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Zentra vs Runway
The short version: Zentra is for founders, Runway is for finance teams. Pick the one that matches who actually owns the model in your company.
We wrote this, so read it that way. We describe Runway by how they position themselves rather than by feature claims we can’t keep current — check their own site before you decide.
| Dimension | Zentra | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the model | You do — and you've never opened an FP&A tool in your life. | Positions itself around finance and ops teams who build and maintain the plan. |
| The core interaction | Ask a question in plain English, get the number and the source behind it. | Modelling surface — build the plan, then keep it current. |
| Time to first answer | Connect your sources and the first dashboard is live in the same sitting. | Expect a modelling setup phase before the tool pays off. |
| What you're paying for | Flat per company — never per seat. | Check their current pricing page; FP&A tools are commonly seat- or plan-tiered. |
When to pick Zentra
- You are the finance team, and the question is usually "can I afford this hire?"
- You want an answer today, not a model to maintain.
- Nobody at your company wants to own a planning tool.
When Runway might fit better
- You have someone whose actual job is to build and own the financial model.
- You need deep, bespoke planning rather than fast answers.
FAQ
- Is Zentra a replacement for a full FP&A tool?
- No, and it isn't trying to be. Zentra answers the runway, burn, and MRR questions a founder asks between board meetings. If you have a finance team building a detailed plan, that's a different job.
- Do I need a finance background to use Zentra?
- No. Zentra is built for founders who are not finance people — you ask in plain English and get the number with its source.
Zentra is in private beta. Join the waitlist or meet the founders.