business plan software for beginners

Best business plan software of 2024

For planning your business finance

Best overall

Best budget, best established, best for speed.

• How we test

The best business plan software makes it simple and easy to plan your business finances in order to present them to a bank or investors.

1. Best overall 2. Best budget 3. Best basic 4. Best established 5. Best for speed 6. FAQs 7. How we test

The whole point of a business plan is that it allows you to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, not least via your Unique Selling Point (USP) ,and make product or service comparisons with competitors.

Of course, even the best business plan relies on estimates and guesstimates, as it's impossible to predict market changes, developments, and future performance under such conditions. 

Ultimately, though, a business plan will demonstratively prove why your business is a solid enough investment to risk putting money into, and shows that you have properly and thoroughly researched your market, and details the real potential of a new business opportunities.

Here then are the best business plan software providers currently available.

You may also be interested in our featured business guides on best business laptops , best business computers and best business smartphones .

The best business plan software of 2024 in fill:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Bizplan is the online business planning tool that claims usage of 30,000 startup founders from the Startups.co platform. They use a guided creator that can break the big project down into the component pieces that get tracked with a Progress Tracker, and expert guidance each step of the way including templates that can be dropped in, and completed, along with simple integration of visuals along the way.

Additional resources are also provided via the Bizplan Academy, with lessons on relevant topics, for example, “Building a Brand: How to Tell a Powerful Brand Story,” and “Critical Path Your Way to Higher Revenues,” among the many offerings. Those that need even more assistance also can take advantage of an expert consultation from a financial expert.

• ^ Back to the top

2. PlanGuru

PlanGuru is a comprehensive, and powerful software package in the business planning space. Education is provided via a series of case studies at their PlanGuru University and a whole slew of video tutorials.

The feature set includes flexible budgeting that can handle a simple small business, or a larger multi-department operating budget, and financial forecasting that uses multiple methods, including intelligent and turn-key methods - twenty methods in total. Historical results can also be imported with the general ledger import utility which can then applied to produce a rolling forecast. They also offer PlanGuru Launch, a service to bring in expertise and is charged per hour of assistance.

A significant downside is Planguru charges a higher cost than other software options. The cheapest option is around $75 per month for one business entity when billed annually. While there is no free trial, PlanGuru does offer a 30 day money back guarantee. 

Our expert review:

Enloop is a great choice for business planning software for the cash strapped business as it is the rare offering that has a free tier. Step up up to the next tier, and this is no barebones product, as it has over 100 currency symbols, can automatically generate bank-ready financial reports, and even has automated text writing that can sync with financial data to turn it into text. There is also a real time performance score assigned, that dynamically changes as the business plan is strengthened.  

The plans start with the Free tier, which is limited to a single business plan with simple text, no images, and does not offer any advanced features. The next plan up is the Detailed plan, that supports three business plans, and offers a significant 55% discount when paid annually, making it even better value. This plan costs around $20 per month. For a more comprehensive package you can buy the Performance plan costing around $40 per month.

Read our full Enloop business plan software review .

4. LivePlan

LivePlan is business planning software that offers a simple pricing scheme as there is only a single plan to choose from. As they have a 15+ year track record, they offer a clean and simple interface, that can create business plans that look like they were done by an expert consultant, and the software includes a live dashboard that can track day-to-day performance. Those with writer’s block will benefit from the over 500 included sample plans that can be turned to for inspiration.  

Rather than complicate things with too many tiers to choose from, LivePlan only has a single plan which can be paid for monthly or annually.

5. Business Sorter

Business Sorter promises to simplify and speed up business planning and claims to be able to flesh out a plan in an hour or two, via a novel 273 card sort system that covers many common situations.

The ability to reword cards is included, or also to add cards to the already expansive deck, so no worries if there is not a pre-made card for your situation. Unlike some sites that have videos, the educational resources here are provided as PDFs and Word files, which can be quicker to access, but harder to follow for some learners. 

The lowest tier plan, Basic is fully featured, and includes up to three team leaders. 

Read our full Business Sorter review .

Other business plan software to consider

We've only covered some of the most popular business plan software platforms out there, but there are a number of other notables worth mentioning, plus a wide variety of providers of business plan templates. Below we'll briefly cover a range of some of the additional options out there that are worth considering to get your business plan right.

Go Business Plans is more of a consultancy than a software solution, but is worth mentioning for the simple fact that it's one of America's biggest business plan companies. While software might be able to do the job for you, if you're looking for significant funding, it's probably useful to get some professional advice, not least in terms of strategic planning, feasibility studies, and financial projections to ensure you have a solid base for your business plan.

Wise Business Plans provides a very wide range of templates to work from in constructing a business plan. These are particularly designed with funding in mind, no matter what kind of business you run. What is especially helpful is that Wise doesn’t simply deal with business plan templates for a diverse range of business types, the company also provides plan templates for franchises and non-profits.

Plan Writers  is another bespoke service that essentially listens to what you want and then puts the plan together for you. Again, this technically falls outside of business plan "software", but the chances are you'll use a software package as a platform to build from, and Plan Writers can then help you build up from that base.

Bplans is another provider of business plan templates, but goes beyond that with additional pitch and SWOT analysis templates. There are also business plan guides, industry reports, and a free course on writing a business plan. Bplans also publishes a lot of free-to-use articles on business planning, financials, and tax reporting, to help ensure you can keep your figures and projections accurate and compliant.

We've also listed the best free software for small business .

A business plan is essentially your roadmap to profitability from an initial investment. Whether it's your own money, or a loan from a bank, it's still a good idea to set up a business plan for yourself.

Main things to look to are a SWOT analysis to provide an idea of your business idea's strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify a unique selling point (USP) that will give your business an edge.

While business plans inevitably demand the use of figures, and while these can be impossible to be accurate with, at least by making intelligent guesses you can set yourself targets to work towards.

That's another common feature of a plan, so that specific periods you can review your business progress and make adjustments to your plan as required. This allows you to use real figures for your projections, allowing you to better plan ahead.

Which business plan software is best for you?

When deciding which business plan software to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free platforms may only provide basic options, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, free and budget software options can sometimes prove limited when it comes to the variety of tools available, while higher-end software can really cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require.

How we tested the best business plan software

To test for the best business plan software we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, whether as a download or as an online service. We then tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each business plan software platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

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Blog Business

8 Best Business Plan Software for 2024

By Krystle Wong , Jan 01, 2024

Gone are the days of staring at blank pages and struggling to structure a business plan effectively. With user-friendly interfaces and a wide range of business plan templates catering to various industries, creating business plans that are polished, professional and data-driven can now be done in a fraction of the time.

For startups, business plan software guides them through the crucial early stages with comprehensive business plan templates and financial modeling tools. Established businesses on the other hand benefit from the software’s collaborative features, enabling seamless teamwork as they pivot, innovate and pursue new growth opportunities.

In this article, let’s delve into exploring the seven best business plan software for 2024. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea or a seasoned business owner ready to elevate your enterprise to new heights, these software solutions have all you need to create a solid business plan.

Click to jump ahead:

What is a business plan software?

• 7 Best business plan software for 2024

Factors to consider when choosing a business plan software

7 steps to create your own business plan, business plan software faq, key takeaway.

A Business plan software is a specialized digital tool designed to assist entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses in creating, organizing and presenting comprehensive business plans. 

Business plan software significantly reduces the time and effort required to create a comprehensive business plan . The availability of business plan templates, financial modeling tools and automated features streamlines the process of business planning and eliminates the need for starting from scratch.

Some advanced business planning software even integrates market research capabilities. This feature provides users with access to market trends, industry benchmarks and relevant data. Access to such data helps users make informed decisions and demonstrate a thorough understanding of their target market.

8 Best business plan software for 2024 

1. venngage.

Venngage specializes in transforming traditional business plans into captivating visual stories. Visuals can communicate complex information effectively, ensuring your ideas stand out and resonate with your audience.

When it comes to business planning, conveying your ideas with impact is just as important as the content itself. In this digital age, visual storytelling has emerged as a powerful way to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. That’s where Venngage steps in.

With a rich library of templates, Venngage offers a variety of themes and styles to suit different industries and business types. Customize your business plans with our user-friendly drag-and-drop tools by adding your brand elements, customizing colors, fonts and visuals to make your business plan truly unique. Check out our library of sample business plans to get started today.

However, while Venngage excels in visual storytelling, it might not be the go-to tool for in-depth financial forecasts and analysis. Users seeking extensive financial modeling might want to complement Venngage with a comprehensive business planning tool.

Pricing options:

Create your first 5 designs with Venngage for free and upgrade to a premium or business plan for $10/month per user and $24/month per user respectively to enjoy premium features. For larger teams who need extra support, controls and security, the enterprise plan starts from $499/month for 10+ seats.

Can I collaborate with team members using this business plan software?

Yes, absolutely! Venngage offers collaborative features that allow you to work seamlessly with multiple team members when creating business plans. You can invite team members to join your Venngage account and they can contribute to the design process in real time. 

Can I export my business plan to different file formats?

