Writing a business plan is crucial for entrepreneurs to outline their vision and strategy. With so many options available, choosing the best business plan software for startups can be challenging. Our review compares top solutions for founders, evaluating features, usability, resources, integrations, and pricing to help you select the platform that fits your needs. We’ll explore how these tools can streamline the planning process and help you create a professional, investor-ready business plan to launch your startup successfully.
Our #1 Pick: Upmetrics
Upmetrics makes it easy and affordable to create a professional, investor-ready business plan with AI-powered tools and customizable templates.
Get StartedUnsure if Upmetrics is right for you? Continue reading our comprehensive review below to learn more and explore your options.
Best Business Planning Tools
Upmetrics 4.8/5 Visit Site | Best Business Plan Software Overall
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LivePlan 4.7/5 Visit Site | Best Financial Forecasting
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Bizplan 4.6/5 Visit Site | Most User-Friendly
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Enloop 4.5/5 Visit Site |
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PlanGuru 4.5/5 Visit Site |
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IdeaBuddy 4.4/5 Visit Site |
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iPlanner 4.4/5 Visit Site |
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In this review, we’ll look at seven of the best business plan software platforms — discussing their pros, cons, features, pricing, and more — so you can decide which one is right for your startup.
Best Business Plan Software for Startups 2024:
- Upmetrics – Best Overall
- LivePlan – Best Financial Forecasting
- Bizplan – Easiest to Use
- Enloop – Best Automation Features
- PlanGuru – Best Business Valuation Tool
- IdeaBuddy – Best for Idea Validation
- iPlanner – Best for Nonprofits
The following tools all have their own great features. Based on its affordable pricing and usability, Upmetrics is our top business plan software choice for startups.
Try Upmetrics today or continue reading to explore your options!
Best Business Plan Software: Upmetrics
Access 400+ industry-specific templates and AI-driven tools to build a winning business plan.
Get Started1. Upmetrics – $7/month to $37/month
First up on our list is Upmetrics, an affordable and versatile business planning tool. The software is designed for small business owners, young entrepreneurs, and startups who need comprehensive business planning capabilities without the high cost.
Upmetrics simplifies the entire planning process with its advanced AI capabilities, realistic financial forecasting, and user-friendly functionalities. The AI writing assistant auto-writes sections of your business plan, while the forecasting assistant provides financial forecasting stream suggestions.
What’s more, Upmetrics’ subscription model comes with strategic planning tools, collaborative features, and other business resources that help entrepreneurs plan and grow their businesses with ease.
Features
- AI business plan generator to create business plans faster
- 400+ sample business plan templates
- AI pitch deck creator to generate impressive pitches
- Robust financial forecasting for up to 7-10 years
- QuickBooks and Xero integrations to import your data easily
- Business plan builder with drag-and-drop capabilities
- Real-time collaboration and easy-sharing options
Pros
- Reliable and easy-to use interface
- Extremely affordable pricing plans
- Multilingual support (9+ different languages)
- Effective strategic plan creation on-the-go
- 15-day money back guarantee (even change plans anytime)
- No long-term commitments
- Educational resources, free guides, and video tutorials for beginners
Cons
- Not suitable for larger enterprises
- No free trial
Customer Reviews
Over 110,000 entrepreneurs have used Upmetrics for different purposes, from securing funding to launching their ventures. It received great customer reviews and earned 4.8 stars out of 5 on GetApp, making it a strong contender among business planning software.
Learn more by reading our full Upmetrics review.
2. LivePlan – $15/month to $30/month
While LivePlan isn’t our top pick, it’s a strong contender for the best business plan software for startups, offering excellent value for money. This cloud-based solution enables entrepreneurs to craft professional business plans from any location, combining user-friendly features with comprehensive functionality.
Additionally, if you decide to stop service for whatever reason, Palo Alto Software, the makers of LivePlan, will keep your account active and data preserved for at least a year should you decide to reactivate your account later.
Features
- Create an unlimited number of business plans
- A forecast feature for those less mathematically inclined. Plug in data, and it will generate charts, graphs, figures, and even the profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statements
- 500+ business plan templates spanning all major industries
- Real-time financial data tracking
- Performance dashboards track sales and budgeting
- Create one-page pitch plans for potential investors
- Milestone scheduling feature — Some people will use it when working with others on their plan; it will let you assign milestones to people
Pros
- Free trial
- Low-cost annual plans
- Affordable pay-as-you-go plans
- No cancellation fees
- Data saved for 12-months, even after cancellation
- Clean, modern platform
- Cloud-based; works on any business machine (Linus, Windows, Mac)
- Integrates with Quickbooks and Xero to import your data easily
- Knowledgeable customer support to get help with your plan
Cons
- No valuation capabilities
- Templates built on the earlier tool by Palo Alto Software, Business Plan Pro, require some modifications to be used on LivePlan
Customer Reviews
LivePlan receives great feedback from customers. LivePlan reviews average 4.5 stars out of 5 on GetApp. LivePlan is an easy company for us to recommend for the best business plan software.
