Beyond the Brochure: A Freelancer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Solo 401k Provider

For the first few years of my freelance consulting career, I thought I had it all figured O.T. The clients were steady, the income was growing, and I was finally my own boss.

When it came to retirement, I did what any diligent, time-strapped entrepreneur would do: I followed the common wisdom I found online.

The consensus pointed toward a SEP IRA.

It was simple, they said.

Easy to administer, they promised.

So, I opened one.

For a while, it was fine.

But as my business grew, I started hitting a wall.

I wanted to save more aggressively, but the contribution formula felt restrictive.

I wanted the flexibility of a Roth option to pay taxes now while I was in a lower bracket, but my SEP IRA didn’t allow it.¹

I read about the strategic advantage of being able to take a loan from your retirement plan in an emergency, but that feature was off-limits.¹

I was trapped by a decision I thought was “safe,” and it was costing me thousands in potential tax-advantaged growth.

The problem wasn’t the SEP IRA itself; it was the advice.

Most guides focus on what the plans are, listing features like items in a brochure.

They rarely ask the most important question: who are you as a business owner, and what are you trying to build?

My breakthrough came when I stopped thinking of retirement plans as off-the-shelf products and started seeing them as workshops.

Choosing a provider isn’t like buying a pre-packaged meal; it’s like choosing the garage where you’ll build your financial future.

Some are basic, no-frills garages with all the standard tools.

Others are high-end custom shops with specialized equipment for high-performance machines.

The question isn’t “Which plan is best?” but “What kind of vehicle do I want to build, and which workshop has the right tools for the job?”

This guide is the map I wish I’d had.

We’ll start by designing the blueprint for your financial vehicle, then we’ll tour the different workshops—from the free-to-use big-box garages to the bespoke custom shops—so you can choose the one that will help you build a powerful and secure retirement.

Part I: Designing the Blueprint — Is the Solo 401k the Right Vehicle for You?

Before you can pick a workshop, you need a clear blueprint for the vehicle you intend to build.

For the self-employed, there are three primary models on the chassis of retirement planning: the Solo 401k, the SEP IRA, and the SIMPLE IRA.

Your choice here is fundamental and hinges on your income, your savings goals, your plans for growth, and your need for specific features.

The Vehicle Showdown: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The Solo 401k, officially called a “one-participant 401(k)” by the IRS, is the high-performance option.³

Its defining feature is that it allows you to contribute in two roles: as the “employee” and as the “employer”.⁴

This dual-contribution structure is what gives it immense power, often allowing for higher total contributions than other plans, especially for those who aren’t yet at the top of their earning potential.¹

Crucially, it is the only one of these three plans that commonly offers a Roth (after-tax) contribution option and the ability to take a loan against your balance.¹

The main constraint is its exclusivity: it is strictly for business owners with no employees, other than a spouse.⁴

The SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension) is, as its name suggests, simpler.

All contributions are made by the “employer” (that’s you) and are generally limited to 25% of your compensation.¹

This can be a great fit for a high-earning consultant who values simplicity above all else.

However, this simplicity comes at a cost: there is no Roth option and no loan feature.¹

If you want to save after-tax dollars or want the security of a potential loan, the SEP IRA is not your vehicle.

The SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) is a hybrid model that allows contributions from both the employee and the employer.⁷

However, its contribution limits are substantially lower than both the Solo 401k and the SEP IRA.⁹

Furthermore, it mandates an employer contribution every year, either as a dollar-for-dollar match or a flat percentage for all eligible employees.²

This structure makes it far more suitable for a small business with a handful of employees than for a solopreneur focused on maximizing their personal savings.

The Scalability Trap: A Deeper Look at Hiring

A common piece of advice suggests that if you think you might hire employees in the future, you should avoid the Solo 401k.

This is a strategic error.

While it’s true that you must stop contributing to a Solo 401k once you hire a full-time employee, the plan simply becomes “frozen.” You can continue to manage the assets and let them grow, but you can’t add new money.¹²

This sounds like a drawback, but it’s actually a powerful feature that protects your future flexibility.

Consider the alternative: if you start with a SEP IRA and then hire an employee, you are generally required to make contributions for that employee at the same percentage rate you contribute for yourself.⁷

If you’re contributing 15% for yourself, you must now contribute 15% for your new hire, which can become prohibitively expensive.

The Solo 401k avoids this trap.

It allows you to aggressively maximize your own retirement savings now, while you are a solopreneur.

If your business grows to the point of hiring, you simply freeze the Solo 401k and then establish a brand new, separate retirement plan (like a traditional 401k) that is designed for a company with employees.

This makes the Solo 401k a paradoxically superior choice for the ambitious freelancer who dreams of one day growing their business.

The table below distills these complex options into a clear decision-making tool.

