Retirement Buddy vs. Robo-Advisors
Understanding the difference between retirement planning tools and investment management platforms.
Different problems, different solutions. Here's how to know which you need.
The Core Difference
Retirement Buddy
Planning & Guidance Tool
Helps you figure out what to do: When to retire, how much to save, budget strategies, scenario modeling, and emotional support for the transition.
You make the investment decisions.
Robo-Advisors
Investment Management Platform
Executes investment strategy for you: Automated portfolio allocation, rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and ongoing management of your assets.
The algorithm manages your investments.
Key insight: These aren't competing solutions—they solve different problems. Many people need both.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Retirement Buddy | Robo-Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Retirement planning & life transition coaching | Automated investment management |
| Cost Structure | $0-$3/month flat fee | 0.25%-0.50% of assets under management (AUM) |
| Minimum Investment | None (planning only) | $0-$500 minimum to start investing |
| Investment Management | Not provided (educational guidance only) | Automated portfolio management & rebalancing |
| Retirement Projections | Advanced Monte Carlo simulations | Basic retirement calculators |
| Budget Planning | Integrated budget & debt planning | Not included |
| Emotional Support | AI coach for retirement anxiety & transitions | Not included (investment focus) |
| Tax-Loss Harvesting | Not provided | Automated (on higher tiers) |
| Interface Style | Conversational AI chat | Dashboard & portfolio graphs |
| Best For | Planning, budgeting, transition support | Hands-off investing, portfolio management |
Primary Purpose
Retirement Buddy
Retirement planning & life transition coaching
Robo-Advisors
Automated investment management
Cost Structure
Retirement Buddy
$0-$3/month flat fee
Robo-Advisors
0.25%-0.50% of assets under management (AUM)
Minimum Investment
Retirement Buddy
None (planning only)
Robo-Advisors
$0-$500 minimum to start investing
Investment Management
Retirement Buddy
Not provided (educational guidance only)
Robo-Advisors
Automated portfolio management & rebalancing
Retirement Projections
Retirement Buddy
Advanced Monte Carlo simulations
Robo-Advisors
Basic retirement calculators
Budget Planning
Retirement Buddy
Integrated budget & debt planning
Robo-Advisors
Not included
Emotional Support
Retirement Buddy
AI coach for retirement anxiety & transitions
Robo-Advisors
Not included (investment focus)
Tax-Loss Harvesting
Retirement Buddy
Not provided
Robo-Advisors
Automated (on higher tiers)
Interface Style
Retirement Buddy
Conversational AI chat
Robo-Advisors
Dashboard & portfolio graphs
Best For
Retirement Buddy
Planning, budgeting, transition support
Robo-Advisors
Hands-off investing, portfolio management
Cost Comparison
How AUM-based fees scale vs. flat subscription pricing
| Portfolio Size | Retirement Buddy | Robo-Advisor (0.25%) |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 invested | $36/year | $250/year |
| $250,000 invested | $36/year | $625/year |
| $500,000 invested | $36/year | $1,250/year |
| $1,000,000 invested | $36/year | $2,500/year |
Note: Robo-advisor fees are charged on your investment balance and compound over time. With a $500K portfolio, you'll pay $1,250/year vs. $36/year for planning guidance. However, robo-advisors manage your investments, which Retirement Buddy does not.
When a Robo-Advisor Is the Better Choice
If these describe your situation, a robo-advisor might be what you need.
Want Automated Investment Management
You have investable assets and want someone (or something) to manage your portfolio, rebalance, and optimize tax efficiency.
Ready to Invest Now
You already have a plan and need execution—automated buying, selling, and portfolio management.
Prefer Hands-Off Approach
You don't want to think about investments. Just deposit money and let algorithms handle the rest.
Tax-Loss Harvesting Matters
You have a taxable investment account and want automated tax optimization strategies.
Focus Solely on Returns
Your primary concern is investment performance, not comprehensive retirement planning or emotional transitions.
Our recommendation: If you have investable assets and want hands-off portfolio management with automated rebalancing and tax optimization, robo-advisors like Betterment or Wealthfront are excellent choices.
When Retirement Buddy Is the Better Choice
If these describe you, our planning-focused approach is what you need.
Need Planning Before Investing
You need to figure out how much to save, when to retire, and what your budget should be before investing.
Want Budget & Debt Integration
You need help with current finances (budgeting, debt payoff) alongside retirement planning.
Prefer Conversation Over Dashboards
You want to ask questions, explore scenarios, and get guidance through conversation, not just view graphs.
Navigating Retirement Transition
You're dealing with retirement anxiety, identity changes, or the emotional side of leaving work.
Want Scenario Testing
You want to explore "what if" scenarios: retire at 62 vs 65, different spending levels, healthcare costs.
Already Have Investments Elsewhere
Your 401(k) and IRA are already invested. You need planning guidance, not portfolio management.
Perfect fit: You need help planning retirement (when to retire, how much to save, budgeting, scenario testing) rather than managing existing investments. You want conversation, guidance, and emotional support for the transition.
The Ideal Combination
Many users benefit from both:
- Use Retirement Buddy for planning: Figure out when to retire, create budgets, explore scenarios, get emotional support
- Use a robo-advisor for execution: Let algorithms manage your portfolio, handle rebalancing, and optimize taxes
- Best of both worlds: Strategic planning guidance + automated investment management
- Total cost: Still far less than a traditional financial advisor
Planning + Execution = Complete retirement solution
Start Planning Your Retirement Today
Get expert planning guidance for $0-$3/month. Invest your assets however you choose.