2025’s Best Strategic Workforce Planning Software

What is a Strategic Workforce Planning Software?

Strategic workforce planning software can save you time and ensure that your organization optimally allocates its resources to fill its labor needs as it grows. 

But not all software is created equal - our list is intended to demonstrate these strategic workforce planning solutions’ strengths and weaknesses so you can better determine which one can deliver the highest ROI to your organization.

The 5 Top Strategic Workforce Planning Software and Tools in 2025

1. Limelight FP&A Software

Overview:

Limelight is a powerful cloud-based FP&A and workforce planning platform designed for mid-to-large-sized businesses. It helps organizations streamline budgeting, forecasting, and workforce capacity planning by centralizing financial and HR data in one platform.

Key Features:

• Headcount planning and forecasting tools.

• What-if scenario modeling for future workforce changes.

• Seamless integration with ERP and HR systems like NetSuite and Sage Intacct.

• Centralized dashboard for financial and workforce insights.

• Automated workflows to reduce manual data entry and errors.

Pros:

• Excellent for organizations with complex workforce structures.

• Real-time reporting with customizable dashboards.

• Strong customer support and implementation team.

• Reduces planning cycle times significantly.

Cons:

• May be more feature-heavy than needed for very small teams.

• Initial setup can take time for larger enterprises.

Pricing:

Pricing available upon request. Limelight offers custom plans based on business size and requirements.

Reviews:

• G2 Rating: (4.5/5)

• Customers praise its automation capabilities and ease of integration.

You can also check out their FP&A software product tour to learn more about how Limelight can help your organization with its staff planning needs. 

2. Deel

Overview:

Deel offers a global, compliance-first workforce planning solution—ideal for companies with distributed teams and diverse labor regulations. It streamlines headcount forecasting, budgeting, and hiring across 150+ countries.

Key Features:

• Scenario modeling for hiring projections

• Built-in global compliance and compensation benchmarking

• Cross-functional dashboards and approval workflows

• Seamless integrations with HRIS and ATS systems like Ashby

Pros:

• Excellent for international hiring and contractor management

• Strong compliance tools with global labor law alignment

Cons:

• Workforce Planning is an add-on requiring broader Deel suite adoption

• Pricing can escalate depending on add-on usage and team size

Pricing:

Starts at approximately $18 per employee per month. Pricing may vary for global EOR and enterprise setups.

Reviews:

• Highly praised for ease of use and global hiring features.

• Rapid growth, now serving 35,000 organizations globally.

3. Planful

Overview:

Planful is a robust cloud-based FP&A and workforce planning platform for streamlined budgeting, forecasting, and modeling. It’s trusted by over 1,400 organizations worldwide.

Key Features:

• Workforce headcount modeling and rolling forecasts

• “Workforce Pro” module with features like Headcount Rollforward and Variance Bridge.

• Excel-like interface with dynamic reporting and scheduling capabilities.

Pros:

• Flexible and powerful planning features

• Strong user satisfaction and value-to-price feedback.

Cons:

• Limited online training resources for self-service users.

• Pricing and contracts tend to be multi-year and tailored.

Pricing:

No public pricing; users need to request a custom quote. Reviews suggest it's more cost-effective than Anaplan and Workday but still a mid-to-high range FP&A solution.

Reviews:

• G2 score: 4.3/5 

• High customer satisfaction noted in industry surveys.

4. Workday

Overview:

Workday Adaptive Planning offers an enterprise-grade FP&A platform, integrating financial planning, workforce modeling, and AI-driven forecasting. Ideal for large and global organizations. 

Key Features:

• AI-powered what-if scenario modeling and strategic forecasting

• Headcount, cost planning, and talent alignment features

• Fully integrated with Workday’s broader HCM suite

• New “Illuminate” AI agents for automated planning across HR and finance

Pros:

• Powerful and scalable for complex enterprise environments

• Clean, user-friendly interface praised by reviewers 

• High adoption in federal and large-scale deployments

Cons:

• Premium pricing makes it less accessible for SMBs 

• Complex implementation can be resource-heavy

Pricing:

Annual subscriptions typically start around $300K, or $40–60 per employee per month, plus implementation fees up to 150–200% of annual subscription.

