Cash flow is the pulse of any business, but spreadsheets rarely keep up with it. Formulas break, versions multiply, and by the time a forecast is “finished,” it’s already out of date. That’s why more finance teams are turning to dedicated cash flow forecasting platforms that connect directly to accounting systems, model multiple scenarios, and turn raw numbers into visuals leadership can actually use.
Here are five of the best tools on the market right now.
Key Takeaways
- Cash flow forecasting tools like Dryrun, Float, Pulse, Fathom, and Cushion improve on traditional spreadsheets.
- Dryrun offers real-time visibility and scenario modeling for finance teams managing multiple entities.
- Float integrates with accounting platforms for a user-friendly forecast, ideal for small businesses.
- Pulse simplifies cash tracking for solopreneurs, focusing on daily cash availability without deep features.
- Choosing the right tool depends on your business scale, with options ranging from lightweight solutions for freelancers to robust platforms for complex organizations.
1. Dryrun
Dryrun is a cash flow forecasting and scenario modeling platform built specifically for CFOs, controllers, and finance teams who need real-time visibility across multiple entities. Rather than relying on static spreadsheets, Dryrun connects live to accounting and ERP systems — including QuickBooks Online, Xero, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central — so forecasts update automatically as invoices, payments, and expenses are recorded.
What sets Dryrun apart is its scenario modeling: users can build unlimited “what-if” layers on top of a baseline forecast without overwriting the original numbers, then compare them side by side to see how a delayed payment, a revenue drop, or a new hire would ripple through the business. It also supports multi-entity consolidation for companies managing several subsidiaries or currencies, along with clean visual reporting designed for board and leadership presentations. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, Dryrun is priced on a subscription basis tied to the number of entities and users, making it scalable from small businesses up to complex mid-market organizations.
Best for: Finance teams and fractional CFOs who need live, multi-entity forecasts with heavy scenario planning.
2. Float
Float is a cash flow forecasting tool built as an add-on to accounting platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent. It pulls in existing invoices and bills to generate a rolling forecast automatically, then lets users adjust assumptions with simple drag-and-drop editing. Float’s dashboards are known for being approachable even for non-finance users, which makes it a popular choice for small business owners who want a quick read on their runway without a steep learning curve. It also offers scenario comparisons, though its scenario tools are generally lighter than platforms built for larger, multi-entity organizations.
Best for: Small businesses and bookkeepers who want a simple, visual forecast tied tightly to their existing accounting software.
3. Pulse
Pulse is a straightforward cash flow management app aimed at small business owners who may not have a finance background. It focuses on the essentials: tracking money in and out, flagging upcoming shortfalls, and giving a clear picture of available cash on any given day. Pulse trades away some of the deeper scenario modeling and multi-entity features found in enterprise-grade tools in exchange for simplicity and speed of setup, which makes it a good entry point for solo entrepreneurs and very small teams.
Best for: Solopreneurs and micro-businesses that want an easy day-to-day cash view without a lot of configuration.
4. Fathom
Fathom is better known as a financial reporting and analysis platform, but its forecasting module makes it a strong contender for teams that want cash flow projections bundled with broader business performance dashboards. It connects to major accounting platforms and can consolidate financials across multiple entities, producing management reports, KPI tracking, and forecasts in one place. Because it’s built around reporting first, Fathom tends to appeal to accountants and advisors managing forecasts for multiple clients rather than an in-house finance team focused purely on cash.
Best for: Accounting firms and advisors who want combined reporting and forecasting across several client businesses.
5. Cushion
Cushion is a forecasting tool designed with freelancers and independent contractors in mind, rather than larger companies. It helps irregular earners project income based on expected projects and invoices, set savings goals, and understand how much they can safely spend in a given month. It’s far lighter than the other tools on this list and doesn’t offer the multi-entity or ERP-level integrations that CFOs typically need, but for its target audience — freelancers managing lumpy, unpredictable income — it fills a real gap.
Best for: Freelancers and gig workers forecasting personal or single-entity income rather than complex business cash flow.
Choosing the Right Cash Flow Fit
The right tool depends heavily on scale. Solo freelancers are better served by something lightweight like Cushion, while small businesses often do well with Float or Pulse. But for companies managing multiple entities, complex payment terms, or board-level reporting requirements, platforms like Dryrun and Fathom offer the depth — live ERP integrations, unlimited scenario layers, and consolidated multi-entity views — that spreadsheets and simpler apps simply can’t match. Most of these platforms offer free trials, so the fastest way to find the right fit is to connect your own accounting data and see how each one handles your actual numbers.
