SoFi Investing: A Complete Guide to Stocks, ETFs, Automated Portfolios, and More

SoFi has grown from a student loan refinancing company into a full-service financial platform offering banking, lending, and investing. SoFi Investing gives you access to stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrency, and automated portfolio management — all in one place. But does it actually meet your needs? This guide breaks down everything you need to know.

Whether you want to pick individual stocks, set up a hands-off retirement portfolio, or just start investing with small amounts, SoFi has options to explore. Let’s look at how the platform works, what it costs, and where it falls short.

What Is SoFi Investing?

SoFi Investing is the investment arm of Social Finance, Inc. (SoFi), a financial services company founded in 2011. Originally focused on student loan refinancing, SoFi has expanded into a broad ecosystem that includes checking and savings accounts, personal loans, insurance, and investment products.

SoFi Investing operates through two primary models:

• Active Investing: You choose individual stocks and ETFs and place trades yourself.
• Automated Investing: SoFi builds and manages a diversified portfolio of ETFs based on your goals and risk tolerance, with automatic rebalancing.

Both models are available alongside IRA accounts (Traditional and Roth), custodial accounts for minors, and cryptocurrency trading. The platform is designed to appeal to investors who want simplicity and a unified financial experience without juggling multiple apps.

How SoFi Investing Works

Getting started with SoFi Investing involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Open an account: Choose between an individual brokerage account, an IRA, or a custodial account through the SoFi app or website.
2. Fund your account: Link an external bank account, set up a direct deposit, or transfer funds from an existing SoFi Cash or SoFi Money account.
3. Start investing: Browse available stocks and ETFs, place trades, or let the automated investing service allocate your money across a portfolio.

SoFi’s interface is built around mobile-first design. The app provides portfolio tracking, market news, and educational content. If you already use SoFi for banking, your balances and investments appear together, which simplifies a consolidated financial view.

Account Types Available

SoFi offers several account types to match different investing goals:

SoFi also offers a cash sweep program that moves uninvested cash into partner banks, where it may earn interest. The annual percentage yield and participating banks can change, so check SoFi’s current terms before relying on this feature.

SoFi Active Investing vs. Automated Investing

Understanding the difference between SoFi’s two investing models is essential to choosing the right approach.

Active Investing

With active investing, you research and select your own stocks and ETFs. You decide when to buy and sell. SoFi provides zero-commission trades on stocks and ETFs, real-time quotes, and basic research tools. This model suits investors who want control over their portfolio and enjoy making their own decisions.

Automated Investing

Automated investing (sometimes called robo-advisory) works differently. You answer questions about your financial goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. SoFi then constructs a diversified portfolio of ETFs and manages it for you — including automatic rebalancing and, in some cases, tax-loss harvesting.

The automated option removes the guesswork and emotional decision-making that can hurt new investors. However, it also means you have less control over individual holdings.

Fees, Commissions, and Costs

SoFi’s fee structure is one of its stronger selling points, but it helps to understand exactly what you’ll pay:

• Stock and ETF trades: $0 commission for active investing trades on stocks and ETFs.
• Automated investing: SoFi charges an advisory fee on assets under management for automated portfolios. The exact percentage should be confirmed on SoFi’s current fee schedule.
• Crypto trades: Cryptocurrency trading carries a markup or spread rather than a traditional commission. Review SoFi’s current crypto fee disclosure before trading.
• Other fees: SoFi generally does not charge account maintenance fees, inactivity fees, or transfer fees for standard brokerage accounts. Wire fees and other third-party charges may still apply.

Always review SoFi’s latest fee schedule directly, as pricing and terms can change. The absence of trading commissions is standard across most major brokerages now, so it should not be the sole factor in your decision.

