8 Best Financial Advisors

HB Wealth

HB Wealth got the highest score of all the providers we've reviewed. The firm got 5 out of 5 stars for its scope of advice (for the fee, you get a lot more than just help picking investments), transparency (HB Wealth is a fee-only advisor, and fees are plainly disclosed on their site, which is surprisingly rare) and portfolio construction (the firm customizes portfolios with attention to the costs of investments and to asset allocation that reflects the client's specific income needs, tax situation, time horizon and liquidity requirements — not just risk tolerance). We were also impressed by its advisor expertise and accessibility.

HB Wealth could be an especially good fit if you need expert help with advanced planning concerns, as it has advisors who have expertise in legal issues, charitable giving and the type of family dynamics that tend to affect the ultra-wealthy. This helps justify the firm’s high minimum: You need at least $1 million in assets under management (AUM) to work with HB Wealth.

Where HB Wealth shines

Full service: We like that HB Wealth advisors combine tax-conscious investment management with financial planning for everything from cash flow and retirement income to insurance, education planning and charitable giving to wealth transfer and estate planning. Advisors work with the client's estate attorneys and CPAs.

Advisor access and expertise: HB Wealth clients get a dedicated advisory team that includes a certified financial planner (CFP) and/or a certified financial analyst (CFA) — designations we look for because they indicate the advisors have gone through extensive training and testing in financial planning and investment management. As mentioned above, many advisors at HB Wealth also have expertise in advanced planning areas, which we think is a big plus, and they're available by email, chat/text, phone, video, or in person.

• 👉 See how we rate HB Wealth's fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: Oct. 2025 | Period considered: Aug. - Oct. 2025

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. HB Wealth has a client asset minimum of $1 million. The minimum annual fee is typically $12,500. How much clients pay varies depending on the complexity of their needs and level of assets under management. The standard fees listed below are for planning and investment management services, and may differ for clients receiving investment management services only. 1.25% on the first $1 million in AUM. 1% on the next $4 million. 0.75% on the next $5 million. 0.625% on the next $20 million. 0.50% on assets over $30 million. Family Office clients may pay a flat fee or a combination of a flat fee and a lower AUM fee, depending on the level of services they need.
  Advisor expertise	Clients have a dedicated wealth advisor, as well as a three to four-member team made up of wealth advisors and client service associates. Most advisors hold or are actively pursuing CFP or CFA credentials, and many have expertise in advanced planning areas, such as law, estate planning, charitable giving, divorce strategy, and ultra-high-net-worth family dynamics.
  Scope of advice offered	HB Wealth takes a comprehensive approach to personalized wealth management. Advisors integrate financial planning, investments, tax planning, estate strategies and more. Services include financial planning, multi-generational planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, insurance planning, administrative services, charitable planning, education planning and investment management. HB Wealth doesn't write legal documents or prepare taxes, but it says it regularly collaborates with clients' estate attorneys and CPAs.
  Advisor accessibility	Advisory teams are available to clients via email, chat/text, phone, video or in person. HB Wealth calls its client-advisor relationships "concierge-level care" — clients can determine how and when to meet with advisors, with some opting for formally scheduled check-ins and others connecting on an as-needed basis. Advisors also proactively reach out to clients as needed, including to touch base on charitable giving strategies and timing and to plan tax strategies at the optimal times.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. HB Wealth is a fee-only advisor and does not accept commissions or affiliate revenue in exchange for promoting or selling products. The company also lists general fee information on its website, including disclosing the $12,500 minimum annual fee and providing detailed information about family office services.
  Portfolio construction	HB Wealth creates personalized portfolios based on a client's goals, risk comfort, liquidity needs and time horizon. Customers are not limited in portfolio selection, and personalized portfolios are the norm. Advisors also utilize private investments, such as private equity or credit, in portfolios where appropriate. Client assets are held at independent, third-party custodians such as Charles Schwab or Fidelity.

