AI time and ROI calculator for financial advisors

Estimate whether an AI tool pays for itself using your own numbers. The only data we supply are published starting prices from vendor websites; every other number is yours to set.

Every number below except tool prices is an example. Change them to match your practice.

People and the value of their time

People using the tool (users)Example assumption

Value of one hour (USD)Example assumption

Replace with your own estimate: what you'd pay to hand off an hour of admin work, or your hourly revenue.

Weeks worked per year (weeks)Example assumption

Time spent today, per person

Hours per week on each task, and the share of that time you think the tool might save. Set a row to 0 to leave it out. Replace every example with your own estimate.

Meeting notes and summaries
Hours per weekExample assumption
Share saved (%)Example assumption
Follow-up emails and tasks
Hours per weekExample assumption
Share saved (%)Example assumption
Meeting prep
Hours per weekExample assumption
Share saved (%)Example assumption
CRM data entry
Hours per weekExample assumption
Share saved (%)Example assumption
Marketing content
Hours per weekExample assumption
Share saved (%)Example assumption
Document review (tax returns, estate documents, statements)
Hours per weekExample assumption
Share saved (%)Example assumption

Tool cost

Pick a tool to fill in its published starting price, then edit it to match the plan you'd actually buy.

Tool

Monthly cost (USD)

This price is

Per userFlat per month

One-time setup cost (USD)Example assumption

Your estimate

At these assumptions, the time saved would be about 8 hours a month worth $1,200. Add a tool cost to see payback and ROI.

Hours saved per month (all users): 8
Value of time saved: $1,200/mo · $14,400/yr
Tool cost: $0/mo · $0/yr
One-time setup: $0
Net value: $1,200/mo · $14,400 first year
Payback: Enter a tool cost to see this
First-year ROI: Enter a tool cost to see this

How we calculate this

Hours saved per person per week = sum of (hours per week × share saved) across tasks.
Hours saved per month = that × people × weeks worked per year ÷ 12.
Value of time saved = hours saved × value of one hour (×12 for a year).
Tool cost per month = monthly cost × people (for per-user prices) or the flat price, added up across tools.
Net value = value of time saved − tool cost. The first-year figure also subtracts the one-time setup cost.
Payback = setup cost ÷ monthly net value. If net value is zero or negative, it doesn't pay back.
First-year ROI = (first-year value − first-year cost including setup) ÷ first-year cost.

Before you rely on this

Time saved isn't money earned unless you reuse that time.
AI output may add compliance review time; count it.
Prices are starting prices from vendor pages as of October 21, 2026 and change often; confirm with each vendor.
This is an estimate from your assumptions, not financial advice.

How to use it

1
Set the people and your hourly valueHow many people would use the tool, and what an hour of their time is worth to you.
2
Estimate time per taskHours per week on each task today, and the share of that time you think the tool could save. Zero out anything that doesn't apply.
3
Pick a toolChoose it from the list to fill in its published starting price, then edit the cost to match the plan you'd buy. Add a setup cost if there is one.
4
Read the estimateCheck payback and first-year ROI, then copy the results to share or save.

The formulas, in plain English

Hours saved per month = for each task, hours per week times the share saved, added up, times the number of people, times weeks worked per year, divided by 12.
Value of time saved = hours saved times the value of one hour.
Tool cost = the monthly price times the number of people (for per-user prices) or the flat monthly price.
Net value = value of time saved minus tool cost. The first-year figure also subtracts any one-time setup cost.
Payback = the setup cost divided by the monthly net value. If the net value is zero or negative, the tool doesn't pay back at your assumptions.
First-year ROI = first-year net value divided by first-year cost (12 months plus setup).

Price out a tool

Compare every published plan on our AI tool pricing pages, or let the tool finder suggest a short list first. Related categories:

FAQ

How does the ROI calculator work?

You enter how many people would use the tool, what an hour of their time is worth to you, how much time each task takes today and how much of it you think the tool could save. It multiplies those out to hours and dollars per month and per year, then compares them with the tool's cost.

Are the default numbers typical for advisors?

No. They're examples so the calculator shows something when it loads. We don't publish benchmarks for time saved. Replace every example with your own estimate.

Where do the tool prices come from?

From each vendor's own pricing page, as of October 21, 2026. They're starting prices: your plan, billing term and seat count may differ, so the cost field is editable. Some vendors don't publish prices; for those, enter your quote.

Is time saved the same as money saved?

Not by itself. Saved time only turns into value if you reuse it, for example for more client meetings or prospecting. Also count any extra compliance review time AI output may need.

Is this financial advice?

No. It's an estimate built entirely from your own assumptions. Check any tool with your compliance team before it touches client data.

Get Best AI for Advisors Weekly

Weekly: the newest AI tools for advisors, in 3 minutes.

New AI tools for advisors, what changed, and practical ways to use them. One email a week; unsubscribe anytime.

Confirms on our beehiiv page. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime. What you'll get