The Financial Advisor's Guide
Redtail vs Wealthbox
Choosing between Wealthbox and Redtail isn't about picking a "winner"—it's about finding the right fit for your practice's workflow, growth stage, and tech comfort level. Both are purpose - built for financial advisors, but they approach the CRM challenge differently.
About reframeRIA
At reframeRIA, we help emerging RIA practices ($25M-$500M AUM) select, implement, and optimize the right technology stack for their unique needs. We're vendor-neutral consultants—we don't get paid to push a particular CRM. We get paid to help you find the solution that actually works for your team.
Ready to make the right CRM decision? Let's talk about your specific needs and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Bottom Line Up Front
Neither CRM is objectively "better" — they serve different priorities.
Go with Redtail if
Your priority is functionality, cost-effectiveness, and extensive integrations. You're willing to invest time in setup and training to unlock powerful customization. You value substance over style.
Best Use Case: Established RIA with 5-20 employees, $100M-$500M AUM, complex workflows, budget-conscious
Go with Wealthbox if
Your priority is user experience, ease of adoption, and modern design. You want your team using the CRM immediately without resistance. You value intuitive design and team collaboration.
Best Use Case: Growing RIA with 1-10 employees, $25M-$250M AUM, tech-savvy team, mobile-first advisors
Which is best for our RIA?
Ask yourself these questions:
Does my team resist technology adoption? → Choose Wealthbox
Do I need complex, multi-step workflows? → Choose Redtail
Is my team growing rapidly (5+ new users soon)? → Choose Redtail (flat-rate pricing)
Do advisors work remotely or on-the-go frequently? → Choose Wealthbox (mobile)
Am I deeply integrated with Orion ecosystem? → Choose Redtail
Do I want the most modern, polished user experience? → Choose Wealthbox
Is budget my primary constraint? → Choose Redtail
Pro Tip: Take advantage of free trials from both platforms. Have 2-3 team members test each system for 1-2 weeks with real workflows before deciding.
Overview
- Flat-rate pricing option (unlimited users)
- 100+ deep integrations with financial tools
- Industry-leading workflow automation
- Strong compliance features built-in
- Excellent value for larger teams
- Dated interface and design
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Mobile app functionality limited
- Can feel overwhelming with customization options
- Some features may cost extra (like email integration)
- Modern, intuitive, Apple-like interface
- No training required—immediate productivity
- Exceptional email integration (Wealthbox Mail)
- Strong mobile experience
- Fast, easy migration with dedicated support
- Limited dashboard customization
- May feel too simple for complex operations
- Per-user pricing gets expensive as you scale
- No phone/chat support available
- Fewer total integrations than Redtail
Deep Dive
Core Features Comparison
| Feature | Redtail | Wealthbox |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | Extensive, highly customizable, industry-leading | Simpler template-based with conditional logic |
| Email Integration | Available (may require add-on costs) | Fully integrated Wealthbox Mail with 2-way sync |
| Contact Management | Detailed records, tags, categories | Clean records, quick-search functionality |
| Document Storage | Built-in, secure | Built-in, secure |
| Calendar Sync | Office 365, Google Calendar | Office 365, Google Calendar |
| Mobile App | Limited functionality | Strong mobile capabilities |
| Compliance Tools | Built-in compliance features | Standard compliance tracking |
| Seminar Management | Yes, dedicated module | Limited |
| Broadcast Email | Yes, with file attachments | Yes, integrated with Wealthbox Mail |
| Opportunity Tracker | Yes | Yes |
| Team Collaboration | Standard CRM collaboration | Enhanced, social-style collaboration |
User Interface & Experience
Redtail
Pros:
Straightforward, functional design
Minimal learning curve for basic features
Clean interface that won't overwhelm new users
Color-coded calendar system
"Safe" and reliable—you know what you're getting
Cons:
Interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
Navigation can feel clunky at times
Mobile app functionality lags behind desktop version
Less visually engaging
Wealthbox
Pros:
Modern, sleek interface (often compared to "Apple" design philosophy)
Social network-style activity stream
Drag-and-drop functionality
No training required—"sign up and go" simplicity
Excellent mobile experience
Visually engaging and intuitive
Cons:
Less customization in dashboards and views
Some users find the modern approach TOO simple for complex needs
Limited flexibility for multi-generational householding
UX Winner: Wealthbox wins decisively for user-friendliness and modern design.
Integrations
Redtail
Strengths:
100+ integrations with industry tools
Deep, seamless connections with: Orion, Black Diamond, Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Riskalyze, eMoney Advisor, Morningstar, MoneyGuidePro
Purpose-built for plug-and-play simplicity
Now owned by Orion (acquired 2022), enabling tighter ecosystem integration
Established partnerships with major custodians and portfolio management platforms
Limitations:
Niche or cutting-edge fintech apps may require manual setup
Some newer tools may not have native integrations yet
Wealthbox
Strengths:
Strong integrations with Orion, Riskalyze, eMoney Advisor, Schwab, Fidelity
Continuously adding new integrations at an impressive rate
Ahead of the curve for newer fintech solutions
Well-suited for tech-forward practices embracing innovation
Limitations:
Smaller total integration library than Redtail
Fewer legacy system connections
Integration Winner: Redtail for breadth and depth, especially with traditional financial tools. Wealthbox for newer, innovative fintech integrations.
Workflow & Automation
Redtail
Industry-leading workflow customization
Robust automation for complex processes
Perfect for firms with established, detailed procedures
Can create highly sophisticated, multi-step workflows
Ideal for compliance-heavy processes
Note: The extensive customization can become paralyzing without proper training and planning.
Wealthbox
Creating workflows is "as simple as making a list"
Supports conditional logic for flexibility
Template-based approach speeds implementation
Less overwhelming for new users
May feel limited for firms with very complex needs
Automation Winner: Redtail for power users who need extensive customization. Wealthbox for teams wanting quick setup and good-enough automation.
Implementation & Support
Redtail
Onboarding:
Free database migration from major providers
Redtail University offers both remote and in-person training
Extensive training resources available
Well-documented help system
Support:
Mixed reviews on customer support responsiveness
Robust online resources and user guides
Active user community
Support quality has reportedly declined in recent years according to some users
Wealthbox
Onboarding:
Dedicated onboarding specialist assigned
"Sign up and go" simplicity—minimal training required
Fast, secure data migration process
Can typically migrate in a weekend
Support:
24/7 support available
Email and phone support options
No chat support (noted limitation)
Generally responsive according to users
Pricing
Redtail
Launch Plan: $39/user/month (annually) or $45/month (monthly) — Up to 5 users
Growth Plan: $59/user/month (annually) or $65/month (monthly) — Unlimited users
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger organizations
Unique Structure: Flat-rate per database option available ($99/month for unlimited users)
Best For: Cost-conscious firms, teams that will grow quickly
Wealthbox
Starting Price: $35-50/user/month depending on tier
Tiered Pricing: Four pricing editions with increasing features
Best For: Small to mid-sized teams with predictable growth
Cost Winner: Redtail edges ahead for larger teams due to flat-rate database pricing option. Wealthbox may be slightly cheaper for solo advisors or very small teams.
Note: Pricing is subject to change
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