Managed investing: who is it for and why?
Managed investing (or mandate-based management) means delegating the management of your life insurance to a professional. They build and adjust your allocation based on your risk profile. You have no investment decisions to make: the manager handles everything.
This management mode has grown considerably in recent years thanks to the emergence of robo-advisors (Yomoni, Nalo, Ramify, Goodvest), which offer algorithmic management at lower fees than traditional private banking mandates. In 2024, managed investing assets in life insurance exceeded 25 billion euros in France.
Managed investing is suited for you if you:
- Don't want to manage your own allocation
- Lack the time or knowledge to select your own funds
- Want to avoid emotional biases (panic selling, buying at the peak)
- Are looking for professional diversification of your savings
Full comparison: fees, performance, and profiles
| Manager | Total fees/year | Min. investment | Profiles | 2024 performance (balanced profile) | Insurer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramify | ~1.30 % | 1,000 EUR | 4 universes (Essential, Flagship, Green, Elite) | +9.2 % | Apicil |
| Nalo | ~1.55 % | 1,000 EUR | Custom (personalised allocation) | +8.0 % | Generali |
| Yomoni | ~1.60 % | 1,000 EUR | 10 profiles (P1 to P10) | +8.5 % (P6) | Suravenir |
| Mon Petit Placement | 1.20 to 1.60 % | 300 EUR | 4 profiles (Volontaire to Intrepide) | +7.5 % | Generali / Apicil |
| Boursorama Vie managed | ~1.50 % | 300 EUR | 4 profiles (Conservative to Aggressive) | +6.8 % | Generali |
| WeSave | ~1.60 % | 300 EUR | 10 profiles (P1 to P10) | +7.0 % | Suravenir |
| Goodvest | ~1.70 % | 300 EUR | 5 SRI themes | +6.5 % | Generali |
Performance: 2024 market context
2024 was broadly favourable for international equity markets, driven by US equities and the technology sector. The MSCI World rose approximately 19 % in euros over the year. Managed investing performance should therefore be interpreted within this supportive context. Past results do not predict future returns.
Detailed analysis of each manager
Yomoni -- The established benchmark
Insurer: Suravenir (Credit Mutuel Arkea)
Founded in 2015, Yomoni is the pioneer of French robo-advisors and remains the sector benchmark with over 500 million euros in assets under management. Its philosophy rests on the exclusive use of ETFs (index trackers) to minimise underlying fund fees.
Fee breakdown:
- Suravenir management fees: 0.60 %
- Yomoni mandate fees: 0.70 %
- ETF internal fees: ~0.30 %
- Total: approximately 1.60 % per year
The 10 risk profiles:
- Profile 1 (100 % euro fund): 2024 return ~2.50 %
- Profile 3 (conservative): 2024 return ~+4.0 %
- Profile 6 (balanced): 2024 return ~+8.5 %
- Profile 8 (growth): 2024 return ~+12.0 %
- Profile 10 (aggressive, 100 % equities): 2024 return ~+16.0 %
Strengths:
- Longest track record among French robo-advisors (since 2015)
- 100 % ETF: total transparency on portfolio composition
- 10 profiles for fine risk graduation
- High-quality interface and reporting
- Fully online sign-up process in under 10 minutes
Weaknesses:
- 1.60 % fees: not the cheapest on the market
- No SCPIs or private equity in the allocation
- No customisation beyond the profile choice (no themes)
- No self-directed investing option
Nalo -- Custom-built allocation
Insurer: Generali France
Nalo stands out from competitors through a genuinely personalised approach. Instead of offering numbered profiles, Nalo builds a unique allocation for each client, based on a detailed questionnaire covering financial situation, projects, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
Fee breakdown:
- Generali management fees: 0.75 %
- Nalo mandate fees: 0.55 %
- ETF internal fees: ~0.25 %
- Total: approximately 1.55 % per year
Allocation specifics:
- Custom-built allocation (no standardised profiles)
- Multi-project: ability to define multiple projects within the same policy (retirement, property purchase, emergency fund), each with its own allocation
- SRI option (eco-responsible portfolio)
- Automatic progressive de-risking as the goal approaches
Strengths:
- Maximum allocation personalisation
- Unique multi-project feature on the market
- SRI option at no extra cost
- Fees below Yomoni (1.55 % vs 1.60 %)
- Elegant interface and educational reports
Weaknesses:
- Generali fees of 0.75 % (vs 0.60 % at Suravenir)
- No access to SCPIs or private equity
- Slightly shorter performance track record than Yomoni
- Minimum initial investment of 1,000 euros
2024 performance: approximately +8.0 % for a balanced portfolio (50/50 equities/bonds)
Ramify -- The cheapest
Insurer: Apicil
Launched more recently, Ramify has positioned itself as the cheapest robo-advisor on the French market, with all-in fees starting at approximately 1.30 % per year. Its offering comes in four investment universes, some of which include alternative asset classes (SCPIs, private equity).