Where HB Wealth falls short

High minimums: HB Wealth’s $1 million account minimum is high compared to other advisors — a $250,000 minimum is more common. There’s also a minimum annual fee of $12,500.

Wealth Enhancement Group

One of the things we really like about Wealth Enhancement Group is that it customizes portfolios with a wide range of investment options to suit varied goals and financial situations. The firm can also directly manage workplace retirement accounts such as 401(k)s (this is not something every advisor does). The AUM fee is 1.25% on the first $1 million of assets under management, which isn’t exactly cheap, but the percentage is lower on amounts above that threshold.

What we like about Wealth Enhancement

Comprehensiveness: Wealth Enhancement goes broad and deep in financial planning, which we like a lot. Advisors can tap into the expertise of other in-house specialists to tailor plans to unique circumstances.

Broad investment options: The firm custom-builds portfolios that can include a variety of asset classes and accounts, making it able to meet investment needs ranging from the very simple to the very complex. This is not something to take for granted; we’ve noticed that some advisors restrict or limit the amount of choice clients have when deciding where to put their money.

• 👉 See how we rate Wealth Enhancement fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: Oct. 2025 | Period considered: Aug. - Oct. 2025

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Wealth Enhancement's client minimum is $25,000. Fees are based on assets under management and the client's needs. For each tier, the specified fee rate is applied only to the portion of the client’s assets that falls within that tier: Up to $1 million in AUM: 1.25% $1 million to $3 million: 1% $3 million to $5 million: 0.90% $5 million to $10 million: 0.80% $10 million and higher: 0.60%
  Advisor expertise	Wealth Enhancement has over 600 advisors across 182 offices in 35 states, and more than half of them are certified financial planners (CFPs). All advisors are licensed fiduciaries. The team also includes CPAs, JDs, certified fund specialists (CFSs), accredited asset management specialists (AAMS) and certified retirement counselors (CRCs). Some advisors specialize in providing financial advice to women.
  Scope of advice offered	Wealth Enhancement advisors offer clients comprehensive financial planning, which can include retirement planning, investment management, tax strategy, college planning, estate planning, equity compensation planning, concentrated stock planning, charitable strategies, cash management strategies and more as part of the financial advisory fee. Certain services, such as tax preparation and filing and trust services, may be billed separately.
  Advisor accessibility	Advisors are available via email, phone, text, video and in-person meetings. Meetings may occur on an annual, semi-annual or quarterly basis. Clients drive the cadence of those meetings.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Wealth Enhancement has referral fee arrangements with third parties such as Goldman Sachs, Flourish and CoverRight Insurance.
  Portfolio construction	The company says it crafts portfolios that are thoughtfully diversified and aligned with each investor’s unique needs. The team analyzes market conditions and explores investment options to create strategies designed to fit long-term objectives. The firm says it consistently monitors markets globally to assess market risks, rebalance when appropriate, and take advantage of opportunities.

Where Wealth Enhancement falls short

Extra fees: We don’t like that Wealth Enhancement Group charges extra for certain estate planning and tax services that many firms throw in for free as part of their investment management fees.

Mariner

Sometimes, templated methods and model portfolios aren’t as good as flexible, attentive services that change with your financial life, especially when that life requires a more personal touch. We think Mariner seems best at delivering that.

What we like about Mariner

Team approach: Mariner clients get unlimited access to an advisor, investment specialist and planning support staff, which is a high level of support compared to some other advisor firms. There are also in-house tax professionals on hand to help find potential tax efficiencies.

Opportunity for in-person meetings: Mariner has offices in 42 states across most of the United States, as well as Puerto Rico. That's good for clients who want to build in-person relationships with their advisory team.

• 👉 See how we rate Mariner's fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: Dec. 2025 | Period considered: Oct. - Dec. 2025

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Fees are based on assets under management and vary by service. Typical rates are: 1.25% on the first $1 million. 1% on assets of $1 million to $5 million. 0.80% on assets of $5 million to $10 million. 0.60% on assets above $10 million. Mariner has no firm-wide client minimum, though some investment strategies or custodial platforms may require a starting balance. However, the firm charges a minimum fee of $1,875 quarterly ($7,500 annually). To avoid paying more than its highest AUM fee rate of 1.25%, you’d want to have at least $600,000 in assets under management.
  Advisor expertise	Each client is typically paired with a dedicated advisory team that may include an advisor, investment specialist and planning support staff. Advisors meet a fiduciary standard and may hold CFPs, CPAs, CFAs or JDs. The firm also has specialists in trusts, estate planning, investments, divorce planning and insurance.
  Scope of advice offered	Financial plans are customized to address clients' goals, priorities and financial complexity. Services include wealth and investment planning, retirement planning, tax, estate, insurance and trust planning. Mariner’s advisory teams work with in-house tax professionals to help identify potential tax efficiencies. Services include multi-year tax planning and tax-efficient investment strategies, such as tax-loss harvesting and asset location, among others. The firm may provide tax preparation and filing for an additional fee. Mariner will review existing estate planning documents and beneficiaries, as well as make recommendations for potential changes, including those that minimize taxes. If estate planning documents need to be drafted or updated, Mariner partners with unaffiliated estate attorneys, which requires clients to pay additional fees.
  Advisor accessibility	Clients will have regularly scheduled reviews and check-ins with their advisor. Advisors are available in person, virtually or by phone.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Mariner is a fee-based advisor, which reduced its score in this category. Additionally, we could find the firm’s fees only in its ADV, which also reduced its score in this category.
  Portfolio construction	Each portfolio is customized to meet a client’s goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Portfolios can be constructed using individual securities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, separately managed accounts and/or limited partnerships when appropriate. Individual stocks, alternative investments and other investment options may be included. Client assets are held at multiple third-party custodians, including Fidelity, Schwab and Pershing. Mariner supports a broad range of account types, including individual, joint and family accounts; retirement accounts (IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) rollovers); and trust, charitable and business accounts.

Where Mariner falls short

Minimum fee: The company charges a minimum fee of $1,875 per quarter ($7,500 a year). On a percentage basis, this can be steep for people with relatively small asset balances. Unless you have at least $600,000 of assets under management, you might find a better deal elsewhere.

Fee-based rather than fee-only: Mariner is a fee-based advisor, which means advisors are paid by clients but also may get commissions or other fees from third parties if clients buy certain products or securities. The firm discloses these arrangements as potential conflicts of interest in its Form ADV, but we still prefer fee-only models.

Allworth Financial

Two of our favorite things about Allworth are that it offers customized portfolios and that it can manage assets across any type of account held by its custodians, including workplace retirement plans such as 401(k)s, which, as noted above, is relatively rare. The firm’s highest AUM fee is 1.5%, though, which is above average; the rate drops as asset levels increase.

What we like about Allworth Financial

Dedicated advisor: Clients get a dedicated advisor who coordinates a team of in-house wealth management experts. Clients with at least $5 million in assets under management get extra estate and tax planning services included in the annual management fee.

Accounts supported: We love that Allworth is able to manage the money that's inside a 401(k). That’s difficult to do and can be hard to find in an advisor (many advisors aren’t able to directly manage money in workplace retirement accounts). We think this can be super valuable for clients who have most of their wealth stored in their retirement plans.