Upgrade to a premium or business plan on Venngage to export your professional business plan to different file formats. After designing your business plan, you can choose to export it as a high-quality PDF document, which is ideal for sharing and printing. Additionally, Venngage allows you to export your business plan as an image file (PNG or JPG), making it easy to use in presentations or on your website. 

Is this business plan software suitable for startups or established businesses? 

Venngage is great for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to enhance their business plans with visually engaging infographics and visual assets.

Instead of sharing a lengthy, 50-page document that may bore your audience and fail to effectively convey your message — present your business plan with infographics. Here’s how you can create a business plan infographic that will wow your readers and showcase your business at its best. 

2. LivePlan

Source: Screenshot from LivePlan

In the realm of business planning software, LivePlan stands out as a reliable and user-friendly tool. With a focus on seamless financial forecasting and budgeting capabilities, LivePlan streamlines the planning process, helping businesses transform their visions into reality.

The software’s financial forecasting tools provide users with the ability to project revenue, expenses and cash flow accurately. This financial insight is invaluable for making informed decisions and setting realistic goals.

For hassle-free data integration, the business plan software offers seamless integration with accounting software . This feature allows users to import financial data effortlessly, saving time and reducing manual data entry.

While LivePlan excels in financial planning and user-friendliness, some users may find the customization options for design and layout to be limited. For businesses seeking highly tailored visual aesthetics, LivePlan’s template-based approach might be less ideal.

The standard plan is available at $20/month for monthly billing and $15/month for annual billing. For businesses seeking extensive financial tools to support their operations and growth, the Premium plan costs $20 for the first month and $40/month (monthly billing) or $30/month (annual billing) for subsequent months.

LivePlan facilitates seamless collaboration among users within your account, allowing multiple individuals to work on the same plan concurrently. To prevent conflicting edits, LivePlan restricts access to specific sections, allowing only one user to edit at a time while others observe the locked section.

You can export your business plan by using the print to PDF feature. This generates your plan content in a standard file format compatible with Adobe Reader and other free reader programs. Alternatively, you can export your plan to Microsoft Word (2007 or later).

A great tool for small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs looking for easy-to-use software with solid financial planning tools.

3. Upmetrics

Upmetrics is an AI-powered business planning software that helps businesses of all sizes and industries write their business plan.

With Upmetrics AI Assistant, you can write your plan faster, get answers to any business-related queries, and prepare financial forecasts in no time. 

Besides, the subscription includes access to 400+ sample business plans, various informative guides, and video tutorials to keep your business plan writing process on track. 

Additionally, it has collaborative features, so that everyone on the team can share their insights. Not just that, the software provides you with an AI pitch deck generator, so you can make a stellar pitch.

As an AI business plan builder , Upmetrics is suitable for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses to write their plans at any stage. Although it has various cover page designs and immense customization options, it might still lack visual appeal. 

Pricing plan options 

• Starter plan – $7 monthly 
• Premium plan – $14 monthly 

Yes, you can collaborate with your team members while using Upmetrics. It offers collaboration tools that allow you to work effortlessly with your team on the business plan. You can invite team members to collaborate, assign tasks, and track the progress together. 

You can download your business plan as a PDF or directly as a document in Word. Besides, you can share the business plan directly to any email, and they will get the viewer access to the plan. 

Upmetrics is a versatile business planning software suitable for startups and established businesses. But its financial planning features, step-by-step guidance, and AI Assistant make it more useful for startups writing business plans for the first time.

4. BizPlan by Startups.com

Source: Screenshot from BizPlan

If you’re a startup aiming to raise investments, BizPlan is the one for you. As a universal professional business plan builder, BizPlan offers the added advantage of seamless integration with all the tools within the Startups.com network.

Designed with startups in mind, BizPlan’s step-by-step approach allows you to break down the entire scope of work into manageable steps and the built-in Progress Tracker tool keeps you on track towards success.

Once you subscribe, BizPlan opens the door to utilizing all the tools offered by Startups.com, making it a one-stop shop for your entrepreneurial needs. Whether it’s lifetime access to the service, connectivity to Findable to attract financial investments, a wealth of online educational programs or the ability to connect multiple owners to a single account, BizPlan delivers comprehensive support.

While the business plan software offers an array of benefits, it’s essential to consider the possible downsides. The absence of a free version and a mobile app, along with a lack of industry-specific templates for business plans may be worth considering before making your decision

Pricing plan options:

• Monthly plan ($29 per month)
• Annual plan ($20.75 per month or $249/year)
• Lifetime access (one-time fee of $349)

Bizplan encourages collaboration with partners, team members, advisors and subject matter experts by allowing threaded comments throughout the entire plan. It provides control over who can access sensitive financial data and enables convenient cloud-based access from anywhere.

Bizplan provides multiple options for sharing your business plan with others. You can generate an online version of your plan, which can be set as private by default or made publicly accessible through a unique shareable URL. Additionally, Bizplan offers the option to create a custom-branded PDF of your business plan. 

BizPlan is great for entrepreneurs and small businesses who value a vast collection of resources and need support in financial analysis.

Source: Screenshot from Enloop

Enloop emerges as one of the best business plan tools for startups, catering to entrepreneurs who crave a streamlined planning process. With the ability to automatically generate basic text for each section of your plan, Enloop saves time and effort in crafting your business vision.

A highlight of the business plan tool is its automatic generation of financial projections, offering accurate insights based on your entered data. This powerful feature empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and project future outcomes with confidence.

For those with a penchant for strategic thinking, Enloop’s “what-if” scenario analysis becomes an invaluable tool. It allows users to explore various business strategies and assess their potential impact on plan outcomes, enabling sound decision-making.

Enloop doesn’t stop at generating numbers; it goes a step further by providing a business plan grading system. This insightful feature assesses plan quality, giving users valuable feedback to refine and enhance their business plans.

However, it’s essential to consider the software’s limitations as customization and design options are relatively limited. Additionally, the basic version of Enloop might not meet the needs of all users, as it lacks certain advanced features. 

• Seven day free trial (no credit card required)
• Detailed plan ($19.95/month or $11/month when billed annually)
• Performance plan ($39.95/month or $24/month when billed annually)

Enloop’s online business plan writing app lets you invite and collaborate with anyone on your business plans using the ‘Invite & Share’ feature.

Enloop allows you to download your business plan in PDF format whenever you’re ready. The plans remain accessible in your paid account, encouraging regular updates to keep track of your business’s health and have an up-to-date plan ready for financing needs.

Suitable for entrepreneurs seeking a tool that simplifies financial forecasting and scenario analysis.

6. PlanGuru

Source: Screenshot from PlanGuru

PlanGuru’s standout feature lies in its ability to forecast all three financial statements – income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement so that users can make data-driven decisions.

Creating detailed analyses becomes a breeze with PlanGuru’s general ledger import utilities, allowing seamless historical data import. The software facilitates budget vs actual reporting and enables building rolling forecasts with just a few clicks each month.

Unlimited budgeting flexibility is another advantage offered by the business plan builder. Users can craft simple high-level small business budgets or delve into intricate multi-department operating budgets with ease.

With scenario analysis capabilities, PlanGuru empowers users to interpret the financial impact of specific events accurately. This feature enables making critical investments and strategic decisions with confidence, knowing thorough due diligence has been performed.

Given its sophisticated features, PlanGuru may be more suitable for financial professionals and analysts looking for in-depth financial analysis and budgeting tools. Users not familiar with financial modeling may face a steeper learning curve when utilizing Enloop’s robust capabilities.

• Single entity ($99/month or $75/month when billed annually)
• Multi-department consolidations ($299/month or $225/month when billed annually)

You can add up to 3 users with the multi-department consolidation plan. Additionally, all plans allow you to add on $29/month (billed monthly) or $25/month (billed annually) for each extra user.

What other apps does PlanGuru integrate with?

The cloud-based platform is also accessible as a Windows-based desktop version, giving you the freedom to choose the format that suits you best. Additionally, PlanGuru seamlessly integrates with MS Excel, QuickBooks Online and Xero, providing further flexibility and convenience in using the software.

The cloud-based version is suitable for SMBs or nonprofits budgeting for a single entity while the multi-department consolidations plan is for companies with multiple departments needing consolidated budgets.

7. Business Sorter

Source: Screenshot from Business Sorter

With Business Sorter’s card sort system, crafting the foundation of your plan becomes a breeze. Featuring 273 cards covering various business situations, the business plan generator offers flexibility, allowing users to customize their plan by adding their cards or modifying existing ones, tailoring the plan to their specific needs.

The platform also provides the convenience of viewing your plan on any device, including smartphones, which not many business plan apps have. Additionally, guidance is at hand with Business Sorter as the software provides valuable tips and advice for every key step, empowering users to implement their business strategy with confidence.

While Business Sorter excels in its interactive features, it may not offer as extensive financial analysis tools as other business plan software. For businesses requiring advanced financial modeling capabilities, Business Sorter might not fully meet their requirements.

• For small teams with up to 3 users ($10/month or $80/year)
• For medium teams with up to 10 users ($30/month or $240/year)
• For large teams with up to 30 users ($80/month or $640/year)
• For enterprises with unlimited users (custom pricing)

Your business plan can be edited by only one user at a time. When a user opens a plan, it automatically locks to prevent any data loss and remains locked until the user finishes their work and exits the plan.

