What is a robo-advisor UK?

A robo-advisor is an online investment service that automatically builds and manages a portfolio for you based on your goals and risk tolerance. You answer questions, they create a diversified portfolio, and algorithms handle rebalancing. Lower fees than traditional advisers, minimal effort required.

Are robo-advisors worth it UK?

For hands-off investors who want diversified portfolios without hassle, yes. Fees are reasonable (typically 0.25-0.75%), and they remove emotional decision-making. However, DIY index investors can achieve similar results more cheaply. Robo-advisors add value through convenience and discipline.

Which is the best robo-advisor UK?

It depends on your needs. Nutmeg is the largest and offers ISAs, pensions, and regular accounts. Wealthify has low minimums. Moneyfarm offers personal service. InvestEngine is fee-free for its robo portfolios. Compare fees, minimums, and features to find your best fit.

How much do robo-advisors charge UK?

Typically 0.25-0.75% annual management fee, plus underlying fund fees (usually 0.15-0.25%). Total cost: 0.4-1%. Compare this to DIY investing (0.2-0.4% total) or traditional advisers (1-2%+). Check fee tiers — some get cheaper with larger amounts.

Robo-Advisors Compared UK — Best Platforms Reviewed | PocketWise

Robo-Advisors Compared UK — Best Platforms Reviewed

Compare robo-advisors available in the UK. How they work, fees compared, performance, and which robo-advisor is best for your situation.

By PocketWise · 24 March 2026 · 4 min read

Robo-advisors make investing simple. Here’s how they compare and which might suit you best.

What Is a Robo-Advisor?

The Basics

Feature	Details
What it does	Builds and manages your portfolio automatically
How it works	Algorithm-based, not human stock picking
You provide	Goals, time horizon, risk tolerance
They do	Asset allocation, rebalancing, dividends
Cost	Lower than traditional advisers

How It Works

Step	Process
1	Sign up and answer questionnaire
2	System assigns risk profile
3	You’re matched with a portfolio
4	Deposit money
5	Robo buys investments automatically
6	Ongoing rebalancing happens
7	You check in occasionally

Major UK Robo-Advisors

Comparison Table

Provider	Minimum	Fee	Fund Costs	Total Cost
Nutmeg	£500 (£100 for Junior ISA)	0.25-0.75%	0.17-0.35%	0.42-1.10%
Wealthify	£1	0.35-0.60%	0.14-0.16%	0.49-0.76%
Moneyfarm	£500	0.45-0.75%	0.20%	0.65-0.95%
InvestEngine	£100	0% (managed)	0.15%	0.15%
Vanguard LifeStrategy	£500	0.15% (platform)	0.22%	0.37%

Fees may vary — check current rates.

Feature Comparison

Provider	ISA	Pension	GIA	Junior ISA	Ethical Option
Nutmeg	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Wealthify	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Moneyfarm	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
InvestEngine	✓	✓	✓	No	✓

Provider Deep Dives

Nutmeg

Feature	Details
Established	2011 (UK pioneer)
AUM	£5+ billion
Portfolio types	Fixed, Managed, Socially Responsible
Fee structure	0.25% (>£500k), 0.35% (>£100k), 0.45% (>£25k), 0.75% (under £25k)
Owned by	JPMorgan

Best for: Established track record, range of options, ISA and pension integration.

Wealthify

Feature	Details
Established	2016
Minimum	£1
Fee structure	0.35% (ISA), 0.60% (pension)
Portfolio types	Original, Ethical
Owned by	Aviva

Best for: Starting small, ethical investing, Aviva integration.

Moneyfarm

Feature	Details
Established	2012 (Italy), UK 2016
Fee structure	0.45% (>£100k), 0.55% (>£50k), 0.65% (>£20k), 0.75% (under £20k)
Unique feature	Human financial consultants available
Portfolios	7 risk levels

Best for: Personal touch, phone support, European approach.

