External Accounts
Betterment allows you to link external accounts - like bank accounts - that are linked once at the user level. All linked accounts live together in Settings > External accounts. What an external account is used for depends on its type: accounts with an account and routing number (transactable accounts) show up as options for funding transactions, while other linked accounts (like a brokerage account) are used purely for net worth and goal tracking. Customers can name their linked accounts for easier identification, and any funding-eligible account can be used to fund any of their Betterment accounts once linked.
Instant vs. Manual Connections
Betterment offers two ways to link external accounts:
Instant Connection (Recommended)
- Uses Plaid, a secure third-party service, to link accounts in real-time.
- Requires logging into your financial institution using your online banking credentials.
- Provides faster access and automatic syncing of account balances and transactions.
- Recommended for funding accounts and connected accounts where supported.
Manual Connection
- Requires entering your account number and routing number (for funding accounts) or manually inputting account details and balances (for connected accounts).
- Funding accounts linked manually require verification via microdeposits—two small test deposits sent to your account, which must be confirmed in Betterment before the account is fully linked. This process takes 1-2 business days.
- Connected accounts linked manually do not update automatically—you must update balances manually over time.
- Manual connecting is not available for linking external accounts to Betterment Checking.
How to Link an External Account Instantly
On a Web Browser
- Log in to your Betterment account.
- Go to Settings > External Accounts.
- Click Connect an External Account.
- Verify your identity when prompted.
- Choose to add an existing account or connect a new institution.
- Select Connect Instantly.
- Search for your bank by name and log in using your bank credentials.
- Select the account you’d like to use as your external account.
On the Mobile App
- Open the Betterment app and log in.
- Tap Menu (☰) > Settings > External Accounts.
- Tap Link new account.
- Verify your identity when prompted.
- Choose to add an existing account or connect a new institution.
- Select Connect Instantly.
- Search for your bank by name and log in using your bank credentials.
- Select the account you’d like to use as your external account.
How to Link an External Account Manually
Please note: manual linking (using account and routing number) is not available for Betterment Checking external transactable accounts.
On a Web Browser
- Log in to your Betterment account.
- Navigate to Settings > External Accounts.
- Click Link new account.
- Verify your identity when prompted.
- Choose to connect a new institution.
- Select Connect manually instead (1-2 business days)
- Enter your account number and routing number for a checking or savings account.
- Check your external bank account in 1-2 business days for two small microdeposits.
- Once the deposits appear, return to Betterment and enter the deposit amounts to verify your account.
On the Mobile App
- Open the Betterment app and log in.
- Tap Menu (☰) > Settings > External Accounts.
- Tap Link new account.
- Verify your identity when prompted.
- Choose to connect a new institution.
- Select Connect manually instead (1-2 business days)
- Enter your account number and routing number for a checking or savings account.
- Check your external bank account in 1-2 business days for two small microdeposits.
- Once the deposits appear, return to Betterment and enter the deposit amounts to verify your account.
How to Confirm Microdeposits
If you linked your external account manually using your account and routing number, you'll need to verify microdeposits before you can use the account for transactions.
On a Web Browser
- Log in to your Betterment account.
- Navigate to Settings > External Accounts.
- Locate the pending account that requires verification.
- Enter the two small deposit amounts that were sent to your external bank account.
- Click Confirm to complete the verification process.
On the Mobile App
- Open the Betterment app and log in.
- Tap Menu (☰) > Settings > External Accounts.
- Locate the pending account that requires verification.
- Enter the two small deposit amounts that were sent to your external bank account.
- Tap Confirm to complete the verification process.
Important Notes:
- Microdeposits typically appear in your external bank account within 1-2 business days.
- If the deposits do not appear, check with your bank or ensure you entered the correct account details.
- If you believe you are entering the correct deposit amounts but they are not being accepted, contact Betterment Support for further assistance.
- If you do not verify the microdeposits within the required timeframe, you may need to restart the linking process.
Disclosures & Data Privacy For Linked Accounts
Linking to a financial institution creates a secure, read-only connection with your firm through our data partner, Plaid. When instantly connecting with Plaid, Betterment does not store your login information and will never share your linked data. We never sell, rent, or trade your information without your approval. See our privacy policy for more information.