Quick Overview
- 1#1: Clari - AI-powered revenue operations platform for accurate sales forecasting, pipeline management, and planning.
- 2#2: Salesforce - Comprehensive CRM with Sales Cloud for sales planning, quota management, and revenue forecasting.
- 3#3: Anaplan - Connected planning platform that aligns sales territories, quotas, and forecasts with finance.
- 4#4: Varicent - Sales performance management software for incentive compensation and planning optimization.
- 5#5: Xactly - Cloud-based solution for sales planning, incentive design, and performance analytics.
- 6#6: Outreach - Sales engagement platform with built-in forecasting and capacity planning tools.
- 7#7: Gong - Revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales data to improve forecasting and planning.
- 8#8: Pigment - Modern business planning platform for collaborative sales and revenue forecasting.
- 9#9: People.ai - AI-driven revenue intelligence for pipeline forecasting and sales planning insights.
- 10#10: HubSpot - All-in-one sales hub with CRM tools for deal forecasting and team planning.
Tools were ranked based on feature depth, user-friendliness, scalability, and value, ensuring each entry delivers robust capabilities tailored to streamline sales planning and drive actionable insights.
Comparison Table
Explore a side-by-side comparison of leading sales planning software, featuring Clari, Salesforce, Anaplan, Varicent, Xactly, and more, to understand how each tool aligns with unique team needs. This table outlines key features, usability, integration strengths, and core capabilities, equipping readers to make informed decisions about scalability, efficiency, and strategy alignment.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clari AI-powered revenue operations platform for accurate sales forecasting, pipeline management, and planning. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Salesforce Comprehensive CRM with Sales Cloud for sales planning, quota management, and revenue forecasting. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Anaplan Connected planning platform that aligns sales territories, quotas, and forecasts with finance. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Varicent Sales performance management software for incentive compensation and planning optimization. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Xactly Cloud-based solution for sales planning, incentive design, and performance analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Outreach Sales engagement platform with built-in forecasting and capacity planning tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Gong Revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales data to improve forecasting and planning. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | Pigment Modern business planning platform for collaborative sales and revenue forecasting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | People.ai AI-driven revenue intelligence for pipeline forecasting and sales planning insights. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | HubSpot All-in-one sales hub with CRM tools for deal forecasting and team planning. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
AI-powered revenue operations platform for accurate sales forecasting, pipeline management, and planning.
Comprehensive CRM with Sales Cloud for sales planning, quota management, and revenue forecasting.
Connected planning platform that aligns sales territories, quotas, and forecasts with finance.
Sales performance management software for incentive compensation and planning optimization.
Cloud-based solution for sales planning, incentive design, and performance analytics.
Sales engagement platform with built-in forecasting and capacity planning tools.
Revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales data to improve forecasting and planning.
Modern business planning platform for collaborative sales and revenue forecasting.
AI-driven revenue intelligence for pipeline forecasting and sales planning insights.
All-in-one sales hub with CRM tools for deal forecasting and team planning.
Clari
specializedAI-powered revenue operations platform for accurate sales forecasting, pipeline management, and planning.
AI Forecast with Revenue Dry Run for scenario planning and unmatched prediction accuracy
Clari is a premier revenue operations platform designed for sales planning, offering AI-powered forecasting, pipeline management, and real-time revenue visibility. It integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce to provide deal-level insights, territory planning, and predictive analytics that enhance forecast accuracy. Sales leaders use Clari to align teams, run revenue scenarios, and execute playbooks for consistent quota attainment.
Pros
- Exceptional AI-driven forecasting accuracy with proven reductions in forecast error
- Comprehensive pipeline and deal inspection tools for real-time visibility
- Robust integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other sales tech stack
Cons
- High cost suitable mainly for mid-market and enterprise teams
- Steep initial learning curve for advanced analytics features
- Custom pricing lacks transparency for smaller organizations
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise sales organizations with complex pipelines seeking precise forecasting and revenue orchestration.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $75-150 per user/month based on quotes; contact sales for details.
Salesforce
enterpriseComprehensive CRM with Sales Cloud for sales planning, quota management, and revenue forecasting.
