Edward Jones vs Ameriprise 2026: Fee and Service Comparison

I spent way too many hours comparing Edward Jones and Ameriprise before rolling over my old 401(k). With over $35 trillion sitting in American retirement accounts and new fee rules shaking things up in 2026, this choice actually matters more than I first realized.

The Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule that came out late 2025 has everybody paying closer attention to advisory fees and conflicts of interest. Both Edward Jones and Ameriprise made changes because of it. Understanding the differences could save you tens of thousands over your retirement timeline. That got my attention.

Company Snapshots: 2026 Overview

Fee Structures: Where Your Money Actually Goes

Here’s the thing that surprised me during my research: fees represent probably the biggest difference between these two firms. And over time, they make a massive dent in what you end up with.

Edward Jones Fees

• Advisory Program: 1.35% annually on your first $250K, then drops to 0.50% if you get above $10M
• Mutual Fund Loads: Some funds hit you with up to 5.75% front-end loads on A-share funds
• Account Fees: $40 per year for IRA maintenance (though they waive it once your household hits $250K+)
• Transaction Costs: Commission-based trades available; stocks typically run $0

Ameriprise Fees

• SPS Advantage: 1.25%-2.0% annually depending on how much you have and what strategy you pick
• Active Portfolios: 1.0%-1.5% for their managed portfolio options
• Account Fees: $0 IRA maintenance on most accounts
• Transaction Costs: Commission option exists; $0 stock trades

What This Looks Like in Real Money

I ran these numbers myself on a $500,000 portfolio over 20 years (assuming 7% annual returns):

• At 1.35% fees: You end up with roughly $1,448,000
• At 1.75% fees: You end up with roughly $1,342,000
• That’s a $106,000 difference just from the fee gap

Investment Options Compared

Edward Jones

For years, people complained about Edward Jones having a limited fund lineup weighted toward their preferred partners. But in 2025, they expanded things quite a bit:

• Added low-cost index funds from Vanguard and Fidelity
• Introduced ETF-based managed portfolios
• Opened up alternative investments for qualified clients
• Still maintains those “preferred partner” relationships that some folks find problematic

Ameriprise

Broader platform here with more flexibility:

• Access to 12,000+ mutual funds including institutional share classes
• Full ETF trading
• Alternative investments including private equity feeder funds
• Columbia Threadneedle funds get prominent placement (Ameriprise owns them)

Advisor Quality and Experience

Both firms employ advisors across the experience spectrum. Here’s what I found digging into this:

Edward Jones

• The good: Neighborhood offices make advisors accessible; they emphasize relationship building; lower turnover than you see at most firms
• The less good: Newer advisors may not have much experience yet; the one-advisor-per-office setup means nobody’s around when yours takes vacation
• Credentials: Around 35% hold the CFP designation

Ameriprise

• The good: Team structure keeps things running even when someone’s out; specialists available for complex situations; solid financial planning tools
• The less good: Can feel less personal; compensation structures may push certain products
• Credentials: Around 45% hold the CFP designation

Technology and Digital Experience

Both have invested heavily in digital tools, but there are real differences:

Edward Jones

• Mobile app now rated 4.7/5 stars (they improved it significantly in 2025)
• Online account access with basic portfolio tracking
• Limited self-directed trading options
• No robo-advisor offering

Ameriprise

• Mobile app rated 4.5/5 stars
• Comprehensive online planning tools
• Self-directed brokerage available within advisory accounts
• Ameriprise Guided Investing robo-advisor at 0.45% fee

Regulatory History: Worth Knowing

I believe in transparency here. Both firms have had regulatory issues:

Edward Jones

• 2024: Settled SEC charges about mutual fund share class disclosure for $39M
• 2023: State regulatory actions regarding cash sweep account disclosures
• Overall FINRA BrokerCheck record: Generally clean with typical customer disputes

Ameriprise

• 2024: DOL investigation into retirement plan rollovers still ongoing
• 2022: Settled Massachusetts charges over sales practices for $4.5M
• Overall FINRA BrokerCheck record: Comparable to industry average

Who Should Pick Which?

Edward Jones Might Work Better If You:

• Really value face-to-face relationships and want a local office you can walk into
• Prefer having one person who handles everything for you
• Have straightforward investment needs like retirement accounts and basic planning
• Live somewhere where Edward Jones might be your best local option

Ameriprise Might Work Better If You:

• Need comprehensive financial planning that integrates estate, insurance, and tax
• Want access to a wider range of investment options
• Like the idea of a team with specialists you can tap
• Have a complicated financial life (business ownership, executive comp, inherited wealth)

My Take for 2026

Neither firm is objectively “better” than the other. The right choice really does depend on your specific situation, how much you’re investing, and what kind of service you actually want.

Questions I’d Ask Any Advisor:

1. What’s your total compensation from managing my account?
2. Are you acting as a fiduciary on all recommendations, or just some?
3. What conflicts of interest should I know about upfront?
4. Can you show me in writing how the funds you recommend compare to lower-cost alternatives?

The new DOL fiduciary rule requires advisors to act in your best interest on retirement accounts. Use that leverage. Ask the hard questions, get fee comparisons in writing, and keep in mind that even a 0.5% difference in annual fees compounds dramatically over decades.

Fee information current as of January 2026. Both firms update their fee schedules periodically, so verify current rates before making any moves.