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Key takeaways
- Robo-advisors are built by financial experts and use technology to automate investing and keep costs low, while financial advisors provide personalized, one-on-one guidance.
- Robo-advisors charge between 0.25% and 0.50% annually, with low or no minimums, compared to 0.5% to 2% annually and higher minimum investment requirements for financial advisors.
- Choose a robo-advisor if you’re starting out with straightforward needs and a smaller budget.
- Choose a financial advisor if you have complex finances, high balances, or need comprehensive financial planning beyond investing.
Not everyone’s comfortable going full-on DIY when it comes to investing their money. If you’re looking for professional help, you’ve got two main options: working with a human financial advisor or using an automated robo-advisor. Let’s break down the differences between robo-advisors vs. financial advisors so you can figure out the best fit for your situation.
What are robo advisors?
Robo-advisors are built by financial experts that use algorithms and software to build and manage your investment portfolio. They create a personalized mix of investments based on your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance, then automatically adjust your holdings over time to keep you on track.
How automated portfolio platforms work
The relationship kicks off with a get-to-know-you questionnaire. You’ll answer questions about your age, investment goals (like retirement or a home down payment), your timeframe, and your risk tolerance, which measures your comfort with stock market ups and downs.
The algorithm developed by human financial professionals uses that information to tailor its investment recommendations. It will then do the following to help you reach your goals:
- Choose suitable investments: Robo-managed portfolios use a mix of low-cost index funds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to provide exposure to different market segments.
- Determine the proper balance of investments: Your robo-advisor calculates how much of your money to allocate to each type of investment, based on your risk level and goals.
- Monitor and adjust your portfolio over time: When the stock market goes up and down (as it naturally does), your robo-advisor is on the case, 24/7. Robo-advisors automatically adjust your holdings when necessary to keep your portfolio on track.
- Make tax-smart investment moves on your behalf: Some robo-advisors also spot and execute tax-smart investment moves within non-retirement accounts to help offset what you owe to the IRS.
You can open different account types with robo-advisors, including Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and non-retirement accounts (also known as taxable brokerage accounts).
Affordability and accessibility are two major advantages of using a robo-advisor. It’s a lot less expensive to leverage technology to handle labor-intensive portfolio management tasks. Lower overhead costs translate to lower fees for customers.
How much do robo-advisors charge?
Robo-advisors typically charge an annual management fee of 0.25% to 0.50% of your account balance. That translates to about $2.50 to $5 for every $1,000 you invest, or $25 to $50 on a $10,000 balance.
What are financial advisors?
“Financial advisor” is a catch-all term for professionals who advise on nearly every money issue, including budgeting, debt management, retirement savings, estate planning, taxes, and insurance.
This broad umbrella includes specialists like:
- Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), who provide comprehensive financial planning.
- Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), who focus on investment management and analysis.
- Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), who specialize in tax planning and preparation
Confused about which type of pro you need to hire? Check out our guide to choosing and vetting financial advisors.
How investing advisors work
The framework investing advisors use when working with clients is, on the surface, nearly identical to how robo-advisors operate. The difference is in the details – specifically, the info-gathering and plan execution phases. A financial advisor will:
- Gather a lot of information: Financial advisors go much more in-depth to understand your current financial situation, investable assets, timeline, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
- Explain their investment approach: The best advisors take time to describe their investment philosophy, what kinds of assets they favor, and the strategies they use to manage client portfolios.
- Create a detailed investment plan tailored to your needs: Human advisors map out the ideal mix of assets you should invest in with pages of details about their recommendations. The plan may even include advice on what to invest in within accounts they don’t manage, such as your 401(k).
- Implement the plan for you: Most investment advisors will take over and actively manage your money, sometimes using automated software with greater customization than robo-advisors.
- Hand over the recommendations for you to follow: If you hire a pro for advice only, you’ll get a detailed list of investment recommendations that you’ll execute on your own
A high level of personalization and detailed expertise are the key benefits of working with a financial advisor. They can fine-tune your portfolio by factoring in other aspects of your finances, including workplace retirement plans and pensions.
How much do investment advisors charge?
Most advisors charge a fee based on the assets they oversee for you, known as ‘assets under management’ or AUM. Typical fees run from 0.5% to 2%, which is $5 to $20 for every $1,000 they handle, or $50 to $200 for every $10,000 invested.
Other common fee structures include hourly rates from $150 to $300.
Differences between robo-advisors vs. financial advisors
| Robo-Advisor | Financial Advisor | |
|---|---|---|
| Services offered | Digital portfolio management; some platforms offer additional financial planning services | One-on-one advice and portfolio management; some may include comprehensive financial planning |
| Approach | Automated, data-driven portfolio management built by financial professionals | Human-led investment management; may incorporate robo-like management tools |
| Minimum investment requirement | As little as $0 to open an account | Anywhere from $25,000 to $1 million or more in investable assets |
| Typical portfolio management fee | 0.25%–0.5% of assets under management | 0.5%–2% of assets under management |
| Investment options | A range of pre-screened low-cost mutual funds and ETFs across asset classes (stocks, bonds, etc.) | A range of investments (funds, ETFs, individual stocks, other assets) chosen by the advisor |
| Customer support | Tech and account support (online/in-app/email/phone) | One-on-one access to a dedicated advisor |
Human vs. algorithm investment management
Here’s the difference between how the two options handle investment management:
- Robo-advisor: An algorithm builds and manages investment portfolios using the data you provide. Ongoing management (rebalancing) is automated to ensure the investment mix remains aligned with your goals and timeframe.
