Cash flow forecasting tool vs comprehensive FP&A platform
Float is a popular UK cash flow forecasting tool that integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent. Grove FP is a full FP&A platform that includes cash flow alongside budgeting, P&L, and workforce planning.
Choose Float if cash flow visibility is your only need and you want a lightweight, affordable tool that connects to Xero in minutes. Choose Grove FP if you have outgrown cash-flow-only forecasting and need full FP&A — budgets, P&L, workforce planning, scenarios, and UK compliance — in a single platform.
This is the fundamental difference between the two tools. Float is a cash flow forecasting tool — it excels at predicting when money will come in and go out, helping you avoid cash crunches and plan for upcoming expenses. It offers basic budgeting but not structured departmental budgets, P&L planning, balance sheet forecasting, or workforce planning. Grove FP is a full FP&A platform that covers all of these areas, with cash flow as one component of a broader financial plan. If you only need to answer "will we have enough cash next month?", Float is brilliant and far simpler. If you need to answer "what should our department budgets look like, how many people can we hire, and what does our P&L forecast show?" — that is where Grove FP takes over.
Float is exceptionally easy to set up. Connect your Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent account and you have a cash flow forecast within minutes. The interface is clean and focused — there is very little to configure because the tool does one thing well. Grove FP takes longer to set up (1–2 weeks) because there is more to configure: chart of accounts, department structures, budget templates, and workforce plans. However, once set up, both tools are intuitive in daily use. Float is the clear winner for speed to first value; Grove FP is the better investment for ongoing planning depth.
Both tools integrate with Xero and QuickBooks, which are the most popular accounting systems in the UK. Float additionally supports FreeAgent, making it a good fit for freelancers and micro-businesses using that platform. Grove FP adds Sage 50 integration, which is important for the many UK SMBs that run on Sage. Neither tool has an enormous integration library — both focus on tight accounting system connections rather than broad ecosystem plays.
Float starts at just £49 per month, making it one of the most affordable financial tools available. Grove FP starts at £399 per month — roughly 8x the cost. The price difference reflects the scope difference: Float gives you cash flow forecasting, while Grove FP gives you a full FP&A suite. The question is not which is cheaper, but which scope you need. Many businesses start with Float and graduate to Grove FP as they grow — and some keep both running alongside each other.
Both tools are well-suited to UK businesses. Float is a UK-founded company with strong local credentials and native integrations with popular UK accounting tools. Grove FP is also UK-focused, with FRS 102 templates, VAT compliance, and Companies House reporting built in. Float does not need compliance features because it is not a reporting or planning platform — it simply forecasts cash flow. If you need UK-compliant financial reporting alongside your planning, only Grove FP provides that.
UK SMBs needing comprehensive financial planning beyond cash flow
Small businesses and freelancers who primarily need cash flow visibility
Grove FP is the right choice for UK businesses that have moved beyond the stage where cash flow is their only financial concern. Once you need departmental budgets, P&L forecasts, workforce planning, or compliance reporting, Grove FP provides the full platform. It is particularly well-suited for businesses with 10–500 employees, multiple departments, and finance teams that need to produce board packs and statutory reports.
Float is the right choice for small businesses, freelancers, and early-stage companies whose primary financial question is "do we have enough cash?" If you run a business with fewer than 20 employees, your accounting system is Xero or FreeAgent, and your planning needs begin and end with cash flow visibility, Float is brilliant value. Many businesses happily use Float for years before reaching the point where they need broader FP&A capabilities.
From £399/mo for full FP&A
From £49/mo for cash flow forecasting
Moving from Float to Grove FP is less of a migration and more of an expansion. Float and Grove FP serve different scopes, so there is relatively little data to transfer. Connect your Xero or QuickBooks account to Grove FP (the same data source Float uses) and your actuals will flow in automatically. Any manual cash flow adjustments from Float can be exported as CSV and referenced during budget setup. Many teams keep Float running alongside Grove FP during the transition — and some keep it permanently for quick daily cash flow checks while using Grove FP for structured planning and reporting.
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