# Forecast 5 Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is Forecast 5 the right Financial Reporting solution for you? Explore 20 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/163479/Forecast-5/reviews --- Forecast 5 3.8 (20) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/163479/Forecast-5/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Reviews of Forecast 5 Ease of use 3.5 Customer Service 4.0 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews TF TONY BRUCE F DirectorAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Forecast 5 is the essential software for me in dealing with restructures, finance and business recovery and expansion. As the outcomes are so good it represents great value for money, with the software covering its cost on its first use.“ December 15, 2024 EH Emma H DirectorAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “can be a bit clunky and slow when printing etc“ December 11, 2024 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-20 of 20 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use CP Camille P. Financial Controller Real Estate Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Forecast 5 Review" May 8, 2019 4.0 Consolidation of all company budgets and connecting excel data to feed into Forecast 5 for sensitivity scenarios. Pros Consolidation was the most important. Also the ability to drill down to low level account budgets and to condense into high level account budgets. Cons Very complex with adding some of the data and not being able to move line items between sections. Alternatives considered [Futrli](https://www.capterra.com/p/169761/FUTRLI/)[Spotlight Reporting](https://www.capterra.com/p/159553/Spotlight-Reporting/)[SAP Business One](https://www.capterra.com/p/214667/SAP-Business-One/)[Fathom](https://www.capterra.com/p/136476/Fathom/) Reason for choosing Forecast 5 Consolidation Review Source TBF TONY BRUCE F. Director Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Forecast 5 interaction with KTS Chartered Accountants" December 15, 2024 5.0 Forecast 5 is the essential software for me in dealing with restructures, finance and business recovery and expansion. As the outcomes are so good it represents great value for money, with the software covering its cost on its first use. Pros The preparation time is short with a great outcome of reports for not much investment of time. I have never had a finance application declined when I have used forecast 5 projections for, with most banks or finance brokers commenting on how excellent the system captures the whole company dynamic rather than the simple 12-month spreadsheet some people use. The other great thing is being able to run the what ifs for use with clients to see what a change would likely make to their business function. Cons I am yet to come across any weakness in the software itself, with the only area being its reporting, having to export into excel to produce a more polished outcome. Switched from [Microsoft Excel](https://www.capterra.com/p/176574/Excel/) the other system was an English geared product and was not suited to the NZ business environment, simple things like calling GST VAT was annoying. It also could not handle our KiwiSaver rules. Review Source Response from Forecast 5 December 31, 2024 Thank You PC Paul C. Accountant Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review" May 1, 2019 3.0 Cashflows. I probably don't use it enough. It would be good if it was online. Pros profit and loss and balance sheet fit together easily Cons Quite clunky and slow. Tends to crash often. Needs standard templates. Printing multiple reports at once in the correct format doesn't appear to be possible. Review Source LP Lloyd P. CFO Fishery Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Would I recommend Forecast 5 - Most definitely" January 16, 2025 4.0 Overall F5 is a great product, can always be small improvements but certainly a lot more reliable than trying to do a forecast in Excel - plus you know that the links between P&L, balance sheet and cash flow are solid. Pros Very flexible and great for doing what-if scenarios and is easy to extend into future years and apply percentage increase/decreases on a line or group basis. Love the hot link to Excel. Cons Two things - would be great to be cloud based and also for report layout to be remembered when switching between report tabs. Alternatives considered [Xero](https://www.capterra.com/p/120109/Xero/) Reason for choosing Forecast 5 Functionality, reports and features were all reasons why F5 won over other options. Review Source Response from Forecast 5 January 18, 2025 Thanks Lloyd - cloud is WIP and close this quarter Q1 2025we hope re layout will log that TO Tracey O. Finance and Admin Manager Wholesale Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Happy long term user" December 15, 2024 5.0 Great! Updates are easy, support have always been helpful if needed, but that's not very often. Pros Forecast 5 allows us to easily forecast our P & L, Cashflow and Balance Sheet and keep these up to date with our monthly actuals. We have used it for many years and no doubt will continue to do so for many more. Cons No cons as I've never found another package that cost effectively does everything Forecast 5 does. Alternatives considered [Microsoft Excel](https://www.capterra.com/p/176574/Excel/) Reason for choosing Forecast 5 It does what we need it to do, simply and cost effectively. Review Source Response from Forecast 5 December 31, 