Creative Planning vs. Fisher Investments: what’s the difference?
Discover the key differences between Creative Planning and Fisher Investments, including their financial advisory services, fee structures, careers, technology, and respective pros and cons.
Summary
Fisher Investments and Creative Planning both offer financial advisory services to US-based clients.
Fisher Investments offers personalized strategies tailored to high-net-worth clients.
Creative Planning provides a diverse range of services, including financial advisory services, financial planning, and investment portfolio management.
Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor best suited to meet your investment needs.
Fisher Investments vs. Creative Planning: what are the differences?
Fisher Investments is a financial advisory company established in 1979. It offers investment strategy advice and portfolio management for high-net-worth investors, and its financial advisors provide an extensive range of investment and financial planning services.
Creative Planning Inc. also offers various financial management services, including wealth management, investment management, estate and retirement management, and financial planning services. The firm’s team consists of highly certified specialists and uses an asset-based fee structure to deliver market-leading advice.
What fees can I expect from Creative Planning and Fisher Investments?
Investment firms may levy a range of different fees for their services.
Creative Planning fees are based on an annualized fee structure for each client’s assets. The firm charges its fees per quarter and in arrears.
Fisher Investments charges assets under management (AUM) fees for portfolio management services, which are charged at a percentage of the total a client has invested with the firm.
Fisher Investments fees
The firm requires a minimum investment portfolio value of $500,000 from its clients.
Fisher Investments fees include a 1.25% AUM annually for investments up to $1 million and 1.125% per annum for investments up to $4 million. Assets exceeding $5 million are charged at 1% per annum.
Creative Planning fees
Creative Planning’s financial advisors and portfolio management fees work on a tiered system.
Annual fees are charged quarterly, and investments worth up to $500,000 are charged at 1.20%. Fees of 1% are levied on investments of up to $2 million, 0.85% up to $5 million, 0.80% up to $10 million, and 0.70% up to $25 million.
The firm also charges portfolio management service fees. Investments of up to $500,000 attract a $6,000 annual fee, AUM of up to $1 million is charged at $11,000, and AUM of up to $5 million is charged at $46,500.
Is Fisher Investments or Creative Planning better?
When comparing Fisher Investments and Creative Planning, both have distinct advantages and potential disadvantages to be aware of:
Pros of Fisher Investments
Fisher Investments careers financial advisors provide continuous support and guidance.
Personalized portfolio designs are on offer.
Investment decisions are based on high-quality, extensive research.
World-renowned customer support.
Services tailored to high-value wealth management.
Cons of Fisher Investments
An investment portfolio minimum of $500,000 is not accessible to all investors.
Fees are higher than other leading competitors.
No brokerage platform or services currently on offer.
Pros of Creative Planning
A wide range of services are available, including financial advisory services, comprehensive financial planning, and investment portfolio management.
Use of robust team-centered wealth management strategies and highly skilled Creative Planning careers professionals.
Fee structure reduces fees as clients invest more into their portfolios.
Reputation for upholding strict fiduciary duty and security standards.
Cons of Creative Planning
Extra fees are charged in addition to standard portfolio management fees, including levies for third-party management, variable brokerage, and custodial services.
One ADV disclosure was noted for failing to enforce the code of ethics.
A fee-based structure enables advisors to earn commissions from the sale of certain insurance products, creating a minor risk of conflicts of interest.
Creative Planning or Fisher Investments: which should I choose?
Deciding between Creative Planning and Fisher Investments is not straightforward, as both are regarded as reputable financial service providers.
However, depending on your specific needs and goals, one firm may meet your requirements more fully than another.
Along with key investment strategies, fees, and potential pros and cons, here are some other aspects to consider to help you make an informed decision.
How do Creative Planning and Fisher Investments remain competitive and adapt to changing market conditions?
Fisher Investments keeps its technology and online platforms straightforward, making seeking investment advice approachable even for beginners.
The firm’s security standards meet the latest industry measures. Fisher also provides online video meeting facilities alongside in-person meetings.
Creative Planning’s customized investment strategies form the foundations of its competitive approach.
The firm tailors its investment strategies according to each client’s individual needs and objectives while accounting for liquidity, time horizons and risk tolerance.
Which platform provides better customer service and support?
Fisher Investments customer service is available via phone call, email, video chat, or personal meeting with an investment advisor. The firm also has 10 locations in the US where you can meet directly with your assigned representative for support.
Creative Planning’s customer support services are available via phone call and by scheduling a meeting with a wealth manager. The firm offers an online contact form that clients can use to reach out to Creative Planning financial advisors.
Can I access my Creative Planning or Fisher Investments accounts through their websites and mobile apps?
Fisher Investments does offer an online investment platform without brokerage services. The website allows clients to log in and access information about their portfolios and accounts.
Creative Planning offers its clients both an online platform and a mobile app. The mobile app enables clients to access their portfolios, view financial planning information, and review plan summaries, insurance policies, net worth and goals.
What are Fisher Investments and Creative Planning’s specific investment strategies?
Fisher Investments' strategies are flexible and based on market views to protect client investments. The firm uses a proven, top-down strategy to design the mix of bonds, stocks, and securities within its portfolios.
Creative Planning strategies create diversified portfolios and adopt tax-efficient strategies such as tax-loss harvesting and asset location strategies. The firm uses a tailored mix of assets, including international and domestic stocks, bonds, real estate, and private market investments, to hedge against market variability.
Find the right financial advisor
Fisher Investments and Creative Planning are both reputable choices for financial advice and investment management.
Let Unbiased connect you with an SEC-regulated financial advisor to help you meet your financial goals and ensure your financial future is well-planned.
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