TL;DR
- Finax is a European robo‑advisor that offers low‑fee portfolio management for stocks, ETFs, and crypto.
- Account setup takes under 10minutes; you can start with as little as €10.
- Management fee ranges from 0.15% to 0.60% depending on your balance and chosen strategy.
- Best for beginners and hands‑off investors who want diversified exposure without juggling multiple accounts.
- Alternatives include Trade Republic, Revolut Wealth, and Nutmeg - each has a different fee structure or asset mix.
What Is Finax?
Finax is a Switzerland‑based digital wealth‑management service that launched in 2017. Think of it as a robo‑advisor that builds a diversified portfolio for you and rebalances automatically. The platform supports traditional assets like equities and bonds, plus a handful of cryptocurrencies, all wrapped in low‑cost exchange‑traded funds (ETFs).
Why does Finax matter today? In 2025 the number of retail investors using automated advisors crossed 12million in Europe, and fee pressure is at an all‑time low. Finax positions itself as a “transparent, simple, and affordable” solution, which appeals to people who want to invest but don’t have the time or expertise to pick individual stocks.
How Finax Works
The user journey can be split into four clear steps:
- Sign‑up & risk profiling: You create an account, answer a short questionnaire (age, income, risk tolerance, investment horizon), and the platform assigns a risk score from 1 (conservative) to 10 (aggressive).
- Select a portfolio: Finax offers three pre‑built mixes - Balanced, Growth, and Aggressive. Each mix is a basket of ETFs that matches the risk score.
- Fund the account: Minimum deposit is €10. You can link a bank account or use a SEPA transfer. Money is converted into the selected ETFs within 1-2 business days.
- Automatic management: Finax rebalances quarterly, reinvests dividends, and updates the allocation if your risk profile changes.
If you ever want to tweak the portfolio, you can do it in the app, but every change triggers a small transaction fee (usually under €1). The platform also offers a “Human Advisor” add‑on for €79 per year, where you can chat with a certified financial planner.
Costs and Fees - The Bottom‑Line Numbers
Fee transparency is the main selling point. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Management fee: 0.15% for balances under €10000, 0.30% for €10000-€50000, 0.60% for €50000+.
- ETF expense ratios: average 0.06% (included in the management fee).
- Transaction fee on portfolio changes: €0.99 per trade.
- Human Advisor (optional): €79/year.
| Balance | Annual Management Fee | Typical Total Cost (incl. ETF fees) |
|---|---|---|
| €5000 | 0.15% | ≈0.21% |
| €25000 | 0.30% | ≈0.36% |
| €75000 | 0.60% | ≈0.66% |
To put it in perspective, the industry average for robo‑advisors in Europe sits around 0.45%-0.85% (source: European Financial Review 2024). Finax is cheaper than most, especially for smaller accounts.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Who It Fits
Every platform has trade‑offs. Below is a quick matrix that helps you decide if Finax is right for you.
- Strengths
- Low fees across the board.
- Simple onboarding - you’re up and running in minutes.
- Automatic rebalancing keeps risk in line.
- Option to add a human advisor without a huge price tag.
- Weaknesses
- Limited to ETFs and a small crypto list - no individual stocks.
- No tax‑loss harvesting feature (still on the roadmap for 2026).
- Customer support is chat‑only; no phone line.
- Best for
- First‑time investors who want a hands‑off approach.
- People with modest balances who care about fees.
- Anyone living in the EEA who needs a fully regulated Swiss solution.
- Not ideal for
- Active traders who need individual share selection.
- High‑net‑worth investors looking for complex tax strategies.
- Users who prefer phone support.
Alternatives and How to Choose the Right Platform
If Finax doesn’t tick all your boxes, here are three competitors that cover most of the same ground:
| Platform | Key Features | Management Fee | Asset Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Republic | Free trades, crypto, fractional shares | 0.10% - 0.25% | Stocks, ETFs, crypto |
| Revolut Wealth | Integrated banking, instant funding | 0.20% - 0.45% | Stocks, ETFs, crypto |
| Nutmeg | Human‑advised portfolios, tax‑loss harvesting | 0.35% - 0.70% | Stocks, bonds, ETFs, cash |
When comparing, ask yourself three questions:
- Do I need individual stock selection? If yes, trade‑Republic or Revolut may be better.
