Choose the Right CRM for Your Advisory Practice

Customer relationship management (CRM) software can be vital to running and scaling your advisory business. The right CRM can make it easier to organize and store data for existing clients while helping to generate new leads. It can also help you to run your business more efficiently and save time by automating certain tasks. Using this type of software could improve conversions and boost revenues. But what is the best CRM for financial advisors? If you’re looking for a new customer relationship management software program, we’ve rounded up some of the best options for financial services.

Best CRM for Financial Advisors

As you work through this list of the best CRM software for financial advisors, it’s important what constitutes a good customer relationship management program. For this round-up, the options that are included represent the best combination of features, usability, integrations, security, cost and customer support. So keep those factors in mind as you look for a CRM that best fits your needs.

1. Best Overall CRM: Salesforce Financial Services Cloud

Salesforce is one of the most well-known names in customer relationship management software. It’s one of the best CRM options for financial advisors owing to its range of features, which include:

Automated workflows: You can use this feature to streamline data entry, lead generation and scheduling tasks, allowing you to save valuable time.
Client contact management: If you’re interested in segmenting your client list, Salesforce makes it easy to group clients by family or household.
Integrations: Salesforce is compatible with hundreds of finance and marketing apps, allow for simplified integrations.

Salesforce is also noteworthy for using AI-driven analytics, which can allow advisors to take deep dives into client data to determine how to best meet their needs. The Salesforce CRM offers mobile accessibility so you can take client data with you wherever you go.

Pricing

$25 – $330 per month
There might be additional fees so it’s best to get your own quote.

Pros and Cons

On the pro side, Salesforce offers features and benefits you won’t find with some CRMs, such as AI analytics. And this software is highly customizable so you can tailor it to your business’s needs. The biggest con, however, is that the sheer number of features and options may be overwhelming to advisors who are looking for a more basic CRM option.

2. Best CRM for Smaller Firms: Wealthbox

If you operate a smaller firm or operate as an independent advisor, Wealthbox could be a solid solution for meeting CRM needs. It’s particularly well-suited to firms that are looking for widespread integration and customization.

Here are some of the highlights:

Usability: The Wealthbox CRM offers a simplified user experience that makes it easy to navigate. There’s no special training required, which makes it ideal for newer advisors who are just beginning to build out their customer database.
Features: Wealthbox includes all of the features that are most valuable for scaling your business, including contact management, task management, automated workflows, portfolio integration and opportunity tracking.
Collaboration: If you’re working with a small team, Wealthbox makes it easy to collaborate with other team members. Everyone involved can have access to workflows which can simplify communications and save time.

Wealthbox features bank-level security, including 256-bit encryption, multi-factor authentication automatic session timeouts. In terms of integration, this CRM for financial advisors is compatible with more than 80 apps.

Pricing

Basic: $45 per month when billed annually
Pro: $59 per month when billed annually
Premier: $79 per month when billed annually

Pros and Cons

Wealthbox is easy to use, customizable and affordable, all of which could make it appealing to smaller firms or independent advisors. You also get a free 30-day trial with any service plan you enroll in. In terms of drawbacks, its customer support did not earn the best reviews and it may seem less robust when compared with a CRM like Salesforce.

3. Best Basic CRM for Financial Advisors: Zoho

Zoho is an inexpensive option for financial advisors who want to save money while saving time. It incorporates AI technology and is fully compliant with the latest security standards.

Here are some of the most important features Zoho offers:

Contact management: Zoho helps you to organize client data and create a complete snapshot of their financial picture that includes financial documents, policy information and insurance records.
AUM tracking: This CRM also includes asset under management tracking tools which make it easier to monitor transactions with financial institutions.
Tracking and reporting: Zoho uses an analytic engine to help with generating reports and tracking key performance indicators. This can be helpful for analyzing sales data to find opportunities to scale your business.