Einstein AI for predictive forecasting and automated opportunity scoring
Salesforce, through its Sales Cloud, is a comprehensive CRM platform that excels in sales planning with tools for accurate forecasting, territory management, quota allocation, and pipeline analysis. It leverages AI via Einstein to provide predictive insights, automated planning, and real-time collaboration across sales teams. The platform integrates deeply with other Salesforce products for a holistic view of revenue operations, making it ideal for data-driven sales strategies.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven forecasting with Einstein for precise predictions
- Highly customizable territory and quota planning tools
- Seamless integration with CRM and full revenue stack
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- High cost, especially for smaller teams
- Requires significant customization for optimal use
Best For
Large enterprises and growing sales organizations needing scalable, integrated sales planning with advanced analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (Essentials); Sales Cloud Enterprise at $165/user/month, Unlimited at $330/user/month (billed annually).
Anaplan
enterpriseConnected planning platform that aligns sales territories, quotas, and forecasts with finance.
Hyperblock™ technology for real-time, hyper-scale calculations on massive datasets
Anaplan is a cloud-based connected planning platform that excels in sales planning by enabling quota setting, territory optimization, accurate forecasting, and performance management through customizable models. It supports real-time collaboration and what-if scenario analysis across sales, finance, and operations for aligned decision-making. With its in-memory calculation engine, it handles massive datasets at enterprise scale, making it suitable for complex planning needs.
Pros
- Highly scalable for enterprise-level sales planning with quintillion-scale calculations
- Advanced AI-driven forecasting and territory optimization tools
- Strong integration and connected planning across functions
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring skilled model builders
- High implementation time and costs
- Interface can feel complex for non-expert users
Best For
Large enterprises with sophisticated sales organizations needing integrated, real-time planning across multiple departments.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $1,000+ per user per year with volume-based commitments and minimums.
Varicent
enterpriseSales performance management software for incentive compensation and planning optimization.
Advanced incentive compensation engine that automates complex pay calculations tied directly to sales planning outcomes
Varicent is a robust sales performance management (SPM) platform specializing in sales planning, including quota allocation, territory optimization, and incentive compensation management. It enables enterprises to model complex sales hierarchies, forecast performance accurately, and align incentives with business goals through advanced analytics and simulations. Integrated with CRM systems like Salesforce, it provides real-time insights to drive revenue growth and sales efficiency.
Pros
- Comprehensive quota and territory planning tools with advanced modeling
- Strong analytics and reporting for sales performance insights
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs and ERP systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup for non-experts
- High implementation time and costs for customization
- Pricing can be prohibitive for mid-sized organizations
Best For
Enterprise sales organizations with complex, global structures requiring sophisticated quota distribution and incentive modeling.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically starts at $10,000+ per month for mid-tier deployments, scaling with users and features.
Xactly
enterpriseCloud-based solution for sales planning, incentive design, and performance analytics.
AI-powered IncentPro for modeling and simulating incentive plans with predictive accuracy
Xactly is a robust sales performance management platform focused on sales planning, incentive compensation management (ICM), territory optimization, and quota setting. It automates complex commission calculations, enables data-driven forecasting, and aligns sales incentives with business goals through advanced analytics. Designed for enterprise-scale operations, Xactly provides tools to model scenarios, track performance in real-time, and optimize sales resources effectively.
Pros
- Comprehensive ICM with accurate, real-time commission calculations
- Advanced AI-driven territory and quota optimization
- Scalable analytics and reporting for enterprise sales teams
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users
- Custom pricing lacks transparency for smaller businesses
Best For
Large enterprises with complex sales structures needing sophisticated incentive and planning automation.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $100,000+ annually based on modules, users, and company size.
Outreach
specializedSales engagement platform with built-in forecasting and capacity planning tools.
Outreach Forecast for AI-driven pipeline predictions and capacity planning
Outreach is a sales engagement platform that supports sales planning through automated sequences, performance analytics, and forecasting capabilities to align outreach with revenue goals. It helps teams design cadences, monitor pipeline health, and optimize rep capacity for better quota attainment. While strong in execution, its planning tools integrate data-driven insights for territory and activity planning.
Pros
- Powerful sequence automation for planned outreach
- Real-time analytics and forecasting dashboards
- Deep CRM integrations like Salesforce for pipeline planning
Cons
- Expensive for small teams
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Less focus on pure territory and quota modeling compared to dedicated planning tools
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise sales teams needing integrated planning and execution for high-volume outreach.
Pricing
Quote-based; starts around $100/user/month for standard plans, scaling to $150+ for enterprise with advanced forecasting.
Gong
specializedRevenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales data to improve forecasting and planning.
Deal Intelligence, which uses AI to score deals and forecast outcomes based on conversation patterns
Gong is an AI-powered revenue intelligence platform that records, transcribes, and analyzes sales calls and meetings to deliver actionable insights. It supports sales planning by providing deal risk assessments, pipeline forecasting based on conversation data, and performance coaching tools to optimize quota attainment and territory strategies. While not a traditional sales planning suite, its conversation intelligence uniquely enhances planning with real-time, data-driven revenue signals.
Pros
- AI-powered conversation insights improve forecasting accuracy
- Seamless CRM integrations for pipeline visibility
- Robust coaching and deal risk detection tools
Cons
- Limited native tools for territory or quota planning
- High enterprise-level pricing
- Overemphasis on call data may overlook broader planning needs
Best For
Sales teams in conversation-heavy environments looking to augment planning with AI-derived insights from customer interactions.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $100-$159 per user/month with annual contracts.
Pigment
enterpriseModern business planning platform for collaborative sales and revenue forecasting.
AI-powered hyperintelligence for natural language querying and automated forecasting insights
Pigment is a unified business planning platform that provides robust sales planning capabilities, including forecasting, territory and quota management, and capacity planning. It integrates seamlessly with CRMs like Salesforce to enable real-time data synchronization and scenario modeling for accurate sales predictions. Designed for scalability, it combines AI-driven insights with collaborative tools to align sales strategies with financial goals across enterprises.
Pros
- Powerful scenario planning and what-if analysis
- Deep integrations with Salesforce and other CRMs
- Scalable for enterprise-level sales teams with real-time collaboration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Enterprise-focused pricing limits SMB accessibility
- Overly broad platform may overwhelm pure sales planning needs
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring integrated sales planning with finance and operations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $50+/user/month with annual contracts, quote-based.
People.ai
specializedAI-driven revenue intelligence for pipeline forecasting and sales planning insights.
AI Revenue Intelligence Engine that processes unstructured sales data into precise forecasting signals
People.ai is an AI-powered revenue intelligence platform designed to capture and analyze customer interactions across emails, calls, calendars, and CRM data. It provides sales leaders with actionable insights for planning, including accurate revenue forecasting, deal inspection, and performance benchmarking. By automating data collection and leveraging machine learning, it enables data-driven sales planning and optimization without manual input.
Pros
- Seamless automatic capture of all sales signals from multiple channels
- Highly accurate AI-driven forecasting and deal insights
- Deep integrations with Salesforce and other enterprise tools
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing limits accessibility for SMBs
- Requires significant data volume for optimal AI performance
- Learning curve for advanced analytics features
Best For
Large enterprise sales teams seeking AI-powered insights to enhance revenue forecasting and strategic planning.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $75-$150 per user/month with annual contracts.
HubSpot
specializedAll-in-one sales hub with CRM tools for deal forecasting and team planning.
AI-powered revenue forecasting with predictive insights from CRM data
HubSpot's Sales Hub is part of its all-in-one CRM platform, offering sales planning tools like pipeline management, revenue forecasting, quota setting, and performance analytics. It provides customizable deal stages, sales reports, and AI-powered insights to help teams plan and predict sales outcomes effectively. While versatile for inbound sales strategies, it integrates sales data with marketing and service hubs for a holistic view.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with drag-and-drop pipelines
- Seamless CRM integration for unified sales data
- Strong built-in reporting and forecasting tools
Cons
- Lacks advanced territory management and complex quota modeling
- Higher-tier features required for full planning capabilities
- Can become costly for large sales teams
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking an easy-to-use, integrated CRM for sales planning alongside marketing.
Pricing
Free CRM tier; Sales Hub Starter at $20/user/mo, Professional at $90/user/mo, Enterprise at $150/user/mo (billed annually).
Conclusion
The reviewed sales planning software spans a spectrum of capabilities, from AI-driven forecasting to CRM integration, with top performers excelling in precision and alignment. Clari leads as the top choice, leveraging advanced AI to deliver accurate revenue insights. Salesforce and Anaplan follow closely, offering robust alternatives—Salesforce for its comprehensive CRM tools and Anaplan for strong alignment between sales and finance objectives.
Take the next step in optimizing your sales planning: explore Clari to experience AI-powered accuracy, or consider Salesforce or Anaplan for specialized needs. These tools provide the foundation to strengthen your revenue operations and drive results.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison