9 Best Roth IRAs of 2026

Our top picks for best Roth IRAs

• Charles Schwab: Best Overall
• Vanguard: Best for Passive Investors
• Betterment: Best for Robo-Advisors
• Robinhood: Best for Matching Contribution
• SoFi: Best for Customer Satisfaction
• Fidelity Investments: Best for Fractional Shares
• E*TRADE: Best for Educational Resources
• Merrill Edge: Best for No Fees
• Ally Invest: Best for an Online Bank

The best Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs) allow you to save after-tax dollars for retirement without paying exorbitant fees. The Roth IRA providers we've selected stand out from their competitors because of their low ongoing costs and broad selections of investment options, as well as the ease with which you can open an account.

Below are Money's picks for the best Roth IRAs for 2026. If you are interested in learning more about strategies that can help you meet your retirement goals, you can subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Retire With Money, by clicking here.

Best Roth IRA reviews

Why we chose it: Charles Schwab's comprehensive selection of investment products and accounts, including personalized financial guidance, makes it a top brokerage firm for opening a Roth IRA, while also having no fees, offering fractional share of every stock in the S&P 500 as well as a robo-advisor option.

Charles Schwab is a leading brokerage firm that makes it easy to open a Roth IRA online, as there are no minimum account deposits required and customers don't have to pay any annual account maintenance fees. Roth IRA investment choices include stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), CDs and mutual funds, as well as fractional shares of any company in the S&P 500 for as little as $5.

It also offers multiple portfolio management options including robo-advisors, automated retirement income solutions and access to certified financial consultants. As a customer, you also get access to retirement planning tools, resources and in-person help at more than 300 Charles Schwab locations nationwide.

Schwab's robo-advisor options — called Schwab Intelligent Portfolios — offer automated investing with 24/7 live support and no advisory fees or commissions, although it requires a minimum investment of $5,000.

Why we chose it: Having created and launched the first passive index fund in 1975, Vanguard is an excellent Roth IRA option with more than 200 commission-free ETFs and mutual funds to choose from, a simple robo-advisor and a history of zero to low fees.

Any Vanguard Target Retirement Fund or Vanguard STAR Fund requires a $1,000 initial investment. Vanguard Digital Advisor requires at least $100 to enroll, but at 0.20% to 0.25% per year, the expense ratio on Vanguard funds is among the lowest in the industry. To give you an idea, for every $1,000 you’d pay $2 to $2.50. This is a relatively low fee to pay compared to other robo-advisors, like Betterment and Acorns, that charge fixed monthly fees; ultimately, this means you’re not going to have high fees eating into your profits.

Vanguard's mutual funds also have no sales loads, sales commissions or account service fees if you choose to receive your account documents electronically. Plus, the company doesn’t charge commissions on stocks and ETFs trades.

Vanguard Digital Advisor is a low-cost robo-advisor solution that offers access to ETFs-only portfolios which you can set up based on your risk assessment and current savings. Its algorithm manages and adjusts the investment mix as needed in order to help you reach your goals. With Vanguard Personal Advisor Services, you can get personalized financial advice from human advisors. However, to enroll in this service you need at least $50,000 in eligible assets.

Why we chose it: We chose Betterment as the best robo-advisor for beginners because it offers tax-harvesting features and shows users how much they need to save to meet their financial goals.

Opening a Roth IRA through Betterment is a great way for beginners to start a retirement plan on their own without a minimum deposit. The platform also stands out because its algorithm helps set up clear goals and track them easily. If one of your goals is to save $800,000 for retirement, Betterment can tell you the projected amount you need to deposit each month to meet that goal by your target retirement date.

You'll also get automatic rebalancing to optimize the growth potential of your retirement savings. Betterment's algorithm will also automatically execute tax-saving strategies — including tax loss harvesting — to help you reduce tax exposure by offsetting losses and gains.

Betterment also offers guidance and support from certified financial planners to users who enroll in a Premium account. However, the premium account has a minimum balance requirement of $100,000 plus an additional fee of 0.65%. Another drawback is its fee structure. For accounts below $24,000, there is a $5 monthly fee. For accounts between $24,000 and $1 million (or for those with at least $200 in recurring monthly deposits), there is a 0.25% annual fee.

