toolsUpdated March 1, 2026

Best Budgeting Tools for SMBs

Choosing the right budgeting tools for smbs can make or break your finance function. We have researched, tested, and compared the leading options to help UK finance teams make an informed decision. Below you will find honest reviews with real pros, cons, and pricing -- no affiliate links, no sponsored placements.

How we evaluated

We evaluated each option based on five criteria: feature depth, ease of use, value for money (with UK pricing where available), integration ecosystem, and customer support quality. We prioritised tools with strong UK presence or global availability, and tested each where trial access was available.

1

Jirav

Cloud FP&A for driver-based planning, workforce modelling, and financial reporting. Pre-built integrations with Xero and QuickBooks.

Pros

  • Affordable entry point
  • Pre-built accounting integrations
  • Driver-based planning out of the box

Cons

  • Limited customisation for complex models
  • Smaller feature set than enterprise tools
  • US-focused support hours
From USD 500/moSmall finance teams with standard budgeting needsVisit site
2

Grove FP

Our Pick

UK-built FP&A platform with Excel-compatible formulas, position-level workforce planning, and a Rust-powered calculation engine. Purpose-built for SMB and mid-market finance teams.

Pros

  • UK-built with GBP-native pricing
  • Fast formula engine (Rust-powered)
  • Position-level workforce planning
  • Simple, clean interface

Cons

  • Newer entrant (launched 2025)
  • Smaller feature set than enterprise tools
  • Limited third-party integrations (growing)
From GBP 49/moUK SMB and mid-market finance teams wanting a modern, affordable FP&A platformVisit site
3

Abacum

Collaborative FP&A platform for strategic finance teams. Real-time data syncing and scenario planning with a clean interface.

Pros

  • Modern, clean interface
  • Good collaboration features
  • Strong data integration layer

Cons

  • Relatively new in the market
  • Limited UK-specific features
  • Pricing not fully transparent
Custom pricingGrowth-stage companies with 50-500 employeesVisit site
4

Causal

Financial modelling tool with visual formula building and scenario comparison. Built for startups and growth-stage companies.

Pros

  • Visual, intuitive model building
  • Excellent scenario comparison
  • Generous free tier

Cons

  • Not a full FP&A suite
  • Limited ERP integrations
  • Less suited for complex consolidation
Free tier available; paid from USD 50/moStartups and small teams building financial modelsVisit site
5

Pry (now Tiller)

Financial planning built for startups. Hiring plans, revenue models, and fundraising tools in one place.

Pros

  • Purpose-built for startups
  • Visual hiring plan builder
  • Simple, clean UI

Cons

  • Limited to startup use cases
  • No multi-entity consolidation
  • Smaller team behind the product
From USD 50/moSeed to Series A startupsVisit site
6

Float

Cash flow forecasting tool that integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent. Visual cash flow timeline.

Pros

  • Excellent Xero/QuickBooks integration
  • Visual cash flow timeline
  • Simple to set up and use

Cons

  • Cash flow only (not full budgeting)
  • Limited reporting depth
  • Not suited for P&L budgeting
From GBP 59/moUK SMBs focused on cash flow managementVisit site

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

We evaluated each option based on feature depth, ease of use, UK pricing, integrations, and support quality. We tested tools where trial access was available and spoke with finance professionals who use them daily.

No. Grove FP is included where relevant (we are transparent about this), but rankings are based on our honest assessment. We do not accept payment for placement.

We review and update this list quarterly. The last update was March 2026. If you spot something outdated, please let us know at hello@grove.financial.

Modern FP&A for growing UK businesses

Budgeting, forecasting, and workforce planning in one platform. No credit card required.