FP&A ProfileEnterprise

Anaplan

Anaplan is an enterprise-grade connected planning platform that enables organisations to model complex, multi-dimensional scenarios across finance, supply chain, and sales.

Founded

2006

Headquarters

San Francisco, USA

Avg. Rating

3.5 / 5

Best For

Large enterprises

Overview

What is Anaplan?

Anaplan has established itself as one of the leading enterprise planning platforms, offering a proprietary in-memory calculation engine called HyperBlock that can handle extremely large datasets and complex models. The platform is purpose-built for large organisations that need cross-functional planning capabilities spanning finance, supply chain, sales, and HR.

Anaplan excels at connecting planning processes across departments, enabling real-time collaboration and scenario analysis at scale. Its model-building approach uses a spreadsheet-like interface combined with a powerful formula language, giving experienced users significant flexibility.

However, this power comes at a cost -- both in terms of licensing fees and the expertise required to build and maintain models. Most organisations require certified Anaplan consultants or dedicated internal resources to implement and manage the platform effectively.

Feature Ratings

How does Anaplan score?

Rated across six key criteria for FP&A teams.

Budgeting
5
Forecasting
5
Reporting
4
Ease of Use
2
Value for Money
2
UK Support
3
Overall Average
3.5

Pricing

Anaplan Pricing

Enterprise pricing only; typically starts from six figures annually. Contact Anaplan for a custom quote based on model complexity and user count.

Best For

Large enterprises (1,000+ employees) with complex, cross-functional planning needs and the budget to invest in dedicated planning resources.

Strengths

  • Exceptional scalability for large, complex models with millions of data points
  • Best-in-class connected planning across finance, sales, supply chain, and HR
  • Powerful HyperBlock calculation engine with real-time scenario modelling
  • Large ecosystem of certified partners and implementation consultants
  • Strong track record with FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 organisations

Weaknesses

  • Very steep learning curve requiring dedicated model builders
  • Premium pricing that can be prohibitive for mid-market organisations
  • Implementation timelines of 3-12 months are common
  • Reporting capabilities sometimes lag behind dedicated BI platforms
  • Model maintenance can become complex without proper governance

Compare

How does Anaplan compare to Grove FP?

Grove FP is purpose-built for small and mid-sized businesses that need real FP&A capabilities -- budgeting, forecasting, workforce planning, and reporting -- without enterprise complexity or six-figure contracts.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Anaplan

Looking for an alternative to Anaplan?

Grove FP is built for small and mid-sized businesses that need real FP&A capabilities without enterprise complexity or pricing.