Platform Comparison

Invstr vs M1 Finance

Compare Invstr and M1 Finance on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

IV

Invstr

★3.8

Practice investing with $1M in virtual money, learn through gamified courses, then graduate to real trading—the complete beginner-to-investor journey.

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Higher Rated
M1

M1 Finance

★4.7

The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it platform with pie-based portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and free dividend reinvestment.

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Invstr vs M1 Finance: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureInvstrM1 Finance
Our Rating3.8/54.7/5
Trading CommissionsN/A$0
Account MinimumN/A$100
Fractional SharesN/AYes
DRIPN/AFree + Smart
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForAbsolute BeginnersHands-Off Dividend Investors

Invstr vs M1 Finance: Pros and Cons

Invstr

Pros

  • + Free investing course with 85 lessons and certificate
  • + Fantasy Finance: Practice with $1M virtual money
  • + Compete in fantasy leagues and win real prizes
  • + Commission-free real stock and crypto trading
  • + Fractional shares starting at $5

Cons

  • - Real trading has minimum fees ($2.99 full shares, $0.99 fractional)
  • - $5 registration fee for real trading through DriveWealth
  • - Very limited research tools for experienced investors
  • - No mutual funds, bonds, forex, or OTC trading

M1 Finance

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
  • + Unique pie-based portfolio system for easy allocation management
  • + Dynamic rebalancing automatically invests new deposits into underweight positions
  • + Fractional shares let you invest any dollar amount
  • + Three dividend reinvestment options including true DRIP

Cons

  • - Limited trading window (9:30 AM EST only, 3 PM with premium)
  • - $3/month platform fee if account balance under $10,000
  • - No options, mutual funds, bonds, or forex trading
  • - Customer service limited to weekday market hours only

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Invstr or M1 Finance?

Choose Invstr if you...

  • Are in Invstr's core audience: absolute beginners

Choose M1 Finance if you...

  • Are in M1 Finance's core audience: hands-off dividend investors
  • Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Invstr review and M1 Finance review.

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Investment Disclaimer

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.