{"id":31006,"date":"2026-10-16T11:04:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T11:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ark7.com\/blog\/?p=31006"},"modified":"2026-10-16T11:05:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T11:05:23","slug":"online-investing-platforms-traditional-ira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ark7.com\/blog\/learn\/in-depth\/real-estate-investing\/online-investing-platforms-traditional-ira\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Best Online Investing Platforms for Traditional IRA in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The best traditional IRA investing platforms in 2026 are Ark7, Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Betterment, Wealthfront, Merrill Edge, Ally Invest, SoFi, and Robinhood, with Ark7 ranked first for giving traditional IRA holders direct, fractional access to income-producing rental real estate starting at $20 a share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ark7<\/strong> &#8211; fractional rental-property shares with monthly income distributions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fidelity<\/strong> &#8211; zero-account-fee brokerage IRA with stocks, ETFs, and crypto access<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vanguard<\/strong> &#8211; self-directed IRA investing plus a digital advisory option<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Charles Schwab<\/strong> &#8211; full-service brokerage with several trading platforms and channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E*TRADE<\/strong> &#8211; commission-free ETFs and thousands of mutual funds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Betterment<\/strong> &#8211; automated, goal-based portfolios across several IRA types<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wealthfront<\/strong> &#8211; flat-fee robo-advisor with tax-loss harvesting tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Merrill Edge<\/strong> &#8211; self-directed and professionally guided portfolio tiers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ally Invest<\/strong> &#8211; self-directed trading, robo portfolios, and personal advice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SoFi<\/strong> &#8211; self-directed and robo investing with a contribution match<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Robinhood<\/strong> &#8211; stock, ETF, and options trading without mutual funds or bonds<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Platform<\/th><th>Asset Class \/ What You Invest In<\/th><th>Minimum Investment<\/th><th>Unique Value \/ Differentiating Feature<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Ark7<\/td><td>Fractional shares of rental properties (real estate only); 10 markets<\/td><td>$20 per share<\/td><td>Monthly rental income distributions; share-by-share real estate ownership<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fidelity<\/td><td>Stocks, ETFs, crypto, fractional shares, and more<\/td><td>$0; fractional shares from $1<\/td><td>Crypto available; fractional shares from $1; dedicated advisor wealth management<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vanguard<\/td><td>Stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds (self-directed IRA); automated portfolio (Digital Advisor)<\/td><td>$0 to open self-directed IRA; $1 to start investing<\/td><td>Low-cost index fund selection; Digital Advisor charges 0.20%\u20130.25% gross advisory fee<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Charles Schwab<\/td><td>Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures, forex<\/td><td>$0 (Self-Directed); $5,000 (Intelligent Portfolios)<\/td><td>thinkorswim active trading platform; 9 trading channels including API and phone<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>E*TRADE<\/td><td>Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options<\/td><td>Not stated<\/td><td>Hundreds of commission-free ETFs; 4,400+ mutual funds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ally Invest<\/td><td>Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options<\/td><td>$0 (Self-Directed); $100 (Robo Portfolios)<\/td><td>TipRanks expert data integration; 10,000+ no-load mutual funds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>SoFi<\/td><td>Stocks, ETFs, IPOs, fractional shares<\/td><td>Not published<\/td><td>1% IRA contribution match up to the annual limit<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people researching <a href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/ira\">traditional IRA platforms<\/a> already have a retirement account somewhere. The question is whether it is working as hard as it could be. Fee structures are buried in fine print, fund minimums vary wildly, and most platforms offer the same stocks-and-bonds menu with little to differentiate them. This guide breaks down the fees, investment menus, and account mechanics behind each of the best traditional IRA investing platforms so you can match a provider to how you actually plan to invest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Traditional IRA Platform Choice Matters More Than It Used To<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By year-end 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ici.org\/news-release\/rollovers-fuel-multitrillion-ira-market\">IRAs held $19.2 trillion<\/a> in assets, and traditional accounts remain the backbone of that pool. In mid-2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ici.org\/news-release\/rollovers-fuel-multitrillion-ira-market\">44% of US households owned<\/a> IRAs, with traditional IRAs the most common type at 33% of households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A large share of that growth is coming from job changers: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ici.org\/25-view-ira-ownership-reaches-record-highs\">59% of traditional IRA-owning households<\/a> said their accounts contained rollovers from employer-sponsored plans, and separately, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planadviser.com\/ici-61-of-traditional-iras-have-rollover-assets\">61% of traditional IRAs hold<\/a> rollover assets. That raises the stakes on picking a platform that fits long-term needs, not just an opening promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Traditional IRAs dominate the retirement-account landscape.