Why High Earners Are Ditching Traditional Wealth Managers for Tech-First Solutions

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The traditional wealth management model is breaking down

For decades, wealthy individuals relied on single-adviser relationships with traditional fee structures that often lacked transparency and integration. Today's high earners — particularly those in tech, finance and other demanding careers — need something different. They require wealth management solutions that can create strategies around multiple income streams, equity compensation, real estate investments and complex tax situations while providing real-time access to their complete financial picture

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Traditional wealth managers often operate in silos, requiring clients to coordinate between separate investment advisors, tax preparers, estate planners and real estate professionals. This fragmented approach leads to missed opportunities, inefficient tax strategies and a lack of holistic financial planning.

What high-earning professionals really need

Modern wealth management must address several critical requirements that traditional models often miss:

Integrated Platform Approach: Everything from investment management and retirement planning to tax preparation, estate planning and real estate strategy should work together seamlessly. When your wealth manager can see your complete financial picture — including your salary, equity compensation, multiple properties and investment accounts — they can make more informed recommendations.

Technology-First Experience: Real-time access to financial data, strategic projections, portfolio performance and AI based on your entire financial situation is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity. Professionals need 24/7 visibility into their wealth journey without having to schedule calls with advisors for basic updates.

Transparent Fee Structure: The traditional 1% AUM fee model can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. On a $1 million portfolio, you're paying $10,000 annually, which compounds to $100,000 over ten years — not including the opportunity cost of those fees.3

Traditional Financial Advisor Fees Graph

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The Range difference: all-in-one wealth management

Range represents a fundamental shift in how wealth management services are delivered. Rather than cobbling together multiple service providers, Range consolidates everything into a single, unified platform designed specifically for high-earning professionals.

Comprehensive Service Integration: Range handles investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax preparation and filing, and real estate strategy through one platform. This integration means every financial decision is made with your complete picture in mind.

Zero AUM Fees: Range operates on a transparent flat-fee model with 0% AUM fees for advisory services. This can potentially save clients thousands annually compared to traditional fee structures.

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Advanced Technology With Human Expertise: The platform combines AI-powered analytics with access to Certified Financial Planners, Certified Public Accountants, and Financial Advisors. Technology handles data analysis and initial planning scenarios, while human experts provide strategic oversight for complex decisions.

Range platform dashboard showing integrated financial overview

Range platform dashboard showing integrated financial overview [Image source: Range.com]

(Image credit: Range.com)

Service options designed for different wealth needs

Range Premium provides comprehensive wealth management for you and your partner, including investing, retirement planning, cash flow analysis and unlimited access to financial planners. Members also receive 4% APY on cash savings.2

Range Platinum includes everything in Premium plus tax filing, tax-loss harvesting, direct indexing, tax planning and projections, and equity compensation planning — particularly valuable for tech professionals with stock options.

Range Titanium offers the most comprehensive service, including unlimited K-1 processing, international tax planning and advanced real estate support for clients with complex investment structures.

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Why integration matters more than ever

Consider a typical high-earning professional: $400K salary, equity compensation, primary residence in San Francisco, an investment property in Austin, 401(k), traditional and Roth IRAs, taxable investment accounts, and HSAs. Managing this complexity across multiple providers creates gaps in strategy and missed optimization opportunities.

With an integrated approach, Range can:

  • Coordinate tax-loss harvesting across all accounts
  • Optimize asset location based on account types
  • Plan equity compensation exercises considering their overall tax impact
  • Integrate real estate cash flows with retirement projections
  • Ensure estate planning reflects all assets and accounts

The true cost of traditional fees

Many professionals underestimate the long-term impact of traditional wealth management fees. A 1% AUM fee might seem reasonable, but it can compound significantly over time:1

  • $500K portfolio: $5,000 annually
  • $1M portfolio: $10,000 annually
  • $2M portfolio: $20,000 annually

Over 20 years, these fees could consume hundreds of thousands in potential returns. Range's transparent flat-fee model eliminates this wealth drag while providing comprehensive services.1

Technology that actually enhances planning

Modern wealth management platforms should provide more than just account aggregation. Range's technology enables:

  • Real-time financial modeling and scenario planning
  • Automated tax-loss harvesting
  • Dynamic portfolio rebalancing
  • Advanced estate planning projections
  • Real estate investment analysis and optimization

This technology integration means faster, more comprehensive analysis than traditional advisor-only models can provide.

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Why This Executive Chose AI-Powered Wealth Management Over Traditional Advisors - YouTube Why This Executive Chose AI-Powered Wealth Management Over Traditional Advisors - YouTube
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Take control of your financial future

The wealth management landscape has evolved beyond traditional single-advisor relationships and fragmented service models. Modern platforms like Range demonstrate how technology and human expertise can work together to provide comprehensive, cost-effective wealth management solutions.

For high-earning professionals who demand more from their wealth management experience, the choice is clear: embrace integrated, technology-first solutions that provide transparency, comprehensive service, and significant cost savings.

Schedule a consultation with Range today →

If you’re looking to maximize your equity compensation, try the Range Equity Compensation Calculator to get started →

Disclaimer

¹ Brokerage fees, transaction charges, and other applicable platform fees imposed by our custodian are not included in your membership and will be passed through to you as the Member. Additionally, fund fees charged by third-party managers (such as mutual fund or ETF expense ratios) will apply; these fees are separate from your membership and are not received or shared by Range in any way.

² The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) quoted for the cash account is as of July 30, 2025, and offered through our custodial partner, Altruist Financial LLC. The APY is variable and subject to change at any time without notice. Fees charged by Altruist Financial LLC may reduce earnings. This does not constitute a recommendation or offer to open or maintain a cash account.

³ Range's flat-fee model may reduce overall costs compared to traditional AUM-based fees, which can help keep more assets invested. Keeping assets invested gives them the potential to compound, which may enhance returns over time—assuming there are returns. However, investment performance is not guaranteed, and all investments carry risk.

This material is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Range Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. All investments carry risk, including the possible loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

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