CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity: Which is right for you?
CAPTRUST and Fidelity both offer financial advisor services, but they are built for different investor needs.
CAPTRUST focuses on advisor-led wealth management, custom portfolio management, wrap-fee programs, separately managed accounts, and planning support.
Fidelity uses a tiered advisory platform that includes automated investing, advisor-supported planning, dedicated advisor relationships, and private wealth services.
Feature | CAPTRUST | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
Service type | Advisor-led wealth planning and wrap-fee programs | Robo, hybrid, advisor-led, separately managed account (SMA) and private wealth services |
Fees | Tiered wrap-fee model; SMA manager/platform fees may apply | Fees vary by advisory program and service level |
Minimum account size | No disclosed minimum for PMA wrap program; SMA generally $100,000+ | Varies by service tier, from low-entry digital advice to higher-threshold wealth management |
Best for | Investors seeking a full-service advisor relationship with planning and ancillary services | Investors who want a choice of digital, hybrid, advisor-led, or private wealth options |
CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity: Key services
CAPTRUST’s wealth advisory service is relationship-led and customizable.
- Portfolio management: Advisor-led portfolio management, available on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis
- Wrap and SMA programs: Clients can use Portfolio Management Accounts, Wrap Advisory Services, and separately managed account programs.
- Wealth planning: Planning can include goal setting, estate planning needs, tax planning, charitable planning, and coordination with other professional advisors.
- Tax-related and family-office services: CAPTRUST discloses tax consulting, tax return preparation, bill pay, bookkeeping, and family office services.
- Alternative investments: Eligible clients may receive advice on private placements, private equity funds, and other alternative investments.
Fidelity’s financial advisor service is built around service tiers.
- Fidelity Go: Automated investment management with professional oversight and coaching.
- Fidelity Managed FidFolios: Direct indexing with automated tax-loss harvesting and portfolio customization.
- Fidelity Wealth Services (FWS): Advisor-supported planning and discretionary portfolio management through Personalized Portfolios.
- Fidelity Wealth Management (FWM): Dedicated advisor support, comprehensive planning, and personalized investment strategy.
- Fidelity Strategic Disciplines (FSD): Separately managed account strategies for investors seeking more customized portfolio management.
- Fidelity Private Wealth Management: Advisor-led team support for complex wealth needs.
CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity: Fees
CAPTRUST annual advisory fee:
Assets | CAPTRUST annual advisory fee |
|---|---|
First $1 million | 1.25% |
Next $1 million | 1.00% |
Next $3 million | 0.85% |
Assets over $5 million | 0.70% |
Assets above $10 million | Negotiable |
- Wrap fee: Available; maximum rates up to 2.25%, 1.75%, and 1.25% by tier.
- Planning fees: Fixed-fee services generally range from $10,000 to $250,000 annually; hourly ancillary fees are negotiated.
- Other costs: Fund expenses, custodian charges, SMA manager/platform fees, and transaction-related costs may apply.
Fidelity’s fees depend on the selected service:
- Fidelity Go: No advisory fee under $25,000; 0.35% at $25,000 or more.
- Fidelity Managed FidFolios: 0.40% or 0.70% annually.
- Fidelity Wealth Services (FWS): Tiered advisory fees range 0.50%–1.50%
- Fidelity Strategic Disciplines (FSD): 0.20%–1.04%, depending on strategy and assets.
- Fidelity Private Wealth Management (FPW): Fees follow the relevant FWS or FSD schedule, with higher service eligibility.
For larger accounts, the closer comparison is CAPTRUST’s negotiated advisory relationship versus Fidelity Wealth Management or Fidelity Private Wealth Management.
Fee category | CAPTRUST | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
Advisor-led service | Starts at 1.25% on the first $1 million, then declines by asset tier for accounts under $10 million | Fidelity Advisory Services: 1.10% |
Higher-tier wealth management | Standard schedule declines to 0.70% on assets over $5 million; assets above $10 million are negotiable | Fidelity Wealth Management: 0.50%–1.50% |
Private wealth | Assets above $10 million are negotiable | Fidelity Private Wealth Management: 0.20%–1.04% |
CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity: Minimum account sizes
CAPTRUST：
- CAPTRUST does not disclose a minimum account size for its standard Portfolio Management Account or Wrap Advisory Services programs.
