Stash Review
A subscription robo-advisor at a flat $12 a month, which is the whole story: the fee is fixed, so the smaller your balance the worse it is.
By Michael Hewitt, Founder & Editor-in-Chief. Rates last checked September 11, 2026.
Our verdict
Stash's flat $12 a month suits investors past roughly $15,000, because on small balances it bites: $144 a year is 14.4% of $1,000. It takes roughly $57,600 invested before the fee matches the 0.25% Stash charges on its own portfolios. Ignore the ads for a $3 a month plan, which its current disclosures contradict.
Skip it if you're starting small: $144 a year is 28.8% of a $500 balance.
About Stash
A subscription robo-advisor at a flat $12 a month, which is the whole story: the fee is fixed, so the smaller your balance the worse it is. Stash is offered by Stash Investments LLC (SEC RIA, CRD #226550). Our editorial rating is 3.1 out of 5.
Best for: Investors past roughly $15,000 who want one flat price rather than a percentage.
Editorial grade: C+ (composite score 61/100).
Highlights
- Single $12/month subscription since 1 August 2026, or $108 billed annually
- Additional 0.25% annual fee on Smart Portfolios and Managed Retirement Accounts over $1,000
- Assets custodied at Apex Clearing Corporation, SIPC covered to $500,000 including $250,000 cash
- Banking through Stride Bank, N.A., FDIC insured to $250,000
What we like
- One price with no percentage fee until $1,000, which is simple to understand
- Stock-Back debit card returns fractional shares rather than cash
- Registered investment adviser with a real Form ADV and a FINRA member broker-dealer behind it
Where it falls short
- The flat fee is punishing on a small balance: $144 a year is 14.4% of $1,000 and 28.8% of $500. You need roughly $57,600 invested before it equals the 0.25% Stash charges on its own managed portfolios
- Its advertising still says start with $5 and a $3 a month plan, both of which the current disclosures contradict
- Idle cash earns up to 0.10% while Stash and its clearing firm keep the spread, which Stash discloses in its Form ADV
Fees, minimums, and rates
Monthly fee: $12/month, plus 0.25% a year on managed balances over $1,000. Minimum to open: $5 to open, though the subscription makes small balances uneconomic. Rates and fees last checked on September 11, 2026.
How we reviewed it
This is a desk review: we have not opened an account with Stash Investments LLC (SEC RIA, CRD #226550). It is built from Stash Investments LLC (SEC RIA, CRD #226550)'s published rates, fee schedule and terms and from the public complaint record, and compared with the other products in the Robo-Advisor shortlist. Our brokerage and robo-advisor reviews weight costs and fees (25%), platform and tools (20%), asset selection (15%), account types (10%), education and research (10%), customer support (10%), and trust and safety (10%). The rubric is the same for every brand.
Similar products to compare
Read our full editorial methodology for how we review products.