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Head-to-head · Robo-Advisor Apps

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios vs Merrill Guided Investing

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Ally Invest Robo Portfolios #4 in Robo-Advisor Apps 8.8/10 From $0/yr ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Ally Invest
Merrill Guided Investing #8 in Robo-Advisor Apps 8.3/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Merrill

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios leads on 0 checks, Merrill Guided Investing on 2, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAlly Invest Robo Portfolios · 8.8/10

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios scores higher on our rubric for robo-advisor apps: 8.8 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Merrill Guided Investing leads on minimum investment: 1000 $ versus 100 $. Merrill Guided Investing offers tax-loss harvesting; Ally Invest Robo Portfolios doesn't.

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios is the better fit for ally customers seeking a no-fee portfolio option. Merrill Guided Investing is the better fit for investors wanting optional advisor help and tax tools.

  • Ally Invest Robo Portfolios fits best

    Ally customers seeking a no-fee portfolio option

  • Merrill Guided Investing fits best

    Investors wanting optional advisor help and tax tools

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Ally Invest Robo Portfolios 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Merrill Guided Investing 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.3
Ranking #4 in Robo-Advisor Apps #8 in Robo-Advisor Apps
Best for Ally customers seeking a no-fee portfolio option Investors wanting optional advisor help and tax tools
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Free Not checked yet
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Ally Invest Robo Portfolios 3/4 · Merrill Guided Investing 3/4
Tax-loss harvesting — ✓ (best)
Goal-based portfolios ✓ ✓
Retirement accounts ✓ ✓
Socially responsible option ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Minimum investment 100 $ 1000 $ (best)
Human advisor access Optional Optional
Portfolio customization Limited Limited
Our review
Pros
  • Automates portfolio monitoring and rebalancing
  • Offers Core, Income, Tax Optimized, and Socially Responsible choices
  • Supports individual, joint, custodial, and IRA account types
  • Portfolio recommendations reflect goals, time horizon and risk tolerance
  • Potential loss harvesting and ongoing portfolio rebalancing
  • Optional advisor guidance and traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs
Cons
  • Cash-enhanced portfolios allocate 30% to cash
  • Market-focused portfolios charge a monthly advisory fee
  • Tax-loss harvesting is limited to eligible non-qualified Personal Advice accounts
  • Annual fee starts at 0.45%, with a $1,000 minimum investment
  • Portfolio customization is limited
  • No free plan; the fee-waiver offer is a promotion, not a free tier
Our verdict

Ally Invest Robo Portfolios automates management of diversified ETF portfolios for investors seeking a hands-off approach. Investors answer questions about goals and risk preferences, then choose among Core, Income, Tax Optimized, and…

Read the review →

Merrill Guided Investing is an investment advisory program for people who want professionals to manage a portfolio rather than choose investments themselves. It builds recommendations around goals, time horizon and risk tolerance, then…

Read the review →
  1. Ally Invest Robo PortfoliosRobo-Advisor Apps 8.8From $0/yr
  2. Merrill Guided InvestingRobo-Advisor Apps 8.3Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ally Invest Robo Portfolios — where it wins

    • Automates portfolio monitoring and rebalancing
    • Offers Core, Income, Tax Optimized, and Socially Responsible choices
    • Supports individual, joint, custodial, and IRA account types

    Where it doesn't

    • Cash-enhanced portfolios allocate 30% to cash
    • Market-focused portfolios charge a monthly advisory fee
    • Tax-loss harvesting is limited to eligible non-qualified Personal Advice accounts

  • Merrill Guided Investing — where it wins

    • Portfolio recommendations reflect goals, time horizon and risk tolerance
    • Potential loss harvesting and ongoing portfolio rebalancing
    • Optional advisor guidance and traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs

    Where it doesn't

    • Annual fee starts at 0.45%, with a $1,000 minimum investment
    • Portfolio customization is limited
    • No free plan; the fee-waiver offer is a promotion, not a free tier

More comparisons

All Robo-Advisor apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update