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Best alternative investment platforms

9 best alternative investment platforms

Eric Esposito Freelance Contributor

Fact checked by Clay Halton

Updated Apr 15, 2025

Wealth beyond Wall Street: 9 alternative investment platforms to consider

While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.

Whether it's crypto, fine art, or precious metals, alternative investments are forms of investing your money outside of the typical options like S&P 500. Knowing which brokerages offer the best services for the alternative assets you most desire can help you make the most of your money. These are the best ones.

Best alternative investment platforms

  • Methodology: How we rank the best alternative investment platforms

    +

    Our ranking methodology

    The best alternative investment platform reviews and ratings are determined by seven Moneywise subject matter experts. We focused on factors that matter most to everyday users, following strict editorial integrity standards to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

    Our team includes fintech journalists, analysts, and investing pros — people who know what matters and what doesn’t.

    While the platforms featured in this article were independently selected, some links may be from our sponsors.

    Our evaluation process

    We collected and evaluated over 10,000 data points and dug deep into more than 70 platforms — from niche players to big names — to find the best options for your money. We want you to confidently choose platforms that match your goals.

    Moneywise.com rates products and services on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the highest rating. Our evaluation considers the most important factors for investors, including: customer support, educational resources, ease of use, app performance and features, brand reputation, assets and investment types offered, fees, and hidden fees.

    Our data-driven approach

    Every rating and review is rooted in research. We do compare partners, but we do not accept paid placements — putting readers first.

    Each factor was appropriately weighted to fairly compare providers based on the data points collected, reflecting the needs of both beginner and experienced investors

    Our goal

    Our mission is to provide independent, transparent reviews so you can confidently choose the best platform for your investment needs.

Please note: Star ratings are not in descending order. Each alternative investment platform is unique, as are the alternative assets they offer. The star ratings you see reflect how each platform performed in its respective winning category.

Best platform for diversified alternative investments: Yieldstreet

Yieldstreet logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Crowdfunded real estate, private credit, private equity, art, crypto, transportation, venture capital, and short-term notes
  • Minimum investment: $10,000
  • Fees: Listing fees vary, management fees between 1 to 4%
  • Accredited investor requirement: No, but the majority of their offerings do require accredited investor status
  • SEC registered: Yes
  • Expected returns: 7.4% Net Annual Returns
  • Holding period: 3 months to 5+ years
  • Dividend payout: Depends on provider

  • Why we chose Yieldstreet

    +

    In terms of variety, no alternative trading platform touches YieldStreet. Founded in 2015, this easy-to-use site puts an array of alt investments at each accredited investor's fingertips, including crypto, fine art, real estate and even transportation. YieldStreet also offers help setting your goals — whether "growth" or "yield" oriented — depending on your risk appetite.

    But don't worry if you're not an accredited investor. YieldStreet also offers its diversified Alternative Income Fund to all investors, which contains a basket of assets ranging from commercial real estate and loans to aircraft and art.1 This wide range of offerings makes YieldStreet stand out as one of the most accessible platforms for the broadest range of alternative assets.

Yieldstreet Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Breadth of offerings: YieldStreet’s key selling point is its wide range of alt assets.

  • Option for non-accredited investors: The Alternative Income Fund is open to all investors.

  • Long history: YieldStreet has a strong track record going back to 2015.

Cons

Cons

  • Accredited investor focused: For everything besides the Alternative Income Fund, you need accredited status.

  • Relatively high minimum: The $10,000 initial investment may be cost prohibitive.

  • Fees: Management fees could be as high as 4% annually.

Best broker for alternative investments: Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Commodities, futures, forex, options, stocks, ETFs, crypto, hedge funds, private equity, and foreign stocks
  • Minimum investment: $0
  • Fees: Varies by asset and account
  • Accredited investor requirement: No

  • Why we chose Interactive Brokers

    +

    Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is best known as a "bread and butter" global brokerage offering its signature low fees on standard products like stocks and bonds. While it's true you'll get access to global equities with an IBKR account, this broker also offers users an easy way to add some alternatives. For instance, accredited investors can plunge into hedge funds through IBKR's Hedge Fund Marketplace.2 There are also opportunities to get involved with cryptocurrencies, commodities and forex all through your IBKR portal.3

    Compared to platforms like YieldStreet — which solely specializes in alternatives — IBKR's strength lies in its mix of comprehensive trading capabilities across both traditional and alternative markets. For those who want the best of both worlds, an Interactive Brokers account may be enough for a diversified portfolio.

