Updated September 26, 2026.
Robo-advisors and human financial planners can charge for different work. Compare who manages investments, what planning is included and which responsibilities remain yours before comparing the price. A low management fee is not a complete financial-planning engagement, and an expensive quote is not proof of better advice.
The useful choice is the service arrangement you need. That may be automated management, a focused planning project, an ongoing professional relationship or guidance alongside self-directed investing.
Separate the service categories
| Arrangement | Core job to evaluate | Responsibility to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Automated investing | Construct and maintain an enrolled portfolio | Outside accounts and broader planning |
| Human planning project | Analyze defined decisions and deliver a plan | Who implements and updates it |
| Ongoing planning/management | Continuing agreed advice and possibly trading | Scope, access and specialist coordination |
| AI guidance | Explain choices using available facts and context | Verification and implementation |
A provider can offer more than one arrangement. Compare the specific tier and agreement, not the company name alone.
Current automated-investing examples
| Service | Published management charge | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthfront Automated Investing | 0.25% annually | $500 initial minimum; investment expenses separate |
| Betterment automated investing | $5/month or qualifying 0.25% annual pricing | $200 recurring monthly deposits/transfers or $24,000 qualifying balance switches base pricing |
| Fidelity Go | $0 advisory fee below $25,000; 0.35% at or above it | Investing begins at $10; higher tier adds coaching and eligible taxable harvesting |
| Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | No advisory fee or commissions | $5,000 minimum, ETF expenses and portfolio cash allocation |
Checked September 26, 2026. Sources: Wealthfront, minimum, Betterment, Fidelity Go, Schwab.
These are not interchangeable portfolios or all-in costs. Tax features have eligibility and data boundaries; the presence of automation does not guarantee a particular return or saving.
Human access can be part of a managed tier
Betterment Premium requires $100,000 in eligible investments and charges 0.65% on the first $1 million, with published lower rates above that amount. Fidelity Go includes coaching at the qualifying balance, but its stated coaching scope does not cover retirement-income planning for people near or in retirement. Betterment Premium terms, Fidelity Go scope
This is why “robo versus human” can be too simple. Ask who answers, what topics are covered, how often you can meet and who implements the resulting decision.
Obtain the actual planner quote
Human planning can use flat, hourly, project, asset-based or combined compensation. There is no single percentage that describes every professional engagement.
Request a written scope and estimate based on your situation. Identify the initial work, recurring reviews, access between meetings and any separate investment-management charge. Ask whether tax preparation, legal documents or insurance services are included or referred elsewhere.
Form CRS can help compare services, costs and conflicts for covered firms. Review the actual agreement as well. Investor.gov relationship summaries
A fair cost worksheet
Assume a constant $500,000 portfolio for illustration. A 0.25% advisory charge is $1,250 annually. An assumed 1% management quote is $5,000. An illustrative $3,000 planning-only project is a third arrangement, not a market average or a continuing management service.
| Hypothetical arrangement | Named charge | What still needs comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25% managed portfolio | $1,250/year | Portfolio scope, funds and outside planning |
| 1% professional management quote | $5,000/year | Planning deliverables and implementation included |
| Planning-only project | $3,000 for the project | Ongoing maintenance and trading responsibility |
| Mezzi Advisory | $399/year | You implement; specialist work remains separate |
The $3,750 difference between the first two charges is not automatically a saving for equivalent service. List the work each includes and what you would need to replace.
Add the other cost layers
Fund expenses, account charges, transaction costs and any retained professional services can change the total. Avoid double counting fund expenses in performance that already reflects them. Investor.gov fee guide
The time and responsibility of self-management also matter, even if they are difficult to price. Record who will maintain allocation, handle contributions, review taxes and keep records.
Switching costs are separate from ongoing charges. A transfer or portfolio transition can involve sales, fees and account-specific treatment. Obtain the institutions’ actual instructions before acting.
Decide what you want to delegate
If your main goal is to stop handling routine portfolio maintenance, compare managed services. If you need a defined decision about retirement, equity compensation or a business transition, examine the relevant planning scope.
If you enjoy implementing investments but want clearer reasoning across accounts, a guidance tool may fit. Complex legal and tax questions can still require specialists regardless of the investment platform.
The least expensive arrangement that leaves essential work undone is not necessarily the best value.
Where Mezzi fits
Mezzi connects supported investments, banking, liabilities and manual assets and uses AI Personalization for goals and constraints. Free includes a connected view and limited AI; Advisory is $399 annually and Concierge $999 annually. Mezzi pricing
Those plans provide guidance and support, not discretionary trading or tax filing. If you keep a managed service and add Advisory, include both costs. At the hypothetical $500,000 balance and 0.25% charge above, the named management fee plus Advisory is $1,649 annually before other expenses.
Test a real unresolved question before subscribing. A useful result clarifies options, missing facts and who must act. It does not need to claim that every professional service can be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Are all human advisors paid 1%?
No. Compensation and scope vary. Obtain the actual agreement and quote rather than applying a universal rate.
Does a robo-advisor include financial planning?
Some tiers include coaching or advisor access, with defined limits. Review the specific service and topics covered.
Is Mezzi a managed-portfolio replacement?
Mezzi supplies guidance. If you stop using management, you need a separate process for implementation and ongoing maintenance.
How should I compare total cost?
Include the quoted service charge, investment expenses, applicable account costs, retained specialists and responsibilities you take on.
Put your financial picture to work
Ask which assumptions and responsibilities matter before choosing the service or investment process you need.
Explore MezziPublished by Mezzi for educational purposes. This is not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Prices and features were checked September 26, 2026 and can change. Comparisons use official documentation, not a matched product trial. Examples are illustrative, not customer results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Account information can be incomplete or delayed. SEC registration does not imply approval or a particular level of skill.