Dans cet article, Investir dans un Robo-advisor : Avantages et Inconvénients, on va analyser l’ensemble des prestations d’un robo-advisor. Et comprendre s’il te correspond 😉
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⚠️ This article is just a personal opinion. Not investment advice. Investing involves risk of losing money. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance 🔺
What is a Robo-Advisor?
A robo-advisor (or “robo-advisor”) is a digital platform that automatically manages your stock portfolio based on:
- Your risk profile (cautious, balanced, dynamic, etc.).
- Your financial goals (retirement, growth, passive income, etc.).
- A predefined diversification (ETFs, stocks, bonds, etc.).
Simplified operation
How does a robo-advisor work?
- You fund your account in cash.
- You choose your profile (e.g., “moderate growth”).
- The robo-advisor invest in yourself according to an automated strategy.
- He charges fees (usually a % annually on your portfolio), it doesn't matter the performances (positive or negative).
It’s actually very simple!
Example
If you deposit CHF 10,000 on Finpension Invest with a “global” profile, the platform will distribute your money into Swiss and international ETFs or index funds, then automatically adjust the distribution according to the markets.
Should you invest through a Robo-Advisor?
There are advantages and disadvantages:
✅ Les Avantages
| Asset | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Simplicity | No need to follow the markets: everything is managed for you. Ideal for beginners or those who want a "“no fuss“. |
| Automatic diversification | Robo-advisors use strategies predefined and tested (e.g., 60% equities / 40% bonds), with a transparent performance history. |
| Access to professional strategies | Even with a small amount of capital, you benefit from management inspired by the great wealth managers. |
| Reduced costs vs. human management | The average fees for a robo-advisor (0.47% to 0.75%) are 2 to 4 times lower than those of a traditional wealth manager (1% to 2%). |
❌ Les Inconvénients
| Limit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hidden fees | Some robo-advisors omit hidden costs, which reduce customer profitability. |
| Total costs | The fees are generally quite high, although some robo-advisors have reasonable fees. |
Why are the fees so high?
When you invest, in truth, Every franc saved in commission fees = more money working for you.
In reality, a robo-advisor usually takes a cut. an annual percentage on your wallet, in the long term, these fees they add up and significantly reduce your earnings.
💡 Example A difference in 0.5% in fees per year can cost you tens of thousands of francs over 20 years.
How much does a robo-advisor cost on average?
In Switzerland, robo-advisor fees generally vary between 0.40% and 0.70% per year (not including the TER).
Here is a comparison of the main players in 2026:
| Robo-Advisor | Management fees |
|---|---|
| Finpension Invest | 0.39% |
| Selma | 0.50% |
| Swissquote | 0.69% |
| Levercircles | 0.50% |
I would like to remind you that TER train fares are not included.
Concrete Example: CHF 100,000 Invested Over 20 Years
Let's take a realistic scenario to illustrate the impact of fees on your wallet.
Hypotheses:
- Initial capital : 100,000 CHF.
- Annual payment : 0 CHF (no money is added, for simplicity).
- Average annual yield : 5% (realistic assumption for a portfolio diversified in ETFs).
- Annual fees :
- Robo-Advisor (Finpension Invest) : 0.39%.
- Stockbroker account (Interactive Brokers) : 0.25% (transaction fee).
Let's assume that both strategies have an annual TER of 0.08%. This results in the following:
- Finpension Invest: 0.47%
- Interactive Brokers: 0.33%
Results after 20 years:
Impact of fees over 20 years (initial CHF 100,000)
| Option | Annual fees | Final value (after fees) | Total fees paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| At no cost | 0% | CHF 265,330 | 0 CHF |
| Stockbroker account (IB) | 0.33% | CHF 252,000 | ~46,000 CHF |
| Robo-Advisor | 0.47% | CHF 232,000 | ~66,000 CHF |
We conclude that there is a difference of 20,000 CHF. That's a lot of money.
Why such a difference?
Robo-advisor fees add up year after year And reduce the effect of compound interest.
- With 0% of fees Your money grows by 5% per year without obstacle.
- With 0.47% in fees Your yield net is now only 4,53% per year (5% – 0.47%).
→ That seems like a small amount, but over 20 years, the impact is enormous.
We conclude that if you choose to invest using a robo-advisor, it's best to choose one with the lowest possible commissions.
