An alternative to Octopus Money
Octopus Money and Buzz both start with a free conversation and charge £299 for a money plan. Octopus Money's ongoing service is investment management, with regulated advice on its Wealth Planning and Digital Adviser services, charged as a percentage of what you invest: 0.58% to 0.60% a year on Financial Planning and an average of 1.25% a year on Wealth Planning, for £200,000 or more. Buzz charges fixed fees in pounds: coaching from £19 a month, a £1,500 Financial Plan and ongoing planning at £49 a month. Buzz does not manage investments or give regulated advice.
Figures checked 27 October 2026.
Octopus Money and Buzz compared
| Octopus Money | Buzz | |
|---|---|---|
| First step | Free video chat | Free Healthcheck and a free 30-minute starter call |
| Money plan | From £299 | Money Road Map £299, with a set-up session and a day-90 review |
| Ongoing service | Investment management: 0.58% to 0.60% a year (Financial Planning); average 1.25% a year including 0.75% for advice (Wealth Planning, £200,000 minimum) | Coaching £19 or £49 a month; ongoing planning £49 a month |
| Charge on £100,000 invested, a year | £580 to £600 (Financial Planning) | £588 ongoing planning, plus your own platform and fund charges |
| Charge on £250,000 invested, a year | About £3,125 at the 1.25% average, plus 1% of investments transferred in (£2,500) | £588 ongoing planning, plus your own platform and fund charges |
| Investment management | Yes | Your investments stay with your current provider |
| Regulated advice | Yes, on Wealth Planning and Digital Adviser | Introduction to Buzz Financial Services, a separate firm, if you want it |
| Employers | Guidance priced on quote; planning £299 per employee who opts in | £1 per employee a month (£99 minimum); Money Road Map £299 per employee who opts in |
Octopus Money figures from its own fees and workplace pricing pages on 27 October 2026.
Percentage fees and fixed fees
A percentage fee grows with your investments. At Octopus Money's 0.75% advice fee, the advice element alone reaches £588 a year, the cost of Buzz ongoing planning, at £78,400 invested. On £250,000 it is £1,875 a year before portfolio, platform and fund charges.
A fixed fee stays the same whatever you hold. Buzz's £1,500 Financial Plan and £49 a month ongoing planning are the same on £20,000 or £2 million. Platform and fund charges are paid to whichever provider holds your investments, so they are in addition to Buzz's fee.
What the Buzz plan covers
The Money Road Map sets twelve months of goals in four sets of ninety days, built from your own bank data. The Financial Plan models every year to age 100 with UK tax applied, tests it against poor markets, redundancy, care costs and a long life, and ends with your actions for the next ninety days. Money Road Map · Financial Plan
Common questions
Is Buzz cheaper than Octopus Money?
The £299 plan costs the same at both. For ongoing help, Buzz charges £19 to £49 a month for coaching or £49 a month for ongoing planning, whatever you hold. Octopus Money's ongoing charges are a percentage of what you invest, and include managing the investments.
Where do my investments stay with Buzz?
With whichever platform or pension provider holds them now. Your plan models them alongside your income, property and pensions.
Can I get regulated advice through Buzz?
If a decision needs a product recommendation, Buzz can introduce you to Buzz Financial Services, a separate FCA-regulated firm. The introduction is optional. If you become its client it pays Buzz a commission, and you are told before the introduction.
Do both offer a free first call?
Yes. Octopus Money offers a free video chat. Buzz offers a free 30-minute starter call once you have connected the free Healthcheck.