Woman at a desk smiling at her laptop while writing in a notepad

Self-directed investing

Access the tools and resources you need to confidently choose accounts, research funds, and manage your portfolio independently. We’re here to help whenever you need it.

Explore All Account Types

What makes investing with T. Rowe Price different?

Icon of bar graph with arrow trending upward

Historically strong performance

For the 10-year period ended September 30, 2025, over 60% of our mutual funds with a 10-year track record outperformed their 10-year Lipper average.1

Icon of coin with dollar signs

Keep more of what you invest

Over 80% of our mutual funds for individual investors have gross expense ratios below their peer category averages.2

Our tools are designed to help make self-directed investing easy

Illustration of a woman holding a magnifying glass over a pie chart

Diversify your portfolio

As a T. Rowe Price client, see how your current portfolio measures up to a Target Asset Allocation that you select with our Portfolio Optimizer.

Try Portfolio Optimizer
Illustration of a man climbing up a 3-D bar chart trending upward

Research active ETFs and other funds

Choose T. Rowe Price mutual funds, or open a Brokerage account to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and non-T. Rowe Price securities.

Research ETFs Research Mutual Funds
Illustration of a calculator sitting next to a stack of coins and a health indicator icon

Evaluate your retirement readiness

See how changes to your investing approach may impact your retirement progress based on your age, income, Social Security eligibility, and current savings.

Try Retirement Income Calculator
Illustration of a account diagnostic form next to an analog clock icon

Determine your Social Security claiming strategy

Unsure how to maximize your Social Security benefits? Our Social Security Optimizer can help you get the most out of your monthly payout in retirement.

Try Social Security Optimizer

Insights to empower your investment decisions

Middle aged woman holding her husbands shoulders, both smiling down at something Retirement planning

How to determine the amount of income you will need at retirement

Determine your income replacement rate to help you better plan for retirement.

Couple looking at a paint color wheel to pick out a color of wall paint Personal finance

Mutual funds vs. ETFs: Which is best for your investment strategy?

Understanding the differences between these two types of funds can help you decide which one may best align with your goals.

Subscribe to T. Rowe Price Insights

Receive monthly retirement guidance, financial planning tips, and market updates straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Our associates are here to help you:

Even on a self-directed investing path, you're not alone. Connect with us for guidance on refining your investment approach and deepening your understanding of the market.

Schedule a Consultation Call 1-888-285-2612
Gain perspective on how you invest

We can explore your goals with you, helping you uncover new investing opportunities based on your unique financial journey.

Decide which account types may be right for you

We can help you understand the differences between account types we offer and educate you about investment solutions that may align with your goals.

Discover individual investment strategies

We can help you understand asset allocation—including risk tolerance, time horizon, and drawdown—and how these factors can change throughout life's stages.

Build your understanding of the market

We can help you understand investment terminology, fund performance, and how markets may function in different conditions.

Make the most of the client benefits we offer

We’ll help you take full advantage of our tiered benefits Summit Program, plus the insights, educational resources, and investment products we offer.

Frequently asked questions

What is self-directed or “DIY” investing, and what are the benefits?

Self-directed, or "do-it-yourself" (DIY) investing, means you, the investor, are in control. You choose what to invest in and how to manage your own portfolio without a financial advisor. DIY investing empowers you to make independent decisions that align with your personal goals and risk tolerance.

How can I start investing without a financial advisor?

You can start your self-directed investment journey all on your own, online.

  • First, browse our diverse range of account types and open an account that aligns with your goals.
  • Then, decide how you'll add money to your account. Soon, you can be ready to start exploring your asset allocation and building your portfolio.
  • Use our tools to help refine your goals and research ETFs or mutual funds and other investment types.
  • We offer support and resources to help DIY investors make sure they’re on the right track. If you have questions, we’re ready to help. Just give us a call at 1-888-285-2612.

What types of accounts can be opened with self-directed investing?

You can open most T. Rowe Price accounts yourself online—including individual retirement accounts (IRAs), general investing accounts, and college savings accounts—and start self-directed investing once the account is established.

What’s the difference between mutual fund and brokerage accounts?

At T. Rowe Price, you can invest directly in our proprietary mutual funds. You can also choose an account through our brokerage platform that allows you the flexibility to invest in our exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and non-T. Rowe Price securities.

For many account types, you can have both a T. Rowe Price proprietary fund account as well as a brokerage—such as a Roth IRA (T. Rowe Price mutual funds only) and a Brokerage Roth IRA (stocks, bonds, ETFs, and more outside of T. Rowe Price).

T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds T. Rowe Price Brokerage Accounts
  • Buy, sell, and trade T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds
  • T. Rowe Price Target Date funds available
  • 153 no-load mutual funds to choose from
  • Buy, sell, and trade T. Rowe Price ETFs
  • Invest in non-T. Rowe Price securities
  • Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs online
  • No minimum investment amount for ETFs

I have assets at other financial institutions. How do I bring them over?

Looking to consolidate? Having all of your assets in one place makes it easier to track progress toward your goals and ensure your investments are working effectively together.

With our free Rollover Concierge service, a dedicated Financial Consultant can walk you through three simple steps to get your workplace retirement account(s), like a 401(k) or 403(b), rolled over and invested with us. Prefer to do it yourself? Start your Rollover application online.

For IRAs and most other taxable or non-retirement accounts, we can help you understand your options and start the transfer process. Schedule a consultation or give us a call at 1-866-294-5526.

Not sure about your next move?
We can help.

Browse all of our accounts

Stay focused on your long- and short-term goals. Whatever you're investing for, we've got you covered.

Explore All Account Types

Talk to us

Speak with a Financial Consultant for general investment guidance and educational resources.

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.

Call 1-888-285-2612

Let's plan together

For personalized financial planning and ongoing portfolio management, connect 1:1 with an advisor.

Explore Advice Solutions

1142 of our 307 mutual funds had a 10-year track record as of 9/30/2025 (includes Investor Class and I Class Shares). 88 of these 142 mutual funds (62%) beat their Lipper average for the 10-year period. 154 of 301 (51%), 159 of 280 (57%), and 137 of 241 (57%) of the mutual funds outperformed their Lipper average for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods ended 9/30/2025, respectively. Calculations based on cumulative total return. Not all mutual funds outperformed for all periods. (Source for data: Lipper Inc.) Past performance is no guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results.

2Source: Lipper Inc. 124 of 153 of our Investor Class mutual funds (excludes mutual funds not available for direct purchase) more than 6 months old had gross expense ratios below their Lipper averages based on fiscal year-end data available as of 9/30/2025.

Investments are subject to the risks associated with investing in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, which may result in loss of principal. T. Rowe Price does not guarantee the results of our investment management, or that the objectives of the funds or portfolios will be met.

ETFs are bought and sold at market prices, not net asset value. Investors generally incur the cost of the spread between the prices at which shares are bought and sold and may incur additional transaction costs.

T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. ("TRPIS"), distributor, T. Rowe Price mutual funds and T. Rowe Price ETFs. TRPIS is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC.

202506-4574109