The cost of hidden costs
So far, we have seen that robo-advisors are competitive compared to stock market accounts, but we have not yet examined one point: the hidden costs.
With most robo-advisors, hidden fees are not included, such as:
- stamp duties (approximately 0.15%)
- Product management costs (approximately 0.20%)
therefore, 0.35% can easily be added to the cost.
And that's where robo-advisors lose their power, because when we add up overhead and hidden fees, the majority of robo-advisors simply become too expensive.
Fee Comparison: Robo-Advisors vs. Asset Managers vs. Brokerage Accounts
| Management type | Average annual costs (without TER) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Wealth Manager (Human) | 1% – 2% | Private banks, family offices |
| Robo-Advisor | 0.40% – 0.75% | Finpension Invest, Viac Invest |
| Cheap stock market account | 0.27% – 0.50% | Interactive Brokers, Saxo, Yuh, Neon Invest |
Note that the total costs depend on the stock market strategy, the number of investments per month and the brokerage fees of the account.
Conclusion: Robo-Advisor or Stock Market Account?
✅ Choisis un Robo-Advisor si :
- Do you want a turnkey solution without you having to worry about the management.
- You invest mainly in Switzerland (for example, Finpension Invest or Viac Invest are competitive).
- You don't have no time or desire to manage your portfolio.
❌ Préfère un Compte Boursier si :
- You want control your strategy (e.g.: ETF VHYL + BNDW).
- You invest primarily in the United States (Interactive Brokers for example).
- You want minimize costs
My opinion
In my opinion, I prefer managing my portfolio with ETFs through my brokerage account. The management is more flexible and overall, there are fewer hidden fees compared to a robo-advisor.
However, for novices or those who like to delegate their stock market fortune, robo-advisors are a good option.
In my opinion, the best options right now are Viac Invest* or Finpension Invest*.
⚠️ Reminder This article is a personal opinion. Do your own research and consult a financial advisor if needed. Fees and performance are subject to change.
FAQ: Investing in a Robo-advisor: Advantages and Disadvantages
What is a robo-advisor and how does it differ from a traditional stock market account?
A robo-advisor is a digital platform that automatically manages your investment portfolio based on your risk profile and your financial objectives. Unlike a classic stock market account, Or You choose and manage it yourself your investments (ETFs, stocks, etc.), the robo-advisor automates everything : diversification, rebalancing and tax optimization.
On the other hand, With a stock market account, you have total freedom to select your assets, but that requires a little more time and knowledge.
How much do robo-advisor fees cost in Switzerland, and why are they so important?
In Switzerland, the Average fees for a robo-advisor vary between 0.47% and 0.75% per year (management fees + TER included). For example, Finpension Invest invoice 0.47%, while Swissquote or Selma are located around 0.75%.
However, it is also important to examine the hidden costs of robo-advisors, as they are not always visible.
Is a robo-advisor more tax-efficient than a Swiss stock market account?
It depends of the robo-advisor and your strategy. Indeed, some Swiss robo-advisors, such as Finpension Invest, automatically optimize taxation on the dividends (e.g., reduced withholding tax).
On the other hand, with a stock market account, you must declare yourself your capital gains and dividends, which may be more complex but also more flexible.
Can I invest in US ETFs with a Swiss robo-advisor?
Unfortunately, no for most Swiss robo-advisors. Indeed, many limit themselves to Swiss or European ETFs, which may be a major drawback if you want to diversify with ETFs UNITED STATES (e.g. ETF SP500 like VOO).
On the other hand, with a stock market account like Interactive Brokers, you have access to all US ETFs with very low fees.
Which is the better choice between a robo-advisor and a stock market account for a passive investor in Switzerland?
It all depends on your strategy and priorities :
| Criteria | Robo-Advisor | Stock Market Account |
|---|---|---|
| Simplicity | ✅ Everything is automated | ❌ Gestion manuelle requise |
| Costs | Medium to high (according to robo-advisor) | Low to medium (Depending on broker) |
| Flexibility | ❌ Predefined strategies | ✅ Full choice of ETFs/stocks |
| Taxation | ✅ Automatically optimized | ❌ To manage yourself |
Investing in a Robo-advisor: Advantages and Disadvantages
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Investing in a Robo-advisor: Advantages and Disadvantages
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