You can print each business plan directly from the plan summaries on your dashboard. 

Suitable for both entrepreneurs and businesses looking for an interactive and visually appealing planning approach.

9. AchieveIt

Source: Screenshot from AchieveIt

AchieveIt stands as a versatile software for business plans, designed to simplify the planning process for businesses of all sizes and planning methods. With AchieveIt, you can easily build plans, ensuring alignment and engagement among your employees and optimizing plans for seamless execution.

Regardless of your preferred planning method, AchieveIt empowers you to construct plans effortlessly, providing a flexible solution for any planning use case. The software ensures your plans are well-aligned with your organization’s objectives, engaging all team members for successful plan execution.

The business plan tool provides robust tracking and reporting features, allowing businesses to monitor the progress of their plans and measure performance against set goals. Users can create customized dashboards to visualize key performance metrics, making it easier to identify trends and insights.

That said, In comparison to most business plan software, AchieveIt’s pricing might be relatively higher with its extensive features. On top of that, for users new to strategic planning software, AchieveIt may present a learning curve during the initial adoption phase.

The business plan software packages for AchieveIt varies based on factors like organization size, required functionality and the number of users. AchieveIt being an enterprise-level software offers custom pricing to cater to the specific needs of each business. For accurate pricing details, it’s best to contact their sales or customer support team.

AchieveIt allows team members, stakeholders and advisors to have shared access to the platform, providing them with visibility into the latest updates and progress on the plans. Users can assign tasks to team members and track their progress within the platform. 

Can AchieveIt integrate with existing systems?

AchieveIt’s Data Integration API lets you import key metric data from existing systems, saving time and reducing errors by eliminating the need for data entry in multiple places.

AchieveIt is best suited for medium to large-sized businesses and organizations that require a comprehensive and collaborative strategic planning platform. It caters to teams and enterprises seeking to improve their planning processes, track performance and drive organizational alignment to achieve business objectives effectively.

No idea what your business plan should look like? Check out these business plan examples for inspiration. 

When searching for the best business planning software, you may be wondering — what features should I look for in business plan software? You want to make sure it meets your specific requirements and streamlines the planning process effectively. Here are the top six factors to consider:

Ease of use

The software should have a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating a business plan. Look for intuitive navigation, clear instruction and a layout that makes it easy to input and organize your information.

Features and business plan templates

Check the range of features and business plan templates the software offers. Look for a diverse selection of business plan templates catering to various industries and business types. The software should provide essential sections like executive summaries, market analysis, financial projections and more.

Financial modeling tools

Your business plan software should allow you to input financial data and generate accurate and comprehensive financial projections. These business plan creation tools are vital for assessing the financial viability of your business.

Collaboration and sharing

If you’ll be working with a team or seeking feedback from others, consider software that enables real-time collaboration and easy sharing. The ability to work together seamlessly can enhance productivity and improve the quality of your business plan.

Built for fast-moving teams that need to be on the same page, Venngage’s real-time collaboration enables you to polish your design with your team in real time, leave comments on each other’s work,and save your designs in one shared folder. With your  Venngage Business  account, you can easily invite and manage your team members to collaborate on a design, all in real time.

Security and data protection

Since a business plan contains sensitive information, prioritize software that prioritizes security. Ensure that the software uses encryption and data protection measures to keep your data safe from unauthorized access.

Exporting and sharing options

Check the software’s export options. You’ll likely want to share your business plan with others, so ensure it can be exported in popular formats like PDF or PowerPoint.

Are you an entrepreneur starting a new business or expanding your existing business? This guide on how to create a small business plan might come in handy for you. 

Creating business plans can be a crucial step in setting your entrepreneurial vision on the right track. To help you through the process, here are 7 steps to guide you in crafting a comprehensive business plan:

Step 1: Executive summary

Start with an attention-grabbing executive summary. This section provides an overview of your business. In your executive summary, make sure to highlight your mission, goals, products or services, target market and the unique value you offer. Keep it concise, yet compelling.

Step 2: Company description

Give a detailed description of your company. Explain your business’s history, its legal structure (e.g. sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation) and the reasons why your business will succeed in the market.

Step 3: Market analysis

Conduct thorough market research to understand your industry, target market and competition. Identify your ideal customers, their needs and preferences. Analyze your competitors and highlight your competitive advantages.

Step 4: Products and Services

Describe your products or services in depth. Explain their features, benefits and how they meet the needs of your target customers. Emphasize what sets your offerings apart from the competition.

Step 5: Marketing and sales strategy

Outline your marketing and sales strategies to reach your target audience. Explain your promotional activities, pricing strategies, distribution channels and sales tactics. Detail how you plan to acquire and retain customers.

Step 6: Financial projections

Project your financial performance over the next three to five years. Include estimated revenue, expenses and cash flow. Detail your startup costs and funding requirements if applicable. Be realistic and supported by market research.

Step 7: Implementation plan

Create a detailed roadmap for executing your business plan. Set specific goals and milestones. Break down tasks and assign responsibilities. Include timelines and a plan for measuring progress.

A great tip here is to start with a well-structured outline. This guide on how to create a business plan outline will help you in creating your blueprint to easily identify your business’ resource needs, including finances, personnel and equipment. 

Is my business data safe with business plan software?

Most reputable business plan software providers prioritize data security and employ encryption and other measures to keep your business data safe from unauthorized access.

What are the benefits of using business planning tools?

Business planning tools offer time efficiency, professional presentation, error reduction, collaborative features and accessibility, making it easier to create a comprehensive business plan that impresses investors and stakeholders.

Do I need any specific skills or expertise to use business plan software?

No, many business plan software solutions are designed to be user-friendly, requiring no specific skills or expertise. They often come with templates and step-by-step guidance to assist you through the planning process.

In the dynamic landscape of 2024, businesses are on the lookout for innovative tools to stay ahead of the curve and drive their growth. These 7 business plan software picks for 2024 offer a wide range of features, from user-friendly interfaces and real-time collaboration to sophisticated financial analysis tools and customizable dashboards.

Whether you’re looking for user-friendly platform business planning tools that aligns with your business planning processes or a business plan writing software that allows you to tailor the business plan according to your industry, goals and unique requirements — I’m quite certain I’ve got them all covered. 

The value of these business plan software options lies not only in their efficiency but also in their ability to save time and reduce errors. By integrating with existing systems through Data Integration APIs, users can seamlessly import key metric data, eliminating redundant data entry and streamlining the process.

If you’re still unsure about which is the right business plan software for your business, you can always take advantage of free trials or video tutorials and demos offered by software providers. Testing the platform firsthand will give you a practical understanding of its usability and suitability for your business.

Benefits of Using a Business Plan Software

1. infinity — a business plan software for businesses of all sizes, 2. ntask — a business planning software for small businesses.

• 3. ProofHub — An All-in-One Software for Business Planning 

4. Scoro — The Best Business Planning and Budgeting Software

5. trello — the top business planning software for startups.

• 6. Asana — A Powerful Business Planning Software  

7. ClickUp — A User-Friendly Business Plan App

8. planguru — a leading business planning software, 9. bizplan — a game-changing software for business planning, 10. enloop — an automated business planning software, 11. liveplan — a business plan software with performance tracking, 12. bizplanbuilder — the best free business plan software, 13. upmetrics — a high-end software for business planning, 14. planium pro — a strategic business plan software, 15. ideabuddy — an innovative business app, 16. plansnack — a simple and free business plan software, 17. cuttles — a recently launched business plan app, 17 business plan software to power up your business in 2023.

Admit it: you always get a rush of new business ideas at the least convenient moments—when sitting at a bar and chatting with friends or when taking a shower. And most of the time, instead of writing down those ideas, you let them go down the drain. 

...Which is how so many people end up missing a chance to do something big in their lives. 

It would be a pity to be one of them, right?

Yes, we know—writing a killer plan that will grab the investors’ attention and convince them of the viability and profitability (so they can expect a solid return) of your idea can be quite daunting and time-consuming. And getting your idea off the ground and laying out the roadmap for the future can definitely be too much of a bite for beginners and alone-doers.

Fortunately, you can turn to business plan software for help, no matter if you are an entrepreneur, manager, business executive, or an individual with a fantastic idea. Software takes out the need to start from scratch, simplifies the process, helps you get your message across, acquire funding, and saves your time (whoop whoop).

We are happy to announce you can choose between (wait for it) 17 business planning software and nail all those ideas without throwing a tantrum or dolling out a fortune.

Are you ready to set yourself up for success? Let’s dive in!

To begin with, let’s dive into some of the benefits of business planning software to get a better grasp of each so you can decide whether you need one by your side.