Feature	Solo 401k	SEP IRA	SIMPLE IRA
Ideal User	High-saving solopreneur or owner+spouse business.	Self-employed individuals who prioritize simplicity and have high, stable income.	Small businesses with 1-100 employees, not typically ideal for solopreneurs.
Who Contributes	Employee + Employer 5	Employer Only 1	Employee + Employer 10
Max 2025 Contribution (Under 50)	$70,000 14	$70,000 1	$16,500 (employee) + employer match 10
Roth (After-Tax) Option?	Yes 1	No 1	Some providers may offer Roth, but not standard 11
Loan Available?	Yes 6	No 1	No 2
Employee Eligibility	None, except spouse 4	Can cover employees 7	Required for businesses with <100 employees 7
Key Advantage	Highest contribution power & most features (Roth, loan).	Extreme administrative simplicity.	Allows employees to save from their own paycheck.
Key Disadvantage	Cannot be used if you have employees.	No Roth or loan feature; can be costly if you hire.	Lowest contribution limits; mandatory employer funding.

Part II: The Free & Functional Workshop: A Deep Dive into the Major Brokerage Providers

Once you’ve settled on the Solo 401k as your vehicle, it’s time to choose your workshop.

The first and most common stop for many is the “free and functional” workshop offered by the major online brokerages.

These are the right choice for the self-directed investor who wants to build a solid, reliable retirement portfolio using standard tools like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, all without paying setup or maintenance fees.

Fidelity: The Juggernaut

Fidelity is often considered the best overall provider in this category, offering a powerful combination of zero fees, an enormous investment menu, and top-tier research tools.¹⁵

• Core Offerings: Fidelity charges no setup or annual maintenance fees for its Solo 401k plan.¹⁵ Account holders gain access to a vast universe of investment options, including individual stocks, bonds, ETFs, CDs, and over 3,300 no-transaction-fee (NTF) mutual funds.¹⁵ Critically, they support both Traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) contributions, giving you essential tax planning flexibility.¹⁵
• The Drawbacks: The most significant limitation is the absence of a plan loan feature.¹⁵ If having access to a loan for emergency liquidity is a priority, Fidelity is not the right choice. Additionally, users have historically reported that the contribution process can be cumbersome, often requiring a phone call or mailing a physical check, which can be a point of recurring friction.¹⁸

Charles Schwab: The All-Rounder

Charles Schwab stands as a formidable competitor to Fidelity, matching it on many key points, including fees, investment selection, and a reputation for excellent customer service.¹⁵

• Core Offerings: Like Fidelity, Schwab’s Individual 401(k) has no setup or maintenance fees.¹⁶ It provides access to a wide range of securities with commission-free online trading for stocks, ETFs, and over 4,000 NTF mutual funds through its Mutual Fund OneSource platform.¹⁵ Schwab also offers both Traditional and Roth contribution options.²¹
• The Drawbacks: Schwab also lacks a plan loan feature.²² And, similar to Fidelity, the contribution process can feel archaic. Many users report having to mail in paper checks to fund their accounts, a significant annoyance in an otherwise digital world.²⁵

E*TRADE: The Feature King

Within the free-to-use category, E*TRADE distinguishes itself not by having the lowest-cost funds or the biggest brand name, but by offering the most features.

Its key differentiator is one that both Fidelity and Schwab lack: a plan loan.

• Core Offerings: E*TRADE charges no setup or maintenance fees for its Solo 401k.¹⁶ It provides both Traditional and Roth options, putting it on par with its main competitors.²⁷ The standout feature is the ability to take a loan from your plan, generally up to 50% of your account balance or $50,000, whichever is less.²⁷ This can be a critical lifeline for a business owner facing a short-term cash crunch. Its investment selection is also robust, with access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, and over 4,500 no-load, no-fee mutual funds.¹⁸
• The Drawbacks: While E*TRADE offers many low-cost investment options, its proprietary index funds may not be as rock-bottom cheap as those found at industry giants like Vanguard or Fidelity.¹⁸

The “Feature vs. Friction” Trade-off

Choosing between these three providers isn’t as simple as picking the one with the most NTF funds.

It’s a strategic decision that balances features against friction.

Fidelity and Schwab may have a slight edge in brand reputation and the depth of their low-cost index fund lineups.

However, the manual contribution process—mailing checks or making phone calls—is a real form of friction that costs you time and mental energy.¹⁹

E*TRADE, by offering a plan loan, caters to a user who values liquidity and flexibility as much as investment selection.¹⁵

The inclusion of this feature isn’t just a checked box; it reflects a different philosophy.

The decision, therefore, becomes more nuanced.

You must ask yourself: “Is the peace of mind that comes with a potential loan option and a potentially smoother digital experience worth it, even if another platform might offer a slightly cheaper index fund?” This frames the choice around your personal workflow and risk management strategy, not just pure investment optimization.

