Quick Overview
- 1#1: LivePlan - Comprehensive business planning tool for creating professional plans, financial forecasts, and performance dashboards.
- 2#2: Anaplan - Connected planning platform integrating financial, operational, and strategic planning across the enterprise.
- 3#3: Workday Adaptive Planning - Cloud-based planning solution for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and scenario modeling with AI insights.
- 4#4: Planful - Continuous planning platform offering dynamic budgeting, forecasting, and financial consolidation tools.
- 5#5: Vena - Excel-integrated corporate performance management software for FP&A, budgeting, and reporting.
- 6#6: Cube - Modern FP&A platform for collaborative budgeting, forecasting, and headcount planning.
- 7#7: Pigment - Business planning platform enabling real-time collaborative modeling and actionable insights.
- 8#8: Jedox - Integrated business planning suite for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and BI analytics.
- 9#9: Prophix - One-platform financial solution for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and profitability analysis.
- 10#10: PlanGuru - Financial planning software for budgeting, forecasting, analytics, and scenario planning for SMBs.
Tools were evaluated based on core functionality, user experience, scalability, and value, ensuring a comprehensive assessment that addresses diverse business needs and operational goals.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines leading business planning software, including LivePlan, Anaplan, Workday Adaptive Planning, Planful, Vena, and more, to help readers understand key features and suitability. It explores how each tool supports strategic planning, collaboration, and scalability, guiding informed decisions for diverse business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LivePlan Comprehensive business planning tool for creating professional plans, financial forecasts, and performance dashboards. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Anaplan Connected planning platform integrating financial, operational, and strategic planning across the enterprise. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Workday Adaptive Planning Cloud-based planning solution for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and scenario modeling with AI insights. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Planful Continuous planning platform offering dynamic budgeting, forecasting, and financial consolidation tools. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Vena Excel-integrated corporate performance management software for FP&A, budgeting, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Cube Modern FP&A platform for collaborative budgeting, forecasting, and headcount planning. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Pigment Business planning platform enabling real-time collaborative modeling and actionable insights. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Jedox Integrated business planning suite for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and BI analytics. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Prophix One-platform financial solution for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and profitability analysis. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | PlanGuru Financial planning software for budgeting, forecasting, analytics, and scenario planning for SMBs. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive business planning tool for creating professional plans, financial forecasts, and performance dashboards.
Connected planning platform integrating financial, operational, and strategic planning across the enterprise.
Cloud-based planning solution for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and scenario modeling with AI insights.
Continuous planning platform offering dynamic budgeting, forecasting, and financial consolidation tools.
Excel-integrated corporate performance management software for FP&A, budgeting, and reporting.
Modern FP&A platform for collaborative budgeting, forecasting, and headcount planning.
Business planning platform enabling real-time collaborative modeling and actionable insights.
Integrated business planning suite for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and BI analytics.
One-platform financial solution for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and profitability analysis.
Financial planning software for budgeting, forecasting, analytics, and scenario planning for SMBs.
LivePlan
specializedComprehensive business planning tool for creating professional plans, financial forecasts, and performance dashboards.
LivePlan's real-time forecasting engine that automatically updates financials and compares actuals to projections with industry benchmarks
LivePlan is a leading cloud-based business planning software that enables users to create professional business plans, financial forecasts, pitch decks, and performance dashboards. It offers step-by-step guidance, customizable templates, and real-time collaboration for teams. The platform integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, allowing seamless import of financial data and ongoing performance tracking against forecasts.
Pros
- Robust financial forecasting with scenario planning and industry benchmarks
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with guided plan creation
- Real-time performance tracking and investor-ready PDF exports
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and Google Workspace
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter solo bootstrapped entrepreneurs
- Advanced customization requires some financial knowledge
- Limited free tier; full features behind paywall
Best For
Startups, small businesses, and consultants needing professional business plans and ongoing financial forecasting.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (billed annually) for Standard plan; Premium at $40/user/month; 14-day free trial available.
Anaplan
enterpriseConnected planning platform integrating financial, operational, and strategic planning across the enterprise.
Hyperblock™ in-memory calculation engine for ultra-fast processing of billions of data cells in real-time
Anaplan is a cloud-based connected planning platform that unifies financial forecasting, sales performance management, supply chain optimization, and workforce planning in a single environment. It leverages a proprietary Hyperblock™ engine for real-time modeling and calculations across massive datasets, enabling dynamic scenario analysis and collaborative decision-making. Designed for enterprises, it breaks down planning silos with AI-driven insights and seamless integrations to ERP and CRM systems.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability and flexibility for complex, multi-dimensional planning models
- Real-time collaboration and scenario planning across finance, sales, supply chain, and HR
- Robust integrations with major ERP/CRM systems and AI-powered predictive analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring training or consultants for effective model building
- Opaque and premium pricing that can be prohibitive for SMBs
- Implementation can be time-intensive and resource-heavy
Best For
Large enterprises seeking integrated, enterprise-wide planning with high scalability and real-time capabilities.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $1,000+ per user/year for enterprise plans, with tiers based on modules and users.
