Overview

Strategic Advice Manager (SAM) evaluates and ranks strategies, models life events, and answers client questions. Its calculation engine and proprietary AI expert system are designed to produce deterministic, repeatable, auditable results. That focus makes Conquest a credible fit for advice workflows where consistent outputs matter; it is less compelling for teams seeking a narrow, single-purpose planning tool.

One engine supports self-directed, hybrid, and advisor-led planning across retirement, investments, insurance, tax, business succession, estate, corporate, and family trust needs. That range can serve varied client situations in one platform, but smaller practices should consider whether they will use enough of it to justify adopting a broad planning system.

Key features

Planning and modeling

Cash-flow modeling, goal and tax planning, scenario analysis, insurance planning, and investment planning cover core advice tasks. Modeling life events and comparing ranked strategies should be useful when an advisor needs to examine different paths rather than produce a basic projection. The platform's value depends on needing that breadth; it is more than a focused goal-tracking or budgeting app.

Stack connections

An open two-way API lets firms connect SAM to existing systems or custom advisor and client experiences. The independent-advisor offering lists Charles Schwab, TradePMR, held-away account aggregation, Zocks, and Jump as live at launch; Wealthbox and portfolio reporting are on the way. Those named connections give advisors a clearer integration starting point, while the API offers room to build around a firm's own stack.

The MCP Server connects plan data to Claude, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot. Firms control access and connections are authenticated, a practical distinction for teams introducing assistants into advice workflows. This does not remove the need to set appropriate firm access controls.

Security and support

Conquest lists ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27017:2015, ISO 27018:2019, ISO 42001:2023, SOC 2, WCAG, and CSA STAR Level 1; data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Its privacy safeguards may include security testing, vulnerability scans, passwords, encryption, firewalls, and secure coding frameworks. Enterprise pricing includes guided implementation, onboarding, data migration, team training, a named success team, and a 24/7 enterprise SLA, making that route more suitable for organizations that need deployment support.

Pricing

Independent advisors & RIAs

The waitlist is free at 0.00 USD per free. The 14-day trial is upcoming, not currently a way to evaluate the product immediately. This offering is aimed at US-based independent advisors and boutique firms, typically teams of 10 or fewer. There is no free plan, so the free waitlist should not be mistaken for ongoing access to a free tier.

Enterprise wealth firms

Enterprise pricing is custom pricing, scoped to firm needs rather than charged per seat. The plan lists unlimited plans, seats, and advisors, which suits larger firms that need to scale access across a team. A tailored demo and quote are the route for organizations outside the self-serve audience; the trade-off is that cost requires a firm-specific conversation.

Platforms

Conquest is available on web and through an API. The API is especially relevant for firms that want to embed planning into their existing technology stack or custom client and advisor experiences.

Who it's for

Conquest is aimed at certified US-based independent advisors and boutique firms on its self-serve path, generally teams of 10 or fewer, while larger wealth firms can pursue an enterprise deployment. The company says it serves more than 1,000 firms across Canada, the US, and the UK and has powered more than 2.5 million financial plans. Firms outside the self-serve audience should focus on the enterprise route rather than assume the waitlist offering is designed for them.

Pros and cons

Broad planning scope: retirement, investment, insurance, tax, succession, estate, corporate, and trust planning share one engine, useful for practices handling varied client needs.
Repeatable, auditable outputs: SAM's deterministic approach is relevant where advisors need consistent strategy evaluation.
Integration flexibility: a two-way API and named live connections give firms options for fitting SAM into existing workflows.
Access friction for independents: the waitlist is free, but the 14-day trial is upcoming and there is no free plan for immediate ongoing use.
Audience limits: self-serve is designed for US-based certified advisors and small boutique teams; other firms need the enterprise route.

Alternatives

ProjectionLab is worth considering for individuals or teams looking for a freemium planning tool: its Basic plan is 0.00 USD per year and includes forecasting, financial planning, Monte Carlo simulations, historical backtesting, and flexible modeling.

Xplan may suit firms that want a package assembled from selected modules to fit business requirements, with pricing available by contacting Iress.

Orion Portfolio Accounting is an option for firms prioritizing portfolio accounting and reporting, with a Foundation plan starting at $13,000 annually.

eMoney Advisor is another paid planning platform, with Pro pricing based on organizational needs and features including cash-flow planning, CoPlanner, and a client portal.

AstuteWheel offers paid web-based plans, including a paraplanner subscription at 25.00 AUD per month per user +GST.

myprosperity may appeal to teams seeking a freemium client subscription with a free Starter tier that includes one-time bank and card sync plus property and car valuations.

Betterment is a freemium alternative for readers considering digital or premium investing plans; its Digital plan includes a $200 monthly recurring-deposit threshold and a $24,000 eligible balance condition.

MyPlan is a free web option for individuals who want net-worth and portfolio tracking, goal projections, budgeting, document storage, and estate-planning tools.

For broader comparisons, see Financial Planning Software and Financial Advisor Software.

Verdict

Conquest is best for advisory practices that need broad planning coverage, repeatable strategy analysis, and an API to integrate planning into their own stack. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of modeled advice and auditable outputs across many disciplines. Independent advisors should look elsewhere if they need immediate trial access or a free working plan; larger firms should weigh the custom-quote path against their implementation needs.

	Conquest	Meridian Planning
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	Yes	Yes
Paid from	—	$49/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, Web	—
Free plan	No	No
Client portal	Yes	—
Financial planning	—	Yes
Billing and invoicing	—	Yes

Conquest vs Meridian Planning

Conquest

Meridian Planning