Best Investment Firms for High-Net-Worth Individuals: A Comparison Guide
Are you searching for the best investment firms for high-net-worth individuals to help manage and grow your assets effectively? Taking the time to understand your options, define your financial priorities, and compare available firms is a smart and necessary step.
For individuals and families with significant portfolios, choosing the right financial advisor or investment firm can be especially complex. With access to private investment opportunities, tax-sensitive strategies, and custom portfolio management, high-net-worth investors often require solutions that go beyond conventional investing.
Managing substantial assets without strategic support can be overwhelming—this is where independent investment firms and fee-based investment advisors can play a meaningful role.
PillarWM Finder is a research-based platform designed to help users explore and compare private investment management firms across the U.S. We do not offer investment services or advice, but we provide neutral, educational content to guide you through your decision-making process.
In the sections below, we’ll walk you through what to know when evaluating the best investment firms for high-net-worth individuals.
Investment Firms at a Glance
Investment firms—sometimes referred to as brokerage firms—function as intermediaries that facilitate financial transactions between buyers and sellers. In return for their services, they typically earn fees or commissions once a transaction is completed. Beyond execution, many large and independent investment firms also provide high-net-worth investment advisory services, including portfolio strategy, retirement planning, and tax-efficient asset allocation. Understanding how these firms are structured and how they serve clients is an essential first step when comparing providers.
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Notable Investment Firms for High-Net-Worth Investors
If you’re evaluating your options for private investment management, it’s helpful to understand the structure, services, and capabilities of some of the most prominent investment firms in the U.S. The following firms represent a sample of providers offering platforms and advisory options for individual investors, including high-net-worth clients. While not an endorsement, this overview can assist in your due diligence process.
Fidelity Investments
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Boston, Fidelity manages over $4.5 trillion in assets. It offers a variety of investment services across multiple investor tiers, including brokerage accounts, mutual funds, retirement accounts, ETFs, and fixed-income products. Fidelity provides different advisory tiers, including digital tools (Fidelity Go), dedicated advisor services, and more customized offerings through its wealth and private wealth management divisions. The firm emphasizes cost-efficiency and has no account minimums for standard brokerage accounts, with commission-free trading available on many products.
TD Ameritrade
Founded in 1975 and now a part of Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade offers full-service investment tools, including its well-known Thinkorswim platform for active traders. The company provides access to equities, ETFs, options, mutual funds, futures, fixed-income products, and limited cryptocurrency trading. It also supports registered investment advisors through custodial services. While TD Ameritrade has no required minimums for brokerage accounts, it offers tiered tools and services based on investor experience.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is known for its global reach and robust trading platform. Founded in 1978, the firm gives investors access to over 150 global markets in 24 currencies. Offerings include stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, mutual funds, and cryptocurrencies. The firm provides tools for both individual investors and institutional clients, such as IBKR Pro for advanced trading and the IBKR GlobalAnalyst for international equity research. Interactive Brokers uses a tiered commission model and offers educational tools through its Traders’ Academy.
Tastyworks
A subsidiary of Tastytrade and acquired by IG Group in 2021, Tastyworks is a trading-focused platform that emphasizes options, futures, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. It was developed by experienced derivatives traders and includes unique features such as a live feed of trading activity and the Follow Feed, which allows users to track strategies from public trader profiles. Tastyworks may appeal to active investors seeking a hands-on approach to tactical portfolio construction.
Overview of Investment Firms
An investment firm—also commonly referred to as a brokerage firm—acts as a financial intermediary that connects buyers and sellers in the marketplace. These firms facilitate transactions involving various financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options. Their primary role is to match both sides of a trade and ensure transactions occur at optimal market prices.
In exchange for this service, investment firms typically earn revenue through fees or commissions, which may be charged per transaction or as part of an account’s overall structure. Some firms operate on a traditional full-service model, offering investment planning and access to advisors, while others focus on low-cost, self-directed platforms with minimal fees.