<\/strong> They remain the most common IRA type, held by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ici.org\/news-release\/rollovers-fuel-multitrillion-ira-market\">33% of US households<\/a> as of mid-2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-directed account fees have largely gone to zero.<\/strong> Fidelity, Schwab, E*TRADE, and Ally Invest all charge no annual fee for self-directed traditional IRAs; the cost differences show up in advisory fees and fund minimums instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Robo-advisors trade convenience for a recurring percentage fee.<\/strong> Betterment and Wealthfront both charge roughly a quarter of a percent annually once you opt into automated management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Real estate exposure is rare inside a tax-advantaged account.<\/strong> Most mainstream brokers limit traditional IRA holdings to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, which is why platforms offering fractional property ownership stand apart.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The IRS treats fees differently depending on who charges them.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/publications\/p590a\">Brokers&#8217; commissions count toward<\/a> the annual contribution limit, while trustee administrative fees do not.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How We Evaluated the Best Traditional IRA Investing Platforms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong traditional IRA platform is judged on what it costs to open and hold the account, how low the entry point is, what asset classes are available, and whether the account type you need is supported. We weighed account fees, commissions, advisory fees, and transfer-out costs separately, since bundling them hides the real total. We also distinguished between the minimum to open an account, the minimum to start investing, and the minimum to enroll in an automated portfolio. Fee and feature claims from a provider&#8217;s own page are treated as vendor facts; claims from independent review sources are linked directly throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Traditional IRA Investing Platforms for 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Ark7<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ark7 is an online real estate investment app that lets investors buy shares in curated rental properties rather than shares of stock. Instead of choosing between stocks, bonds, and mutual funds inside a traditional IRA, Ark7 investors purchase <a href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/share-investments\">fractional ownership in professionally managed<\/a> single-family and multifamily rental homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What sets Ark7 apart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Monthly passive income.<\/strong> Investors receive monthly distributions straight to their account rather than waiting for a sale event.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minimum holding period, then flexibility.<\/strong> Investors can sell shares after a minimum holding period, or hold for long-term appreciation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hybrid sourcing model.<\/strong> Ark7 combines artificial intelligence with local market expertise to source, underwrite, and manage properties, automating leasing and day-to-day operations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Full disclosure.<\/strong> Legal and financial documentation for each property is accessible 24\/7 and searchable, with no hidden fees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>App Store rating.<\/strong> Ark7 is <a href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/\">rated 4.7 on the Apple<\/a> App Store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Start Investing in Ark7 Through a Traditional IRA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ark7 currently operates in 10 markets and is expanding nationally. Investors can <a href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/ira\">explore Ark7&#8217;s IRA option<\/a> to see how fractional rental shares can sit inside a Traditional or Roth IRA alongside, or instead of, traditional securities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Fidelity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fidelity is a full-service brokerage offering self-directed investing and managed portfolios across brokerage, retirement, and savings accounts. Its retail brokerage accounts, including traditional IRAs, carry a $0 account service fee, $0 minimum initial investment, and $0 IRA closeout fee, though investment expenses and transaction-related charges can still apply, per Fidelity&#8217;s own pricing page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>US stocks and ETFs trade commission-free online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fractional shares can be purchased for as little as $1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stocks, ETFs, crypto, and other asset types available in one account<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fidelity Go, the platform&#8217;s managed option, charges no management fee for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etnasoft.com\/best-robo-advisors-of-2026-your-guide-to-automated-investing\">balances under $25,000<\/a> and a 0.35% fee above that, with a $10 account minimum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>$0 account fee, $0 minimum initial investment, and $0 IRA closeout fee for retail brokerage accounts, per Fidelity&#8217;s own pricing page. Fidelity Go is free under $25,000 and 0.35% annually above that threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Vanguard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vanguard is a brokerage and advisory firm known for low-cost index fund investing, offering both self-directed traditional IRAs and an automated advisory option. