What percentage of investors use automated investing? M1 data
As of Q1 2026, 82.7% of active M1 investors have auto-invest enabled on at least one account, according to M1’s proprietary platform data. This figure — M1’s Automated Investing Ratio — measures the share of investors who use automated allocation rather than relying solely on manual trades.
What is automated investing?
Automated investing is a feature that automatically deploys cash into a portfolio without requiring the investor to place manual trades. The investor sets a target allocation; the platform executes buys to move the portfolio toward it.
On M1, when auto-invest is enabled and when available cash in an account reaches the trigger threshold, M1 automatically buys the positions most underweight relative to the investor’s target allocation — prioritizing where the portfolio needs the most rebalancing rather than splitting deposits proportionally. The investor retains full control over their allocation; auto-invest handles the execution.
Automated investing on a self-directed platform is distinct from using a robo-advisor. A robo-advisor selects and manages the portfolio on the investor’s behalf. With automated investing on M1, the investor defines the allocation; M1 handles the deployment.
Learn more about auto-invest on M1 in the Help Center Article – Using Auto-invest on M1.
Automated investing does not guarantee better outcomes or eliminate market risk. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
What is the Automated Investing Ratio?
The Automated Investing Ratio is the percentage of active investors on a platform who have enabled automated investing on at least one account.
Formula: Automated Investing Ratio = (Investors With Auto-Invest Enabled ÷ Total Active Investors) × 100
M1 introduced this metric as part of a recent M1 investor data report, a report that publishes aggregate, anonymized data from M1’s investor base.
Automated investing statistics: What M1 data shows
M1’s Automated Investing Ratio as of Q1 2026: 82.7%
82.7% of active M1 investors have auto-invest enabled on at least one account as of March 31, 2026. This figure is drawn from aggregate, anonymized portfolio data across M1’s platform and reflects the share of investors who have chosen systematic, rule-based investing over manual trade execution.
| Source | Automated Investing Ratio | Notes |
| M1 portfolios (Q1 2026) | 82.7% | Investors with auto-invest enabled on at least one account. Aggregate, anonymized. As of 2026-03-31. |
M1 publishes this figure as part of its commitment to data transparency — so investors can see how automation adoption actually looks across M1’s platform.
This is not a recommendation to use automated investing. Individual investing approaches vary based on financial goals, risk tolerance, and life circumstances. Automated investing does not guarantee better outcomes. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Why the Automated Investing Ratio matters
Automation converts investing from a recurring active decision into a standing instruction. When auto-invest is on, each deposit follows the same rule — buy what’s most underweight — regardless of whether markets are up, down, or uncertain.
The 82.7% figure reflects how many M1 investors have chosen to make their investing systematic rather than discretionary. It measures not just feature usage, but a deliberate approach to removing the timing decision from each individual deposit.
That said, automated investing has real limitations investors should weigh:
- It does not replace periodic portfolio review — your allocation should still be reassessed as your goals evolve
- Automated contributions continue regardless of market conditions — including during sustained declines
- Automation works best when you remain engaged with your strategy, not when you treat it as a set-and-forget solution
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Automated investing does not eliminate market risk or guarantee returns.
Frequently Asked Questions about automated investing
An automated investing ratio measures the percentage of investors on a platform who use automated investing — a feature that puts each deposit to work according to your target allocation, without requiring you to manually place a trade each time. M1’s Automated Investing Ratio as of Q1 2026 is 82.7%, based on aggregate, anonymized platform data.
This is not a recommendation; individual investing approaches vary based on goals, risk tolerance, and circumstances.
As of Q1 2026, 82.7% of active M1 investors have auto-invest enabled on at least one account, according to M1’s proprietary platform data. This figure reflects M1’s investor base only and should not be interpreted as representative of all investors.
No. Automated investing on a self-directed platform means the investor may set their own target allocation and the platform automatically deploys cash toward it — prioritizing the most underweight positions — without delegating portfolio decisions to a third party. A robo-advisor selects and manages the portfolio on the investor’s behalf. M1’s Automated Investing Ratio measures the former: investors who use automation as an execution tool while retaining control over their allocation. The suitability of each approach depends on individual goals, investment knowledge, and preferences.
M1 calculates the Automated Investing Ratio as the number of active investors with auto-invest enabled on at least one account, divided by total active investors, expressed as a percentage. The Q1 2026 figure of 82.7% reflects data as of March 31, 2026. Data is aggregate and anonymized — it does not represent any individual account. M1 publishes this metric as part of the recent M1 investor data report, a report on investor behavior across M1’s platform.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. All data reflects aggregate, anonymized M1 portfolio trends as of Q1 2026 and does not represent any individual account. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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