Feature	Fidelity	Charles Schwab	E*TRADE
Setup/Maintenance Fees	$0 15	$0 16	$0 16
Investment Options	Vast; Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, 3,300+ NTF Funds 15	Vast; Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, 4,000+ NTF Funds 15	Vast; Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, 4,500+ No-Load Funds 18
Roth Option Available?	Yes 15	Yes 21	Yes 27
Plan Loan Available?	No 15	No 22	Yes 27
Contribution Process	Manual; Phone/Mail-in Check 19	Manual; Mail-in Check 25	Electronic contributions supported 25
Best For…	The pure investor prioritizing the widest selection and lowest costs.	The investor seeking a great all-around platform with top-tier service.	The investor who values flexibility and emergency liquidity (the loan feature).

Part III: The Specialist & Custom Workshops: Premium, Niche, and Self-Directed Providers

For some business owners, the standard tools offered by the free workshops aren’t enough.

They may need a more curated, hands-off experience, or they may be power users who want to build a truly custom vehicle using advanced techniques and non-traditional parts.

This is where the paid providers—the specialist and custom shops—come in.

The Two-Tiered Market: Why You Pay a Fee

It’s crucial to understand what you’re paying for.

There is a sharp divide between the free plans and the paid plans, with fees that can run from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars in the first year.²⁹

This fee isn’t just for better customer service.

You are paying for a fundamentally different product: a more flexible plan document.

The free plans from Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE use what’s known as a “prototype” plan document.

These are standardized and restrictive by design to keep costs low and administration simple.

This is why they may not offer loans or, in all cases, allow for investments in alternative assets.

The paid providers, in contrast, typically offer a “non-prototype” or custom plan document.

This legal framework is what unlocks the advanced capabilities.

The fee is the price of admission to a more sophisticated set of rules.

The question to ask isn’t “Are the fees worth it?” but rather, “Do I require the capabilities that only a fee-based plan can legally provide?”

The Curated Experience (The “Specialist Shops”)

These providers cater to users who want a more guided or specialized experience and are willing to pay for it.

• Vanguard/Ascensus: Vanguard, a name synonymous with low-cost investing, has transitioned its Solo 401k administration to a third party, Ascensus.³² The plan is for the purist who wants a portfolio built exclusively from Vanguard’s renowned mutual funds. This curated approach comes with fees: a $20 annual fee for each Vanguard fund you hold, plus a $20 annual custodial fee.³⁴ While a Roth option is available, plan loans are not, and your investment choice is limited to Vanguard mutual funds—no individual stocks or ETFs.²⁴
• Merrill Edge: This is a premium, full-service offering. For a higher cost, Merrill provides access to model portfolios managed by the respected firm Morningstar, along with robust support.¹⁶ Fees are significant: a $100 setup fee, monthly fees for both the business ($20-$25) and the individual ($3), plus an annual asset-based fee of 0.52%.¹⁶ In exchange for the cost, you get a guided experience with both Roth and loan options available.³⁶

The Power User’s Paradise (The “Custom Shops”)

These providers are for the ultimate power user.

Companies like Rocket Dollar, MySolo401k.net, and Carry don’t just give you a brokerage account; they provide the specialized plan documents and trust structure needed for maximum flexibility.²⁰

• Key Features: In exchange for setup and annual fees, these providers unlock a world of possibilities unavailable at the major brokerages:

• Alternative Assets: They give you “checkbook control,” allowing you to invest directly in assets like real estate, private company stock, cryptocurrency, and precious metals.¹⁵
• Plan Loans: A loan feature is a standard offering.³⁰
• Mega Backdoor Roth: This is their killer app. They provide the specific plan language and administrative support required to execute the Mega Backdoor Roth strategy, which allows you to contribute after-tax money up to the overall plan limit ($70,000 in 2025) and then convert it to Roth, creating a massive tax-free nest egg.²⁰
• Provider Examples:

• Rocket Dollar: Charges a $600 setup fee and a monthly fee of around $30-$40. It is laser-focused on providing the checkbook control necessary for investing in any asset the IRS allows.¹⁵
• MySolo401k.net: Charges a setup fee around $525 and an annual fee of $125. They are known for their deep expertise in creating the plan documents, which you can then use to open accounts at a traditional brokerage like Fidelity, combining maximum flexibility with a familiar platform.²⁰

Provider Category	Example Provider	Typical User	Core Value Proposition	Typical Fee Structure
Curated Fund Platform	Vanguard / Ascensus 34	The Vanguard purist who wants a simple, fund-only portfolio.	Access to a curated list of low-cost Vanguard mutual funds.	Per-fund and per-participant annual fees. 34
Guided Portfolio Service	Merrill Edge 36	The “do-it-for-me” investor who wants professional guidance.	Access to model portfolios and more hands-on support.	Setup fee + monthly fees + asset-based fees. 36
Self-Directed / Custom	Rocket Dollar / MySolo401k.net 30	The power user who wants alternative assets & advanced strategies.	Unlocks checkbook control, alternative assets, and Mega Backdoor Roth.	Setup fee + annual/monthly maintenance fees. 30

Part IV: The Owner’s Manual: Essential Rules for Operating Your Workshop Safely

Choosing a powerful vehicle like the Solo 401k means you are also taking on the role of its driver and mechanic.

