Overview

Xplan is a configurable advice and wealth-management platform for practices that need to coordinate client records, planning and investment work. Its breadth suits firms building a connected advice operation; the trade-off is custom pricing and the need to manage integration permissions.

Advice workflows cover discovery, implementation and ongoing review, while the platform supports retail, face-to-face, online and telephone delivery. Firms can choose essential tools, Advice Toolkit templates and workflows, or an enterprise package rather than adopt one fixed configuration.

Key features

Advice workflows and client records

Xplan combines client data and documents with dashboards, workflow management and reporting. Onboarding and review workflows, plus Advice Toolkit templates and automation, can help practices standardise recurring work. That is useful where several advisers need a shared process, but firms should select modules to match their own operating model.

Planning and portfolio management

Modelling presents advice concepts, strategies and products through charts, comparison tables and visualisations. Planning functions cover cash flow, goals, tax, scenarios, insurance and investments. Xplan Portfolio adds tools to construct, review, analyse, configure and maintain portfolios, making the platform relevant to firms that want investment management alongside advice records rather than a planning-only system.

Compliance and integrations

Regulatory and legislative updates, compliance workflows and a CRM audit trail of file changes and recorded activity support oversight. Iress says its data security practices are ISO/IEC 27001 certified. The open API architecture and connections to over 450 third-party data providers and software vendors give firms room to build around existing systems. Standard integrations require client permission, and the client and site administrator control activation of standard or custom integrations; that flexibility comes with governance work.

Pricing

Xplan is paid, with custom pricing. The Xplan package is selected around business requirements, and Iress directs prospective customers to contact sales or book a demo. There is no public price or trial term to compare, so firms should confirm package costs and which modules are included before committing.

Because the package is configurable, buyers can align scope to their needs, but cannot judge cost from a published seat-based or tiered schedule. This is a better fit for practices prepared to scope requirements with Iress than for small teams seeking a transparent self-serve price.

Platforms

Xplan is fully hosted, web-based software, with an API. XplanTouch provides access to Xplan functions on iOS and Android phones and tablets. Iress directs financial advice software support requests to Iress Connect; its service desk operates weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm Toronto time, excluding national bank holidays.

Who it's for

Xplan suits financial advice and wealth firms of different sizes, from individual advisers to larger networks. It is particularly relevant to practices that want advice workflows, client management, modelling, portfolio tools and compliance functions in one configurable environment. Firms that need a standard solution or customised modules and hosting can consider its package options. It is less compelling for buyers who require public pricing or want integration activation without administrator and client permissions.

Pros and cons

Pros: Covers the advice journey from discovery through review, with client records, planning and portfolio management in one platform.
Pros: Modular configuration, an open API and a broad third-party integration network give firms options to fit the platform into their technology stack.
Pros: Compliance workflows, regulatory updates and an activity audit trail address oversight needs within the client record system.
Cons: Custom pricing makes costs harder to compare before a sales discussion.
Cons: Integrations depend on client permission and administrator discretion, which can add coordination to implementation.

Alternatives

For US-based independent advisers and boutique firms, typically teams of 10 or fewer, Conquest may be worth considering: its waitlist is free, while a 14-day trial is upcoming. Choose Orion Portfolio Accounting if its Foundation package, starting at $13,000 annually, suits a firm seeking billing and reporting, Orion Planning, a client portal and mobile app.

Snap Projections is another paid option with a free trial and a $15.00 per month Stress Testing add-on. eMoney Advisor may suit firms looking for cash flow planning, CoPlanner and a client portal, with Pro pricing based on organizational needs. intelliflo office has pricing on request and no public pricing plans. Practifi offers Naya at $135.00 per month and Sentir at $195.00 per month. Fiducio is a free web-based alternative; Fin365 is a paid web-based option with a free trial.

For category browsing, see Financial Advisor Software, Financial Planning Software and Portfolio Management Software.

Verdict

Choose Xplan if your advice or wealth firm wants a configurable system spanning client workflows, planning, portfolios and compliance, and can work through package scope and integration permissions with Iress. Look elsewhere if transparent pricing or simpler integration control matters more than having those capabilities together.

	Backstop Solutions	Xplan
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	—	Android, api, iOS, Web
Asset class coverage	multi_asset	—
Performance reporting	Yes	—
Risk analysis	Yes	—

Backstop Solutions vs Xplan

Backstop Solutions

Xplan