Comparison · checked 29 October 2026
Fathom alternatives for Australian businesses
The tools Australian businesses most often compare with Fathom include Spotlight Reporting, Calxa, Float and Xero’s own Xero Analytics, plus AI assistants such as Vibe CFO and Nella. Fathom, Spotlight and Calxa are reporting, budgeting and forecasting platforms widely used by accountants and advisers; Float focuses on short-term cash flow. Nella works differently: you ask plain-English questions about your own Xero or QuickBooks figures — on the web, WhatsApp, ChatGPT or Claude — and get answers, a monthly pack, your BAS and company tax dates, and a Nella Score.
At a glance
- Report builders
- Fathom, Spotlight, Calxa
- Cash-flow focus
- Float
- Ask in plain English
- Vibe CFO, Nella
- Checked
- 29 October 2026
Each product described from its own website. Prices change, so none are quoted here.
How they compare
| Tool | How it describes itself | Built mainly for | Accounting software it lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fathom | Management reporting and forecasting, with an AI commentary writer for reports. | Small and mid-sized businesses, accountants and bookkeepers, franchises and groups | QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Xero, MYOB, Sage, Excel, Google Sheets |
| Spotlight Reporting | Financial reporting and forecasting software, with AI executive summaries and suggestions. | Advisers and accountants, and business owners, CFOs and franchises | Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB and more |
| Calxa | Automated budgeting, cash-flow forecasting, KPIs and group consolidations. Australian. | Businesses, not-for-profits and accountants | Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online, Acumatica, NetSuite, Business Central, Sage Intacct |
| Float | Short-term cash-flow management: a rolling forecast from live accounting data. Lists the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand. | Small businesses, finance teams and advisers | Xero, QuickBooks Online |
| Vibe CFO | An agentic AI CFO for Xero that answers questions and builds reports and alerts. Australian built. | Xero businesses | Xero |
| Nella | An AI finance assistant: plain-English answers about your own numbers, a monthly management pack, anomaly flags, BAS and company tax dates, and a Nella Score. | Owners, directors and founders | Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent |
Descriptions summarise each provider’s own website or app listing, read on 29 October 2026. Check each provider for current features and pricing.
When Fathom, or a tool like it, is the better fit
If you need formatted management reports for a board, a lender or clients, budgets and consolidations across several entities, or a forecast you model in detail, a reporting platform such as Fathom, Spotlight or Calxa is built for that job. Nella does not build custom report layouts or consolidate a group.
When Nella is the better fit
If you want answers rather than reports — “How long does our cash last?”, “Who owes us money?”, “When is our next BAS due?” — Nella answers in plain English from your own books. It also builds a monthly management pack, flags unusual movements and keeps your BAS and company tax dates in view. Nella does not prepare or lodge returns.
Can you use both?
Yes. Nella connects to your accounting software alongside any other app. Nothing in your books changes unless you give permission in Nella.
What Nella costs
Free for 60 days with no card. After that, Nella Lite stays free, and Nella Paid is A$14.99 a month. See plans and pricing.
Nella provides financial information and education, not accounting or tax advice. Product names belong to their owners; Nella is not affiliated with any provider named here.
Try Nella alongside your current tools
Connect your accounting software and get your Nella Score in minutes. Free for 60 days, no card.
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