For more than a decade, I’ve been reviewing and testing different investing platforms, retirement accounts, and financial tools. One thing has remained consistent over the years: the Roth IRA is one of the most powerful wealth-building accounts available to everyday investors.
With new IRS updates for 2026—including higher contribution limits and updated income thresholds—now is a great time to revisit how Roth IRAs work and which providers stand out today.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
What a Roth IRA is and who it’s best for
Important Roth IRA rule changes for 2026
When and how you can contribute
The seven best Roth IRA providers available right now
Whether you want to invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, or even precious metals, there’s a Roth IRA option that fits your goals.
Keep on reading, or check out my video below!
A Roth IRA is a tax-advantaged retirement account that allows you to invest money you’ve already paid taxes on.
In exchange, the IRS provides two major benefits:
Tax-free investment growth
Tax-free withdrawals in retirement, as long as you follow the rules
The most important rule to understand is this: You can withdraw your earnings tax-free and penalty-free once the account has been open for at least five years and you’re 59½ or older.
Because of these benefits, the Roth IRA is often considered one of the best retirement accounts available.
While Roth IRAs can benefit investors at any age, they’re especially powerful for younger investors.
When you’re early in your career, you typically:
Earn less income
Fall into a lower tax bracket
Have decades for your investments to grow
Since Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars, paying taxes while your rate is lower can be a huge advantage. You then lock in tax-free growth for life, potentially avoiding higher tax rates later on.
By contrast, Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s provide an upfront tax deduction, but you pay taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement—often at a higher rate. Roth IRAs offer delayed gratification, but the long-term payoff can be significant.
The IRS has announced several important updates for 2026 that investors should be aware of.
Standard contribution limit: $7,500 (up from $7,000 in 2025)
Catch-up contribution (age 50+): $8,600 (up from $8,000)
These increases allow investors to put more money to work in a tax-free environment.
Because Roth IRAs are so valuable, there are income limits on who can contribute directly.
For 2026, the Roth IRA income phase-out ranges are:
Single filers: $153,000 – $168,000
Married filing jointly: $242,000 – $252,000
If your income is:
Below the lower limit: You can contribute the full amount
Within the range: Your allowable contribution is reduced
Above the upper limit: Direct contributions aren’t allowed
Investors above the limit may still be able to use a Backdoor Roth IRA, which involves converting funds from a Traditional IRA.
Roth IRA contributions can be made anytime between January 1st of the tax year and the tax-filing deadline of the following year (usually April 15).
For example, contributions made in early 2026 could count toward either the 2025 or 2026 tax year—depending on how you designate them. This matters because contribution limits change, so it’s important to stay organized.
Robinhood offers one of the most compelling Roth IRA incentives on the market with its IRA Match program.
1% match on contributions and rollovers
3% match with Robinhood Gold
Fractional shares starting at $1
Optional managed portfolios through Robinhood Strategies
Because the match doesn’t count toward IRS limits, it’s essentially free money. Combined with a clean interface and flexibility for both beginners and advanced investors, Robinhood is a strong all-around choice.
Public is another platform offering a 1% IRA match with no subscription required.
Key features include:
Full control over stocks, ETFs, bonds, and options
Recurring contributions with automatic limit tracking
IRA rollovers and transfers with matching incentives
Public also provides brokerage accounts, crypto trading, and high-yield savings, making it a simple, streamlined investing platform.
M1 Finance is ideal for investors who prefer automation and long-term portfolio building.
Highlights include:
Roth, Traditional, and SEP IRAs
Custom “pie” portfolios with percentage-based allocations
Automatic investing and rebalancing
However, M1 limits trading to one or two windows per day and charges a small monthly fee for accounts under $10,000. Despite this, it’s a strong option for buy-and-hold investors who value simplicity.
Webull stands out for investors interested in active trading within a Roth IRA.
Advanced charting with 60+ indicators
Desktop and mobile platforms
IRA match promotions (1% or 3%)
Since short-term trading is typically tax-inefficient, doing it inside a Roth IRA can be appealing. Webull is best suited for experienced investors who rely on technical analysis.
iTrust Capital is a unique option for those looking to invest in alternative assets within a Roth IRA.
With iTrust, you can invest in:
Cryptocurrencies
Physical gold and silver
The platform offers:
24/7 trading access
No monthly fees
Transparent transaction-based pricing
For investors interested in diversifying beyond traditional stocks and ETFs, iTrust Capital provides a rare opportunity inside a tax-advantaged account.
SoFi offers both self-directed and robo-advised Roth IRAs, making it suitable for hands-on and hands-off investors alike.
Key benefits include:
1% contribution match
No account minimums
Integrated banking, loans, and credit cards
SoFi’s broad ecosystem makes it attractive for investors who want to manage most of their financial life in one place.
Fidelity is one of the most established names in investing and offers excellent Roth IRA options.
No minimums for self-managed IRAs
Robo-advisor option (Fidelity Go) with no fees under $25,000
Access to Fidelity Crypto (limited selection)
With decades of experience, strong customer support, and flexible investing options, Fidelity remains a top choice for many investors.
The Roth IRA continues to be one of the best tools for building long-term, tax-free wealth—especially with the expanded contribution limits for 2026.
The best Roth IRA provider for you ultimately depends on:
How hands-on you want to be
Whether you value automation or flexibility
The types of assets you want to invest in
No matter which platform you choose, the most important step is simply getting started and contributing consistently. Over time, the tax-free growth of a Roth IRA can make a meaningful difference in your financial future.
