The way people invest is changing rapidly. Gone are the days when you had to sit across from a suit-and-tie financial advisor in a sleek office, worrying whether you had “enough” to be taken seriously. In 2025, for an ever-growing number of retail investors, their first investing conversation doesn’t happen with a person—it happens with an algorithm. That’s where robo-advisors come in.
Ma cos'è esattamente un robo-advisor? E soprattutto, dovreste fidarvi di uno di loro per gestire il vostro denaro?
Che cos'è un Robo-Advisor?
At its core, a robo-advisor is a digital platform that uses algorithms to offer automated investment advice and portfolio management. Based on your answers to a few questions—usually about your financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance—the platform suggests and manages a diversified portfolio, often built from low-cost ETFs.
I robo-advisor in genere automatizzano tutti gli aspetti dell'investimento: dall'asset allocation al ribilanciamento, fino al reinvestimento dei dividendi e, in alcuni casi, persino al tax-loss harvesting. E lo fanno a una frazione del costo di un consulente finanziario umano.
Quanto sarà grande il mercato della robo-consulenza nel 2025?
Secondo Statista, all'inizio del 2025 le attività gestite dai robo-advisor a livello globale supereranno i $2,5 trilioni. Solo negli Stati Uniti, oltre 20 milioni di utenti investono attualmente attraverso piattaforme come Betterment, Wealthfront o SoFi. In Europa, servizi come Moneyfarm, Scalable Capital e N26 Invest stanno registrando una crescita costante, soprattutto tra gli investitori più giovani.
Italy, in particular, has seen a rise in robo-investing adoption. A 2024 report by Banca d’Italia indicated that over 1 million Italian investors under 35 have tried digital portfolio management solutions, citing accessibility and low fees as key drivers.
Il vantaggio dei costi
One of the most appealing features of robo-advisors is their cost efficiency. While traditional advisors may charge 1% or more in annual fees, most robo-advisors offer management at a rate between 0.25% and 0.50%. Some, like Trade Republic or Revolut, even provide basic ETF portfolios with no annual fee at all—making investing more accessible than ever.
Low fees matter more than you might think. Over a 30-year period, a 1% fee difference on a € 50,000 portfolio can mean tens of thousands of euros lost to costs—money that could’ve been compounding in your favor.
I robo-consulenti sono sicuri?
Security and trust are common concerns when dealing with automated systems, especially in finance. The good news is, most reputable robo-advisors operate under the same regulatory frameworks as traditional investment firms. Your money is usually held in custodial accounts with large banks or financial institutions, and many platforms offer up to €100,000 in coverage under European deposit protection schemes.
It’s important to distinguish between the algorithm managing your investments and where your money is actually kept. While the “robo” makes decisions, the funds themselves are stored safely with established partners.
What Robo-Advisors Can—and Can’t—Do
Robo-advisors are excellent at handling the mechanics of investing. They stay disciplined during market volatility, avoid emotional decision-making, and optimize your portfolio based on your preferences. But they don’t offer personalized, nuanced advice like a human advisor might.
If you need help navigating a divorce, inheritance, tax planning, or buying a home, a human planner can offer context that an algorithm can’t yet replicate. That said, many platforms now offer hybrid models—automated portfolios with optional human support for a higher fee.
Chi dovrebbe usarne uno?
If you’re just starting out, don’t have a complex financial situation, or simply want a hands-off way to grow your money, robo-advisors can be an ideal solution. They’re particularly popular with millennials and Gen Z investors who prefer digital tools and don’t want to overthink their portfolio.
Potete anche considerare l'utilizzo di un robo-advisor come soluzione complementare. Ad esempio, potreste gestire i vostri investimenti pensionistici a lungo termine tramite l'automazione, mantenendo un conto di intermediazione separato per la selezione di titoli o la sperimentazione.
Trust the Algorithm—With a Little Oversight
Robo-advisors aren’t magic, but they are practical. They take proven investment principles—diversification, cost efficiency, and consistency—and execute them reliably without ego or emotion. In many ways, they’ve removed the biggest barrier to entry for new investors: complexity.
Quindi, dovreste affidare i vostri soldi a un robo-advisor? Se i vostri obiettivi sono chiari e la vostra situazione finanziaria è semplice, la risposta potrebbe essere sì.
But like any investment strategy, it’s worth reviewing your performance periodically, staying informed, and making sure your financial habits match your long-term ambitions. Even the best algorithm can’t replace your financial mindset—but it can definitely support it.
