# Runway vs Abacum: Syntax shouldn’t slow down your what-ifs

From exploring assumptions to reporting results, your whole team can plan together without the learning curve.

## Trusted by fast-moving teams

## The core difference

Both Runway and Abacum give you version control, collaborative workflows, and plenty of integrations. The main differences are how you explore scenarios, write formulas, and build your model.
  
### Assumption exploration

- Runway lets you create a draft scenario, drag a hiring date or funding round on a timeline, and see every metric update instantly.
- Abacum entails creating a scenario fork, updating your assumptions, aligning columns, and switching between versions to compare.

### Modeling language

- Runway lets you write in plain language with built-in tags, filters, and drivers so you don't have to memorize any syntax.
- Abacum requires understanding `DATE_SUM(∑MRR - New & Existing, ‡‡ opportunity_amount, ⊡ contract_start_date WHERE deal_type IS "New ARR")`

### Structure freedom

- Runway gives you full control over how your structure—custom drivers, dimensions, and logic built around your business.
- Abacum locks you into a rigid model structure. You can adjust the granularity of your data, but are limited by the shape the model takes.

## Simulate business decisions in real time

See how Runway works for the way your team actually plans. Faster decisions, fewer bottlenecks, and a model your whole team can understand.

## Platform breakdown

### A side-by-side comparison

| Features | Runway | Abacum |
|----------|--------|--------|
| Real-time scenario simulation | Included | Not included |
| Human-readable formulas | Included | Not included |
| No-code natural language modeling | Included | Not included |
| Side-by-side scenario comparison | Included | Not included |
| Built for large model performance | Included | Not included |
| Collaborative budget workflows | Included | Included |
| Version control | Included | Included |
| AI-powered insights | Included | Included |

## Honest reviews—The good and the bad

**“Onboarding is awesome”**  
*Vivian*

**“Runway is what Excel should have always been”**  
*Will Simon*, CFO at Mainspring

**“Runway has allowed me to immediately reference any part of our model with ease.”**  
*Ben P.*, Director of FP&A

## Fast track to clarity

Start building a unified model you can trust as the source of truth for planning and forecasting.

### Onboarding guided by finance experts

1. #### 01 Kickoff
   - **Integrate all your sources**: Connect data from our 750+ integrations, including your HRIS, ERP, CRM, and more. (1-week average)

2. #### 02 Model
   - **Build your model**: Create your P&L, cashflow, headcount model, and more. Build out your projections, scenarios, and plans. (4-week average)

3. #### 03 Strategize
   - **Get continuous support**: Stay aligned with our team through strategic check-ins and real-time support in a dedicated Slack channel. (Ongoing)

## Frequently asked questions

### What’s the difference between Runway and Abacum?

Most FP&A tools either make you work inside rigid templates built for a different business, or they let you build anything, and leave you on your own. Abacum sits closer to that second camp: spreadsheet-first, with more plumbing and controls, but still dependent on the underlying files. Runway does something else: it gives you a structured surface to plan, model, and report, but it adapts to the way your business actually works.

- You don’t rebuild models when leadership changes direction. You adjust assumptions.
- You don’t teach the sales team how to read a spreadsheet; they use the platform.
- You don’t ask a consultant to update your headcount plan; you update it yourself.

You make a change, and everything updates instantly: assumptions, charts, runway, board reports, everything.

### Does Runway replace spreadsheets completely, or can we still use Excel/Sheets?

Runway becomes your primary planning surface. You don't have to abandon spreadsheets entirely; teams often keep lightweight Excel or Sheets files for ad-hoc analysis. Runway acts as the source of truth for forecasts and reporting.

### What does onboarding and training look like across Runway and Abacum?

Abacum uses hands-on implementations with a customer success team. They work closely with finance to wire up Excel models and integrations. Plan for several weeks of setup.
Runway emphasizes a modern user experience with guided onboarding. Cross-functional teams typically get to a live forecast in 4 weeks without consultants.