    Disclaimer: The inclusion of Interactive Brokers’ (IBKR) name, logo or weblinks is present pursuant to an advertising arrangement only. IBKR is not a contributor, reviewer, provider or sponsor of content published on this site and is not responsible for the accuracy of any products or services discussed.

Interactive Brokers Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Established and global brokerage: IBKR has a robust history and offers access to global markets.

  • Mix of traditionals and alternatives: With IBKR, you can seamlessly move between dozens of asset categories.

  • Sophisticated trading tools: IBKR's trading platform caters to experienced investors, with technical analysis and advanced order types.

Cons

Cons

  • Limited niche offerings: Compared to platforms specializing in alternatives, IBKR's offerings are limited.

  • Some assets are accredited only: Accessing assets like hedge funds needs accredited status.

  • Focused on active trading: While all investors can use IBKR, its interface can be more intimidating for beginners.

Best crypto exchange: Coinbase

Coinbase logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Cryptocurrencies
  • Minimum investment: $2
  • Fees: Trading fees and spread
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: No
  • Supported crypto: 240+ assets
  • Staking offered: Yes
  • Cold storage: Yes

  • Why we chose Coinbase

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    Cryptocurrencies are getting easier to find on fintech apps ranging from CashApp to PayPal, but Coinbase remains the dominant US-based platform for digital assets. Why? Well, this partly has to do with Coinbase’s track record of success (it has been around since 2012) and its high reputation for institutional-grade security.

    Plus, unlike many other centralized crypto exchanges, Coinbase is a publicly-traded company. That means Coinbase has to file quarterly reports per SEC laws, which gives investors greater transparency into Coinbase’s operations and avoids risks like bankruptcy or fund mismanagement seen in other crypto platforms (e.g., FTX).

    As a cherry on top, Coinbase offers protections and perks like FDIC on cash deposits, a debit card, and customer service, all of which make the experience of buying crypto more user-friendly.4

Coinbase Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Trusted brand: Coinbase has earned its position as one of the largest and most trusted crypto brands.

  • User-friendly interface: Both the Coinbase desktop and mobile apps have clean and straightforward UI/UX.

  • Attractive secondary offerings: Coinbase users enjoy many bonus perks like staking, a debit card, and “Learn to Earn” rewards.5

Cons

Cons

  • Fees: Compared with some other options, Coinbase doesn’t have the most competitive trading fees.

  • Customer service complaints: Coinbase offers a few ways to reach out, but there are multiple complaints over slow response times.6

  • Privacy concerns: Despite Coinbase’s positive track record, it isn’t immune to hacks and data breaches.7

Best platform to invest in REITs: Fidelity

Fidelity logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: REITs, stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, crypto, precious metals, bonds, CDs, and options
  • Minimum investment: $1
  • Fees: $0 commissions
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: Yes

  • Why we chose Fidelity

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    With $15.1 trillion in assets under administration, Fidelity is a global investment powerhouse.8 While you could invest in dozens of traditional asset categories on Fidelity, it’s a particularly good place to put REITs into your portfolio. As such a large and powerful brokerage, Fidelity has access to a wide assortment of publicly traded REITs, REIT mutual funds and REIT ETFs like the Fidelity MSCI Real Estate ETF (FREL).9 As a bonus, Fidelity doesn’t charge commissions on US stock and ETF trades.10

    Fidelity's platform supports fractional share investing, so you can start your REIT investment with a tiny amount of capital and build up over time.11 Add in the user-friendly interface and reputation for reliability, and Fidelity stands out as a great platform to capitalize on REITs.

Fidelity Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Wide range of REITs: Investors have access to both Fidelity-operated mutual funds and ETFs as well as public REIT shares.12

  • Competitive fees: There are no commissions on US-based stocks and ETFs via Fidelity.

  • Tax-advantaged options: Fidelity makes it easy to rollover retirement accounts to invest in REITs.

Cons

Cons

  • No direct ownership: You can’t own properties directly or participate in crowdfunded real estate using Fidelity.

  • Limited to publicly-traded REITs: You won’t find exclusive real estate deals on Fidelity’s trading portal.

  • Not always commission-free: Some non-Fidelity-backed REIT mutual funds may have expense ratios or transaction fees.

