SoFi Invest is a versatile investment platform combining simplicity, affordability, and integration within the broader SoFi financial ecosystem. The platform continues evolving with new features while maintaining its appeal to novice and intermediate investors. This comprehensive review examines SoFi Invest's offerings, performance, user experience and how it compares to competitors in today's investment landscape.

Platform Overview and Investment Options

SoFi Invest, which operates as part of SoFi's broader financial services ecosystem, offers two primary investment approaches: active investing for self-directed traders and automated investing through its robo-advisor service. This dual approach allows users to choose their preferred level of involvement in managing their investments.

Active Investing

investment SoFi's active investing platform lets users trade stocks, ETFs, and options with zero commission fees. The platform supports fractional share investing with a minimum of $5, making it accessible for investors with limited capital. One standout feature is access to IPO investments, which allows retail investors to participate in initial public offerings before they hit the secondary market.

Automated Investing

SoFi's robo-advisor service has significantly improved in recent years. The platform now charges a 0.25% annual advisor fee, which is competitive with other major robo-advisors. What sets SoFi's automated investing apart is its recent expansion to include alternative asset classes alongside traditional and sustainability-focused funds.

Their partnership with BlackRock has enabled SoFi to offer exposure to investment strategies that typically require significant minimum investments, making sophisticated portfolio construction accessible to everyday investors. Users can select from three portfolio themes:

Classic: A balanced, low-cost mix of stocks and bonds
Alternatives: Including exposure to alternative asset classes
Sustainable: Focused on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria

Account Types and Minimums

SoFi Invest supports various account types, including:

Individual and joint taxable accounts
Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs
Margin accounts (requiring a $2,000 minimum)

SoFi requires no minimum deposit to open an account for most accounts, though you'll need at least $1 to start investing. This low barrier to entry makes SoFi particularly appealing for beginners or those with limited initial capital.

User Experience and Platform Features

Platform Interface

SoFi Invest provides web and mobile trading platforms designed with simplicity. The mobile platform has received high ratings (4.7 stars), making it suitable for on-the-go investors. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, focusing on accessibility rather than advanced features.

In early 2025, users reported a refreshed user interface for the investment platform, with many noting it provided a cleaner, more streamlined experience. Available and pending funds are marked, making account management straightforward.

Trading Tools and Capabilities

While SoFi Invest offers an accessible platform, advanced traders may find its tools somewhat basic. The charting capabilities are fundamental, lacking more specialized trading platforms' sophisticated technical analysis features. This simplicity reflects SoFi's focus on beginning to intermediate investors rather than day traders or technical analysts.

One significant limitation is the platform's restricted options trading capabilities, which don't match the advanced strategies available through dedicated options brokers. Additionally, SoFi discontinued cryptocurrency trading in 2023.

Fund Transfers and Integration

A standout aspect of SoFi Invest is its seamless integration with other SoFi financial products. Users report immediate transfers from SoFi Money to SoFi Invest accounts, eliminating wait times when adding buying power or contributing to automated investing accounts. This tight integration creates a cohesive financial ecosystem that simplifies money management.

Fees and Costs

SoFi Invest maintains a competitive fee structure that appeals to cost-conscious investors:

$0 commission on stock and ETF trades
0.25% annual advisory fee for automated investing
$0 account maintenance fees
$0 account minimum for most accounts (though $1 is needed to start investing)
$2,000 minimum for margin accounts
11% margin interest rate (as of March 2025)

While SoFi's automated investing fee of 0.25% is competitive, it represents a change from their previous no-fee model. This shift has been balanced with enhanced features and portfolio options, including access to alternative investments.

Performance and Returns

Individual performance varies based on investment choices and market conditions, but user reports provide some insight into potential outcomes. Some users have reported impressive returns:

12% average returns on Roth IRAs since before the COVID-19 pandemic
24% returns on traditional IRAs with an aggressive approach in 2023

These anecdotal reports suggest competitive performance, though investors should remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results. SoFi's automated portfolios are designed to provide diversified exposure aligned with your risk tolerance and investment horizon.

Unique Benefits and Features

Access to Financial Advisors

SoFi Invest provides free access to Certified Financial Planners (CFPs). This benefit allows investors to receive professional guidance without paying additional fees, enhancing the platform's value proposition for those who occasionally need financial advice.

SoFi Plus Benefits

SoFi Plus members receive additional benefits, including a 1% match on all recurring deposits to SoFi Invest accounts. This membership program integrates across SoFi's financial products, providing enhanced value for those who use multiple SoFi services.

Goal-Based Investing

SoFi's automated investing platform incorporates goal-based investing features, allowing users to align their investments with specific financial objectives. This approach helps investors visualize and work toward concrete financial milestones, making the investment process more tangible and motivating.

Vaults Feature

SoFi's "vaults" feature helps users organize their savings for different goals, providing structure to the saving and investing process. This feature integrates with SoFi's high-yield savings accounts, which remain competitive as Federal Reserve rates change.

Who Should Use SoFi Invest?

SoFi Invest is particularly well-suited for:

Beginner Investors: The intuitive interface and educational resources make it ideal for those new to investing
Existing SoFi Customers: The seamless integration with other SoFi products creates a unified financial experience
Cost-Conscious Investors: Low fees and no minimums appeal to those prioritizing expense control
Passive Investors: The robo-advisor option suits those who prefer a hands-off approach to portfolio management
Goal-Oriented Savers: Features like vaults and goal-based investing support those with specific financial objectives

However, advanced traders, options specialists, and those seeking the most comprehensive technical analysis tools might find SoFi's offerings too basic for their needs.

Conclusion

SoFi Invest represents a compelling option in the increasingly crowded investment platform marketplace, particularly for beginners and those seeking integration with other financial services. Its combination of low costs, user-friendly interface, and access to financial advisors creates strong value for everyday investors.

The recent addition of alternative investments to its robo-advisor offering demonstrates SoFi's commitment to evolving its platform while maintaining accessibility. While not without limitations—particularly for advanced traders—SoFi Invest balances simplicity and functionality that will appeal to many investors.

As with any investment platform, potential users should consider their specific needs, investment goals, and preferred level of involvement when deciding if SoFi Invest is the right choice for their financial journey.

SoFi Invest