Best FP&A software tools for UK businesses in 2025

As we move through 2025, UK finance teams are under increasing pressure to deliver faster insights, more accurate forecasts, and strategic guidance that drives business growth. The days of relying solely on spreadsheets for financial planning and analysis are numbered, yet many organisations still struggle to find the right FP&A software solution.

Recent market research reveals a striking reality: despite the availability of sophisticated planning tools, 61% of companies still rely on spreadsheets for their FP&A processes, while a further 10% use no dedicated system at all. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for UK businesses looking to modernise their financial operations.

What is FP&A software?

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) software is a specialised platform designed to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes. These tools go beyond basic spreadsheet functionality to offer dynamic modelling capabilities, real-time collaboration features, and integrations that keep financial data current and actionable.

Modern FP&A platforms enable finance teams to create scenario models, track performance against budgets, and deliver insights that inform strategic decision-making. The global FP&A software market is valued at approximately £3.1 billion and is projected to reach £7.8 billion by 2031, reflecting strong demand for these solutions.

Why UK businesses need FP&A software

The benefits of implementing dedicated FP&A software extend far beyond automation. These platforms enable organisations to:

• Improve decision-making speed: Automated data consolidation and real-time reporting allow finance teams to respond quickly to changing business conditions.

• Enhance forecast accuracy: Advanced analytics and scenario planning capabilities help businesses better predict future performance and identify potential risks.

• Increase collaboration: Cloud-based platforms enable cross-functional planning and ensure all stakeholders work with the same data.

• Scale efficiently: As businesses grow, FP&A software can accommodate increased data volumes and more complex planning requirements without requiring additional headcount.

• Ensure compliance: With evolving UK regulatory requirements and ESG reporting standards, FP&A software provides audit trails and standardised processes that manual spreadsheets cannot match.

Top FP&A software tools for UK businesses

The landscape shows clear patterns in tool adoption based on company size. While spreadsheets still dominate across all segments, dedicated FP&A platforms are gaining significant traction, particularly among larger organisations:

1. Pigment

Pigment has emerged as the leading FP&A platform among survey respondents, particularly popular with mid-market and enterprise Pigment has emerged as the leading FP&A platform among survey respondents, capturing a 6% market share (up 1% from the previous year), particularly popular with mid-market and enterprise organisations. The platform shows strong adoption across company sizes, used by 15% of companies with 250-499 employees and 21% of enterprises with 500+ employees. The platform excels at building flexible, collaborative financial models without the constraints of traditional spreadsheets.

Key strengths:

• Intuitive, modern interface that's easy for non-finance users to navigate

• Strong integration capabilities with core business systems

• AI-powered features that enhance planning efficiency

• Excellent scenario planning and modelling capabilities

Best for: Dynamic environments where speed, adaptability, and cross-functional collaboration are essential priorities.

Customer feedback: "Most capable, intuitive, collaborative; best design of all of the tools I've worked with to date." - Head of Finance, 20-49 employees

"Modern and collaborative with AI agents. And user-friendly." - CFO, 250-499 employees

Pricing: Custom pricing based on requirements and user count.

2. Anaplan

Anaplan remains the preferred choice for large enterprises, with 26% of companies with 500+ employees using the platform, though it has seen a slight decline with a 3% overall market share (down 1% from the previous year). It's particularly strong for organisations requiring complex, connected planning across multiple business functions.

Key strengths:

• Robust calculation engine capable of handling complex models

• Extensive library of pre-built planning templates

• Strong multi-dimensional modelling capabilities

• Excellent for enterprise-scale implementations

Best for: Large organisations with complex planning requirements and established processes.

Customer feedback: "Easy to get up and running." - Financial Director / VP Finance, 1,000+ employees

Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing with multiple tiers available.

3. Abacum

Abacum has gained significant traction among mid-market companies capturing a 3% market share (up 1% from the previous year) and showing particularly strong adoption with 5% of companies in the 50-249 employee range, offering a balance between sophisticated functionality and ease of use. The platform is designed specifically for scaling businesses that need robust planning capabilities without enterprise complexity.

Key strengths:

• Streamlined implementation process

• Strong focus on scenario analysis and workflow automation

• Native integrations with popular business tools

• User-friendly interface that reduces training requirements

Best for: Mid-market startups and scale-ups seeking comprehensive FP&A capabilities with faster time-to-value.

Customer feedback: "Mix of easy to learn/use and sophisticated features." - CFO, 50-249 employees

Pricing: Subscription-based pricing starting from approximately £1,000 per month.