Learn more by reading our full LivePlan review.
3. Bizplan – $29/month, $249/year, $349 lifetime
Bizplan rates high on our list because they offer a lifetime plan that gets you “forever access” to their business plan software. As an added bonus, you also receive free access to Startup Courses and LaunchRock, a landing page builder.
Features
- Easy, “fill-in-the-blanks” plan builder
- Publish your detailed business plan online
- Unlimited business plans
- Bizplan takes care of the financials
- Cloud-based (use any browser on any computer)
- Options to add more graphics and photos
Pros
- Low-cost yearly plans
- Cloud-based; works on any business machine (Linus, Windows, Mac)
- Create unlimited business plans
- Xero to import your data easily
- Excellent and responsive customer support (email/chat/phone)
- Free access to Startup.com and LaunchRock.com
- Discount at Fundable.com (connect with lenders and investors)
Cons
- No valuation capabilities
- Can’t export in Word
- Doesn’t currently integrate with QuickBooks
- No free trial
- No third-party app integrations
Customer Reviews
BizPlan receives great feedback from customers. BizPlan reviews average 4.4 stars out of 5 on GetApp. Still a relatively new option, BizPlan already has over 30,000 satisfied customers. As their platform grows, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them integrate even more valuable features. Keep a close eye on this one.
Learn more by reading our full Bizplan review.
4. Enloop – Free to $39.95/month
If you’re looking to try before you buy, Enloop is a strong choice as one of the only business planning software tools with a free trial.
If you’re looking to try before you buy, Enloop is a strong choice as one of the only business planning software tools with a free trial.
Features
- User-friendly platform
- Compare your financials against your industry’s performance
- Bank ready financial statements (Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash flow)
- Lets multiple users work on a business plan
- 36-Month detailed financial reports
- Sync date and text into your business plan
- Real-time performance rating
- Generated business plan Pass/Fail report
- Multiple currency formatting
Pros
- Seven-day free trial (no credit card required)
- Affordable pay-as-you-go plans
- Advanced financial ratios
- Financial projections
- Video tutorials to help you with the writing process
- No cancellation fees
- Cloud-based; works on any business machine (Linus, Windows, Mac)
Cons
- No phone or chat support, just a “contact us” form.
- No valuation capabilities
- Three business plan limit per account
- Doesn’t integrate with QuickBooks or Xero
- No third-party app integrations
- No financial forecasts beyond 36-months
- No 30-day money-back guarantee
Customer Reviews
Enloop receives fair feedback from customers. Enloop’s reviews average 3 stars out of 5 on PCMag. Enloop’s main complaint is its lack of instructional text for writing mission statements and other key sections. What they rank high on is their efficiency and the speed at which the software lets you write a business plan.
Even beyond the free version, Enloop Basic is just $9.95/month ($6/month when paid annually), so they’re one of the least expensive tools for writing a business plan.
5. PlanGuru – $99/month to $299/month
PlanGuru is a good option if you’re looking for considerably more robust software that offers quite a bit more. The most notable feature we like is the valuation tool, only present on the desktop version of the software. PlanGuru lets you calculate the valuation of your business using three different methods. No other business plan software offers this that we know of.
PlanGuru also offers budgeting, forecasting, and performance tools to help you put together a business plan. In the main, PlanGuru allows you to get a custom-tailored three financial statement budget model up and running out of QuickBooks or Xero in a matter of minutes. PlanGuru’s business plan writing software takes you through a setup process where it asks you questions such as:
- What’s the first month of your fiscal year?
- How many historical years do you want to import?
And, once you answer these questions, PlanGuru then generates a model for you that you can then populate with your historical data if you have it. Then you can go through PlanGuru’s 20+ projection methods.
Some financial data projection methods include:
- Revenues
- Expenses, like payroll, etc.
- Balance sheet items, like accounts receivable, accounts payable, crude expenses, prepaid expenses, loans, etc.
These are only a few of the features the business plan software offers. Here are some more.
Features
- Budgeting/Forecasting Software
- Analytics Service for Financial Performance & KPIs
- Compare your financials against your industry’s performance
- Bank ready financial statements (Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash flow)
- Valuation calculations (desktop software only)
- Desktop and cloud-based options
- Free 14-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Great customer support and knowledgeable sales staff
- Lower-cost yearly plans offered
- Advanced financial calculations
- Business valuation calculations
- No contracts
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
- No cancellation fees
Cons
- Costlier than LivePlan and most other options
- Additional cost per user can add up quickly
Important Note: These tools are important because investors may want to see not only historical performance but also projections.
6. IdeaBuddy – Free to $35/month
IdeaBuddy makes our list because of what’s behind their approach. IdeaBuddy focuses on helping entrepreneurs develop their idea first, then share it, and then refine it into a plan. If you have a business idea and don’t know what to do next, IdeaBuddy could be what you’re looking for in a business plan software.