• Simplifies the Process —Whether you are a business novice or manager, you could use a helping hand when writing an actionable plan. The right software can simplify the process by guiding you step-by-step through making a plan and giving you hints on what you should insert or remove so you don’t have to think in too much detail.
• Saves Time —Business plan software comes up with suggestions based on your ideas, gives you insights into meaningful data, organizes the plan, and saves your energy and time .
• Helps with Your Finances —Not having experience in a financial background can make it nerve-wracking to work on the financial aspects (such as projecting cash flow and calculating an income statement) of your business plan. Software for business planning can help you work your way around financial projections and create a model that will back up your plan.
• Accessible for Multiple Team Members —Your team members can incorporate items to the plan you can further see and review. This way, everyone’s talents and competencies come to the forefront, which encourages a collaborative spirit and gives better results.
• Customizable Templates —Depending on the industry, you can choose from a library of templates and ensure your business plan reflects your ideas visually. Not all software offer this type of customization but, if you care about the looks, opt for something that delivers above-average results.

Top 17 Business Planning Software to Check Out

Infinity is an online business plan software tailored to the needs of different users and businesses. It is very intuitive to use and adapts to your processes, so you don’t have to waste time figuring out how to assemble the information you need.

Infinity simplifies complex procedures so personal users, freelancers, and companies (business owners, managers, and business executives) can get the most out of it. Basically, it is packed with all the features one could possibly need when making a business plan , organizing business, and managing time and finances. 

“Been using this for a few months now. Got the LTD. Stefan and his team are working hard to make a killer product. Thank you!” - Kodi Fletcher

Obviously, you need software that can handle various types of data, such as text, reports, charts, numbers, dates, etc., and Infinity gives you a myriad of customization options so you can organize data and control who sees what. 

You can also choose between visuals that represent your data—Kanban boards, Gantt charts, columns, charts lists, calendars, or create custom forms and save them for later as well. Infinity allows you to organize all data to your preference—filter, group, sort, reorder, hide, etc.

Check out the following video to learn more about how Infinity works:

Needless to say, Infinity could be exactly what you need to manage all aspects of a modern business. You get all this with one payment, so keep it in mind if you want to invest smartly.

Key Features

• Dozens of Templates —Use one of the pre-made templates and save time instead of building workflows from scratch. Our Business Roadmap and Product Roadmap templates can help you outline strategies, set goals, brainstorm with the team, and more. 
• Multiple Views —Infinity lets you view all the relevant information for your business plan in 7 ways, or views. You can see the big picture or dive deep into the nitty-gritty details of your business plan using Lists, Tables, Columns, etc. 
• Attributes —Infinity lets you assign multiple attributes to every item of your business plan. You can write descriptions, set start and end dates, track progress on tasks using progress bars, rate importance, set an impact score, and add user stories to make sure your plan reflects your vision but also contributes to delivering a product your customers really need. 
• Roles and Permissions —Divide business goals and strategies across various departments and set permissions so everyone knows their responsibilities in developing business plans . 
• Filter, Group, and Sort —Infinity makes it a breeze to group, filter, and sort items on your business plan to goal, strategic goal, division, assignee, stage, release date, feature size, or any other attribute you choose. You can also color-code each attribute to make your items within your business plan easily scannable. 
• Automations —Automate your workflows (set up recurring tasks, reminders, or create IFTTT rules), reduce busywork, and help your business plan come to life faster. 
• External Sharing —You can invite stakeholders to review your business plan via links or export it to CSV or PDF file at a click.
• Integrations —Connect Infinity with Zapier , Trello, and Clockify to level up your game.
• iOS & Android Mobile Apps —Manage your business on the go through our mobile apps.

What’s great about Infinity is that you get to choose between attractive customizable templates and create boards for different purposes (finances, legal forms, invoicing), and this is just warming up. Once you get comfortable with using the tool, you can start putting together your own templates. Until then, get the most out of 50+ templates to create business plans and grow any business. 

Check these for starters:

• Business Roadmap
• Invoice Management
• Finances Tracker
• Meetings Calendar

The Finances Tracker template can help you understand your income sources, where your money goes, and uncover eventual hidden costs, which is essential for any thriving business.

Use the Public Board to collaborate with the team and create boards you can share with your clients. Clients can comment on tasks and make suggestions or create items to give you a better understanding of what they are looking for.  

INFINITY TIP : Planning a business involves planning finances, and this is the area where even the most experienced business planners slip up. Create a separate board under this name and then create folders such as “loan payments,” “expenses budget,” etc., to keep track of your finances and prevent miscalculations.

Infinity offers 14 days of free trial for anyone who signs up. When it comes to pricing, you can choose between Basic and Pro plans, with Basic plans starting from $3.75 per user per month, and Pro plans starting from $6 per user per month.

Image Source: ntaskmanager.com

Most of you know nTask as a project management software. However, do you know you can use it to make business plans and receive nTask’s wholehearted support through it all? 

Being one of the top business planning software , nTask offers a bunch of planning features any home user, contractor, or project manager can find super-useful for handling daily workflow activities. You can invite stakeholders to check your business/project and see whether you are on the same page. 

Allocate resources, define budgets, collaborate with your team, use Gantt charts to track progress via stunning visuals , and enjoy every step of the way towards success. 

nTask is free and functional but a bit too complicated for first-time users. You may encounter a bug or two while working, which is probably its main downside, yet nothing to stress over when having in mind other first-class features this software offers.

• Budget Tracking
• Gantt Charts
• Multi-User Engagement
• Multitasking
• Risk Assessment
• Time Tracking Modules
• Integrates with Slack, Zoom, and Google Calendar

If your team counts 5 or fewer members, guess what? You pay nothing (unless you need more than 100MG of storage)! The premium plan starts at $2.99/month/user, business plan starts at $7.99/month/per user, while you can create custom plans as well. nTask offers a 14-day trial so you can tell whether you would be a good fit without committing.

3. ProofHub — An All-in-One Software for Business Planning 

Image Source: proofhub.com

ProofHub is an easy-to-use business software that can ensure your business runs without a hassle from the very beginning. You can use it to collaborate with the team, assign personal or group tasks and order them by priority, create reports, and even self-manage as you move from one stage to another.

You can communicate with clients and team members in 6 languages, which makes ProofHub’s interface one of the most user-friendly on our list. 

As we already mentioned, you don’t have to fill in details from scratch (thank God) when working in a time-saving business plan app like this one. Yet, with ProofHub, you can also create and save templates for the future and always be one step ahead of the game.

ProofHub offers numerous functionalities at a reasonable price without per-user fees. On the downside, it lacks budgeting features so you would have to find another way to plan and track your finances.

• Kanban Boards
• User Permission Settings
• Multi-Language Interface
• Built-In Invoicing
• Integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive, and Google Calendar

ProofHub’s essential plan is available to an unlimited number of users, offers 40 projects and 15GB of storage, and comes at a price of $45/month (billed annually) or $50/month (billed monthly). You can get their “Ultimate Control” limited-time offer for $89/month (billed annually) or $99/month (billed monthly) that enables you to provide custom access to team members and customers.

Image Source: scoro.com

Scoro could be the right tool if you struggle with planning budgets for your business plans. After all, achieving success is impossible without proper budgeting. 

This software combines all the financial elements you need to create a profitable business plan and manage expenses and resources as well as manage project budgets. However, its capabilities are far from just financial . 

Scoro features customizable dashboards, time tracking, team collaboration, and integration with other apps—everything medium-sized businesses and teams could ask for.

This is one-of-a-kind software for business planning, budgeting, project management, and CRM, and having access to all this data in one place can save your time and energy.

• Business Management
• Budget Forecasting
• Financial Reports
• Accounting Reports
• Financial Dashboard
• Customizable Dashboards
• iOS and Android Mobile Apps

Scoro offers a 14-day free trial to new users while their Essential package for at least 5 users costs $26/user/month. They have 3 more pricing plans if you need more features.

Image Source: trello.com

Trello is an online business plan software that can help you determine goals, key activities, map priority tasks, identify stakeholders, and determine resources. Put another way, it helps you outline requirements, expectations, and create a coherent business plan. All this—for free, or at a relatively affordable price if you need extra features.

With Trello, you can conduct a competitor analysis (direct and indirect competitors) and figure out what your advantages and disadvantages are. Going a step further, it allows you to conduct industry and customer analysis as well so you can map a plan, set daily tasks, milestones, etc. 

As you’re gonna need a financial plan as well, Trello helps you calculate funding requirements, write a revenue model, calculate expenses, etc. Once you set a clear direction on resources, budgets, and schedules, you can assign tasks and collaborate with the team, add and remove members. 

Trello integrates with Gmail, Outlook, Dropbox, and Slack and ensures that your team functions seamlessly.

• Custom Templates
• Custom Backgrounds
• File Storage
• Scheduled Commands
• Workflow Automation
• iOS and Android Apps

You can use Trello for free, pay annually $9.99/month/user for a Business Class plan, or $17.5/month/user for their Enterprise plan suitable for 100+ users.

6. Asana — A Powerful Business Planning Software  

Image Source: asana.com

Back in 2016, the guys from Asana announced they improved its core functionality by adding templates, custom fields, boards, and dependencies to help businesses conquer their planning challenges. From that moment, Asana became the ultimate software for business planning . It can help you set goals for the future, and, more importantly, achieve them.

With Asana, you can share ideas with team members, partners, and investors and communicate on future steps. To make things easier, Asana offers a comprehensive, ready-made Business Strategy Plan template so you can include components, share ideas, and take concrete actions towards success right away. It allows you to document and update your strategy, gives insights to your partners into expenses, processes, etc.

