A Roth IRA may be a helpful way to save for retirement. You contribute after-tax dollars, and your earnings may be tax-free when your withdrawals meet IRS rules. These features make the Roth IRA a popular option for long-term planning.

Many providers offer Roth IRA accounts, and each one approaches investing a little differently. Some are built for hands-off investors who prefer automation. Others give you more control and a wider range of choices.

This guide highlights several Roth IRA providers worth considering in 2025. The best option ultimately depends on how you prefer to invest and what matters most in your long-term retirement strategy.

Best Roth IRAs to Consider in 2025

Many Roth IRA providers now offer $0 trading commissions for U.S. stocks and ETFs. But the total cost of investing can still vary. Advisory fees, fund expense ratios, and account transfer or closure fees may apply. Each provider also differs in investment access, user experience, and how much support you receive.

Below is a breakdown of well-known platforms to consider in 2025, depending on your investment goals and preferences.

1. Carry Roth IRA

Carry offers a Roth IRA built with business owners in mind. The platform is focused on self-employed individuals who want access to premium tools, planning support, and a smoother user experience.

Who it’s for:

People who value clean design, want an all-in-one financial hub, or prefer access to more personalized support. Carry may be especially helpful if you’re already using its Solo 401k or plan to.

What you can invest in:

✅ Currently, you can invest in stocks and ETFs.
✅ Support for self-directed investing and alternative assets is expected to be added soon.

Costs:

  • $0 minimum to open
  • $0 advisory fee
  • Membership: $299/year ($29/month) or $499/year ($49/month)

Carry’s Roth IRA is part of a membership. This includes access to their flagship Solo 401k, education library, and optional financial planner add-ons. It is not structured like a traditional standalone brokerage account.

2. SoFi

SoFi makes it easy for new investors to get started. It offers both active and automated investing through a simple, app-based interface.

Who it’s for:

People opening their first Roth IRA or looking for an easy, low-cost platform with optional robo-advising.

What you can invest in:

✅ Stocks and ETFs
✅ Cryptocurrencies

❌ You cannot invest in mutual funds, bonds, futures, or forex.

Costs:

  • $0 minimum
  • 0.25% annual advisory fee (for robo portfolios)
  • No advisory fee for self-directed trading

SoFi also gives you access to a certified financial planner (CFP), which is rare among low-cost platforms.

3. Betterment

Betterment is a robo-advisor that builds your portfolio and automatically manages it based on your risk level.

Who it’s for:

People who want to “set it and forget it” with their Roth IRA, and prefer automation over DIY investing.

What you can invest in:

✅ Diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds via ETFs

Costs:

  • $0 minimum to open (but $10 required to start investing)
  • 0.25% annual advisory fee
  • Flat $4/month fee may apply to lower balances, depending on terms

With Betterment, you do not select individual stocks. They handle all portfolio decisions for you.

4. Wealthfront

Wealthfront offers more asset variety than most robo-advisors. It’s also one of the few that let you customize your ETF portfolio.

Who it’s for:

Investors who want the simplicity of a robo-advisor, but with more control and broader diversification.

What you can invest in:

✅ ETFs across multiple categories: U.S. stocks, international stocks, bonds, real estate, and natural resources

Costs:

  • $500 minimum deposit
  • 0.25% annual advisory fee

Wealthfront includes ETF options that offer exposure to real estate and natural resources, which may provide a potential hedge against inflation. Its portfolio customization features also make it more flexible than many traditional robo-advisors.

5. M1 Finance

M1 Finance combines automation with customization, offering something between a robo-advisor and a traditional brokerage.

Who it’s for:

Investors who want a structured, hands-off experience but still prefer to choose their own investments.

What you can invest in:

✅ Stocks and ETFs through customizable “Pies”
✅ Automated rebalancing

Costs:

  • $500 minimum deposit
  • No advisory fee

M1 Finance places trades during scheduled windows instead of executing them right away. This setup works well for long-term investors but may feel restrictive if you want more control over the timing of your trades.

6. Vanguard

Vanguard is best known for its low-cost mutual funds and broad range of index-based investing options.

Who it’s for:

People who want to invest in mutual funds and prefer access to phone-based customer support.

What you can invest in:

✅ Mutual funds, ETFs, and individual stocks

Costs:

  • No minimum to open the account
  • Mutual funds may require $1,000 to $3,000 minimums
  • Advisory fee: 0.20% AUM (waived for the first 90 days)

Vanguard is especially popular among long-term passive investors. They also offer access to human support, which many low-cost providers do not.

