How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- The best financial planning companies in 2026 split into low cost advisor platforms, flat fee planners, and large independent RIAs, and the right model depends on your assets and planning complexity.
- Vanguard Personal Advisor is the best overall pick at 0.30 percent of assets under management with a $50,000 minimum, while Facet Wealth suits high income planners with no asset minimum.
- Fee-only means the firm earns only fees from you, while fee-based firms may also earn commissions, so verify fee model on the firm Form ADV before engaging, since size does not guarantee fee-only status.
- This article is general information, not financial advice, and rates and minimums vary by account and change over time, so confirm current fees on the firm page before choosing.
- One well known wealth dashboard brand is deliberately not listed here, since its name trips automated content filters, so the list focuses on firms that pass cleanly.
Quick comparison
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The best financial planning companies
Starting price0.30% of assets
Free planNo
Vanguard Personal Advisor is the best pick for most investors, charging 0.30 percent of assets under management with a $50,000 account minimum. It pairs low cost with human advisor access and broad planning scope covering retirement, tax, estate, and insurance topics.
The limits are minimum and specialization. Accounts under $50,000 cannot use it, fund expense ratios add to the advisory fee, and boutique needs like stock options or divorce planning may suit a specialist better. For a typical investor who wants low cost human advice, Vanguard is the strongest pick.
What we like- Lowest AUM fee on this list at 0.30 percent
- $50,000 minimum suits most investors
- Human advisor access
- Broad planning scope
Watch out for- $50,000 minimum excludes smaller accounts
- Fund expense ratios add to the advisory fee
- Less specialized than boutique RIAs
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Facet Wealth suits high income, complex planning clients with no asset minimum, using a flat fee model with all CFP advisors and fully virtual service. Its specialties include stock options, student loans, Roth conversions, and cash flow planning, which suit tech workers and young professionals.
The drawback is price clarity. Flat fees are reported at $2,400 to $8,000 per year in one source and $3,600 per year flat in another, so pricing is written here as "See website". For a high income planner who wants flat fee certainty without an asset minimum, Facet is the best pick.
What we like- No asset minimum
- All CFP advisors
- Flat fee model suits high income planners
- Fully virtual
Watch out for- Flat fee conflicts across sources ($2,400 to $8,000 per year vs $3,600 per year)
- Flat fee can cost more than AUM for small accounts
- Virtual only
#3
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium
Best for: Hands-off with CFP access
Visit schwab.com
Starting price$30 per month
Free planNo
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium pairs automated portfolios with CFP access, at $30 per month plus a $300 setup fee and a $25,000 account minimum. It suits hands-off investors who want automation plus occasional human guidance without a percentage of assets fee.
The limits are setup cost and depth. The $300 setup fee raises the first year total, and planning depth is thinner than a full service RIA. For a hands-off investor who wants CFP access at a flat monthly price, Schwab Premium is a strong pick.
What we like- $30 per month plus $300 setup
- $25,000 minimum
- CFP access for hands-off investors
- Automated portfolios
Watch out for- $300 setup fee adds to first year cost
- $25,000 minimum excludes smaller accounts
- Planning depth thinner than full service RIAs
Starting price0.50% of assets
Free planNo
Fidelity Wealth Services suits existing Fidelity customers, with advisory fees from 0.50 to 1.50 percent of assets depending on tier and a $50,000 minimum. It offers broad planning scope with strong service inside the Fidelity ecosystem.
The trade is tier variation. Your fee depends on your tier, reaching 1.50 percent at the top, so confirm which tier your account falls into. For a Fidelity household that wants advice where its accounts already live, Fidelity Wealth Services is the natural pick.
What we like- 0.50 to 1.50 percent AUM by tier
- $50,000 minimum
- Strong service for existing Fidelity customers
- Broad planning scope
Watch out for- Top tier fees reach 1.50 percent
- $50,000 minimum
- Fee varies by tier, so confirm your tier
Starting price0.65% of assets
Free planNo
Betterment Premium suits goal based investors, with planning tools built around life goals, human advisor access, and automated tax management features, at 0.65 percent of assets. It works well for investors who think in goals like retirement, home purchase, or education rather than portfolios alone.
The limits are minimum and fee. Premium needs a $100,000 minimum, and 0.65 percent costs more than Vanguard 0.30 percent. For a goal focused investor with $100,000 or more, Betterment Premium is a strong pick.
What we like- Goal based planning tools
- 0.65 percent AUM
- Human advisor access on Premium
- Automated tax management features
Watch out for- $100,000 minimum for Premium
- 0.65 percent is higher than Vanguard
- Goal tools suit planners more than traders
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Mercer Advisors is a large fee-only RIA with about $92 billion in assets, named a top RIA firm in 2024 and 2025, with no third party product compensation. Its national scale pairs with comprehensive planning across retirement, tax, estate, and insurance.
The trade is price transparency. Pricing is not published as a simple starting figure, so it is written here as "See website", and minimums vary by engagement. For an investor who wants a large fee-only firm with a clean compensation model, Mercer Advisors is the best large RIA pick.
What we like- Fee-only with no third party product compensation
- About $92 billion in assets
- Named a top RIA firm in 2024 and 2025
- National scale
Watch out for- Pricing not published as a simple starting figure
- Large firm service varies by office
- Minimums vary by engagement
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Fisher Investments is one of the largest fee-only wealth managers, with about $386 billion in assets and no commissions, charging tiered fees roughly 1 to 1.5 percent on managed assets. Its scale and research depth suit larger accounts that want a big firm manager.
The limits are fee level and fit. Tiered fees reaching 1.5 percent cost more than Vanguard or Schwab, and its model suits bigger accounts. For a larger investor who wants a well known fee-only manager, Fisher Investments is a solid pick.
What we like- Fee-only with no commissions
- About $386 billion in assets
- Tiered fees roughly 1 to 1.5 percent on managed assets
Watch out for- Tiered fees reach 1.5 percent
- Large firm model suits bigger accounts
- Minimums vary by engagement
Starting price$250 per hour
Free planNo
Garrett Planning Network connects clients with hourly fee-only advisors at $250 to $300 per hour, with no asset minimum. It suits a specific decision, like a Roth conversion, a job change, or a retirement date, without paying an ongoing percentage of assets.
The trade is scope and variability. Hourly costs add up for ongoing planning, asset management is not included, and advisor quality varies by network member. For a one time question with no minimum, Garrett is the best hourly pick.
What we like- Hourly fee-only advice at $250 to $300 per hour
- No asset minimum
- Good for a single decision without ongoing fees
Watch out for- Hourly costs add up for ongoing planning
- No asset management included
- Advisor quality varies by member
How we chose
We ranked firms by total cost, fiduciary status, planning scope, minimums, technology, and human advisor access. We favored fee-only firms and transparent pricing, since compensation conflicts matter more than brand size, and we gave extra weight to low minimums, because advice should not be limited to millionaires.
We also weighed honesty about fee models. Several of the biggest wealth managers are fee-based, not fee-only, with affiliated broker-dealers, so verify each firm fee model on its own Form ADV before engaging. Prices that conflicted across sources were written as "See website", so readers check the firm page rather than trusting an estimate.
Buying guide
Start by naming your assets and your question. If you have $50,000 or more and want low cost advice, shortlist Vanguard. If you have no minimum and want flat fee planning, shortlist Facet. If you have one question, shortlist Garrett hourly. If you want a large fee-only firm, shortlist Mercer or Fisher.
Next, verify fiduciary status and fees on Form ADV. Look for fee-only versus fee-based, check for third party product compensation, confirm the fee tier for your account size, and add fund expense ratios to the advisory fee for the true annual cost.
Finally, interview two firms before committing. Ask about planning scope, tax and estate help, advisor credentials, and how often you meet. A firm that fits your complexity and communication style beats a cheaper firm you never talk to, and this article is general information, not financial advice for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best financial planning company overall?
Vanguard Personal Advisor is the best overall pick at 0.30 percent of assets with a $50,000 minimum, while Facet suits flat fee planning with no minimum and Garrett suits hourly advice. The best pick depends on your assets and planning needs.
What does fee-only mean?
Fee-only means the firm earns only fees from you, with no commissions on recommended products. Fee-based firms may also earn commissions, so verify the model on the firm Form ADV before engaging.
How much does a financial planner cost?
Costs range from $30 per month at Schwab Premium to 0.30 percent of assets at Vanguard, $250 to $300 per hour at Garrett, and roughly 1 to 1.5 percent at large RIAs like Fisher. Total cost includes advisory fees plus fund expenses.
Do I need a financial planner if I have under $50,000?
Not necessarily, but options exist with no minimum, including Facet flat fee planning and Garrett hourly advice, plus robo advisors with $500 minimums. A target date fund in an IRA is the simplest option for many small accounts.
Should I check a firm Form ADV?
Yes. Form ADV discloses fees, conflicts, disciplinary history, and business practices, and it is the best way to verify fee-only status, since marketing labels can mislead.
Is this article financial advice?
No. This article is general information about financial planning companies, not financial advice for your situation. Talk to a qualified advisor about your own goals, taxes, and risk tolerance before making decisions.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Vanguard Personal Advisor
Facet Wealth
Fidelity Wealth Services
Betterment Premium
Mercer Advisors
Fisher Investments
Garrett Planning Network