+44 (0) 208 058 7005 What's broken? Talk to us

Start typing to search...

1 Planning

Cube Software | UK Platform Assessment

Independent assessment of Cube. The spreadsheet-native FP&A platform for lean finance teams who need automation without enterprise complexity.

What is Cube?

Cube is a cloud-based FP&A platform founded around 2018 in New York, backed by venture capital including a Series B from Battery Ventures. It takes a spreadsheet-native approach, working directly inside both Excel and Google Sheets rather than replacing them. This dual spreadsheet support is unique in the FP&A platform category.

Pricing starts from roughly $1,250 per month on the Essentials tier, making it one of the most accessible dedicated FP&A tools on the market. Cube primarily serves small to midsize businesses, with 63% of G2 reviewers reporting company sizes of 1 to 50 employees. The platform includes AI capabilities for forecasting and variance analysis, and consistently ranks #1 on G2 for implementation speed and return on investment.

Spreadsheet-native

Works inside both Excel and Google Sheets. You keep your existing spreadsheet workflows and formulas while Cube handles the data layer, version control, and consolidation behind the scenes. Dual spreadsheet support is unique in the market.

Fastest implementation

1 to 2 weeks for first output. That is the fastest go-live in the FP&A platform category. Most teams are up and running before the free trial on other platforms would even expire.

AI-powered forecasting

Automated forecast generation, variance analysis, and trend identification. The AI capabilities help small teams punch above their weight without needing a data science function.

Centralised data

Single source of truth for financial data, eliminating version control headaches. No more emailing spreadsheets around or wondering which file is the latest version.

No-code setup

Finance teams configure the platform without IT involvement or custom development. If you can use a spreadsheet, you can set up Cube. No technical skills required.

Cost-effective entry point

Pricing from roughly $1,250 per month makes Cube accessible for small finance teams. Total first-year cost of £15–25K is the lowest of any dedicated FP&A platform.

Where Cube excels

Fastest implementation in the category

1 to 2 weeks to first value. No other dedicated FP&A platform gets you from sign-up to working output this quickly. For teams that need results now, not next quarter, this matters.

Both Excel and Google Sheets support

Unique in the market. Most spreadsheet-native platforms only support Excel. If your team uses Google Sheets, or a mix of both, Cube is one of very few options that works with your existing setup.

Excellent customer support and onboarding

Consistently praised in reviews. The onboarding experience is hands-on and responsive. For a small team implementing their first FP&A platform, this support makes a real difference.

Good for startups and SMBs consolidating data

If you are a growing company pulling financial data from multiple sources into spreadsheets manually, Cube solves that problem cleanly. It is built for exactly this use case.

No external consultants needed

Most teams set up and maintain Cube themselves. You do not need to budget for implementation consultants or ongoing admin support, which keeps total cost of ownership low.

G2 #1 for implementation speed and ROI

Top-ranked on G2 for both time to go-live and return on investment. For small teams watching their budget carefully, these rankings reflect genuine value for money.

Is Cube right for you?

Cube fills a specific gap in the market. Here is where it fits well and where it does not.

1

Best for

Lean finance teams, typically under 5 FP&A users, at small to midsize companies wanting their first step beyond manual spreadsheets. Companies with £5M to £100M revenue who need structure without complexity.

2

At its best when

You have a small finance team doing manual data consolidation across multiple spreadsheets, Google Sheets is part of your workflow, and speed to value is more important than deep modelling capability.

3

Consider alternatives if

You have more than 5 FP&A users or need features like headcount planning modules, multi-entity consolidation, or deep drill-down capabilities. As organisations scale, you may find Cube constraining: fewer admin licences, restricted custom dimensions, and simpler modelling.

4

Budget reality

Essentials from roughly $1,250 per month (about £15K per year). Enterprise tier is more but not publicly priced. Implementation costs are minimal since most teams self-implement. Total first-year cost of £15–25K is the lowest of any dedicated FP&A platform. The question is whether you will outgrow it quickly.

Bolt Blueprint evaluation

Our Blueprint helps determine whether a lightweight tool like Cube meets your current needs, or whether investing in a more scalable platform now avoids a painful migration later. If Cube is the right call, we can manage the rollout under our methodology.

Cube FAQs

How does Cube compare to Datarails?
Both target small to mid-market teams. Cube supports both Excel and Google Sheets while Datarails is Excel-only. Cube is slightly cheaper and faster to implement. Datarails has stronger AI capabilities (FP&A Genius) and more integrations. For very small teams, Cube is simpler. For teams that will grow, Datarails has more headroom.
Is Cube a serious FP&A platform?
For its target market, yes. Cube solves real problems for small finance teams drowning in spreadsheet chaos. It is not trying to compete with Anaplan or Planful for complex enterprise planning. Know what you are buying and why.
Will we outgrow Cube?
Likely, if you are growing. Cube works well for 1 to 5 FP&A users with straightforward planning needs. If you are scaling toward 10+ users, need headcount planning, or require complex multi-entity consolidation, you will hit limits. Plan for this possibility.
What does Cube cost?
Essentials from roughly $1,250 per month. Enterprise pricing is not public. Implementation is largely self-service, so professional services costs are minimal. Total first-year cost is typically £15–25K, making it the most affordable dedicated FP&A platform.
Should we start with Cube and migrate later?
It depends on your growth trajectory. If you are confident you will stay small for 2 to 3+ years, Cube delivers great value now. If you are growing rapidly, starting with Abacum or Planful avoids migration cost and disruption later. Our Blueprint helps you make this call.

Evaluating Cube?

Our Bolt Blueprint helps you decide whether a lightweight platform fits your trajectory, or whether investing in something more scalable now saves you a migration later.