Ellevest vs Betterment
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Betterment (4.5/5)
We tested Ellevest and Betterment side-by-side. Betterment comes out ahead overall, but Ellevest may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Ellevest | Betterment |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 7.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Value for Money | 7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Overall | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Ellevest | Betterment |
|---|---|---|
| Gender-Aware | Yes | No |
| Impact Portfolios | Yes | No |
| Financial Coaching | Yes | No |
| Automated Investing | No | Yes |
| Tax-Loss Harvesting | No | Yes |
| Goal Planning | No | Yes |
| SRI Portfolios | No | Yes |
| Cash Reserve | No | Yes |
| Financial Advice | No | Yes |
| Automatic Rebalancing | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Ellevest: From $12/mo
Betterment: 0.25%/year
Ellevest Pros & Cons
Pros
- Women-focused algorithms
- Impact investing options
- Financial coaching
- Career-aware planning
Cons
- Higher fees
- Smaller fund selection
- Limited tax-loss harvesting
- Niche positioning
Betterment Pros & Cons
Pros
- No minimum deposit required to start investing, making it accessible for beginners.
- Industry-leading automated tax-loss harvesting significantly boosts after-tax returns.
- Offers diverse socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolios to align with personal values.
- High-yield Cash Reserve account with competitive APY and FDIC insurance.
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface simplifies financial planning and tracking.
- Goal-based investing framework helps users visualize and achieve financial milestones.
Cons
- Does not support direct trading of individual stocks or ETFs, limiting active investor control.
- Access to a human financial advisor requires a substantial $100,000 minimum balance for the Premium plan.
- Limited customization options for investment portfolios beyond pre-set allocations.
- No cryptocurrency investment options are currently available.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Ellevest | Betterment |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | From $12/mo | 0.25%/year |
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Employees | N/A | 400+ |
| Best For Region | N/A | United States |
| Cash Account APY | N/A | 4.00%+ |
Our Verdict
Betterment wins overall. Choose Ellevest if you value Women investors. Choose Betterment if you prioritize Hands-off investors wanting automated, diversified portfolios..
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellevest better than Betterment?
Based on our testing, Betterment scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to Ellevest's 4.2/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Ellevest and Betterment?
Ellevest is known for: Robo-advisor designed for women with goal-based investing and impact portfolios.. Betterment is known for: America's largest independent robo-advisor with automated investing and tax optimization..
Which is cheaper, Ellevest or Betterment?
Ellevest pricing: From $12/mo. Betterment pricing: 0.25%/year.
Can I use Ellevest and Betterment together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Robo-Advisors category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Ellevest?
Women-focused algorithms. Impact investing options. Financial coaching
What are the pros of Betterment?
No minimum deposit required to start investing, making it accessible for beginners.. Industry-leading automated tax-loss harvesting significantly boosts after-tax returns.. Offers diverse socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolios to align with personal values.
Which robo-advisors should I choose?
Choose Ellevest if you value Women investors. Choose Betterment if you prioritize Hands-off investors wanting automated, diversified portfolios..