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ROBS provider comparison

Nexus vs. Guidant Financial

Both help founders use retirement savings to fund a business. Guidant is a long-standing ROBS provider; Nexus is the modern, all-inclusive product with a live dashboard, dedicated concierge, and broader ongoing support.

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Published by Nexus · Updated August 18, 2026

Quick rundown

Which provider is the better fit?

Choose Nexus when

You want a modern ROBS built to work for you

  • Purpose-built, tech-native ROBS plan for today's entrepreneur
  • Live dashboard plus dedicated concierge for setup and ongoing maintenance
  • All-inclusive flat pricing with corporate records, renewals, and filing service fees included

Consider Guidant when

You place the most weight on provider longevity

  • 20+ years in ROBS
  • Most funded plans in the industry
  • Optional business services sold separately

Side-by-side comparison

Nexus and Guidant at a glance

ComparisonRecommended for a modern workflowNexusGuidant Financial
Setup price$5,000Starting at $5,495
Ongoing price$500 per quarter ($2,000 annualized)Starting at $149/month ($1,788 annualized)
Product modelOne all-inclusive ROBS setup + plan administration productROBS setup + plan administration; business services sold separately
Setup scopeC-Corp + documents; plan + trust; rollover + stock issuance; first-year fidelity bond; cap tableC-Corp + documents; plan; rollover + stock purchase
Ongoing scopeForm 5500 + testing; valuation records + fidelity bond renewalForm 5500 + testing; valuation
User experienceLive dashboard + dedicated conciergeSimple portal + in-house team; calls, email + PDFs
Business supportCap table + ongoing incorporation services included (registered-agent renewal + filing service fees)Payroll, tax, bookkeeping + HR sold separately
Funding timingMost plans: 2–3 weeksAverage: 3 weeks

Guidant prices are published as starting prices. Required third-party costs can include the fidelity bond and other ongoing incorporation fees. Confirm current pricing, inclusions, and exclusions directly with each provider.

What matters

Nexus is a stronger ROBS product at a better price

The base price is the same

Nexus costs $7,000 in year one. Guidant starts at $7,283 before separately billed fidelity bond and other incorporation fees.

Nexus includes more of the business lifecycle

Nexus combines plan administration with fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation records, registered-agent renewal, ongoing incorporation fees, the live dashboard, and dedicated concierge support. Guidant includes annual valuation and audit protection, then sells its broader business services separately.

Compare the actual operating experience

Ask each provider to show you how setup moves from intake to funding, where documents and deadlines live, who owns each handoff, and what you must complete yourself after funding. Nexus puts this in one dashboard with a dedicated concierge.

Right fit for you

Nexus is the better ROBS product. Guidant's case rests on longevity.

Why Nexus wins

Better experience and support at a cheaper price

  • Fast, tech-native setup with every next step in one dashboard.
  • Dedicated concierge for setup and ongoing maintenance.
  • Ongoing products and support for the lifecycle of a ROBS-funded business.

What to verify with Guidant

How the service works in practice

  • Who owns each handoff from setup through funding.
  • Which compliance tasks you complete yourself.
  • Which services and third-party costs sit outside the base price.

Common questions

What is the all-in cost of Nexus compared with Guidant Financial?
Nexus costs $7,000 in year one. Guidant's setup and first-year plan administration start at $7,283, which is effectively the same base price, before the fidelity bond and ongoing incorporation services, which the founder sources separately. Nexus includes fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation records, registered-agent renewal, filing service fees, its live dashboard, and dedicated concierge support. Guidant's exact total depends on third-party costs and any business services selected. Comparable services to what Nexus provides are estimated at roughly $8,000–$9,500 in year one.
What does Nexus include at its standard price?
The $7,000 first-year total includes C-Corp and 401(k) plan setup, rollover coordination, stock issuance, and the first-year fidelity bond. Ongoing service includes Form 5500 work and testing, fidelity bond renewal, cap table and valuation records, registered-agent renewal, filing service fees, the live dashboard, and dedicated concierge support.
How is the Nexus customer experience different?
Nexus keeps setup, compliance, documents, deadlines, renewals, and next actions in one live dashboard with a dedicated concierge. Ask Guidant to demonstrate its client portal, identify who owns each handoff, and specify what happens inside the product versus by call or email.
Which provider is faster?
Published timelines are essentially the same: most Nexus plans move from intake to funded in 2–3 weeks, while Guidant publishes a three-week average. Nexus keeps setup, documents, next actions, and progress visible in one digital platform, which helps every party stay informed as the process moves.
When might Guidant be the better fit?
Guidant may fit if operating history is your overriding priority. Before choosing, ask for a walkthrough of the portal, handoffs, ongoing responsibilities, and separately priced services so you can compare the actual experience and total scope with Nexus.
What should I verify about Guidant's lifetime audit protection?
Guidant's current agreement says it pays qualified legal defense fees through the full cycle of an IRS or Department of Labor plan audit. Ask for the current terms, exclusions, client responsibilities, and examples of what support looks like during an actual audit.

Sources: Nexus pricing, How Nexus works, Guidant pricing, Guidant plan administration, Guidant funding comparison, and Guidant Complete Guide to ROBS (2026).

This comparison is published by Nexus. Verify current terms and the scope of your engagement directly with each provider before choosing.

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