In today’s day and age, most people looking to get into investing struggle to get started. There are so many different avenues you could take for managing your portfolio to make a profit, and while this is mostly a good thing, it can result in beginners becoming overwhelmed.
Thankfully, while investing can be complicated, it doesn’t have to be the total minefield you may imagine it to be, and that’s mostly thanks to the influence of guided investment platforms, which have significantly simplified the process.
Of course, even then, you’ve still got the inherent challenge of knowing which one to pick, and that’s where this write-up comes in. We’ve taken a look at the best guided investment platforms on the market to help you put for best foot forward, and below, you’ll find the eight that came out on top.
1. Zehnlabs: Best for Free Services
Coming out top of the list is Zehnlabs, and right off the bat, you can tell this company cares about its customers.
They provide a totally free investment strategy service, available to anyone, forever. There’s no credit card required, and no hidden fees. You’re given free control over your investment, but with the support you need to flourish, and it’s simplified into three clear stages to get the user up to speed as quickly as possible. They’ve made investing easy for everyone, no matter their background.
To date, Zehnlabs is the best way for someone who doesn’t want to do extensive guesswork to get started with investing.
2. AJ Bell: Best for Comprehensive Structures
For those looking for a highly reviewed service, you can’t beat AJ Bell.
They offer one of the most comprehensive investment platforms on the market. Whether you’re interested in their ISAs (through which you’ll receive tax-free growth across each), extensive pension schemes, dealing accounts, or general cash savings accounts, their finely tuned options make managing your portfolio a breeze.
For those who need more of a helping hand, AJ Bell has a full fund management service whereby you’re guided by their carefully chosen experts, which is great for those who want to do as little as possible with their investment strategy.
3. Acorns: Best for Intuitive App Design
Acorns has received praise from multiple reputable organisations, such as CNBC and Time magazine, and it’s easy to see why.
They’ve put years of research and development into their app, which offers users a clear visual representation of both the fine details and where their investments are as a whole. There are a multitude of tools within the platform for managing a plethora of different investments, enabling customers to make wise decisions. The platform is also very secure, using SIPC protection up to $500,000.
4. M1 Finance: Best For Feature-Rich Systems
M1 Finance offers some of the most intelligently designed guided investment systems on the market. The infrastructure behind the platform is robust and complex, but for the user, everything’s as simple as the click of a few buttons.
The software can queue trades based on your own specific targets, and underweight holdings are always bought first. You’re also able to borrow up to 50% of your portfolio’s value with a simple tap.
It’s features like these that have earned M1 Finance its reputation, and the platform only keeps getting more sophisticated.
5. Stash: Best for Complete Beginners
While it doesn’t have some of the more in-depth tools other platforms have, Stash is an excellent choice for those who are complete beginners to investing.
By subscribing to their service, you’ll gain access to your own professionally managed portfolio (which is award-winning, by the way), with personalized advice on where you should invest and a customized schedule that fits your goals.
They have fractional shares for thousands of stocks on their site, including some of the world’s biggest companies, and their app is intuitive and easy to use for anyone.
6. Quest Trade: Best for Self-Directed Investing
Instead of doing the work for you, Quest Trade’s self-directed portfolios give you a plethora of tools to make the process a breeze. It’s a great option if you’re not keen on the idea of someone else managing your investments, but you simultaneously need a robust framework to do it yourself that doesn’t depend on prior knowledge.
You’ll gain access to a broad range of accounts, such as TFSAs, RESPs, and RRSPs, and you won’t have to pay FX conversion fees, either. This is considered one of the most seamless platforms on the market, and you can also trade in precious metals and IPOs, so it’s not just stocks and shares.
7. eToro Smart Portfolios: Best for Fast Adaptation
eToro’s smart portfolios come in a range of different flavours depending on what you’re after, and each is curated by the company’s expert analysts. The aim is to give investors access to big-league strategies without the usual associated costs, and given the reviews, customers are loving that sentiment.
Their new Alpha Portfolios are particularly interesting, as they leverage the power of AI for systems that adjust to market changes.
8. Nintyone Global Investment Portfolios: Best for Long-Term, Risk-Based Investing
Nintyone has been around for some time now (yes, their name also reflects the year they were founded), and in that time, they’ve established one of the most reputable investment management firms in the world.
They’ve built up a strong reputation with both individuals and businesses alike and have cultivated teams of incredibly talented experts to help you with your goals (they have a deep understanding of the emerging markets). Their plans are best for those looking for long-term solutions with robust risk-based analysis, so if this is you, you’ll receive all the help and support you need here to make wise decisions and flourish.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, this article has inspired you to get out there and start investing. While it might seem like it’s more complicated than ever at the moment, it’s actually far easier than it was, and these platforms prove it. Good luck!