You certainly heard about M1 Finance. In a year where retail investor participation exploded, M1 finance certainly is one of the popular choices in the United States, with over 500.000 users.
Unfortunately, M1 doesn’t work internationally – it is only available for US residents.
This article will cover what M1 Finance is about, the company’s expansion plans, and the alternatives if you are outside the United States.
What is M1 Finance?
M1 Finance is a fintech company founded in 2015 whose main value proposition is the Robo-advisor offering. Still, soon they have expanded to offer the possibility of investing in individual stocks and funds, getting an online checking account, personal credit lines, and more. Their offer is split between 3 verticals:
- M1 Finance Invest: Invest in individual stocks and funds, fractional shares, or build a customized investment portfolio that is right for you through their Robo-advisory feature.
- M1 Finance Borrow: Get a flexible and cheap line of credit.
- M1 Finance Spend: A digital bank that lets you get a checkings account and a debit card to spend on whatever you want.
The company makes money primarily through payment for order flow, subscription of the M1 Plus service, brokerage fees, interest on cash loans, and fees for stock lending.
Which countries is M1 Finance available in?
At this time, only US Citizens and Permanent Residents over the age of 18 with a US residential address and US phone number can apply to open an M1 Account.
Although there are some expectations about M1 expanding to other markets, there is still a lack of official confirmation about these advances.
M1 Finance Worldwide Alternatives
Whether you are a US citizen or not, there are several alternatives to M1 Finances internationally. Here is a list of some alternatives which cover most features offered by M1 Finance:
eToro
A social investment platform that offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs. One of the competitive advantages of eToro is observing what other investors are doing and the capacity to copy them automatically. 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.
Interactive Brokers
Founded in 1978, IBKR is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers. It offers an enormous range of financial products (stocks, ETFs, Options,…), and low currency conversion fees (FX fees). Check our Interactive Brokers review.
💡 Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs, ideal for novice investors.
inbestMe
A Robo-Advisor with multiple portfolio options and customization. The service is fully automated and even offers tax-loss harvesting (tax efficiency). It charges a maximum management fee of 0.41%/year. Access to a human advisor is available for amounts above €100,000.
Stockspot
Australia’s leading Robo-advisor (online investment adviser).
Betterment
A US-based fintech company that provides Robo-advising and cash management services.
Wealthfront
The M1 Finance equivalent in the US.
Cash App
One of the most famous payment apps in the US. Send and receive money, access several banking features such as receiving your paycheck and tax returns, and invest in stocks and cryptos.
Wealthsimple
The M1 Finance equivalent in Canada.
Platform | Main features | Accepts clients from |
77% of retail CFD accounts lose money. | Commission-free investing + Copy People | Worldwide. |
Robo-Advisor | Worldwide. | |
Robo-Advisor | Australia | |
Robo-Advisor | United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands | |
Robo-Advisor + Digital Bank (the closest to M1 Finance) | United States | |
Commission-free investing + Digital Bank | United States, UK | |
Robo-Advisor + Commission-free investing + Digital Bank | Canada | |
Online Broker + Robo-Advisor | Worldwide (+220 countries, exceptions apply). |
The Bottom Line
In this article, we covered the best alternative to M1 Finance within each segment: cash accounts, DIY investments and Robo-advisory services.
Explore the options you find interesting, and decide for yourself! If you haven’t found a match, you can still take a look at our list of fintechs available by country.
As a reminder, the above information should not be construed as financial advice and should only be considered information. Users should do their own research and diligence about the services and opportunities best suited for their individual situations.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Happy investments!
Other FAQs about M1 Finance
Is M1 Finance available in Canada? 🇨🇦
No, unfortunately, M1 Finance is not available in Canada.
Is M1 Finance available in Australia? 🇦🇺
No, only US citizens can use M1 Finance.
Is M1 Finance available in Singapore? 🇸🇬
No, M1 Finance is not available for Singaporean users.
Is M1 Finance available in the Philippines? 🇵🇭
No, M1 Finance is also not available in the Philippines.
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