Investment Options

SoFi Investing provides access to a range of asset classes:

• Stocks: Individual shares of publicly traded U.S. companies. Fractional shares are available, meaning you can invest in high-priced stocks with small dollar amounts.
• ETFs: Exchange-traded funds that offer built-in diversification across sectors, indices, or themes.
• Cryptocurrency: SoFi supports trading in select cryptocurrencies. Availability and supported coins can change based on regulatory and platform decisions.
• Pre-built portfolios: For automated investing, SoFi offers portfolios aligned with different risk levels and goals, such as aggressive growth, moderate, or conservative.

One limitation to note: SoFi does not currently support mutual funds, options trading, or futures on its platform. If those asset classes are important to your strategy, you may need a more specialized brokerage.

Key Features of SoFi Investing

Fractional Shares

SoFi allows fractional share investing, which lets you buy portions of a stock or ETF rather than a full share. This is especially useful for investors with smaller balances or those who want exposure to high-priced companies without committing large amounts of capital.

Auto-Invest

You can set up recurring automatic investments into stocks, ETFs, or your automated portfolio. Dollar-cost averaging through auto-invest can reduce the impact of market timing and build disciplined investing habits over time.

Integrated Financial Ecosystem

If you use SoFi Cash or SoFi Money for banking, your cash and investments sit in one ecosystem. This integration simplifies transfers and gives you a unified dashboard for your finances. However, the convenience of a single platform should not outweigh better investment options elsewhere.

Educational Content and Member Perks

SoFi provides articles, webinars, and career resources through its SoFi Learn section. Members may also have access to financial advisor consultations, though the depth of personalized advice varies. These perks add value for beginners but should not substitute for independent research or professional guidance when needed.

SoFi Investing Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Zero-commission stock and ETF trades: No per-trade cost for active investing.
• User-friendly interface: Clean design that works well for beginners.
• All-in-one financial platform: Banking, investing, and lending in one app.
• Fractional shares and auto-invest: Lowers barriers to entry and supports consistent investing habits.
• Automated portfolio management: Hands-off option with rebalancing.
• IRA options: Both Traditional and Roth IRAs available.

Limitations

• Limited investment selection: No mutual funds, options, futures, or bonds on the platform.
• Advisory fees on automated accounts: The robo-advisor fee may be higher than some competitors.
• Research tools are basic: SoFi does not offer the depth of analysis tools found on platforms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Interactive Brokers.
• Cryptocurrency availability is limited: Only a handful of coins are supported, and offerings can change.
• Customer support can be inconsistent: Some users report longer wait times or limited direct support channels.

How SoFi Investing Compares to Other Platforms

SoFi sits in a competitive landscape alongside other commission-free brokerages and robo-advisors. Here is a conceptual comparison to help you understand where SoFi stands relative to common alternatives:

• SoFi vs. Fidelity or Charles Schwab: Fidelity and Schwab offer broader investment selections (mutual funds, bonds, options, futures), more robust research tools, and longer track records. SoFi’s advantage is simplicity and integration with banking services.
• SoFi vs. Robinhood: Robinhood is similar in simplicity and zero-commission trading but offers a more stripped-down experience. SoFi provides more account types (IRAs, custodial) and banking integration.
• SoFi vs. Betterment: Betterment is a dedicated robo-advisor with more advanced tax-loss harvesting and goal-planning tools. SoFi’s automated investing is simpler but may lack the sophistication of a pure robo-advisor.
• SoFi vs. Vanguard: Vanguard excels in low-cost index funds and long-term buy-and-hold strategies. SoFi’s platform is more flexible for active trading but may not match Vanguard’s cost efficiency for passive investors.

The right choice depends on what you value most: breadth of investment options, simplicity, cost, or integration with other financial services.

Who Should Use SoFi Investing?

SoFi Investing is a strong fit for:

• Beginner investors: The intuitive interface, fractional shares, and educational content make it accessible for people just starting out.
• Consolidators: People who want banking, investing, and lending in one platform.
• Hands-off investors: Those who prefer automated portfolio management without the complexity of a dedicated robo-advisor.
• Small-balance investors: Fractional shares and no account minimums for active investing lower the barrier to entry.

