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Range vs. Creative Planning

Comparing a flat-fee modern wealth management platform to a traditional AUM-based wealth firm.

Range and Creative Planning both offer comprehensive financial services — but their models, pricing and client experiences are fundamentally different. One emphasizes transparent, flat-fee access to a team of specialists through a modern platform; the other delivers high-touch wealth management through a dedicated advisor and integrated in-house teams, with an assets-under-management fee model.

Read on to see the key differences to help you decide which approach is a better fit for your goals, preferences and financial situation.

Range vs. Creative Planning: Quick summary

Range logo
Range
Creative Planning logo
Creative Planning
Best for
  • Professionals with complex planning needs (RSUs and investment properties) and desire for flat-fee pricing
  • High income earners
  • High- and ultra-high-net-worth investors seeking holistic advice
  • High-net-worth clients wanting integrated traditional wealth management
  • Investors seeking bundled tax, legal and investment services
  • Those preferring an advisor-led relationship
Minimum investment$0, but designed for those making over $300,000$500,000
Fee structureFlat annual fee ($2,655–$8,955)AUM-based: 0.75%–1%
Advisor accessTeam of Certified Financial Planners and specialistsOne dedicated advisor supported by in-house specialists
Planning depthHolistic planning across all financial areasComprehensive wealth management with in-house experts
Investment managementOptional, passive or customIncluded by default with AUM fee
Learn more

Which one is better for you?

Choose Range if:

  • You want flat-fee pricing with no asset minimums
  • You need advice across taxes, stock options or estate planning
  • You prefer a tech-first, team-supported planning experience

Choose Creative Planning if:

  • You want investment management and advice using a AUM fee model
  • You prefer a traditional 1:1 relationship with a lead advisor
  • You want tax, legal and estate planning handled in-house
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    Side-by-side comparison

    FeatureRangeCreative Planning
    Minimum investment$0, but designed for those making over $300,000$500,000
    Fee modelFlat annual fee ($2,655–$8,955)AUM-based: 0.25%–1.20%
    Pricing transparencyTransparent, listed on websiteNot listed on website; available in Form ADV
    Advisory accessTeam-based: CFPs, tax pros, estate specialistsDedicated advisor with access to in-house specialists
    Planning scopeHolistic: tax, equity comp, estate, retirement, cash flow, real estateFull-spectrum: planning, investment, tax, legal, insurance
    Portfolio managementOptional; custom or passive portfolios availableIncluded by default with active management
    Technology experienceModern dashboard, real-time updatesTraditional advisor-led experience with limited platform access
    Communication styleDigital-first with on-demand messaging, team responseAdvisor-led relationship, primarily 1:1 contact
    Tax strategyTax-loss harvesting available in Platinum and Titanium tiers; full tax planningIncluded; in-house CPAs coordinate tax strategy

    Services compared

    Services offeredRangeCreative Planning
    Investment management
    Tax planning
    Estate planning
    Insurance planning
    Cash flow analysis
    Real estate planning
    Business planning
    Equity comp management
    Tax strategies

    Minimums and accessibility

    Range has no investment minimums, making it accessible to a broader audience regardless of net worth, though it’s designed for high-income households — those making over $300,000 annually. You don’t need to move your investments or meet a portfolio minimum to get started.

    Creative Planning requires at least $500,000 in investable assets, with some services geared toward clients at $1 million and above.

    Fee structure: Flat-fee vs. AUM

    Range charges a flat annual fee:

    • Premium: $2,655/yearly with annual plan
    • Platinum: $5,355/yearly with annual plan
    • Titanium: $8,955/yearly with annual plan

    These fees stay fixed regardless of your portfolio size. Investment management is available with no AUM fee, but not required.

    Creative Planning uses a traditional AUM model, typically charging between 0.25% and 1.20% of assets under management annually, depending on the amount managed, which can add up as your portfolio grows. Fees vary based on portfolio size.

    Advisor model and relationship

    Range offers a team-based model. You get access to:

    • Certified Financial Planners (CFPs)
    • Tax professionals
    • Equity compensation specialists
    • Estate planning experts

    This means every area of your financial life gets input from a domain expert.

    Creative Planning assigns you a dedicated financial advisor, who may be supported by internal specialists depending on the complexity of your needs. The relationship is primarily one-to-one, and the advisor serves as your main point of contact.

    Scope of planning services

    Range is built for holistic planning across multiple life domains:

    • Investments
    • Taxes
    • Equity compensation
    • Estate planning
    • Cash flow analysis
    • Real estate decisions
    • Retirement

    Creative Planning also offers comprehensive planning, including:

    • Investment management
    • Estate planning
    • Tax planning
    • Retirement planning
    • Business owner services
    • International wealth consulting
    • Insurance strategy

    Investment philosophy and implementation

    Range supports investment management as part of its service, but doesn’t require it. Portfolios are goal-based and tax-efficient, designed to align with your financial plan and long-term needs.

    Creative Planning builds diversified portfolios using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, often with an active allocation component. Investment management is bundled with planning and handled in-house under fiduciary standards.

    Tax strategy

    Range includes proactive tax planning, including equity compensation strategies, income timing, charitable giving and more. Tax-loss harvesting is available for clients in Platinum and Titanium tiers.

    Creative Planning offers tax planning and year-round tax-loss harvesting as part of its proactive tax strategy, integrating it directly with investment portfolio monitoring in taxable accounts.

    Technology and user experience

    Range has a modern, tech-driven experience with 24/7 account visibility, personalized dashboards and communication tools.

    Creative Planning offers a more traditional advisor-led experience. While clients do get access to a client portal for reports and communication, the experience leans more on human interaction than tech-driven engagement.

    About Range

    Range is a flat-fee wealth management platform designed for high earners — executives, doctors, tech employees and business owners — who want real-time access to a team of experts.

    Every membership includes a dedicated team of CFPs, tax professionals, equity comp specialists and estate experts, plus a modern digital dashboard for plan tracking and ongoing support.

    About Creative Planning

    Creative Planning is a national wealth management firm offering financial planning, investment management, tax planning, estate services and more to high-net-worth clients. With a traditional advisor model and in-house expertise, it offers a full-service experience under an AUM fee structure.

    Final thoughts

    Both firms offer deep, fiduciary advice — but they deliver it differently. Range provides flexible, tech-first wealth management for clients of varying net worths at a flat, predictable cost. Creative Planning wraps investment and planning into one advisor-led relationship, also with services that suit clients managing significant wealth.

    In the end, the better fit depends on whether you want a modern, expert team focused on planning or a full-service, traditional firm handling everything under one advisor umbrella.

    Holly Jennings's headshot
    To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
    Matt Miczulski's headshot
    Written by

    Investments editor and market analyst

    Matt Miczulski is an investments editor and market analyst at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions. Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on Yahoo Finance, CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

    Matt's expertise
    Matt has written 203 Finder guides across topics including:
    • Trading and investing
    • Broker and trading platform reviews
    • Money management

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