Platform Comparison

M1 Finance vs Stash

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

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.

Full Review
ST

Stash

★4

A beginner-friendly investing app with the unique Stock-Back card that rewards your spending with fractional shares instead of cash back.

Full Review

M1 Finance vs Stash: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureM1 FinanceStash
Our Rating4.7/54/5
Trading Commissions$0N/A
Account Minimum$100$0
Fractional SharesYesN/A
DRIPFree + SmartAutomatic
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForHands-Off Dividend InvestorsStock-Back Enthusiasts

M1 Finance vs Stash: Pros and Cons

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

Stash

Pros

  • + Stock-Back debit card earns fractional shares on purchases
  • + Both DIY and Smart Portfolio (automated) investing options
  • + Automatic dividend reinvestment in managed accounts
  • + Fractional shares let you invest any amount
  • + Round-up investing available

Cons

  • - Monthly fees can be expensive for small balances
  • - No tax-loss harvesting available
  • - Stock-Back rewards are modest (0.125% base rate)
  • - Some ETFs have higher expense ratios than alternatives

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

Choose M1 Finance if you...

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

Choose Stash if you...

  • Are in Stash's core audience: stock-back enthusiasts
  • Need automatic dividend reinvestment

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