Independent Audit Report
Marcus Invest
VS
Swan

A comprehensive 20-point independent audit covering fees, FX rates, settlement architecture, regulatory standing, customer protection, and real-world performance benchmarks.

20 Audit Criteria Independent Analysis Current Verified Data Live Benchmarks
Marcus Invest
Goldman Sachs Robo-Advisor Platform
Best For Everyday investors wanting a Goldman Sachs-backed robo-advisor with ex
Core Fee 0.35% annual advisory fee; $5 minimum to start investing; no
Settlement Automated daily rebalancing; tax-loss harvesting on taxable
Visit Marcus Invest ↗
Swan
Embedded Banking & Payment Infrastructure (BaaS)
Best For European businesses looking to embed financial services into their pro
Core Fee Partner platform; charges fees to end-users based on card ti
Settlement Real-time account opening and transaction processing; direct
Visit Swan ↗
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Marcus Invest Swan
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
4/5
Marcus Invest: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
4/5
Swan: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international
0.35% annual advisory fee; $5 minimum to start investing; no trading commissions; underlying ETFs carry their own low expense ratios Partner platform; charges fees to end-users based on card tier. Standard: 2% FX fee, €10,000 monthly limit; Essential: 1% FX fee, €40,000 limit; Premium: No FX fee, €100,000 limit, metal card. Monthly fees vary by contract.
FX / Conversion SpreadMarkup above mid-market exchange rate
Marcus Invest charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Swan charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Account MaintenanceMonthly or annual account-keeping charges
Marcus Invest applies account maintenance charges as described in its fee schedule. Pricing may vary by region.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Swan applies account maintenance charges as described in its fee schedule. Pricing may vary by region.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Card Issuance FeesVirtual and physical card creation costs
Marcus Invest does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Marcus Invest app for current card fees
Swan offers virtual cards. Card availability may depend on your account tier.
Check Swan app for current card fees
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time
Marcus Invest
Automated daily rebalancing; tax-loss harvesting on taxable
VS
Swan
Real-time account opening and transaction processing; direct
✓ Marcus Invest is faster (instant vs Real-time account opening and )
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
Marcus Invest supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Swan supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Uptime / ReliabilityReported annual platform availability rate
Marcus Invest publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Marcus Invest status page for incident history
Swan is a regulated platform — it maintains high availability standards as part of its regulatory obligations.
Check Swan status page for incident history
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions
SEC-registered investment advisor; FINRA/SIPC member (up to $500,000); Goldman Sachs brand backing; 256-bit encryption; 2FA; fiduciary standard
✓ Licensed
Regulated Electronic Money Institution; all banking fees legally framed and supervised by the ACPR in France; user funds safeguarded.
✓ Licensed
Deposit InsuranceGovernment-backed protection scheme
Marcus Invest holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Marcus Invest
Swan holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Swan
2FA & AuthenticationMulti-factor security implementation
Marcus Invest supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Swan offers multi-factor authentication. Enable 2FA in account security settings. Biometric and PIN options vary by device.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Fraud DetectionAI/ML-powered transaction monitoring
Marcus Invest employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Swan monitors transactions for anomalies in real time. You can freeze your card instantly from the app.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition
Marcus Invest
Everyday investors wanting a Goldman Sachs-backed robo-advisor with expert-built portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and ESG investing options at low cost
Swan
European businesses looking to embed financial services into their product; offers white-label accounts, cards, and payment initiation.
Platform ClassificationRegulatory and product category
Goldman Sachs Robo-Advisor Platform Embedded Banking & Payment Infrastructure (BaaS)
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Marcus Invest withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Swan applies daily and monthly withdrawal limits based on your account verification tier.
Log in to see your current limits
Supported CurrenciesFiat and digital asset coverage
Marcus Invest supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Marcus Invest official site for full currency list
Swan supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Swan official site for full currency list
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction
Marcus Invest app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Swan is available on both iOS and Android. Rating varies by region.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Customer SupportAvailable resolution pathways and SLA
Marcus Invest routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Marcus Invest help centre for current support options
Swan offers in-app support and email. Response times may vary by account tier.
Check Swan help centre for current support options
KYC Verification SpeedAccount activation timeline post-submission
Marcus Invest KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Marcus Invest app
Swan typically verifies personal accounts within minutes to 24 hours with a valid ID.
Verify current wait times in the Swan app
Overall VerdictWealthBlueprint independent recommendation
IT'S A TIE — both score 4/5 stars.

Choose Marcus Invest if you need: Everyday investors wanting a Goldman Sachs-backed robo-advisor with expert-built portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and ESG investing options at low cost.
Choose Swan if you need: European businesses looking to embed financial services into their product; offers white-label accounts, cards, and payment initiation..

➜ Your choice depends on your specific needs
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees
Visit Marcus Invest ↗ Visit Swan ↗
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
Marcus Invest — Best For
Everyday investors wanting a Goldman Sachs-backed robo-advisor with expert-built portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and ESG investing options at low cost
✓ Strong in its core category
Swan — Best For
European businesses looking to embed financial services into their product; offers white-label accounts, cards, and payment initiation.
✓ Strong in its core category

Not sure which is right for you?

Take our 2-minute financial literacy quiz to understand which platforms align with your income profile and goals.

From the WealthBlueprint Library

Your next financial move might start here:

📖 How Index ETFs Actually Work 📖 Schwab Nasdaq Mutual Fund Review
More Comparisons Worth Reading

These comparisons are popular among users evaluating Swan.

🔍 Karat vs Qapital: Independent Audit 🔍 Karat vs Crypto.com: Independent Audit