The ability to share your business plan with partners takes out the guessing and enables you to get almost immediate feedback so you can, eventually, re-strategize.

Asana simplifies planning processes and makes planning empowering so you can set up for success. It integrates with Outlook, Zoom, and Slack, so you can keep everything in one place. We wish it had more financial features, yet, overall, it’s still one of the best business planning software.

• Custom Fields
• Task Workflow Automation
• Document Management
• Task Analytics
• Shared/Private Access

If you are just getting started and your team counts 15 or fewer members, try Asana for free. Other than that, their paid plans come at $10.99 or $24.99/user/month (billed annually).

Image Source: clickup.com

Although ClickUp is mostly popular as a collaboration tool, it can definitely handle various planning tasks and needs of any business so it is no wonder millions of users claim it as the best business plan software . 

This centralized hub is most suitable for road mapping, assigning tasks, tracking progress, real-time chatting and time-tracking, and much more. Every time someone from the team leaves a comment or mentions you, ClickUp will send you a notification, and not having to check on everything yourself is just great.

ClickUp provides 15 views, allows you to filter tasks, set priorities, create statuses and custom labels, etc. Instead of writing your plan on a piece of paper, use ClickUp’s Docs to store your documents and share them with the team.

With ClickUp, you can create a custom Dashboard to track your financial goals, spending, and profits, manage invoices, etc. It would use some more budgeting and forecasting features, but the basics ones are still there!

• Risk Management
• Recurring Tasks
• Automatic Calculations
• Mobile Apps

ClickUp is free for an unlimited number of users until you reach 100MB of storage. However, it offers better functionality with its paid plans—$5 or $9/member/month (billed annually or monthly).

Image Source: justbusiness.com

If you need some help with forecasting and budgeting, check out PlanGuru. This business plan app combines business planning and financial reporting, although the emphasis is on finance. It is most suitable for small companies and teams, while mid-sized businesses are encouraged to use it as well. 

PlanGuru has several features that help you get a better understanding of your finances when making a business plan. It forecasts (boasts over 20 forecasting techniques), calculates, and creates reports you can further export to Word, Excel , and PDF. 

PlanGuru created various case studies and built-in video tutorials to help you navigate the software and learn more about making profitable business plans. 

A significant downside of this software is the cost, although you can get your money back within 30 days if you don’t like it.

• 20+ Forecasting Methods
• Forecasting Using Non-Financial Data
• Strategic Planning
• Unlimited Budgeting Flexibility
• Integration with QuickBooks, Xero, and Excel Import

PlanGuru comes at a price of $99/month or $899/year.

Image Source: bizplan.com

Bizplan is way more than just a business plan builder. This online business plan software provides you with a comprehensive education on business planning, which can be useful no matter if you are a novice or an experienced business executive. At any moment, you can get expert help through videos and how-tos.

This software combines functionality and striking visuals so your business plan is profitable and attractive for investors at the same time. After all, you need a plan that can help you acquire finances, right? Choose a template and add elements to your preference—charts, problems, reports, etc.

Bizplan is a great tool for financial projections. It also creates reports based on your financial data you can analyze and, maybe, reassess your strategy. To make sure you don’t miss out on anything important, Bizplan’s progress tracker gives you insights into how much of your plan is complete.

Polished and functional, this user-friendly software can save you time and money in the long run. However, note there is no free trial so you can’t really know whether this is the right software for your needs before making a payment.

• Step-by-Step Builder
• Progress Tracker
• Financial Tools
• Shareable with Investors
• Business Plan Templates

You can either pay $349 for lifetime access or choose a monthly plan ($29/month) or an annual plan ($20.75/month).

Image Source: businessinsider.com

Enloop is a quite simple, yet reliable software for business planning that focuses on financial data and reports. It automatically generates reports and turns data into text in the blink of an eye (lifesaving).

However, note that you might still need to fill certain data fields, and it can get tricky if you don’t have a proper understanding of it.

Once you start creating your plan, Enloop will assign it a score that will change as you work your way up. It allows you to choose between 2 forecast modules—one that covers one year and the 36-month module that is more comprehensive and consists of several forecasting methods.

You can invite your team members and partners to review, add suggestions, or edit your plan, which is one of the features more advanced software provide. However, keep in mind Enloop lacks third-party integration and has poor customer support.

• Automatic Text Writing
• Automatically Generated Financial Reports
• Country Currency Formatting
• Access Control
• Financial Forecasting

Enloop offers a 7-day free tier (no credit card needed). Once you decide whether you like it or not, you can choose between $19.95 and $39.95 monthly plans that offer different advanced features.

Image Source: liveplan.com

LivePlan is a simple and interactive business plan app that can help you learn and apply techniques for making profitable business plans. It guides you step-by-step through the process and helps you meet specific goals.

You can choose between 500+ templates that suit your business or simply find the ones that inspire you to achieve success. LivePlan integrates with Xero and QuickBooks so you can import data from there and get an even better overview of your financial standpoint.

Speaking of finances, LivePlan guides you through financial data and calculates financial outcomes. You can make budgets month by month or for the whole year, and turn them into eye-catching visuals, which could be useful when discussing the plan with the investors.

If you need a complete business planning tool that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, keep your eye on LivePlan. As a cherry on top, it offers a 60-day money-back trial, just in case you are not 100% sold on its features.

• Financial Performance Tracking
• 500+ Sample Plans
• Step-by-Step Guidance
• Appealing Visual Aids

Sign up for LivePlan’s annual package and you pay $15/month, a 6-month package comes at $18, or you can pay as you go ($20/month).

Image Source: businesspowertools.com

BizPlanBuilder is a no-brainer to use. Yet, these guys wanted to make sure you truly get into the essence of business planning so they integrated a wizard to guide you through the process. It offers a bunch of appealing templates and there’s no doubt one can find the perfect plan for their business goals.

This software is about business planning but puts financials into focus. Thus, it offers various financial tools—charts, graphs, and calculators to make cost analysis, forecast, and much more. If you have already signed up for BizPlanBuilder’s accounting software program, you can import financial data from there.

One of the features that set BizPlanBuilder apart from similar software is that it offers additional features next to business planning and financials. You can invite your team members to view and edit your plans, and team collaboration is crucial if you want to make winning plans.

• Financial Projections
• Team Collaboration
• Fundraising Management
• Investor Management

You can sign up as a guest and use BizPlanBuilder for free, although advanced plans, starting at $97/month can give you more options and deeper insights into business planning.

Image Source: upmetrics.so

Upmetrics is a powerful, yet super user-friendly and flexible business plan software that can help you turn great business ideas into an even greater reality. This business plan builder comes packed with a bunch of features—from planning to strategies, collaboration, and forecasting.

With Upmetrics, you get 100+ sample business plans that can save you time and simplify the business planning progress, no matter which industry you are in. However, if you are a complete newbie to business planning, we highly suggest you take a look at their library of pre-written business plans, at least if you want your plan to be impactful once you present it.

To help you create an impressive plan, Upmetrics encourages you to create and edit sections, attach images, highlight key points, build charts and checklists (checklists can help a lot with tracking your business plan execution). You can also create several versions of the same plan and modify scenarios until you are perfectly content about it. 

Upmetrics encourages team collaboration and allows you to invite co-workers to discuss inputs, initiate convos, and provide feedback. This way, you’ll ensure business plans you’re working on reflecting your vision but also open yourself to hearing new, constructive ideas. And, if you need to share your plan with investors, you can do that too, at a single link, and allow them to track your activity.

The only thing that’s left is to add the final touch to your business plan—a cover page that will make it stand out even more. This business planning software lets you choose between a gallery of beautiful, professional pages you might want to explore.

• Business Plan Template Gallery
• Cover Pages Gallery
• Business Plan Checklist
• Financial Planning
• Percentage Progress Tracking
• Competitor Analysis
• Multiple Plan Versions
• Real-Time Collaboration and Feedback
• Internal and External Sharing
• PDF Downloads

Upmetrics has 3 paid plans—solo ($5.42/month), team ($8.25, for up to 5 members), and premium ($29.09/month for an unlimited number of members).

Image Source: planiumpro.com

Planium Pro is among the best strategic business planning software out there. This solution captures all the info you need to write a profitable business plan in one place—vision, values, opportunities, and mission, and lets you update sections on the fly, as new ideas develop.

It boasts a user-friendly interface and comes with sample plans to help you kickstart the business planning process. Armed with powerful analytic capabilities, Planium Pro helps you analyze and understand the market and discover opportunities, then create winning business plans and come up with good strategies.

Once you outline a new business route, you can use Planium Pro to review and allocate resources and create financial forecasts to easily understand which impact your current strategy may have, and identify the worst-case and best-case scenarios.

This business plan software integrates with a few accounting software (like MYOB) and allows you to import data to your business plan. As you would expect, you can invite co-workers to join and communicate on the next steps via chat, but also add external users and give them limited or full access.

Planium Pro promotes highly engaging dashboards, colorful tables, diagrams, and charts, and superior reports you can use to make informed decisions and create the perfect business plan.