• 👉 See how we rate Allworth's fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: March 2026 | Period considered: Feb. - March 2026

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Allworth’s client minimum is $250,000, though that may be waived or negotiated at the firm's discretion. The firm’s highest fee rate is 1.5% but scales down to 0.30% as assets increase. (Note: We docked Allworth’s score in this category because the firm doesn’t disclose at what AUM level fees begin to be reduced, which prevented us from calculating costs at both portfolio benchmarks.) One-time planning engagements cost $2,500 on average, but depend on complexity and AUM.
  Advisor expertise	Allworth clients work with a dedicated advisor and a support team. Some advisors are certified financial planners (CFPs) or chartered financial consultants (ChFCs). Clients may also work with advisors specializing in investment management, tax strategy, estate planning and insurance.
  Scope of advice offered	Offers comprehensive financial planning that coordinates investments, tax strategy, estate planning, income design, insurance and risk management within a single framework. Tax planning is offered to all clients and included in their fee. Clients above $5 million work with a wealth planner who can do more complex tax planning. Tax preparation and filing is a separate service available at Allworth. The firm offers it at a discount to clients with $1 million or more in AUM; and it becomes a complimentary service for clients with $5 million or more. The firm’s estate planning services depend on AUM. In-house team of estate planners can review existing estate planning documents, make recommendations and oversee the drafting of new documents. But clients may be referred to a third-party estate planning service or law firm.
  Advisor accessibility	Clients work with a dedicated advisor and a support team who are available to meet by email, phone, video or in person, with no cap on access or the number of meetings available.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Allworth is a fiduciary fee-based financial advisor, which reduced its score in this category. Additionally, we could find Allworth’s fee range only in its ADV, which also reduced its score in this category.
  Portfolio construction	Allworth uses pre-constructed models with asset allocations designed to meet each client’s risk/reward needs, then customizes based on client goals and other factors. Individual stocks, alternative investments and other investment options may be included. Client assets are held at either Schwab or Fidelity, and Allworth can manage any accounts held by its custodians. Advisors can advise or even directly manage most 401(k)s.

Where Allworth Financial falls short

Fees: Allworth's starting AUM fee is 1.5%, which we think is high. The rate scales down to 0.30% for clients with more assets, but it’s not clear how much you have to accumulate to get the lower fee — Allworth did not provide any detail about this to the SEC in its Form ADV, and the firm declined to provide specifics to NerdWallet as part of our review process. Without that information, it’s difficult to determine when the firm may be a higher- or lower-cost option for consumers. We also don’t like that prospective clients have to contact the firm to find out what they’ll pay.

Fee-based advisor: Allworth is a fee-based advisor, which means it makes money from client fees as well as from commissions or referral fees it gets from other companies when clients make deposits into certain cash management programs or sign up for health insurance services through eHealth Insurance Services Inc. The firm discloses these arrangements as potential conflicts of interest in its Form ADV, but we prefer fee-only advisor models, which tend to avoid those commissions and referral fees.

Modern Wealth Management

We think Modern Wealth Management can be a good fit for people who already have a significant amount to invest, want financial planning as well as investment management, and like the option to meet in person with an advisor.

The firm’s tiered fee structure is common in the business, and people with relatively small account balances pay the highest percentage fees (AUM fees are 1.5% on the first $499,999; the percentage is lower for assets beyond that threshold). That makes Modern Wealth relatively expensive for someone with less than $1 million.

Where Modern Wealth Management shines

Team approach: We like that the client’s advisor coordinates with other advisors at the firm who specialize in taxes, estate planning, investment management or other topics. This can help create a more holistic approach to financial planning.

Onboarding: You can use either Schwab or Fidelity as a custodian or broker, which is fairly limited compared to other firms NerdWallet reviews. The upside here, though, is that if you’re already using Fidelity or Schwab to house your accounts, especially your 401(k) or other retirement accounts, it may take less time to get things started with Modern Wealth Management.

