Looking for the best online financial advisor? Consider Datalign or Money Pickle to get started with no fees.
Personal finance has evolved to have digital alternatives for every aspect. This includes online banking, instant money transfers and virtual currency trading. Why not take your investment management online, too? With the convenience of accessing the services anytime, anywhere, online financial advisors are becoming a popular choice for those seeking financial guidance.
As tax season comes to a close, many people are feeling the stress of trying to accurately file their taxes before the deadline. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the process or unsure of how to maximize your tax return, now is the perfect time to consider hiring a financial advisor. Check out Benzinga's top picks for the best online financial advisors this year to help guide you through the process and help you manage your investments better — all from the convenience of your phone or home computer.
Quick Look: Best Online Financial Advisors This Year
- Best for Local Advisors: SmartAsset
- Best for Quick and Convenient Financial Guidance: Money Pickle
- Best for Retirement Advice: Datalign
- Best for High Net Worth Investors: Empower
- Best for Affordable Financial Advice: Facet Wealth
Best Online Financial Advisors
Take a look at some of the top contenders for the best online financial advisor this year.
1. Best for Local Advisors: SmartAsset
If you want the option to meet with your advisor face-to-face, Smart Asset is a great resource. It can link you to your top three local financial advisor matches.
Choose from investment planning, tax advice, retirement planning, estate planning or other financial concerns to be routed to the best-fit advisors in your area.
Pros
- Quick connection to a financial advisor in your area helps you learn more about the options that are around you
- The financial advice you get can be wide-ranging from taxes to retirement and many things in between
Cons
- Keep in mind that not all online financial advisors will be a good match the first time
2. Best for Quick and Convenient Financial Guidance: Money Pickle
Money Pickle is a renowned financial advising platform that offers expert guidance and personalized solutions to individuals seeking to enhance their financial well-being. With their team of experienced financial advisors, Money Pickle aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed and strategic financial decisions.
Whether you're just starting to build your wealth, planning for retirement, or facing complex financial decisions, Money Pickle has you covered. They offer a comprehensive suite of services, including investment management, retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, insurance solutions and much more. Their advisors are well-versed in the latest financial trends and strategies, ensuring you receive the best advice possible.
Money Pickle does not charge a fee to match users with a third-party financial advisor or to book a video call with them. However, if you decide to work with the advisor beyond the initial call, you will have to pay for their services according to their rates and terms. This is a great way to get your feet in the water before signing any long term commitments.
Pros
- Offers a user-friendly interface and easy navigation
- No membership or subscription fees
- Acess to various features such as expense categorization, savings goal tracking and bill reminders
Cons
- Lack of transparency regarding the cost of ongoing financial services
3. Best for Retirement Advice: Datalign
Datalign Advisory is an online financial advisory company that aims to connect clients with suitable financial advisors based on their specific needs and preferences. The company uses a platform that programmatically connects users in the market with financial advisors from their network of vetted fiduciaries.
Datalign Advisory values partner focus, transparency, user-centricity and action-oriented approaches. It believes in starting with partner needs and providing control over site experiences, data and monetization. Transparency is emphasized, and the platform is designed to be free from hidden fees and fine print. By leveraging data-driven intuitive guidance, it empowers consumers to make informed decisions.
Pros
- Highly rated: Datalign Advisory receives a 4.5-star rating from Benzinga, indicating a positive reputation and quality service.
- Expert online financial advisors: The platform partners with thousands of pre-screened and licensed financial advisors with expertise in various areas such as retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning and more.
- Tailored matches: Datalign Advisory uses a detailed questionnaire to match users with a financial advisor who best meets their specific needs and criteria.
- Free consultation: Users get a free, no-obligation phone call with their matched financial advisor online to discuss their needs and determine if it's a good fit.
Cons
- Limited pre-research: There is no option to research potential advisors in the network ahead of time, which may restrict the ability to evaluate advisors' backgrounds and expertise.
- Lack of online resources: Datalign Advisory does not provide online calculators or educational resources, which could be useful for users seeking additional information or tools.
4. Best for High-Net-Worth Investors: Empower
If you’re someone looking to invest larger amounts of capital (think $100,000+), Empower is a great choice. Personal Capital (now Empower) delivers executive-level holistic wealth management.
You’ll integrate all your financial accounts, from your savings to your mortgage and retirement investment accounts, to get a wide view of both your net worth and your always-shifting financials. This panoramic view of your finances empowers you to successfully budget, plan and invest to meet your money goals.
