Robo-Advisors vs. Financial Advisors

Robo-advisors have made it easier and less expensive to start investing, using algorithms to build and manage portfolios based on your goals, timeline and risk tolerance. But automated investing is not a complete substitute for personalized financial advice. While a robo-advisor may be a good fit for hands-off investors with straightforward needs, a financial advisor can offer broader guidance on retirement, taxes, estate planning and complex financial decisions. If you’re deciding between a robo-advisor and a financial advisor, the right choice depends on how much customization, human guidance and long-term planning support you need.

If you’re looking for hands-on financial advice, SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area.

Robo-Advisor vs. Financial Advisor Comparison Chart

Robo-advisors and financial advisors can both help investors manage money, but they serve different needs. Robo-advisors use algorithms to build and rebalance portfolios at a lower cost, making them useful for hands-off investors with simpler financial situations. Financial advisors typically offer more personalized guidance across investing, taxes, retirement, estate planning and broader financial decisions.

The chart below compares the two options by cost, investment approach, level of human guidance and best use case.

Feature	Robo-Advisor	Financial Advisor
Best For	Investors who want low-cost, automated portfolio management	Investors who want personalized financial planning and investment guidance
Investment Approach	Uses algorithms to build, rebalance and manage portfolios based on risk tolerance and goals	Creates a customized strategy based on goals, taxes, retirement needs, estate planning and overall finances
Human Guidance	Limited or available only through upgraded service tiers	Direct access to a professional who can answer questions and adjust recommendations
Typical Cost	Usually lower, often charged as a small percentage of assets under management	Usually higher, with fees that may be based on assets under management, hourly rates, flat fees or commissions
Account Minimums	Often low or no minimums	May require higher minimum investment balances
Services Offered	Automated investing, portfolio rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting and basic goal tracking	Investment management, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, budgeting, business planning and other financial guidance
Customization	Limited to the platform’s model portfolios and available settings	More flexible and tailored to individual circumstances
Tax Strategy	May offer automated tax-loss harvesting	May provide broader tax-aware planning across investments, income, retirement accounts and estate strategies
Best Strength	Low-cost access to diversified investing with minimal effort	Personalized advice for complex or changing financial situations
Main Limitation	Limited ability to address complex financial needs	Higher cost and, in some cases, higher account minimums

What Do Robo-Advisors Do?

So, have robo-advisors effectively replaced financial advisors? The short answer is no. Robo-advisors are valuable tools, even to the point that some financial advisors use them. However, one of the advantages technology grants humans is the ability to focus on more significant, specialized tasks.

Robo-advisors offer clients an investment service driven by algorithms and digital tools which automatize your investments based on your preferences. Because a person doesn’t actively manage your investments, robo-advisors charge significantly lower fees than financial advisors. Additionally, robo-advisors don’t require a large initial investment to get started.

Therefore, robo-advisors allow people with any level of market knowledge and funding to invest in stocks, bonds, and more. Because robo-advisors have access to various funds and make automatic adjustments, investors can set their investment approach according to their risk tolerance and then not stress about buying or selling specific stocks. Many robo-advisors also offer human assistance for an extra fee for investors who want more handholding.

In addition, robo-advisors employ a technique called tax-loss harvesting, which allows your investments that perform poorly to lessen your tax liability.

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What Do Financial Advisor Do?

Financial advisors are professionals who offer an array of financial services. Clients can go to financial advisors for financial planning, tax help, investment assistance, business advice, and more.

Unlike robo-advisors, financial advisors can specialize in investments or other financial areas. Therefore, qualified financial advisors can help you create an investment strategy specific to your financial circumstances while accounting for your tax situation, financial goals, and retirement plan. As a result, while financial advisors cost more than robo-advisors, they offer comprehensive financial services instead of only an investment account. Additionally, financial advisors actively oversee your investments, potentially giving you better returns than an automated investment approach.

