Float

Float is a cash-flow forecasting tool for finance teams using Xero or QuickBooks Online. It is strongest for teams that need to plan with accounting data and share assumptions; it is a poor fit if direct bank feeds or mobile apps are essential.

Its combination of near-term visibility, longer-range forecasts and scenario planning makes it useful for growing businesses, though the accounting-platform dependency shapes what data it can use and how quickly it refreshes.

Overview

Float turns accounting-platform data into rolling cash-flow forecasts. Weekly and 13-week views help with near-term planning, while monthly forecasts can extend as far as three years on the higher plans. Invoices and bills appear with expected payment dates based on when clients actually pay, helping teams account for timing rather than relying only on headline balances.

Float currently connects to Xero and QuickBooks Online; a direct Sage Intacct connection is coming soon. It does not connect directly to banks, instead retrieving bank transactions through the accounting platform. Data syncs every 24 hours, with a manual sync option. That approach keeps the workflow tied to accounting records, but teams that need direct bank feeds or fresher automatic updates should look elsewhere.

Key features

Forecasts and scenarios

Users can toggle income and costs, build what-if scenarios and price prospective hires before committing. Eight scenarios are included across the plans described, giving teams room to compare alternatives but imposing a ceiling on how many cases they can keep in play.

Essentials limits monthly forecasts to 12 months; Growth and Scale extend them to 36 months. The shorter horizon can suit businesses focused on the next year, while teams planning further out must step up to Growth or Scale.

Collaboration and controls

Comments can be attached to budget lines, invoices, bills or payments, and users can tag teammates who receive mention notifications. Admin, Editor and Viewer roles help distinguish who can manage, change or review forecasts. Two-factor authentication is mandatory for Xero users and strongly recommended for all customers; security measures include encryption in transit and at rest, multi-factor authentication, role-based access and independent auditing to the UK government-backed Cyber Essentials standard.

Pricing

Float is paid software, with no free plan and a 14-day trial. All listed plans include unlimited users, eight scenarios and a 13-week cash-flow view. Essentials is for businesses below £2m revenue: $105 a month billed annually or $130 a month billed monthly, with forecasts up to 12 months. It is the lower-cost choice for shorter planning horizons, but gives up the three-year view.

Growth is for businesses over £2m revenue and a single entity. It costs $215 a month billed annually or $265 a month billed monthly, and extends forecasts to 36 months. That added horizon is the principal reason to pay more than Essentials.

Scale is for multiple entities and adds multi-entity consolidation and priority support with a named contact, while retaining Growth inclusions. It costs $315 a month billed annually or $389 a month billed monthly. It is the relevant tier for groups needing consolidated planning and a dedicated contact; single-entity teams do not get those specific benefits from the upgrade.

Annual billing lowers the monthly rate on each tier, while monthly billing costs more per month. The 14-day trial offers a short evaluation period, but there is no free tier for continued use.

Platforms

Float runs on the web. Teams looking for native Android, iOS or desktop apps will need another option.

Who it's for

Float is aimed at growing finance teams that plan around Xero or QuickBooks Online data, and also serves accountants, bookkeepers and fractional finance leaders advising clients. Its collaboration tools and role-based access suit shared forecasting; its forecast horizons fit teams whose planning needs range from one year to three. Businesses reliant on direct bank connections, other accounting platforms today, or mobile access are less well served.

Pros and cons

Pros: Weekly and 13-week views pair with monthly forecasts of up to 36 months on Growth and Scale, supporting both near-term and longer-range planning.

Pros: Scenario modeling, hire costing and payment timing provide practical ways to test cash-flow assumptions before acting.

Pros: Comments, teammate mentions and three access roles make forecast work easier to coordinate across a finance team.

Cons: Only Xero and QuickBooks Online currently connect; bank transactions flow through those systems rather than direct bank feeds.

Cons: The 24-hour automatic sync may not suit teams that need more current data, though manual sync is available.

Cons: Essentials stops at 12 months, and every plan caps included scenarios at eight.

Cons: Web is the only platform, and there is no free plan after the 14-day trial.

Alternatives

For broader category comparisons, see Liquidity Management Software, Cash Forecasting Software, Cash Flow Management Software, Financial Forecasting Software and Scenario Planning Software.

TIS CashOptix is another paid option with web, Android, iOS and API platforms. Agicap may suit readers comparing paid, trial-enabled software across web, mobile and API platforms; its subscription has a 12-month minimum and custom pricing. FinanceOS Treasury & Liquidity is a web-based paid option with commercial scope discussed directly. Kyriba offers paid software across web, mobile and API platforms, with custom pricing.

Cash Flow Frog is worth comparing for a lower-priced alternative: its Pro Plan is $55 a month, with a 36-month forecast and up to 10 users for businesses up to $1M annual revenue. Cashfac Liquidity Management is a paid option spanning web, API and self-hosted platforms, offered as a custom solution. Dryrun may appeal to teams comparing paid web software; its Essentials plan is $99 a month. Fennech Treasury Intelligence is another paid web-based option.

Verdict

Choose Float if your finance team works in Xero or QuickBooks Online and needs shared cash forecasts, scenario testing and a clear path from short-range planning to a 36-month view. Its accounting-platform dependence and lack of direct bank feeds are the main reasons to look elsewhere; the monthly sync cadence and web-only access also rule it out for some teams.