Reviews:

• Capterra reviews hail its all-in-one payroll and workforce features, though note the high cost.

• G2 rating highlights excellent UX and functionality.

5. ActivTrak

Overview:

ActivTrak is a workforce analytics and monitoring platform that provides insights into employee productivity, behavior, and engagement. Useful for understanding work patterns and performance trends. 

Key Features:

• Real-time productivity dashboards and performance analytics

• AI-driven coaching, burnout detection, and capacity planning 

• Privacy controls and transparency settings for employee trust 

Pros:

• Highly intuitive and easy to deploy with insightful dashboards.

• Affordable entry pricing with visibility and analytics.

Cons:

• Paid plans require a minimum of five users.

• Limited in workforce planning scope beyond productivity data.

Pricing:

Tiered model starting at $8–10 per user per month, depending on billing terms.

Reviews:

• Lauded for dashboard clarity and actionable insights.

6. Cube

Overview

Cube is a cloud-based FP&A platform designed for mid-market companies looking to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. It connects seamlessly with spreadsheets like Excel and Google Sheets, combining flexibility with automation for finance teams.

Key Features

• Native integration with Excel and Google Sheets

• Real-time data syncing from ERP, CRM, and HRIS systems

• Automated workflows for forecasting and reporting

• Scenario modeling and multi-entity consolidation

Pros

• Minimal learning curve due to spreadsheet-based interface

• Quick deployment with easy integrations

• Great for mid-sized businesses needing scalable FP&A solutions

Cons

• Not as feature-rich as enterprise-level FP&A tools like Anaplan or Workday

• Limited advanced workforce planning features

Pricing

Custom pricing based on team size and requirements. Quotes available on request.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.6/5 

• Positive feedback on reporting automation and support responsiveness.

7. ADP Workforce Now

Overview

ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HR, payroll, and workforce management solution tailored for mid-sized and large businesses. It simplifies core HR functions while supporting compliance and data-driven workforce planning.

Key Features

• Payroll and tax management

• Time tracking and attendance

• Benefits administration and compliance

• Talent management and analytics

Pros

• Strong payroll and compliance capabilities

• Scalable for growing businesses

• Integrates with various HR and accounting systems

Cons

• Interface can feel outdated compared to modern SaaS solutions

• Customer support can be slow during peak periods

Pricing

Pricing is tiered and depends on modules selected. Custom quotes are provided after consultation.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.1/5 

• Positive reputation for compliance and scalability.

8. Anaplan

Overview

Anaplan is a leading enterprise planning platform that enables connected financial and workforce planning across global organizations. It’s ideal for complex modeling, forecasting, and real-time collaboration.

Key Features

• Cloud-native, connected planning

• Advanced scenario modeling with AI and ML

• Real-time updates across departments

• Scalable for enterprise-level data sets

Pros

• Extremely powerful and flexible for complex planning

• Real-time collaboration between finance, HR, and operations teams

• Strong AI-driven forecasting tools

Cons

• Steep learning curve for new users

• Higher cost compared to mid-market tools like Cube or Limelight

Pricing

Enterprise-level pricing; custom quotes provided based on user count and modules.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.3/5 – praised for scalability and planning depth.

• Considered a market leader for connected planning.

9. Board

Overview

Board is a unified decision-making platform combining business intelligence, performance management, and analytics. It supports financial planning, workforce planning, and strategic reporting.

Key Features

• Integrated BI and analytics tools

• Budgeting and forecasting modules

• Scenario planning and KPI tracking

• Drag-and-drop dashboard builder

Pros

• Combines analytics and planning in one tool

• Highly customizable interface

• Strong visualization and reporting features

Cons

• Customization requires technical expertise

• Higher implementation time compared to simpler tools

Pricing

Custom pricing; available on request based on company needs.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.5/5 

• Users value its ability to centralize data and reporting.

10. ChartHop

Overview

ChartHop is a people analytics and workforce planning tool that helps organizations visualize team structures, track headcount, and plan for growth.

