Want to supercharge your financial decision-making? I've done the heavy lifting, reviewing the best financial modeling software out there. From Excel-beaters to AI-powered number crunchers, I've got the lowdown on tools that'll transform your financial processes from guesswork to gospel.
Financial modeling is changing fast. And I’m here to guide you through it.
For years, I’ve helped companies automate their financial processes. I’ve seen firsthand how the right tools can transform a business. Gone are the days when Excel alone could handle all our needs.
Today’s financial modeling software is a game-changer. It takes what we love about spreadsheets and supercharges it. Think faster calculations, smarter forecasts, and teamwork made easy. Modern financial modeling software not only simplifies the modeling process but also enhances accuracy and facilitates complex analyses, making it essential for organizations to adopt these tools for better forecasting and strategic planning.
My team and I have looked at the best financial modeling tools out there. In this guide, we’ll show you options for every need. Whether you’re building complex models or looking for an all-in-one solution, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to take your financial modeling to the next level? Let’s dive in and find the perfect tool for you.
When it comes to financial modeling software, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. In my years helping companies automate their processes, I’ve worked with dozens of different tools to automate financial modeling using technologies like Excel macros, Python scripts, and specialized platforms. While I can’t claim to have tested every single one out there, I’ve gained a deep understanding of what makes a financial modeling solution truly shine in real-world applications.
My experience has taught me to look beyond flashy features and focus on what really matters: how these tools perform when the pressure’s on and every dollar counts.
Want to cut to the chase? I get it. Here's a quick rundown of the financial modeling tools we'll be diving into, along with pricing info where available. Feel free to jump straight to the ones that catch your eye.
If you're after more details on why these tools made the cut and how they stack up in real-world scenarios, stick around. We'll break it all down for you.
Let me explain why I have selected each financial modeling solution in the list. When choosing financial modeling software, keep an eye out for these crucial features:
I've summarized the main reasons for choosing each of these financial modeling tools — all of them are good options, so I've focused my write-up on the features, integrations, and usability of each.
SolveXia is an automation-focused platform designed for businesses of all sizes looking to streamline their financial processes and create sophisticated models without extensive coding knowledge.
Why I picked SolveXia: SolveXia’s approach to financial modeling that emphasizes automation and user-friendliness. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible to finance professionals who may not have deep technical expertise, while still offering powerful capabilities for complex financial processes.
SolveXia Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include robust data integration and cleansing capabilities, customizable dashboards and reporting, and an automation-first approach that can significantly reduce manual work in financial modeling tasks by integrating operational and financial data.
While specific integration information wasn’t provided, given SolveXia’s focus on automation and data integration, it’s likely to offer connections with common financial and ERP systems. However, you’ll want to check with SolveXia directly for the most up-to-date integration options.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOLVEXIA: website
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Microsoft Excel is the tried-and-true spreadsheet software that's been the go-to for financial modeling for decades. It's versatile, powerful, and found on almost every business computer out there.
Why I picked Excel: Let's face it, Excel is the Swiss Army knife of the financial world. Its flexibility, extensive formula library, and ability to handle complex calculations make it a no-brainer for this list. Plus, most finance pros can navigate Excel in their sleep, which is a huge plus for team collaboration.
Excel Standout Features and Integrations: Excel shines with its vast array of functions, pivot tables, and data visualization tools. Its VBA capabilities allow for advanced automation, and the Power Query feature is a game-changer for data import and transformation.
As part of the Microsoft 365 suite, Excel plays nice with a ton of other tools. It integrates seamlessly with Power BI for advanced analytics, SharePoint for collaboration, and various other Microsoft and third-party apps.
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Cube is a modern FP&A platform that's shaking up the financial modeling world with its real-time capabilities and data integration prowess.
Why I picked Cube: Cube caught my eye because it bridges the gap between the familiarity of spreadsheets and the power of cloud-based financial planning. It's like Excel got a supercharged makeover and learned to play well with others.
Cube Standout Features and Integrations: Cube's secret sauce is its ability to combine data sources and show real-time performance. It's a whiz at automating those mind-numbing repetitive tasks that make financial analysts want to pull their hair out. The platform offers flexible, data-backed modeling that's perfect for teams needing advanced forecasting capabilities.
Integration-wise, Cube is a team player. It connects with popular ERP systems, GL software, and even good old Excel. This means you can keep your existing tools while leveling up your financial modeling game.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CUBE: Website
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Jirav is a comprehensive financial planning and analytics platform that’s making waves in the FP&A world. It’s like your finance team got a turbo boost and a crystal ball rolled into one.
