Source-backed analysis9
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
9 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Wealthfront Review
US cash and robo-advisor: 3.55% base APY, 0.25% advisory fee, fee-free brokerage
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
- Web
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Wealthfront suits people in the US who want a high-yield cash account and automated index-fund investing for a low 0.25% annual advisory fee in one place. The trade-offs are an English-only app, the fact that it is not a bank, and a 2.0/5 Trustpilot score, though from only 25 reviews, mostly about the debit card and support.
Best for: US residents who want a high-yield cash account with checking-like features
Skip it if: People living outside the US
Pros
- 0.25% annual advisory fee on the Wealthfront Portfolio; no advisory fee on the Brokerage Account
- Cash Account with 3.55% base APY, no account fees and free instant withdrawals to eligible accounts
- Automatic rebalancing, dividend reinvestment and tax-loss harvesting
Cons
- Not a bank; FDIC insurance comes through program banks and the APY can change
- Trustpilot 2.0/5 (25 reviews), with comments about declined debit card transactions and hard-to-reach support
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- 4.8/5 on the App Store from more than 17,000 ratings
Cons
- English-only and aimed at US clients
Best for
- Investors who want index funds managed and rebalanced automatically
Skip it if
- Those who need full banking services
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What it is
Wealthfront is a Palo Alto, California financial services company founded in 2008 by Andy Rachleff and Dan Carroll, originally as kaChing. It listed on the Nasdaq (WLTH) in December 2025. The company says the platform has more than 1.5 million funded clients and over $100 billion in total platform assets.
Cash Account
The Cash Account sends deposits to program banks and adds transfers, bill pay, mobile check deposit, a debit card and reimbursement of out-of-network ATM fees in the US (2 a month, up to $7.50 each). The base rate is 3.55% APY and can reach 4.45% with the new-client boost and recurring-deposit conditions. The company stresses it is not a bank and the account is not a checking or savings account.
Investing and cost
The Wealthfront Portfolio builds an index-fund portfolio from a risk profile, rebalances, reinvests dividends and harvests tax losses for a 0.25% annual advisory fee. Accounts over $100,000 can use direct indexing. For self-directed investing, the Brokerage Account buys ETFs and stocks from $1 with no advisory fee. The company estimates tax savings have covered its fee more than 7 times, but that is its own estimate and depends on each client's tax situation.
More analysis
Versus alternatives
Wealthfront fits US residents who want automation and are happy with one provider for cash and investing. Large brokers such as Interactive Brokers or Robinhood offer a wider product range, and Chime leans toward everyday digital banking. Feedback on support is mixed, so it is worth reading the terms and starting with a small amount.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Cash Account
PersonalFree
Per the official page: no account fees; a 3.55% base APY (as of 10/01/2026) paid by program banks and subject to change. New clients get a 0.65% APY boost for 3 months on up to $150,000, plus 0.25% for clients who invest and have a $1,000 monthly direct deposit or $2,500 in recurring deposits. Free instant withdrawals to eligible accounts and FDIC insurance eligibility up to $8M through program banks. Wealthfront is not a bank.
The Wealthfront Portfolio
PersonalContact sales
An advisory fee of 0.25% a year on invested assets, accrued daily (the pricing page's example: $15,000 equals $3.18 a month). The investing page states a $500 starting amount; direct indexing is for accounts over $100,000. There is no subscription-style price.
Brokerage Account
PersonalFree
Per the pricing page: buy ETFs and stocks with no advisory or management fees, starting at $1. The Google Play listing adds zero commissions.
- Free plan limits
- Cash Account and Brokerage Account carry no account or advisory fee; only the Wealthfront Portfolio charges the 0.25% annual advisory fee. The service is aimed at US clients.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
There is no subscription, so no software-style refund policy. The company warns that all investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and that past performance does not guarantee future results.
