Best Robo-Advisors in Singapore 2022

Best Robo Advisors in Singapore Comparison for 2022

The advent of technology has enabled automation to make everyone's life easier, which goes the same for investing. Using algorithms and logic with a touch of human input, investing has been made into something that can be automated. Find out about the best robo advisors in Singapore and the platforms that are best suited for you.

What Are Robo Advisors?

Robo advisors are digital platforms that make an automated and algorithm-driven investment decisions. Instead of a fund manager, robo advisors offer investment solutions based on mathematical rules or algorithms. These algorithms are calculated and programmed by companies based on their respective financial models and knowledge, hence requiring less human supervision. This makes low cost, diversified, passive investing accessible to investors.

This is, in contrast, to actively managed funds that are run by mutual fund managers. With the use of algorithms, managing the fund is cheaper than the usually hefty 2 to 3% management fees that fund managers charge.

In Singapore, most robo advisors allow you to invest in the US, and global ETFs and the portfolios offered are usually exposed to various asset classes. They span from equities to commodities and even gold.

How Do Robo Advisors Work?

Investing through robo advisors is a pretty simple process. All you need to do is set up an account with your chosen robo advisor and complete a quick questionnaire to establish your risk appetite and financial goals to start investing. 

Here’s how to get started: 

1. Sign up online or through your robo advisor app
2. Indicate your risk appetite and financial goals
3. Answer the questionnaire that will enable your robo advisor to understand your risk appetite, investment time horizon, future goals, and financial situation.
4. The robo advisor will provide the recommended investment portfolio(s) that best suits your goals, risk appetite, and profile from the information you have indicated. You may choose to heed your robo advisor’s recommendations or otherwise. 
5. Deposit money and start investing
6. Simply transfer funds into your selected portfolio(s) and start monitoring them!

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Robo Advisor

Despite it's mass-market appeal, not all robo advisors are created equal. There are minute differences in the way a robo advisor works. The best robo-advisor depends on the needs of the users. What needs to be considered when picking a robo-advisor are platform fees, fund management fees, minimum investment amount, and the ability to support cash, SRS or SPF.

Best Robo Advisors in Singapore and Robo Advisor Fees 2022

With so many new robo advisors in the market today, deciding which robo advisor to put your funds in can be challenging. We’ve got you covered! 

Here are 11 robo advisors in Singapore with their annual fees and other criteria to help you get started:

Robo Advisor Recommendations for Investors of Skill Levels

Not all robo advisors are created equally. Here is our take on which robo advisors bests suits different profile of investors. 

Best Robo Advisor For Beginners

For entry level investors who are looking to dip their toes into the world of investing, these robo advisors are ideal because of their fees and low to no minimum investment amount.

With almost no minimum investment amount, these platforms are great low-risk and low commitment options for newbies to test things. Furthermore, these platforms have a relatively intuitive interface that also make investing less complex for beginner investors. 

Best Robo Advisor For Hardcore Investors

For investors with more experience, these platforms offers more sophisticated products that may be right up your alley.

There is a significant stipulated minimum investment amount compared to the above four robo advisors for Endowus, AutoWealth, and SaxoWealthCare. Furthermore, both Endowus and Kristal.AI offer investment products that are more complex with the option of customising your portfolio. So this may be good news for seasoned investors!

Pros and Cons of Investing With Robo Advisors

Robo advisors offer numerous benefits when it comes to investing. You will realise that robo advisors are especially advantageous because:

1. Low barrier to entry: Robo advisors have designed their products and digital platforms to be user-friendly, which is one of its greatest appeals to beginner investors. 
2. A lower-cost option: With some offering low to no minimum investment amounts, you can choose to start small before working your way up after familiarising yourself with the whole investment game. Furthermore, most platforms charge significantly lower fees than when you entrust your investment to human fund managers.
3. Offers diversification: Most robo advisors offer products that provide your exposure to numerous markets and asset classes, ensuring that your portfolios are diversified to further reduce risks. 
4. Low commitment: You can choose to liquidate your investments anytime since there is no lock-in period, unlike some investment funds or saving plans.

With all that said, there are still cons to investing in robo advisors:

1. Limited customisability: This may be the biggest gripe for more seasoned investors when it comes to portfolios offered by robo advisors. While some may enable customisability, this is often limited and will not enable you full control over your portfolio.
2. It may be more expensive than investing on your own: DIY investments charge you per transaction, while robo advisors take a cut out of your total investment. For those who invest significant sums of money, you may end up paying higher fees. 

Should I Invest in Robo Advisors?

At this juncture, you may be wondering if a robo advisor is the right investment solution for you. 

If you are a time-starved working adult looking to grow your money passively (think: most Singaporeans today, between 21 to 45 years old), robo advisors may be ideal for you. 

Without having to physically head down to the bank to look for a relationship or fund manager — who may or may not even have your interests at heart — robo advisors are a transparent, low-cost, and perfect way to grow your wealth passively. 

Robo Advisor Guides 101

Still have questions about robo advisors or are wondering if you should make the jump to invest with one? Check out our curated list of guides to understanding all you need to know about investing and robo advisors to kickstart your investing journey:

• A Singaporean’s Guide to Investing for Beginners
• A Dummy’s Guide to Investing in Robo Advisors
• Best Robo Advisor Comparison Guide
• The Seedly Money Framework: The Complete Guide to Winning Your Finances
• Robo Advisors Singapore: 6 Reasons Why You Should Invest With Robos And 3 Reasons Why You Should Not
• What Are Robo-Advisors? We Answer 5 Common Questions!

Frequently Asked Questions

What do robo-advisors invest in?

Robo-advisors invest in various products from ETFs, Equities, REITs, Gold, Cash Management, and many more, depending on the robo-advisor utilised.

Can you lose money with robo-advisors?

Yes, as with all forms of investments, there is the risk of losing money due to it being subjected to market volatility. Therefore, it is important that you create a proper profile based on your aversion to risk and your goals.

Do robo-advisors beat the market?

No, most likely, robo-advisors do not beat the market. Robo-advisors are programmed using algorithms to invest funds based on requirements, goals and risk tolerance and not to beat the market.

Are robo-advisors good for beginners?

Robo-advisors are generally good for beginners due to their low cost and low entry barrier, making them accessible to all, including those with smaller net worth. Also, having the robo-advisors automate trading decisions means a budding investor can start creating a portfolio without extensive knowledge on investing.

Disclaimer: Products with a "Visit Site" button pay to access additional features

• Provides option to spend or transact in foreign currencies at FOREX/Interbank rates
• Auto or partially automated portfolio asset allocation