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/personal-finance\/investing\/best-ira-accounts\">Vanguard requires no account minimum<\/a> to open a self-directed IRA, though many of its mutual funds carry their own minimums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-directed investing can begin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/retirement\/best-ira-accounts\/\">with as little as $1<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Broad mutual fund and ETF selection for long-term, index-style portfolios<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vanguard Digital Advisor&#8217;s annual gross advisory <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/retirement\/best-ira-accounts\/\">fee runs 0.20% for all-index<\/a> investments and 0.25% for a mixed active-and-index option<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-directed traditional IRAs carry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unbiased.com\/discover\/financial-advice\/vanguard-review\">a $25 annual account service<\/a> fee, which can often be waived by enrolling in electronic statement delivery. Vanguard Digital Advisor charges a 0.20% to 0.25% gross advisory fee depending on the portfolio selected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Charles Schwab<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Charles Schwab offers self-directed investing, active trading through thinkorswim, automated investing, and full wealth management, with trades placeable through Schwab.com, thinkorswim desktop, web, and mobile, Schwab Mobile, Schwab software, Schwab APIs, Schwab by Phone, and TeleBroker, per Schwab&#8217;s own pricing page. Many of these active-trading tools, including thinkorswim, carried over to Schwab after its merger with TD Ameritrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$0 base commission plus $0.65 per contract for options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$0 for Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource online trades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No account or trade minimums for self-directed accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automated Intelligent Portfolios available as a separate managed option<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>$0 online commission on stocks and ETFs, $0 base plus $0.65 per contract on options, $2.25 per contract on futures, and no account or trade minimums for self-directed accounts, per Schwab&#8217;s own pricing page. Schwab&#8217;s automated Intelligent Portfolios option carries a separate minimum deposit requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. E*TRADE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Zero commission on stock, ETF, and options trades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zero transaction fees on thousands of mutual funds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockbrokers.com\/review\/etrade\/ira\">No annual fee and no<\/a> account closure fee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managed Core Portfolios available as an automated alternative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No annual fee or closure fee; a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockbrokers.com\/review\/etrade\/ira\">$75 full account transfer-out fee<\/a> applies if you move the entire account elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Betterment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Betterment is an automated investing platform built around goal-based portfolios, supporting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/investing\/reviews\/betterment\">Traditional, Roth, inherited, rollover,<\/a> and SEP IRAs. Rather than letting investors pick individual securities, Betterment builds and rebalances a diversified portfolio based on the investor&#8217;s stated goals and risk tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automated portfolio construction and rebalancing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for five different IRA account types<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Goal-based investing tools for retirement planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Premium tier that adds access to human advisors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Betterment&#8217;s Digital plan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unbiased.com\/discover\/financial-advice\/wealthfront-vs-betterment\">charges a 0.25% annual fee,<\/a> while its Premium plan charges 0.65% annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Wealthfront<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wealthfront is an automated investing platform supporting individual and joint taxable accounts, traditional, Roth, rollover, and SEP IRAs, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/investing\/reviews\/wealthfront-2026\">custodial accounts, 529 plans,<\/a> and high-yield cash accounts. It is built for investors who want a hands-off, algorithm-managed portfolio rather than picking their own holdings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automated portfolio management across several account types<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tax-loss harvesting included as a standard feature<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Direct indexing available on larger account balances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cash management tools alongside investment accounts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wealthfront charges <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unbiased.com\/discover\/financial-advice\/wealthfront-vs-betterment\">a flat 0.25% annual advisory<\/a> fee with no separate transaction fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Merrill Edge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Merrill Edge offers three tiers: Merrill Edge Self-Directed, Merrill Guided Investing, and Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor, giving investors a choice between building their own portfolio or having one built and managed for them, per Merrill&#8217;s own pricing page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-Directed tier has a $0 minimum and unlimited $0 online stock, ETF, and option trades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guided Investing starts at a $1,000 minimum with a 0.45% fee assessed monthly on the prior month&#8217;s balance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guided Investing with Advisor starts at a $20,000 minimum with access to one-on-one advisor support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Options trades carry a $0.65 per-contract fee despite the $0 commission