Why I picked Jirav: Jirav caught my attention because it doesn’t just do financial modeling - it brings together planning, forecasting, reporting, and analytics in one sleek package. It’s the Swiss Army knife for modern finance teams.
Jirav Standout Features and Integrations: Jirav’s claim to fame is its ability to combine accounting, workforce, operational data, and financial statements into one cohesive model. It offers driver-based forecasting, which is fancy talk for “predicts your financial future based on what actually drives your business.”
Integration-wise, Jirav plays well with others. It connects with popular accounting software, HR systems, and CRMs, pulling in data to keep your models fresh and accurate.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JIRAV: Website
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Jirav is a great fit for growing businesses that need a robust, all-encompassing financial planning solution. It’s particularly useful for companies looking to break down silos between finance and other departments.
Finmark is the new kid on the block, designed to make financial modeling a breeze for startups and small businesses. It’s like having a CFO in your pocket, minus the fancy suit.
Why I picked Finmark: Finmark stood out to me because it tackles a big problem for startups - making financial modeling accessible without an MBA. It’s built for founders who need solid financial projections but don’t have the time or expertise for complex spreadsheets.
Finmark Standout Features and Integrations: Finmark shines with its intuitive interface and pre-built templates tailored for startups. It offers features for budgeting, cash flow projections, and runway predictions - all the stuff that keeps founders up at night. These tools are essential for accurately forecasting future financial performance, allowing businesses to manipulate variables, test different scenarios, and evaluate the potential impacts of various business decisions.
On the integration front, Finmark connects with tools startups actually use, like QuickBooks and Stripe. This means your financial model stays up-to-date without manual data entry (hallelujah!).
LEARN MORE ABOUT FINMARK: website
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Python isn't just for tech geeks anymore. It's become a powerhouse in the financial world, offering unlimited possibilities for those willing to get their hands dirty with code.
Why I picked Python: Python made the cut because it's like the Swiss Army knife of programming languages - it can do just about anything, including some seriously impressive financial modeling. Plus, it's free. Who doesn't love free?
Python Standout Features and Integrations: Python's strength lies in its flexibility and extensive libraries for financial analysis (think pandas, numpy, and scipy). It's great for data gathering, statistical modeling, and risk assessment. Want to create a Monte Carlo simulation? Python's got your back.
As for integrations, Python plays nice with just about everything. You can pull data from APIs, connect to databases, and even automate Excel if you're feeling nostalgic.
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Planful (formerly Host Analytics) is the cool kid in the FP&A world, offering a cloud-based platform that makes continuous planning a reality.
Why I picked Planful: Planful caught my eye because it's not just about creating static financial models - it's about making planning an ongoing, dynamic process. It's like your financial plan got a gym membership and is now always in shape.
Planful Standful Features and Integrations: Planful shines with its comprehensive approach to financial planning, budgeting, and reporting. It offers robust scenario modeling capabilities, letting you play out different "what-ifs" without breaking a sweat.
Integration-wise, Planful connects with a variety of ERP and GL systems, ensuring your plans are always based on the latest data.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANFUL: website
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Quantrix is the powerhouse you call in when your financial models start looking more like a Rubik's Cube than a spreadsheet.
Why I picked Quantrix: Quantrix made the list because it's not afraid of complexity. It's designed for businesses that need to model multiple dimensions and scenarios simultaneously. Think of it as Excel after it hit the gym and got a PhD.
Quantrix Standout Features and Integrations: Quantrix's claim to fame is its multidimensional modeling capabilities. It offers dynamic dashboards, flexible data manipulation, and some serious horsepower when it comes to calculations.
On the integration front, Quantrix can pull data from various sources and even has its own ETL tools. It's built to handle enterprise-level data needs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT QUANTRIX: website
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Forecastr is the new kid on the block, tailor-made for startups and small businesses looking to get a grip on their financial future without drowning in spreadsheets.
Why I picked Forecastr: Forecastr caught my eye because it's like having a financial advisor in your pocket, minus the fancy suit and hefty fees. It's designed to make financial forecasting accessible to founders who are long on vision but maybe a bit short on financial modeling expertise.
Forecastr Standout Features and Integrations: Forecastr's secret sauce is its startup-friendly approach. It offers pre-built templates and intuitive interfaces that make creating financial projections less of a headache. The platform shines with its scenario planning features, letting you play out different "what-ifs" without needing an MBA.
