Empower vs Mezzi: A Comparison in 2026

Some investors are choosing Mezzi in 2026 for the following reasons:

• Lower Costs: Mezzi charges a flat $199/year, compared to Empower's 0.49%-0.89% annual fees, which can cost $8,900/year for a $1M portfolio.
• AI-Powered Tax Tools: Mezzi automates tax-loss harvesting and offers personalized tax strategies, which research indicates could add 0.47%-1.27% annually to returns, depending on market conditions.
• Unified Account Management: Mezzi consolidates all your accounts (401(k), IRA, brokerage) into one view, identifying risks and optimizing portfolios.
• Real-Time AI Advice: Mezzi’s AI chat provides instant financial guidance and information, allowing users to get answers without scheduled advisor meetings.
• No Asset Transfers Needed: Mezzi links to existing accounts like Schwab and Chase, keeping your investments where they are.

Empower is a trusted platform with strong advisory services and tools like the Empower Personal Dashboard™, but its impact of higher fees and traditional structure are leading investors to explore Mezzi’s AI-driven, cost-efficient approach.

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Quick Comparison

Feature	Mezzi	Empower
Annual Cost	$199 flat	0.49%-0.89% of assets under management
Tax Optimization	Automated, AI-driven	Limited
Account Integration	Full account consolidation	Basic tracking
Advisory Services	AI-powered insights	Human advisors
Minimum Balance	None	$100,000
Portfolio Management	Unified, with AI tools	Traditional, fee-based

Mezzi’s low-cost, AI-first model offers advanced tools and features without requiring high fees or account transfers.

The 3 Most Compelling AI Use Cases in Wealth Management

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What Empower Offers Investors

Empower has built a strong reputation for catering to a wide range of investors, including those with high-net-worth portfolios exceeding $1 million. By December 31, 2025, the platform managed over $2 trillion in assets, serving around 19.5 million individual investors. This achievement places Empower as the second-largest retirement services provider in the United States.

One of its standout features is the Empower Personal Dashboard™, which consolidates investments, cash, credit, and loans into a single view, making it easy to track net worth and cash flow. Recognized for its utility, NerdWallet named it the "Best Budget App for 2026" in January 2026, and it enjoys a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple App Store.

Empower offers tiered advisory services tailored to investors' needs:

• Investment Services: For portfolios between $100K and $250K, with a 0.89% fee and managed ETFs.
• Wealth Management: For portfolios between $250K and $1M, also at 0.89%, including two dedicated advisors and customized portfolios.
• Private Client: For portfolios over $1M, with fees ranging from 0.79% to 0.49%, offering access to priority specialists and estate planning.

Empower's approach includes Smart Weighting™, which ensures balanced diversification across sectors, sizes, and styles. It also employs tax optimization strategies, such as asset location and tax-loss harvesting, which can enhance returns by up to 1.0% annually. Combined with advisor coaching, which can add up to 2.0%, these methods aim to maximize client outcomes. Notably, 84% of clients report feeling more confident in their financial planning.

"The Empower Dashboard™ gives me a full picture of where I am financially without having to log in to all my accounts. It definitely makes my financial life clearer and easier." - Benjamin D., Empower Client

While Empower's traditional strengths have long provided value, the platform continues to refine its offerings to meet the evolving demands of modern investors. Its commitment to clarity and efficiency sets a high standard as it moves toward delivering even greater insights.

What Mezzi Offers: AI-Powered Investment Optimization

Mezzi has reimagined wealth management by putting advanced AI models at the forefront. As an SEC-registered investment advisor, it leverages cutting-edge AI from OpenAI and Google to provide a comprehensive analysis of your financial landscape. This includes connected accounts like 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, Roth IRAs, crypto holdings, and bank accounts. By focusing on personalized tax-optimization strategies, Mezzi helps investors potentially add 1% to 2% to their annual returns. For a $1 million portfolio, that’s an additional $10,000 to $20,000 a year. Research shows that tax-loss harvesting alone can contribute between 0.47% and 1.27% annually to returns. The platform automates complex tax tasks, performing continuous tax-loss harvesting and wash sale tracking across accounts throughout the year.

