The verdict in three sentences
A custom client portal for a wealth advisory firm costs EUR 28,000 to 55,000 excluding VAT in 2026 (about GBP 24,000 to 47,000), depending on the number of provider connectors and the security level required. The decisive cost item is not the interface but API contract aggregation and two-factor authentication, which determine the trust of clients used to private banking standards. With 6 hours of reporting saved every week, a 450-client firm recovers its investment in 24 to 36 months, before counting the retention effect.
What a wealth advisory client portal includes in 2026
Wealth clients now expect the same experience as their banking app: check the value of their life insurance, pension and property fund holdings, download statements, and sign a switch instruction from their phone. Off-the-shelf solutions cover part of these needs but impose their own branding, aggregation limits and a per-client cost that climbs quickly.
A custom portal is built in modules. The table below gives the 2026 orders of magnitude observed for a mid-sized firm, the same figures we quote for Lyon and for London.
| Functional module | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Secure core (accounts, 2FA via app or SMS, access log) | 6,000 to 10,000 | 3 weeks |
| Consolidated wealth dashboard | 5,000 to 9,000 | 3 weeks |
| Contract aggregation via API (2 to 5 providers or platforms) | 7,000 to 16,000 | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Document vault (statements, terms of business, engagement letters) | 3,000 to 6,000 | 2 weeks |
| Embedded e-signature (Yousign) | 2,500 to 4,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Secure messaging and appointment booking | 2,500 to 5,000 | 2 weeks |
| Adviser back office and reporting exports | 2,000 to 4,500 | 2 weeks |
| Total project | 28,000 to 55,000 | 3 to 5 months |
The low end fits a firm satisfied with two connectors and a clean dashboard. The high end covers five data sources, contribution simulations and a full back office for three advisers.
Security, compliance and recurring costs
A wealth client portal handles sensitive financial data and identity documents. Health-grade hosting is not required, but an ISO 27001 certified host in the client's jurisdiction is strongly advised. GDPR (UK GDPR in London) requires a processing register, a defined retention period and the ability for clients to export their data. Suitability and record-keeping rules under MiFID II, or FCA Consumer Duty in the UK, argue for systematic timestamping of every document delivered.
| Recurring item | 2026 cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 27001 hosting | EUR 150 to 400 excl. VAT/month | Dedicated server or managed cloud |
| Yousign e-signature | EUR 0.9 to 1.5 per envelope | Depending on annual volume |
| 2FA text messages | EUR 0.05 to 0.08 per SMS | Free with a TOTP app |
| Aggregation API subscriptions | EUR 0 to 300 excl. VAT/month | Depending on providers |
| Corrective and evolutive maintenance | EUR 400 to 900 excl. VAT/month | 10 to 15% of build per year |
| Annual penetration test | EUR 3,000 to 6,000 excl. VAT | Recommended before launch |
For 450 clients signing three documents a year on average, e-signature represents 1,350 envelopes, or EUR 1,215 to 2,025 a year. That is modest compared with paper, postal round trips and meetings booked for a single signature.
Custom build or packaged solution
Adviser back-office software often offers a client extranet as an add-on, billed at EUR 3 to 8 per client per month. For 450 clients, that is EUR 16,200 to 43,200 a year for a standard interface the firm does not control. Custom becomes relevant once the firm wants a branded experience, specific connectors or a differentiating service to attract younger clients. It is less suited to a firm under 150 clients, where the packaged option is enough.
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Claire, partner at a wealth advisory firm (450 clients, EUR 180M under advice, three advisers), spends with her assistant about 6 hours a week compiling statements, answering valuation requests and chasing signatures. Valued at EUR 75 an hour, that time represents 6 h x 46 weeks x EUR 75 = EUR 20,700 a year. The chosen portal costs EUR 42,000 excluding VAT, plus EUR 9,000 in annual recurring costs. The net annual gain is therefore about EUR 11,700, a payback of three and a half years on time saved alone. Adding retention, two clients kept with EUR 1.5M of assets each paying 0.8% ongoing fees, or EUR 24,000 a year, brings the payback under 18 months.
FAQ
How much does a wealth advisory client portal cost in 2026?
Budget EUR 28,000 to 55,000 excluding VAT for a complete custom portal. The main variable is the number of provider connectors, each adding EUR 2,000 to 4,000.
Do I need health-grade hosting for a wealth client portal?
No, that standard applies to health data. An ISO 27001 host at EUR 150 to 400 a month provides the right security level and reassures clients.
What does embedded e-signature cost?
Yousign charges EUR 0.9 to 1.5 per envelope depending on volume. For 1,350 signatures a year, plan for roughly EUR 1,200 to 2,000 annually.
Is two-factor authentication mandatory?
No rule specific to advisers imposes it, but it is essential once a portal displays holdings and identity documents. A TOTP app avoids SMS costs of EUR 0.05 to 0.08 each.
How long before go-live?
Three to five months, including 4 to 6 weeks for API connectors. A two-week pilot with 30 clients is recommended before general release.
Let's scope your project. We scope your client portal in one workshop: connectors, security, an indicative budget of EUR 28,000 to 55,000 and a 3 to 5 month timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
