Merrill Guided Investing
Merrill Guided Investing: Goal-based managed investing with optional one-on-one advisor guidance. Ranked #8 of 24 in Robo-Advisor Apps by our editors (6.7/10); pricing: Paid; best for investors wanting optional advisor help and tax tools.
At a glance
- Editor score6.7 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forInvestors wanting optional advisor help and tax tools
- Free planNo
- Minimum investment1000 $
- Facts checked29 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Merrill Guided Investing
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 manages ETF and mutual fund strategies. Online goal setup and a performance dashboard support account review. The service suits investors who want goal-based portfolio management with the option of human guidance, rather than full control over individual investments.
The standard Merrill Guided Investing plan includes a professionally managed portfolio, goal-based strategy and tax-efficient management overlay strategies. The plan with an advisor adds help establishing goals and one-on-one advice. According to the published program terms, the annual asset-based fee starts at 0.45% and is billed monthly; the growth-focused strategy has a $1,000 minimum investment. The advertised six-month program-fee waiver with offer code 6FREE is a promotion, not an ongoing free plan. Investors should weigh those costs against the value they place on professional management and advisor access.
Account options include taxable accounts and traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs. Merrill monitors portfolios and rebalances as needed, while tax-efficient overlay strategies may include loss harvesting. Access is available on web, iOS and Android. Portfolio customization is limited, so investors seeking to select and adjust holdings themselves may prefer a more self-directed service. Merrill Guided Investing is a better fit for investors comfortable with managed strategies who value goal-based oversight, retirement-account options and optional one-on-one advice.
Merrill Guided Investing pricing
All 2 Merrill Guided Investing plans and prices →
Merrill Guided Investing fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Minimum investment | 1000 $ |
| Tax-loss harvesting | Yes |
| Human advisor access | Optional |
| Goal-based portfolios | Yes |
| Retirement accounts | Yes |
| Socially responsible option | Not verified |
| Portfolio customization | Limited |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | merrilledge.com |
| Facts checked | 29 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Merrill Guided Investing
- WealthfrontAutomates investing and rebalancing, with customization and tax-loss harvesting for eligible accounts.9.4
- E*TRADE Core PortfoliosA managed ETF portfolio with daily monitoring, rebalancing, and optional tax-loss harvesting.8.8
- Questwealth PortfoliosManaged, actively overseen ETF portfolios with a $250 starting minimum.8.1
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Merrill Guided Investing vs the competition
- Merrill Guided Investing vs Wealthfront
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- Merrill Guided Investing vs Questwealth Portfolios
- Merrill Guided Investing vs Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
- Merrill Guided Investing vs Wealthsimple Managed Investing
- Merrill Guided Investing vs Betterment
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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