This study compares fee based and commission based advisory compensation models from the investor s perspective, examining their effects on advisory costs, incentive structure, and investment portfolio construction across distinct risk profiles. The research combines literature review, regulatory analysis, and empirical simulations based on standardized portfolios between 2019 and 2025. Results show that, for small portfolios (up to R100,000), the commission-based model tends to be less costly. However, between R300,000 and R500,000, particularly for moderate and aggressive profiles, the fee-based model becomes more advantageous. For portfolios above R500,000, the fee-based model is consistently superior, offering greater cost predictability and reducing conflicts of interest. The study concludes that the fee-based model provides stronger alignment and economic efficiency for higher net worth and more sophisticated investors, while the commission based model remains suitable for small-scale portfolios and simpler investment needs.