IRESS' XPLAN has maintained its place as the adviser's choice when it comes to overall planning functionality, according to a new report.

The Investment 2011 Trends Planning Software Report examined the eight most popular fully featured planning applications based on adviser usage based on a benchmarking methodology created in consultation with developers.

The report found XPLAN achieved an overall score of 89%, ahead of Coin Office with 85% and AdviserNETgain with 75%.

Ian Webster, from the Investment Trends Advisory Board, said it was the launch of XPLAN 2 that cemented IRESS in the top spot.

"With the release of XPLAN 2, IRESS has produced an impressive advice platform that should support their strategy to take Australian developed planning technology to international markets," said Webster.

This is the fifth year in a row that XPLAN has ranked first for overall planning functionality.

New features were a highlight of 2011 including XPLAN 2, COIN Office introducing a new best practice SOA template and Open Platform Accounts module and AdviserNETgain completing its integration with BT Wrap.