Ally Invest

$0 minimum investment amount

Investing Platform offering 24/7 Client Service.

*The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you can get back less than you originally invested.

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Platform Details

All investment platforms are made differently. It's important to understand what features are on offer and the features that best align with your needs.

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1. Cost & Fees

Ally Invest offers several cost structures for different types of accounts and trading activities. Here is a summary of the costs involved:

Commissions and Fees

Stocks and ETFs:

  • Commission-Free: Online trades for stocks and ETFs priced at $2 and above have no commission.
  • Low-Priced Securities: For stocks priced under $2, there is a $4.95 base commission plus one cent per share.

Options:

  • Options Trades: $0.50 per contract with no base commission.

Mutual Funds:

  • No-Load Mutual Funds: There is no commission for no-load mutual funds.
  • Transaction-Fee Mutual Funds: These may have specific fees based on the fund's structure​.

Fixed Income:

  • Bonds and CDs: Ally Invest may act as a principal on fixed-income transactions, adding a markup to the purchase price and subtracting a markdown from the sale price. No additional commission or transaction fee is charged for principal trades​.

Account Fees

Account Transfer Fees:

  • ACAT Transfers: $50 for full or partial transfers out.
  • IRA Closure Fee: $25 for full distributions and full outgoing transfers​.

Service Fees:

  • Outgoing Wire Transfer: $30 for domestic transfers.
  • Paper Statements: Fees may apply for paper statements and other specific services​.

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

2. Minimum amount needed to invest

Minimum Investment Requirements Ally Invest are as follows:

Self-Directed Trading:

  • Cash Accounts: No minimum deposit required
  • Margin Accounts: $2,000 minimum deposit​

Robo Portfolios:

  • Initial Minimum Deposit: $100

Personal Advice:

  • Minimum Investable Assets: $100,000​

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

3. Number of funds and stocks available

Ally Invest offers a wide range of investment options, including:

  • Access to most U.S. equities listed on major exchanges.
  • Thousands of ETFs, with more than 100 being commission-free.
  • A broad selection of mutual funds.

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

4. Types of securities available

Ally Invest provides access to a wide range of investment options, including:

  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Options
  • Mutual Funds
  • Fixed Income

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

5. Does the platform offer individual stocks? 

Yes

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

6. Types of investment accounts available 

Ally Invest offers a variety of investment accounts to cater to different financial goals and needs. Here are the main types of investment accounts available:

Self-Directed Trading:

  • Allows investors to manage their own portfolios and trade stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and fixed income securities.

Robo Portfolios:

  • Automated portfolios managed by Ally’s robo-advisor technology.

Retirement Accounts:

  • Traditional IRA: Tax-deferred retirement savings.
  • Roth IRA: Tax-free growth and withdrawals.
  • Rollover IRA: Allows rolling over funds from employer-sponsored retirement plans.
  • SEP IRA: Simplified Employee Pension for self-employed individuals and small business owners.
  • SIMPLE IRA: Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees for small businesses​.

Managed Portfolios (Personal Advice):

  • Offers personalized investment advice with a dedicated financial advisor. This account requires a minimum of $100,000 in investable assets. It includes ongoing management and personalized financial planning.

Custodial Accounts:

  • UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) and UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts allow adults to transfer assets to minors​.

Education Savings Accounts:

  • Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): Allows for tax-free growth of investments for education expenses​.

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

7. Does the platform offer automatic portfolio rebalancing?

Yes, Ally Invest offers automatic portfolio rebalancing through its Robo Portfolios. This service uses robo-advisor technology to manage and periodically rebalance your portfolio to maintain your target asset allocation.

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

8. Does the platform offer a mobile app?

Yes

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

9. Is the platform insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC)?

Yes

For more detailed and specific information, you can visit https://www.ally.com/invest/

10. How to pick an investment platform

Key factors to consider when choosing an investment platform:

  • Fees and commissions
  • Available investment options
  • User interface and ease of use
  • Customer support options
  • Security measures in place
  • Research and analysis tools available
  • The platforms reputation and track record
  • A platform that aligns with your investment goals
  • A platform that aligns with your risk tolerance

*The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future performance.

11. How to pick an investment fund

Key factors to consider when choosing an investment fund:

Investment Objectives: Clearly define your investment goals and time horizon. Different funds cater to various objectives, such as growth, income, or a balanced approach.

Risk Tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance. Some funds are more conservative, while others are more aggressive. Choose a fund that aligns with your comfort level for risk.

Diversification: Look for funds that provide a diversified portfolio. Diversification helps spread risk across different asset classes, reducing the impact of poor performance in any single investment.

Fund Type: Understand the type of fund you're considering. Common types include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds, and actively managed funds. Each has its own characteristics and management styles.

Performance History: Review the fund's historical performance. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, it can give you insights into how the fund has performed in various market conditions.

Expense Ratio: Consider the fund's expense ratio, which represents the annual fees and operating expenses as a percentage of the fund's assets. Lower expense ratios generally translate to lower costs for investors.

Manager's Track Record: For actively managed funds, assess the track record and experience of the fund manager. Consistent and experienced management can be an indicator of the fund's potential.

Benchmark Comparison: Compare the fund's performance against a relevant benchmark index. This helps you evaluate whether the fund is outperforming or underperforming its peers.

Distribution History: For income-focused funds, check the fund's distribution history. Understand how often and how much income the fund has distributed in the past.

Size of the Fund: Consider the size of the fund. While a large fund may offer stability, it could also face challenges in deploying capital efficiently. Conversely, a small fund might be more nimble but could face liquidity issues.

Redemption Fees and Liquidity: Be aware of any redemption fees or liquidity constraints. Some funds may charge fees for early withdrawals, and illiquid funds may have limitations on how quickly you can access your money.

Tax Efficiency: Assess the fund's tax efficiency, especially if you're investing in a taxable account. Funds with low turnover and tax-efficient strategies can help minimize tax implications.

Distribution Method: Determine whether the fund distributes income and capital gains periodically or reinvests them. Your preference might depend on your financial goals and tax situation.

Reviews and Ratings: Read reviews and ratings from reputable sources, such as Morningstar or Lipper. These sources provide independent assessments of funds based on various criteria.

Exit Strategy: Understand the fund's exit strategy. If your investment goals change, ensure that the fund allows for a smooth exit without excessive penalties.

*The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future performance.

12. Understanding Fees

Understanding investing fees is essential for investors to make informed decisions and maximize their investment returns.

Here are some common investing fees you should be aware of:

Management Fees: These fees are charged by investment managers or advisors for managing your investment portfolio. Management fees are typically charged annually as a percentage of the assets under management (AUM). They cover the cost of research, analysis, and portfolio management services provided by the investment professional.

Expense Ratios: Expense ratios represent the annual operating expenses of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other investment funds as a percentage of the fund's average net assets. These expenses include management fees, administrative costs, and other operational expenses. Expense ratios are deducted from the fund's returns and directly impact investors' net returns.

Front-End Loads: Front-end loads are sales charges or commissions paid when purchasing mutual fund shares. Front-end loads are deducted from the initial investment amount before the remaining funds are invested in the fund. These fees are typically expressed as a percentage of the investment amount and are paid to the investment advisor or broker who sold the fund.

Back-End Loads (Deferred Sales Charges): Back-end loads are sales charges or commissions paid when redeeming or selling mutual fund shares within a specified period after purchase, typically within a few years. Unlike front-end loads, back-end loads are not deducted at the time of purchase but are applied when investors sell their fund shares. These fees often decline over time and eventually reach zero after the specified holding period.

Transaction Fees: Transaction fees are charged by brokerage firms or trading platforms for buying or selling securities, such as stocks, bonds, options, or mutual funds. These fees can vary depending on the type of transaction, the size of the trade, and the brokerage firm's fee structure. Transaction fees can significantly impact the overall cost of trading and should be considered when executing investment transactions.

Advisor Fees: Advisor fees are charges levied by financial advisors or investment professionals for providing investment advice and financial planning services. Advisor fees can be charged as a flat fee, hourly rate, or as a percentage of assets under management (AUM). These fees compensate advisors for their expertise and guidance in managing clients' investment portfolios and financial affairs.

Account Maintenance Fees: Some brokerage firms or investment platforms may charge account maintenance fees for managing or maintaining investment accounts. These fees are typically assessed on an annual or quarterly basis and cover administrative expenses associated with account management, record-keeping, and customer service.

*Understanding and minimizing investing fees is crucial for maximizing investment returns over the long term. Investors should carefully review fee disclosures, compare fee structures across different investment options, and consider the impact of fees on their investment performance and overall financial goals.

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