Fee breakdown:
- Apicil management fees: 0.50 %
- Ramify mandate fees: 0.60 %
- ETF internal fees: ~0.20 %
- Total: approximately 1.30 % per year (Essential universe)
The four universes:
- Essential: 100 % ETFs, the cheapest (~1.30 %)
- Flagship: diversified ETFs with tactical allocation (~1.30 %)
- Green: SRI ETFs and responsible funds (~1.40 %)
- Elite: ETFs + SCPIs + private equity (~1.50 %, SCPI fees additional)
Strengths:
- Lowest managed investing fees on the market
- Access to SCPIs and private equity (Elite universe)
- Very competitive Apicil fees (0.50 %)
- Four universes for different needs
- Modern interface and smooth process
Weaknesses:
- More recent player, limited performance track record
- Apicil less well-known than Generali or Suravenir (but solid: assets > 60 billion euros)
- Customer support less mature than established players
2024 performance: approximately +9.2 % for a balanced profile (Essential universe)
Boursorama managed investing -- Banking simplicity
Insurer: Generali France
Boursorama Vie's managed investing (MyLife) uses OPCVM (active funds) rather than ETFs. It offers four classic profiles: Conservative, Balanced, Growth, and Aggressive. The main advantage is integration within the Boursorama ecosystem.
Fee breakdown:
- Generali management fees: 0.75 %
- Mandate fees: included
- OPCVM internal fees: ~0.75 % to 1.50 %
- Total effective: approximately 1.50 to 2.25 % per year (variable depending on selected OPCVM)
The four profiles:
- Conservative: 70 % bonds / 30 % equities, 2024 return ~+4.0 %
- Balanced: 50 % bonds / 50 % equities, 2024 return ~+6.8 %
- Growth: 30 % bonds / 70 % equities, 2024 return ~+10.5 %
- Aggressive: 10 % bonds / 90 % equities, 2024 return ~+14.0 %
Strengths:
- Perfect integration within the Boursorama ecosystem
- Quality mobile interface
- Accessible from 300 euros
- No explicit mandate fee
Weaknesses:
- OPCVM internal fees much higher than robo-advisor ETFs
- Real total cost often exceeds 2 %
- Only 4 profiles, no customisation
- Performance historically trailing 100 % ETF managed investing
WeSave (ex-Amundi ETF) -- The quiet achiever
Insurer: Suravenir (Credit Mutuel Arkea)
WeSave offers managed investing across 10 profiles, similar to Yomoni, with comparable fees (~1.60 % all-in). The allocation primarily uses ETFs. Less publicised than its competitors, WeSave nonetheless delivers a solid service.
Strengths:
- 10 risk profiles
- Reasonable fees (~1.60 %)
- Suravenir insurer (0.60 % management fees)
Weaknesses:
- Less visibility and communication than the leaders
- Performance track record slightly trailing
- Less innovation
2024 performance: approximately +7.0 % for a balanced profile
Mon Petit Placement -- The original model
Insurer: Generali / Apicil (depending on the policy)
Mon Petit Placement offers a hybrid model between classic managed investing and personalised advice. Fees are competitive (1.20 to 1.60 % depending on profile), with four profiles: Volontaire (conservative), Energique (balanced), Ambitieux (growth), and Intrepide (aggressive).
Strengths:
- Competitive fees, among the lowest for conservative profiles (1.20 %)
- Personalised support (advisors available)
- Accessible from 300 euros
- Modern interface
Weaknesses:
- Variable fees by profile (1.60 % for the aggressive profile)
- Uses a mix of OPCVM and ETFs (variable internal fees)
- Less transparency than 100 % ETF managed investing
2024 performance: approximately +7.5 % for the Energique (balanced) profile
Goodvest -- 100 % responsible
Insurer: Generali France
Goodvest is the only French robo-advisor exclusively dedicated to responsible investing. Every fund in the allocation is selected for its compatibility with the Paris Agreement (warming trajectory below 2 degrees). The policy holds the Greenfin label.