Mezzi goes further with its X-Ray feature, which identifies hidden risks by analyzing stock exposure across your accounts. On top of that, its AI chat allows you to test "what-if" scenarios in real time, helping you find the most tax-efficient way to withdraw specific amounts. Unlike generic AI tools that provide only theoretical advice, Mezzi directly connects to your actual accounts using trusted aggregators like Plaid and Finicity. This ensures that every recommendation is tailored to your real financial holdings.

Instead of the traditional 1% AUM advisor fee, Mezzi offers a flat membership starting at $199 per year. Over 30 years, this structure could reduce fees by more than $1 million compared to a 1% AUM model, depending on portfolio size and returns. Members can enjoy high-level financial planning without transferring their accounts, as Mezzi integrates seamlessly with major brokerages like Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, and E*TRADE. The platform currently boasts a 4.7/5 star rating on the Apple App Store, with users highlighting its powerful AI tools and frequent updates.

Empower vs Mezzi: Feature Comparison

Empower delivers basic tracking tools, but Mezzi takes a more advanced, AI-driven approach to help investors manage accounts and optimize taxes. Empower focuses on investment tracking and fee analysis but misses out on offering automated tax-saving recommendations - something active investors increasingly value in 2026. Additionally, Empower's advisory services come with a $100,000 minimum account balance and a 0.89% annual fee on managed accounts.

Mezzi, on the other hand, operates with a flat annual fee of $199 and no minimum balance requirement. Its AI doesn't stop at tracking investments; it actively identifies ways to save on taxes and cut costs across all your accounts.

AI-Driven Tax Optimization

When it comes to tax optimization, Mezzi stands out. The platform offers wash sale tracking paired with 31-day repurchase notifications to help avoid IRS violations that could negate tax-loss harvesting benefits. Need cash? Mezzi's AI chat pinpoints which holdings to sell for the least tax impact.

"Mezzi identifies and analyzes tax savings opportunities in seconds: Rebalance your portfolio to save on taxes, while maximizing gains."

Vanguard's research highlights how tax-loss harvesting can boost annual returns by 0.47% to 1.27%. Mezzi also suggests low-cost fund alternatives with similar market exposure, helping reduce expense ratios while maintaining portfolio performance.

Complete Account Aggregation

Mezzi simplifies financial management by consolidating your accounts into one view. Using secure, read-only access through aggregators like Plaid and Finicity, it gathers data from thousands of institutions. This means your 401(k), brokerage, and Roth IRA can be viewed as a single, unified portfolio. Additionally, the X-Ray feature identifies hidden stock exposures across accounts, helping you avoid concentration risks.

"Mezzi's X-Ray feature allowed me to uncover exposure to stocks I didn't realize I had." – Shuping, Founder of Summer AI

These tools make Mezzi more than just a tracking platform; they offer actionable insights to improve portfolio balance and risk management.

Cost and Pricing Structure

Pricing plays a crucial role in long-term wealth building. Empower charges 0.89% annually for advisory services, which translates to $8,900 per year for a $1 million portfolio. In contrast, Mezzi's flat $199 annual fee remains steady, no matter the size of your portfolio. Over 30 years, avoiding a traditional 1% AUM fee could save investors over $1 million. Plus, reinvested tax savings can grow significantly over time.

Mezzi's flat-fee model not only keeps costs predictable but also eliminates conflicts of interest, This structure charges a flat fee regardless of asset size.

Why Investors Are Switching to Mezzi

Mezzi addresses common challenges that self-directed investors face, such as tax inefficiencies, fragmented account management, and high advisory fees. By leveraging advanced technology, Mezzi provides solutions focused on efficiency and cost reduction. Here’s how it delivers these advantages.