Why we chose it: Robinhood stands out for offering a best-in-class 3% IRA contribution match for Robinhood Gold members ($5 per month) and a 1% contribution match for regular members.

That match applies to IRA contributions, transfers and 401(k) or IRA rollovers. However, in order to keep the full match, the funds must remain in the Robinhood IRA for at least five years, and early withdrawals could result in penalties.

The Roth IRA provides access to fractional shares for most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs beginning at just $1. On the down side, Robinhood does not offer mutual funds, fixed-income products or crypto in its IRAs. Its robo-advisor option — Robinhood Strategies — launched in 2025 and charges an annual advisory fee of 0.25% with a $50 minimum investment.

Why we chose it: With a score of 724 out of 1,000 SoFi received the highest mark on JD Power's 2026 U.S. Investor Satisfaction Survey for DIY customer satisfaction.

Users can choose between a self-directed Roth IRA and an automated robo-advisor IRA. The platform also offers thousands of U.S. stocks and ETFs starting at $5, and SoFi offers comprehensive educational resources for novice investors and active retirement savers. While SoFi doesn't charge setup, maintenance or annual fees, there is a $100 outgoing transfer fee. It also doesn't require a minimum balance.

Although SoFi has robo-advisor capabilities and great customer support, it falls short due to its $100 full outgoing transfer fee, and for not offering tax-loss harvesting or stop-loss orders with their accounts. Its 1% match on certain transfers and contributions is a notable benefit, though, with the ability to increase to 2% for SoFi Plus members.

Why we chose it: Fidelity Investments is Money's choice for best Roth IRA for fractional shares because it offers approximately 7,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs for as little as $1.

Fidelity's Roth IRA can be either self-directed or managed Roth IRA. Both types of accounts have no annual fees, no required minimum balances and offer a wide selection of investment options. You also have access to planning tools, research and 24/7 support from Fidelity's representatives. Although there are no account or advisory fees, some investments may incur underlying fees which you should check before making a selection.

As with the self-directed IRA, the Fidelity Go Roth IRA gives you access to digital planning tools and 24/7 customer service, plus unlimited one-on-one calls with a dedicated Fidelity advisor once your account reaches $25,000. The Go Roth IRA doesn't charge advisor fees for account balances under $25,000 (there is a 0.35% annual advisory fee for accounts over $25,000). Fidelity includes tools like a retirement income calculator and educational resources to help prepare you for retirement.

Why we chose it: E*TRADE made our list of best Roth IRAs for its extensive educational resources, which can help retirement savers learn new strategies, adapt to shifting market environments and grow their skills.

The E*TRADE Knowledge Center provides a vast library that is organized into 15 categories and provides resources to investors on topics ranging from retirement planning strategies and capital gains taxes to fixed income vehicles and options trading.

E*TRADE offers $0 commission trades for most investment choices, including U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. It also provides access to over 5,000 mutual funds with no transaction fees. However, options start at 65 cents per contract (or 50 cents per contract for customers who execute at least 30 stock, ETF or options trades per quarter), while bonds are $1 per bond and futures are $1.50 per contract.

There are no minimum account balances required for E*TRADE's Roth IRA, and its online trading platform makes it easy to access live market data and analysis. In addition to self-directed accounts, E*TRADE offers automated managed portfolios, known as Core Portfolios. These require a $500 account minimum to enroll, and charge an annual flat fee of 0.30%. Unlike other auto-investing solutions, E*TRADE gives you access to a team of experts and tax-sensitive portfolios.You also get the option of choosing socially responsible investments and personalizing your portfolio based on your financial situation, goals and risk tolerance.

Why we chose it: Merrill Edge stands out from other brokers because it offers new account holders a competitive cash bonus of up to $600.