• Business Plan Samples
• Forecasting Modules
• Resource Management
• Business Plan Presentation Templates
• Detailed Reports
• Export to Docx and PDF
• Online and Offline Mode

Planium Pro for professional and advanced users is priced at $8/user/month and up. Their Lite version for small business users and startups comes at a price of $5/month when billed monthly or $4.16/month when billed annually.

Image Source: ideabuddy.com

IdeaBuddy is a one-of-a-kind business plan app designed for consultants, product managers, universities and business schools, future entrepreneurs, and everyone else who has groundbreaking ideas but feels uncertain about bringing them life and using them to build a winning business model.

This tool can light up your way from making a business plan to its completion and help you stun your clients, co-workers, or whoever you want to show it to. Start from outlining and structuring your idea on a single page. If you need additional support, you can always search for IdeaBuddy’s examples from your industry.

Once you sketch the concept and create a one-page plan, brainstorm it with others, and research the market so you get a 360-degree view of your idea before taking the plunge. IdeaBuddy lets you create financial projections and comes equipped with several financial calculators that can calculate cash flow, expenses, profit margin, and other metrics.

After all this, you’ll have everything neatly documented and available at a click. You can always edit your business plan further and export it outside this business planning software to present it to your partners or investors.

• Editable Templates
• Lean Business Canvas
• Building Blocks
• Brainstorming
• Market Analysis
• Automatic Financials
• Unlimited Edits
• Business Plan Share and Export to Word/PDF

IdeaBuddy has 3 paid plans—$45/year for solo users, $85/year for up to 3 users, and $165/year for up to 30 collaborators.

Image Source: plansnack.com

Writing a business plan with PlanSnack is as easy as falling off a log. This business plan app is incredibly simple and fun to use, has no learning curve, and allows you to develop winning plans in a matter of minutes, not days.

It features a unique approach to creating business plans and guides you through 5 essential steps. Packed with pre-written examples, PlanSnack makes business planning even smoother and pretty damn quick.

Unlike other tools that come with extensive galleries of business plan templates, PlanSnack uses a simple template format with a single page. Instead of wasting time scrolling through templates, you can start writing a plan right away and launch and grow a successful business at the double.

All in all, PlanSnack is a great business planning software that can generate short, to-the-point plans you’ll actually use and comes completely free (no credit card required, no upgrades, or Pro versions).

• Clear, Easy-to-Use Interface
• A Simple Business Plan Template
• Vision, Mission, and Objective Outlines
• Shareable Plans Outside the Platform
• Business Plan Download and Print
• External Sharing
• Integration with NameSnack (Business Name Generator)

PlanSnack is free forever for anyone (small business owners, startups, restaurants, etc.).

Image Source: cuttles.io

Although launched not so long ago, Cuttles managed to keep ahead of the tough competitors and make it to the top business planning software list. This fully interactive tool is built to help entrepreneurs start new businesses, and, more importantly, grow them.

With Cuttles, you can structure ideas and write impactful business plans using their startup business plan template, but also create budgets, track finances, define your team’s responsibilities, set milestones, and more. And, just in case you need some extra help, you can check for real-world examples this business planning app provides to guide you through the creation of a modern business plan.

Now, how can you make sure your team, customers, or investors will get on board with your vision? You can either share your work in a dazzling design or… Ask people behind Cuttles to review your plan. They will provide a comprehensive analysis and more even more in-depth feedback on your plan in a post-review meeting.

However, if writing business plans still seem downright exhausting, you can ask guys from Cuttles to handle this for you. Share your idea, provide them with other relevant info, arrange a few follow-up meetings to make sure every detail is right, and have your business plan delivered within 2 to 4 weeks.

• Business Plan Template
• Idea Pitcher
• Budgeting Features
• Business Plan Presentations

Cuttles has 3 paid plans, starting at €15/month. If you want them to review your plans, the price goes to €250/year or €1,250 if writing business plans is not your favorite activity and you want Cuttles to do this for you.

One of these business plan software might be the one that makes your life easier. Hopefully, you already have a notion of the right fit. If not, maybe you should go back to the list and see which one catches your eye first.

Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions via our chat or e-mail  [email protected] ! And, if Infinity sparked your interest, please don’t be shy. Schedule a demo call or dig out the details you need at our Help Center

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What is a business plan?

1. write an executive summary, 2. describe your company, 3. state your business goals, 4. describe your products and services, 5. do your market research, 6. outline your marketing and sales plan, 7. perform a business financial analysis, 8. make financial projections, 9. summarize how your company operates, 10. add any additional information to an appendix, business plan tips and resources.

A business plan outlines your business’s financial goals and explains how you’ll achieve them over the next three to five years. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan that will offer a strong, detailed road map for your business.

ZenBusiness

A business plan is a document that explains what your business does, how it makes money and who its customers are. Internally, writing a business plan should help you clarify your vision and organize your operations. Externally, you can share it with potential lenders and investors to show them you’re on the right track.

Business plans are living documents; it’s OK for them to change over time. Startups may update their business plans often as they figure out who their customers are and what products and services fit them best. Mature companies might only revisit their business plan every few years. Regardless of your business’s age, brush up this document before you apply for a business loan .

» Need help writing? Learn about the best business plan software .

This is your elevator pitch. It should include a mission statement, a brief description of the products or services your business offers and a broad summary of your financial growth plans.

Though the executive summary is the first thing your investors will read, it can be easier to write it last. That way, you can highlight information you’ve identified while writing other sections that go into more detail.

» MORE: How to write an executive summary in 6 steps

Next up is your company description. This should contain basic information like:

Your business’s registered name.

Address of your business location .

Names of key people in the business. Make sure to highlight unique skills or technical expertise among members of your team.

Your company description should also define your business structure — such as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation — and include the percent ownership that each owner has and the extent of each owner’s involvement in the company.

Lastly, write a little about the history of your company and the nature of your business now. This prepares the reader to learn about your goals in the next section.

» MORE: How to write a company overview for a business plan

The third part of a business plan is an objective statement. This section spells out what you’d like to accomplish, both in the near term and over the coming years.

If you’re looking for a business loan or outside investment, you can use this section to explain how the financing will help your business grow and how you plan to achieve those growth targets. The key is to provide a clear explanation of the opportunity your business presents to the lender.

For example, if your business is launching a second product line, you might explain how the loan will help your company launch that new product and how much you think sales will increase over the next three years as a result.

» MORE: How to write a successful business plan for a loan

In this section, go into detail about the products or services you offer or plan to offer.

You should include the following:

An explanation of how your product or service works.

The pricing model for your product or service.

The typical customers you serve.

Your supply chain and order fulfillment strategy.

You can also discuss current or pending trademarks and patents associated with your product or service.

Lenders and investors will want to know what sets your product apart from your competition. In your market analysis section , explain who your competitors are. Discuss what they do well, and point out what you can do better. If you’re serving a different or underserved market, explain that.

Here, you can address how you plan to persuade customers to buy your products or services, or how you will develop customer loyalty that will lead to repeat business.

Include details about your sales and distribution strategies, including the costs involved in selling each product .

» MORE: R e a d our complete guide to small business marketing

If you’re a startup, you may not have much information on your business financials yet. However, if you’re an existing business, you’ll want to include income or profit-and-loss statements, a balance sheet that lists your assets and debts, and a cash flow statement that shows how cash comes into and goes out of the company.

Accounting software may be able to generate these reports for you. It may also help you calculate metrics such as:

Net profit margin: the percentage of revenue you keep as net income.

Current ratio: the measurement of your liquidity and ability to repay debts.

Accounts receivable turnover ratio: a measurement of how frequently you collect on receivables per year.

This is a great place to include charts and graphs that make it easy for those reading your plan to understand the financial health of your business.

This is a critical part of your business plan if you’re seeking financing or investors. It outlines how your business will generate enough profit to repay the loan or how you will earn a decent return for investors.

Here, you’ll provide your business’s monthly or quarterly sales, expenses and profit estimates over at least a three-year period — with the future numbers assuming you’ve obtained a new loan.

Accuracy is key, so carefully analyze your past financial statements before giving projections. Your goals may be aggressive, but they should also be realistic.

NerdWallet’s picks for setting up your business finances:

The best business checking accounts .

The best business credit cards .

The best accounting software .

Before the end of your business plan, summarize how your business is structured and outline each team’s responsibilities. This will help your readers understand who performs each of the functions you’ve described above — making and selling your products or services — and how much each of those functions cost.

If any of your employees have exceptional skills, you may want to include their resumes to help explain the competitive advantage they give you.

Finally, attach any supporting information or additional materials that you couldn’t fit in elsewhere. That might include:

Licenses and permits.

Equipment leases.

Bank statements.

Details of your personal and business credit history, if you’re seeking financing.

If the appendix is long, you may want to consider adding a table of contents at the beginning of this section.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Here are some tips to write a detailed, convincing business plan:

Avoid over-optimism: If you’re applying for a business bank loan or professional investment, someone will be reading your business plan closely. Providing unreasonable sales estimates can hurt your chances of approval.

Proofread: Spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors can jump off the page and turn off lenders and prospective investors. If writing and editing aren't your strong suit, you may want to hire a professional business plan writer, copy editor or proofreader.

