If you’re searching for financial forecasting software, you probably have one of two problems: you’re either drowning in spreadsheets, or your current tool is too complicated to actually use.
The market agrees this is a real problem, Gartner named financial planning software a critical technology for finance transformation. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right one.
What Financial Forecasting Software Actually Does
Good forecasting software connects to your accounting system or ERP, pulls in your actuals automatically, and lets you model different scenarios without rebuilding your entire financial model from scratch. Learn more about modern FP&A processes that actually work.
The key features that matter:
- Automatic data sync from QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, or your ERP
- Driver-based modeling so you can forecast based on metrics that actually drive your business (customer count, pricing, churn) instead of just drawing revenue curves
- Scenario planning to compare best case, worst case, and likely case side-by-side
- Real-time updates when you change assumptions
Everything else is nice to have.
The 12 Tools Worth Considering
1. Mammoth Analytics
Best for: Mid-market companies and growth-stage startups that need powerful forecasting without IT dependency
Mammoth is built for finance teams that don’t have data analysts or IT support but still need sophisticated forecasting. It’s genuinely no-code – you can connect data sources, build driver-based models, and create scenario plans without SQL or Python.
What it does well:
- Direct connections to accounting systems and databases
- Visual model builder (drag and drop, not coding)
- Scenario comparison that makes board presentations straightforward
- Fast setup (typically under a week)
What to know:
- Newer platform than enterprise tools like Anaplan
- Focused on financial forecasting specifically (not a full EPM suite)
Who uses it: Companies between $5M-$100M revenue that have outgrown Excel but don’t need enterprise complexity. Learn more about when to upgrade from spreadsheets.
Pricing: Starts at $19/month
2. Anaplan
Best for: Enterprise companies (1,000+ employees) with complex, cross-functional planning needs
Anaplan is the 800-pound gorilla. Named a Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for three consecutive years, it connects financial forecasting with sales planning, supply chain, workforce planning, and basically everything else. If you’re a Fortune 500 company that needs to coordinate forecasts across 50 business units, Anaplan can handle it.
What it does well:
- Massive scale without performance issues
- Deep scenario modeling
- Strong integration ecosystem
- Handles multi-entity, multi-currency, multi-everything
What to know:
- Steep learning curve (plan for 2-3 months implementation)
- Requires dedicated admin resources
- Expensive (pricing often exceeds $50,000/year for mid-sized deployments)
Who uses it: Global enterprises with dedicated FP&A teams and budget for implementation consultants.
3. Cube
Best for: Finance teams that refuse to leave Excel
Cube sits on top of Excel and Google Sheets instead of replacing them. You keep working in your familiar spreadsheet environment, but Cube handles data consolidation, version control, and multi-user collaboration in the background.
What it does well:
- Zero learning curve if you know Excel
- Automatic data refresh from multiple sources
- Scenario management without copying workbooks
- Centralized control over who can edit what
What to know:
- Still carries Excel limitations (performance with large datasets)
- Less powerful than purpose-built platforms for complex modeling
- Research shows 88% of spreadsheets contain errors
Who uses it: Companies with sophisticated Excel models built over years who want better automation without starting from scratch. See our guide on migrating from Excel to forecasting software.
Pricing: Starts at $1,250/month
4. Jirav
Best for: VC-backed startups (Series A through C)
Jirav is purpose-built for the startup/scale-up world. It includes templates specifically for subscription businesses – ARR projections, burn rate calculations, cash runway tracking, and investor reporting packages.
What it does well:
- Pre-built templates for SaaS metrics
- Cash flow forecasting that highlights when you’ll need to raise again
- Investor-friendly reporting
- Reasonable pricing for early-stage companies
- Rolling forecast capabilities for agile planning
What to know:
- Less customization than general-purpose platforms
- May need to graduate to enterprise tools past 200 employees
Who uses it: Venture-funded companies between seed and Series C.
Pricing: Starts around $2,000/month
5. Float
Best for: Small businesses focused primarily on cash flow
Float does one thing: shows you when cash is coming in and when bills are due. It’s not trying to be a comprehensive planning platform. If your main concern is “will we run out of money?”, Float answers that question clearly.