• 👉 See how we rate Modern Wealth Management’s fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: Dec. 2025 | Period considered: Oct. - Dec. 2025

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Modern's client minimum is $250,000, though that may be waived or negotiated at the firm's discretion. Fees are based on assets under management and the client's needs. For each tier, the specified fee rate is applied only to the portion of the client’s assets that falls within that tier: 1.5% on the first $499,999. 1.25% on assets of $500,000 to $999,999. 1% on assets of $1,000,000 to $2,999,999. 0.75% on assets of $3,000,000 to $4,999,999. 0.65% on assets of $5,000,000 to $9,999,999. 0.55% on assets over $10 million.
  Advisor expertise	Modern Wealth clients work with a dedicated team including advisors, relationship managers, and service specialists holding a wide array of designations, including CFPs, CPAs, CFAs, ChFCs and Series 65 and Series 66 credentials. Clients can connect with advisors through their preferred method: phone, email, in-person or virtual meetings. Some advisors on staff have specialized credentials, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) or Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).
  Scope of advice offered	Offers comprehensive financial planning services covering tax, estate, investment management and insurance planning catered to the unique needs of the client. Additional services like college planning, retirement income planning, and more are available and customized to your goals. Tax planning services are available through Modern Wealth Tax Services, including custom tax analysis and the development of a multi-year tax plan. Some services that go beyond the standard investment management offering can incur a separate fee, including tax return preparation. The company can also review existing estate planning documents and make recommendations, but executing more complex strategies or drafting new documents is not covered as part of the standard fee. In these cases, clients may be referred to a third-party estate planning service or law firm.
  Advisor accessibility	Clients work with a dedicated team of advisors, relationship managers and specialists, with no cap on access or the number of meetings available. Advisors are available through phone, email, in-person or virtual video meetings.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Modern is a fiduciary fee-only financial advisor, and does not earn commissions. All fees are paid directly by the client. However, we could find Modern's fees only in its ADV, which reduced its score in this category.
  Portfolio construction	Modern bases client portfolios on pre-built models, then customizes based on client goals and other factors. Individual stocks, socially responsible investments and other investment options may be included. Client assets are held at either Schwab or Fidelity, and Modern can manage a variety of account types, including workplace retirement plans like 401(k)s.

Where Modern Wealth Management falls short

Costs: Clients at lower asset tiers (under $500,000) pay a 1.5% AUM fee. That's on the high end of the scale of advisors we review. The national average is 1.0%.

These advisors don't meet with clients in person; they use virtual methods such as video, phone, chat or messaging. This can make it easy to work with advisors who are in other cities or other states.

Ellevest

Ellevest can be a good choice for high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals who want an all-women advisory team or are particularly interested in investing in climate change solutions, affordable housing and healthcare technology for women. There’s a $500,000 account minimum.

Where Ellevest shines

Advisor access: Most advisors are either CFPs or CFAs, and the all-women team specializes in high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Clients can meet in person or via video chat, email or phone.

Special focus: Women-focused investing gives special attention to women's generally lower incomes, different lifetime earnings curve and longer lifespans in its portfolio construction work.

• 👉 See how we rate Ellevest’s fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: Oct. 2025 | Period considered: Aug. - Oct. 2025

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Ellevests's client minimum is $500,000. Fees are based on assets under management and the client's needs. For each tier, the specified fee rate is applied only to the portion of the client’s assets that falls within that tier: $500,000 to $1,000,000: 1.25% $1,000,001 to $2,000,000: 1.00% $2,000,001 to $3,000,000: 0.95% $3,000,001 to $5,000,000: 0.90% $5,000,001 to $7,000,000: 0.80% $7,000,001 to $10,000,000: 0.70% $10,000,001 to $15,000,000: 0.65% $15,000,001 to $25,000,000: 0.60% $25,000,001 to $50,000,000: 0.55% $50,000,001 to $75,000,000: 0.50% $75,000,001 to $100,000,000: 0.40% $100,000,001 and above: 0.35%
  Advisor expertise	All financial advisors are women, fiduciaries and Investment Advisor Representatives; most are CFPs. Reviews are scheduled at least annually or more depending on the client’s circumstances and needs. Advisors are available in person, by video, text, phone, or via email during flexible hours.
  Scope of advice offered	Retirement planning, financial windfall planning, estate and family planning, cash flow analysis, budget analysis, and tax strategies. Tax and estate planning are coordinated with the client’s CPAs and estate planning attorneys.
  Advisor accessibility	Advisors work to provide a personalized report within the first six months of the engagement. The advisor periodically meets with the client through the remainder of the engagement to monitor the plan, recommend any changes and ensure the plan is up to date. The financial planner is available to the client for support throughout the engagement.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Ellevest is a fiduciary fee-only financial advisor, and does not earn commissions. All fees are paid directly by the client.
  Portfolio construction	Ellevest specializes in managing client assets while seeking to reduce fees, current taxes, and investment risk through diversification. Ellevest will make investment selections from a wide range of investments, including, but not limited to, common and preferred stocks, bonds, municipal securities, government securities, cash and cash equivalents, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts, hedge funds, private non-traded funds and investment vehicles and alternative investment products or investment options which may have liquidity restrictions and limitations. Ellevest also requires that clients open a brokerage and custody account with Charles Schwab & Co.