Best platform to invest in wine: Vinovest

Vinovest logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Wine and spirits
  • Minimum investment: $1,000
  • Fees: Buy-side, sell-side, and storage fees
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: No
  • Historical appreciation rate: 13.6% annually (15 years)

  • Why we chose Vinovest

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    Anthony Zhang started Vinovest in 2019 to bring one of the world's tastiest alternative assets (i.e., fine wines and spirits) into the hands of ordinary investors. While you don't get to sample barrels of whiskey or bottles from Bordeaux, you can get partial ownership of these lip-smacking luxuries through Vinovest's platform. As long as you meet the "Starter" tier with a $1,000 deposit, you can claim partial rights in wine or spirits that Vinovest keeps in cold storage facilities until its sale to a hotel, restaurant or solo sommelier.13

    While it's possible to buy wines or spirits directly to skip the fees on Vinovest, most retail investors don't have the connections or initial capital requirements to make this feasible. Plus, don't forget you have to keep these wines stored and deal with all the complexities of proper authentication. Working with Vinovest allows you to add a portion of your portfolio to wines and spirits and let an expert team take care of all the hard work.

Vinovest Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Unique asset category: Vinovest is a distinctive platform that offers an easy way to get fine wine and spirits exposure.

  • Transparent earnings reports: All of Vinovest’s prior earnings are readily accessible on the “Track Record” tab.14

  • Easy-to-use: The Vinovest desktop setting is very user-friendly, and they offer an iOS app.

  • Multiple tiers: You can choose from four tiers depending on how much you want to invest.

Cons

Cons

  • High fees: Investors have to factor in multiple fees for buying, selling, and storing their spirits.

  • No control over storage or handling: Investors have to rely on Vinovest’s custodianship rather than personally managing their wines.

  • Long holding period: Vinovest estimates the average wine or spirit takes 7 to 10 years to reach maturity.15

Best platform to invest in art: Masterworks

Masterworks logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Fine art
  • Minimum investment: $15,000
  • Fees: 1.5% annual management fee and 20% sale fee
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: Yes
  • Historical appreciation rate: 12.6% annually

  • Why we chose Masterworks

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    Masterworks is doing for fine art what Vinovest is doing for fine wines: democratizing access. While blue-chip artworks often adorn the homes of the ultra-wealthy, they are way out of reach for average investors. However, through the Masterworks Trading Market, anyone can put money into fractional shares of masterpieces by legendary artists like Picasso or Warhol.16 Since these artworks have big names and big data behind them, Masterworks optimizes the odds they increase in value.

    Plus, by working through Masterworks, you don't have to worry about issues related to holding physical artwork, like theft or a careless soda smudge. As long as you invest the minimum of $15,000, you can enjoy some fine art exposure.

    Since Masterworks provides a form of investment, it has risks associated with it. These risks are set out in a disclosure page. See important Regulation A disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd.

Masterworks Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • History for performance: Masterworks has curated a large portfolio of artworks and facilitated 23 successful exits as of April 2025.

  • Liquidity in secondary market: Masterworks gives you the option to liquidate shares anytime in the Trading Market.

  • SEC accreditation: All of the art offered on Masterworks has to pass SEC registration.

Cons

Cons

  • High minimum: The $15,000 minimum deposit can be prohibitive for some investors.

  • High fees: Factor the 1.5% annual management fee and 20% sale fee into any profits.

  • Custodial risks: You have to entrust your masterpieces to Masterworks’ custody standards.

Best platform to invest in gold: American Hartford Gold (AHG)

American Hartford Gold logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Precious metals
  • Minimum investment: $10,000
  • Fees: Annual IRA fee ($75 and $125 for accounts under $100,000 and over $100,000, respectively), storage fees ($180)
  • Storage fees: $100-$180
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: No
  • Physical or digital gold options: Physical gold
  • Buyback program: Yes

  • Why we chose American Hartford Gold (AHG)

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    AHG has been helping investors add precious metals to their portfolios since 2015. While you could buy gold and silver coins directly from AHG, this company's main offering is its Gold IRA. Whether you use a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA or 401(k), AHG offers ways to roll over your account and put your retirement savings into physical gold. You won't get gold in your hands, but AHG will keep it in a secure vault and let you liquidate your holdings after hitting retirement age.