Financial advisors can delve into financial details with you, providing you with financial planning, tax help, business advice, and an investment strategy based on your financial goals. Not only do financial advisors offer a personal touch, they have comprehensive financial knowledge that is valuable for every financial area of your life.

Financial Advisor Strengths

Some financial advisors may lack the ability to conduct investment transactions instantaneously, but they offer investors the following advantages:

Financial planning. When you meet with a financial advisor, they’ll get to know you on a personal level and closely review your finances. Their financial expertise and understanding of your financial situation allow them to provide well-founded financial advice for various aspects of life.

If you find an effective, honest financial advisor, you get what you pay for: help planning for retirement, advice on setting up a small business, tax help, estate planning services, assistance with making a budget, and more. While robo-advisors are proven investment tools, they can’t manage your complex financial situation.
No limits to investment type. Robo-advisors usually select from a restricted pool of funds for your investment. However, financial advisors have no such limits and can freely utilize whichever securities or assets might be more profitable or closely fit your preferences.
A chance to outperform the market. Robo-advisors generally use funds that correlate with market indices. Therefore, investing through a robo-advisor exposes you to the rollercoaster of the stock market. On the other hand, while financial professionals don’t regularly beat the stock market, they have a fighting chance to make profitable investments and outperform index funds.

Robo-Advisor Strengths

While robo-advisors are limited in scope and function, they perform well for new investors in these ways:

Cost-effective investing. Robo-advisors are electronic tools that automatically use algorithms for investing. Since your account with a robo-advisor requires no human oversight, the associated costs and fees are lower than a financial advisor. Robo-advisors charge a tiny percentage of the amount managed plus additional fees depending on the securities you invest in.
No minimums. Often, for a financial advisor to take you on as a client, they require a specific amount that you must be ready to invest. Minimums can be tens of thousands of dollars and therefore prohibitive for new investors looking to open an account with a few hundred dollars. Index funds also often have minimums. Fortunately, robo-advisors usually have low to no minimum requirements, allowing investors to get going with whatever money they have available.
Automated rebalancing. Rebalancing means consistently replacing stocks with better-performing ones to help your portfolio remain healthy and diverse. Anyone can rebalance investments, but robo-advisors rebalance your portfolio automatically, which is what technology does best: take a repetitive but significant task off your hands and do it as well or better than you can.
Follows the market. Financial professionals try to beat the market, usually to no avail, but robo-advisors put money into funds that follow the market. This is a less exciting but reliable strategy to build wealth over time. For example, a fund following the S&P 500 for the last 50 years would provide an average annualized return of 7% when adjusted for inflation.

Robo-Advisors vs. Financial Advisors: Which One Is Right for You?

Robo-advisor and financial advisors can both help you invest successfully. However, your specific financial circumstances will help you determine which one is better for you. For example, if you’re just starting to invest your money, the low fees and lack of minimums may make robo-advisors a wise choice.

On the other hand, if you have a complex financial situation and more wealth to manage, the need for a comprehensive financial plan including a particular investment strategy may lead you to seek a financial advisor.

Bottom Line

Robo-advisors are excellent tools for new investors looking to open investment accounts and start growing a small amount of wealth. Additionally, robo-advisors take mundane investing tasks off people’s plates. Investors interested in steady returns can turn to robo-investors for an inexpensive way to follow the market.

Conversely, financial advisors offer the gamut of financial assistance. They provide a personalized investment strategy that pairs with an overarching financial plan built around your financial goals. As a result, investors who have enough money to meet the minimum requirements and want to take control of their finances may benefit more by working with a financial advisor. If you want to grow your wealth or have additional questions, speak with a financial advisor today.

Tips for Investing Through a Financial Advisor

Robo-advisors provide investing advice and services, but a financial advisor can help with more. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Financial advisors often have advisory certifications, which can give you an idea of the subject matters that they’re most proficient in. Advisors can specialize in areas like investing or retirement planning, while others have expertise in divorce planning or estate planning.

Next Steps

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