- The SMA wrap program generally requires at least $100,000, but the exact minimum varies by SMA manager.
- Advisory fees, minimum account sizes, and services are negotiable
Fidelity discloses minimums by program：
Service | Minimum |
|---|---|
Fidelity Go | $0 to open; $10 required for Fidelity to invest |
Fidelity Managed FidFolios | $5,000 |
Fidelity Wealth Services | $50,000 |
Fidelity Strategic Disciplines | $100,000–$200,000, depending on strategy |
Fidelity Private Wealth Management | $2 million managed through FWS and/or FSD and $10 million in investable assets |
CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity: Pros and cons
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of both CAPTRUST and Fidelity.
Pros of CAPTRUST:
- Broader planning scope: CAPTRUST supports investment management, wealth planning, tax planning, estate planning needs, charitable planning, and certain family office services.
- Flexible account structure: Clients can use discretionary or non-discretionary management, wrap or non-wrap accounts, and some SMA arrangements.
- Lower disclosed non-wrap rates at higher balances: The standard non-wrap schedule drops to 0.70% for assets over $5 million under the disclosed schedule.
Cons of CAPTRUST:
- Fee comparison: Pricing can be harder to compare upfront because costs depend on the advisory agreement, account type, custodian, and service scope.
- Wrap-fee cost: Wrap fees can reach higher maximum rates than the standard non-wrap advisory schedule.
- Variable structure: Advisor involvement and portfolio management can differ depending on whether the account is discretionary, non-discretionary, wrap, non-wrap, or SMA-based.
Pros of Fidelity:
- Multiple service levels: Investors can move from automated investing to planner access, dedicated advisor support, and private wealth services.
- Lower entry options: Fidelity Go and Managed FidFolios give smaller investors access to managed portfolios at lower minimums.
- Clear fee and minimum disclosures: Program costs and eligibility levels are easier to compare.
- Combination of planning and portfolio management: The advisory tiers integrate financial planning with discretionary investment management, giving clients both strategic guidance and execution in one program.
Cons of Fidelity:
- More complex fee comparison: Costs vary by program, service tier, strategy, and account size.
- Higher-touch service requires larger balances: Wealth Management and Private Wealth Management have much higher eligibility levels.
- Limited personalization for digital services: Fidelity Go has no human advisor support and offers only standardized portfolios.
CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity: Technology and security
The main technology difference is client experience.
Category | CAPTRUST | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
Client access | Client portal for quarterly performance reports | Fidelity Investments App |
Reporting | Quarterly performance reports and custodian statements | Account dashboards, portfolio information, and digital account management tools |
Client communication | Financial advisor or client management consultant | Phone, video, dedicated advisor and advisor-led wealth management team |
Asset custody | CAPTRUST uses an independent advisory model with assets held at custodians | Uses Fidelity-affiliated brokerage and custody entities |
Security disclosure | Physical, technical, and procedural safeguards | Multi-factor authentication, Encryption, 24/7 monitoring and account activity alerts |
Final verdict: CAPTRUST vs. Fidelity
CAPTRUST is built around customized wealth management, flexible account structures, negotiated fees, and planning support.
Fidelity is built around a tiered advisory platform, with lower-balance digital options, published service levels, dedicated advisor access at higher tiers, and private wealth support for eligible clients.
CAPTRUST is suitable for investors who want:
- Wealth planning alongside portfolio management.
- Flexibility between wrap, non-wrap, discretionary, and non-discretionary advisory arrangements.
- A service model that can include tax, estate, charitable, and family office-related support.
Fidelity is suitable for investors who want:
- A wider range of advisory options, from robo advice to private wealth management.
- Lower starting minimums and more digital account tools.
- Digital access plus the option to move into a dedicated advisor or private wealth support.
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