Cashflow CaFE

Cashflow CaFE is a cashflow forecasting service for small businesses that builds projections from accounting data. It is a strong fit for owners who want to plan ahead with an accountant or bookkeeper in the loop. Its alerts and scenario planning add practical value, while the paid-only entry point and loss of access to archived data after a subscription ends weigh against it.

Overview

CaFE connects to accounting software to calculate available cash and support budgeting. For a business already using Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks, automatic synchronisation gives forecasts a direct link to its accounting activity. Scenario planning helps owners consider how changes could affect future cash, making CaFE more useful for planning than a simple view of current balances.

Cash position monitoring can flag potential shortfalls or surpluses and point to invoices or payments needing attention. Reports serve business users and their accountants or financial advisers, so the figures can support both routine decisions and adviser conversations.

Key features

Forecasts, scenarios and alerts

Accounting-linked projections and budgeting tools give small businesses a way to look ahead using their financial records. Scenario planning is useful when owners need to consider the cash effect of a possible change. Alerts about shortfalls, surpluses, invoices and payments can help bring issues to attention; they are prompts for oversight, rather than a substitute for managing the underlying cash position.

Reports and adviser access

Businesses can invite an accountant or bookkeeper to monitor cashflow. The adviser dashboard highlights clients who may need help, which makes CaFE a plausible fit for advisers overseeing several businesses as well as owners working with an individual adviser. Reports are also available for financial advisers.

Mobile access and support

CaFE works on Android and iOS devices through a mobile web browser, without a separate app installation. That keeps mobile access available without adding an app, though users looking specifically for a dedicated mobile app should look elsewhere. The company aims to respond to support requests within 48 working hours, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. GMT; that is a stated response target, not a promise of immediate help.

Pricing

CaFE is paid software, with pricing from £12/mo and a 30-day free trial. There is no free plan, so the trial is the only no-cost way to assess it before subscribing. The entry price gives small businesses a defined starting point, but the available pricing information does not establish different plan features, seat counts, quotas or renewal terms; choose based on the subscription terms offered when signing up.

One point deserves particular attention before purchase: when a subscription ends, submitted or created data is archived and no longer available to the user. Removal can be requested by email. Businesses that need continued access to historical records should account for this restriction when weighing the subscription.

Platforms

CaFE is available on the web and on Android and iOS devices through a mobile browser. Accounting integrations include Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks.

Who it's for

CaFE is best suited to small business owners who already use one of its supported accounting products and want cash projections, scenario planning and alerts in the same workflow. It also fits accountants and bookkeepers who need to monitor client cashflow and identify which clients may need attention. Businesses that do not use Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks, or that require continued user access to stored data after cancelling, have reasons to consider another option.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Accounting synchronisation with Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks connects forecasts to existing records.
• Pros: Budgeting and scenario planning help owners think through possible future cash positions.
• Pros: Alerts cover shortfalls, surpluses and invoices or payments needing attention.
• Pros: Adviser access, a client dashboard and reports support collaboration with accountants and bookkeepers.
• Cons: There is no free plan, so ongoing use requires a paid subscription after the 30-day trial.
• Cons: Archived data is no longer available to the user after the subscription ends, which limits access to past work.
• Cons: Mobile access is through a browser rather than a separate mobile app.
• Cons: The stated support response target is within 48 working hours, during weekday business hours, so it may not suit users who need faster assistance.

Alternatives

For other options in this category, browse Cash Forecasting Software.

• Dibein is worth considering if a free plan matters: its Starter tier costs nothing and includes one bank connection, one accounting connection, a rolling 13-week forecast, up to two seats and seven days of Anomaly Radar history.
• Predict.ai may suit users who want a free plan with API or self-hosted options; its Free tier costs nothing, billed forever, with 500 credits per month, one workspace, one seat, one goal per workspace, one shared deployment and 1 GB of ingestion per month.
• Kyriba is a paid treasury option with Android, iOS, web and API platforms; pricing is custom and requires a demo request.
• Agicap is a paid alternative with a free trial and Android, iOS, web and API platforms. Its subscription is offered annually with a 12-month minimum, and pricing is not displayed.
• Awesome Forecast may be relevant to Windows users; its Single License costs £250 a year for one user.
• Calxa is a web-based alternative with a free trial and paid plans. Premier1 costs $18 a month, billed monthly, for one organisation with unlimited users; extra organisations cost $18/mo.
• CashAnalytics offers paid web access with pricing on request.
• Nomentia Cash Flow Forecasting is another web-based option.

Verdict

Choose Cashflow CaFE if you run a small business on Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks and want linked projections, scenario planning and cash alerts, with an adviser able to follow along. The 30-day trial gives you a chance to assess the workflow before paying. Look elsewhere if you need a free ongoing plan, a dedicated mobile app or continued user access to your data after cancelling.