What Is M1 Finance?
M1 Finance offers a unique investing model that lets you build personalized portfolios using fractional shares, automate your contributions, and earn interest on idle cash. It also includes portfolio-based borrowing and a cash-back debit card to further grow your wealth.
M1 Finance Overview
| Offer | Best For | Minimum | Fees | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated Investing + Cash + Borrowing | Hands-off investors and long-term planners | $100 ($500 for retirement) | $3/month platform fee under $10K | Visit Website |
How M1 Finance Works
With no commissions and full control over your custom “Pies,” it’s designed for goal-driven investors who want simplicity and flexibility.
- Open an account and connect your bank.
- Build your investment “Pie” with stocks, ETFs, or expert templates.
- Set target allocations and automate deposits to maintain balance.
- Earn high yield on uninvested cash with the FDIC-insured M1 High-Yield Cash Account.
- Borrow up to 50% of your portfolio value with a flexible line of credit.
Key Features & Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Custom Pie Investing | Visual portfolio building with fractional shares and automated rebalancing. |
| High-Yield Cash | Earn up to 4.00% APY on idle cash with FDIC insurance up to $4.75M. |
| Smart Transfers | Set rules to move money between investing, borrowing, and spending. |
| Borrow on Margin | Access a flexible line of credit at competitive rates—no credit check. |
| Cash Back Debit Card | Earn rewards and reinvest cash back automatically with M1 Spend. |
| Commission-Free Trading | Invest in stocks and ETFs with no trade commissions or management fees. |
Who Is M1 Finance For?
This platform is best for:
- Investors who want to automate their wealth building
- Long-term investors seeking customizable portfolios
- People who prefer passive investing with active control

Pricing & Fees
- Commission-Free Trading: No cost to trade stocks or ETFs
- Platform Fee: $3/month if account balance is under $10,000
- High-Yield Cash: No extra cost to earn APY on idle funds
- Borrowing: Competitive interest rates with M1 Plus membership
Trust & Security
- SEC-registered broker-dealer
- Member FINRA / SIPC
- Cash accounts insured up to $4.75M via FDIC-insured partner banks
- 256-bit encryption and two-factor authentication for account security

Frequently Asked Questions
Is M1 Finance free to use?
M1 charges no commissions, but accounts under $10,000 may incur a $3/month platform fee.
What is the minimum to start investing with M1?
$100 for individual accounts and $500 for retirement accounts.
Can I borrow money with M1 Finance?
Yes, you can borrow up to 50% of your portfolio with competitive interest rates.
Ready to Invest Smarter with M1?
Start building your financial future with M1’s fully integrated investing and cash management platform.

Jason Vitug –
M1 Finance Review: Is it right for you?
I’m not an active stock trader and prefer to automatically set my investments passively. However, I also prefer to have a bit more control to be able to make changes. I like M1’s ability to offer me that option that I can’t get with typical robo-advisors.
Pros and Cons
The Pros
✓ Free with no trading commissions or broker fees.
✓ Copy expert portfolios or create your own
✓ Automate investments
✓ Rebalancing
✓ Integrated offerings including borrowing and spend
The Cons
☓ Not suited for active traders.
☓ No tax-loss harvesting
Dan –
Really like this and simple. Best are the pies. M1 is good investing app.