# Kosh vs a Fee-Only Financial Planner in Canada > An AI CFO or a fee-only financial planner? What each does, how each is paid, when a human planner is worth it, and how Canadians can use both together. Source: https://trykosh.com/compare/kosh-vs-fee-only-financial-planner Compare - Kosh and a fee-only financial planner # Kosh vs a fee-only financial planner A fee-only financial planner is paid by you, not by commissions on products, which makes their advice easier to trust. Kosh is software that works on your money every month. Here's how they compare and when you want a person. Checked October 31, 2026Written by Kosh, so read with that in mind On this page[In short](#in-short)[Side by side](#side-by-side)[What 'fee-only' means](#fee-only)[What a planner does that Kosh can't](#what-a-planner-does)[What Kosh does between meetings](#what-kosh-does)[What each costs](#cost)[Using both](#both)[FAQs](#faq) **In short** - A good fee-only planner brings judgement, accountability and a full plan for big decisions: retirement income, incorporation, estate questions, a family business. - Kosh works every month from your statements: spending, leaks, tax estimates, registered-account order and reminders. It's not a person and doesn't give personalized investment advice. - Planner fees vary widely and aren't standardized, so ask for a written quote. Kosh Pro is CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year. - For a one-off big decision, see a planner. For the month-to-month work in between, Kosh is far cheaper. Many people do both. ## Side by side Kosh A fee-only financial planner What it is An AI CFO: software A professional you pay directly How it's paid Subscription only Flat fee, hourly or retainer, by you; no product commissions When it works Every month you upload At meetings and plan reviews Spending and leaks Yes, from every statement Usually summarized, not line by line Tax estimates Federal and provincial, all year Yes, with professional judgement Retirement income, estate, insurance, incorporation Explains the basics Yes, in depth Recommends specific investments No Depends on their registration Accountability Software; general information Professional standards of their designation Cost Starter free; Pro CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year, with a 7-day free trial Varies widely; ask for a written quote ## What 'fee-only' means Fee-only planners are paid by you, by the hour, per plan or on a retainer, rather than through commissions on the products they recommend. Some are called advice-only planners when they don't manage your investments at all. That structure removes a common conflict of interest. It's worth asking any planner exactly how they're paid, and what designation and registration they hold. FP Canada's directory lists Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals. ## What a planner does that Kosh can't - **Judgement on the big decisions.** When to start CPP and OAS, how to draw down an RRSP or RRIF, whether incorporating makes sense for your practice, how to structure an estate. - **Insurance and estate planning.** Life and disability coverage, wills and powers of attorney, beneficiary designations. - **A relationship.** A person who knows your family, asks the question you didn't think to ask and holds you to the plan. - **Investment advice,** if they're registered to give it. Kosh is not registered with any Canadian securities regulator and doesn't recommend specific securities. ## What Kosh does between meetings - **Reads every statement, every month.** Spending, fees, subscriptions and card interest, with dollar amounts. - **Keeps the tax estimate current.** Your federal and provincial tax, marginal rate and what an RRSP or FHSA contribution would save, as the year goes. See [how to pay less tax in Canada](/learn/how-to-pay-less-tax-canada). - **Keeps registered accounts in order.** Which of the RRSP, TFSA and FHSA to fill first and how much room you have. See [RRSP vs TFSA](/learn/rrsp-vs-tfsa). - **Reminds you.** RRSP deadline, instalments, filing day and card due dates. ## What each costs Fee-only planning fees vary widely by planner, province and how complex your situation is, and there's no standard rate card. Ask for a written quote and what's included before you share documents. Kosh Starter is free. Kosh Pro is CA$19 a month or CA$179 a year, with a 7-day free trial. ## Using both 1. **Use Kosh all year** to keep the picture current and catch leaks. 2. **Book a planner for the big moments:** a new baby, a home purchase, an inheritance, incorporating, the five years before retirement. See [approaching retirement](/for/approaching-retirement). 3. **Bring Kosh's summary to the meeting.** A clean picture of income, spending, tax and account room means the planner's time goes on judgement, not data entry. [Free tool**CPP calculator**Enter your CPP estimate at 65 and see what you'd get starting anywhere from 60 to 70, and the age at which waiting pays off.](/tools/cpp-calculator) **Where Kosh fits** Kosh is educational and isn't a registered adviser. It does the monthly work from your statements and leaves the big judgement calls to you and, when you want one, a planner you trust. ## Free tools to try first [Free tool**CPP calculator**Enter your CPP estimate at 65 and see what you'd get starting anywhere from 60 to 70, and the age at which waiting pays off.](/tools/cpp-calculator) ## Frequently asked questions What is a fee-only financial planner? A planner you pay directly, by the hour, per plan or on a retainer, instead of through commissions on products they sell. Ask any planner how they are paid and what designation and registration they hold. How much does a fee-only planner cost in Canada? It varies widely by planner, province and complexity, and there is no standard rate. Ask for a written quote and what it includes before you start. Can Kosh replace a financial planner? Not for big judgement calls like retirement income, estate planning or incorporation. Kosh handles the month-to-month work: spending, leaks, tax estimates, registered-account order and reminders. Does Kosh give investment advice? No. Kosh is an educational planning tool, not registered with any Canadian securities regulator, and it does not recommend specific securities. It explains account types and does the maths. How do I find a fee-only planner? FP Canada has a directory of Certified Financial Planner professionals. Ask each one how they are paid, whether they sell products and what a plan includes. ## Sources - [FP Canada: Find a CFP professional](https://www.fpcanada.ca/findaplanner) Descriptions and prices of other products come from their public websites as of October 31, 2026 and may have changed since. Kosh is our product. Product names belong to their owners. Kosh is an educational financial planning tool by Primedepth Labs. It is not registered with any Canadian securities regulator as an adviser or dealer, does not recommend specific securities, and does not hold your money or execute trades. Tax figures are estimates; confirm with the CRA or a qualified professional before acting. Investing carries risk. ## See what Kosh finds in your statements. Upload one bank or card statement. Kosh maps your money, estimates your tax and shows the one thing to fix first. It never asks for bank logins and can't move money. [Start free](/signup?via=compare-kosh-vs-fee-only-financial-planner)