Key Features

• Dynamic org charts and people data visualization

• Headcount planning and compensation tracking

• DEI reporting and analytics

• Integrations with HRIS and payroll systems

Pros

• Great visualization of workforce data

• Easy to set up and integrate with HR systems

• Strong DEI analytics features

Cons

• Limited financial planning compared to FP&A-focused platforms

• Pricing can be high for smaller teams

Pricing

Subscription-based pricing; custom quotes available.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.6/5 

• Positive user experience for HR and workforce planning teams.

11. Orgvue

Overview

Orgvue is a specialized platform for organizational design, workforce planning, and analytics. It helps businesses optimize structure and improve workforce efficiency.

Key Features

• Organizational modeling and structure optimization

• Workforce cost analysis and scenario planning

• Data-driven analytics and dashboards

• Integration with HRIS and financial systems

Pros

• Strong org design capabilities

• Great for scenario planning and workforce cost tracking

• Intuitive data visualization tools

Cons

• Limited financial reporting outside workforce planning

• Higher learning curve for advanced features

Pricing

Custom pricing based on modules and company size.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.4/5 

12. Visier

Overview

Visier is a people analytics platform that delivers deep insights into workforce performance, costs, and trends, helping HR teams make data-driven decisions.

Key Features

• Workforce analytics and planning

• Predictive analytics for retention and hiring

• Benchmarking against industry trends

• Pre-built dashboards and reporting templates

Pros

• Strong predictive analytics capabilities

• Fast deployment with pre-built templates

• Excellent for HR-driven workforce strategy

Cons

• Not a full FP&A tool—focused primarily on people analytics

• Pricing may be high for small businesses

Pricing

Enterprise pricing model; quotes provided on request.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.5/5 

• Highly rated for HR insights and reporting.

13. SAP SuccessFactors Human Capital Management

Overview

SAP SuccessFactors is a comprehensive HCM suite offering workforce planning, payroll, talent management, and employee engagement tools.

Key Features

• End-to-end HR and workforce management

• AI-driven workforce planning

• Payroll, benefits, and compliance modules

• Performance tracking and talent analytics

Pros

• Strong integration with SAP ecosystem

• Ideal for large, global enterprises

• Scalable and feature-rich

Cons

• Complex implementation requiring SAP expertise

• Higher cost compared to standalone workforce tools

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing depending on module selection and user count.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.0/5 – valued for scalability but mixed feedback on usability.

• Strong reputation in enterprise HCM markets.

14. Vena

Overview

Vena is a cloud FP&A and workforce planning solution designed to simplify budgeting, forecasting, and reporting with Excel integration.

Key Features

• Native Excel interface for easy adoption

• Workflow automation for reporting and approvals

• Scenario modeling and variance analysis

• Centralized data and reporting

Pros

• Smooth transition for teams used to Excel

• Great reporting automation

• Ideal for mid-market companies

Cons

• Limited advanced HR and workforce features

• Interface can feel outdated compared to modern UI tools

Pricing

Pricing varies by modules and user count; quotes available on request.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.5/5 – praised for familiarity and reporting power.

• Positive customer feedback on support and reliability.

15. Runn

Overview

Runn is a resource and workforce planning tool focused on project-based businesses. It helps teams allocate resources, track utilization, and forecast capacity.

Key Features

• Real-time resource scheduling

• Utilization and capacity reporting

• Budgeting for projects and teams

• Integrations with project management tools like Jira and Harvest

Pros

• Clean, intuitive interface

• Excellent for agencies and service-based companies

• Affordable entry-level pricing

Cons

• Limited financial planning beyond resource tracking

• Not ideal for large enterprises needing deep FP&A

Pricing

• Free Plan: For up to 5 users

• Pro Plan: Starts at $10 per user/month

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.7/5 

16. Connecteam

Overview

Connecteam is an all-in-one workforce management app designed for deskless and frontline teams. It simplifies scheduling, communication, and time tracking.