Where Ellevest falls short

You need a relatively big account: Ellevest's account minimum is $500,000, which isn’t as high as HB Wealth’s but is still high relative to the other firms we evaluate. This will likely be too high a hurdle if you’re just starting to invest, and some of the private investments Ellevest offers access to are only open to accredited investors. (That means you need to have at least $200,000 of income for the past two years — or $300,000 of household income — or at least $1 million of net worth.)

Vanguard Personal Advisor

Vanguard Personal Advisor offers a good combination of personalized financial planning, virtual tools and a well-known set of funds. People with at least $500,000 get even more personalized advice. One big downside, in our opinion, is that you do have to move your assets onto the Vanguard platform.

What we like about Vanguard Personal Advisor

Low fees: Vanguard is a behemoth in the investment world, and it’s able to use its heft to keep fees low, even in its advisory arm. The advisor charges just 0.30% to 0.31% of assets under management, which is very low compared to other firms we’ve reviewed, and the $50,000 account minimum is similarly low in the industry.

Human and virtual assistance: We like that most of Vanguard’s advisors are certified financial planners; the firm also offers virtual planning tools. The advisors create personalized financial plans and monitor investor portfolios, which is a huge value at this price point and can be really helpful for people who want a comprehensive financial plan and the security of being able to reach a human when necessary.

• 👉 See how we rate Vanguard’s fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: Oct. 2025 | Period considered: Aug. - Oct. 2025

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Vanguard Personal Advisor's account minimum is $50,000. For a standard all-index portfolio, Personal Advisor clients pay a net advisory fee of 0.30% to 0.31%. Clients who choose ESG or active/index investment options pay a net advisory fee ranging from 0.26% to 0.36%, depending on their mix. For clients with $500,000 or more in assets, fees are tiered: 0.30% on assets between $500,000 and $5 million. 0.20% on assets between $5 million and $10 million. 0.10% on assets between $10 million and $25 million. 0.05% on assets over $25 million.
  Advisor expertise	Most Vanguard Personal Advisor advisors are Certified Financial Planners (CFPs). Some hold additional advanced credentials such as CFA, CTFA or ChFC. Clients with account balances below $500,000 have access to a team of advisors. They can choose to schedule appointments with an advisor they've previously worked with or opt for the next available one. Clients with $500,000 or more in assets work with a dedicated advisor.
  Scope of advice offered	Vanguard Personal Advisor offers a wide range of financial planning topics, including budgeting, debt management, home purchase and real estate, insurance, education planning, retirement savings and drawdown strategies, Roth conversion strategies, Social Security and Medicare, charitable gifting, estate planning, and generational wealth transfer. Advisors also provide behavioral coaching to help clients navigate life events and market changes. Tax planning includes guidance around minimizing capital gains, asset location, retirement income tax diversification, and cost basis. A tax-efficient retirement tool is available to clients with $500,000 or more in assets. Vanguard does not offer direct indexing or in-house tax return preparation. Estate planning and wealth transfer are listed among the firm's services, but specifics are not fully detailed in its disclosures. Vanguard does not draft wills, trusts or other estate planning documents in-house.
  Advisor accessibility	Clients can schedule unlimited appointments with their advisor by phone, email, video or through Vanguard's mobile app. Vanguard does not offer in-person meetings. Formal reviews — including semi-annual and annual cadences — are reserved for clients with $500,000 or more in assets, who work with a dedicated advisor. Advisors will also reach out proactively in certain scenarios, such as a drop in the client's success rate or an extended period of no contact.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Vanguard Personal Advisor is a fee-only RIA. Its financial advisors are not compensated for, or on the basis of, any recommendation or sales of specific securities.
  Portfolio construction	Vanguard portfolios are built primarily from low-cost Vanguard index funds and ETFs. Personal Advisor clients can include a variety of fund types in their portfolios, including all-index, ESG, tax-exempt fixed income, active fixed income and active equity funds. Vanguard Personal Advisor also offers ESG funds, and private equity is available to clients who meet qualification and suitability requirements. Portfolios are customized based on clients' goals, tax situation, risk tolerance, spending needs and investment preferences. The portfolio may accommodate previously non-Vanguard investments. Client assets are held with Vanguard rather than at an independent third-party custodian. Personal Advisor directly manages individual and joint brokerage accounts; Roth, traditional, rollover, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs; trusts; and Vanguard record-kept 401(k) plans. Other account types — such as 529s, UGMA, UTMA, non-Vanguard 401(k)s and spousal accounts — can be considered for guidance but are not directly managed.

