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Business Intelligence · head to head

Anaplan vs Klipfolio

Anaplan logo

Anaplan

Business Intelligence

Connected planning platform with an in-memory calculation engine for large multidimensional models

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Klipfolio logo

Klipfolio

Business Intelligence

Dashboard and reporting for teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Klipfolio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Anaplan workspace is licensed by memory consumed, so a model that grows as the business adds SKUs, regions or scenarios generates a bill increase without a single new user being added, and teams end up optimising models for licence cost rather than clarity.; Klipfolio requires Formula knowledge for complex data transformations
  • They diverge on capability: Anaplan covers Hyperblock calculation engine, Klipfolio covers Pre-built Metrics.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anaplan and Klipfolio actually diverge.

Attributes where Anaplan and Klipfolio differ
AttributeAnaplanKlipfolio
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOSWeb, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2001

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Business Intelligence).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Anaplan

  • Hyperblock calculation engine
  • Connected planning
  • Scenario and versioning
  • Model builder
  • Anaplan PlanIQ
  • Workflow and approvals
  • Application lifecycle management
  • Data integration

Only in Klipfolio

  • Pre-built Metrics
  • Real-time Data
  • Custom Visualizations
  • Data Modeling
  • TV Display
  • Google Analytics
  • HubSpot
  • Salesforce

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Anaplan

  • Sales territory and quota planning across thousands of reps where a change to segmentation must reflow quota immediatelynot Klipfolio
  • Demand and supply planning at SKU and location level for a manufacturer with tens of thousands of itemsnot Klipfolio
  • Workforce planning that ties headcount, cost and capacity to a revenue plan across dozens of business unitsnot Klipfolio
  • Replacing a spreadsheet estate where the master planning model has become too large and too fragile for Excel to open reliablynot Klipfolio

Klipfolio

  • KPI monitoringnot Anaplan
  • Real-time dashboardsnot Anaplan
  • TV dashboardsnot Anaplan
  • Team metricsnot Anaplan
  • Client reportingnot Anaplan

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Anaplan

  • Workspace is licensed by memory consumed, so a model that grows as the business adds SKUs, regions or scenarios generates a bill increase without a single new user being added, and teams end up optimising models for licence cost rather than clarity.
  • Model building requires certified Anaplan modellers using a proprietary formula language, and the labour market for that skill is small, so most customers stay dependent on a systems integrator long after go-live.
  • Thoma Bravo took the company private in 2022 in a $10.7bn deal, and customers have since reported firmer renewal terms; a private-equity owner optimising for cash flow is a real factor in a multi-year planning contract.
  • Native reporting and visualisation are weak for anything beyond planning grids, so most customers push data out to Power BI or Tableau for executive reporting, adding another tool and another latency point.
  • Implementations are long. A connected planning programme across finance and supply chain routinely runs six to eighteen months before the first production plan, which is difficult to justify when the business wants a forecast this quarter.

Klipfolio

  • Requires Formula knowledge for complex data transformations
  • Dashboard setup is time-consuming with each widget built individually
  • Performance slows with very large datasets or intricate dashboard complexity

Pricing, plan by plan

Anaplan

On request
  • Anaplan$undefined/year
    • Licensed by user tier and by workspace capacity
    • Workspace charged on memory consumed by models, independent of user count
    • Multi-year enterprise agreements are the norm

Klipfolio

Free
  • PowerMetrics FreeFree
    • 3 users
    • 250 metric instances
    • Limited data sources
  • Klips Starter$90/month
    • 1-5 dashboards
    • Limited data sources
    • Basic customization
  • Klips Professional$350/month
    • Unlimited dashboards
    • All data connectors
    • Advanced formulas

Which should you pick?

Choose Anaplan if

  • You need hyperblock calculation engine.
  • You work on Web, iOS.
  • You also want connected planning.
Anaplan review

Choose Klipfolio if

  • You need pre-built metrics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time data.
Klipfolio review

Questions people ask

Is Anaplan or Klipfolio better?
Neither clearly leads. Anaplan starts at On request and Klipfolio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anaplan or Klipfolio?
Klipfolio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Anaplan and Free for Klipfolio.
Does Anaplan or Klipfolio run on more platforms?
Anaplan runs on Web, iOS. Klipfolio runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Klipfolio for free?
Yes. Klipfolio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Anaplan starts at On request.
What is Anaplan best used for?
Anaplan is most often used for sales territory and quota planning across thousands of reps where a change to segmentation must reflow quota immediately, demand and supply planning at sku and location level for a manufacturer with tens of thousands of items, workforce planning that ties headcount, cost and capacity to a revenue plan across dozens of business units, replacing a spreadsheet estate where the master planning model has become too large and too fragile for excel to open reliably. Of those, sales territory and quota planning across thousands of reps where a change to segmentation must reflow quota immediately and demand and supply planning at sku and location level for a manufacturer with tens of thousands of items are not what Klipfolio is typically brought in for.
What can Anaplan do that Klipfolio cannot?
Anaplan covers Hyperblock calculation engine, Connected planning, Scenario and versioning, Model builder. Klipfolio covers Pre-built Metrics, Real-time Data, Custom Visualizations, Data Modeling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Anaplan: Why is Anaplan expensive even when user counts are low?

Because workspace is licensed on the memory your models consume as well as on users. Large models cost money regardless of how many people log in.

Klipfolio: What is Klipfolio's pricing model?

Klipfolio offers two products: Klips (original dashboard builder) starting at $90/month, and PowerMetrics (metrics-focused) with a free plan for up to 3 users and 250 metrics. Both offer 14-day free trials.

Source
Anaplan: Do we need a systems integrator?

Almost always for the first implementation. The proprietary modelling language and the scale of typical models make an experienced partner or an internal certified team effectively mandatory.

Klipfolio: How many data sources does Klipfolio support?

Klipfolio connects to over 140 data connectors including databases, APIs, spreadsheets, and SaaS applications for seamless data aggregation.

Source
Anaplan: Who owns Anaplan?

Thoma Bravo, which took it private in 2022 for $10.7bn.

Klipfolio: Do I need technical skills to use Klipfolio?

Basic dashboard creation uses drag-and-drop interface, but advanced features require Excel-like formulas and some data transformation knowledge. Non-technical users often need developer help for complex visualizations.

Source
Anaplan: Can it replace our BI tool?

No. It is a planning and calculation platform; most customers still export to Power BI or Tableau for reporting and dashboards.

Klipfolio: Can Klipfolio replace Tableau?

Klipfolio works better for smaller teams and faster setup, while Tableau offers deeper analysis and visual sophistication. Klipfolio is more cost-effective; Tableau is more powerful for enterprise analytics.

Source
Klipfolio: Is there a free version of Klipfolio?

PowerMetrics has a free plan supporting 3 users and 250 metric instances. Klips (the dashboard builder) offers a 14-day free trial but no permanent free tier.

Source
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