Empower Review (2026): The Free Dashboard That Shows Your Whole Financial Life
A “wealth view” (not just a budget) that tracks net worth, investments, and retirement readiness—without a monthly subscription.
Educational Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and not financial advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may earn Beelinger a commission at no extra cost to you.
TL;DR: Should you use Empower in 2026?
- Best for: young professionals who want a 360° view (net worth, investments, retirement readiness).
- Standout tools: net worth tracking, Investment Checkup, Retirement Planner, and the Fee Analyzer.
- Cost: the dashboard is free; paid wealth management is optional for eligible users.
Empower Review (2026): The Free Dashboard That Shows Your Whole Financial Life
For the ambitious young professional, “financial freedom” is more than a buzzword—it is the ultimate career goal. But as your income grows, so does the complexity of your finances. Between high-yield savings, 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and perhaps a side-hustle account, getting a clear picture of your money can feel like a part-time job.
Enter the Empower Personal Dashboard (formerly Personal Capital). In 2026, it remains the gold standard for tracking wealth without the monthly subscription fees that plague other financial apps.
For more details about features, pro & con, see our in-depth review of Beelinger Empower Review
The 360-Degree Financial Command Center
Most apps focus on where your money went (budgeting). Empower focuses on what your money is doing (wealth building). By securely linking your accounts, the dashboard provides a real-time, automated look at your total financial health.
Real-Time Net Worth Tracking
Stop manually updating spreadsheets. Empower calculates your assets minus your liabilities instantly, giving you a single number to track your progress toward independence.
Investment Checkup
This tool analyzes your portfolio to see if you are diversified enough or taking on unnecessary risk. For 2026, the dashboard includes deeper insights into your asset allocation across all accounts.
Retirement Planner
Test-drive your future. The planner uses Monte Carlo simulations to run thousands of scenarios, showing your likelihood of hitting your target retirement timeline based on your current inputs.
Hidden Gains: The Fee Analyzer
One of the most critical features for young investors is the Retirement Fee Analyzer. High expense ratios in your employer-sponsored 401(k) can quietly siphon away hundreds of thousands of dollars over your career.
Empower’s free tool helps surface these fees so you can compare fund costs and move toward lower-cost options where appropriate.
New for 2026: Integrated Tax Services
In a major update for 2026, Empower now offers an integrated tax filing option. Users can be matched with full-service tax providers directly through the dashboard, bridging the gap between year-round wealth tracking and annual tax compliance.
Is it Truly Free?
The short answer is yes. The dashboard and all its analytical tools are free to use. Empower makes its money by offering optional, paid wealth management services for those with at least $100,000 in investable assets (eligibility rules can vary).
If you choose to manage your own investments, you can continue using the tools without paying a dime.
The Bottom Line
If your goal is to “retire early” or simply build a “work-optional” lifestyle, you need a professional-grade tool that reduces confusion and increases clarity.
Empower delivers the visibility of a high-end financial advisor with the price tag of… well, zero.
Best use-case: If you’re juggling multiple accounts (401(k) + IRA + HYSA + credit cards), Empower is a strong “single pane of glass” to track net worth and spot leaks like hidden investment fees.
Ready to see your full financial picture?
Start with a wealth dashboard, then build your tool stack around the habits you want automated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empower Personal Dashboard actually free?
Yes—the dashboard and its analytics are free. Empower also offers optional paid wealth management for eligible users.
Is Empower a budgeting app or an investing app?
It’s closer to a “wealth dashboard.” It can show spending and cash flow, but its strength is net worth, investment analysis, and retirement planning.
What’s the most valuable feature for long-term freedom?
For many users, it’s the combination of net worth tracking + fee analysis + retirement modeling—because small improvements compound over years.
Do I need $100,000 to use it?
No. The free dashboard doesn’t require that. The $100,000 figure is commonly associated with optional advisory services.
Sources & Further Reading