Where Vanguard Personal Advisor falls short

Inflexibility: You have to move your money into a Vanguard account and exclusively use Vanguard’s suite of products/funds. We think this can be an onboarding hassle for some new clients, and being restricted to Vanguard products can feel limiting.

High account minimum for dedicated advisor access: Accounts under $500,000 only get access to a team of advisors. We’d rather see clients at this asset level get a single dedicated advisor.

Range

Range Advisory offers comprehensive advice for high earners with complicated finances. Clients get a team of advisors and access to an AI wealth advisor.

Where Range shines

Services for high earners: Range's Platinum and Titanium tiers offer some business tax planning, real estate investment planning and complex equity compensation planning. The Titanium level includes tax filing, and even offers help retiring abroad, which we think is useful.

Combined expertise of human and AI advisors: Range clients get a team of advisors with a variety of expertise. You also get access to Rai, a proprietary AI wealth advisor that’s trained on your portfolio and on Range’s investment methodology. The idea is to provide a question-and-answer interface “designed to deliver personalized, data-driven insights in seconds."

• 👉 See how we rate Range’s fees, services and more.

  Reviewed in: June 2026 | Period considered: Feb. - June 2026

  Costs and minimums	To compare fees across pricing models, this category rates all providers based on what a client actually pays at two portfolio benchmarks: $250,000 and $1 million in assets under management. Flat fees are converted into an effective AUM percentage using the fee for their entry-level tier. For firms that charge AUM-based fees on a tiered schedule, we calculate a blended rate across the tiers that apply at each benchmark. Range doesn’t impose a client minimum. The firm charges a flat annual fee for financial planning and investment management services. Fees range from $3,950 to $12,500 per year, depending on the service tier. At its entry-level price, someone with $250,000 in AUM would effectively pay 1.58% of their portfolio for Range’s services. Someone with $1 million in AUM would effectively pay 0.39%.
  Advisor expertise	Range clients work with a team of fiduciary advisors made up of CFPs, CFAs, CPAs and other specialists covering investment strategies, startup equity, taxes, real estate, crypto and other areas. Clients also can chat any time with Rai, a proprietary AI wealth advisor that is trained on the client's portfolio and Range's financial advisement philosophy.
  Scope of advice offered	At its Premium service tier, Range offers comprehensive financial planning services covering investment planning, some tax planning, some estate planning, budget and cash flow advising, retirement planning, insurance planning and education planning. Additional services, including equity compensation planning and tax filing, are available at higher service tiers. At this entry-level tier, tax services include a review of your previous-year tax filing and some retirement income distribution analysis. It also performs tax-loss harvesting and offers direct indexing in clients’ investment portfolios. More comprehensive tax planning is available at the Platinum level, and tax filing services are available at the Titanium level. The company can also review existing estate planning documents and make recommendations, but executing more complex strategies or drafting new documents is not covered as part of the standard fee. Additional estate planning services are available at higher service tiers.
  Advisor accessibility	Clients have unlimited access to their team of advisors. As they arise, questions are funneled to the advisor on your team who is best-suited to answer it. Advisors are available through messaging on Range’s client platform, as well as virtual video meetings.
  Transparency	This category rates whether the firm's fee structure reflects a commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest and acting in the client's best interest, as well as how accessible the advisor's fees are, with the highest rating awarded to advisors who clearly list their full fee structure on their website in addition to their ADV filing. Range is a fiduciary fee-only financial advisor, and does not earn commissions. All fees are paid directly by the client. Its pricing and services are fully described on its website at range.com/pricing.
  Portfolio construction	Range offers model portfolios and customizes portfolios to suit clients. Range can invest in and incorporate any publicly traded security that aligns with its investment philosophy. It does not provide alternative investment planning at its entry-level service tier. Client assets are held at Altruist. Range can manage a variety of account types, including Solo 401(k)s and minor accounts (e.g. UTMA/UGMA and IRAs for minors). Range can advise on 529s and 401(k)s but can't actively manage them.

Where Range falls short

No dedicated advisor: Clients work with a team of advisors rather than a single advisor who directly owns the client relationship. You may not see important details fall through the cracks, but we think it could make the ongoing relationship feel impersonal.

Compare fees charged by these financial advisors

Financial advisor search networks

Financial advisor matching networks connect you with a qualified, vetted financial advisor who can help you the way you want to be helped. These services don’t charge you a fee to get matched with an advisor. But each service has its own requirements for what kinds of advisors can be in their networks, which affects what kind of matches you get. Also, the advisors in these networks set their own fees, which means you’ll still have to make sure the advisors you match with are ones you can afford. (NerdWallet also operates a financial advisor matching service, NerdWallet Advisors Match.)

We don’t rate search networks, because advisor quality and services vary within each network. But they’re useful ways to search for an advisor.

How to hire a financial advisor

As you review this list of financial advisors and compare options, do these things before you make your choice.

1. Set your budget.

Simple, digital-only services will be less expensive; holistic financial planning will cost more. Know what you're comfortable spending before you dive in, and compare to this table to make sure you're not spending more than you should.

» Learn how to choose a financial advisor

2. Decide what services you need.

If you only want a service to pick investments for you and then manage the resulting portfolio, a robo-advisor may be a good fit. (View our picks for the best robo-advisors.)

You may want a financial advisor for advanced planning, personalized guidance or more detailed strategies like estate planning or prioritizing various goals.

No matter what option you choose, check the advisor's qualifications and make sure they are fiduciaries, which means they must act in your best interests.

3. Decide whether you want in-person advice.

If you don’t mind meeting with your advisor virtually, you might save money — especially if you work with a larger online-only firm. It is cheaper to operate a firm without office locations, and some virtual advisors will pass those savings on to you.

If you want to develop an in-person relationship with your advisor, you'll want to opt for a local firm or a larger firm with office locations in your area. The financial advisor search networks on our list can help match you to local options.

4. Check their qualifications.

“Financial advisor” is a general term that is not regulated; anyone can use it, so it's important to always verify an advisor’s specific credentials and registration. Advisors registered with the SEC or a state regulator have specific legal obligations to their clients, and many financial advisors hold specific certifications, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.

To verify an advisor, check the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database at adviserinfo.sec.gov and/or FINRA’s BrokerCheck at brokercheck.finra.org. You can verify an advisor's CFP status at cfp.net/verify-a-cfp-professional.