How do I add funds to my self-directed investing account?

You can fund your self-directed investing account just like any other taxable Betterment account. This includes transferring money via ACH from a linked bank account, instantly moving funds from your Betterment Cash Reserve account, and transferring eligible securities from another broker via ACAT. You may initiate a transfer from your automated investing account to your self-directed account, but note that this will result in the sale of securities and potential tax impact. You’ll receive a tax impact preview as part of the transfer flow. Assets will not move in-kind.

How do I move investments from another broker into my self-directed investing account?

You can transfer eligible securities from another brokerage to your Betterment self-directed investing account via ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer). The minimum transfer amount is $10. See how to get started and learn more about ACATS transfers.

What can and can’t I invest in?

Betterment’s self-directed accounts currently support trading in U.S.-listed stocks from the S&P 500 and Russell 1000 indices, along with a wide range of ETFs. If you can’t find a particular ticker, it may be because it’s outside that universe, doesn’t meet our liquidity or custody standards, generates a K-1 tax form, or is under review for onboarding. At this time, mutual funds can only be transferred in and held or sold, not purchased, in self-directed investing accounts.

How do I buy or sell an investment?

Buy orders can be submitted in dollar amounts. Support for share-based orders is not currently available, but will be available in the future. Sell orders can be submitted by either share amount or dollar amount. Fractional share orders are supported, and no action is required by a client to buy or sell fractional shares.

Are trades commission-free? What other fees should I expect?

All trades are commission-free. ETFs can carry fees (the expense ratio), which are embedded within the fund’s cost of ownership.

How do I track my gains/losses and get tax forms?

Self-directed investing account performance can initially be tracked at the top of your self-directed investing account overview. Self-directed investing accounts will be incorporated into the user-level performance in the near future. You can access more details on your realized gains and losses in your Documents tab. Tax forms will be made available in your Documents tab at the beginning of each year.

Are there trading or management fees?

You’ll pay no trading commission fees, and Betterment’s management fee doesn’t apply. ETFs can carry fees (the expense ratio), which are embedded within the fund’s cost of ownership.

SPECIAL OFFER

Get $100 when you invest in individual stocks and ETFs

Deposit $2,500 from an outside account into your self-directed investing account and get a $100 bonus on us.

Tax guidance you’ll only get here
Trade fractional shares
Pay no commission or management fees

Activate offer

Terms apply.

Logos above are trademarks of their respective companies. Betterment waives its wrap fee on assets in self-directed investing accounts.

Pay no commission or management fees
Tax guidance you’ll only get here
Trade fractional shares

Tax guidance you’ll only get here.

Unlike other investing apps, we’ll preview how trades impact your taxes and flag wash sales, insights that can help you make smarter decisions and help reduce your taxes.

A low-cost way to start investing.

Invest in fractional shares with no minimums. Plus, you’ll pay no trading commissions or management fees on your self-directed investing account.

Betterment waives its wrap fee on assets in self-directed investing accounts.

No minimums
Trade fractional shares
Pay no commissions or management fees
Automated dividend reinvestment

For eligible stocks and ETFs

All your investing in one trusted place.

Buy and sell individual securities alongside your managed portfolios on a secure platform built for long-term investing. Coordinating your accounts can help improve your overall tax picture.

Trading stocks not for you?

Learn more about automated investing

Portfolio includes 0.5% cash position. See disclosure.

Want to earn extra income?
Meet securities lending.

Lending your stocks and ETFs to other investors can
earn you income without selling a thing.

Learn more

Get the trading treatment the pros use.

Your orders are grouped and routed the way big trading desks do it, keeping your costs low and executions optimized.

Learn more about our trading execution

Get $100 when you invest in individual stocks and ETFs

See tax impact

Pay no commission or management fees

Trade fractional shares

Tax guidance you’ll only get here.

A low-cost way to start investing.

No minimums

Trade fractional shares

Pay no commissions or management fees

Automated dividend reinvestment

All your investing in one trusted place.

Want to earn extra income?
Meet securities lending.

Get the trading treatment the pros use.

Still have questions?

Invest the way you want.

Get $100 when you invest in individual stocks and ETFs

See tax impact

Pay no commission or management fees

Trade fractional shares

Tax guidance you’ll only get here.

A low-cost way to start investing.

No minimums

Trade fractional shares

Pay no commissions or management fees

Automated dividend reinvestment

All your investing in one trusted place.

Want to earn extra income? Meet securities lending.

Get the trading treatment the pros use.

Still have questions?

Invest the way you want.

Want to earn extra income?
Meet securities lending.