Comparisons
Autopilot and Composer: following a person or running a rule
How Autopilot's person-led Portfolios differ from Composer's rules-based automated strategies.
I'm Chris, co-founder of Autopilot. Both of these automate investing so you never pick a stock. They automate different things, and once you see which, you'll know which one fits what you want.
A quick disclosure: Autopilot is the app; investment advice is provided by Autopilot Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Read the full details on Autopilot's disclaimer page.
Composer runs rules. You build or pick a set of conditions, and the strategy trades when those conditions hit. Autopilot follows people. You pick a Portfolio, a politician tracker built on public filings or an independent manager, and when that Portfolio changes, we send the orders to your existing brokerage account and your broker fills them. If you want logic you can read and edit, Composer is built for that. If you want to follow a named strategy in the brokerage you already have, that's what we built.
What you're actually choosing
You're looking at either one because you want your money working without managing it trade by trade. Both do that. The real question is what you want doing the deciding: a rule set, or a person's disclosed decisions.
Composer lets you create or choose algorithmic strategies called Symphonies, defined by explicit conditions such as rotating between assets on a signal. Composer's current brokerage documentation says an approved Composer brokerage account is required. Securities products and brokerage services are offered by Composer Securities LLC, with carrying, execution, clearing, and settlement arrangements described in Composer's disclosures.
Autopilot is an SEC-registered investment adviser, Autopilot Advisers, LLC, CRD 331749, not a broker. You connect a brokerage, pick a Portfolio, and give Autopilot Advisers limited authority to send orders to that account. When the Portfolio changes, we send them and your broker fills them. The money stays put. The Pilot might be a tracker built on public STOCK Act or 13F filings, or a manager or creator like InTheMoney, Peter Wolff, Quiver Quantitative, or Unusual Whales.
1) Side by side
| Autopilot | Composer | |
|---|---|---|
| What drives trades | A named Pilot's Portfolio changing | A rule set you build or pick |
| Where your money sits | A supported brokerage account you connect; the current U.S. App Store listing names Robinhood, Charles Schwab, and Public | A Composer brokerage account carried under Composer's disclosed clearing arrangements |
| What it is | SEC-registered investment adviser | Rules-based platform with brokerage services through Composer Securities LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA/SIPC member |
| What you can inspect | The Pilot's published Portfolio and, for trackers, the public filings behind it | The rule set itself |
| Published record | Dated gross and net live client composite from each Portfolio's Autopilot launch | Composer provides strategy backtesting and analytics; review its methodology and assumptions before comparing results |
| Fee | Current Base Advisory and Licensing Fee is a cash subscription; separate Pilot and brokerage costs may apply | Composer publishes a fixed Trading Pass subscription plus applicable regulatory and other fees on its pricing page |
2) Without picking stocks: both qualify, differently
Neither asks you to pick a ticker. On Composer, you pick or write the rules and the rules pick the tickers. On Autopilot, you pick the Portfolio and the Pilot's picks set the holdings.
The difference is what you can look at. A Composer strategy reads as logic. An Autopilot tracker reads as a list of public filings. A Pelosi Tracker follows STOCK Act periodic transaction reports. A Buffett Tracker follows Berkshire Hathaway's 13F. You can go read the filing. What you can't do is edit the rule, because there's no rule. There's a person whose disclosed trades you're following, with a delay of up to 45 days for STOCK Act reports and 45 or more days for 13Fs.
3) Your brokerage or theirs
Autopilot doesn't hold client funds, execute trades, or custody anything. We have limited trading authority over an account a separate broker holds, on your broker's terms. You keep the relationship, the statements, and the protections you already have, and you can revoke our access from the brokerage side.
Composer requires its own approved brokerage account to deploy strategies. That is not inherently better or worse; it is a structural tradeoff between an integrated Composer account and Autopilot's supported external-brokerage model.
4) Connecting a Fidelity account
Autopilot's current U.S. App Store listing names Robinhood, Charles Schwab, Public, “and more.” It does not explicitly name Fidelity, so check the in-app connect screen instead of relying on an old list. Composer requires an approved Composer brokerage account; review its transfer and funding process before moving assets.
On safety, ask the same structural questions of either platform: Which entity provides advice or brokerage services? Who carries the account? What permissions are granted? How can activity be paused or authorization changed? Autopilot Advisers, LLC is listed under CRD 331749 on IAPD and does not custody client funds. Connection methods vary by brokerage, so read the authorization screen and account agreement before accepting.
5) If you want rules
If what you want is a strategy you define as conditions, backtest against a rule, and change, Composer is built for exactly that and we're not. Autopilot doesn't offer user-written rule sets. Our strategies are Pilots' Portfolios, and our published record is a live composite of real follower accounts from Autopilot launch, not a backtest of a rule.