label<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>$0 minimum for Self-Directed with unlimited $0 trades; Guided Investing starts at $1,000 with a 0.45% monthly-assessed fee; Guided Investing with Advisor starts at $20,000, per Merrill&#8217;s own pricing page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Ally Invest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ally Invest offers Self-Directed Trading, Robo Portfolios, and Personal Advice, combining commission-free trading with TipRanks&#8217; expert data for self-directed investors, per Ally&#8217;s own site. It also offers mutual funds from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockbrokers.com\/review\/ally-invest\/ira\">more than 500 fund families,<\/a> including over 10,000 no-load mutual funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$0 commission on eligible US-listed stocks and ETFs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>TipRanks expert data integrated into the self-directed platform<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Robo Portfolios require <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hicapitalize.com\/resources\/ally-invest-robo-portfolios-ira-review\">a $100 account minimum<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal Advice from a fiduciary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockbrokers.com\/review\/ally-invest\/ira\">requires a $100,000 account minimum<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ally Invest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockbrokers.com\/review\/ally-invest\/ira\">does not offer SEP, SIMPLE,<\/a> inherited, or custodial IRAs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No annual fee, monthly maintenance fee, or commissions on US-listed stocks and ETFs for self-directed accounts; closure fee is $25 and the full outgoing transfer fee is $75, per Ally&#8217;s own fee page. Robo Portfolios carry a 0.30% annual advisory fee on market-focused options, and Personal Advice runs 0.75% to 0.85% annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. SoFi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SoFi offers investing through Self-Directed Investing and Robo Investing, with retirement accounts, stock trading, IPO investing, fractional shares, and ETFs available within the same app, per SoFi&#8217;s own site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No account management fee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hicapitalize.com\/resources\/sofi-active-ira-review\">and a $0 minimum balance<\/a> requirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/retirement\/best\/ira-accounts\">A 1% match on IRA<\/a> contributions and 401(k) rollovers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fractional shares and IPO access alongside standard stock and ETF trading<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-directed and robo options within the same account<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No account management fee and a $0 minimum balance. SoFi&#8217;s 1% IRA contribution match <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Na6hnFsBb0I\">totaled $70 in 2025<\/a> for an investor contributing up to that year&#8217;s limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Robinhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Robinhood offers Traditional and Roth IRAs built around its core trading app, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetsurvivor.com\/robinhood-ira-review\">stocks, ETFs, and options available,<\/a> but no mutual funds or bonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetsurvivor.com\/robinhood-ira-review\">A 1% match on IRA<\/a> contributions without Robinhood Gold, or 3% with Gold<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stock, ETF, and options trading within one app<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Traditional and Roth IRA types supported<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No mutual fund or bond offerings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Robinhood does not publish a full IRA fee schedule on its site. The IRA contribution match (1% without Gold, 3% with Gold) is the primary account feature described on Robinhood&#8217;s IRA page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traditional IRA Fees Compared: Commissions, Account Fees, and Advisory Charges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fees on a traditional IRA show up in several different places, and it is easy to see a &#8220;$0 commission&#8221; headline and assume the account is free. The table below separates the main categories so you can compare what each platform actually charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Platform<\/th><th>Annual \/ Advisory Fee<\/th><th>Commission \/ Transaction Fees<\/th><th>Account \/ Closure Fees<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Ark7<\/td><td>Not published<\/td><td>Not published<\/td><td>Not published<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fidelity<\/td><td>$0 (account service fee); $0 advisory fee under $25,000 (Fidelity Go); 0.35%\/yr above $25,000<\/td><td>$0 (US stocks and ETFs online)<\/td><td>$0 account service fee; $0 IRA closeout fee<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vanguard<\/td><td>N\/A<\/td><td>$0 (ETFs online); transaction fees vary by fund<\/td><td>$25 annual account service fee (waivable with e-delivery)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Charles Schwab<\/td><td>$0 (Self-Directed); $0 (Intelligent Portfolios robo)<\/td><td>$0 (stocks and ETFs); $0.65\/contract (options); $2.25\/contract (futures)<\/td><td>$0 account fees<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>E*TRADE<\/td><td>$0 annual fee; 0.30%\/yr (Core Portfolios robo)<\/td><td>$0 (stocks, ETFs, options); $0 transaction fee (4,400+ mutual funds)<\/td><td>$0 annual fee; $0 closure fee; $75 full account transfer out<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ally Invest<\/td><td>$0 (Self-Directed); 0.30%\/yr (Robo Portfolios); 0.75% to 0.85%\/yr (Personal Advice)<\/td><td>$0 commissions on eligible stocks and ETFs<\/td><td>$0 annual fee; $25 closure fee; $75 full outgoing transfer fee<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Merrill Edge<\/td><td>$0 (Self-Directed); 0.45%\/yr (Guided Investing); 0.85%\/yr (Guided Investing with