You have probably heard of M1 Finance, one of the more popular investing platforms in the United States, serving over a million users.
Unfortunately, M1 does not operate internationally – it is available only to US residents.
This article covers what M1 Finance offers, whether expansion is likely, and the alternatives available if you are outside the United States.
What is M1 Finance?
M1 Finance is a fintech founded in 2015, built around automated portfolio investing. It has since expanded into individual stocks and funds, banking, and lending. The offering splits into three areas:
- M1 Invest: individual stocks and funds, fractional shares, and customisable automated portfolios through its “Pies” system;
- M1 Borrow: a flexible margin-backed line of credit;
- M1 Spend: a checking account and debit card.
M1 generates revenue through payment for order flow, its M1 Plus subscription, interest on margin lending, and securities lending.
Worth clarifying a common misconception: M1 is not a robo-advisor in the conventional sense. It provides automated rebalancing around allocations you set yourself, rather than discretionary management based on a risk assessment. That distinction matters when comparing it to Betterment or Wealthfront, which do provide managed portfolios.
Which countries is M1 Finance available in?
M1 Finance is available only to US citizens and permanent residents aged 18 or over, with a US residential address and US phone number required to open an account.
There is no official indication of international expansion. M1’s model depends on US market structure – payment for order flow, which is prohibited in the EU and UK, and SIPC custody arrangements – so entering other markets would require rebuilding significant parts of the business rather than simply extending it.
M1 Finance worldwide alternatives
Whether or not you are a US citizen, there are credible alternatives covering most of what M1 offers. Note that several below are US-only, so we have marked availability clearly:
Interactive Brokers – available worldwide
Founded in 1978 and NASDAQ-listed, IBKR accepts clients from over 200 countries, offering stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and futures across 170+ markets with among the lowest currency conversion fees available. The closest equivalent to M1’s product breadth for international investors. Check our Interactive Brokers review.
💡 Also offers IBKR GlobalTrader, a simpler mobile app with fractional shares from $1.
eToro – available in 140+ countries
A social investing platform with over 40 million users, offering commission-free ETFs ($1 per stock trade in most markets). Its standout feature is CopyTrader, letting you automatically mirror other investors – the closest analogue to M1’s Pies for hands-off investing. Read our eToro review.
Disclaimer: eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Trading 212 – available across Europe
Offers commission-free real stocks and ETFs alongside Pies and AutoInvest, a thematic portfolio feature functionally very close to M1’s core proposition. Fractional shares from €1 and a 0.15% currency conversion fee.
inbestMe – available across Europe
A robo-advisor offering fully automated portfolios with multiple risk profiles, including socially responsible and value-oriented options. Management fees start below 0.5% per year, with access to a human adviser at higher balances.
Stockspot – Australia only
Australia’s largest independent robo-advisor, offering automated ETF portfolios with ongoing rebalancing.
Wealthsimple – Canada only
The closest Canadian equivalent, combining managed portfolios with commission-free self-directed trading, serving over 3.4 million clients under CIRO regulation.
Betterment and Wealthfront – US only
Both are US robo-advisors offering genuinely managed portfolios rather than self-directed allocation. Betterment holds over $65 billion in assets, while Wealthfront listed on NASDAQ in December 2025. Neither serves international clients, so they are alternatives to M1 only if you are already US-based.
Bottom line
M1 Finance is US-only, and its business model makes international expansion unlikely rather than merely unannounced.
For investors outside the US, the practical picture:
- Widest availability: Interactive Brokers accepts clients from over 200 countries and offers the broadest product range;
- Closest to M1’s Pies: Trading 212’s AutoInvest in Europe, or eToro’s Smart Portfolios and CopyTrader;
- Fully managed portfolios: inbestMe in Europe, Stockspot in Australia, Wealthsimple in Canada.
Explore the options that fit your situation. If none is a match, browse our list of fintechs available by country.
The above should not be construed as financial advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Users should do their own research regarding the services best suited to their circumstances.
Other FAQs about M1 Finance
Is M1 Finance available in Canada? 🇨🇦
No. M1 Finance serves US residents only. Canadian investors can consider Wealthsimple or Interactive Brokers instead.
Is M1 Finance available in Australia? 🇦🇺
No. Australian investors can consider Stockspot for managed portfolios or Interactive Brokers for self-directed investing.
Is M1 Finance available in Singapore? 🇸🇬
No. Interactive Brokers Singapore, regulated by MAS, is the closest alternative available locally.
Is M1 Finance available in the Philippines? 🇵🇭
No. Interactive Brokers accepts Philippine residents and offers a comparable product range.