Use free resources: SCORE is a nonprofit association that offers a large network of volunteer business mentors and experts who can help you write or edit your business plan. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Development Centers , which provide free business consulting and help with business plan development, can also be a resource.

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10 Best Business Plan Software and Tools in 2024

Do you know what’s common between a global IT firm and a small food truck business?

Like any other business on the planet Earth, they both require a  solid business plan  to make their business a runaway success.

Business plan. No entrepreneur is a stranger to this term, but do they all consider it seriously? Not sure.

Results? Spending a lot of time, money, and resources on the wrong marketing strategies, missing several growth opportunities, and of course, facing tough times raising funds. 

No one wants to be in this situation! 

That’s where a perfect business plan software can help you out. These tools make drafting an investment-ready business a breeze.

So how exactly can these business planning tools help?

Simply put,  business plan software  can help you create a winning business plan, develop marketing strategies, and predict your financial future—ultimately helping your business grow.

Now, how to choose a tool that will suit your business’s requirements and your budget too? The answer is right here.

In this article, we’ve narrowed down our search for the best business plan software to the 10 best paid and free software considering factors like—pricing, features, performance, and credibility. 

So you can easily pick the one that best suits your requirements.

All sorted? Shall we begin? Let’s roll.

Best Paid and Free Business Plan Software and Tools

Jump to section, 1. upmetrics.

Upmetrics  is a top business and financial planning software helping entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow their businesses.

Its 200+ fully customizable sample business plans, video tutorials, well-written documentation, and go-to guides make writing a business plan a lot easier for someone new to business plan writing.

The best part about Upmetrics is—it’s affordable, reliable, and best for beginners. 

In fact, the creators of Upmetrics believe that creating a business plan requires no special qualifications, nor a degree in finance to draw financial projections.  

And the tool they’ve created speaks volumes of their words—making it a go-to solution for budding entrepreneurs. 

Let’s have a look at the features you get with Upmetrics—the #1 business plan software: 

• 400+ fully customizable business plan templates to get started.
• Easy-to-use business plan builder with drag and drop tools.
• Financial forecasting tool to plan and manage your cash flow with ease.
• Easy to share or collaborate with the team in real time.
• Pitch deck creator to create perfect pitches and impress investors.
• Create actionable business strategies using various business model canvases.
• Easily customize and edit cover pages.
• Real-time updates and cloud storage, eliminating the risk of data loss.
• Business resources, video tutorials, and guides to help get started.
• Intuitive, seamless, and responsive user interface.

The Upmetrics subscription starts at $7/month (billed annually) with one workspace; it also provides a free demo and a 15-day money-back guarantee —so no risk at all!

Create winning Business Plans with ultimate

Plans starting from $7/month

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2. Liveplan

LivePlan  is one of the best and most renowned business planning, budgeting, and performance-tracking software for startups and small business owners.

Whether you are a startup looking to attract potential investors or an established organization that needs help creating a forecast of your business’s financial future—LivePlan can help.

LivePlan simplifies the process of creating a professional business plan with its instruction manuals, tutorials, and expert guidance, whereas its automated financials built-in with formulas ensure precise financial forecasting.

LivePlan provides a wide range of features which may include:

• Business plan templates
• Budgeting and expense tracking
• Online learning tools & resources
• Collaborative planning
• Pitch deck creator
• Dashboard and reporting
• Integrated document storage

Though LivePlan has been in the market for a long time now, it isn’t suitable for short-term business planning. That’s why we recommend exploring some LivePlan alternatives.

LivePlan’s subscription model consists of two plans: standard and premium. The standard plan costs $20/month, whereas the premium plan costs $40/month. However, they do not have any free trial or demo as a part of their pricing plan.

What I didn't like about LivePlan?

Here are the average user ratings, comparing the experiences on Liveplan and Upmetrics.

Compare Liveplan with Others

Liveplan vs. Enloop: Which is Best for Your Business?

IdeaBuddy vs. Liveplan: Which is Best for Your Business?

Bizplan vs. Liveplan: Which is Best for Your Business?

Enloop  is an advanced business planning and financial forecasting tool helping business owners maximize the potential of their business venture.

Unlike Upmetrics and LivePlan—Enloop is designed for individuals with prior financial knowledge and business planning experience.

Understanding all of its functionalities is tough, but it has a lot to offer once you figure out its basic functionalities. Still, it’s not the most intuitive and user-friendly application in this space, so it may take a while to get used to it.

If you’re not a beginner and are willing to invest some time understanding and learning its functionalities—it’s well worth it. But, if you’re not, you may consider looking for a few other business plan software.

Enloop provides a wide range of advanced financial tools and business planning features, which may include:

• Business plan creation
• Automated financial forecasts
• Collaboration and sharing
• Funding and investor tools
• Exporting and integrations
• Auto-generated financial reports
• Automated text writing

Enloop’s monthly subscription plans range between $19.95 and $39.95, depending on your plan and functionalities. It also has a 7-day free trial with no credit card details required.

What I didn't like about Enloop?

Here are the average user ratings, comparing the experiences on Enloop and Upmetrics.

4. IdeaBuddy

Ideabuddy  is an innovative business plan software helping new-age entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful business plans.

Customizable templates, industry-based guides, and streamlined idea and business plan creation make it one of the most user-friendly applications on the list.

It is designed on a principle where users can develop, test, and launch their business idea—all in one place. While it’s great for idea creation, it may lack several comprehensive business planning features.

Financial forecasting is vital to a business plan, but IdeaBuddy may not provide all the necessary financial tools for accurate projections.

So if your business is in the idea stage—choosing IdeaBuddy could be a fair call, but if you plan to build a comprehensive business plan, you need another tool.

IdeaBuddy provides a wide range of features, which may include:

• Modern business plan with a click
• Export your plan and financials
• Mobile-friendly platform
• Customizable templates and industry-based guides
• Test to score your idea
• Step-by-step business guide
• Brainstorm ideas with your team

IdeaBuddy’s subscription model consists of four plans: free, dreamer, founder, and team pro.

Depending on the plan specifications and features, these plans may cost between $15 to $40 a month. You can also save up to 60% on annual memberships.

What I didn't like about IdeaBuddy?

Here are the average user ratings, comparing the experiences on IdeaBuddy and Upmetrics.

Planful  is a business planning and financial performance management cloud software. It provides a structured framework for industry-wide businesses to develop, track, and execute their plans.

The tool specializes in financial performance management with advanced features like—financial close management, reporting, and consolidation.

While the tool has numerous advanced features and functionalities—they all come with a high price tag as it’s mainly designed for medium and large-scale enterprises.

Let’s have a look at the extensive financial tools and features you may get with a planful subscription:

• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial consolidation
• Scenario modeling
• Reporting and analytics
• Financial close management
• Data integration and connectivity
• Responsive web and mobile apps

Planful has no structured pricing model on their website; users may contact their sales team for a custom quotation.

What I didn't like about Planful?

6. iPlanner

iPlanner  is an enterprise business plan software that has been helping entrepreneurs develop their business plans since 2007. It is suitable for businesses looking to secure funding, better understand and manage risks, or communicate the company’s business model and strategy to the team.

Though the business plan software has been around for over a decade now, it didn’t seem to cope with the technological advancements, so it may not provide the most intuitive and visually appealing user interface.

But if you are searching for an affordable business planning and performance tracking tool with KPIs, analytics, and reporting features, iPlanner can be a good investment.

Here’s an overview of the key features of iPlanner—business plan software:

• Financial forecasting
• Secure and accessible
• Data security and backup
• How to articles and guides

iPlanner’s subscription model consists of two plans: professional and corporate. Professional subscriptions start at $24 for a 3-month subscription with one project, while corporate subscriptions start at $59 for a 6-month subscription with 12 projects

What I didn't like about iPlanner?

7. PlanGuru

PlanGuru  is a business planning software that helps entrepreneurs make better decisions, increase profits, and accomplish their business goals through strategic business planning and accurate forecasting.

Budgeting & financial analytics, rolling forecast, and strategic planning are three critical components of PlanGuru’s feature list.

PlanGuru specializes in forecasting financial statements, scenario analysis, budgeting, and gaining insights through reporting tools.

It offers many advanced financial forecasting features but is quite expensive— making it unsuitable for startups with limited investment capital.

PlanGuru provides a wide range of financial tools and business planning features to create business plans, which may include:

• Business valuation tool
• 20+ standard forecast methods
• Budget/forecast for up to 10 years
• Archive budget feature
• Standard report export to PDF, Excel, and Word
• Custom report builder for Excel
• Online dashboard, scorecard, and reporting tools

PlanGuru has two different pricing plans; one for businesses and nonprofits and another for business advisors. Depending on the plan specifications and features, these plans may cost between $99 and $299/month.

What I didn't like about PlanGuru?

8. The Business Plan Shop

The Business Plan Shop  is a business & financial planning and analysis platform for small and medium-sized business owners and financial advisors.

Its business plan templates make writing a business plan relatively easier for beginners. Despite its many features, the business plan software specializes in financial analysis, forecasting, and KPI tracking.