Fee breakdown:
- Generali management fees: 0.75 %
- Goodvest mandate fees: 0.40 %
- SRI fund internal fees: ~0.55 %
- Total: approximately 1.70 % per year
Investment themes:
- Ecological transition
- Access to water
- Forests and biodiversity
- Health and well-being
- Employment and solidarity
Strengths:
- 100 % SRI, Greenfin label
- Portfolio carbon footprint transparency
- Rigorous fund selection (Paris Agreement compatible)
- Engaged investment themes
Weaknesses:
- Highest fees in this comparison (1.70 %)
- SRI funds have higher internal fees than standard ETFs
- Performance slightly trailing (exclusion of certain sectors may weigh)
- No high-performing euro fund directly available
2024 performance: approximately +6.5 % for a balanced profile
Detailed fee comparison table
| Manager | Insurer fees | Mandate fees | Internal fund fees | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramify (Essential) | 0.50 % (Apicil) | 0.60 % | ~0.20 % | ~1.30 % |
| Mon Petit Placement (Volontaire) | 0.50-0.75 % | 0.50 % | ~0.20 % | ~1.20-1.45 % |
| Nalo | 0.75 % (Generali) | 0.55 % | ~0.25 % | ~1.55 % |
| Boursorama managed | 0.75 % (Generali) | 0 % (included) | ~0.75-1.50 % | ~1.50-2.25 % |
| Yomoni | 0.60 % (Suravenir) | 0.70 % | ~0.30 % | ~1.60 % |
| WeSave | 0.60 % (Suravenir) | 0.70 % | ~0.30 % | ~1.60 % |
| Goodvest | 0.75 % (Generali) | 0.40 % | ~0.55 % | ~1.70 % |
Managed investing vs self-directed ETF investing: what's the real cost?
For an investor capable of managing their own ETF allocation on Linxea Spirit 2, the annual cost would be approximately:
- Spirica management fees: 0.50 %
- ETF internal fees: ~0.20 %
- Total: approximately 0.70 % per year
The difference with managed investing (1.30 to 1.70 %) represents 0.60 to 1.00 percentage points per year. On 100,000 euros invested over 20 years at a gross return of 7 %:
- Self-directed ETF investing (0.70 % fees): final capital ~293,000 euros
- Managed investing (1.60 % fees): final capital ~248,000 euros
- Gap: approximately 45,000 euros
The price of peace of mind
The 45,000 euro gap over 20 years is the price of peace of mind. For some savers, managed investing eliminates the risk of bad decisions (panic selling, over-concentration in one sector) and ensures permanent diversification. For others, that sum justifies the effort of learning to manage things themselves. There is no wrong answer.
Our final ranking
- Yomoni: the benchmark, the best balance of performance/track record/interface. Ideal for the majority of savers.
- Ramify: the cheapest, with access to SCPIs and private equity as a bonus. The best value for money.
- Nalo: maximum customisation and the multi-project approach. For savers who want a truly custom-built allocation.
- Mon Petit Placement: competitive fees and human support. For those who want a real person to talk to.
- Boursorama managed investing: simplicity for Boursorama customers, but often high real fees.
- WeSave: a solid alternative to Yomoni, just less visible.
- Goodvest: the conviction choice for SRI investors, despite higher fees.
Conclusion
In 2026, managed investing in life insurance is dominated by ETF-based robo-advisors. Yomoni remains the benchmark thanks to its track record and transparency, while Ramify shakes up the market with its rock-bottom fees (~1.30 %). Nalo stands out for its customisation. Goodvest carries the flag for responsible investing.
The choice depends on your priorities: minimum fees (Ramify), proven track record (Yomoni), customisation (Nalo), SRI (Goodvest), or banking integration (Boursorama). In all cases, make sure all-in fees stay below 1.80 % per year: above that, you're paying too much.
This comparison is conducted independently. 2024 performance is net of management fees and gross of social contributions. Figures are indicative and come from manager-published reports. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Sources: annual reports and monthly reports from Yomoni, Nalo, Ramify, Goodvest, Boursorama, WeSave, Mon Petit Placement; France Assureurs.