Schwab Intelligent Portfolios review

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios charges no advisory fee and no commissions, which makes it the cheapest service here on paper for balances of $5,000 or more. After a short questionnaire about goals, risk tolerance and timeline, Schwab assigns one of more than 80 portfolio variations built from about 50 ETFs that span roughly 20 asset classes, then monitors it daily and rebalances as needed. Live support from US-based staff is available 24/7 by phone and chat. The cost is indirect: each portfolio holds a cash allocation in deposit accounts at Charles Schwab Bank, and Schwab states that the bank earns income on that cash, earning more the larger the allocation. That cash can lag the market in strong years. Tax-loss harvesting is available only with $50,000 or more invested, and you must turn it on. If you have $5,000 and value round-the-clock help, it is a good fit; if you want every dollar invested, Wealthfront or Vanguard fit better.

Who it is for

Investors with $5,000 or more who want no advisory fee and 24/7 phone support.

Price

$0 advisory fee and $0 commissions; $5,000 minimum; ETF expenses and a cash allocation apply.

There is no advisory fee or commissions charged for Schwab Intelligent Portfolios.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Portfolios drawn from about 50 ETFs across about 20 asset classes
• More than 80 portfolio variations based on goals and risk
• Daily monitoring and automatic rebalancing
• Tax-loss harvesting from $50,000 invested
• 24/7 live support from US-based service professionals

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No advisory fee and no commissions
• Strength: Support by phone and chat around the clock
• Strength: Broad mix of asset classes, including REITs and commodities
• Weakness: $5,000 minimum to start
• Weakness: Part of each portfolio sits in cash at Schwab Bank, which Schwab says is how it earns revenue
• Weakness: Tax-loss harvesting needs $50,000 and must be switched on

Key facts

• Advisory fee: None
• Minimum: $5,000
• Fund lineup: About 50 ETFs
• Tax-loss harvesting: From $50,000, opt-in
• Support: 24/7 phone and live chat

Where it ranks

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios is No. 5 in our Best Robo Advisors verdict.