InvestEngine

Feature	Details
Established	2019
Fee structure	0% (managed portfolios)
Fund costs	~0.15%
Portfolio types	ETF-based managed and DIY
Catch	Earn money from ETF providers

Best for: Lowest fees, ETF investors, cost-conscious.

Costs Explained

Fee Structure

Fee Type	What It Is
Platform/management fee	Robo’s charge
Fund costs (OCF)	Underlying investment fees
Trading costs	Usually included
Total cost	Add them together

Cost Comparison: £50,000 Invested

Provider	Management	Fund	Annual Total
Nutmeg	£225 (0.45%)	£100 (0.20%)	£325
Wealthify	£175 (0.35%)	£75 (0.15%)	£250
Moneyfarm	£325 (0.65%)	£100 (0.20%)	£425
InvestEngine	£0	£75 (0.15%)	£75
Vanguard	£75 (0.15%)	£110 (0.22%)	£185

Long-Term Fee Impact

£50,000 over 20 years at 6% growth	End Value
0.15% total fees (InvestEngine)	£152,000
0.40% total fees (Vanguard-like)	£144,000
0.75% total fees (mid-tier robo)	£133,000
1.00% total fees (higher robo)	£126,000

£26,000 difference between cheapest and most expensive.

Robo-Advisor vs DIY Investing

Comparison

Factor	Robo-Advisor	DIY Investing
Effort	Very low	Some learning needed
Decisions	Made for you	You decide
Rebalancing	Automatic	Manual
Fees	0.25-0.75% + funds	0-0.15% platform + funds
Knowledge needed	Minimal	Some
Emotional discipline	Built in	Up to you

When Robo Is Better

Situation	Why Robo Works
Don’t want to learn investing	It’s all done for you
Would panic in downturn	Algorithm doesn’t panic
Value convenience	Set and forget
Don’t enjoy finance	No decisions required

When DIY Is Better

Situation	Why DIY Works
Want to learn	Educational
Enjoy control	Your choices
Fee-conscious	Can be cheaper
Simple needs	One global fund is enough

Performance

Understanding Performance

Factor	Reality
All robos similar	Most use similar ETF mix
Performance varies by risk level	Higher risk = more volatile
Past performance	No guarantee of future
Fees matter more	Than small performance differences

What Affects Returns

Factor	Impact
Your risk level	Biggest impact
Market conditions	Same for all investors
Fees	Predictable drag
Fund selection	Minor differences

Choosing the Right Robo

By Your Situation

If You…	Consider
Have small amount to start	Wealthify (£1 minimum)
Want lowest fees	InvestEngine (0%)
Want established provider	Nutmeg
Want human support	Moneyfarm
Want simple all-in-one	Any major provider
Are ethical investor	Wealthify, Nutmeg, InvestEngine

Questions to Ask

Question	Why It Matters
What’s the total cost?	Management + fund fees
What’s the minimum investment?	Can you start?
What accounts are offered?	ISA, pension, GIA
Is there ethical option?	If that matters to you
What support is available?	When you have questions

Getting Started

Application Process

Step	What Happens
1	Verify identity (ID upload)
2	Answer risk questions
3	See recommended portfolio
4	Agree or adjust risk level
5	Fund account
6	Money invested within days

What to Expect

Timeline	Activity
Day 1	Sign up, fund account
Day 2-5	Money invested
Monthly	See statements
Quarterly	Portfolio rebalanced
Annually	Review risk level

Summary: Robo-Advisor Selection

Quick Guide

Priority	Best Choice
Lowest cost	InvestEngine
Lowest minimum	Wealthify
Most established	Nutmeg
Human support	Moneyfarm
All-in-one simplicity	Any of the above

Robo-Advisor Checklist

Check	Details
Total fees	Management + fund costs
Minimum investment	Matches what you have
Account types	ISA, pension, etc.
Risk levels	Enough options
Ethical options	If needed
Reviews	Check user feedback
Supported	UK FCA regulated

Robo-advisors make investing accessible. They’re not the absolute cheapest option, but the convenience and discipline they provide can be worth the small extra cost. Pick one and start — that’s what matters most.