Cast

Cast is a financial modeling tool for private equity, credit, FP&A, and other finance teams. It suits desktop users who need to test deal assumptions, check covenants, or share interactive models with stakeholders. Its analytical range is a strength, but limited free-plan capacity and no mobile support make it a poor fit for casual or on-the-go modeling.

Overview

Cast brings valuation models, scenario analysis, covenant checks, and accounting imports into one finance workflow. Each covenant rule returns a pass-or-fail result and shows its margin for every case, which helps teams judge how close a scenario comes to breaching a limit. Sensitivity grids are color-coded, and a selected cell can be loaded as a scenario, making it easier to move from exploring an assumption to evaluating its implications.

For context beyond a model’s own assumptions, Cast compares them with NYU Stern Damodaran industry data adjusted to deal EBITDA. Its Monte Carlo analysis runs 10,000 trials and displays P10, P50, and P90 outcomes. Those tools are useful when a team needs to understand a range of plausible outcomes; teams that only need a straightforward forecast may not need this depth.

Key features

Cast’s AI can generate models from natural-language descriptions, edit existing models, and validate generated code before displaying results. That validation is a useful safeguard, but it does not replace finance review of assumptions and outputs. The 60 monthly AI credits on Free also limit how often users can generate or revise models.

.xlsx exports retain live formulas, sections, scenarios, and formatting, which makes Cast more useful to teams that need to continue working with models in Excel. Accounting connections to QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks use OAuth to import invoices, contacts, transactions, and payments. Cast can also build connectors to public REST APIs, including sources for crypto, foreign exchange, commodities, and weather data. External requests pass through a server-side proxy with SSRF protection, HTTPS enforcement, size limits, and timeouts; API keys do not touch the browser.

Shared stakeholders can change inputs in the Results pane without altering formulas. That provides a controlled way to explore a model together, though the plan determines whether share links expire and whether recipients can see model code.

Pricing

Free is a reasonable way to explore the workflow, but three saved models, a small AI allowance, expiring links, and visible model code are meaningful constraints for ongoing or sensitive work. Pro removes the saved-model cap and makes share links permanent, so it fits individual users who need a dependable working library or recurring collaboration. Teams adds live shared models and version history for groups that need to work together and preserve model changes; its AI allowance is per seat. Cast says subscriptions can be canceled anytime and customers retain ownership of their models. There is no free trial.

Platforms

Cast runs on the web and is desktop-only, working best in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. That suits office-based finance work but rules it out for users who need native mobile access.

Who it's for

Cast is best for private equity, credit, and FP&A teams that need scenario-driven valuation work, covenant monitoring, or accounting data imports. Its sensitivity and Monte Carlo tools suit analysts comparing outcomes, while Excel export and stakeholder input sharing help teams carry models into familiar workflows. It is less compelling for mobile-first users, occasional modelers who can work within the Free caps, or teams that need only basic forecasts.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Covenant margins alongside pass-or-fail results make scenario risk easier to assess.
• Pros: Sensitivity grids, industry benchmarks, and 10,000-trial Monte Carlo analysis support a broader view of assumptions and outcomes.
• Pros: Live-formula Excel exports, accounting imports, and stakeholder input sharing connect modeling to team workflows.
• Cons: Free is capped at three saved models and 60 AI credits monthly; its links expire after seven days and show model code.
• Cons: Desktop-only access excludes users who need to model on mobile.

Alternatives

For a broader set of options, browse Financial Modeling Software.

• Uniflow is worth considering if mobile access matters: it supports web, iOS, and Android, and its free plan covers one revenue stream, one scenario, and a six-month forecast.
• Adlega offers a free plan with one financial model, core forecasts, MRR and runway, 15 Adlega Tokens monthly, and a read-only share link; consider it if those basics match your needs.
• Financial Modelling Pro may suit users who want a browser-local free project, sector templates, watermarked PDF export, and 20 Sammy messages per month.
• Valutico is an alternative for users seeking a data room or diligence workflow, with free access to create a data room or launch Diligence.
• LivePlan is another option for users seeking business planning software across web, desktop, and mobile platforms.
• Causal is another paid web-based option.
• Cube is a paid option for users seeking a platform with custom roles, unlimited dimensions and users, and unlimited dashboards on its Bronze plan.
• ModelRisk may be a fit for users who specifically need Windows-based modeling software; its ModelRisk Desktop plan is €1,550 a year for a single-computer license.

Verdict

Choose Cast if your finance team needs to examine multiple valuation outcomes, check covenant headroom, and share models without giving up Excel-ready formulas. Its strongest case is the combination of analytical tools and practical finance workflows; look elsewhere if mobile access, a larger free allowance, or a basic forecasting tool is more important.