Advanced Tax Optimization for Better Returns

Tax inefficiencies, or "tax drag", can significantly slow wealth growth. Many investors lack the tools to manage this effectively. Mezzi’s automated tax-loss harvesting system helps mitigate these issues by monitoring wash sales and avoiding tax violations. For example, research suggests that for a $1 million portfolio, this optimization could add $4,700 to $12,700 annually, depending on market conditions. Over time, these savings compound - reducing $10,221 in capital gains taxes today could grow into $76,123 over 30 years.

Better Financial Insights with AI

Mezzi’s AI-powered chat tool provides immediate answers to complex financial questions, eliminating the need for scheduled advisor meetings. The AI scans your entire portfolio to offer actionable suggestions, such as which holdings to sell to minimize taxes. Built with advanced reasoning models from OpenAI and Google, the platform shifts decision-making from reactive to proactive, Providing users with additional information for decision-making. By consolidating financial accounts, Mezzi also enhances the depth and accuracy of its insights.

"This is the only one with deeply integrated AI and the team is shipping updates quickly." – Andre, Author of FAANG Fire

Unified Account Management Saves Time

Managing wealth across multiple accounts - like 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, and IRAs - can feel like a juggling act. Mezzi simplifies this with connections to over 10,000 financial institutions through Plaid and Finicity. This integration consolidates all accounts into a single, unified view. Its X-Ray feature goes a step further, analyzing ETFs and mutual funds to uncover hidden stock concentrations, helping investors avoid unnecessary risks. Some Mezzi users have identified more than $1,000 in annual tax and fee reductions through these tools.

"Mezzi gives me answers and ideas when I need them, no matter what time of day or how big or small the question." – Mike, Product Manager

Conclusion: Why Mezzi Is the Better Choice for 2026

Mezzi offers AI-driven tools, account integration, and tax analysis - at a stated price of just $299 per year. Compared to traditional analytics that can cost anywhere from $500 to $8,900 annually for a $1 million portfolio, Mezzi provides exceptional value without the hefty advisor fees. These cost differences may provide advantages for some investors.

By reducing tax drag, Mezzi aims to help investors manage tax impacts and long-term growth. For instance, avoiding $10,221 in capital gains taxes today could grow into $76,123 over 30 years when reinvested. Additionally, the AI chat feature delivers instant answers to complex financial questions, eliminating the need for time-consuming appointments with advisors.

For those managing multiple accounts, Mezzi’s Magic Import feature simplifies the process by consolidating cost basis and transaction histories from over 50 brokers. The X-Ray tool further enhances decision-making by uncovering hidden stock concentrations, helping investors manage risk more effectively. These tools turn fragmented financial data into clear, actionable insights.

With its flat-fee pricing, Mezzi may reduce overall fees. It bridges the gap between advanced financial tools and affordability, making 2026 the year when independent investors gain access to powerful, technology-driven solutions for investors seeking efficiency.

FAQs

Is Mezzi safe to connect to my accounts?

Yes, Mezzi takes your security seriously. It employs strong encryption and secure data handling practices to safeguard your financial information. By connecting your accounts, you gain access to AI-powered insights and tools designed to help you save on taxes and manage your wealth more effectively.

For even greater protection, consider using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication. Mezzi is designed to balance security with seamless integration of your financial accounts, ensuring both safety and convenience.

How does Mezzi avoid wash sales across multiple accounts?

Mezzi leverages AI-driven tools to keep track of and consolidate data from all your accounts - whether they’re taxable accounts, IRAs, or spousal accounts. With real-time monitoring, it can identify potential wash sales across accounts, highlight risky transactions, and even suggest compliant alternatives. Features like automated repurchase alerts and recommendations for alternative securities simplify navigating tax regulations, helping independent wealth managers stay compliant while optimizing tax benefits across multiple accounts.

Will Mezzi trade or move my money without permission?

No, Mezzi will never trade or manage your money without your clear consent. Every transaction or adjustment to your accounts is entirely dependent on your direct approval, so you stay in complete control of your investments.

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