Kornelija Kazlauskas 
Are you trying to decide between TD Ameritrade vs. m1 Finance as your financial advisor? Both platforms offer comprehensive investing services but have some distinct differences worth considering. In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features offered by each platform to help you make an informed decision on which one best suits your needs. We’ll break down fees, services offered, user experience, and more so that you can be confident in your choice of a financial advisor for the future.
What Is TD Ameritrade?
Before choosing between TD Ameritrade vs. M1 Finance, you must understand them separately. First, let’s take a look at TD Ameritrade.
TD Ameritrade is a financial services company that offers a wide range of investment products and services to individual and institutional investors. Founded in 1975, it has become one of the largest online brokerage firms in the United States.
TD Ameritrade offers stocks, options, futures, and foreign exchange trading. The company also provides access to mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fixed income, and other investment products. Additionally, TD Ameritrade offers a variety of financial planning and advisory services, including retirement planning, education planning, and wealth management. One of TD Ameritrade’s main strengths is its online trading platform, which is user-friendly and accessible to both beginners and experienced traders. The platform offers real-time quotes, news, research, and advanced charting tools to help users make informed investment decisions. TD Ameritrade also provides mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing customers to manage their accounts and trade on the go.
TD Ameritrade is a publicly traded company regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices nationwide. In 2020, TD Ameritrade was acquired by Charles Schwab Corporation, another big player in the financial services industry. The acquisition created a combined company with over $6 trillion in client assets and solidified his Charles Schwab position as one of the world’s largest investment firms.
What Is M1 Finance?
Before choosing between TD Ameritrade vs. M1 Finance, let’s look at M1 Finance as well.
M1 Finance is a financial technology company that provides an innovative investment platform that combines the functionality of traditional brokerage accounts with the benefits of robo-advisors. The platform allows investors to create and manage their custom portfolios of stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on their investment goals and risk tolerance.
Unlike traditional brokerage accounts, M1 Finance offers commission-free trading and fractional shares. That means investors can buy and sell fractional shares and her ETFs. This makes it easier for investors to build a diversified portfolio with a small amount of capital. M1 Finance also offers automatic rebalancing. In other words, the platform automatically adjusts your portfolio to maintain your desired asset allocation.
One of the unique features of M1 Finance is the “pie” system. This allows investors to create bespoke portfolios with different segments representing different asset classes and investment themes. Investors can choose from various ready-made “pies” or make their own “pie” by selecting individual stocks and ETFs. The platform also offers dynamic rebalancing. This means the portfolio is automatically rebalanced based on the investor’s preferred asset allocation and investment strategy.
M1 Finance offers various account types, including individual and joint brokerage accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs. The platform also provides loans for portfolios with flexible interest rates.
M1 Finance is an excellent option for investors who want to manage their investments and easily create a diversified portfolio conveniently. It is also a good option for long-term investors looking for a cost-effective investment platform with customizable features.M1 Finance is an SEC-registered broker-dealer, a member of FINRA and SIPC, and ensures that its funds and securities are protected within certain limits.
TD Ameritrade vs. M1 Finance: Which One You Should Choose?
Both of those platforms offer nice financial advisor services. However, there are differences between the two platforms, and one may be better suited to your investment goals than the other.
But which platform is right for you between these two platforms? Here are some factors to consider:
- Investment style
If you want to actively trade stocks, options, and other securities, TD Ameritrade may be your better choice. The platform offers many investment options, and its research tools and resources help you make informed decisions. M1 Finance, on the other hand, is a good choice if you want to automate your investments or create customized portfolios of stocks and ETFs.
- Price
TD Ameritrade and M1 Finance have lower fees, but M1 Finance has a cost advantage. M1 Finance does not charge fees or commissions for trading stocks or ETFs. We also offer checking and high-yield savings accounts with no fees. TD Ameritrade’s online stock trading is free of charge, and mutual fund fees vary by fund.
- User experience
TD Ameritrade has a more traditional user interface that will appeal to investors accustomed to standard broker layouts. M1 Finance, on the other hand, has a sleek, modern interface that is easy to use and navigate.
- Customer service
Both TD Ameritrade and M1 Finance offer excellent customer service, but TD Ameritrade’s 24/7 support and live chat capabilities give it an edge in this area.
In summary, TD Ameritrade and M1 Finance are great online brokers but have different strengths and weaknesses. If you want a wide range of investment options and powerful research tools, TD Ameritrade may be the better choice. If you want to automate your investments, create customized portfolios of stocks and ETFs, and save on fees, M1 Finance might be for you. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your investment style, goals, and preferences.
To Sum Up
Ultimately, TD Ameritrade and M1 Finance offer outstanding services for investors, making buying and selling stocks easy. TD Ameritrade’s excellent research tools, customer service, and wide range of products can’t be beaten for active traders. On the other hand, passive investors may find more value in M1 Finance’s free commissions and automated features. In short, it depends on the individual investor’s personal preferences and goals to choose the right platform – but either way, both brokerages hold much promise. You can decide which platform is right for you by performing your due diligence with both platforms. With intelligent trading decisions and sound investments, either alternative could become a great addition to your portfolio!