Advisor)<\/td><td>$0 (stocks, ETFs, options); $0.65\/contract (options)<\/td><td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>SoFi<\/td><td>$0 (no account management fee)<\/td><td>N\/A<\/td><td>$0 account management fee; $0 minimum balance<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Two rules from the IRS matter when comparing these numbers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/publications\/p590a\">Brokers&#8217; commissions paid in connection<\/a> with a traditional IRA count toward the annual contribution limit, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/es\/node\/132081\">trustee administrative fees do not<\/a>. In practice, that means a high-commission account can quietly eat into how much you are actually allowed to contribute each year, while a flat administrative fee does not. Ark7&#8217;s own fee structure sits outside this table of brokerage commissions: Ark7&#8217;s account-opening fee is not published, and its fee structure is not directly comparable to brokerage commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Can You Invest In With a Traditional IRA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A traditional IRA can hold stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, CDs, options, and on some platforms alternative assets such as fractional real estate shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most mainstream brokers limit the menu to publicly traded securities: Fidelity offers stocks, ETFs, and crypto with fractional shares from $1; Schwab adds options, futures, and forex alongside stocks and ETFs; Merrill Edge adds fixed income, money market funds, and CDs to its self-directed lineup. Robinhood&#8217;s traditional IRA covers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetsurvivor.com\/robinhood-ira-review\">stocks, ETFs, and options<\/a> but does not include mutual funds or bonds. Ark7 sits outside this entire category of brokerage securities: it lets a traditional IRA hold fractional ownership of physical rental homes, an asset class not available through any of the standard brokerage menus above, with monthly rental income distributed to the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should You Choose a Self-Directed or Managed Traditional IRA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-directed accounts let you pick individual investments and typically charge no advisory fee, while managed accounts build and rebalance a portfolio automatically for an ongoing percentage fee. Self-directed options from Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE charge $0 for the account itself, putting the decision in the investor&#8217;s hands with no advisory layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Automated options trade that control for convenience: Betterment charges 0.25% on its Digital plan, Wealthfront charges a flat 0.25% with tax-loss harvesting included, and Ally Invest&#8217;s Robo Portfolios carry a 0.30% advisory fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neither approach is inherently better; a self-directed account suits someone comfortable choosing their own mix of stocks, ETFs, or alternative assets like Ark7&#8217;s rental-property shares, while a managed portfolio suits someone who wants ongoing rebalancing handled automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traditional IRA Tax Rules, Contribution Limits, and Required Minimum Distributions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A traditional IRA is a tax-favored personal savings arrangement where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/taxtopics\/tc451\">earnings generally accumulate untaxed until<\/a> distribution, at which point withdrawals are generally taxable in the year received. For 2026, the traditional IRA contribution <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/retirement\/learn\/robinhood-ira-what-you-need-know\">limit is $7,500 for people<\/a> under age 50 and $8,600 for those 50 and older. Contributions may be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/instructions\/i8606\">deductible or nondeductible depending<\/a> on income and filing status, and taxable compensation is generally required to contribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional IRA owners must generally take required minimum distributions starting at a set age, a rule that does not apply to Roth IRA owners on their original contributions. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is also a one-way decision: a Roth conversion made in tax years beginning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/publications\/p590b\">after December 31, 2017, cannot<\/a> be recharacterized back to a traditional IRA, which makes platform-level guidance and clear fee disclosure more important before making that move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Choose the Right Traditional IRA Platform for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with <a href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/blog\/learn\/in-depth\/401k-and-iras\/how-to-open-a-self-directed-ira\">how you want to invest<\/a>, not which brand is most familiar. The right platform depends on whether you want direct control over securities, automated management, or exposure to an asset class outside the standard brokerage menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-directed accounts at brokers such as Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE carry no account fee. Automated robo-advisors such as Betterment and Wealthfront charge a flat annual percentage fee and handle rebalancing automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your goal is diversifying a traditional IRA beyond stocks and bonds into an asset class with its own income stream, Ark7 offers fractional ownership of rental real estate, with shares starting at $20 and monthly distributions paid directly to the account. Whichever direction you choose, confirm the account type is supported, read the actual fee schedule rather than the headline commission claim, and check what happens to your holdings if you ever need to transfer the account elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional IRA Investing Platforms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the best traditional IRA account?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no single best traditional IRA account; the right choice depends on whether you want broad securities access, automation, or real estate exposure. Full-service brokers like Fidelity and Schwab offer stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds with no account fee for self-directed accounts, while Ark7 offers fractional ownership of rental properties inside a tax-advantaged account, with shares starting at $20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Fidelity or Vanguard better for a traditional IRA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fidelity charges no account fee for a self-directed traditional IRA, while Vanguard charges a $25 annual account service fee that can often be waived. Fidelity has no minimum initial investment and allows fractional shares starting at $1, per Fidelity&#8217;s own site. Vanguard requires no minimum to open a self-directed account, though many retirement funds <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/select\/best-ira-accounts\/\">carry a $1,000 minimum deposit<\/a> and Vanguard Digital Advisor requires $100 to enroll. Neither platform offers real estate exposure; for fractional rental-property shares inside a traditional IRA, Ark7 starts at $20 per share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much money do you need to open a traditional IRA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most brokerage traditional IRAs require no minimum deposit to open, though automated and professionally managed portfolios often set their own minimums. Fidelity and Schwab self-directed accounts require $0; Merrill Guided Investing starts at $1,000 and Guided Investing with Advisor at $20,000, per Merrill&#8217;s own pricing page; Ark7 shares start at $20 each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The IRS confirms that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/retirement-plans\/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-iras\">traditional IRA owners must generally<\/a> take required minimum distributions, a rule that does not apply to Roth IRA owners during their lifetime. Contributions to a traditional IRA may be deductible or nondeductible, and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, while Roth contributions are made after tax and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the disadvantages of a traditional IRA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional IRAs tax withdrawals as ordinary income, impose required minimum distributions, and generally penalize withdrawals taken before age 59\u00bd, with some exceptions. Contributions can also be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/instructions\/i8606\">deductible or nondeductible depending<\/a> on income and filing status, which adds a layer of tax planning that Roth accounts avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens if you transfer a traditional IRA to another broker?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most brokers let you transfer a traditional IRA without an annual fee, but many charge a flat fee for a full outgoing account transfer. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockbrokers.com\/review\/etrade\/ira\">E*TRADE charges $75<\/a> for a full account transfer out, while Ally Invest charges the same $75 for a full outgoing transfer, per Ally&#8217;s own fee page; partial transfers typically carry no charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Charles Schwab good for a traditional IRA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Charles Schwab&#8217;s self-directed traditional IRA has no account minimum and no online commissions on stocks or ETFs, per Schwab&#8217;s own pricing page. Its automated Intelligent Portfolios option carries a separate minimum deposit requirement, and options trades cost $0.65 per contract regardless of which Schwab platform you trade from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your traditional IRA strategy includes diversifying into real assets rather than relying solely on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, <a href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/\">create your free account<\/a> to see how fractional rental-property shares can fit alongside your existing retirement holdings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you hold real estate in a traditional IRA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. A traditional IRA can hold real estate investments, though most mainstream brokers limit the menu to publicly traded securities. Ark7 lets traditional IRA holders buy fractional shares of physical rental properties, with shares starting at $20 and monthly rental income distributed directly to the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"bg-blue-grey-1 padding-32px border-radius-12px margin-20px-t margin-20px-b\">\t \n  <div class=\"bg-white text-center padding-20px-v border-radius-8px\">\t \n    <h3 class=\"margin-auto display-block\">New to passive real estate investing?<\/h3>\t \n    <a class=\"margin-auto a7-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/?tc=K8L9N\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explore Ark7 Opportunities<\/a>\t \n  <\/div>\t \n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ark7-property-list padding-20px-v margin-20px-t margin-20px-b\" data-tags=\"SEOWidgetFeatured\" data-tc=\"K8L9N\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best traditional IRA investing platforms in 2026 are Ark7, Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Betterment, Wealthfront, Merrill Edge, Ally Invest, SoFi, and Robinhood, with Ark7 ranked first for giving traditional IRA holders direct, fractional access to income-producing rental real estate starting at $20 a share. Platform Asset Class \/ What You Invest In Minimum &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/ark7.com\/blog\/learn\/in-depth\/real-estate-investing\/online-investing-platforms-traditional-ira\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">11 Best Online Investing Platforms for Traditional IRA in 2026<\/span> Read More \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":12407,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[110],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-investing"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.5 - 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