What it does well:
- Dead simple setup (under an hour)
- Visual cash flow timeline
- Basic scenario modeling for “what if” questions
- Works with QuickBooks, Xero, other accounting software
What to know:
- Not built for P&L or balance sheet forecasting
- Limited for companies with complex operations
Who uses it: Service businesses and small companies with unpredictable cash flow patterns.
Pricing: Starts at $50/month
6. Workday Adaptive Planning
Best for: Companies already using Workday for HR/payroll
If you run on Workday for human capital management, Adaptive Planning integrates natively. Headcount forecasts automatically pull compensation data, workforce planning connects to financial projections, and org changes update your expense models immediately.
What it does well:
- Native Workday HCM integration
- Strong workforce planning capabilities
- Established platform with extensive support
What to know:
- Premium pricing
- Best value if you’re already in the Workday ecosystem
- Implementation typically requires consultants
Who uses it: Mid-to-large companies where personnel costs are a major expense driver.
Pricing: Typically starts around $50,000/year for mid-market deployments
7. Planful
Best for: Mid-to-large companies needing multi-entity consolidation and forecasting
Planful (formerly Host Analytics) is a comprehensive FP&A platform that excels at financial consolidation – bringing together data from multiple entities, currencies, and systems. Strong at automated month-end close processes alongside forecasting.
What it does well:
- Multi-entity consolidation with intercompany eliminations
- Automated workflows for planning cycles and approvals
- Driver-based forecasting models
- Pre-built templates for different industries
What to know:
- Steeper learning curve than simpler tools
- Implementation often takes 8-12 weeks
- Reporting customization is more limited than competitors
- Can slow down with very large datasets
Who uses it: Mid-market and enterprise companies (100-1,000 employees) with multiple entities or subsidiaries that need consolidated reporting.
Pricing: Starts at approximately $1,250/month. Custom enterprise pricing available.
8. Vena Solutions
Best for: Excel-dependent teams at mid-to-large companies
Vena takes a different approach than Cube – instead of working directly in Excel, it replicates Excel’s interface within a centralized database platform. You get familiar Excel functionality but with enterprise features like audit trails, version control, and workflow automation.
What it does well:
- Excel-like interface with database backend
- Strong for manufacturing, distribution, and project-based industries
- Native Microsoft 365 integration with Power BI embedded
- Collaborative planning across departments
What to know:
- Not actually Excel (which confuses some users)
- Implementation typically takes 2-4 months
- Higher cost than Cube for similar Excel-centric approach
- Requires dedicated admin resources
Who uses it: Mid-to-large companies where finance teams won’t abandon Excel but need better data governance and collaboration.
Pricing: Two tiers – Professional and Complete. Contact for custom pricing.
9. Prophix
Best for: Mid-market companies wanting comprehensive automation
Prophix is a financial performance platform focused on automating the full range of FP&A processes – budgeting, forecasting, reporting, consolidation, and close management. It’s designed for companies ready to move beyond spreadsheets but not needing enterprise-scale complexity.
What it does well:
- Workflow automation for approvals and planning cycles
- Pre-built templates for faster setup
- AI-powered features for anomaly detection and predictive forecasting
- Strong integration with mid-market ERPs and accounting systems
What to know:
- Interface feels less modern than newer platforms
- Customization often requires consultant support
- Best suited for structured, repeatable processes
Who uses it: Manufacturing, distribution, and service companies between $25M-$500M revenue.
Pricing: Typically $30,000-$75,000/year for mid-market deployments.
10. Datarails
Best for: Finance teams stuck in Excel hell who want automation without abandoning spreadsheets
Datarails enhances Excel rather than replacing it. It automates data consolidation from multiple sources, adds version control, and provides FP&A workflows – all while preserving your existing Excel models.
What it does well:
- Works with existing Excel models (no rebuild required)
- Automated data refresh from ERPs, CRMs, and other systems
- Real-time data validation to catch errors
- AI-powered analysis (FP&A Genius) for insights
What to know:
- Still fundamentally Excel-based, which limits scalability
- Performance issues with very large datasets
- Better as financial reporting tool than strategic planning platform
Who uses it: Small-to-mid-sized finance teams (5-20 people) that have built sophisticated Excel models over years.
