Comparison

Income Lab vs. RightCapital

RightCapital gives clients a probability score. Income Lab gives them a spending plan that adjusts. See why advisors focused on retirement income distribution are making the switch.

T3 #1 Retirement Distribution Tool (T3 2023-2024)
Kitces 8.7/10 Advisor Satisfaction (Kitces 2025)

The fundamental difference

RightCapital and Income Lab approach retirement planning from different philosophies. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right tool for your practice.

RightCapital's Approach

Probability-based planning

"Your client has an 82% chance of success."

  • Monte Carlo simulations produce a pass/fail score
  • Clients hear a percentage and wonder what to do with it
  • Plans are static snapshots that need manual rebuilding
  • General financial planning tool with retirement features included
Income Lab's Approach

Adjustment-based planning

"Your client can spend $7,200/month. Here's what changes if markets drop."

  • Guardrails give clients a specific spending number
  • When markets move, the plan tells you exactly what to adjust
  • Continuous monitoring replaces periodic rebuilds
  • Purpose-built for retirement income distribution

Feature comparison

Capability Income Lab RightCapital
Specific spending recommendation
"How much can I spend?" answered with a dollar amount
Probability %
Guardrail-based monitoring
Upper and lower guardrails that trigger automatic adjustments
Income sourcing
Shows where every dollar comes from across accounts
Limited
Roth conversion modeling
Optimal conversion analysis with IRMAA awareness
Tax-aware withdrawal sequencing
Bracket management and withdrawal ordering
Partial
Full financial plan
Accumulation, estate, insurance, budgeting
Retirement-focused
Client-facing reports
Deliverables clients understand without explanation
Purpose-built for distribution
Designed specifically for retirement income, not bolted on
General tool
Starts at $49/month Contact for pricing
Trial offer $20 first month Available

Many advisors use both tools: RightCapital for comprehensive financial planning and Income Lab for the retirement income conversation.

What advisors gain with Income Lab

01

"How much can I spend?"

Every client asks this question. RightCapital gives them a probability score. Income Lab gives them a specific monthly number: "You can spend $7,200/month." That clarity changes the entire conversation. See how Retirement GPS works.

02

Guardrails, not guesswork

When markets move, probability scores bounce. Clients panic. Income Lab's guardrails tell you exactly when to adjust and by how much. No annual plan rebuild. No client anxiety. The plan watches itself. Learn about our methodology.

03

Where every dollar comes from

Roth conversions, Social Security timing, withdrawal sequencing, bracket management. Income Lab shows clients exactly where their retirement income originates and why each source matters. Explore Tax Lab.

"Income Lab has been a game changer for me. With Income Lab it's very clear how much you can spend and the guardrails around that number."
Keith Spencer, CFP Spencer Financial Planning, LLC

Already using RightCapital?

You don't need to cancel anything. Most advisors run Income Lab alongside their current tool during the transition.

Import client data in minutes

Connect your custodian and pull in client data directly. No manual re-entry from RightCapital.

Run both tools side by side

Keep RightCapital for comprehensive planning. Add Income Lab for the retirement income conversation.

Dedicated onboarding support

We walk you through setup and your first client plan so you're producing results in days, not weeks.

$20 for your first month

Full access to every feature. No long-term contract. Cancel anytime.

See the difference in 20 minutes

Bring a client scenario. We'll model it live and show you exactly what Income Lab would tell that client.

$20 first month. Full access. No commitment.

Common Questions

Can I use Income Lab alongside RightCapital?

Yes, and many advisors do. RightCapital handles comprehensive financial planning (accumulation, estate, insurance). Income Lab handles the retirement income conversation with adjustment-based guardrails. They're complementary tools, not replacements.

What does Income Lab do that RightCapital doesn't?

Income Lab gives clients a specific spending number ("You can spend $7,200/month") instead of a probability score ("You have an 82% chance of success"). It monitors the plan continuously with guardrails that tell you exactly when and how to adjust. It's purpose-built for retirement income distribution, while RightCapital covers the full financial planning spectrum.

What does RightCapital do that Income Lab doesn't?

RightCapital is a comprehensive financial planning tool covering accumulation, estate planning, insurance analysis, budgeting, and more. Income Lab is focused specifically on retirement income distribution and decumulation. If you need a full financial plan, RightCapital is the broader tool. If you need the best retirement income conversation, that's Income Lab.

How much does Income Lab cost?

Income Lab starts at $49/month for Life Hub (client-facing dashboard) or $99/month for the full Income Lab Pro suite. Your first month is $20 with full access. No long-term contract.

Is there a free trial?

Your first month is $20 with full access to every feature. No long-term commitment. Cancel anytime.

What integrations does Income Lab support?

Direct integrations with Schwab, Fidelity, Orion, Black Diamond, Redtail, and other major custodians and portfolio management platforms. Data imports take minutes.

Still comparing tools?

Watch a quick overview of how 3,000+ advisors use guardrails-based planning to answer "How much can I spend?" in 2 minutes.

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