- Is tax‑efficiency a priority? Nutmeg’s tax‑loss harvesting gives it an edge.
- What’s my budget? Finax and Trade Republic have the lowest fee floors.
To make a final call, write down your top three criteria, score each platform on a 1‑5 scale, and add up the points. The highest total usually reveals the best fit.
Mini‑FAQ
- Is Finax safe? Yes. It’s regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and holds client assets in segregated accounts.
- Can I withdraw anytime? Absolutely. Withdrawals are processed within 3‑5 business days, and there’s no exit fee.
- Do I need a Swiss bank account? No. A regular European IBAN works fine for SEPA transfers.
- What happens to my crypto? Finax stores crypto in cold wallets and does not allow direct withdrawals - you can only trade within the platform.
- Is there a minimum investment? €10 is the minimum, which is perfect for micro‑investors.
Next Steps & Troubleshooting
If you’ve decided Finax sounds right, follow these quick steps:
- Visit Finax.com and click “Start Investing”.
- Complete the KYC (upload ID, proof of address) - the process takes about 5minutes.
- Answer the risk questionnaire; you’ll get an instant portfolio recommendation.
- Fund with a SEPA transfer; keep an eye on the email confirmation for the deposit reference.
- Check the app after 24hours to confirm your ETF holdings appear.
If the deposit doesn’t show up after two days, double‑check the reference code and contact Finax chat support with a screenshot. Most issues resolve within an hour.
For users who hit the fee ceiling (balances above €50000), consider splitting assets: keep a core Finax portfolio for low‑cost diversification and open a separate brokerage for individual stock picks. This hybrid approach lets you enjoy the best of both worlds.
Lastly, schedule a quarterly review of your goals. Even though Finax rebalances automatically, life changes (new job, house purchase) may require a different risk level. Adjust the questionnaire in the app, and Finax will smoothly transition you to a new mix.
7 Comments
Cynthia Springer September 22 2025
I’ve been using Finax for a year now and honestly? It’s the only thing keeping me invested. I’m not a finance person, I just want my money to grow without me stressing over it. The interface is clean, the fees are ridiculous low, and I barely think about it until I get the quarterly email. No drama, no noise. Perfect for my lazy investor brain.
Marissa Coratti September 23 2025
While Finax offers a compelling entry point for retail investors, one must consider the structural limitations inherent in its ETF-only model. The absence of tax-loss harvesting, particularly in a high-inflation, volatile market environment like 2025, represents a significant opportunity cost for long-term holders. Moreover, the fee structure, though transparent, escalates disproportionately at higher balances-effectively penalizing success. A hybrid strategy, as suggested in the article, is not merely advisable-it is financially prudent for anyone accumulating beyond €50,000.
Asia Roveda September 24 2025
Swiss regulation? LOL. You think that means anything when your money’s stuck in ETFs you can’t even touch? And crypto you can’t withdraw? This isn’t investing, it’s a glorified savings account with a fancy app. If you’re not trading individual stocks, you’re just feeding the machine. And don’t get me started on ‘balanced’ portfolios-most of those ETFs are just S&P clones with extra steps.
Micaela Yarman September 26 2025
As someone who moved from Nigeria to the U.S. and had to rebuild my financial life from scratch, Finax was a revelation. No confusing jargon, no pressure from salespeople, no minimums that made me feel like I wasn’t ‘rich enough.’ The fact that I could start with €10 and know my assets were held in segregated Swiss accounts gave me peace of mind I hadn’t felt since leaving home. This isn’t just a tool-it’s a lifeline for global newcomers.
Ezequiel adrian September 27 2025
bro just use trade republic 😎 free trades + crypto + no fee ceiling = why even bother with finax? 🤡
Amanda Wong September 28 2025
The article claims Finax is "transparent," yet it buries the fact that the "human advisor" add-on is a thinly veiled upsell. At €79/year, you’re paying for a chatbot with a human name. And let’s not pretend the risk questionnaire is scientific-it’s a 10-question personality test masquerading as financial planning. Anyone who takes this as serious advice is either naive or already too far in to walk away.
Stephen Adeyanju September 29 2025
just started with finax last week and its chill like i just threw 50 bucks in and forgot about it now im at 200 and the app looks so clean no stress no drama just money growing like a plant 🌱