# Runway vs Anaplan: Stop paying consultants to change your model

From building your model to changing it on the fly, Runway gives your finance team full ownership without certification programs or implementation projects.

## Trusted by fast-moving teams

## The core difference

Both Runway and Anaplan give you scenario planning, cross-departmental alignment, and enterprise-grade security. The main differences are whether finance controls the model, how quickly you see value, and how dynamically you can test decisions.

### Model ownership

- Runway lets your finance team build, modify, and evolve models themselves with human-readable formulas anyone on the team can follow and update.
- Anaplan requires certified Model Builders and 74+ hours of training across multiple certification levels, creating permanent consultant dependency for every structural change.

### Implementation time

- Runway's average implementation is about 6 weeks. Most teams have a live, working model well before that, with finance owning the whole process.
- Anaplan implementations range from 4 to 6 weeks for simple use cases to 6 to 24 months for enterprise deployments, with total first-year costs often significantly exceeding the license fee.

### Assumption explorations

- Runway lets you create a draft scenario, drag a hiring date or funding round on a timeline, and see every metric update instantly.
- Anaplan limits what-if exploration to pre-built structures. Any assumption outside those structures requires a consultant to rebuild the model, which equates to weeks of work.

## Simulate business decisions in real time

See how Runway gives your finance team full ownership of the model, without the certifications or consultants. Faster decisions, fewer bottlenecks, and a model your whole team can understand.

## Platform breakdown

A side-by-side comparison

### Features  
| Feature                          | Runway   | Anaplan   |  
|----------------------------------|----------|-----------|  
| Collaborative budget workflows    | Included | Not included |  
| Human-readable formulas           | Included | Not included |  
| ~6 week implementation            | Included | Not included |  
| Real-time scenario simulation     | Included | Not included |  
| Drag-and-drop timing changes      | Included | Not included |  
| 750+ integrations                 | Included | Included    |  
| Transparent pricing               | Included | Not included |  
| Version control                   | Included | Not included |

## Frequently asked questions

### What's the difference between Runway and Anaplan?

Anaplan is an enterprise planning platform that can model nearly anything — if you have the certified builders to do it. Runway gives you the same modeling power with formulas your finance team can read, write, and modify themselves.

- Runway requires no certification. Anaplan requires 74+ hours of training across multiple levels.
- Runway's implementation averages about 6 weeks. Anaplan deployments can take 6 to 24 months.
- Runway lets you drag timing changes on a timeline. Anaplan requires model restructuring for timing shifts.
- 100% of Anaplan customers still maintain spreadsheets alongside the platform. Runway is designed to be the tool where strategic thinking actually happens.

### 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 look like across Runway and Anaplan?

Runway's average implementation is about 6 weeks. The long pole is usually data access — waiting for IT to grant API credentials. Once connected, your finance team owns the model from day one.  
Anaplan implementations range from 4 to 6 weeks for simple use cases to 6 to 24 months for enterprise deployments. Most organizations require ongoing consultant support for structural model changes, creating a permanent dependency.