4. Workday Adaptive Planning

Workday has shown steady growth in the FP&A market, capturing a 2% overall market share (up 2% from the previous year) and demonstrating strong momentum with 7% adoption among companies with 250-499 employees, particularly among organisations already using Workday's HR and ERP solutions. The platform offers enterprise-grade planning capabilities with strong integration across the Workday ecosystem.

Key strengths:

• Seamless integration with Workday's broader platform

• Strong workforce and operational planning features

• Scalable architecture for large organisations

• Comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities

Best for: Enterprise organisations seeking integrated planning across finance, HR, and operations.

Pricing: Custom pricing as part of a broader Workday subscription.

5. Causal

As a newer entrant to the market, Causal has quickly gained attention for its modern approach to financial modelling, achieving 2% market share as a new entrant and showing particular traction with 3% of companies under 50 employees. The platform focuses on making complex financial models more accessible and collaborative.

Key strengths:

• Intuitive model-building interface

• Strong collaboration features

• Modern, user-friendly design

• Good integration capabilities

Best for: Growing companies that need sophisticated modelling capabilities without traditional complexity.

Pricing: Subscription-based with various tiers available.

Choosing the right FP&A software for your organisation

When selecting an FP&A platform, UK businesses should consider several key factors:

Company size and complexity

The data shows clear patterns in tool adoption based on organisation size:

• Small businesses (under 50 employees): 68% still use spreadsheets, with emerging tools like Causal (3%) and Pigment (3%) gaining traction. Often best served by cloud-based solutions with straightforward implementation

• Mid-market companies (50-500 employees): Usage shifts to 64% spreadsheets at the smaller end, dropping to 59% for companies with 250-499 employees. Abacum shows strong adoption (5%) in the 50-249 range, while Pigment dominates (15%) in the 250-499 segment. Benefit from platforms offering a balance between functionality and ease of use

• Large enterprises (500+ employees): Spreadsheet usage drops dramatically to just 26%, with Anaplan (26%) and Pigment (21%) capturing significant market share. Require robust, scalable solutions with advanced modelling capabilities

Integration requirements

Modern FP&A tools should integrate seamlessly with your existing technology stack, including ERP systems, CRM platforms, and data warehouses. This ensures data consistency and reduces manual work.

User adoption considerations

The most sophisticated tool is worthless if your team won't use it. Look for platforms with intuitive interfaces and comprehensive training resources to ensure successful adoption.

Budget and ROI expectations

While FP&A software requires investment, the productivity gains and improved decision-making typically deliver strong returns. Consider both upfront costs and ongoing subscription fees when evaluating options.

The future of FP&A in the UK

Looking ahead, several trends are shaping the FP&A software landscape:

• AI integration: Platforms are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence to automate routine tasks and provide predictive insights.

• Real-time planning: The shift towards continuous planning and real-time forecasting is accelerating, driven by increased business volatility.

• Collaborative planning: Cross-functional planning capabilities are becoming essential as organisations seek to break down silos between departments.

• Mobile accessibility: Finance teams increasingly need access to planning tools from any device, driving demand for mobile-optimised platforms.

Making the transition from spreadsheets

For the 61% of UK businesses still relying primarily on spreadsheets, and the additional 10% using no dedicated system at all, the transition to dedicated FP&A software can seem daunting. However, the benefits typically justify the effort:

• Reduced errors: Automated calculations and data validation significantly reduce the risk of manual mistakes

• Time savings: Automated reporting and data consolidation free up time for strategic analysis

• Better insights: Advanced analytics capabilities reveal patterns and trends that spreadsheets can't easily identify

• Improved collaboration: Multiple users can work simultaneously without version control issues

Conclusion

The FP&A software market offers compelling solutions for UK businesses of all sizes. While spreadsheets may seem familiar and cost-effective, dedicated FP&A platforms deliver significant advantages in accuracy, efficiency, and strategic insight.

Whether you choose an established player like Anaplan for enterprise complexity, Pigment for modern collaborative planning, or Abacum for mid-market efficiency, the key is selecting a platform that aligns with your organisation's size, complexity, and growth trajectory.

As we progress through 2025, the organisations that invest in modern FP&A capabilities will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty, capitalise on opportunities, and drive sustainable growth. The question isn't whether to modernise your FP&A processes, but which platform will best serve your unique requirements.

For UK businesses ready to move beyond spreadsheets, the time to act is now. The competitive advantages of modern FP&A software are too significant to ignore, and the cost of inaction continues to grow as business complexity increases and market conditions become more volatile.