9 Best Solutions: Best Forecasting Softwares in 2025
FP&A Software

9 Best Forecasting Software Solutions for 2025

7 mins

Forecasting software has transformed financial forecasting, which used to be slow and full of errors. If you’ve ever spent hours fixing spreadsheets, checking formulas, and hoping no one accidentally overwrote a key cell, you know exactly what we’re talking about. The problem? Spreadsheets weren’t built for the complexity of modern business.

 

Still, many companies continue to rely on them, even as their forecasting software needs grow. Teams struggle with slow updates, inconsistent data, and a lack of real-time insights, which makes it almost impossible to react quickly to market changes. And when your business is scaling, making critical decisions based on outdated numbers can be quite risky.

 

Read Rolling Forecast – 101 Guide For Smarter Planning

 

In comes forecasting software. As opposed to static spreadsheets, modern solutions pull in live data, automate calculations, and even use AI to predict future trends with greater accuracy (and it’s getting better by the day). 

 

In this guide, we’ll break down the best forecasting tools available today, the features that matter most, and how to choose the right solution for your business. If you’re ready to move beyond spreadsheets and take your forecasting to the next level, here are our top 9 tools to take a look at.

1. Farseer - The Fastest and Most Flexible Forecasting Software

Farseer is an innovative financial planning and analysis (FP&A) software designed to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. It provides powerful tools for data visualization, scenario analysis, and real-time financial insights. Its user-friendly interface and advanced analytics capabilities make it ideal for CFOs and finance teams looking to bring their financial planning accuracy to another level and drive business growth. 

Key features

  • Extremely fast calculations – handles millions of data points in seconds, ensuring real-time forecasting.
  • No-code and real-time modeling – finance teams can build and modify models without IT support.
  • Seamless data integration – connects with ERPs, CRMs, and databases for real-time data flow.
  • Scalable and intuitive – unlike spreadsheet-based tools, Farseer eliminates errors and offers a modern UI.
  • Advanced scenario planning – quickly compare different business scenarios and assumptions.
  • What-if simulations and AI-driven insights
 

Pros:

  • It allows human influence on the forecast, enabling users to adjust and refine numbers for greater accuracy. Unlike fully automated tools, Farseer fosters collaboration between humans and the software to deliver more precise and actionable forecasts.
  • User-friendly and fast
  • More flexible than rigid enterprise solutions like SAP or Oracle.
  • Powerful forecasting and planning in a cloud-based platform.
  • Upgraded spreadsheet-like interface, ideal for companies outgrowing spreadsheets.
 

Cons:

  • Ideal for mid-market and enterprise companies; but less suited for small businesses with basic workflows.
  • Newer to the market compared to legacy tools.
 

Want to give it a go?

 

2. Anaplan - Enterprise-Grade Planning and Forecasting

Anaplan is a cloud-based planning and performance management platform that offers solutions for financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analytics. Anaplan’s flexible, model-based approach allows users to create custom plans and scenarios, but it requires a steep learning curve and is often seen as complex to implement. While it offers powerful tools for large organizations, its pricing, user interface, and performance can be a challenge for smaller teams or those looking for more intuitive, accessible solutions.

Anaplan financial analysis tool homepage

Key features

  • Multi-dimensional modeling for complex business planning.
  • Scalable enterprise performance management (EPM).
  • Collaboration features for large finance teams.
 

Pros:

  • Extremely powerful for large enterprises.
  • Customizable for different industries, especially retail and manufacturing.
 

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve – requires extensive training.
  • Expensive and time-consuming implementation.
  • Weak reporting
  • Customer support problems – its users report unhelpful support
 

Read Anaplan Competitors – The 6 Best Alternatives for FP&A

3. Workday Adaptive Planning - Cloud-Based Financial Planning

Adaptive Insights, now known as Workday Adaptive Planning, is a cloud-based financial planning platform designed to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for mid-sized companies and enterprises. It offers a highly intuitive interface that enables finance teams to quickly model scenarios, collaborate across departments, and adjust forecasts in real time. While it’s praised for its ease of use and scalability, some users have noted that its performance can be slower with larger datasets, and its complex pricing structure may not be the most cost-effective for smaller businesses.

Key features

  • Budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in one platform.
  • Integrates with Workday ERP and other finance tools.
 

Pros:

  • Good for Workday users.
  • User-friendly for mid-market companies.
  • Strong integration capabilities and customizable reporting tools
 

Cons:

  • Limited flexibility – pre-built structures can be restrictive.
  • No AI tools for predictive forecasting
  • Complex formula language

4. Board - Business Intelligence & Forecasting in One

Board is an integrated business intelligence (BI) and forecasting platform that combines data analytics with financial planning in a single solution. It allows organizations to seamlessly manage budgeting, forecasting, and reporting while using powerful BI capabilities for deep data analysis. This kind of approach makes it particularly interesting to companies seeking to streamline their financial planning and data analysis processes without using multiple tools.

 

Board’s intuitive interface and flexibility enable users to create custom dashboards and perform complex scenario modeling, offering real-time insights and collaboration across teams. However, some users find its setup process challenging, and although it provides extensive features, it can become overwhelming for organizations without dedicated IT support.

Key features:

  • Combines forecasting with business intelligence (BI).
  • Data visualization and dashboarding.
  • Uses historical data and machine learning to help forecast future trends and outcomes.
 

Pros: 

  • Great for companies that need BI + FP&A.
  • Strong reporting capabilities.
 