7. TD Ameritrade (Now Part of Charles Schwab)

TD Ameritrade accounts have been migrated into Charles Schwab, including its popular thinkorswim® platform.

Who it’s for:

Experienced traders who want access to options, advanced charting, and technical tools.

What you can invest in:

✅ Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options
✅ Robo portfolios and fractional shares

Costs:

  • $0 minimum
  • $0 trading commissions

TD Ameritrade is now part of Schwab, combining both platforms into one. You still get access to advanced tools for active trading. At the same time, the platform supports a wide range of options for more passive investors.

8. Fidelity

Fidelity offers one of the most flexible Roth IRA platforms on the market. It serves both beginners and experienced investors well.

Who it’s for:

People who want low-cost index funds, fractional shares, and the option to use a robo-advisor.

What you can invest in:

✅ Stocks, mutual funds, index funds, and fractional shares

Costs:

  • $0 minimum
  • $0 commissions
  • No minimums on most mutual funds

Fidelity Go is the platform’s built-in robo-advisor for automated investing. Many of its index funds also come with zero expense ratios, which is not something most providers offer.

How to Choose a Roth IRA Provider

The right Roth IRA provider depends on how you prefer to invest. Some platforms are built for automation. Others give you full control to build your own portfolio.

✅ If you want to invest passively, a robo-advisor may be a better fit. These platforms use your age, timeline, and risk profile to create a diversified portfolio for you.

✅ If you prefer to pick your own funds, look for a self-directed platform that offers a wide range of ETFs, mutual funds, or even alternative assets.

📝 Tip: Before choosing a provider, consider the features you value most — low fees, human support, investment variety, or account customization.

What Are the Benefits of a Roth IRA?

The biggest advantage of a Roth IRA is the potential for tax-free qualified withdrawals. You do not get a deduction when you contribute, since the money goes in after taxes. But if your withdrawals meet IRS requirements, your earnings may never be taxed.

To qualify, your account must be open for at least five years, and you must be age 59½ or older. Other qualifying events may apply, such as disability or a first-time home purchase.

📌 Also read: How Does a Roth IRA Grow Over Time?

When You Can Withdraw From a Roth IRA

You can take out the money you contributed at any time — no taxes or penalties apply. But you cannot withdraw your earnings until the account is at least five years old and you are age 59½ or older, unless an exception applies.

📝 Note: Early withdrawals of earnings may trigger income taxes and a 10% penalty.

How Much Can I Contribute to a Roth IRA?

For the 2025 tax year:

✅ You can contribute up to $7,000 if you are under age 50
✅ You can contribute up to $8,000 if you are age 50 or older

📝 Note: These are the maximum contribution limits, but your actual limit may be lower depending on your income. 

📌 Learn more about IRA contribution limits here.

Who Can Contribute to a Roth IRA?

You must have earned income to contribute to a Roth IRA. Your income also needs to fall below the IRS limits for the year.

For 2025:

✅ If your income is under $150,000 (single filer), you can contribute the full amount
✅ If your income is between $150,000 and $165,000, your contribution limit is reduced
❌ If your income is over $165,000, you are not eligible to contribute for the year

📝 Note: These thresholds apply to modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and may differ for married filers.

📌 Thinking about rolling over your IRA into a Carry Roth IRA? Click here to see how it works.

Wrapping Up

A Roth IRA may be a helpful way to build long-term, tax-advantaged savings, especially if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later in life. The right provider depends on your experience level, how hands-on you want to be, and what features matter most to you.

There are several solid options available in 2025. Before opening an account, make sure to compare fees, investment access, and account tools to find the best fit for your goals.


Disclaimer:

The Carry Learning Center is operated by The Vibes Company Inc. (“Vibes”) and contains generalized educational content about personal finance topics. While Vibes provides educational content and technology services, all investment advisory services discussed on this website are provided exclusively through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carry Advisors LLC (“Carry Advisors”), an SEC registered investment adviser. The information contained on the Carry Learning Center should not be construed as personalized investment advice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or engage in a particular investment, accounting, tax or legal strategy. Vibes is not providing tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice. You should consult with qualified tax, legal, accounting, and investment professionals regarding your specific situation.

The accounts, strategies and/or investments discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. All investments involve the risk of loss, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment growth or profit is never a guarantee. All statements and opinions included on the Carry Learning Center are intended to be current as of the date of publication but are subject to change without notice.

To access investment advisory services through Carry Advisors, you must be a client of Vibes on an eligible membership plan. For more information about Carry Advisors’ investment advisory services, please see our Form ADV Part 2A brochure and Form CRS or through the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.