The IRA minimum deposit question has two parts: how much to open the account (usually $0), and how much to invest in something meaningful (as low as $1). Here’s how every provider works and the smartest way to start at every deposit level.
IRA Account Minimums by Provider
Self-Directed IRA Brokerages
| Provider | Min. to Open | Min. to Invest | Fractional Shares | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | $0 | $1 (fractional shares), $0 (ZERO funds) | Yes | $0 |
| Charles Schwab | $0 | $5 (Schwab Slices), $0 (Schwab funds) | Yes | $0 |
| E*Trade | $0 | $1 (fractional), varies by fund | Yes | $0 |
| Vanguard | $0 (brokerage IRA) | $1,000 (target-date), $3,000 (Admiral Shares) | No | $0 |
| Robinhood | $0 | $1 (fractional) | Yes | $0 |
| Merrill Edge | $0 | Varies by fund | No | $0 |
| J.P. Morgan Self-Directed | $0 | Varies by fund | No | $0 |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | $1 (fractional) | Yes | $0 |
| SoFi Invest | $0 | $1 (fractional) | Yes | $0 |
| Webull | $0 | $5 (fractional) | Yes | $0 |
Robo-Advisor IRAs
| Provider | Min. to Open IRA | Annual Fee | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betterment | $0 | 0.25% | ETF portfolios |
| Wealthfront | $500 | 0.25% | ETF portfolios |
| SoFi Automated | $1 | 0% | ETF portfolios |
| Fidelity Go | $10 | 0% (under $25K) | Fidelity funds |
| Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | $5,000 | 0% | ETF portfolios |
| Vanguard Digital Advisor | $3,000 | 0.20% | Vanguard funds |
| E*Trade Core Portfolios | $500 | 0.30% | ETF portfolios |
Bank IRAs (CD/Savings IRAs)
| Bank | Min. to Open IRA | Type | APY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ally Bank | $0 | IRA savings or CD | 4.00-4.75% |
| Capital One | $0 | IRA savings | 4.00-4.25% |
| Discover | $2,500 | IRA CD | 4.00-4.50% |
| Marcus | $500 | IRA CD | 4.00-4.50% |
| Synchrony | $0 | IRA CD | 4.50-4.75% |
Bank IRAs hold CDs or savings deposits rather than stocks/bonds. They guarantee principal but historically underperform investment IRAs over long time horizons.
IRA Types and Their Minimums
The IRS sets contribution limits but not minimum deposits:
| IRA Type | 2026 Contribution Limit | Min. IRS Deposit | Income Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) | $0 (any amount up to limit) | Must have earned income |
| Roth IRA | $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) | $0 (any amount up to limit) | MAGI under $161K single / $240K married |
| SEP IRA | Up to $70,000 or 25% of compensation | $0 | Self-employed or business owner |
| SIMPLE IRA | $16,500 ($20,000 if 50+) | $0 | Through qualifying employer |
| Spousal IRA | $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) | $0 | Spouse must have earned income |
| Inherited IRA | N/A (no new contributions) | $0 | Inherited from deceased account holder |
What to Invest in at Each Deposit Level
$1-$100
| Investment | Where | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| FZROX (Fidelity ZERO Total Market) | Fidelity | 0.00% expense ratio US stock fund, $0 minimum |
| FZILX (Fidelity ZERO International) | Fidelity | 0.00% expense ratio international fund, $0 minimum |
| Fractional share of VTI | Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab | Total US stock market ETF |
| Fractional share of VXUS | Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab | Total international stock ETF |
Best approach at $1-$100: Use Fidelity’s ZERO funds (no minimum, no expense ratio) or buy fractional shares of broad market ETFs. Even $50 invested across US and international stocks gives you exposure to thousands of companies.