Features
- Single-page business plan pitch (Idea plan)
- Clean modern design platform combined with great financial tools
- Marketing plan for selling and promoting your products
- Market overview plan where you create targeted customer profiles, identify your competition and calculate the market potential
- Business plan creation that includes forecasting performance and cash flow projections
- A proprietary algorithm calculates a final score for your idea providing recommendations for improvement after you complete “Story Mode”
- Idea Journal, that is an internal business plan for you to show potential investors
Pros
- A lifetime plan costs only $178
- Great for developing ideas
- Great for doing market research
- Lower-cost yearly plans offered
- Pay-as-you-go plans offered
- No contracts
Cons
- Email-only customer service
- Software lag time issues
- Fewer software options than most other small business options
Customer Reviews
IdeaBuddy has received some outstanding customer reviews on GetApp. IdeaBuddy has earned a 4.6-star rating out of 5 possible stars.
7. iPlanner – Starts at $55/year
iPlanner is a comprehensive business plan software that has been aiding entrepreneurs since 2007, providing a robust framework for developing business plans, models, and financial forecasts online.
Features
- Unlimited Team Members & Collaboration
- A La Carte Pricing Model vs Packages
- Discounts for Serial Entrepreneurs & Business Coaches
Pros
- Solid amount of industry knowledge and experience.
- They’ve got two trademarked business planning services, Startup Framework™ and Strategy Designer™
- All of their business planning packages allow you to have unlimited collaborators and assign people three different roles: Project Owners, Advisors, and Viewers.
- Their Startup Framework software has a business modeling section where you can design a business model canvas and strategize as much as you need before diving into your plan.
Cons
- Doesn’t have a month-to-month option for either of their services. Their Strategy Designer is payable only annually, while their Startup Framework is available for 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month payments.
- They don’t offer refunds
- Their website is pretty old school and tough to navigate.
- Unlike other business planning software, iPlanner doesn’t offer a free version or trial. However, you can take a tour of their Startup Framework software or view a demo of the Strategy Designer to get a feel for them.
If a simple framework is all you’re looking for, iPlanner can help you out. They don’t have many bells and whistles, but at these price points, they offer a good value for nonprofits and corporations.
Business Plan Software Pros and Cons
Pros
- By using business plan software providers, you’ll be able to create a solid outline for your business. Although some of the options above are better than others, each will walk you through from start to finish.
- No matter how you look at it, business plan software is cost-effective. As long as you actually use the tool, you’ll generate significantly more value than you’re spending on monthly subscription fees.
- If you spend the time to create a solid plan, you’re much more likely to hold yourself accountable. Think of planning software like an accountability buddy for a small business owner.
- Your business plan tool will help set realistic financial goals, and most can also keep your bottom line in check by integrating your accounting software.
- Business planning software enables you to collaborate with partners, mentors and investors.
Cons
- Some of the business plan tools don’t offer support and can have slightly buggy features. That said, if you’re serious about writing a solid plan, go with a tool that’s constantly updated and well made.
- Although some business plan tools have a collaboration feature, none of them can review it when you’re done. All business planning tools lack a human touch.
How to Choose the Right Business Plan Software
With the array of business planning tools available, it can be daunting to select the right one for your needs. Here are some tips for choosing the best business plan software solution:
- Consider your skill level – Opt for software like a wizard-guided business plan template if you are less experienced in writing plans. Choose more advanced software with greater flexibility once you know what you are doing. Look for drag-and-drop tools to easily organize sections.
- Determine your budget – Prices range from free to several hundred dollars. Know how much you can spend before shopping.
- Compare features – Look for software with the specific tools you need, like financial projections, sample text, customizable templates, and more.
- Evaluate the financial tool capabilities – The software should provide extensive financial tools like forecasting, modeling, projections, and dashboards to streamline financial planning.
- Check reviews and ratings – Get feedback from other users about their experience with the software. High reviews indicate easier, more user-friendly software.
Plan for Success With Upmetrics
Create a professional, investor-ready plan using AI-powered tools and industry-specific templates.
Start NowFAQs
What is the purpose of a business plan?
The purpose of a business plan is to provide a structured outline and roadmap for a business’s goals, strategies, and operations. It serves as a guide for decision-making, resource allocation, and management.
Furthermore, business plans can be crucial to attract investors, secure funding, and ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the business’s direction, objectives, and value proposition.
How do you write a business plan?
To write a business plan, start by writing an executive summary that provides an overview of your business idea, products/services, market opportunity, and projected growth. Outline your company description, industry analysis, target customers, competitive advantage, marketing and sales plans, operations, management team, and financial projections.
How long should a business plan be?
The length can vary based on the complexity of the business, its stage, and its intended audience. In general, it might range from 15-50 pages. However, the key is to ensure that the plan is comprehensive yet concise.
For many situations, especially when seeking investment, a more detailed plan is preferable. Yet, for internal purposes or for businesses at very early stages, a shorter, more concise plan might suffice.
Are there business plan templates on Word?
Yes, Microsoft Word has business plan templates you can download and customize. The templates provide section headings, instructions, sample text, and tables to input your specific business information.