How FinanceBuzz Rates Investment Accounts

FinanceBuzz evaluates investment accounts using a star-based scoring system, where one is the lowest and five is the highest score. The precise star ratings are the product of our proprietary calculations.

These proprietary calculations take into account several factors that vary by type of investment service. These factors include account features, investment options, fees, customer service, and more. Additionally, all our ratings incorporate an editor’s assessment of each account.

Robo-advisors

We rate robo-advisors based on factors that include required minimums and fees. We also consider available investment options and diversification levels.

Additionally, we analyze each robo-advisor’s customer support and information accessibility and evaluate its automation features. Each robo-advisor rating also takes into account editor assessments, which consider additional features, potential drawbacks, and actual user experience.

Online brokerage accounts

We evaluate online brokerage accounts based on factors that include required minimums and common account and trading fees.

Additionally, we consider investment options, including tradeable asset classes, initial public offerings (IPOs) accessibility, and more.

Furthermore, we rate each brokerage account’s customer support and information accessibility. Online brokerage account ratings are also based on editor assessments of additional features, potential drawbacks, and actual user experience.

How ratings influence our content

Ratings influence the products and companies we choose to feature in our content. We’re more likely to include those with high scores, but our editorial team also considers topic-specific features and drawbacks to prioritize the needs of our audience. Products and companies with below-average scores may still be featured if their offerings fit a particular topic and could be valuable to readers.

As detailed in our editorial policy and advertiser disclosure, we receive compensation from companies featured in our content. However, while compensation may influence the order in which products or companies appear on a page, it does not in any way affect our star rating calculations or editorial opinions and recommendations.