Workday Adaptive Planning
enterpriseCloud-based planning solution for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and scenario modeling with AI insights.
Connected Planning that unifies financial, operational, workforce, and sales planning in a single platform
Workday Adaptive Planning is a cloud-based business planning platform designed for budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across finance, HR, sales, and operations. It excels in driver-based planning, scenario modeling, and real-time collaboration, allowing teams to create agile, connected plans. Seamlessly integrated with Workday's HCM and Financials, it leverages operational data for more accurate and dynamic planning processes.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Workday HCM and Financials for unified data
- Powerful driver-based planning and advanced scenario modeling
- Real-time collaboration and mobile accessibility for agile planning
Cons
- High cost suitable mainly for enterprises
- Steep learning curve for complex configurations
- Limited flexibility outside the Workday ecosystem
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises already using Workday or needing integrated financial and operational planning.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing, typically $50,000–$200,000+ annually based on users, modules, and organization size.
Planful
enterpriseContinuous planning platform offering dynamic budgeting, forecasting, and financial consolidation tools.
Signal for continuous performance management, providing real-time anomaly detection and actionable insights across all plans
Planful is a comprehensive cloud-based Financial Performance and Strategy Platform designed for FP&A teams, offering tools for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, financial consolidation, and workforce planning. It replaces spreadsheets with scalable, collaborative planning processes and integrates seamlessly with ERPs like NetSuite, SAP, and Oracle. The platform emphasizes continuous planning through features like Signal for real-time insights and Predict for AI-driven forecasting, enabling agile decision-making in dynamic business environments.
Pros
- Powerful continuous planning and AI-driven forecasting with Predict
- Extensive integrations with major ERPs and strong reporting capabilities
- Scalable for mid-market to enterprise with collaborative workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Custom quote-based pricing can be expensive for smaller teams
- Limited customization in some standard modules
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise finance teams needing robust, integrated FP&A for continuous planning and strategic insights.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $100,000+ annually depending on modules, users, and company size.
Vena
enterpriseExcel-integrated corporate performance management software for FP&A, budgeting, and reporting.
Excel-native platform that delivers enterprise-grade planning without forcing users to abandon spreadsheets
Vena Solutions is a powerful FP&A platform designed for financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, built natively on Microsoft Excel to leverage familiar spreadsheet workflows. It integrates seamlessly with Power BI, Office 365, and ERP systems like NetSuite and SAP, enabling data consolidation, scenario modeling, and collaborative planning. Vena automates manual processes while providing advanced analytics and workflow management for enterprise-scale operations.
Pros
- Native Excel integration for intuitive spreadsheet-based planning
- Deep Microsoft ecosystem compatibility including Power BI for visualization
- Robust automation, workflows, and compliance features for FP&A teams
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations and non-Excel users
- Enterprise pricing may not suit small businesses
- Heavy reliance on Microsoft stack limits flexibility for non-Microsoft environments
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with Excel-proficient finance teams needing scalable, integrated FP&A within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $100+/user/month for enterprise plans with modules for planning, reporting, and analytics.
Cube
specializedModern FP&A platform for collaborative budgeting, forecasting, and headcount planning.
Spreadsheet-native multi-dimensional modeling with real-time data syncing
Cube is a spreadsheet-native FP&A platform that empowers finance teams to perform budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and reporting directly in Google Sheets or Excel. It handles multi-dimensional data modeling with real-time collaboration and integrates with ERPs, CRMs, and HRIS systems for automated data syncing. Ideal for streamlining financial planning processes, Cube replaces rigid legacy tools with flexible, scalable planning workflows.
Pros
- Spreadsheet-native interface familiar to finance users
- Robust scenario modeling and multi-dimensional planning
- Seamless integrations with key business tools
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller teams
- Advanced features require some FP&A expertise
- Reporting capabilities lag behind dedicated BI tools
Best For
Mid-market finance teams seeking flexible, collaborative FP&A without abandoning spreadsheets.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$1,500/month for Starter plans, scaling to Enterprise with usage-based add-ons.
Pigment
enterpriseBusiness planning platform enabling real-time collaborative modeling and actionable insights.