    One reason AHG gets high praise in the precious metals market is for its Buyback Guarantee. AHG also has high ratings for its service on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and TrustPilot, as well as a lower minimum than some competitors like Augusta Precious Metals.17

American Hartford Gold Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Tax-advantaged gold: You can use any approved retirement account to save on taxes while investing in gold.

  • Buyback program: AHG promises to buy back your gold for cash after hitting retirement age.

  • High online ratings: Reviewers on both TrustPilot and the BBB give AHG high scores.

Cons

Cons

  • High minimum: While not as high as some competitors, AHG’s $10,000 minimum is still prohibitive.

  • Long time horizon: If you get a Gold IRA, you’ll have to wait till 59½ to pull withdrawals penalty-free.

  • No app or digital portal: AHG primarily focuses on phone consultations and doesn’t offer a convenient mobile app.

Best platform that offers fractional ownership of rental properties: Arrived Homes

Arrived Homes logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Single-family residential, vacation homes, real estate debt and funds
  • Minimum investment: $100
  • Fees: Assets Under Management (AUM) fees (varies by product) and Professional Oversight of Expense Management (varies)
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: Yes
  • Expected returns: 6 - 10% annual
  • Holding period: 5 - 15 years
  • Dividend payout: Monthly

  • Why we chose Arrived Homes

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    For those who want to invest in real estate but aren’t keen on REITs or direct ownership, Arrived Homes offers a “middle ground” opportunity. This Jeff Bezos-backed platform lets anyone buy shares in crowdfunded U.S. real estate with a special focus on single-family homes and vacation rentals.18 Unlike crowdfunding competitors like Roofstock or RealtyMogul, the minimum investment for Arrived is lower at $100, and there are no accreditation requirements.

    Arrived also offers ways to earn a consistent yield by investing in private credit and diversified real estate funds. With its easy-to-navigate marketplace, transparent fees, and low minimums, Arrived has become one of the most accessible ways for investors to get involved with income-generating real estate.

Arrived Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Low minimum: Arrived makes it easy to get started with an attractive $100 minimum.

  • Monthly passive income: Whether you invest in properties or a fund, you’ll get regular passive income through Arrived.

  • Variety of properties: While Arrived focuses on single-family and vacation rentals, it has many different homes and funds in different states.

Cons

Cons

  • Illiquidity: Expect to hold real estate shares for 5 to 15 years, depending on what you invest in.

  • Relatively new: With a 2019 founding, Arrived doesn’t have as much history as competitors.

  • Fees: Factor in Professional Oversight of Expense Management as well as AUM fees into every Arrived investment.

Best crowdfunding real estate platform: Fundrise

Fundrise logo
Fast facts
  • Investment type offered: Real estate, private credit and venture capital
  • Minimum investment: $10 (or $1,000 for IRA)
  • Fees: Advisory fee (0.15%), management fee (0.85%) and Fundrise Innovation Fund management fee (1.85%)
  • Accredited investor requirement: No
  • SEC registered: Yes
  • Expected returns: Depends on years and fund type
  • Holding period: Five years
  • Dividend payout: Quarterly

  • Why we chose Fundrise

    +

    With a history going back to 2012, Fundrise was one of the first online platforms to bring private real estate to Main Street investors. To this day, this crowdfunding site prioritizes accessibility from its low $10 minimum and non-accredited offerings for commercial and residential properties.

    It's also easy to tweak your risk profile thanks to the different fund strategies available on Fundrise. Some products like the Fundrise Income Fund focus on yield, while others like the Fundrise Flagship Fund offer more growth. Fundrise also continues to branch out with new offerings like private credit and venture capital. Given its history, accessibility, and multiple offerings, Fundrise remains a top place to get started with alternative assets.

    Disclaimer: We earn a commission for this endorsement of Fundrise.

Fundrise Pros and Cons

Pros

Pros

  • Low minimum: At just $10 cash or $1,000 via IRA, Fundrise makes it easy to get started investing in real estate.

  • Competitive fees: Most Fundrise funds have a transparent yearly 1% fee.

  • Multiple alternative assets: Beyond real estate funds, Fundrise also offers ways to get involved with private credit and pre-IPO companies.

Cons

Cons

  • Withdrawal penalties: Some eREITs or eFunds have a penalty for withdrawals before five years.

  • Limited control: Unlike Arrived, you can’t choose specific properties or assets in a Fundrise fund.

