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Explaining portfolio performance and risk can be one of the hardest parts of advising—especially when markets are volatile or emotions run high. Data alone rarely tells the full story, but the right visuals can make complex concepts click almost instantly. Portfolio visualizer tools help advisors turn numbers into narratives clients can actually understand. Knowing how to integrate these tools into your practice can elevate both your investment process and the client experience.
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What Is a Portfolio Visualizer?
Portfolio visualizers are tools that allow advisors to analyze and compare investments in a granular way for their clients. They may be stand-alone tools that you can use independently of software programs. Or they may be incorporated into financial planning software options or applications that are tailored to advisors’ needs.
So, what can these types of tools do for you? The capabilities of a portfolio visualizer may extend to:
- Comparing tactical allocation models
- Fund screening and analysis
- Back-testing
- Modeling for portfolio optimization
- Running Monte Carlo simulations
These types of features are designed to help you provide the most accurate advice to clients. They also allow clients to visualize what their portfolio looks like now and what it might look like should they decide to do X, Y or Z with their investments or if they experience major life changes.
That can be invaluable for clients who are visual learners and absorb information more readily by seeing it, rather than just hearing it. Presenting a client with charts, graphs or other visual aids can underscore the advice you’re offering so that it’s easier for them to process.
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Portfolio Visualizer Tools for Advisors
Choosing tools to incorporate into your business often comes down to the type of features you’re interested in, the level of functionality you need and the cost you’re comfortable paying. When comparing visualizer tools, it’s helpful to ask yourself the following:
- What do I need this tool to be able to do for me (and my clients)?
- Which features are most important to have?
- What price point am I willing to pay in exchange for the range of features or benefits offered?
With that in mind, here are six portfolio visualizer options for advisors to consider:
1. Morningstar Office
Morningstar Office is an all-in-one practice and portfolio management software program designed for registered investment advisors (RIAs). Its features include:
- Portfolio modeling and reporting
- Portfolio analysis
- Investment planning
- Risk modeling and risk profiling
- Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
- Portfolio rebalancing
Advisors have access to Morningstar data, research and analysis, all of which can be used to generate model portfolios for clients. If you’d like to take the program for a test run, you can contact Morningstar to request a demo.
2. NaviPlan
NaviPlan is a financial planning software solution that’s used by banks, insurance providers and broker-dealers. It’s designed to be an end-to-end solution for advisors, spanning everything from new client onboarding to compliance and data security.
The software’s unique features allow advisors to deliver financial advice to clients collaboratively and visually. For example, the Guided Retirement tool makes it easy for clients to see whether they’re on track to retire and how their plans may be impacted by changing healthcare costs.
NaviPlan is also equipped to allow for Monte Carlo analysis, scenario analysis and retirement income modeling. Advisors can create custom reports using charts, graphs and other visual components that are tailored to their clients’ needs. A trial is available if you’d like to try the software before committing.
3. Nitrogen
Nitrogen is designed to be a growth platform for wealth management firms and advisors who prefer an all-in-one solution. Advisors who use Nitrogen have access to a number of interactive and visualizer tools to assist with:
- Modeling risk capacity so that clients understand how much risk they need to take to reach their goals
- Helping clients understand the impacts of various life changes or financial decisions, from paying for college to deciding when to take Social Security benefits
- Running stress tests and model different investment scenarios to gauge outcomes
Nitrogen runs daily analysis for over a quarter million securities, including stocks, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, bonds and real estate investment trusts. Advisors can tap into the available data to model performance and analyze risk at a detailed level.
4. Portfolio Visualizer
Portfolio Visualizer is another stand-alone option for advisors who want to be able to generate visual models and reports for clients. The Pro subscription plan, which is designed for both personal and commercial use, includes the following:
- Portfolio backtesting
- Monte Carlo simulations
- Portfolio optimization
- Factor regression
- Asset analytics
- Tactical allocation models
You can view examples of portfolio visualizations on the site or sign up for a demo to test out the tool yourself to decide if it’s right for you.
5. eMoney Advisor
eMoney Advisor is a comprehensive financial planning software that aims to equip advisors with everything they need to manage client portfolios. That includes access to interactive and visual tools.
For example, the Decision Center allows to you analyze investments and their lifetime impact on client portfolios. You can also run a Money Carlo analysis and create personalized plan summaries for clients.
There are four plan options available: eMoney Plus, eMoney Pro, eMoney Premier and eMoney Enterprise. All of them include onboarding training and support to make the transition to eMoney as easy as possible.
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Ways to Integrate Portfolio Visualizer Tools into Your Business
Portfolio visualizer tools can be powerful assets for financial advisors, helping translate complex data into clear insights. When integrated thoughtfully, these tools support better decision-making, client communication and internal efficiency. Here are five practical ways advisors can incorporate portfolio visualizers into their practice.
- Enhance client conversations with visual storytelling: Charts, projections and scenario analyses help clients understand how portfolios behave over time. Visual tools make abstract concepts like risk, diversification and drawdowns easier to grasp, leading to more productive discussions and better alignment.
- Support portfolio construction and comparison: Advisors can use visualizers to compare strategies, asset allocations or model portfolios side by side. This allows for more informed investment decisions and clearer explanations of why certain approaches are recommended.
- Improve client education and confidence: Portfolio visualizers can show historical performance, stress tests and “what-if” scenarios. These insights help set realistic expectations and reduce emotional reactions during market volatility by grounding conversations in data.
- Streamline internal analysis and reviews: Beyond client-facing use, visualizer tools support internal research and portfolio reviews. Advisors can quickly evaluate changes, test assumptions and document rationale, saving time and improving consistency.
- Differentiate your advisory experience: Using visual tools thoughtfully can elevate the client experience and reinforce professionalism. When clients feel informed and engaged, it strengthens trust and reinforces the value of ongoing advice.
When used strategically, portfolio visualizer tools go far beyond charts and graphs. They become communication and decision-making tools that enhance both the advisor’s process and the client’s understanding. Integrating them into everyday workflows can improve clarity, confidence and long-term outcomes.
Bottom Line
Portfolio visualizer tools can make your job as an advisor easier if you’re able to demonstrate to clients what they might be able to expect when choosing one investment versus another. Understanding which features are most likely to resonate with your clients can help you decide which tool or tools are a good fit for your business.
Tips for Growing Your Advisory Business
- As you spend more time improving the portfolios of your clients, the less time you may have for marketing on your own. SmartAsset AMP (Advisor Marketing Platform) is a holistic marketing service financial advisors can use for client lead generation and automated marketing. Sign up for a free demo to explore how SmartAsset AMP can help you expand your practice’s marketing operation. Get started today.
- Software tools can help you save time, allowing you to run your advisory business more efficiently. In addition to comparing visualizer tools, you might also consider whether your current financial planning, wealth management or estate planning software is working for you. Researching different options to compare features, benefits and costs can help you evaluate if what you’re using now is still meeting your needs and those of your clients.
Photo credit: ©iStock/Kerkez, ©iStock/Morningstar Office, ©iStock/Nitrogen, ©iStock/FundVisualizer, ©iStock/eMoney Advisor, ©iStock/Jacob Wackerhausen