Feb 10, 2026 12:08:25 PM | Best-of-breed What RIAs should expect and demand from their cloud platform

RIAs want tools that help them work smarter, cut costs, and scale without friction. That’s why so many wealth management platforms have pushed to the cloud. Cloud and SaaS solutions come with smaller footprints, lower maintenance, and easier access, and after the pandemic, they became essential for remote work.

But not every cloud rollout has been smooth. Some cloud‑native firms closed their doors. Others ran into painful migration issues or long delays. So how do RIAs reduce risk and choose a cloud solution that’s built to last?

We’re seeing four qualities that separate successful cloud providers from the rest.

1. Clear strategy and roadmap

The strongest providers don’t rush. They take a thoughtful, strategic approach to moving advanced, integrated platforms to the cloud.

When you evaluate a cloud offering, look for:

• a clear plan for where the platform is going
• transparency around long‑term development
• consistency across cloud and desktop codebases
• shared integrations across both models
  
  

If both versions share common code, it means more efficient development and more choice for you as your firm evolves.

2. High level of parity

A cloud version should feel familiar. It should deliver the majority of the capabilities, workflows, and integrations you rely on today.

But parity shouldn’t be short‑term, it needs to be a long‑term commitment. Some providers shift focus after launch, favoring cloud development and letting the desktop version fall behind. That creates gaps, forces clients to migrate before they’re ready, and limits flexibility for future mergers or infrastructure changes.

As your firm grows, whether from $500M to $5B or through an acquisition, your technology should grow with you. Providers that advance both desktop and cloud in tandem give you true choice in how you work.

3. Cloud-enabled innovation

Parity matters, but innovation matters too. Cloud should unlock new capabilities, not limit them. Strong providers understand the unique benefits of cloud environments and use them to:

• modernize the interface
• streamline workflows
• improve operational efficiency
• build more powerful trading and rebalancing tools

Take consolidated order management and rebalancing as an example. When advisors can act on drifts, review orders, and manage workflows from anywhere in the system, they stay ahead of risk and work far more efficiently. Cloud should make your day easier, not add friction.

4. Scalability

Cloud isn’t just for small firms. It should support large, complex practices with:

• more users
• more accounts
• multiple custodians
• diverse investment strategies

As your business grows, your platform should keep pace without costly overhauls or performance issues.

Fit for the future

Most advisory firms don’t want to manage infrastructure anymore. Some don’t have the internal resources even if they wanted to. But not every cloud solution is built with the reliability and long‑term commitment RIAs need.

Too often, providers overpromise on innovation, stability, and scale - then fall short. And when cloud solutions fail, the disruption, cost, and risk fall on the firm.

A future‑fit cloud platform should offer:

• a unified, strategic development approach
• innovation across all delivery models
• long‑term support for both cloud and desktop
• a platform that grows with your business

We believe wealthtech providers have a responsibility to deliver cloud solutions that truly improve front, middle, and back‑office operations — not just shift them to a different environment.