2024 thank you TD Tanya D. Finance Administrator Consumer Goods Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Forecast 5 Review " May 3, 2019 4.0 While we have had some issues in setting up the program in order to have it mimic our accounting system, the ability to generate additional reports for the bank was great. Setting up a forecast for future years proved difficult and again required assistance and a lot of time, something we thought when we purchased would have been an easy task, for which we purchased it. Pros The ease of reporting, having multiple reports produced at the click of one button & having them export into a file which is easy to format or make additional comments if required. One touch reporting made it easy & clear to read the data for all users. Cons We are continually asking for assistance to find that new development needs to happen to allow us to do what we need to do, for example, we needed to have the ability to have transactions entered that didn't affect the bank statement as the system works via the bank statements, so the ability to create journal transactions had to be created. Things aren't always clear, and we had many phone calls and emails back and forth with support relating to the cash bank balance. Forecast 5 set up required a lot more time & effort than we were probably lead to believe. Alternatives considered [MYOB Business](https://www.capterra.com/p/183867/MYOB-Business/) Reason for choosing Forecast 5 Our Accountants assisted with the decision making process, so it made sense that as it was a product they had used before we would be able to ask for assistance if we required, and we knew the reports were in formats that they wanted to see Review Source MR Matthew R. CFO Printing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Powerful Integrated Financial Modeling" April 28, 2019 4.0 The Forecast 5 software was being used by our corporate accounting and auditing firm. The software is also recognised by our banking institution, and it allows us to provide financial forecasts to both on a regular basis. Pros Customised formulas - powerful Fully Linked Profit & Loss - Balance Sheet - Cash Flow Linking to external spreadsheets to import live data and have it interact with the results Cons Network-ability Setup complications Operating documentation Slow recalculations Restricted reporting formats Review Source SS Sandra S. Sandra Scholtz Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review Forecast 5" April 25, 2019 4.0 We are using Forecast 5 to do budgets and forecasts for our clients, both for income and cash flow purposes. Hence, there is better control over spending and opportunities to monitor revenue, so no surprises at the end of the year - hence putting control in their hands. Pros It is one of the simplest budgeting and forecasting software products I have used and compare favourably with other budgeting software like TM1. It also offers a trail which enable clients to use the software before making a financial commitment. It also enables you to create visuals to share with clients, rather than just straight data. Cons In contrast to other tools, Forecast5 does not produce a produce that goes beyond forecasting. Review Source AS Ashley S. Group Accountant Financial Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "forecast 5 review" April 25, 2019 4.0 I think the ability to tweak budgets and forecasts quickly, knowing that the add throughs work is a bonus. Pros The integration of Profit and Loss, Cash Flow and Balance Sheet reporting that is generated. Also the number of different ways the variable parameters could be puit in place for different income and expense categories. Cons So far as a new user getting the depreciation to work properly for Dimishing Value deprecaition on assets is proving a challenge and an opportunity Review Source SM Shane M. General Manager Food Production Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great support" May 8, 2019 5.0 Made it easier for our business Pros So easy to use even for the non-Accountant with lots of functionality. What impresses me most is both the support received and that they continue to develop it in collaboration with their customers. Cons Still workons like cloud based which I understand they are currently working on Review Source SG Stephen G. Finance Manager International Trade and Development Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Forecast 5" January 5, 2025 4.0 Very positive. System is quite intuitive and support always on hand if required. Pros The ability to easily and rapidly consolidate multiple budgets. Budget worksheets are fairly quick to construct and amend. Cons An ability to update directly from excel into the Forecast 5 worksheets would be ideal. Review Source Response from Forecast 5 January 7, 2025 thank you Stephen for your positive review Please contact support for process to import Excel to Forecast 5 hopefully that will solve your concern jP janine P. general manager Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "forecast 5" December 16, 2024 4.0 generally very good, good product, very helpful staff, and good support if needed Pros flexibility is pretty good, and reports are generally what i need, or easy to manipulate Cons the automatic data save function - hate it Review Source Response from Forecast 5 December 31, 2024 thank you EH Emma H. Director Accounting Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Forecast 5 Review" December 11, 2024 4.0 i love using this product for clients who need forecasts for the bank as once its all entered and set up you can easily change parts and quickly get a summarised overview Pros Easy to enter and edit for great overall picture of cashflow & taxable profit Cons can be a bit clunky and slow when printing etc Review Source AL Andrew L. Head of Finance Education Management Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Fix All Those Spreadsheet Budget Problems..." April 25, 2019 4.0 Pros As a previous user of WinForecast I had not found a cost effective alternative that came anywhere near to its ease and flexibility until I found Forecast5 (F5). It is easy to use, quick to pick up and flexible in how you use it so it can quickly replace the old spreadsheets and guarantee your PL, BS & CF always reconcile with no errors and imbalances. Moving over from the old WinForecast forecast model proved straight forward. The instructions on line are basic, but sufficient to get you going and the support from the F5 and their UK representative has been great - quick accurate and to the point. As is the case of a lot of software you can end up only using a fraction of its capability as you were not aware of all that could be done so. To help get the best out of your investment there are real-time online training classes covering basic and advanced techniques and F5 have just launched access to on-demand online training that updates as the product updates. Cons The interface is a little old fashioned and reporting can be limited plus it would be great if it was easier to share occasional access with my Finance and management team more cost effectively and without configuring shared file or network access. I understand that a cloud based version is coming which should take F5 to a new level and cover these issues. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer CFO Financial Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Avoid the errors!" April 27, 2019 4.0 Providing differing scenarios for various business cases. Pros Integration of financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow etc) without the issues inherent in spreadsheet-based models. Cons Relatively expensive for what in small companies may get limited and sometimes only annual use. Review Source PC Peter C. CFO Telecommunications Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Strong budgeting tool" May 1, 2019 3.0 Great to be able to update changes to Budgets / Forecasts quickly, giving you an instant view of outcomes. Pros 'What if' scenario forecasting is great Cons I'd like to see functions that: - Allow you to group your forecasts into folders, so you can separate the different years, otherwise you're trolling through forecasts to open the one you're looking for. - Allow the formulas to be kept after exporting to excel; Currently the numbers get hard coded in to excel - Export directly into Xero. That would be hugely beneficial. - Be able to export individual details within salary groups Review Source AG Aldona G. Finance & operations manager Retail Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Mountain jade " April 25, 2019 3.0 Ones you know how to use it it's very helpful with planing being able to look at different options and see the possible outcome. Very helpful with projecting cash flow. Pros It was big step up to using spreadsheets. Being able to consolidate separate budgets is a big advatage Cons Lately had few issues and had to come up with solution on my own. Not being able to just undo one month of actual data. Review Source DT David T. CEO Computer Software Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Too many issues, lack of some basic features, and really poor support " May 1, 2019 1.0 Has a lot of p\[otential but too many issues not enough support. Pros It is fairly easy to set up, and use and generating reports is good( ish) Cons Crap support! They always ask for moneyfirst to discuss a problem. Always blame you for the problem. No manuals or online help - for the casual user like myself that uses it to plan departmental budgets remembering the training is hard work. Some of the querks are frustrating like not being able to set a mid year slary increase. The other major issue with this is I can't roll up common expendature like travel, for each departments as a single view ! I have to buy more software for that Review Source GW Grant W. Accountant Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "GW Review" May 1, 2019 4.0 Future cashflow needs for bank financing Pros Very easy to use but you must follow a set procedure t get a correct model Assumptions such as days to pay invoices and payables are very important Cons Have had some issues entering starting balances. Cannot enter more than 2 decimal places. Had some issues with calculations with debtor finance...wasn't certain the model was calculating correctly. However relatively easy to test. Review Source BG Brian G. Accountant Wine and Spirits Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "BJG" April 25, 2019 3.0 Not operating yet as desired but largely due to lack of time spent on the product Pros Download from Xero Able to forecast Balance Sheets Cons Not easy to get training, expensive for training and annual charges Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Related categories [Budgeting](https://www.capterra.com/budgeting-software/)[Financial Reporting](https://www.capterra.com/financial-reporting-software/) ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.