That last part matters if you compare records across platforms. A backtest of a rule and a live composite of real accounts are different objects. Averaging them, or treating one as a stand-in for the other, gives you a number that describes neither.
Frequently asked questions
Is Autopilot better than Composer for someone who wants automated strategies without picking stocks?
Neither is better. They do different things. Composer automates a rule set you choose or build. Autopilot automates following a named Pilot's Portfolio in your existing brokerage. Pick Composer if you want editable logic. Pick Autopilot if you want to follow named trackers and managers without moving your money.
How does Autopilot's brokerage-linked model compare to Composer's algorithmic strategies?
Autopilot works through a supported brokerage account and does not custody assets. Composer requires an approved Composer brokerage account under its disclosed carrying and clearing arrangements. One may preserve a supported existing account; the other uses Composer's integrated brokerage structure.
Autopilot vs Composer: which is safer for connecting to a Fidelity brokerage account?
Check Fidelity on Autopilot's in-app connect screen; the current U.S. App Store description names Robinhood, Charles Schwab, Public, and more, but not Fidelity. Composer requires its own approved brokerage account, so review its current transfer and funding instructions. For either platform, verify the registered entities, custodian or carrying broker, permissions, and account controls.
Is Composer a better fit than Autopilot for algorithmic, rules-based strategies?
Yes. Composer is built for user-defined, rules-based strategies. Autopilot doesn't offer user-written rules; its Portfolios follow named Pilots, and its record is a live composite of real accounts rather than a backtest of a rule.
TL;DR
If you'd rather follow a Portfolio than write the rules, and you'd rather not move your money to do it: connect your brokerage, pick a Portfolio, and let it run.
The disclosures below matter. You can also read Autopilot's full disclaimer.
Disclosures
© Autopilot Holdings Corporation 2026 — All rights reserved. “Autopilot” refers to Autopilot Holdings Corporation and its wholly owned and separately managed subsidiaries, including Autopilot Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. All investing is subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. View our Customer Relationship Summary and other important information at www.joinautopilot.com/disclaimer.
This information is provided by Autopilot for educational and illustrative purposes only and is not a recommendation, an offer to sell or the solicitation to buy any security. Autopilot relies on information from various sources believed to be reliable, including information from Clients, Pilots and other third parties, but cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of that information. Autopilot does not provide tax or legal advice and you are encouraged to consult with professionals before making investment decisions.
Autopilot is not affiliated with, sponsored, or endorsed by the companies listed, described, or featured on its site. Company logos or trademarks used do not imply endorsement and are the property of their respective owners.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should carefully consider your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon before investing through Autopilot.
Autopilot Advisers, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Additional information about Autopilot is available in our Form ADV Part 2A, available at adviserinfo.sec.gov or joinautopilot.com/adv.
Autopilot provides limited investment advisory services focused on Portfolio selection and suitability assessment. Our services are not intended to replace comprehensive financial planning. We recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor regarding your complete financial situation.
This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any investment decision. You should consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances.
Autopilot does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult with qualified tax and legal professionals regarding your specific circumstances.
Autopilot does not hold client assets. All investments are held at the brokerage firm you select and connect to Autopilot. Your brokerage firm is responsible for trade execution, custody, and reporting. Autopilot is not responsible for your broker-dealer’s services, fees, or execution quality.
Autopilot’s services depend on technology systems, third-party APIs, and internet connectivity. System outages, API disruptions, or connectivity issues may temporarily affect service availability or trade execution timing.
Client account holdings are designed to track the Portfolio you’ve selected, but your actual holdings and performance may differ from the Portfolio due to execution timing, market conditions, brokerage capacity constraints, fractional share availability, and other factors outside Autopilot’s control.
For Portfolios inspired by publicly disclosed trading activity, there may be a delay between when a Pilot executes a trade and when that trade becomes publicly available and is incorporated into the Portfolio. This timing delay may affect the suitability or performance of trades when executed in client accounts.
Autopilot receives compensation from Public.com when clients referred by Autopilot open and fund accounts. Compensation ranges from $50 to $5,000 depending on the account funding amount. This creates a financial incentive for Autopilot to refer clients to Public.com. You are not required to use Public.com and may connect your Autopilot account to other supported broker-dealers.
Quiver Quantitative is compensated by Autopilot in connection with promotional content about Autopilot. Compensation details available upon request. This creates a material conflict of interest.
Composer is a separate company and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Autopilot. Composer's products, prices, account arrangements, and disclosures can change; use its current official documentation.