How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Cube, Datarails, and Vena suit finance teams that want to keep working in Excel or Google Sheets with added control.
- Anaplan and Workday-style enterprise platforms fit large companies planning across many departments, at a higher cost.
- Pigment and Mosaic suit modern SaaS teams that value visual scenario modeling and board-ready reporting.
- Prophix and Jirav cover the middle ground, with Jirav better for smaller companies and fractional CFO work.
- Implementation time is a major cost in this category, so ask for a realistic timeline on your own data before signing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Anaplan | Enterprise connected planning | See website | No |
 Vena | Excel-based midsize finance teams | See website | No |
 Datarails | Excel automation and reporting | See website | No |
 Cube | Spreadsheet-native planning | See website | No |
 Pigment | Visual scenario planning | See website | No |
 Prophix | Mid-market budgeting and reporting | See website | No |
 Mosaic | SaaS metrics and board reporting | See website | No |
 Jirav | Small businesses and fractional CFOs | See website | Free trial |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best Planful alternatives
#1Anaplan
Best for: Enterprise connected planning4.6/5 on
G2 (481 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit anaplan.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Anaplan is the enterprise answer when planning must connect across departments. Finance, sales, workforce, and supply plans can share drivers and assumptions in one model, so a change in headcount or revenue ripples through the forecast in a consistent way. That connected view is valuable for large companies where separate spreadsheets drift apart and no one trusts the consolidated number. Anaplan also handles large models and complex calculations that overwhelm a spreadsheet.
The cost is real, in both money and time. Pricing is quoted, implementation often takes months, and maintaining a large Anaplan model usually needs trained administrators or consultants. A midsize finance team that only needs budgeting and reporting will find Anaplan heavy, and the total cost of ownership can exceed the license fee by a wide margin. Anaplan fits when the company is large, planning is cross-functional, and the finance team has the resources to own a platform, not just buy software.
What we like- Connected planning across finance, sales, and operations
- Strong modeling scale
- Mature enterprise controls
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Long implementation and specialist admin needs
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Vena keeps finance teams in Excel while adding the control that spreadsheets alone lack. Users build budgets, forecasts, and reports in a familiar Excel interface, while Vena adds version control, permissions, audit trails, and a central database behind the scenes. That combination reduces resistance to adoption, because the team does not need to learn a new modeling language to start planning. Vena also covers close management and reporting, which helps teams that want planning and period-end work in one place.
Implementation still needs planning. Mapping the chart of accounts, building templates, and setting up integrations with an ERP takes weeks, and larger deployments can run longer. Pricing is quoted, so buyers should request a breakdown that includes licenses, implementation, and support. Vena is the right alternative for Microsoft-centric finance teams that refuse to abandon Excel but need governance, collaboration, and a single version of the truth.
What we like- Full Excel interface with governance
- Strong budgeting and close workflows
- Microsoft 365 fit
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Implementation typically takes weeks to months
#3Datarails
Best for: Excel automation and reporting4.6/5 on
G2 (388 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit datarails.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Datarails automates the reporting work that eats finance time each month. Data from accounting and operational systems flows into Excel models automatically, so consolidation, variance analysis, and board reporting update without manual copy and paste. Storyboards let finance teams present results with charts and commentary in a format executives can read, rather than sending a raw spreadsheet. For teams that live in Excel and spend days each close cycle assembling reports, that automation is the main selling point.
Datarails is less compelling for a team that wants to move away from spreadsheets entirely, because its strength is making Excel better, not replacing it. Pricing is quoted, and the implementation timeline depends on data sources and report complexity. Buyers should test Datarails on their actual close pack, including multi-entity consolidation and currency handling, before judging speed. It fits midsize finance teams that want faster, more reliable Excel reporting with less manual work.