Multidimensional modeling engine enabling infinite scalability and real-time scenario planning without performance degradation
Pigment is a cloud-based business planning platform designed for finance teams to create scalable models for budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning. It leverages a powerful multidimensional modeling engine to replace spreadsheets, enabling driver-based planning, real-time scenario analysis, and seamless data integrations. The tool provides collaborative workspaces, interactive dashboards, and AI-driven insights to support data-driven decision-making across organizations.
Pros
- Highly flexible multidimensional modeling for complex scenarios
- Real-time collaboration and updates across teams
- Strong integrations with ERP, CRM, and BI tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced modeling
- Pricing is enterprise-focused and can be costly for SMBs
- Limited out-of-the-box templates compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise finance teams needing scalable, real-time planning beyond spreadsheets.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $50,000-$100,000 annually depending on users and modules.
Jedox
enterpriseIntegrated business planning suite for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and BI analytics.
Spreadsheet interface (Integrator/Designer) directly on OLAP data cubes for native Excel-like planning without data export
Jedox is an integrated business planning and performance management platform that combines budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and BI analytics in a unified solution. It leverages a powerful in-memory OLAP database (Palo engine) with a spreadsheet-like interface for modeling complex planning scenarios across finance, sales, HR, and operations. Jedox excels in enterprise-scale planning with real-time collaboration, data integration via ETL tools, and consolidations for statutory reporting.
Pros
- Flexible spreadsheet-based modeling on multidimensional OLAP for powerful what-if analysis
- Scalable for enterprise-wide planning with strong data integration and real-time collaboration
- Comprehensive EPM suite including consolidation, BI dashboards, and mobile access
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users due to advanced OLAP modeling
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small to mid-sized businesses
- Fewer pre-built templates and industry accelerators compared to some competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises seeking an integrated planning and BI platform with spreadsheet familiarity for finance and FP&A teams.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing, typically starting at $30,000-$50,000 annually based on users, modules, and deployment size.
Prophix
enterpriseOne-platform financial solution for budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and profitability analysis.
Prophix One platform for unified dimensionality, enabling flexible, driver-based planning across multiple dimensions in a single interface
Prophix is a robust Corporate Performance Management (CPM) platform specializing in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and consolidation for mid-market and enterprise organizations. It integrates seamlessly with ERPs like NetSuite, Sage, and QuickBooks, offering real-time data synchronization and Excel-like interfaces for familiar workflows. The software emphasizes automation, workflow management, and advanced analytics to drive accurate business planning and decision-making.
Pros
- Comprehensive FP&A tools including multi-dimensional budgeting and scenario modeling
- Strong ERP integrations and Excel compatibility for efficient data handling
- Automated workflows and consolidation for streamlined financial close processes
Cons
- High implementation costs and quote-based pricing may deter smaller firms
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization and reporting
- Limited native support for non-financial operational planning
Best For
Mid-sized to large enterprises with complex finance teams needing integrated CPM for budgeting and consolidation.
Pricing
Custom quote-based; typically starts at $20,000-$50,000 annually based on users, modules, and deployment (cloud or on-premise).
PlanGuru
specializedFinancial planning software for budgeting, forecasting, analytics, and scenario planning for SMBs.
21 proven forecasting methods, including advanced statistical tools like regression analysis and moving averages
PlanGuru is a specialized financial planning and analysis software designed for budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling. It enables users to create detailed pro forma financial statements, perform scenario analysis, and consolidate data across multiple business entities. The platform integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Excel, providing robust analytics for finance teams in small to mid-sized businesses.
Pros
- Advanced forecasting with 21 methods including regression and ARIMA
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and Excel
- Flexible scenario planning and multi-entity consolidation
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-finance users
- Dated interface compared to modern cloud-native tools
- Higher cost may deter very small businesses
Best For
Finance professionals in small to mid-sized businesses needing sophisticated financial modeling and forecasting.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for Basic (1 user), $149/month for Professional, up to $299+/month for Enterprise with more users and features.
Conclusion
After a thorough review of the top 10 business planning tools, LivePlan stands out as the leading choice, combining comprehensive features for creating professional plans, financial forecasts, and performance dashboards. Anaplan follows with its integrated enterprise planning, perfect for organizations needing cross-functional alignment, while Workday Adaptive Planning impresses with cloud scalability and AI-driven scenario modeling. Each tool excels in unique areas, but LivePlan’s balanced approach makes it the top pick for diverse business needs.
Take the first step toward stronger business strategy—try LivePlan to build robust plans, track progress, and turn insights into growth, starting right now.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison