# Planful vs Spotlight Reporting Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Planful excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to Spotlight Reporting. Users appreciate its flexibility and scalability, noting that it handles complex planning formulas effectively, which is a huge plus for businesses with diverse needs.
- **Users say** that Spotlight Reporting shines in its ease of implementation and integration, particularly with Xero. Reviewers highlight the seamless onboarding process, which ensures that teams are well-equipped to utilize the software fully, making it a great choice for small businesses looking for quick setup.
- **According to verified reviews** , Planful offers a wide range of customization options, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their unique requirements. Users have praised the ease of creating reports and making quick changes, which enhances day-to-day usability.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Spotlight Reporting provides excellent customer support, Planful also receives positive feedback for its support quality. However, users have noted that Planful's support may not be as responsive as Spotlight's, which is often highlighted for its quick customer service.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that Spotlight Reporting is particularly effective for consolidation and budget creation, with users appreciating its ability to generate management reports with just a click. This feature is especially beneficial for small businesses that require straightforward reporting solutions.
- **Users report** that Planful's setup process can be more challenging compared to Spotlight Reporting, which has a higher ease of setup rating. This can be a consideration for teams looking for a more intuitive onboarding experience, as Spotlight's users have expressed satisfaction with its straightforward implementation process.



| | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 501 | 24 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (49.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (62.5% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | $35.00 1 Organization Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Planful

Pros:
- Ease of Use (48 reviews)
- Reporting (29 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (17 reviews)
- Learning Difficulty (17 reviews)

### Spotlight Reporting

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.4 (335 reviews) | 8.7 (21 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.1 (376 reviews) | 8.8 (21 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.3 (265 reviews) | 9.0 (12 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.0 (218 reviews) | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.3 (324 reviews) | 9.3 (21 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (215 reviews) | 10.0 (12 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.1 (320 reviews) | 9.4 (20 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Planful

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Spotlight Reporting

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Business

Price: $35.00 1 Organization Per Month

Description: Built for owners and CFOs in business and not-for-profits.


Key Features:
- Reporting, Forecasting & Dashboards for your business.
- Access to a recorded suite of training webinars.
- Online support.

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/spotlight-reporting/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Budgeting and Forecasting

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | 7.5/10 | 115 |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | 8.6/10 | 11 |

#### Budget Creation

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Import** | 8.3 (106 reviews) | 9.5 (11 reviews) | 
| **Budget Hierarchies** | 8.3 (105 reviews) | 8.3 (8 reviews) | 
| **Versioning** | 8.0 (101 reviews) | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 
| **Formulas** | 7.8 (105 reviews) | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 
| **What-If** | 7.3 (86 reviews) | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 
| **Budget Periods** | 8.5 (98 reviews) | 9.0 (10 reviews) | 

#### Budget Management

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Consolidation** | 8.4 (95 reviews) | 9.5 (10 reviews) | 
| **Adjustments** | 8.1 (91 reviews) | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 
| **Workflows** | 7.4 (87 reviews) | 8.3 (8 reviews) | 

#### Forecasting

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Historical Data** | 8.5 (106 reviews) | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 
| **Reforecast** | 8.3 (98 reviews) | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 
| **Forecast Types** | 8.2 (95 reviews) | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 
| **Rolling Forecasts** | 8.3 (93 reviews) | 8.1 (8 reviews) | 
| **AI** | 6.0 (55 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Analytics

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Variance Analysis** | 8.3 (101 reviews) | 8.7 (10 reviews) | 
| **Forecasts Comparison** | 8.4 (100 reviews) | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 
| **Forward Looking** | 7.9 (90 reviews) | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Budgeting and Forecasting

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Natural Language Interaction** | 4.9 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 4.8 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | 5.1 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Financial Analysis

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | N/A | N/A |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | 8.9/10 | 17 |

#### Data Management

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Import** | Not enough data | 9.1 (17 reviews) | 
| **Data Consolidation** | Not enough data | 9.3 (16 reviews) | 
| **Data Validation** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Reporting Structure

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reporting Hierarchy** | Not enough data | 8.8 (12 reviews) | 
| **Report Templates** | Not enough data | 8.8 (16 reviews) | 
| **Report Types** | Not enough data | 8.6 (16 reviews) | 

#### Standard Analytics

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Standard KPIs** | Not enough data | 8.3 (14 reviews) | 
| **Standard Reports** | Not enough data | 9.0 (16 reviews) | 
| **Financial Statements** | Not enough data | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 
| **Drill Down** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Custom Analytics

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Dashboards** | Not enough data | 8.7 (13 reviews) | 
| **Custom KPIs** | Not enough data | 9.0 (13 reviews) | 
| **Custom Reports** | Not enough data | 9.2 (17 reviews) | 
| **Self Service** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Multiple Entities** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Financial Analysis

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Cash Flow Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | N/A | N/A |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | 9.3/10 | 8 |

#### Cash Flow Management

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Exports** | Not enough data | 9.4 (6 reviews) | 
| **Income and Expenses** | Not enough data | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Track Cash Flow** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Cash Flow Forecasting

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Historical Data** | Not enough data | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 
| **Reforecast** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Forecast Types** | Not enough data | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Rolling Forecasts** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analytics

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Variance Analysis** | Not enough data | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 
| **Reports** | Not enough data | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 
| **Forecast Comparison** | Not enough data | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Forward Looking** | Not enough data | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 

#### Financial Data Transfer

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Transfer** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 9.7 (6 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 
| **Access** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Integration** | Not enough data | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI -  Cash Flow Management

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Financial Close

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | 7.2/10 | 83 |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | N/A | N/A |

#### Reconciliation

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Consolidation** | 8.3 (70 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Management** | 8.5 (69 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Accounting** | 7.7 (61 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

#### Reporting

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Report Types** | 8.9 (79 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Standard** | 8.6 (73 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Custom** | 8.9 (76 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

#### Closing Process

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Audit** | 7.7 (61 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Journal Entries** | 7.3 (59 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Distribution** | 8.1 (68 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

#### AI - Financial Close

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 4.6 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | 5.6 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Reconciliation** | 4.8 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Collection** | 5.6 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Analysis** | 6.5 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | 7.5/10 | 163 |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | 8.9/10 | 14 |

#### Financial Planning

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Extended Planning** | 7.8 (55 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | 8.8 (64 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (10 reviews) | 
| **Integration** | 8.1 (64 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.1 (11 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) 

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | 4.6 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | 5.2 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Financial Insight

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Budgeting** | 8.4 (151 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.7 (14 reviews) | 
| **Forecasting** | 8.3 (148 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.6 (14 reviews) | 
| **Planning** | 8.2 (148 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.6 (12 reviews) | 

#### Data

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Visualization** | 6.7 (125 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 
| **Data Analysis** | 7.6 (135 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.4 (13 reviews) | 
| **Custom Reporting** | 8.1 (152 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (14 reviews) | 
| **Reporting Templates** | 7.7 (142 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 

#### Status Communication

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Collaboration** | 7.2 (106 reviews) ✓ Verified | Feature Not Available | 
| **Version Control** | 8.2 (116 reviews) ✓ Verified | Feature Not Available | 
| **Real-Time Data Updates** | 8.0 (112 reviews) ✓ Verified | Feature Not Available | 
| **Scorecards** | 6.6 (82 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 

### Marketing Resource Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | N/A | N/A |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Marketing Resource Management

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Accounting & Finance

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Planful** | N/A | N/A |
| **Spotlight Reporting** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Accounting & Finance

| Feature | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Budgeting and Forecasting Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/budgeting-and-forecasting), [FP&A Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/fp-a-financial-planning-analysis)

**Unique to Planful (2):** [Financial Close Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/financial-close), [Marketing Resource Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/marketing-resource-management)

**Unique to Spotlight Reporting (2):** [Cash Flow Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cash-flow-management), [Financial Analysis Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/financial-analysis)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Planful | Spotlight Reporting | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 6.2% | 62.5% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 49.0% | 20.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 44.8% | 16.7% | 

### By Industry

#### Planful

- **Computer Software:** 8.4%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 5.2%
- **Accounting:** 4.4%
- **Insurance:** 4.4%
- **Financial Services:** 4.2%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 3.8%
- **Biotechnology:** 2.7%
- **Food & Beverages:** 2.7%
- **Internet:** 2.7%
- **Medical Devices:** 2.7%
- **Other:** 58.8%

#### Spotlight Reporting

- **Accounting:** 62.5%
- **Real Estate:** 8.3%
- **Financial Services:** 8.3%
- **Media Production:** 4.2%
- **Management Consulting:** 4.2%
- **Investment Management:** 4.2%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 4.2%
- **Computer Software:** 4.2%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Planful

- [Vena](https://www.g2.com/products/vena/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (476 reviews)
- [Anaplan](https://www.g2.com/products/anaplan/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (461 reviews)
- [Datarails](https://www.g2.com/products/datarails/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (355 reviews)
- [Board](https://www.g2.com/products/board/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (318 reviews)
- [Prophix Software](https://www.g2.com/products/prophix-software/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (219 reviews)
- [OneStream - Unified EPM](https://www.g2.com/products/onestream-unified-epm/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (160 reviews)
- [Cube](https://www.g2.com/products/cube-2025-12-17/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (136 reviews)
- [Pigment](https://www.g2.com/products/pigment-2024-01-19/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (106 reviews)
- [Workday Adaptive Planning](https://www.g2.com/products/workday-adaptive-planning/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (307 reviews)
- [Solver](https://www.g2.com/products/solver/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (266 reviews)

### Alternatives to Spotlight Reporting

- [Fathom](https://www.g2.com/products/fathom/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (94 reviews)
- [Syft](https://www.g2.com/products/syft-analytics-syft/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (76 reviews)
- [Datarails](https://www.g2.com/products/datarails/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (355 reviews)
- [Vena](https://www.g2.com/products/vena/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (476 reviews)
- [Workiva](https://www.g2.com/products/workiva-workiva/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2149 reviews)
- [Anaplan](https://www.g2.com/products/anaplan/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (461 reviews)
- [BILL AP/AR](https://www.g2.com/products/bill-ap-ar/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1807 reviews)
- [SAP Analytics Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-analytics-cloud/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (911 reviews)
- [SAS Viya](https://www.g2.com/products/sas-sas-viya/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (800 reviews)
- [Billtrust](https://www.g2.com/products/billtrust/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (507 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Planful

- Title: [How can I use the database from Planful direct to Power Bi? Is there this possibility, today?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/30800-how-can-i-use-the-database-from-planful-direct-to-power-bi-is-there-this-possibility-today) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You could try to complement it with Power BI custom visuals that are build for planning like..."

### Spotlight Reporting

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/planful-vs-spotlight-reporting)