What we like- Automates Excel reporting and consolidation
- Clear dashboards and storyboards
- Good ERP connections
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Value depends on how Excel-heavy the team already is
#4Cube
Best for: Spreadsheet-native planning4.5/5 on
G2 (146 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit cube.dev
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Cube, formerly Cube Software, takes a spreadsheet-first approach to financial planning. Finance teams keep building models in Excel or Google Sheets, while Cube adds a central source of truth, version control, and collaboration on top. That design shortens the learning curve, because the team does not need to rebuild every model in a new interface. Cube has published pricing in the past, starting at a monthly rate for its entry plan, which makes initial budgeting easier than with fully quoted rivals, though current pricing should be confirmed on the site.
Cube is not the cheapest option for a very small company, and its entry plan will not cover every advanced need, such as complex multi-entity consolidation or deep workforce planning. Teams should also check how Cube handles their ERP connections and whether Google Sheets or Excel is the primary workflow, since the experience differs slightly by platform. Cube fits startups and midsize companies that want governed spreadsheet planning with a faster rollout than Anaplan or Planful.
What we like- Works inside Excel and Google Sheets
- Published pricing history
- Faster setup than enterprise tools
Watch out for- Starting price still significant for small teams
- Advanced consolidation needs higher tiers
#5Pigment
Best for: Visual scenario planning4.6/5 on
G2 (118 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit pigment.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Pigment is built for teams that plan in scenarios and need to compare them quickly. Models are visual and collaborative, so finance, sales, and operations can work on the same plan without passing spreadsheet versions back and forth. Scenario modeling, anomaly detection, and AI-assisted forecasting help a growth company test hiring plans, pricing changes, and market shifts before committing. The interface feels modern compared with older enterprise planning tools, which helps adoption among non-finance users.
Pigment pricing is quoted, and as a newer vendor it has a smaller partner ecosystem than Anaplan or Workday, so buyers should check implementation support in their region. The platform is also less suited to a team that wants a pure Excel experience, since Pigment has its own modeling interface. Pigment fits SaaS and growth-stage companies that value speed, collaboration, and visual scenario work over a traditional spreadsheet workflow.
What we like- Visual, collaborative modeling
- Fast scenario comparison
- Strong for SaaS and growth companies
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Newer platform with a smaller implementation partner network
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Prophix covers the core FP&A jobs that most mid-market finance teams need: budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and workforce planning, with automation that reduces manual consolidation. The workflow feels familiar to Excel users, but adds control, audit trails, and collaboration that spreadsheets lack. For a company moving from Planful, Prophix offers a similar scope without the enterprise weight of Anaplan, and it has a track record with midsize companies in manufacturing, services, and healthcare.
Implementation is not instant. A typical Prophix deployment takes eight to sixteen weeks, depending on entities, integrations, and report complexity, and buyers should budget for that time and for training. Pricing is quoted, so a full cost picture needs a proposal that includes licenses and services. Prophix suits mid-market finance teams that want a complete planning and reporting platform, with a vendor that understands their size and pace.
What we like- Budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in one tool
- Familiar workflow for Excel users
- Good mid-market fit
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Implementation can take two to four months
#7Mosaic
Best for: SaaS metrics and board reporting4.6/5 on
G2 (217 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit mosaic.tech
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Mosaic is designed for SaaS finance teams that need to answer board questions quickly. It connects to accounting, billing, CRM, and HR systems to produce metrics such as ARR, burn, headcount costs, and forecast scenarios in dashboards that update without manual rebuilding. That automation helps a finance team produce investor reporting and rolling forecasts in days rather than weeks, and the interface is built for executives who want trends, not just tables.
Mosaic is less of a general enterprise planning platform than Anaplan, and a non-SaaS company may find its metric library less relevant. Pricing is quoted, and the value depends on how many source systems are connected and how often forecasts are refreshed. Mosaic fits venture-backed SaaS companies, and finance teams that spend too much time assembling metrics for the board, rather than analyzing them.