Cons:

  • Complicated to use – takes time to learn and isn’t as intuitive as other FP&A tools.
  • Expensive and hard to set up – high cost and a complex implementation make it less accessible for smaller companies.
  • Not easy to adjust – needs IT support for setup and customization.
  • Can be slow – struggles with large datasets and complex calculations.

5. Jedox - AI-Powered Financial Modeling & Analytics

Jedox is an AI-powered platform that helps businesses improve their forecasting and streamline financial planning. It uses machine learning to analyze past data, spot trends, and give predictive insights. The interface is user-friendly, allowing finance teams to easily create models, run what-if scenarios, and generate reports. Jedox also connects smoothly with other data sources, making it easy to manage information. Its AI features are great for forecasting, but still – the setup and customization can be complicated, and some of the advanced features require technical expertise. This may be challenging for teams without a technical background.

Key features:

  • AI-powered planning for predictive analytics.
  • Excel-based interface for easy adoption.
  • High-performance analytics powered by in-memory technology.
 

Pros:

  • Good for AI-driven forecasting.
  • Strong integration with Excel.
 

Cons:

  • Not truly no-code – IT involvement is needed.
  • Customization is often needed for more advanced scenarios, slowing down implementation.
  • More expensive than mid-market tools.

6. SAP Analytics Cloud - Enterprise Forecasting & Predictive Analytics

SAP Analytics Cloud is a powerful platform that combines forecasting, predictive analytics, and business intelligence. It’s perfect for businesses already using SAP products, since it easily integrates with existing SAP data, making financial planning and forecasting more accurate. With features like automated analytics, scenario modeling, and real-time data visualization, it helps companies make smarter decisions. While it’s a great choice for SAP users, it can be tricky to set up and requires some expertise, so it’s best for larger companies already familiar with SAP.

Key features:

  • AI-driven predictive analytics.
  • Tightly integrated with SAP ERP.
 

Pros:

  • Good for large enterprises using SAP.
  • AI and machine learning enhance predictions.
 

Cons:

  • Expensive and requires deep IT expertise.
  • Slow and rigid compared to modern SaaS tools.
  • Bad UX, outdated UI
 

Read FP&A Software: A Buyer’s Guide [Free Download – Vendor Comparison Checklist]

7. Vena Solutions – Excel-Friendly FP&A Software

Vena Solutions is a great option for companies that still love using Excel but want to improve their forecasting. It works by adding smart tools on top of Excel, like automation and better data management, so finance teams can stick with the familiar spreadsheet interface while also gaining more powerful forecasting features. Vena helps streamline the process, making it easier to work with real-time data and collaborate across teams. It’s a great fit for Excel users, but some might find that it’s not as scalable or advanced as other fully cloud-based tools.

Key features:

  • Excel-based interface.
  • Pre-built financial planning templates.
 

Pros:

  • Good for teams comfortable with Excel.
  • Easier transition from spreadsheets.
 

Cons:

  • Still relies on Excel formulas – not fully automated.
  • Less flexible than full FP&A tools.
  • Limited scalability.

8. IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) – AI-Driven Forecasting

IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) is an AI-powered tool perfect for large companies that need help with financial planning and forecasting. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze data, spot trends, and give more accurate predictions, making it easier for businesses to make smarter decisions. With its flexible modeling and reporting tools, finance teams can create detailed financial plans and scenarios. However, it’s a pretty complex system and might be better suited for larger organizations that can take full advantage of its features.

Key features:

  • AI-driven insights.
  • Scalable for enterprise needs.
 

Pros:

  • Strong data analytics and forecasting.
  • AI helps improve accuracy.
 

Cons:

  • Expensive and complex.
  • Requires significant IT involvement.

9. Prophix – Mid-Market Financial Forecasting Tool

Prophix is a financial forecasting tool designed for mid-sized businesses that need a more efficient way to handle their financial planning and analysis (FP&A). It offers a simple yet powerful platform to help companies create budgets, forecasts, and reports, without the complexity of larger enterprise tools. Prophix is great for businesses that want to streamline their financial processes and gain better insights, but don’t need all the bells and whistles of more expensive, complex systems. It’s a solid choice for companies that want to improve forecasting without a huge learning curve or overwhelming features.

Key features

  • Budgeting, planning, and forecasting software.
  • Cloud-based platform.
 

Pros:

  • Good for companies moving off spreadsheets.
  • Decent reporting capabilities.
 

Cons:

  • Limited flexibility for advanced modeling – lacks advanced scenario modeling and multi-variable forecasting capabilities. 
  • Limited scalability

Conclusion

Choosing the right forecasting software depends on your business size, complexity, and the level of flexibility you need. While enterprise solutions like Anaplan and SAP Analytics Cloud offer deep customization, they often come with high costs, long implementation times, and steep learning curves. On the other hand, tools like Vena Solutions and Prophix provide an easier transition from spreadsheets but may lack the scalability and automation needed for fast-growing businesses.

 

If your company is looking for a fast, flexible, and user-friendly forecasting tool that eliminates spreadsheet errors, speeds up calculations, and integrates seamlessly with existing systems, Farseer is the tool to consider. It combines the power of enterprise FP&A software with the agility of a modern SaaS platform – without the complexity or long implementation times.

 

Want to try it out? Feel free to reach out, we’d be happy to show you everything the tool can do to improve your forecasting processes. 

FROM THE BLOG

Related articles

ratio analysis: what it is and how to make the most of it - featured image

What is Ratio Analysis And How To Make the Most of It

07 February 2025
deferred revenue featured image

Deferred Revenue: What It Is and How to Plan for It

07 February 2025
the ultimate guide to workforce planning software featured image

The Ultimate Guide to Workforce Planning Software

05 February 2025