Merrill Edge offers low fees and a generous sign-up bonus. However, there are some restrictions to this offer: You have to make a qualifying deposit of at least $20,000 to your new account within 45 days of opening it, and you must keep the deposited amount intact for 90 days. The cash bonus is determined based on the amount you deposit and ranges from $100 up to $600. A deposit of $200,000 or more is needed to receive the maximum cash reward.

Though there are no account fees for online stock and ETF trades, options trades carry a per-contract fee of 65 cents.

If you're a Bank of America customer, you'll have a seamless experience linking your Merrill Edge brokerage account to your Bank of America account and will be able to keep track of its performance on the same dashboard. You'll also benefit from instant transfers when moving money between accounts, a process that can take a few days if you use other banks. Additionally, if you keep $20,000 or more in your Merrill brokerage account, you may qualify for Bank of America's Preferred Reward program and get rate discounts on some loan products or a rate boost on your credit card rewards or savings account.

Why we chose it: Ally's easy-to-manage investment tools makes it one of the best apps to open a Roth IRA.

With Ally, investors can open a Roth IRA without a minimum balance requirement and fund the account easily by linking to any other bank or credit union. In addition, the company charges no trading commissions on U.S.-listed individual stocks or on thousands of ETFs.

Like many platforms, Ally charges a contract fee for options trading (50 cents per trade). There are also some fees related to transfers and account closure. For instance, you'll be charged a $50 fee for full or partial outgoing transfers from your IRA and an additional $25 closure fee if you withdraw all your funds.

Since it’s connected to an online-only bank, it's unsurprising that Ally Invest excels with its online tools and educational content. In addition, it offers an easy-to-use interface, a wide selection of securities and access to other financial products, like checking and savings accounts.

Ally's Robo Portfolios can also be a great option if you're looking for a hands-off investing experience. Like most brokers, Ally's portfolios are built from a mix of ETFs. However, Ally's Robo Portfolios have a $100 minimum deposit requirement, and may also have a 0.30% annual advisory fee (charged monthly) depending on the type of account. Additionally, there is a $100,000 minimum to participate in Ally's Personal Advice program.

Other IRA companies we considered

In addition to the companies on our top list, we also evaluated the companies below. However, they didn’t make it to our final selection because they feature higher management fees, account minimums or more limited investment choices than the ones we picked.

Wellstrade

Wellstrade doesn't charge fees for its standard Roth IRA and offers fractional shares — known as "Stock Fractions" — starting at $10. However, it scored the lowest on JD Power's 2026 U.S. Investor Satisfaction Survey for overall DIY customer satisfaction. The platform lacks comprehensive educational resources and its robo-advisor option carries a 0.35% annual advisory fee.

Wealthfront

Wealthfront's best features are its low 0.25% advisory fee and its robo-advisor capabilities. However, we ended up choosing Betterment for the position of best robo-advisor, due to Wealthfront's $500 opening deposit and account minimum requirements. This restriction might not be a dealbreaker for some, but it can become an obstacle if you are financially strained.

Public

Public's fractional shares begin at just $1. The platform doesn't charge Roth IRA fees, and it matches 1% on all IRA contributions, transfers and 401(k) rollovers. However, it was not part of JD Power's 2026 U.S. Investor Satisfaction Survey, has no robo-advisor option and falls short on retirement-focused educational resources.

Edward Jones

Edward Jones only offers fractional shares through dividend reinvestment plans (fractional shares cannot be purchased directly). The financial services firm charges $75 annually for Roth IRAs and doesn't offer a robo-advisor option. It also was not included in JD Power's 2026 U.S. Investor Satisfaction Survey for overall DIY customer satisfaction.

M1 Finance

M1 Finance offers strong automated investment services, including flexible customization that adjusts to your investing needs. However, we decided not to pick it as one of our Roth IRA options due to its restrictions. The account has a $500 opening minimum, and you are charged a $3 monthly fee if your account is less than $10,000 and $100 if you terminate your IRA.

Fundrise

Fundrise provides a means of adding real estate exposure to your retirement account. However, we didn't pick the company because its investment minimums are among the highest and charges $125 annual fee for investing via an IRA. The fee can be waived for one year if you invest at least $3,000 and waived permanently if you achieve and maintain a $25,000 account value. A basic plan requires $1,000 whereas its premium account level requires $100,000. Its basic plan only requires a $10 initial investment; however, you'll need at least $1,000 to access IRA investing. Additionally, since the company focuses solely on real estate, there are some extra fees that can apply, including development and liquidation fees.

Roth IRA guide

Before you open a Roth IRA, it's important to find out how it works, its income and contribution limits, withdrawal rules and the main differences between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA.

What is a Roth IRA?

A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account where you can contribute after-tax money. While this means you do have to pay taxes on what you invest now, it also means your contributions will grow tax-free until you’re ready to withdraw them, typically after age 59 ½ or once the account has been opened for at least five years.

When deciding whether to open a Roth IRA, consider the following:

• Management fees and expense ratios are often the biggest determinants of your investment returns, since they chip away at your earnings yearly.

• The best Roth IRA providers typically have a robust online presence, and they should make it easy to open your account online.

• The income requirements to contribute to a Roth IRA.

Both Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs provide tax advantages. However, when you get to enjoy those advantages will be different. Be sure to compare both options before deciding which is best for you.

What is a backdoor Roth IRA and a mega backdoor Roth IRA?

A Roth IRA conversion, or a backdoor conversion, is a strategy that consists of converting your pre-tax traditional IRA or an employer retirement account into a Roth IRA. Because traditional IRAs don't have income limits, you can make your desired contributions up to the contribution limit and later move your money to a Roth IRA through a Roth conversion. However, this strategy has its risk and tax consequences, so consult with a tax professional or financial advisor before taking that route.

A mega backdoor Roth is another strategy that lets you roll over any after-tax dollars you've contributed to a 401(k) into a Roth IRA. Although traditional 401(k)s are tax-deferred accounts that you fund with pre-tax money, some accounts allow after-tax contributions up to a specified limit. The goal of a mega backdoor is to save after-tax money within your retirement plan up to the contribution limit to then move that portion to a Roth IRA, preferably before it starts accruing earnings.

As with a backdoor Roth IRA, a mega backdoor Roth can also have tax consequences, so you should consult with your tax advisor before using this strategy. In addition, take into account that not all 401(k) plans offer in-service distributions to a Roth IRA, meaning you should check if this option is permissible under your employer-sponsored plan.

How does a Roth IRA work?

Just like traditional IRAs, a Roth IRA is an individual retirement account you can set up to grow your finances over the years. However, Roth IRAs differ in that you pay taxes on the money you invest before it goes into your account — not when you withdraw it. This means that the money in your account is tax-free, so you can withdraw it whenever without additional penalties or fees.

Who can contribute to Roth IRA?

Not everyone can contribute to a Roth IRA — at least not the full amount. You have to meet specific income requirements to be able to contribute to a Roth IRA. (See below for details). You'll also face maximum contribution limits that vary based on your age, tax filing status and income. Below we explain what are the income and contribution limits for tax year 2026.

Roth IRA income and contribution limits

In 2026, married couples filing with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below $242,000 can contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA. For couples with incomes between $242,000 and $252,000, the contribution maximum is lower, while no contributions are allowed at incomes of $252,000 or above.

Single filers, heads of household or married couples filing separately (who don’t live together) with a MAGI below $153,000 can contribute the maximum to a Roth IRA in 2026. For incomes between $153,000 and $168,000, contribution limits are lowered, while no contributions are allowed at incomes above $168,000.

Roth IRA contribution limits are somewhat higher for 2026, compared to previous years, and people who earn a taxable income are allowed to contribute up to $7,500 across their IRAs. For taxpayers ages 50 and older, an additional $1,100 can be contributed for a total of $8,600 per year.

When can you withdraw from a Roth IRA?

Although, you can technically withdraw your Roth IRA contributions whenever you want and for any reason without penalties, Roth IRAs have a five-year waiting period in place to limit your withdrawal of tax-subsidized earnings.