Empower makes it possible to build a relationship with your online financial advisors. Together, you’ll develop a comprehensive plan to support your financial security now and in the future. Empower builds your investment strategy from this plan, focusing on tax optimization.
Although you do need at least $100,000 in investable assets to unlock your free consultation, Empower provides free, personalized financial insights, education and management resources to all of its members through its suite of financial tools.
Pros
- You can integrate your finances all in one place, especially as the bank continues to grow
- Empower will likely continue to increase its offerings over time
- Tax optimization is a key component of its support structure
Cons
- While Empower works hard to empower customers, you will need to spend quite a lot of money to get that free financial advice and consultation
5. Best for Affordable Financial Advice: Facet Wealth
Facet Wealth's approach is their focus on providing high-quality, unbiased financial advice. Unlike traditional financial advisors who may have conflicts of interest due to commissions or incentives, Facet Wealth advisors are fiduciaries who are legally required to act in their clients' best interests. This means that you can trust that the advice you receive is truly in your best interest, not someone else's.
Facet Wealth utilizes technology to simplify financial planning for clients, providing easy access to personalized plans and progress tracking through an online portal.
Pros
- Tailored financial planning and investment management services
- Offers transparent pricing with flat fees, rather than commission-based fees
Cons
- May not be suitable for individuals with very complex financial situations
What to Look For in the Best Online Financial Advisor
Choosing the best online financial advisor is crucial for your financial success. It's not enough to simply pick one at random or solely based on their advertising. By understanding the key factors to consider, you can ensure that you are entrusting your financial future to a reputable and capable financial advisor.
Types of Accounts Managed
The types of accounts managed vary between platforms, but online financial advisors generally offer advice and investment management for some or all of the following accounts:
- Individual accounts
- Joint accounts
- IRAs
- 401(k)
- Trusts and estates
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Be sure to find out more from your prospective financial advisors about which accounts they manage.
Account Minimums
Some financial advisors online require no account minimums, while others only work with clients who can invest $100,000, $500,000 or more. You should be able to find an advisor within your investable assets range who is fully capable of navigating your specific financial situation.
Online financial advisors are known for offering reasonably priced or free services and low account minimums compared to more traditional firms. If you’re retired, looking to retire or planning for retirement, you may be more confused than ever. That’s why it helps to learn all these things upfront before committing any of your funds.
Investment Options
Your advisor will choose the best investment products for your portfolio from a wide range of options based on your goals, risk tolerance and other unique characteristics. That being said, the most prevalently used asset classes are stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs.
An investment manager may also recommend annuities, money market funds, real estate, Bitcoin or other virtual currencies, precious metals and other asset categories. Remember, you’re looking for investments that will grow over time, like the INVESCO Gold Mutual Fund, which has grown massively over its lifetime.
Find the Best Online Financial Advisor Today
Streamline your investment management by enlisting the professional help of an online financial advisor. With so many world-class options, it’s nearly guaranteed that there’s a digital advisor out there who can help you design the perfect financial plan.
Take your time to research and compare options to find the best online financial advisor for you. Get in touch with any of the financial advisors on this list to get started today. Learn more about how much financial advice costs and what to know about investment advisors to choose the best option for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most trustworthy financial advisor?
There are many trustworthy financial advisors out there. You can check the list above for trusted financial advisors or also consider major banks’ financial advisor services like Vanguard Digital Advisor, Charles Schwab Corporation, Fidelity Investments, and J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor.
Is it worth paying for a financial advisor?
If you want to balance costs with investment growth, choosing an online financial advisor can make sense. For high-net-worth individuals, a financial advisor can help optimize portfolio growth.
At what net worth should I get a financial advisor?
Anyone can get a financial advisor. Some suggest that once you have $50,000 or more in savings for investment, you should work with a financial advisor, but that depends on your individual situation and investment goals.
How much money should you have to see a financial advisor?
The amount of money required to see a financial advisor can vary depending on the advisor and their fee structure. Some advisors may have minimum asset requirements, while others may charge a flat fee or hourly rate for their services. It is best to research and contact different financial advisors to inquire about their fees and find one that fits your budget and financial needs.
About Alison Plaut
Alison Kimberly is a freelance content writer with a Sustainable MBA, uniquely qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability. She has been writing for various non-profit organizations for 15+ years. When not writing, you will find her promoting education and meditation in the developing world, or hiking and enjoying nature.