Is a Roth IRA better than a 401(k)?

It’s not a matter of one being universally “better”—they serve different purposes. A 401(k) allows much higher contributions and often includes employer matching, which is essentially free money. A Roth IRA, on the other hand, offers tax-free withdrawals and more investment flexibility.
Many people benefit from using both. Contributing enough to a 401(k) to get the full employer match, then funding a Roth IRA, creates a balanced retirement strategy that leverages the strengths of each account type.