Roth IRAs don't adhere to the required minimum distributions (RMDs) rule either. This rule typically applies to traditional IRAs and requires account owners to start distributing their money at age 72. With a Roth IRA, however, you may decide to never take the distributions and leave it to your beneficiaries. You may also continue to make contributions after the age of 70.5.

No matter your age, Roth IRAs have a five-year waiting period before you can distribute any earnings without taxes and/or penalties. Earnings are also subject to taxes and penalties if you withdraw them before the age of 59.5.

How is a Roth IRA taxed?

Unlike a traditional IRA, any contributions you make to a Roth IRA is nondeductible on your tax return. This is so because you pay tax before your money goes into the account. Qualified distributions, including earnings on your contributions, are also tax-free. However, withdrawals before the five-year waiting period may be subject to fees from your IRA provider.

Roth IRA withdrawal rules

Roth IRAs have a five-year waiting period set to limit your withdrawal of Roth IRA tax-subsidized earnings. Although you can withdraw contributions to your account tax-free and at any time, you can’t do the same with your account's earnings.

If you withdraw from your earnings before age 59.5, and before five years have passed after your account being opened, those funds will be taxed and you may owe a penalty. Additionally, even if you're 59.5, the five-year rule still applies: you must wait five years after opening your Roth IRA if you want to withdraw your earnings tax-free.

How to open a Roth IRA?

Almost anyone can open a Roth IRA, as long as you meet the income limits required to contribute. Below are four steps you need to take to open a Roth IRA:

1. Check if you're eligible: The first step is to find out whether your income is eligible to open and maintain a Roth IRA. The amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA can change each year, based on inflation and other factors.
2. Choose a bank or brokerage firm. Research online for potential Roth IRA providers. There are a few dozen options to choose from, so take the time to compare account requirements, fees, minimum balances and investment options. You can check our top picks to get a head start.
3. Fill out the paperwork: As with opening similar accounts, you may need to fill out some forms and provide personal information and documentation — such as your Social Security number and your bank account information. You’ll also need the info of your beneficiaries.
4. Choose how to invest the money: You can either design your own portfolio, choose one designed by the investment company, or hire a certified financial planner (CFP) to help you pick the best strategy for your financial goals.

How we chose the best Roth IRAs

There are numerous companies that offer financial planning via Roth IRAs, but they're not all the same. The providers that made our list came out ahead of the pack based on important factors including: low minimum deposit requirements, low fees, access to low-cost investment options — including fractional shares — and account management options. We also considered educational resources, robo-advisor options, customer satisfaction and contribution matches.

Low minimum deposit requirements

We only chose Roth IRAs with reasonable minimum account opening requirements (or none at all) for this list. This factor is crucial, since many consumers may not have the $1,000 or more to get started and need to invest small sums of money at first. Accounts with reasonable minimum deposit requirements lower the entry barrier and make it considerably easier for new investors to get into the game.

Low fees

We also looked for Roth IRA providers that offered no account management fees, had a good variety of no-load mutual funds and low expense ratios. These fees can directly chip away at your investment returns without providing you with any real benefit, so you’re better off not paying them for a self-directed account.

Access to low-cost investment options

All of the Roth IRAs that made our list let you choose from a broad range of investment options, many of which can be traded without any fees. We gave preference to financial institutions that offered their own selection of no-fee investment options, whether that includes ETFs, index funds or mutual funds.

Account management options

Finally, we gave preference to Roth IRAs with helpful online account management options, including setting up a rollover into another account if you choose. This includes not only investing tools and resources, but also access to a mobile app that lets you manage and oversee your personal finance accounts on the go. A few of the Roth IRA providers on our list also offer local branches where consumers can get in-person help, and we consider that a major plus.

Summary of Money’s best Roth IRAs of 2026

• Charles Schwab: Best Overall
• Vanguard: Best for Passive Investors
• Betterment: Best for Robo-Advisors
• Robinhood: Best for Matching Contribution
• SoFi: Best for Customer Satisfaction
• Fidelity Investments: Best for Fractional Shares
• E*TRADE: Best for Educational Resources
• Merrill Edge: Best for No Fees
• Ally Invest: Best for an Online Bank