If you’re interested in AI analytics, you can get that with Enterprise plans. Zia is Zoho’s AI-powered assistant and it’s helpful from a marketing perspective for determining the best time to reach out to your clients.

Pricing

Free Edition: $0
Standard: $14 per user, per month billed annually
Professional: $23 per user, per month billed annually
Enterprise: $40 per user, per month billed annually
Ultimate: $52 per user, per month billed annually

Pros and Cons

Zoho can meet all of your basic needs for customer relationship management and the pricing is affordable. The AI tools available at the Enterprise plan level may be attractive if you’re looking for software that has a predictive component. In terms of drawbacks, there is some manual data entry required to get started and you’ll need the Ultimate plan to unlock the CRM’s full features and potential.

4. Best CRM for Ease of Use: Redtail

Redtail is the best CRM for financial advisors who want a software program that’s easy to navigate. The interface is designed to be user-friendly but if you have questions about how to use it, Redtail offers training to guide you through it.

Here are some of Redtail’s notable features:

Integrations: Redtail is designed with financial advisors in mind and as such, it’s ideal for integrating with portfolio management, risk management and financial planning tools and apps.
Seminar building: If you’re interested in using seminars as a prospecting tool, Redtail makes it easy to manage them. Redtail’s seminar tool allows you to track call or email campaigns so you can maximize lead-generation opportunities.
Mobile access: The Redtail CRM for financial advisors is available through a free mobile app. This allows you to stay connected to your CRM data wherever you are, as long as you have an internet connection.

Redtail offers free database migrations to help you transport information from your old CRM. And once you’re set up, you can use Redtail to track and analyze client data and create standard or custom reports.

Pricing

$39 – $59 per month, more for enterprise clients

Pros and Cons

Redtail has an impressive range of features and a straightforward pricing model. For $99 a month per database, you can get access to unlimited leads, complimentary database conversions, document management, workflow processes, detailed reports and more. But if you’re a smaller firm or don’t need as many features, you may prefer a CRM that’s a bit more affordable.

5. Best CRM for Integrations: Junxure

Junxure is a well-known CRM for financial advisors and it’s a top pick if you’re looking for streamlined integration. This CRM can import financial data from major financial services companies such as Schwab and TD Ameritrade.

Here are some of Junxure’s best features:

Excellent customer service: Junxure offers superior customer support as well as human-guided training to help you learn the CRM as a new user.
Reporting: The Junxure CRM allows you to integrate data and compile detailed reports for clients. You can also use the software to generate internal reports as well.
Client portal: The client portal feature makes it easy for your clients to access their information through a secure login. Having client information available at their fingertips can encourage transparency while saving you time.

Junxure was developed by financial advisors to provide relevant solutions to the challenges you’re most likely to encounter when growing your business. It’s highly customizable so you can mold the CRM to fit your needs and those of your clients.

Pricing

$65 per user, per month, billed annually

Pros and Cons

Junxure’s greatest selling point may also be its biggest drawback. As far as integrations and features go, it’s one of the most comprehensive customer relationship management software programs on the market. However, the scope of the features and the platform’s user experience may be a bit overwhelming for advisors who are used to something more basic.

Bottom Line

Finding the best CRM for financial advisors comes down to knowing what you and your clients need. These options represent some of the best software programs to help you manage and expand your business. As always, however, it’s important to do your own research to find the program that’s right for you.

Tips for Sourcing More Clients

Let your CRM help. Sourcing leads can be time-consuming and leave you with less time to focus on client segmentation and serving your existing client base effectively. Using lead generation services can help you scale quickly and save valuable time.
Build relationships. Referrals from existing clients can be a powerful driver of new leads. If you aren’t asking clients for referrals on a regular or semi-regular basis, consider how doing so could help you to connect with a broader audience.
Widen your horizons. While investors who are closer to retirement often have more assets, investors from Generations X and Y are rapidly catching up. Getting ahead of the Great Wealth Transfer by expanding your client base and working with investors who are entering their prime earning years can help you build a sustainable business model.