You are the plan administrator, and compliance is your responsibility.

Understanding the rules of the road is not optional; it’s essential for avoiding costly penalties.

The Real “Cost” of a Free Plan: Administrative Burden

The true cost of a “free” Solo 401k isn’t measured in dollars, but in the administrative and cognitive load it places on you, the owner.

You are solely responsible for tracking limits, filing forms, and staying compliant.

The risk of making a simple but expensive mistake—like forgetting to file a form or contributing too much—is entirely on your shoulders.

This reframes the value of paid providers.

Part of their fee goes toward offloading this administrative risk, providing reminders, and assisting with filings.²⁰

For a busy professional, paying a few hundred dollars a year for that peace of mind can be an incredibly worthwhile investment.

Key Compliance Checkpoints

• The $250,000 Rule: Filing Form 5500-EZ: This is the most critical compliance task. Once the total assets in your Solo 401k plan reach or exceed $250,000 at the end of your plan year, you are required to file Form 5500-EZ with the IRS.⁵ The penalty for failing to file is steep: $25 per day, up to a maximum of $15,000.¹² A final Form 5500-EZ must also be filed when you terminate the plan, regardless of its asset value.⁴⁰
• The “No Employees” Rule: Remember, the Solo 401k is for businesses with no common-law employees, which the IRS generally defines as anyone working for you for 1,000 hours or more in a year.⁴ Your spouse is the only exception.⁸ Hiring an employee means you must stop contributing and explore other plan options.
• Contribution Coordination: This is a common tripwire. The employee elective deferral limit ($23,500 in 2024, $23,500 in 2025) applies per person, not per plan.³ If you have a day job with a 401k and also a side hustle with a Solo 401k, your total employee contributions to
  both plans combined cannot exceed that annual limit. You can, however, still make the separate “employer” profit-sharing contribution to your Solo 401k based on your self-employment income.¹²
• Mastering the Calculation: The “employer” contribution is where many people get confused. For an incorporated business (S-Corp or C-Corp), it’s a straightforward 25% of your W-2 compensation. For a sole proprietorship or partnership, the calculation is more complex. It’s effectively 20% of your net adjusted self-employment income (your net profit minus one-half of your self-employment tax).¹ The IRS provides worksheets to help with this calculation.⁵
• Prohibited Transactions: The IRS has strict rules against self-dealing. You cannot use your plan’s funds for your personal benefit. This means you can’t buy a vacation home that you or your family will use, or lend yourself money informally.⁴² Engaging in a prohibited transaction can have disastrous consequences, including the potential disqualification of your entire plan.⁴⁰

Conclusion: Your Personal Blueprint for Choosing a Provider

My costly mistake with the SEP IRA taught me that the path to a secure retirement isn’t about finding a single “best” product.

It’s about finding the right set of tools for the job you need to do.

By reframing the decision from buying a product to choosing a workshop, you can cut through the marketing noise and make a choice that aligns perfectly with your goals.

To find your ideal provider, follow this simple decision tree:

1. First, what is your primary goal?

• Maximum Simplicity & Lowest Cost: You want to invest in standard stocks and ETFs and pay zero fees. Your path leads to the “Free & Functional” Workshops in Part II.
• Advanced Features & Flexibility: You need a loan, want to invest in alternative assets, or plan to use the Mega Backdoor Roth. You’re willing to pay for these capabilities. Your path leads to the “Custom” Workshops in Part III.
• A Guided/Curated Experience: You prefer a more hands-off approach with expert-selected investments and are willing to pay for the service. Your path leads to the “Specialist” Workshops in Part III.

2. If you chose “Free & Functional,” what is your non-negotiable feature?

• I absolutely need a plan loan. Your choice is E*TRADE.
• I want the absolute widest investment selection and top-tier brand. Your choice is Fidelity.
• I want a great all-around platform with excellent service. Your choice is Charles Schwab.

3. If you chose “Custom,” what is your priority?

• “Checkbook Control” for maximum flexibility (e.g., real estate). Explore providers like Rocket Dollar.
• Expert setup for complex strategies (e.g., Mega Backdoor Roth). Investigate plan document specialists like MySolo401k.net.

By asking these questions, you move beyond the generic advice that led me astray.

You can now confidently walk into the right workshop, pick up the right tools, and start building the powerful, secure financial future you deserve.

Works cited

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