Key Features

• Employee scheduling and time tracking

• Team chat and communication tools

• Task management and checklists

• Mobile-first experience

Pros

• Very user-friendly mobile app

• Great for deskless and field teams

• Affordable and scalable

Cons

• Limited financial and FP&A features

• Lacks advanced analytics for larger organizations

Pricing

• Free Plan: Up to 10 users

• Basic Plan: Starts at $29/month for 30 users

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.5/5 

17. ClearCompany

Overview

ClearCompany is a talent management and workforce planning platform focused on recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.

Key Features

• Applicant tracking system (ATS)

• Onboarding workflows and automation

• Performance and engagement tracking

• Reporting and analytics tools

Pros

• Strong ATS and onboarding capabilities

• Great for managing talent lifecycle end-to-end

• Easy to integrate with HR systems

Cons

• Limited financial and FP&A planning features

• Pricing can be high for small companies

Pricing

Custom pricing based on modules and company size.

Reviews

• G2 Rating: 4.4/5 

The Importance of Strategic Workforce Planning Solutions

Before we start digging into what makes one strategic workforce planning software superior to another, it’s important to first remind ourselves of the goal of strategic workforce planning.

Workforce planning is the process of managing your workforce demand and supply through:

• Analyzing your financial data
• Organizing your financial data
• Forecasting future needs with real-time financial data

These processes can be immensely helpful to fast growing organizations, as it ensures that you are never understaffed or overstaffed. Instead, your staff planning is informed by analytics so that your workforce is optimally organized to yield the best results for your organization. 

While it may seem obvious to state that your organization can’t run without a qualified workforce, too often workforce planning is overlooked - with dire consequences. 

Consider that: 

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a massive increase in the need for nurses in the coming decade, with shortages likely (remember the need for nurses during the pandemic and the catastrophic results due to the shortage)
• Over 50% of CEOs surveyed in PWC’s 26th Annual Global CEO Survey viewed labor/skill shortages as challenges to their profitability
• There are 3.3 million fewer Americans working today compared to pre-pandemic levels, increasing competition for highly skilled workers

Organizations like yours run the risk of falling behind in talent acquisition to the competition if you’re constantly being reactive to workforce planning needs. 

But the right workforce planning tools and/or workforce planning platform can help you be proactive to these demands and ensure that your staffing is one less thing you need to be worried about. 

To that end, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top strategic workforce planning software on the market so you can avoid these potential roadblocks to growth and profitability. 

How We Compare Different Strategic Workforce Planning Tools?

Strategic workforce capacity planning tools and platforms offer you, the user, a variety of different benefits. Depending on your organization and industry, some of these capabilities may be more important than others. 

That said, we’ve ranked the software below based on the following criteria: 

1. Functionality 

Does the software offer comprehensive workforce forecasting tools? Is it a full-on workforce planning platform or simply an add-on to Excel? What tools does it feature (headcount planning tools, headcount management software, headcount tracking software, can it deliver a detailed workforce planning report, etc.)? 

2. Intuitiveness 

You could have the best staff planning tool in the world - but it won’t do you much good if it’s too complicated to use. How user-friendly the workforce capacity planning tools are is critical, especially as you’ll want to be able to collaborate with teams across your organization. The more opaque and complex a workforce planning tool’s user-interface is, the more time will be spent on training/opportunity for error and misuse. 

3. Integration

Ideally, your strategic workforce planning solutions will be able to integrate with whatever your current ERP and HR management systems are. That makes the transition over that much more seamless and unlocks a variety of additional benefits. 

4. Implementation

Is the workforce planning platform difficult to implement and leave room for errors? Does it take a long time to implement? The second question is especially important as each day you’re not using the right software is another day that you’re wasting time battling older systems or missing out on key insights and headcount tools that could make your staff planning that much more effective and accurate. 

5. Applicability

Some headcount planning software is only effective in some industries, while others have more applicability across industries and use cases. To that end, the more versatile a strategic workforce planning software is, the higher it will rank in our list. 

6. Track Record

We looked at case studies and other examples of the software being used in real-world scenarios by their current or former clients. While metrics and analytical data are all fantastic informational assets that can inform your decision making, there’s nothing like seeing a company produce positive results in the real world as a vetting and review tool. 