$100-$1,000
| Investment | Where | Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| 3-fund portfolio (fractional ETFs) | Fidelity, Schwab | 60% VTI, 30% VXUS, 10% BND |
| Schwab index funds | Schwab | $0 minimum, auto-invest available |
| SoFi Automated Investing | SoFi | $1 minimum, professionally managed, 0% fee |
| Betterment IRA | Betterment | $0 minimum, diversified portfolio |
$1,000-$3,000
All of the above, plus:
| Investment | Where | What It Opens Up |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Target Retirement Fund | Vanguard | $1,000 minimum, one-fund retirement solution |
| Full mutual fund selection | Most brokers | Most funds now accessible |
| Vanguard Digital Advisor | Vanguard | $3,000 minimum robo-advisor |
$3,000+
| Investment | Where | What It Opens Up |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Admiral Shares | Vanguard | $3,000 minimum, lowest expense ratios (0.04%) |
| Full access to all funds | All brokers | No restrictions |
| Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Schwab | $5,000 minimum, $0 advisory fee |
Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA: Minimum Considerations
The account minimums are identical, but the tax implications affect how much you should contribute:
| Factor | Traditional IRA | Roth IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Account minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Tax benefit timing | Now (deduction) | Later (tax-free growth) |
| Withdrawal rules | Taxed as income in retirement | Tax-free after 59½ |
| Required Minimum Distributions | Yes, starting at 73 | No RMDs for original owner |
| Best if your tax rate is… | Higher now than in retirement | Lower now than in retirement |
| Income limit | No limit to contribute (deductibility limited) | $161K single / $240K married (2026) |
For small starting amounts: A Roth IRA is often better because your small contributions grow tax-free forever. A $1,000 Roth IRA that grows to $100,000 over 30 years means $99,000 in completely tax-free gains.
SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA Minimums
SEP IRA (Self-Employed)
| Provider | Min. to Open | Contribution Limit (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | $0 | Lesser of $70,000 or 25% of net self-employment income | Easy to open and manage |
| Schwab | $0 | Same | Most fund options |
| Vanguard | $0 | Same | $1,000-$3,000 fund minimums apply |
| E*Trade | $0 | Same | — |
Key detail: Only the employer (you, if self-employed) contributes. No employee contributions allowed. Deadline to establish and fund: Your tax filing deadline (including extensions).
SIMPLE IRA
| Provider | Min. to Open | Employee Limit (2026) | Employer Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | $0 | $16,500 ($20,000 if 50+) | Mandatory: 2% non-elective or dollar-for-dollar up to 3% |
| Schwab | $0 | Same | Same |
| Vanguard | $0 | Same | Same |
Key detail: SIMPLE IRAs have a 25% early withdrawal penalty (vs. 10% for Traditional/Roth) if you withdraw within the first 2 years of participation.
How to Start an IRA with a Small Amount
Step-by-Step: Opening Your First IRA
- Choose a provider — Fidelity (best for $0-$1,000), Schwab (great all-around), or Vanguard (best for $3,000+)
- Open the account — Takes 10-15 minutes online. Choose Traditional or Roth based on your tax situation
- Link your bank account — Provide routing and account number for funding
- Make your initial deposit — Any amount from $1 up
- Choose investments — Select a target-date fund, index fund, or ETF portfolio
- Set up automatic contributions — Even $25/week adds up to $1,300/year
Automatic Contribution Strategy
| Weekly Amount | Annual Total | 30-Year Value (8% avg. return) |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $520 | $65,200 |
| $25 | $1,300 | $163,000 |
| $50 | $2,600 | $326,000 |
| $100 | $5,200 | $652,000 |
| $135 | $7,020 (near max) | $881,000 |
Starting with a small automatic deposit and increasing it over time is more effective than waiting until you have a “large enough” amount to start.
IRA Minimum Deposit vs. Maximum Contribution
| What | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum to open an IRA | $0 (at most brokers) |
| Minimum to invest | $1 (fractional shares) |
| Maximum annual contribution (under 50) | $7,000 |
| Maximum annual contribution (50+) | $8,000 |
| Contribution deadline | April 15, 2027 (for 2026 tax year) |
| Required earned income | At least equal to your contribution |
Common misconception: Many people think they need $7,000 to open an IRA because that’s the annual limit. You don’t. You can open with $100 and add more throughout the year.
The Bottom Line
| Starting Amount | Best IRA Provider | First Investment |
|---|---|---|
| $1-$100 | Fidelity | FZROX ($0 min, 0.00% ER) or fractional VTI |
| $100-$500 | Fidelity or SoFi Automated | Index funds or automated portfolio |
| $500-$1,000 | Fidelity or Betterment | 3-fund portfolio or target-date fund |
| $1,000-$3,000 | Vanguard or Schwab | Target-date fund ($1K at Vanguard) |
| $3,000+ | Vanguard | Admiral Shares index funds |
| $5,000+ (want automation) | Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | $0 fee robo-advisor |
The minimum deposit to open an IRA is $0 at every major broker. The minimum to start building real wealth is whatever you can consistently contribute. A $50/month Roth IRA started at age 25 grows to over $175,000 by age 65. The barrier isn’t the minimum deposit — it’s starting.
For more IRA guidance, see best IRA accounts and IRA contribution limits. Return to the IRA hub.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy