Reviewing M1 Finance: A Comprehensive Look at 2 Years (The Positives, Negatives, and Rating)

by | Jul 8, 2023 | SEP IRA | 29 comments

Reviewing M1 Finance: A Comprehensive Look at 2 Years (The Positives, Negatives, and Rating)




I’ve used M1 Finance now for 2 years and it’s finally time to do a full review! It’s a service I’ve recommended for years now, but have never made a comprehensive overview of both the good and bad things about it. I can confidently say that I use every service that is offered by M1 Finance as of this year too!

I started using M1 as another taxable brokerage account for investments over and above our tax advantaged retirement accounts. Then I opened an IRA for my wife with M1. Next I started another taxable brokerage account to use for my experiment throwing darts at a dartboard to pick stocks. (video link here for that one! Dartboard stock picking: Update after 3 months! Just recently I opened a 4th account to start my SEP IRA. Towards the end of this video I explain what an SEP IRA is and why it’s awesome. All of these accounts were very easy to start with M1.

There are a few things about the app and their service in general that I don’t like. Check those out in the second half of this video. To assess a lot of different things in my life from finances to cars to bagels, I use spreadsheets. It’s a really fun way to keep a record of how good or bad something was and is something that is easily shareable too. I realized in making this video that we need a format for rating investing apps/services! So I made one! At the end of this video I go through the new rating system, it’s categories, and give an inaugural score to M1 Finance. Stick around for future reviews and ratings of other investing services/apps to see how they compare!

M1 finance links:

My SEP Pie of Victory: (The exact things I am investing in right now in my SEP IRA)

📈M1 Finance Investing: (Get $30 when you start investing today! To get it, invest at least $100 in an individual account or at least $500 in a retirement account)
m1finance.8bxp97.net/2rjBLD

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📗My Investing Masterclass For Beginners Course! Step by Step from beginner to stock market success!

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My Free Newsletter

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The Investing Apps I Recommend:
🐿Start investing with Acorns today! Best app for beginners! Get $5 when you use my invite link:

📊Get 2 free stocks with WeBull after you deposit $100! (The best app for getting free stocks. Yes, actually free!)

Or don’t. No pressure!

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🎥 Investing Videos:
🐿Acorns 1-Year Review! [And My Actual Returns!]
🎥Best Investing Apps for Beginners in 2021:
❓What EXACTLY Happens to Your Money When You Invest:

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💰The Savings Accounts I Recommend:
💰Yotta Savings: The savings account that feels more like a lottery! Use my link and we will both get 100 tickets! Just sign up with code BRENDAN4 or tap this link:
💰Prize Pool: The newest “gamified” saving app, similar to Yotta. Sign up and get a 10% bonus on top of all your prizes forever! Use code MQD33 or this link:
(These are affiliate links that may provide a small commission or bonus if you sign up using them. This is of course at no cost to you! I use both of these services.)

#investing #M1Finance
Disclaimer: Any financial or investing-related topics discussed on this channel are not from a professional investment advisor and are not financial advice for you. This is for entertainment purposes only.

⏱Handy Timeline:
0:00 Intro
0:23 The Good 1- Design
0:56 The Good 2- Ease
2:07 The Good 3- Fees and Commissions
3:01 The Good 4- Pie vs Cake
4:40 The Good 5- $ Weighted
5:55 The Good 6- Spend
6:23 The Good 7- Easy opening
7:30 The Good 8- Borrow
8:17 The Good 9- M1+
9:44 Not Good 1- Identity issues
10:46 Not Good 2- Digital wallet
11:27 Not Very Useful 1- Send check
11:48 Not Good 3- Initial acclimation
12:35 Mildly Annoying- Trade windows
13:44 Investing App Score
15:20 Conclusion

Contact me here for business purposes: Brendanbizinquiries@gmail.com

WHO AM I?
I’m Brendan, a Dad, trail runner, personal finance nerd, and lover of spreadsheets. I make videos about the basics of personal finance….(read more)


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M1 Finance 2-Year Review (The Good, The Bad, and The Rating)

In today’s technologically advanced world, investment platforms have become more user-friendly and accessible. One such platform that has gained significant popularity over the past few years is M1 Finance. As the name suggests, M1 Finance aims to provide users with a one-stop solution for all their financial needs. With its unique combination of automated investing and customizable portfolios, M1 Finance has become a go-to choice for both experienced investors and beginners. In this article, we will take a closer look at M1 Finance, providing an unbiased review of its performance over the past two years.

The Good:

1. Automated Investing: One of the most attractive features of M1 Finance is its automation capabilities. Users can create a personalized portfolio based on their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon. M1 Finance then takes care of the rest, automatically rebalancing the investments to maintain the desired asset allocation. This hands-off approach to investing simplifies the process, allowing users to focus on other aspects of their financial lives.

2. Fractional Shares: M1 Finance offers the ability to invest in fractional shares, meaning you can own a fraction of a share of a particular stock or ETF. This feature allows investors to diversify their portfolios, even with limited funds. By allowing fractional shares, M1 Finance removes barriers that may have prevented certain individuals from investing in the past.

3. No commissions or management fees: Unlike traditional brokers or financial advisors, M1 Finance does not charge any commissions or management fees. This is a significant advantage as it allows users to save on costs associated with investing. Whether you are an active trader or a long-term investor, not having to worry about fees eating into your returns is a big plus.

4. User-friendly Interface: M1 Finance offers a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate for users of all experience levels. The platform provides a range of useful tools and resources to help users make well-informed investment decisions. From a simple and hassle-free account setup to comprehensive investment research, M1 Finance offers a seamless user experience.

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The Bad:

1. Limited Investment Options: While M1 Finance offers a wide variety of stocks and ETFs, some investors might find the selection limited compared to other platforms. If you are looking for a specific mutual fund or alternative investment options, you may need to look elsewhere. However, for the majority of investors, the available options should be sufficient to build a diversified portfolio.

2. No access to individual bonds: Another drawback of M1 Finance is the lack of access to individual bonds. The platform primarily focuses on stocks and ETFs, which means that if you are interested in bond investing, you will need to use a different platform. However, M1 Finance does offer bond ETFs, which can still provide exposure to the fixed income market.

3. Limited Customer Support: Some users have reported difficulties in reaching M1 Finance’s customer support. While the platform offers an extensive FAQ section and resources, it is essential to note that live customer support may not always be readily available. This could be frustrating for users who require immediate assistance with their accounts or have urgent questions.

The Rating:

Considering the numerous positives and a few drawbacks, M1 Finance deserves a solid rating. With its automated investing capabilities, fractional shares, and fee-free structure, M1 Finance offers a unique and user-friendly platform for investors. However, limited investment options and customer support do present minor challenges. Overall, M1 Finance provides a solid solution for investors looking for a hassle-free and cost-effective way to manage their investments.

In conclusion, M1 Finance has proven to be a reliable investment platform over the past two years. Its innovative features and user-friendly interface make it an attractive choice for investors of all levels. While there are some areas for improvement, the overall performance and benefits offered by M1 Finance make it worthy of consideration for those looking to manage their finances efficiently.

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29 Comments

  1. Brendan Evan

    Get $50 for signing up! It’s a new offer from M1 Finance! Only good from July 7, 2021- September 7, 2021. Important: Make sure you start and account and deposit money to get the bonus. For a brokerage account, deposit at least $100 to get $50. For an IRA, deposit at least $500 to get $50!

  2. D-C -G

    Hi Brenden, do you know why m1 is phasing out the checking account?

  3. Vinny Boom Ba

    I love m1 they now have high yield savings and crypto accts

  4. Wade

    i can understand charging a fee to make a trade but not allowing trades at all while the stock market is open after a certain time should be illegal. robinhood stopped trades while they were going through the gamestop crisis and they got ripped a one.

  5. Parth PATEL

    how do you track your short term(<1 year) vs long term(>1 year) investments on M1?

  6. madcow usa

    M1 has exorbitant exit fees if you don't like their crappy service. They want $600 in fees for wife and I to leave M1 for Fidelity. They are also extremely slow to release your dividends generally holding them an extra day beyond pay date, and if it's Friday, they hold them all weekend too. Awful customer service as well. Just awful company and I am sorry I ever signed up.

  7. H. A. R. D.

    This has been quite enlightening. Thank you for the information.

  8. MR ME

    I don't like M1 and if ur even a long term investor u want to be able to buy when ur ready and buy what u want instead of them trading when they want and going into the pie and $25 minimum to invest

  9. Aztekin

    Any update in this video ..

  10. Harry Ryan

    Hey Brendan, would you be willing to do a vid on your returns for M1? I totally understand privacy concerns if you didn’t want to show that, but I noticed you showed them for a few other platforms. Thanks and keep up the high quality content!

  11. Michael N.

    Brendan, so I’m using Stash I’ve only invested for a couple of months but I’m wondering if M1 is a better choice then Stash for starters M1 looks better (no fees) but I’m wondering if your still using M1.

  12. Ángel

    As of today im about to get into the investing world. Im not trying to become a day trader i just want some peace of mind for my future so i believe this app is perfect for someone like me.

  13. Joey Kirubel

    Can you do a video on canadian apps that offer the same things

  14. connoreggs

    I turned 18 four days ago and wanted to start investing early, however opening an account has been a headache, I guess its only fair for them to be suspicous since I am so young, however I find it very annoying that they only accept a W2 or a copy of my SSN card. As I am a 1099 independent contractor, and recieve W9 forms, but for some reason they dont accept those, only W2's. Now I've gotta get my SSN card out of my safety deposit box lol.

  15. Brian Okoth

    I just watched a couple of your videos about three on stock investing and really loved your reviews but I am still a newbie generally in investing and would request if you would do a video on fundamental things one ought to know before investing in stocks?

  16. Brian Okoth

    Love your glasses wnere did you get those?

  17. Richard H

    pies are better than cakes. How much did M1 charge you for borrowing money ? you never told us ?? what was your profit with your 31000 investment with M1 ?

  18. Scott Zimmerman

    Pie is better than cake hands down.

  19. Chris Lloyd

    The send a check feature is handy. They need full on bill pay though. If spend had that, I would switch to them today.

  20. Grand Tour

    My question is do you think M1 will be here for the long term? I'm still young and thinking about 30 years from now. Just trying to decide between M1 and something like Fidelity.

  21. Jose Bautista

    Can I buy stock when using M1

  22. butt scratcher

    I'd use it for Roth IRA but I wouldn't use it for anything else. The one trade window and the slow trading makes it feel like I have no control. I want to be able to invest quickly and on the spot.

  23. Audrey Guo

    Tbh most of the faults just seem like extra features not needed or some small minor annoyances (ok maybe except the trading window thing) but overall seems like a really good option I might try this one and acorns out

  24. Josué

    Thanks for the video. I have been using M1 for about 2 years and I love it. My favorite feature – and I think the feature which is most relevant to M1's mission of long term investing – is the Custodial account. I created a custodial account for my son using the free trial of the M1+ and according to M1, I can continue to manage and contribute to the custodial account even if I cancel the M1+ account.

  25. Jim A

    Fee to close an account is a big negative

  26. Aiyash

    wait so can you choose the stocks u wanna buy? and do they allow fractional shares?

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