Freedom251 › Personal Finance Software
M1
by M1
What M1 is
M1 combines investing, saving, borrowing, and AI-powered fiduciary advice across Android, iOS, and the web. Users can build portfolios from stocks and ETFs as Pies, choose holdings themselves, or use M1 Advisor for guidance. Available accounts include taxable brokerage, retirement, and custodial accounts. M1 Advisor answers plain-language questions using positions, balances, and rates, then explains the information and logic behind recommendations; advisory enrollment is opt-in. Outside accounts such as 401(k)s, mortgages, and credit cards can be linked to a balance sheet. Trades are scheduled once or twice daily, and fractional shares support target allocations. M1 does not offer day trading, extended-hours trading, limit orders, options, futures, short selling, mutual funds, or OTC stocks. The Platform Fee is $3 a month when waiver requirements are not met, waived with at least $10,000 in M1 assets or an active M1 Personal Loan. M1 lists a free M1 Advisor plan through December 31, 2027.
Who it suits
M1 is designed for long-term investors who want investing, saving, borrowing, account linking, and advice together while retaining decision-making control. It may not fit traders needing the listed unavailable order types or securities.
What it does well
- Portfolio building with stocks, ETFs, and fractional shares
- AI Advisor explains recommendations in plain language
- Supports taxable, retirement, and custodial accounts
- Outside accounts can inform the balance sheet
- Available on Android, iOS, and web
What to know first
- No budgeting or bill-tracking tools
- No day trading or extended-hours trading
- Platform Fee can be $3.00 USD monthly
- Options, futures, and short selling unavailable
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | Billed during each 30-day billing cycle when waiver requirements are not met · Access to the M1 platform · Waived with at least $10,000 in total M1 assets or an active M1 Personal Loan | $3 a month |
| IRA Fee | M1 says customers pay a maximum of $3 per month and will not be charged both the Platform Fee and IRA Fee in the same mo · Applies to clients with only an Individual Retirement Account open who do not me | $3 a month |
| M1 Advisor | Included at no additional cost through December 31, 2027 · For M1 clients · non-discretionary advice; client approves actions | Free |
| M1 platform | $3/month; waived when total M1 assets reach $10,000 for at least one day in a 30-day billing cycle or with an active M1 Personal Loan; maximum $3/month · Self-directed brokerage has no commission, trading or management fees · other fees may apply | $3 a month |
As m1.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
M1 is an all-in-one investing platform focused on scheduled portfolio management and optional advice rather than active trading. Its fee waivers, account options, and trading restrictions are key points to review.
Facts from M1's own pages
- Accounts
- M1 offers taxable brokerage, retirement and custodial accounts. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Account sync
- both · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Advice
- M1 Advisor answers plain-language questions using a client's positions, balances and rates, and explains the data and logic behind recommendations. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- AI data use
- M1 says client financial data is not used to train AI models, including third-party models, and advisory enrollment is opt-in. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Automation
- M1 schedules trades once or twice daily and supports fractional shares for allocating portfolios to target percentages. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Bill tracking
- No · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Budgeting tools
- No · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Company location
- M1 Finance LLC lists its address as 200 N LaSalle St., Ste. 810, Chicago, IL 60601. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- External accounts
- Users can link outside accounts such as 401(k)s, mortgages and credit cards to their balance sheet for broader financial context. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2015 · m1.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois, United States · m1.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- M1 describes itself as designed for long-term investors who want an all-in-one finance platform and advice while retaining decision-making control. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Investing
- Users can build portfolios from stocks and ETFs as Pies, choosing holdings themselves or using M1 Advisor for guidance. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- both · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Net-worth tracking
- Yes · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Product
- M1 combines AI-powered fiduciary advice with investing, saving and borrowing in one platform. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Regulatory status
- M1 Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser, while M1 Finance LLC is a FINRA and SIPC member. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Report export
- Yes · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Security and protection
- M1 Finance LLC is a SIPC member, securities in brokerage accounts are protected up to $500,000, and swept cash may qualify for FDIC insurance through partner banks. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 3 · help.m1.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Support
- M1 provides a Help Center and a Contact us page. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Unavailable trading
- M1 does not offer day trading, extended-hours trading, limit orders, options, futures, short selling, mutual funds or OTC stocks. · m1.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where M1 stands on Freedom251
- Personal Finance Software#102 of 181