Most planning software wasn’t built for how decisions get made today.
It was built for a world where planning happened once a quarter, in spreadsheets owned by finance, and passed around for edits.
That’s not how it works anymore.
Today, planning needs to be faster, cross-functional, and built on real-time data. And, most importantly, it needs to move with the business — not lag behind it.
But choosing the right FP&A platform is hard, because most options solve different problems, for different kinds of companies. Some are built for high-growth startups. Others are designed for multi-entity, global enterprises.
So instead of asking: “What’s the best FP&A software?”
The better question is: “What’s the best tool for how your team actually works?”
In this guide
This is a comparison of four modern FP&A platforms:
- Runway — Built for fast-moving, cross-functional teams who need clarity, flexibility, and speed
- Pigment — Flexible modeling for mid-to-large orgs, with deep planning complexity
- Anaplan — An enterprise heavyweight, optimized for scale and control
- Adaptive (Workday) — A mature solution with deep integration into the Workday ecosystem
We’ll walk through what each tool is best at, where it struggles, and how it fits depending on your size, structure, and planning process.
Platform deep dives
1. Runway: Built for teams that need to move fast
Used by Superhuman, AngelList, and Kit, Runway was designed for how finance actually works inside a growing business.
It’s fast to implement, easy to understand, and powerful enough to simulate multiple what-if scenarios in real time.
Core features:
- Human-readable formulas
- Real-time, multi-scenario planning with instant impact on runway, burn, and margins
- Collaborative planning with role-based access
- Live dashboards, and board-ready reporting
- Integrates with 750+ systems, including NetSuite, QuickBooks, Gusto, Salesforce, and HubSpot
Strengths:
- Rapid implementation — onboard in days (not months)
- Pre-built templates for common financial models
- Collaborative by default
- Intuitive for both finance and non-finance users
- Saved 818 Tequila over 50 hours per week in FP&A work
Limitations:
- Not optimized for enterprise use cases
- May not support extremely complex nested models out of the box
- Works best with a clear model owner — someone who understands the business and can own the logic. Without that, teams may struggle to fully unlock its flexibility.
2. Pigment: Enterprise-grade modeling with visual clarity
Pigment shines when you need advanced modeling and executive-level visuals. It’s more complex than Runway — and more configurable.
Core features:
- Real-time financial model updates
- What-if scenario planning
- Cross-functional collaboration tools
- Advanced visualization capabilities
Strengths:
- Strong visual modeling interface
- Breaks down silos between departments
- AI-powered planning capabilities
Limitations:
- Steep learning curve for non-finance users
- Modular pricing can escalate quickly
- Slower to implement and maintain
3. Anaplan: The heavyweight for enterprise planning
Anaplan has been around longest. And it shows. It’s incredibly powerful, and incredibly heavy.
Core features:
- Unified real-time environment for planning
- Hyperscale computing capabilities
- Optimization and machine learning algorithms
- Robust security features
Strengths:
- Battle-tested at global scale
- Full-stack AI strategy: predictive, generative, agentic
- Flexibility for complex market circumstances
Limitations:
- Long implementation cycles (6–12 months common)
- Requires technical consultants
- Annual price increases of ~10% are standard
4. Adaptive (Workday): Traditional planning, tightly integrated
Adaptive (now part of Workday) is reliable, mature, and deeply embedded into the Workday ecosystem.
Core features:
- Unlimited scenario analysis with machine learning
- Guided modeling capabilities
- Close management tools
- Strong reporting and consolidation
Strengths:
- Seamless integration with Workday and Oracle ERP
- Embedded AI and machine learning
- Mature platform with established support network
Limitations:
- Not built for fast-changing models
- UI feels dated
- Scenario planning requires more manual work
How they compare — key differences
- Runway delivers real-time, intuitive scenario planning with implementation in days, and built-in collaboration across teams. It connects to 750+ data sources, and is easy for non-finance users to understand.
- Pigment is a good fit for companies that want strong visual interfaces and AI-powered planning, but it takes longer to set up and has a steeper learning curve for non-finance users.
- Anaplan is a great match for enterprises that need deep complexity and scale, but the setup is long, expensive, and requires dedicated technical resources.
- Adaptive is best for orgs already on Workday, offering reliable reporting and guided modeling, though it can feel more siloed and less flexible for evolving models.
Choosing the right FP&A platform
Choosing a tool comes down to what kind of team you are — and what kind of decisions you want to make faster.
Ask yourself:
- Will our team actually use this — or will it become another tool we work around?
- Can we get a working model live in weeks (not quarters)?
- When things change, can we test ideas in real time?
- Will our stakeholders understand what the model says, and why it matters?
For a detailed framework, see How to choose the right FP&A software.
Final recommendation
If you’re a fast-moving team who needs:
- A model you can trust (and explain)
- A forecast you can adjust on the fly
- A shared surface where decisions get made
Start with Runway.
If you have a large team, an existing process, and time to train new users — Pigment or Adaptive might work well.
If you’re at enterprise scale with deep configuration needs and a large IT budget — Anaplan is built for that.
Book a demo to see why fast-moving teams at Superhuman and AngelList use Runway.