It may not be the best choice for:

• Advanced traders who need options, futures, or bonds.
• Investors who rely on deep research, screening, and analysis tools.
• Passive index fund investors who could access lower expense ratios elsewhere.
• Anyone who requires extensive customer support or dedicated advisory relationships.

How to Get Started with SoFi Investing

1. Define your goals: Decide whether you want active trading, automated investing, retirement savings, or a combination.
2. Choose an account type: Select individual brokerage, IRA, or custodial based on your needs.
3. Download the app or visit the website: Complete the application with personal and financial information.
4. Fund your account: Link a bank account and transfer funds. Consider setting up auto-invest for consistency.
5. Start small and learn: Explore fractional shares, review your portfolio periodically, and use SoFi’s educational resources to build your knowledge.
6. Reassess regularly: Check whether SoFi still meets your needs as your portfolio and goals evolve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming zero fees everywhere: While stock and ETF trades are commission-free, automated accounts carry advisory fees, and crypto trades include markups.
• Ignoring the limited investment selection: SoFi’s platform is narrower than full-service brokerages. Make sure it supports your strategy before committing.
• Overlooking the cash sweep terms: Uninvested cash may earn interest through partner banks, but rates and terms change. Do not assume a fixed yield.
• Treating SoFi as financial advice: Educational content and automated portfolios are tools, not substitutes for personalized financial planning.
• Chasing crypto without research: Cryptocurrency is volatile and not suitable for every investor. Do not let SoFi’s crypto feature push you into risky positions.

Final Verdict

SoFi Investing is a solid choice for beginners and investors who value simplicity, integration, and a clean user experience. Zero-commission stock and ETF trades, fractional shares, and automated portfolio management remove many of the traditional barriers to getting started.

However, the platform’s limitations — a narrower investment selection, basic research tools, and advisory fees on automated accounts — mean it is not the best fit for every investor. If you need advanced trading features, deep analysis, or the lowest possible costs for passive index investing, you may want to explore alternatives.

The most important step is to match the platform to your specific goals, experience level, and investing style. SoFi Investing can be a strong foundation, especially if you are building a simple, diversified portfolio and want your finances in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SoFi Investing safe?

SoFi is a member of FINRA and SIPC, which provides protection for brokerage accounts up to applicable limits. SIPC protection does not cover market losses. SoFi also uses encryption and security measures to protect your data. As with any investment platform, your account value can fluctuate with the market.

Does SoFi charge commissions on stock trades?

SoFi offers $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades for active investing accounts. Other fees may apply for automated investing management and cryptocurrency transactions.

Can I open an IRA with SoFi?

Yes, SoFi offers both Traditional and Roth IRAs. You can also roll over an existing IRA into a SoFi IRA account.

What is SoFi automated investing?

SoFi automated investing is a managed service where SoFi builds and maintains a diversified ETF portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance. The portfolio is automatically rebalanced, and SoFi charges an advisory fee on assets under management.

Does SoFi offer fractional shares?

Yes, SoFi supports fractional share investing for stocks and ETFs, allowing you to invest with smaller dollar amounts.

Can I trade cryptocurrency on SoFi?

SoFi supports trading in select cryptocurrencies. Availability and supported coins can change. Review SoFi’s current crypto offerings and fee disclosures before trading.

What are SoFi’s automated investing fees?

SoFi charges an advisory fee on automated investing accounts based on assets under management. The exact fee rate should be confirmed on SoFi’s official fee schedule.

Is SoFi better than Fidelity or Schwab?

It depends on your needs. SoFi offers simplicity and banking integration, while Fidelity and Schwab provide broader investment selections and more advanced tools. Neither is universally better — the right choice varies by investor.

Do I need a SoFi bank account to use SoFi Investing?

No, you do not need a SoFi bank account to invest. However, linking one can simplify transfers and give you a unified view of your finances.

How do I withdraw money from SoFi Investing?

You can sell holdings and transfer cash to a linked bank account through the SoFi app or website. Standard withdrawal processing times apply.