Best Cash Flow Forecasting Software: 10 Tools

Plenty of profitable businesses still run short of cash. Customers settle invoices late, a big supplier bill lands early and suddenly payroll week feels tight. A forecast turns that surprise into something you saw coming.

The ten tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, almost all from smaller, specialist providers. Each description comes from the tool's own site, read this week. For the bigger picture, see why your business needs better financial forecasting.

Cash flow forecasting tools at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes free use or a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Agicap	Cash management	Growing companies with several accounts	Trial only
Brixx	Forecasting and modelling	Simple plans without spreadsheets	Yes
Calxa	Forecasting and reporting	Not-for-profits and accountants	Trial only
Cash Flow Frog	Cash flow forecasting	Quick forecasts from your books	Trial only
Dryrun	Cash flow forecasting	Modelling cash timing and scenarios	No
Fathom	Reporting and forecasting	Accountants advising clients	Trial only
Float	Cash flow forecasting	Short-term cash planning	Trial only
Jirav	Forecasting software	Firms offering advisory services	No
LivePlan	Business planning	Plans linked to real results	No
Pulse	Simple cash flow tool	Knowing your cash in two weeks	Trial only

Ten cash flow forecasting tools

Agicap

Best for: Growing companies that want cash flow tracking and forecasting in one platform instead of a weekly spreadsheet.

Brixx

Best for: Founders and small business owners who want forecasts, plans and scenarios built in minutes without wrestling with spreadsheets.

Calxa

Best for: Not-for-profits and accountants who want automated business insights, forecasts and reports instead of manual spreadsheets.

Cash Flow Frog

Best for: Small business owners who want a cash flow forecast built from their accounting data in minutes, with no manual entry.

Dryrun

Best for: Finance leads who want control over real-world cash timing, scenario models and clear outlooks for leadership.

Fathom

Best for: Accountants and bookkeepers who want forecasts and management reports for clients, connected to Xero or MYOB.

Float

Best for: Small businesses and their advisers who want a short-term cash flow forecast the whole team can trust and update.

Jirav

Best for: Accounting firms adding advisory services and growing companies that want budgeting and forecasting in one system.

LivePlan

Best for: Owners writing a business plan who want forecasts and performance tracking kept together once the plan is live.

Pulse

Best for: Owner-managers who want a simple view of cash coming in and going out over the next few weeks.

What your books can't tell you

Here's the gap a forecast fills. The SBA says cash accounting shows cash flow clearly and is easier to understand, but limits predictive value and gives less long-term clarity.

Your books tell you what happened. A forecasting tool adds the bit cash accounting can't, which is what your bank balance is likely to look like in the weeks ahead.

Short-term cash or longer-term planning?

Short-term cash tools look at the next few weeks or months, often day by day, so you can time supplier runs and chase invoices. Planning tools look further ahead, with scenarios for hiring, new products or slower months.

Most small businesses need the short-term view first. Add longer-term planning once the weekly cash picture is under control.

Building your first forecast

1. Connect your accounting software so actuals flow in automatically.
2. Add regular commitments such as rent, payroll and loan repayments.
3. Set realistic payment times for your customers, not the invoice terms.
4. Add any big one-off items you already know about.
5. Create a cautious scenario with slower payments.
6. Review and update the forecast every week.

Features worth having

• Accounting connections. Bring actuals in automatically.
• Scenarios. Compare a normal month with a slow one.
• Bank feeds. See today's real balance next to the forecast.
• Shareable reports. Show your bank or investors a clear view.

When to bring in your accountant

If your forecast shows a shortfall, talk to your accountant early. They can help you plan options such as changing supplier terms, chasing debtors harder or arranging finance before you need it, when you still have choices.

Seasonal businesses

If your sales rise and fall with the seasons, a forecast is even more important. Build in the quiet months, plan stock purchases ahead of busy periods and keep a cushion for the gap between buying stock and customers settling their invoices.

Mistakes that make forecasts useless

The biggest mistake is building a forecast once and never touching it again. The second is being too optimistic: it's tempting to assume every customer pays on time and every deal closes. Don't do it. Use what's really happened over the last few months as your starting point, and add a cautious scenario you'd be comfortable planning around. If the cautious version still looks fine, you can relax. If it doesn't, you've spotted the problem early, while there's still time to act.

Do you make cash flow forecasting software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on cash flow forecasting

Forecast weekly, not yearly. A forecast you update every Monday is worth far more than a detailed annual plan nobody opens. The habit matters more than the tool.

Be honest about when customers pay. Use the dates they really pay on, not the dates on your invoices. That one change makes most forecasts far more accurate. If late payers are the problem, my guide on how to invoice a customer correctly helps you shorten the wait for customers to settle up.

Frequently asked questions

What is cash flow forecasting software?

It's software that predicts your future bank balance using your accounting data, regular commitments and expected payments.

Is there free cash flow forecasting software?

Some tools on this list describe free use, while most offer free trials. Check the table.

Why isn't my accounting software enough?

The SBA says cash accounting shows cash flow clearly but limits predictive value, which is the gap a forecast fills.

How far ahead should I forecast?

Start with the next thirteen weeks, then add a longer view once the short-term forecast is reliable.

Can my accountant use these tools for me?

Yes. Several tools on this list are built for accountants who prepare forecasts and reports for clients.

How often should I update a cash flow forecast?

Weekly is ideal for most small businesses, especially when cash is tight.