While it's more of a standalone tool, Forecastr does allow for data imports from common sources, making it easier to keep your projections up-to-date.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FORECASTR: website
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Baremetrics is the cool kid in the SaaS playground, turning boring subscription data into actionable insights faster than you can say "monthly recurring revenue."
Why I picked Baremetrics: Baremetrics made the cut because it's laser-focused on what matters to subscription-based businesses. It's like having a financial analyst and a data scientist rolled into one, working 24/7 to make sense of your SaaS metrics.
Baremetrics Standout Features and Integrations: Baremetrics shines with its real-time dashboard of key SaaS metrics. We're talking MRR, ARR, LTV, churn rate - all the acronyms that keep SaaS founders up at night. But it's not just about pretty charts; Baremetrics offers forecasting tools, cohort analysis, and even helps you recover failed payments.
On the integration front, Baremetrics plays nice with major payment processors and subscription management tools. Connect it to Stripe, Braintree, or Recurly, and watch as it automagically turns your raw data into beautiful, actionable metrics.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BAREMETRICS: website
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When evaluating financial modeling software, I prioritize functionality – how effectively does the tool create and manage financial models? And crucially, how much does it simplify users' workflows? Here's what we look for:
Core Financial Modeling Functionality (30% of total weighting score) - Essential features typically include:
To make our list, a solution must excel in these key areas:
Standout Features (25% of total weighting score) - We look for innovative capabilities like:
Usability (20% of total weighting score) - A great tool should have:
Integration and Scalability (15% of total weighting score) - We prioritize software that:
Value for Money (10% of total weighting score) - We consider:
Let's face it: running a business without solid financial modeling is like trying to navigate a ship without a compass. It's doable, but you're probably going to end up way off course (and possibly sinking).
Financial modeling isn't just about crunching numbers - it's about painting a picture of your company's financial future. It helps you forecast performance, weigh up potential investments, and spot risks before they become catastrophes. Think of it as your financial crystal ball, minus the mystical mumbo-jumbo.
But here's the kicker: good financial modeling can be the difference between making a genius move and a costly blunder. It gives you the power to test-drive your business decisions before you actually make them. Want to know what happens if you double your marketing budget? Or how a new product line might impact your bottom line? A solid financial model can show you.
Now, you might be thinking, "Can't I just do all this in Excel?" Sure, you could. But that's like using a rowboat when you could have a speedboat. Here's why upgrading to specialized financial modeling software is worth it:
Financial modeling software is a digital Swiss Army knife for number crunchers. It's a tool that helps businesses create mathematical representations of their financial situation, letting them forecast future performance and play out "what-if" scenarios.
These tools go beyond basic spreadsheets, offering features like automated data input, real-time updates, and advanced analytics. They're designed to make complex financial calculations easier, faster, and more accurate, helping businesses make smarter decisions about their money.
Excel has long been the go-to tool for financial modeling, and for good reason. It's flexible, widely used, and most finance pros are familiar with it. Many businesses, especially smaller ones, still rely on Excel for their financial modeling needs.
However, as financial models get more complex and data-heavy, Excel can start to show its limitations. It can be prone to errors in large models and lacks some advanced features found in specialized financial modeling software. That's why many businesses, especially larger ones, are moving towards more sophisticated tools that offer better collaboration, automation, and data handling capabilities.
AI is shaking up the financial modeling world, but it's still a relatively new player. While there isn't a clear "best" AI tool for financial modeling yet, several software solutions are incorporating AI and machine learning to enhance their capabilities.
These AI-powered tools can help improve forecast accuracy by spotting trends in historical data, automate routine tasks, and even suggest optimizations for your financial models. However, it's important to remember that AI is a tool, not a magic solution. The best results still come from combining AI capabilities with human expertise and judgment.
Alright, let's cut to the chase. Choosing the right financial modeling software isn't just about fancy features - it's about finding a tool that fits your business like a glove.
Here's the no-BS checklist for making your pick:
Remember, this isn't just about number crunching - it's about turning those numbers into rocket fuel for your business decisions. So take your time, do your homework, and don't be afraid to kick the tires before you buy.
With the right tool in your arsenal, you'll be navigating the financial seas like a pro, turning data into dollars, and making your competitors wonder what your secret is. Now go forth and conquer those spreadsheets!
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