Pricing: Custom pricing, typically starting around $30,000/year.
11. Oracle NetSuite Planning and Budgeting
Best for: Companies already running NetSuite ERP
If NetSuite is your core financial system, their Planning and Budgeting module integrates natively – no middleware, no data sync delays. Chart of accounts, dimensions, and actuals flow automatically.
What it does well:
- Native NetSuite ERP integration
- Real-time data synchronization
- Unified platform (same login, same interface)
- Predictive planning with embedded AI
What to know:
- Forecasting capabilities less advanced than specialized FP&A tools
- Expensive when factoring in total NetSuite costs
- Limited if you use multiple ERP systems
- Locks you into NetSuite ecosystem
Who uses it: Mid-sized companies (50-500 employees) running entirely on NetSuite for accounting, inventory, and operations.
Pricing: Typically adds $20,000-$50,000+ to annual NetSuite subscription costs.
12. Centage Planning Maestro
Best for: Small-to-mid-sized companies ($5M-$100M revenue) needing structured budgeting and forecasting
Centage (formerly Budget Maestro) is built specifically for companies that have outgrown Excel but don’t need full enterprise CPM. It emphasizes ease of use and fast time-to-value with pre-built templates and workflows.
What it does well:
- Pre-configured templates for faster setup
- Structured workflows for budget cycles
- Financial intelligence built into templates
- Reasonable pricing for growing companies
What to know:
- Less flexibility than platforms built for customization
- Limited advanced features compared to enterprise tools
- Best for companies with straightforward forecasting needs
Who uses it: Growing businesses that need professional forecasting without enterprise complexity or cost.
Pricing: Standard ($950/month), Professional ($1,950/month), Enterprise (custom pricing).
How to Choose: Decision Framework
If you’re a startup or growth-stage company (under 100 employees): Start with Jirav if you’re VC-backed, Float if you mainly need cash flow visibility, or Mammoth if you want more sophisticated modeling without complexity.
If you’re mid-market (100-500 employees): Mammoth, Planful, or Vena. Mammoth if you want no-code power. Planful if you need multi-entity consolidation. Vena if your team lives in Excel.
If you’re enterprise (500+ employees): Anaplan for maximum scale and flexibility. Workday Adaptive if you’re already using their HR platform. Planful for strong consolidation needs.
If you love Excel and won’t leave: Cube, Datarails, or Vena. Cube works directly in Excel. Datarails enhances your existing models. Vena recreates Excel in a database platform.
If forecasting accuracy is your top priority: Mammoth, Anaplan, or Prophix. These platforms emphasize driver-based modeling, variance analysis, and learning from past forecast accuracy.
If you need it up and running next week: Float, Jirav, or Mammoth. Most other platforms take weeks to months.
If you’re on a specific ERP: NetSuite users → Oracle NetSuite Planning Workday users → Workday Adaptive Sage Intacct users → Planful or Vena (both have strong integrations)
What Actually Matters More Than Features
The best forecasting software is the one your team will actually use.
Before you evaluate features, ask:
- How long until we can produce our first forecast? (Days is good, months is bad)
- Does this require IT support to maintain? (If yes, factor that into cost)
- Can finance own this without constantly asking for help?
Most forecasting software implementations fail not because of missing features, but because they’re too complicated for the people who need to use them daily.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing based on feature lists More features ≠better forecasts. Choose based on what you’ll actually use. Read our guide on choosing FP&A software for a better framework.
Mistake 2: Not testing with real data Every vendor has a slick demo. Insist on uploading your actual data during the trial period.
Mistake 3: Ignoring implementation time If a tool takes 6 months to implement, that’s 6 months you’re still using whatever broken process you have now.
Mistake 4: Forgetting about the true cost Software price + implementation + training + ongoing admin = your real cost. For enterprise tools, total cost of ownership is often 2-3x the software license.
Next Steps
Most of these tools offer free trials or demos:
- Pick 2-3 based on your company size and needs
- Try them with your actual data (not just the demo data)
- Build a real forecast, not just watch tutorials
- See which one you can actually use without constantly consulting documentation
The right choice isn’t the most powerful tool – it’s the one that makes your forecasts better without making your life harder.