What we like- Real-time SaaS metrics and dashboards
- Strong board and investor reporting
- Fast setup for SaaS teams
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Less depth for non-SaaS operational planning
#8Jirav
Best for: Small businesses and fractional CFOs4.7/5 on
G2 (195 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit jirav.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Jirav is the most accessible tool in this list for smaller companies. Driver-based planning lets a finance lead or fractional CFO link revenue, headcount, and expenses to a few key assumptions, then update the forecast when those drivers change. Implementation is typically two to four weeks, far shorter than enterprise platforms, and the interface is built for teams without a large FP&A staff. That speed makes Jirav a practical Planful alternative for companies that need real planning, but not a six-month platform project.
The limit is scale. Jirav does not match Anaplan or Planful on enterprise consolidation, complex multi-entity planning, or deep operational modeling. Pricing is not fully published, so buyers should request a quote based on their client or company count, especially fractional CFOs managing many clients. Jirav fits small businesses, startups, and fractional CFO practices that need credible forecasts and reporting without enterprise cost or timeline.
What we like- Driver-based planning for smaller teams
- Faster implementation
- Useful for fractional CFO clients
Watch out for- Less enterprise depth
- Pricing still requires a quote for full plans
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public reviews on sites such as G2 and Capterra, along with spreadsheet fit, ERP integrations, implementation timelines, and company-size fit. We favored tools that exist today and cover budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in a way that maps to Planful use cases. Where pricing is quoted, we wrote See website rather than repeating a third-party estimate, and we highlighted implementation time because it often rivals the first-year license cost.
What to ask in a demo
Ask each vendor to build a forecast from your chart of accounts and a sample of your actual data, not a clean demo dataset. Watch how the tool handles multi-entity consolidation, currency, intercompany eliminations, and workforce planning, because those are where FP&A tools diverge. Ask who owns the model after implementation: finance, IT, or a consultant, and what happens when a driver changes mid-quarter. A tool that only a consultant can update will slow every forecast cycle.
Also confirm the full cost picture in writing. Request license fees by user type, implementation fees, support costs, and charges for additional models or entities. Check data export and contract length, because FP&A data is hard to move once models are built. A two-week pilot with one business unit, using real close data, will reveal more about fit than a long feature checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cube cheaper than Planful?
Cube has published entry pricing in the past, which makes initial comparison easier, while Planful pricing is typically quoted. Whether Cube is cheaper depends on users, entities, and modules, so request quotes on the same scope. For spreadsheet-native teams, Cube often has a lower total cost because implementation is faster.
Which Planful alternative is best for Excel users?
Vena, Datarails, and Cube are the strongest Excel-first options, each with a different emphasis. Vena offers full Excel with governance, Datarails automates Excel reporting, and Cube adds a central source of truth to Excel and Google Sheets. Test all three on your actual close pack before choosing, because the best Excel fit depends on your current models.
How long does FP&A implementation take?
Small tools such as Jirav and Cube can deploy in weeks, mid-market tools such as Prophix and Vena often take two to four months, and enterprise tools such as Anaplan can take four to six months or more. The timeline depends on entities, data quality, and report complexity. Ask for a timeline tied to your data, not a generic estimate.
Do I need a consultant to run FP&A software?
It depends on the platform. Spreadsheet-native tools are often finance-owned after setup, while enterprise platforms may need trained administrators or ongoing consulting. Ask the vendor what finance can change without help, and what requires a specialist. That answer affects long-term cost more than the first-year license.
Can these tools replace spreadsheets completely?
Most teams still use spreadsheets for ad hoc analysis, even after buying FP&A software. The goal is to replace uncontrolled spreadsheet planning with governed models, not to ban Excel. Tools such as Vena, Datarails, and Cube embrace that reality, while Anaplan and Pigment offer their own modeling environments for teams ready to move on.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.anaplan.com
- https://www.venasolutions.com
- https://www.datarails.com
- https://www.cube.dev
- https://www.pigment.com
- https://www.prophix.com
- https://www.mosaic.tech
- https://www.jirav.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.