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Best financial advisors of 2024 for help investing, planning and more

Our picks of the best financial advisor firms for advice, investment management and comprehensive financial planning.

Choosing the right financial advisor is crucial for growing your wealth, preparing for retirement or navigating complex financial topics like tax and estate planning.

The quality of advice and strategies can significantly impact your financial outcomes.

We evaluate more than 10 popular online financial advisors to help you find the best option for your needs if you’re seeking professional financial guidance. These needs include planning for retirement, managing investments, handling debt or navigating major life events.

We examine costs, account minimums, advisor credentials, services offered and more and focus only on services that provide human financial advice.

Discover which financial advisors are best suited to your financial needs.

Our top picks for financial advisors

Promoted for personalized advice

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  • Automated investment management with human advisor support
  • All-index, active/index mix and ESG investment options
  • Taxable accounts and IRAs available

Customized financial strategies

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  • Unlimited financial advice and retirement planning help
  • Personalized, professionally managed stock and ETF portfolios
  • Track all your financial accounts in one place

Flat-fee financial planning

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  • Flat-fee financial plans and investment recommendations
  • On-demand access to certified financial planners
  • Free consultations and a 100% satisfaction guarantee

Best online financial advisors of 2024

Why trust Finder

  • 10+ financial advisors reviewed and rated by our team of experts
  • Evaluated under our unbiased rating system covering six categories
  • 20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics

We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.

Best overall

Facet Financial Planning

Read review
Minimum assets$0
Flat fee$2,000–$6,000
Advisory fee0%
Free consultationYes

Best financial advisor marketplace

Zoe Financial

Minimum assets$0
Flat fee$100–$5,000
Advisory feeUp to 1.5%
Free consultationYes

Best flat-fee financial advisor (in the category)

Domain Money

Go to site Read review
Minimum assets$0
Flat feeStrategic Plan: $4,500 flat fee
Advisory feeN/A
Free consultationYes

Best for high-net-worth women and families

Ellevest

3.8
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Minimum assets$1,000,000
Flat feeN/A
Advisory fee1%
Free consultationYes

Best for in-person financial advice

Harness Wealth

Minimum assets$0
Flat fee$1,000–$5,000
Advisory feeUp to 1.5%
Free consultationYes

Best for crypto investing advice

Betterment Premium

Minimum assets$100,000
Flat feeN/A
Advisory fee0.65%–1.40%
Free consultationNo

Best for low fees

Vanguard Personal Advisor Select

Read review
Minimum assets$50,000
Flat feeN/A
Advisory fee0.30%
Free consultationNo

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Finder is not an advisor or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.

Our methodology: How we choose the best financial advisors

Finder’s investments experts review more than 10 online financial advisors available on the market to narrow down the best for people looking for advice, investment management and comprehensive financial planning.

We analyze each platform based on 41 key metrics we collect directly from brokers and assess each provider’s performance based on six different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then score and rank each provider depending on its performance in each category.

How we weigh the overall rating

CategoryWeighting
Advisor access and credentials20%
Services offered20%
Investment strategies15%
Costs and fees20%
Account minimum20%
Customer support5%

We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.

What to look for when choosing the best financial advisor

Finder’s picks for the best financial advisors are meant to provide a starting point for finding the right option for your financial needs and goals. That said, it’s important to consider your personal preferences too.

When choosing the best financial advisor, consider the following factors:

  • Credentials and experience. Look for advisors with CFP, CFA or CPA designations, and ensure they have experience relevant to your financial needs. The CFP designation is widely regarded as the gold standard in the financial planning industry. These individuals are held to a strict code of ethics and must act as fiduciaries, meaning they are legally obligated to act in their clients’ best interests.
  • Fee structure. Understand how the advisor charges for their services. Common structures include flat fees, hourly rates or a percentage of AUM. Choose one that aligns with your budget and preferences.
  • Fiduciary duty. Ensure the advisor is a fiduciary, meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best interest.
  • Services offered. Financial advisory services can include investment management, retirement planning, tax advice, estate planning and debt management. Some financial advisors offer basic financial advice, while others provide comprehensive financial planning services for all aspects of your life.
  • Investment philosophy. Make sure the advisor’s investment approach aligns with your risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals.
  • Communication and availability. Consider how often you want to meet with your advisor and their availability for ongoing support and questions. Many advisors offer unlimited communication through email or phone and limited virtual or in-person sessions.
  • Reputation and reviews. Check reviews, testimonials and references from current or past clients. Research any disciplinary actions or complaints using BrokerCheck by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
  • Technology and tools. Evaluate the technology and tools the advisor uses for portfolio management, financial planning and communication. Not all financial advisors offer a mobile app.
  • Transparency. Look for advisors who are transparent about their fees, services and potential conflicts of interest.
  • Personal rapport. Importantly, choose an advisor you feel comfortable with and can trust, as a strong working relationship is crucial for long-term financial planning. Many advisors offer a free initial consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth paying for a financial advisor?

Yes, paying for a financial advisor is worth it if you need personalized financial planning, investment management and expert advice to achieve your financial goals.

What is the best type of financial advisor to have?

A fiduciary financial advisor with CFP designation is best, ensuring personalized, ethical and comprehensive financial planning tailored to your specific needs.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Matt Miczulski's headshot
Written by

Editor, Investments

Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions. Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

Matt's expertise
Matt has written 207 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Trading and investing
  • Broker and trading platform reviews
  • Money management

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