Best Robo-Advisor for Minors: Where to Start Investing for Teens

When you want to teach a teen about money, robo-advisors for minors are one of the most practical tools you can give them. A custodial robo-advisor, a platform that lets an adult manage investments for a minor under a UGMA or UTMA account combines automation with legal oversight—so the child learns without risking their money. It’s not just about saving allowance; it’s about letting them watch compound growth happen over years, not months. And unlike a savings account that earns less than inflation, a well-chosen custodial robo-advisor can grow their money through low-cost ETFs, dividends, and automatic rebalancing.

Most custodial accounts, legal structures that hold assets for minors until they reach adulthood are tied to specific platforms that support minors. Not every robo-advisor allows this—some only serve adults 18+. But the ones that do, like Wealthfront, a robo-advisor platform offering custodial accounts with tax-efficient investing and automated portfolio management or Betterment, a digital investment service that provides custodial options with goal-based portfolios and no minimums, make it simple. You open the account as the custodian, fund it with cash, and set up recurring contributions. The teen gets access to a simplified dashboard as they get older, so they see how their money grows without needing to pick stocks or time the market. This builds real financial literacy—not just theory.

What makes these platforms different from a regular brokerage? They remove the guesswork. No trading fees, no complex forms, no emotional decisions. They use automated investing for kids, a system that allocates assets based on age, goals, and risk tolerance without human intervention. For example, a 13-year-old’s portfolio might be 80% stocks and 20% bonds, slowly shifting to safer assets as they turn 18. That’s the power of time. A $50 monthly contribution starting at age 13 could grow to over $30,000 by 25—even with modest returns—thanks to compounding. And when they turn 18 or 21 (depending on state law), the account transfers to them fully. That’s not just money—it’s a head start.

You don’t need to be a finance expert to set this up. The best platforms walk you through the process in under 15 minutes. You’ll need the child’s Social Security number, your ID, and a way to fund the account. Some even let you link a debit card for easy deposits from allowance or part-time jobs. The key is starting early, staying consistent, and letting the system do the work. The real win? Your teen learns by watching, not by being lectured.

Below, you’ll find real reviews and comparisons of the top platforms that support minors—no fluff, no sponsored posts, just what actually works for families who want to build real wealth together.