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Fidelity Go Ranked "Best Overall Robo"Fidelity Go Ranked "Best Overall Robo"

Incumbent financial players take two of the top three rankings in the latest robo analysis.

Samuel Steinberger, Senior Technology Editor

January 28, 2019

1 Min Read
Fidelity

The incumbents are striking back in automated investing, that is according to Backend Benchmarking's Winter 2019 Edition. In this latest version of the firm's rankings, Fidelity Go took the title of "Best Overall Robo," while SigFig was ranked second overall, followed by Vanguard. Acorns came in last across the 13 automated investing platforms that were ranked.

Fidelity Go received high marks for its 35bp fee and access to "quality financial planning tools," according to analysts. It was knocked for its proprietary funds, which made it difficult to evaluate product transparency and potential conflicts of interest, as well as the inability of its financial planning modules to produce a single financial plan. The service also lacks automated tax-loss harvesting.

SigFig received acknowledgment for its strong returns against Backend's benchmark and its simple interface, as well as access to live advisors as soon as investors' managed assets reach $10,000. SigFig offers automated tax-loss harvesting.

The inclusion of Fidelity Go in the 13 overall-ranked robo advisors reflects two years of portfolio history available to analysts at Backend Benchmarking. Joining Fidelity are TD Ameritrade and Ellevest, ranked sixth and ninth, respectively. Industry pioneers Wealthfront and Betterment could do no better than middle of the pack, ranking fifth and seventh, respectively.

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About the Author

Samuel Steinberger

Senior Technology Editor, WealthManagement.com

Samuel Steinberger is Senior Technology Editor for Informa Connect’s WealthManagement.com. In his role, Mr. Steinberger provides the publication’s wealth and financial technology coverage. 

Mr. Steinberger’s editorial insight and familiarity with technology accelerates Informa’s growth within the financial advisor and wealth management communities, providing in-depth news for advisors and financial professionals. 

Before joining Informa Connect, Mr. Steinberger produced documentaries with former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien at Soledad O’Brien Productions (formerly Starfish Media Group). He specialized in research, shooting and editing, as well as finding distinct voices to explain topics like mental health, poverty and racial divide. 

Prior to joining Soledad O’Brien Productions, Mr. Steinberger managed multi-departmental technology projects for global legal technology leader Transperfect Legal Solutions. After obtaining his graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University, he completed his transition from technology management to media. 

Mr. Steinberger is an award-winning journalist, author and researcher who has written, edited and reported for a number of publications, including The New York Times, Financial PlanningAmerican Banker and PBS. He is founder of beverages publication Give Me Weird Drinks

Mr. Steinberger’s technology analysis and insight has been featured in several books on virtual and augmented reality. Mr. Steinberger has received awards and recognition for his reporting and research, including the American Business Media's prestigious Jesse H. Neal Award for editorial excellence.

Follow on Twitter: @slsteinberger