Features We Look for in Strategic Workforce Planning Platforms and Tools

Each of the tools in our list offers a wide variety of features and applications. But the ones that we most value are:

1. The Ability to Model What-If Scenarios

Being able to test for what-if scenarios has never been more critical - just look at the last 15 years how many ‘black swan’ events we’ve encountered; being prepared to meet any challenge - predictable or unpredictable - is at a premium currently. What-if scenario planning allows your organization to project multiple future scenarios with a few tweaks, helping you prepare to meet these challenges head-on. 

2. The Ability to Automate 

Did you know that finance teams spend over 60% of their time on activities that can be fully automated? A huge part of staff planning is the numbers - especially as your organization grows, data can be prone to getting out of hand. Payroll for a few dozen employees is easy; payroll for a few hundred is a much more complicated task. Automating data collection and collation can be hugely beneficial in a number of ways, not the least of which is that you can save hundreds of hours of time. You’ll also be able to more reliably count on the data, leaving less room for human error (software has gotten really good at collecting data, as you’d imagine). 

3. The Ability to Provide Insights

Data tells a story. It can provide so, so, so much information to you and your team. But technical barriers often prevent these stories from being told. But the right software removes those barriers and makes it easy to leverage real-time information to power data-driven decision making.

Limelight - the Right Strategic Workforce Planning Software for Your Organization

There are many strong strategic workforce planning solutions out there - but we’re confident that Limelight offers more value than our competitors. 

Our platform can manage all your budgeting, forecasting, planning, and analysis needs - and ensure they’re completed faster and more accurately than ever before. 

With our powerful platform backing your business, you will save thousands of hours and uncover hundreds of thousands in hidden costs, reduce budget reviews, and make collaboration across teams seamless.

We also specialize at servicing a variety of industries, including (but not limited to): 

• FP&A for the insurance industry
• FP&A for the financial industry
• FP&A for the healthcare industry
• FP&A for the manufacturing industry
• FP&A for the SaaS subscription industry
• FP&A for the professional services industry
• FP&A for the non-profit industry
• FP&A for higher education
• FP&A for the energy industry

Save money, get a more comprehensive picture of your business’s financial health, plan and forecast easier - do it all with Limelight. Book a demo to see the platform work - and see how it can help your business grow. 

FAQs

1. What is the best workforce management software?

Choosing the right workforce management software depends on your organization’s specific needs. While smaller teams may prioritize simplicity and automation, larger enterprises often need scalability and deeper insights. With Limelight, you can align strategic workforce planning with real-time financial data — using features like headcount forecasting, dynamic dashboards, and scenario modeling to drive faster, smarter decision-making.

2.What are the 7 r's of workforce planning?

The 7 R’s of workforce planning provide a strategic framework for HR teams to ensure a steady pipeline of talent. They focus on:

• Right people: Recruit and retain individuals who align with your organization’s values and contribute meaningfully to its success.

• Right skills: Align employee capabilities with business goals, and bridge skill gaps through targeted hiring or training.

• Right shape: Structure your workforce effectively, maintaining a balanced ratio of leadership to staff and encouraging diversity.

• Right size: Keep headcount aligned with current business demands, scaling up or down as needed to remain agile and competitive.

• Right time: Time your hiring, training, and workforce changes to respond quickly to shifting market or business needs.

• Right place: Deploy your team where they can perform best—whether in-office for customer-facing roles or remotely for digital tasks.

• Right cost: Manage talent-related expenses wisely by offering competitive compensation while keeping hiring and development costs within budget.

3.What is the main tool used during workforce planning?

The main tool used during workforce planning is typically workforce planning software, which combines analytics, forecasting, and reporting tools to assess and meet staffing needs. These platforms allow businesses to predict headcount requirements and analyze employee turnover, to match workforce needs with organizational goals. With Limelight, you can integrate with native spreadsheets to provide a centralized view of workforce metrics and help decision-makers plan human resources effectively.

4.What is the difference between HR planning and workforce planning?

HR planning primarily deals with employee processes such as recruitment, onboarding, and performance management. In contrast, workforce planning is centered on aligning talent with business objectives. It involves evaluating current skills and workforce capacity, then projecting future staffing needs to ensure the organization can meet its goals.