Morningstar Advisor Workstation
Morningstar Advisor Workstation is a comprehensive investment planning platform that provides financial advisors with research, portfolio analytics, and proposal generation tools to support informed investment decisions.
PlanGuru
PlanGuru is a specialized budgeting and forecasting software designed to help you build detailed financial projections, manage cash flow, and perform sophisticated strategic planning for your business or clients.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Morningstar Advisor Workstation | PlanGuru |
|---|---|---|
| Website | morningstar.com | planguru.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1984 | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, USA | White Plains, USA |
Overview
Morningstar Advisor Workstation
Morningstar Advisor Workstation provides you with the data and analytics needed to build better portfolios and communicate value to your clients. You can access Morningstar’s extensive database of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to conduct deep-dive research and compare investment options side-by-side. The platform helps you streamline your daily workflow by integrating investment research directly into your planning process.
You can create professional, easy-to-understand reports and proposals that help clients visualize their financial future. Whether you are analyzing current holdings or searching for new opportunities, the software gives you the tools to justify your recommendations with independent data. It is designed primarily for financial advisors at independent practices, banks, and broker-dealers who need to balance rigorous analysis with clear client communication.
PlanGuru
PlanGuru gives you the tools to move beyond basic spreadsheets and build sophisticated financial forecasts with ease. You can import data directly from your accounting system to create integrated balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports. The platform allows you to project up to 10 years into the future using over 20 different forecasting methods, helping you visualize long-term growth and potential financial hurdles before they arrive.
You can perform complex 'what-if' analyses to see how specific business decisions—like hiring new staff or taking out a loan—will impact your bottom line. Whether you are a small business owner, a non-profit leader, or an accountant managing multiple clients, the software provides the structure you need to make data-driven decisions. It eliminates the formula errors common in manual spreadsheets while providing professional-grade reporting for stakeholders and lenders.
Overview
Morningstar Advisor Workstation Features
- Investment Research Access independent data and analyst ratings on thousands of mutual funds, stocks, and ETFs to power your recommendations.
- Portfolio Analytics Analyze your clients' current portfolios to identify overlaps, style drifts, and hidden risks using Morningstar’s proprietary X-Ray tool.
- Proposal Generation Create customized investment proposals that clearly illustrate your strategy and help clients understand the 'why' behind your advice.
- Security Screener Filter the entire Morningstar database using specific criteria to find investments that perfectly match your client's risk profile.
- Hypothetical Illustrations Show your clients how different investment strategies would have performed historically to set realistic expectations for future returns.
- ESG Integration Evaluate investments based on environmental, social, and governance factors to align your client's portfolio with their personal values.
PlanGuru Features
- Integrated Financials. Automatically link your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement so every change updates your entire model.
- Accounting Imports. Import your historical data directly from QuickBooks, Xero, or Excel to jumpstart your forecasting process without manual entry.
- What-If Analysis. Create multiple scenarios to test how different business decisions or market changes will affect your future financial health.
- Advanced Forecasting. Choose from over 20 pre-built forecasting methods to project revenue and expenses based on your specific business drivers.
- Professional Reporting. Generate board-ready reports and presentations that clearly communicate your financial story to partners, banks, or investors.
- Consolidated Reporting. Combine multiple business entities into a single consolidated forecast to manage complex organizational structures with ease.
Pricing Comparison
Morningstar Advisor Workstation Pricing
PlanGuru Pricing
- 1 Entity included
- Unlimited standard reports
- QuickBooks & Xero import
- Excel import utility
- Email & chat support
- Everything in Launch, plus:
- Advanced reporting add-in
- Engagement tool for accountants
- Consolidation features
- Priority technical support
Pros & Cons
Morningstar Advisor Workstation
Pros
- Access to industry-standard independent investment research
- Professional reports that simplify complex data for clients
- Comprehensive database covering almost every asset class
- Reliable portfolio X-Ray for identifying hidden risks
Cons
- Interface can feel dated compared to newer fintech
- Significant learning curve for the most advanced features
- Premium pricing compared to basic research tools
PlanGuru
Pros
- Superior accuracy compared to manual Excel modeling
- Excellent integration with popular accounting software
- Detailed cash flow projections help prevent shortfalls
- Professional report templates save hours of formatting
- Responsive customer support team for technical issues
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-financial users
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS
- Initial setup requires significant time investment