Marcus Invest Review 2023

Our experts answer readers' investing questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess investing products). Paid non-client promotion: In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners. Our opinions are always our own.

About Marcus Invest

The Goldman Sachs-owned Marcus Invest - Product Name Only is best for passive, or hands-off, investors who want automated, professional guidance on their investment accounts or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). For only a Marcus Invest - Account Minimum minimum, the platform offers a diverse portfolio of stock and bond ETFs based on your goals. 

Marcus Invest allows you to track your progress toward your investment goals through multiple portfolio options, including an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) option with Smart Beta. You'll also get access to beginner-friendly portfolio managing and rebalancing tools. 

But Marcus Invest isn't suitable for active investors wanting to use advanced charting tools or tax-loss harvesting features. You also won't get access to human advisors, only the robo-advisor. Moreover, the platform's asset and account options are fairly limited compared to similar platforms. It doesn't offer custodial accounts, self-directed accounts, or college savings accounts.  

Marcus Invest provides mobile access both for iOS and Android users.

Marcus: Overall Rating

Marcus Invest Pros and Cons

Is Marcus Invest Trustworthy?

Marcus Invest - Product Name Only is part of Marcus by Goldman Sachs, a Goldman Sachs-owned company. The Better Business Bureau has given Marcus by Goldman Sachs an A+ rating. Since the bureau's ratings range from A+ to F, this indicates that the company has a successful track record when it comes to customer interaction.

It's also worth noting, however, that the BBB's ratings don't necessarily mean a company will exhibit trustworthiness or perform well. For this reason, it's wise to read customer reviews or talk to friends and family who have used Marcus Invest.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is free of any scandals or lawsuits within the last few years.

Ways to Invest with Marcus

Marcus Invest - Product Name Only offers three account types: individual investment accounts, joint investment accounts, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). 

Automated Investing Accounts

You can open an individual investing account or a joint investing account with Marcus Invest. 

Marcus Invest is a robo-advisor that offers customized portfolios by Golden Sachs experts that can be customized based on risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. 

You can choose from three key investment strategies:

• Goldman Sachs Core: The basic portfolio option that invests your money in market-cap index-tracking ETFs that include a blend of investment-grade bonds, US and international stocks, and real estate securities. 
• Goldman Sachs Impact: A socially responsible or impact investing portfolio option that invests your funds in assets that meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. It's best for folks looking to support sustainable business practices while tracking market benchmarks and avoiding social and environmental harm. 
• Goldman Sachs Smart Beta: This portfolio option strives to provide higher long-term returns through Goldman Sachs ETFs. Marcus Invests applies a proprietary methodology based on fundamental and technical performance factors for these assets. Smart Beta portfolios are not available for IRAs. 

Retirement Savings Accounts

You can also automate your Marcus Invest individual retirement savings. Though the investment platform doesn't offer employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s or 403(b)s, it provides Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and SEP IRAs.

With the Roth and traditional IRAs, you can contribute up to $6,500 in 2023 (plus an additional $1,000 if you're 50 or older). If you're self-employed, you can open a Marcus Invest SEP IRA and contribute up to $66,000 or 25% of your income (whichever is less).

You can only use the Goldman Sachs Core and Goldman Sachs Impact strategies for IRAs.

Investment Options

Marcus Invest offers stock and bond ETFs based on your portfolio. ETFs are a blend of investment-grade short-term bonds, municipal bonds, high-yield bonds, emerging market stocks, real estate securities, and US and international stocks. You can't invest in individual stocks or bonds.

A moderate-risk portfolio may look like the following: 

Marcus Invest Fees

Marcus Invest - Product Name Only requires a very low Marcus Invest - Account Minimum minimum to start investing. It also charges a Marcus Invest - Fees Display management fee. 

Marcus Invest says its management fee covers asset allocation, all trade commissions, portfolio monitoring, portfolio rebalancing, and ongoing management. Fees also include ETF expense ratios and ancillary fees.

Marcus Invest Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does Marcus Invest work?

Marcus Invest is an automated investing account that builds a personalized ETF portfolio for you. Upon receiving your investing goals, preferences, risk tolerance and time horizon, the robo-advisor will create your portfolio. It also regularly monitors and rebalances your assets to make sure you're on track to meet your goal(s).

Which ETFs does Marcus Invest use?

Depending on the portfolio, Marcus Invest may use Goldman Sachs ETFs or other third-party ETFs. 

Can I trust Marcus Invest by Goldman Sachs?

Yes. Marcus Invest, a Goldman Sachs company, has a high rating with the Better Business Bureau, and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC provides its investment advisory and brokerage services. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is registered with the SEC, and it's a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Methodology: How We Reviewed Marcus Invest

Marcus Invest - Product Name Only is a robo-advisor we reviewed using the Personal Finance Insider's rating methodology for investing platforms to examine available assets, accounts, pricing, and overall customer experience. Investing platforms are given a rating between 0 and 5. 

Robo-advisors generally offer multiple assets, trading tools, fees, and other resources. Usually, robo-advisors are best suited for beginners or passive investors. Marcus Invest was evaluated with a focus on how it performed in each category.

How Marcus Invest Compares

Marcus Invest vs. Ellevest

Marcus Invest - Product Name Only and Ellevest - Editorial Name Only are both automated investing platforms offering personalized ETF portfolios for hands-off investors. Key differences to note between the platforms, however, include fees and account features.

Ellevest has a Ellevest - Account Minimum minimum requirement, but you only need at least Marcus Invest - Account Minimum to get started with Marcus. In addition, while Marcus has a low fee (Marcus Invest - Fees Display), Ellevest charges a Ellevest - Fees Display, which may make it a cheaper option for those with larger balances. 

Marcus Invest gives you access to multiple Goldman Sachs professional investment strategies, but it doesn't offer one-on-one financial advisor support like Ellevest does.

Marcus Invest vs. Betterment

Like Marcus and Ellevest, Betterment Investing - Editorial Name Only also serves those in favor of automated portfolios. Both use stock ETFs and bond ETFs, and both offer socially responsible investing portfolios.

Betterment requires Betterment Investing - Account Minimum and charges a 0.25% management fee (0.40% for the premium plan). Betterment does provide access to financial advisors. Plus, you can invest in cryptocurrencies (including four different crypto portfolios), as well as self-directed investment portfolios.