The 2025 T3 Tech Report Just Dropped—and Advisors Are Still Sleeping on the Most Important Tools

Every year, the T3/Inside Information Software Survey gives us all a peek under the hood of the wealth management industry’s tech adoption. 

And every year, we find the same thing: advisors doubling down on some trends while completely ignoring others that could actually help them grow their business.

So, what’s the big takeaway from this year’s T3 2025 Software Survey? Advisors claim they want more growth, more efficiency, and better client engagement—but their tech choices tell a different story. 

Here’s what we found when we dug into the data (and why it should make you rethink your growth strategy).

 

1. CRM Market Share Is Collapsing—What’s Going On?

The biggest shocker? CRM adoption is in freefall. Just two years ago, 96.46% of firms reported using a CRM. Today? 86.33%. That’s a 10% drop in an industry that literally revolves around strong and enduring client relationships.

What’s happening? Are advisors just going full post-it-note mode to avoid cybersecurity issues? 

Not quite. The report suggests a possible shift toward project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Airtable as the hub for tracking client relationships. We’re also anecdotally seeing a lot of advisory firms going to tools like Hubspot, which aren’t specialized to the industry but are better than most industry options.

What this means for you

If you’re still stuck in a clunky or old CRM that’s slowing you down, you’re not alone. But before you abandon ship, ask yourself: Is your CRM actually helping you engage with clients, or is it just a glorified Rolodex? If it’s not driving client engagement or marketing automation, it’s time for an upgrade—or a complete rethink.

Tech solutions gaining traction

Wealthbox (8.11 user rating) continues to be a strong performer as it continually siphons market share from Redtail, while Advyzon (8.49) is making significant gains since last year’s report. We also have our eye on Advisor CRM, a new startup that just launched in the final months of 2024 but which has already made it onto the list with an average user rating of 8.75—good for third among all ranked CRMs..

 

2. Advisors Say They Want More Clients—But Their Tech Stack Says Otherwise

Want to know how we can tell when advisors are lying to themselves? Look at their digital marketing plans.

Despite all the talk about growing their business, less than 25% of firms are using lead generation software, and only 18.8% use digital content marketing tools. That’s a decline from last year. Meanwhile, everyone’s scrambling for tax planning software like it’s a clearance sale at Costco.

We don’t mean to drag on tax planning—it’s great and necessary. So is estate planning (which, by the way, saw the biggest two-year adoption jump of any category). 

But let’s be real—you can’t build a business on upselling clients on tax strategy alone. You still need a pipeline of new clients, and right now, most advisors are relying on outdated referral models while ignoring the very tools designed to bring in high-quality leads at scale.

What this means for you

The firms that invest in marketing tech today will own the next decade of growth. Period. If you’re not capturing leads online, someone else is. And they’re eating your lunch while you’re stuck wondering why your pipeline feels drier than a compliance seminar.

Tech solutions gaining traction

Can we list no one? With stagnant growth and unenthusiastic user ratings, the digital marketing categories in the 2025 T3 technology survey are seriously underwhelming. 

The wealth management industry has also long been confused about what marketing is, how to create a marketing program that works, and what tactics to prioritize. Here’s a lesson, though: If your content solution is a one-size-fits-all provider of pre-written content, you don’t have a marketing solution. You have a compliance solution pretending to be marketing.

 

3. AI Is Everywhere, and Also Nowhere

The 2025 survey introduced AI-specific categories for the first time (AI-search and generative language tools, and AI-driven graphics). But beyond those two new categories, AI can also be prominently seen in categories like Client Onboarding and Transcription Services…where adoption is still pitiful, year after year.

Despite all the buzz about AI, the adoption rate for anything not named ChatGPT is basically nothing.

This is classic wealth management behavior: wait until the tech is so mainstream that the national firms are already five years ahead, then scramble to catch up once enough compliance officers or lawyers grudgingly say it’s OK. We’ve seen the same story play out in basically every tech advancement and marketing change (looking at you, client testimonials). 

And now, we’re watching it happen with AI.

What this means for you

The firms that figure out AI now—whether it’s AI-powered content creation, client communication, or back-office automation—will be the ones leading the industry in five years. Everyone else will be playing catch-up (again).

Tech solutions gaining traction

While AI adoption is slow, Jump (8.81) jumps out with its high user rating and ability to grab at least some market share in multiple categories where AI-influenced apps are showing up.

 

4. The Rise of Tax & Estate Planning—Are Advisors Preparing for Life After Asset Management?

Tax planning tools like Holistiplan and FP Alpha are blowing up, with tax software adoption jumping 10% in just two years. Estate planning software? Up 27% in that same time frame. That’s massive.

Why the shift? Simple: advisors are feeling the pressure to deliver more value with additional services. Traditional AUM models are historically tied to asset management, and the RIA world is placing its value on intangible things like financial advice, so they’re beefing up their service offerings to stay competitive as investors are finding they can go elsewhere for lower-priced easy to manage their own assets. This is an area where AI is probably going to create more disruption in unseen ways very shortly. 

What this means for you

If your firm isn’t adding value beyond investment management, you’re in trouble. The future (and the present) is whole life planning—estate, tax, and beyond. If you’re not having those conversations—especially with your current retired clients’ adult children—someone else will. And they’ll leave you for that other advisor once that much-written about wealth transfer (e.g. their parents’ death) happens.

Tech solutions gaining traction

Holistiplan (9.01) continues to absolutely dominate tax planning, while FP Alpha (8.35) is making slow but steady progress as the perpetual second-ranked option in the tax software category. 

Estate planning tools like Wealth.com (8.24) and EncorEstate Plans (8.47) have our eye as they become go-to choices for advisors expanding their services.

 

5. The Bottom Line: Is Your Tech Stack Helping or Hurting Organic Growth?

The 2025 T3 Tech Report is a wake-up call. Advisors are investing in workflow automation, tax planning, and estate solutions—but are they investing in organic growth?

In reality, organic growth isn’t just about finding new clients. It’s about how your tech stack impacts your client experience, referral collection, and your firm’s ability to build relationships that drive long-term success. 

The best tech doesn’t just upgrade your back office—it creates moments of engagement, trust, and value that naturally bring in new business.

If you’re not seeing growth, it’s time to ask: Is your tech stack helping or hindering your ability to connect with clients?

Tech solutions making an impact

Fynancial (a client communication power tool to watch) is innovating client engagement by bridging financial planning with app-based communication. 

Advyzon continues to stand out for its all-in-one approach, while firms investing in client-focused engagement solutions that also provide powerful analytics (like Nitrogen) are positioning themselves for deeper, more data-driven client relationships.

The bottom line: Your tech stack is only as good as your ability to use it. Don’t let your competitors figure this out before you do.

Click here to read and download the 2025 T3 Software Survey in its entirety from Technology Tools for Today.

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