- Human advisor: Advisor-managed portfolios also rely on technology to an extent, but human advisors can consider more nuanced, client-specific information and integrate it into their investment decisions.
Scope of services
The types of services offered by robo-advisors and human advisors vary. Here’s how their scope of services differs:
- Robo-advisor: Robo-advisors primarily provide automated portfolio management at an affordable price. Some platforms now offer expanded services, such as one-on-one coaching or access to certified financial planners (CFPs) if your account balance meets certain thresholds.
- Human advisor: Beyond investment management, financial advisors provide a broad range of services, including retirement planning, tax advice, estate planning, insurance guidance, budgeting, real estate, and wealth preservation. Some have specialized niches focused on particular client types, such as business owners or military families.
Cost
Whether you choose a robo-advisor or a human one, you’ll pay for their services. Here’s how each charges fees:
- Robo-advisor: Automated portfolio platforms typically charge between 0.25% and 0.50% of the assets they manage for you.
- Human advisor: Expect to pay approximately 1% of your portfolio’s worth annually. If you’re receiving additional ongoing services beyond investment management, fees will be higher
Level of customization
Robo-advisors and human advisors also differ in the level of customization they offer. Here’s how:
- Robo-advisor: Your portfolio is built and managed for you based on your goals and risk tolerance. While you can’t adjust individual investments, you can update your goals or risk preferences at any time, and your portfolio will automatically adjust to reflect those changes.
- Human: Financial advisors offer greater flexibility, which appeals to people with more complex finances. They can integrate your existing assets into the overall financial plan and customize your investment portfolio at any time.
Robo-advisor pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low minimum investment requirements | Portfolios are built using your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance, but customization is more limited compared to fully personalized, advisor-led strategies. |
| Low management fee (0.25% – 0.5% of account balance) | Investments limited to a pre-selected menu of mutual funds and ETFs |
| Automated portfolio creation, maintenance, and ongoing management | Less direct human interaction, which may not suit everyone’s preferences |
| Easy account setup, similar to opening a bank account | Core service does not include holistic financial planning |
| May offer access to human advisors and other financial services for an additional fee |
Financial advisor pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly tailored financial advice and planning | High minimum investment requirements |
| Ability to customize investments for each client’s needs and circumstances | Hourly/per-project costs run from hundreds to thousands of dollars |
| High-touch, one-on-one human help available on call | Requires vetting to find a qualified and credentialed pro |
| Can provide a full range of financial services in addition to investment management | More involved onboarding and multiple meetings to get started |
How to choose the right option for you
Ultimately, you’ll need to choose the right investment option for your personal financial goals.
- A robo-advisor is best if you are an investing newbie, have less than $25,000 to invest, have straightforward financial needs, and want low fees and automated management.
- A financial advisor is best if you have complex finances, need tax optimization strategies, want comprehensive financial planning beyond just investing, and prefer one-on-one guidance with a real person
Remember, you can always start with a robo-advisor and switch to a human advisor as your needs evolve. The important thing is getting started with investing to maximize your long-term gains.
The bottom line: Making your choice
The decision between a robo-advisor or a human one boils down to whether you need a financial advisor, your budget, the complexity of your investing needs, and whether you’re comfortable with a digital-only relationship.
Whether you begin with a robo-advisor or a human pro, professional portfolio management can help you stay on track to reach your financial goals.
Frequently asked questions about robo advisors vs. financial advisors
How much does it cost to use a robo-advisor?
Robo-advisors typically charge 0.25% to 0.50% annually, which means you’d pay $25 to $50 per year for every $10,000 invested. Most platforms have low or no account minimums, making them accessible for beginners.
What is the main downside of using a robo-advisor?
The main downside is limited customization and a lack of human interaction. Robo-advisors can’t account for nuanced circumstances or provide the personalized guidance you’d get from a one-on-one relationship with a human financial advisor.
What is the main drawback of using a financial advisor?
The main drawback is cost – financial advisors charge 0.5% to 2% annually, which is more than robo-advisors charge, and they often have higher minimum investment requirements. The onboarding process is also more involved, requiring multiple meetings before you get started.
Can I switch from a robo-advisor to a financial advisor later?
Yes, you can switch between robo-advisors and financial advisors as your needs change. Just be aware that transferring your investments may trigger tax consequences, so check with your new advisor about the best approach.
Do I need a lot of money to start with a robo-advisor?
Not at all – many robo-advisors have account minimums as low as $0, so you can start investing with whatever you have right now.