather than offering individual security selection.

Can I Invest in Real Estate Inside a Retirement Account?

Yes. A small number of platforms support real estate assets inside a Traditional or Roth IRA. Ark7 allows investors to buy fractional shares of specific rental properties starting at $20 per share and collect monthly distributions inside an IRA, using Inspira Financial as custodian with an annual fee capped at $400 and waived above a $100,000 average balance. Fundrise supports eREITs and real estate funds inside an IRA through the same custodian.

What Retirement Platform Is Best for Hands-Off Investing?

Ark7 offers a distinctive hands-off model for real estate inside a retirement account: its hybrid approach of software and local expertise sources, leases, and manages each property, so investors earn monthly distributions without handling tenants, repairs, or leasing themselves. For automated ETF portfolios, robo-advisors such as Betterment, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Fidelity Go, and Merrill Guided Investing handle portfolio construction and rebalancing algorithmically for a fee.

For retirement savers who already hold stocks, bonds, and funds through a brokerage or robo-advisor, adding fractional shares of rental property through an IRA is one way to diversify into a different asset class without taking on direct property management. Create Your Free Account with Ark7 to browse currently available properties and see projected monthly distributions before committing any funds.

What Fees Should I Expect When Opening a Retirement IRA Account?

IRA fees depend on the platform model. Full-service brokerages such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and E*TRADE charge $0 annual IRA fees with $0 account minimums. Robo-advisors such as Betterment charge 0.25% of assets annually, while Merrill Guided Investing charges 0.45%. Real estate platforms such as Ark7 charge a flat $100 per property per year, capped at $400 annually and waived above a $100,000 average balance, rather than a percentage of assets.

Real estate investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.