  • No phone support: Fundrise only offers email and chat support and responds within 1 to 2 business days.


How alternative investments perform against the S&P 500

Each alternative asset has unique qualities and risk profiles, so to say how they perform as a whole against the S&P requires careful examination. We can look at the performance of the S&P 500 against benchmarks in different alternative categories to gauge their respective track records. 

Over the past five years, the S&P 500 posted a 119.59% gain. Of all alternatives in the past five years, Bitcoin (BTC) has been the best asset compared to the S&P 500, with a gain of 1,300%. Just keep in mind that this higher gain comes with more stomach-churning moves as BTC can be five times more volatile than the S&P 500.19

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Fine art also had a strong performance against the S&P 500 with a five-year track record of 107% using the Artnet AG ticker as reference. While gold didn't do as well as the S&P 500, it posted the next best five-year gain of 89%. Lastly, real estate fared well in terms of the Vanguard Real Estate Index ETF (VNQ) with a 39% gain over five years — but specific names like American Tower Corporation (AMT) decreased by 1% within this period.     

What are alternative investments?

Alternative investments are investments in an asset class other than typical categories like stocks, cash, and bonds. Investments like collectibles, real estate, private equity, commodities, and derivatives often fall under the alternative investment umbrella, though there’s no exact qualification for what makes something an alternative investment.

Estimates even suggest ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) hold up to 50% of their net worth in "alternative assets."20 Typically, investors turn to alternatives to diversify their portfolios. But these alternatives can also help hedge against inflation — and provide some downside protection — if they're not correlated with the overall market.

What is an alt investment in a nutshell?

Alternative investments are assets outside and often uncorrelated with traditional financial markets.

Which alternative investment is right for you?

There isn't one "right" way to invest in alternatives. Consider these key features and risk levels to help determine how alts fit in your portfolio.

Type of investment
Who is it for and why?
Risk level
Blue-Chip Art Investing
Wealthy individuals and institutions who want portfolio diversification, long-term value, and cultural prestige.
Medium
Cryptocurrency
Tech-savvy investors who feel comfortable with volatility and want the maximum growth potential. 
High
Crowdfunding Real Estate
People who want private real estate exposure with a lower capital requirement than direct ownership. 
Medium
Fine Wine Investing
Affluent collectors or investors who want diversification and a tangible luxury asset.
Medium
Fractional Real Estate
Anyone who wants price appreciation or income from properties with lower capital requirements and lower risks.
Medium
Hedge Funds
Accredited investors and institutions keen on aggressive strategies offering higher returns for greater risks. 
High
Precious Metals (Gold, Silver)
Conservative investors who want tangible items offering protection from economic uncertainty. 
Low
Private Credit
Accredited investors who are willing to take on greater risks of default for higher yields. 
Medium
Private Equity
Risk-tolerant accredited investors who don’t mind illiquidity and volatility for potentially outsized gains.  
High
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Anyone who prioritizes consistent yields and who wants real estate exposure. 
Low

What is low, medium and high risk tolerance?

Risk tolerance typically measures historical volatility and loss potential. Low-risk assets are more associated with consistent returns but have a lower chance of outsized gains. By contrast, high-risk investments are all about maximizing gains even if there's potential for loss. Medium-risk investments strive to offer a blend of growth potential and capital preservation. 

FAQs

  • What is AIF and how does it work?

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    An Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) is a pool of alternative assets (e.g., private equity and hedge funds) typically offered to accredited investors and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

  • How to get a 12 percent return on investment?

    +

    Getting a consistent 12% annual return is challenging and usually requires getting it right with high-growth strategies or diversifying with a pool of assets to increase the odds of returns.

  • What is the most popular alternative investment?

    +

    Property, private equity and precious metals are some of the more common alternative investments, but cryptocurrency has also become popular in recent years.

  • What is a DIY investment platform?

    +

    A DIY (do-it-yourself) investment platform lets investors manage their portfolios independently while providing various asset classes and trading tools.

Eric Esposito Freelance Contributor

Eric Esposito is a freelance contributor on MoneyWise with an interest in financial markets, investing, and trading. In addition to MoneyWise, Eric’s work can be found on financial publications such as WallStreetZen and CoinDesk. When not researching the latest stock market trends, Eric enjoys biking, walking his dog, and spending time with family in Central Florida. Eric holds a BA in English from Quinnipiac University.

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