Privacy
The privacy policy (effective 19 August 2026) is jointly issued by the Wealthfront entities. For financial products it collects extensive sensitive data, including Social Security number, government ID, self-portrait photos (possibly biometric), tax, employment and linked-account information, handled under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The company says it will never rent, sell or trade personal information. On Google Play the developer declares possible sharing of personal info and photos and videos with third parties, encryption in transit and the ability to request deletion.
Wealthfront alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Wealthfront a bank?
No. The company says neither it nor its affiliates is a bank; Cash Account funds are conveyed to program banks that hold the deposits, pay the APY and provide FDIC insurance.
How much does Wealthfront charge?
The Wealthfront Portfolio charges 0.25% a year on invested assets. The pricing page says the Brokerage Account has no advisory or management fees for ETFs and stocks, starting at $1, and the Cash Account has no account fee.
Does everyone earn 4.45% APY?
No. 3.55% is the base rate as of 10/01/2026. The up-to-4.45% figure adds a 0.65% boost for 3 months for new clients (on up to $150,000) and 0.25% for clients who invest and have a $1,000 monthly direct deposit or $2,500 in recurring deposits. The rate can change.
Can I use Wealthfront outside the US?
The official pages do not mention clients outside the US, the app is English-only and sign-up collects details such as a Social Security number. Treat it as a service for US clients.
Review evidence & sources9
Scores
- Ease of use
- 8.5
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 8.0
- Performance
- 7.5
- Support
- 6.0
- Privacy & security
- 6.8
Why this score
App Store 4.8/5 across more than 17,000 ratings; the company says the app ships weekly and sign-up is online. The Google Play listing shows no average rating, and a few Trustpilot reviews describe failed sign-ups.
Why this score
Cash Account, automated portfolios with tax-loss harvesting and direct indexing, brokerage, retirement, college and custodial accounts, home lending and a portfolio line of credit. No crypto or international coverage was confirmed.
Why this score
A 0.25% annual fee and no account fees on Cash and Brokerage; a 3.55% base APY versus a 0.38% traditional-savings average in the company's own comparison. The top APY requires extra conditions.
Why this score
The company publishes actual Classic portfolio returns (13.61% 1-year, 8.76% 5-year, 10.86% 10-year, net of fees), which are company-reported and not a guarantee. One Trustpilot reviewer reports declined debit card transactions.
Why this score
The help center lists phone and email support from Series 7-licensed staff, with general requests typically answered within 24 business hours. Still, Trustpilot shows 2.0/5 from only 25 reviews, with comments about locked accounts and no replies, and the company has not replied to negative reviews. The sample is small and Trustpilot flags it as possibly unrepresentative, so the score is not set lower.
Why this score
A detailed policy, a no-sale pledge, encryption in transit and deletion requests. Against that, it collects much sensitive data (SSN, selfie, ID documents) and Google Play declares sharing of personal info, photos and videos with third parties.
What users say
- App Store (US)4.8/5 · 17,522
- Trustpilot2.0/5 · 25
Sources
- Vendor-providedOfficial Cash Account pageNov 11, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial fees pageNov 11, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial investing page (The Wealthfront Portfolio)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedOfficial privacy policyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedWealthfront Support: How does client support work?Nov 11, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 11, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 11, 2026
- review-siteTrustpilot reviewsNov 11, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: WealthfrontNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Wealthfront Corporation
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2011
- Category
- Finance
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- Integrations
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Web
Interface languages
- English
Integrations
- Linked external financial accounts
Support
- Phone
- Help center
Change history
- Price.Raises Cash Account APY to 3.55% after the Federal Reserve raised rates 25 basis points.
- Company.Completes a Nasdaq IPO as WLTH, priced at $14 a share, raising about $485 million.
- Company.Acquires a mortgage company as part of its entry into home lending.
Full change history (6)
- Company.UBS agrees to acquire Wealthfront for $1.4 billion; the deal is mutually terminated in September 2022.
- Feature.Introduces the Cash Account.
- Feature.Starts tax-loss harvesting for accounts of more than $100,000.
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