Full-service investment firms may also provide research, planning support, and product recommendations across a wide range of financial instruments. Meanwhile, discount firms often offer commission-free trading on select products, with revenue offset by other fees, such as markups on fixed income products or payment for order flow arrangements.
When evaluating private investment management options, understanding how each firm operates—its pricing model, service levels, and investment philosophy—is essential to making informed decisions.
PillarWM Finder offers a neutral, research-based directory to help you compare independent investment firms and fee-based investment advisors based on your goals, strategy preferences, and portfolio size.
Choosing the Best Investment Firms for High-Net-Worth Individuals
One common question among investors is: “Which investment firm manages the most money?” While total assets under management may indicate a firm’s scale, it doesn’t always reflect whether that firm is right for your specific needs—especially if you’re managing a high or ultra-high net worth portfolio.
For high-net-worth individuals, effective wealth management often comes down to personalized strategy over brand size. Larger firms may offer extensive tools and resources, but working with an advisor who understands your unique goals and preferences is essential for long-term success.
Each firm offers its own mix of services, fee structures, account types, and advisor models. As such, the answer to “What are the best investment firms for high-net-worth individuals?” is often a personal one—based on fit, flexibility, and strategic alignment.
To make the process easier, here are three key factors to consider when evaluating investment firms that specialize in private investment management:
1. Determine Your Investment Priorities
Every investor brings different needs to the table. Some firms focus on active portfolio management, while others emphasize low-cost, self-directed strategies. Think about the level of service, account customization, and asset types you’re looking for—such as mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, fixed income, or alternatives like crypto.
Also consider whether you’re seeking access to a dedicated advisor or prefer digital tools for flexibility and control. Understanding what matters most to you will help narrow your search among fee-based investment advisors and independent investment firms.
2. Consider the Types of Accounts Offered
Investment firms may offer a range of account options, including individual brokerage accounts, retirement accounts (IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)), custodial accounts, or 529 college savings plans. Not all firms support every account type, so be sure to choose a provider that aligns with your financial planning needs—now and in the future.
3. Evaluate Tools and Support Resources
From first-time investors to seasoned wealth holders, support needs vary widely. If you’re early in your investing journey, you may prioritize educational resources, user-friendly platforms, and personalized planning support. For experienced investors, key features might include tax-loss harvesting tools, detailed reporting, and access to global markets.
Evaluating a firm’s platform, research tools, and advisor access can help ensure that the firm you choose supports your strategy across all stages of your financial journey.
What Makes a Successful Investment Advisor?
Whether you’re hiring an advisor or evaluating a firm’s advisory team, certain traits can indicate professionalism and client alignment:
- A focus on long-term client relationships and retention
- A disciplined, transparent approach to performance tracking
- Clear communication, both during onboarding and ongoing reviews
- A balance of analytical expertise and interpersonal skills
- A background in finance, economics, or investment management
Advisors serving high-net-worth clients should also be comfortable navigating more complex planning needs, such as estate coordination, charitable giving, or multi-asset portfolio rebalancing.
How Do Advisors Manage High Net Worth Portfolios?
Managing large portfolios requires more than standard asset allocation. Fee-based investment advisors working with high-net-worth individuals often build tailored strategies around tax efficiency, wealth preservation, and intergenerational planning.
Some best practices include:
- Taking time to understand the complete financial picture—including real estate, business holdings, and retirement income
- Offering proactive planning discussions to address potential risks and evolving goals
- Emphasizing value, cost transparency, and clear outcome expectations
- Practicing patience during onboarding, especially when portfolios include multiple account types or custodians
- Building trust before recommending complex financial decisions
Final Thought
Choosing the right investment firm is one of the most important financial decisions high-net-worth individuals will make. The firm you select should align with your goals, respect your time, and offer solutions tailored to the complexities of managing significant wealth.
Use PillarWM Finder to explore and compare independent investment firms and fee-based advisors based on your needs—not marketing.
