Fontics vs Shortcut
Shortcut is an AI agent built to produce finance spreadsheets fast: give it a request and it writes the model into Excel. Fontics is an AI-free add-in that stress-tests and reviews the model once it exists. One drafts, the other proves.
Last reviewed by Admin.
Facts about Shortcut come from Fundamental Research Labs's public pages and other public sources, listed under Sources. Prices are list prices as of the review date.
Short answer
- Shortcut is purpose-built for first drafts: DCFs, LBOs, three-statement models, comps and research-to-spreadsheet tasks, in an Excel add-in, a web app, a Windows desktop app or Google Sheets.
- It is a credit-based AI product: Free with weekly credits, Pro from $100/month billed annually, and Teams and Enterprise plans above that.
- Fontics does not build. It runs one-click scenarios, tornado charts, break-evens, Monte Carlo and formula audits on the model Shortcut (or anyone) built, with the same answer every run.
you want the fastest first draft of a finance model or a research spreadsheet from a plain-language request.
the draft exists and you need to know where it breaks: repeatable scenarios, sensitivities and audits before IC.
At a glance
What each tool is built to do. A dot means it can be done, but you prompt for it or set it up yourself each time.
| Stage | Job | Shortcut | Fontics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | Build a model from scratch | YesDCF, LBO, 3-statement in minutes | No |
| Write and fix formulas | YesFormula-driven outputs | No | |
| Data wrangling, pivots, charts | Yes | No | |
| Plain-language questions | Yes | No | |
| Analyze | Scenario analysis | PartlyPer prompt, uses credits | Yes10+ scenarios in a minute |
| Sensitivity and tornado charts | Partly | YesRank drivers in seconds | |
| Stress tests and break-evens | Partly | Yes | |
| Multi-driver goal seek and solvers | Partly | Yes | |
| Monte Carlo simulation | Partly | Yes1,000+ runs, add-on from $5/month | |
| Review | Valuation review (DCF/LBO drivers, DLOM, Black-Scholes) | Partly | Yes |
| Formula audit | Partly | Yes | |
| Deep precedent and dependent traces | Partly | Yes | |
| Platform | Same answer every run | NoGenerative; outputs vary | YesAI-free |
| Excel for Mac | PartlyExcel add-in and web app | Yes | |
| Google Sheets | YesGoogle Sheets plugin | YesSame plan |
Side by side
| Fact | Shortcut | Fontics |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An AI agent for Excel from Fundamental Research Labs that builds and edits spreadsheets and models from plain-language requests.[1][2] | An AI-free Excel and Google Sheets add-in that runs analysis (scenarios, sensitivities, stress tests, solvers, Monte Carlo) and reviews models (formula audits, deep traces, valuation reviews) for investment, credit and valuation teams. |
| Where it runs | Excel add-in, Shortcut for Web, a Windows desktop app and a Google Sheets plugin; also a CLI.[1] | Excel on Windows and Mac, and Google Sheets. One plan covers both. |
| Core job | Generating the model: DCF, LBO, three-statement, comps.[2] | Analyzing and reviewing the model: scenarios, sensitivities, solvers, Monte Carlo, audits, valuation reviews. |
| Usage | Credits: 20 free weekly credits on Free, 1,000 monthly credits on Pro; a message typically uses 2 to 15 credits.[1] | Core has a daily analysis limit; Institutional is unlimited. No credits. |
| Repeatability | Generative. Re-running a request can change structure or numbers. | AI-free and 100% deterministic: same inputs, same answer, every time. |
| Security | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR and CCPA badges; BYOK and private gateway on Enterprise.[1] | Standard modules run 100% locally in your workbook. Only Monte Carlo distribution sampling runs in the cloud. |
| Price | Free; Pro $100/month billed annually; Teams $320/month plus $100/seat/month billed annually; Enterprise custom.[1] | Free Core plan; paid plans $20 and $50/month; Monte Carlo add-on from $5/month |
Choose Shortcut if
- You want a first-draft DCF, LBO or three-statement model in minutes from a description.
- You need research pulled into a spreadsheet: a list of targets with details filled in.
- You want a finance-specialist AI agent, not a general assistant, with a team workspace.
- Speed of the first version matters more than anything else on this task.
What Shortcut does well
- Built for finance modelling tasks end to end.
- Works in Excel, Google Sheets, the web and a desktop app.
- Team plans with pooled credits, analytics and shared resources.
- Enterprise options including SSO, BYOK and a private gateway.
Choose Fontics if
- You need to stress-test a draft before it goes anywhere: 10+ scenarios, a tornado of the top drivers, break-evens.
- Your IC or lender expects outputs that trace to cells and repeat exactly.
- You want to audit an AI-built model's formulas and dependencies before you trust it.
- You want predictable cost: a free plan and flat monthly plans, no credits.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not draft a model or pull research into a sheet.
What Shortcut does well
- Built for finance modelling tasks end to end.
- Works in Excel, Google Sheets, the web and a desktop app.
- Team plans with pooled credits, analytics and shared resources.
- Enterprise options including SSO, BYOK and a private gateway.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not draft a model or pull research into a sheet.
Using Shortcut and Fontics together
Draft with Shortcut. Validate and stress-test with Fontics. Then iterate.
- 01
Draft with Shortcut
Generate the first version of the DCF, LBO or operating model in Excel or Google Sheets.
- 02
Audit with Fontics
Run a formula audit and deep traces to check how the outputs are wired, and flag hardcodes and errors.
- 03
Stress-test with Fontics
Run scenarios, a tornado, break-evens and Monte Carlo. Fix what breaks, then re-run in seconds.
Who uses each
Shortcut
Analysts at advisory firms, outsourced research providers and finance teams that build models all day. Shortcut publishes case studies with Ankura's Office of the CFO and TresVista.[1]
Fontics
A similar user base: analysts and associates in private equity, investment banking, credit, real estate, project finance and valuation. Fontics picks up once the model is built: it stress-tests and reviews the DCF, LBO or project finance model so you can defend the numbers in front of an investment or credit committee.
Pricing
Shortcut
Fontics
- Core is free forever, Transactions is $20/month and Institutional is $50/month.
- Monte Carlo is an add-on from $5/month ($5 on Core, $10 on Transactions and Institutional).
- Every plan covers Excel and Google Sheets.
Shortcut lists annual prices; monthly billing costs about 20% more.
FAQ
Does Fontics build models like Shortcut?
No. Fontics analyzes and reviews models. Use Shortcut (or another AI) to draft, and Fontics to test and check the draft.
Can Shortcut run a sensitivity analysis?
It can build one when asked, using credits, and the result is a new generation to check. Fontics runs fixed modules on your model's formulas and gives the same answer every run, with no credits.
Do both work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Shortcut has a Google Sheets plugin, and every Fontics module works in Google Sheets on the same plan as Excel.
Is Fontics cheaper?
Fontics Core is free; Transactions is $20/month and Institutional $50/month, with Monte Carlo from $5/month. Shortcut Pro is $100/month billed annually. They do different jobs, so many teams pay for both.
Does Fontics send my model anywhere?
Standard modules run 100% locally in your workbook. Only Monte Carlo distribution sampling runs in the cloud.
Sources
- 1.Shortcut, Pricing · read 5 Nov 2026
- 2.Shortcut, Shortcut AI overview
Vendor features and prices change often. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it. Product names are trademarks of their owners; Fontics is not affiliated with them.
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