It surely has a few advanced features but can be expensive for startups and small businesses.

This business plan software provides a wide range of features, which may include:

• Financial forecasting software
• Sync accounting data
• Drag and drop templates and editor
• Integration with financial data
• Faster than Microsoft Word

The Business Plan Shop has two different pricing plans; one for businesses and CFOs and another for advisors. The business & CFO plan costs $25.50 per month, and the Advisor plan costs $94.20 per month.

What I didn't like about The Business Plan Shop?

Bizplan  is a comprehensive business plan software helping startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners create business plans with direct access to planning experts. 

Financial tools help create detailed financial projections and financial and cash flow statements in no time, so entrepreneurs can spend more time growing and scaling their businesses.

The platform also has a fundraising tool to help startups connect with potential investors—which has already helped raise over $500 million for startups.

It has all the features to create a basic business plan but may lack industry-specific guidance or assistance.

Let’s have a look at the wide range of features that come with a Bizplan subscription:

• Financial modeling
• Integration and export
• Reporting and presentation
• Progress tracking
• Step-by-step guidance

Bizplan’s pricing plans start at $29/month, whereas the lifetime access costs $349. You may check their pricing page for more information.

What I didn't like about Bizplan?

Here are the average user ratings, comparing the experiences on Bizplan and Upmetrics.

Brixx  is a financial forecast software for cash flow, budgeting, and financial planning. Apart from helping users create a basic business plan, the platform also helps them with financial modeling, scenario planning, and goal tracking.

Its interactive charts and graphs can help you clearly present your financial data and cash flow statements for enhanced reader understanding.

Integrating Brixx and other accounting software automates the syncing of your actuals and forecasts, giving you a head start using Brixx.

The tool primarily focuses on financial projections and forecasting, so there are only a few features for other parts of the business plan.

Let’s have a look at the wide range of features that come with a Brixx subscription:

• 1-10 year financial forecasts
• Professional charts and reports
• Automated tax forecasts
• Quick-start templates
• Share plans in real-time
• Business Resources
• 3-way forecasting

Brixx has four packages in its subscription model: Foundation, Essentials, Professional, and Enterprise. The pricing for these packages may range from $0 to $66 per month.

What I didn't like about Brixx?

How to Choose the Right Business Plan Software?

All the business plan tools on our list are credible and can help you create a winning business plan. However, it’s critical to understand each tool specializes in certain aspects of business planning.

Let’s understand which factors to consider while choosing the right tool to help you create a professional business plan:

The most obvious factor. Ask yourself how much you can afford to spend on a business plan maker.

A free or low-cost tool may provide only some necessary functionalities to create a detailed plan. So, figure out your budget and shortlist the tools that you can afford to invest in.

2. Your specific requirements

The next step. Learn your specific requirement. For instance, if your business is in the idea stage, you may not require a tool with advanced financial features like—PlanGuru; Ideabuddy may work.

Both tools cater to specific audiences; if you are not sure, you may go with Upmetrics. It has pricing plans suitable for all business sizes.

3. Business plan templates

Custom designing a business plan can be tedious, so make sure the business plan software you choose has industry-specific templates to help you get started.

4. AI assistance

Artificial Intelligence has revolutionalized the way people get their things done. Make sure you select a platform that also provides AI assistance while creating a business plan.

With tools like  ChatGPT  and  AI business plan generators,  you can draft a business plan in a breeze.

5. Charts and graphs

Let’s face it, no one likes to read long paragraphs. The tool you choose must be able to turn your financial data and balance sheets into appealing and easy-to-understand charts and graphics.

6. Financial projections

Most critical section of a business plan. Understand your requirement regarding financial projections and the level of features the tool provides.

For instance, a large-scale organization may require a tool that can easily do  business financials  for ten or more years.

7. Contribution and sharing features

Make sure the tool you choose must provide the contribution and sharing features so that you can work with multiple team members.

8. Convenience and user-friendliness

A no-brainer. Ensure the software you choose has a user-friendly user interface and a manageable learning curve to understand all the working features.

9. Integrations

Some of the best business plan software integrates with accounting software. This feature can be handy while transferring financial details into your business plan.

10. Step-by-step guides

These user guides and tutorials can help you easily outline and prepare the first draft of your business plan, so make sure you consider this as one of the factors while selecting a tool.

11. Support

You are new to business planning software and may need help using some of its features. A responsive support team can help you get back on the right track.

Think of these factors as a checklist while researching the right business plan software. Once you have checked off all the boxes, you will have the right business plan software by your side.

Pros and Cons of Using Business Plan Software

Undoubtedly, business plan software can be a worth-it investment for your business, but it surely has a few disadvantages too. Let’s get to that:

• Time Saving: business plan software can be a big time-saving investment.
• Step-by-step guidance: These guides make it easier to get started for beginners.
• Accurate reporting: Good business plan software guarantee the accountability and accuracy of the reports generated.
• Customizations: Business plan tools also offer options to personalize your reports.
• Generic templates: These planning tools often provide generic templates that may not suit your requirements.
• Limited flexibility: In terms of formatting, content, design, and layout.
• Learning curve: Using these tools requires a learning curve to navigate the software.

There have to be a few disadvantages, but they are negligible when you look at the positive side of having a business plan software onboard.

And this section leads us to our conclusion!

That was the article for today with some of the best business plan software. Now over to you. Revisit the top business planning software on the list, do your research, and select the one that best suits your requirements.

Got any more burning questions in mind? The FAQ section starts right after we wrap this article up, feel free to explore. Happy business planning! 

Other Business Plan Software Alternatives

• Best 8 Liveplan alternatives
• Top Bizplan alternatives & competitors
• 8 Growthink alternatives
• Best Ideabuddy Alternatives
• Best Enloop Alternatives

Say No to Expensive Business Planning Software!

Get Affordable and Feature-Packed Business Planning with Upmetrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best business plan software for startups.

We’ve already mentioned the best business plan software in the blog post earlier; you may choose one amongst those depending on your specific needs.

However, Upmetrics can be a go-to business planning software for startups as it only costs $9 per month to get started—which is worth it against the value you get.

Which tool is used as a one-page business plan?

There are many business plan software providing features to create one-page business plans like—Upmetrics and Ideabuddy. You can use Upmetrics’ canvas modeling feature to develop actionable and entrepreneur-focused one-page business plans.

Can I write a business plan myself?

Of course, you can. It’s easier than ever to write a business plan with the emerging use of tools like ChatGPT. Though you can write a business plan, you need assistance making it presentable for your investors.

And business plan software providers like Upmetrics can help you do that. With 200+ sample business plans, you can easily write the first draft of your business plan.

What is the best way to write a business plan?

There cannot be a standard answer to this question. There are various business planning processes, and all of them might not work for you. Still, considering the time-saving approach, using an industry-specific template and editing it as per your requirements can be an easy way to write a business plan.

Using ChatGPT for business plan writing can also be one of the best ways to write a business plan. As mentioned, there can’t be a specific answer to this question; find a way that best suits your needs.

Is there any free business plan software available?

It’s really challenging to find the perfect business plan software, that too, for free. IdeaBuddy from our list has a free plan, but it comes with very limited features, not so helpful for creating a business plan.

Business plan software like Upmetrics, Bizplan, and LivePlan also have free trials, so you may try their features before purchasing. Furthermore, you can get a 30% off on an Upmetrics subscription if you are a nonprofit or student.

How much does business plan software typically cost?

The cost of a business plan software can widely depend on the level of features and functionalities they provide. Still, the monthly subscription of a business plan tool can range anywhere between $5 to $300.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

Popular Templates

10 Best Business Plan Software for Startups (2024)

Access our list of top business plan tools. Learn about the benefits of business plan software, what types there are, pricing, reviews, and what sets each apart.

Dmytro Sokhach

8 minute read

A well written business plan can be the difference between success and failure. If you want your startup to succeed then the best thing you can do is write a detailed business plan that shows where you’re headed and your vision of how to get there.

There are so many tools available that it can make your head spin. It also makes it hard work to find the best business plan tool for your exact needs.

My goal for this post is to walk you through what to consider when choosing the best business plan software for your needs , and inform you about the benefits of using startup business plan software of each type.

I’ll help you narrow down your search by sharing with you my list of 10 best business plan software for startups and small businesses , so you can get started right away!

Types of business plan software

The main types of business planning tools differ mainly in the technology used to run the software. Some tools run directly on your computer (locally) and others run on a cloud platform.

These differences may define the pricing model. Local apps tend to be one-off purchases, and cloud-based SaaS products tend to be subscription-based.

It may also have implications on the processing power. Cloud platforms depend on your internet bandwidth, and local apps will depend on your computer's CPU.

Some services, such as BizPlanBuilder, offer mixed solutions that combine cloud-based software and a Windows application. This option usually gives you the best of both worlds.

• Cloud-based software
• Windows (local) application
• A mix of cloud and local software

Why do I need business plan software?

The benefits of using business plan software are improved workflow and better outcome. But there are many small but valuable benefits when creating your startup business plan with a specialized software, rather than using Word, Google Docs, or PowerPoint.

• Modeling convenience. A bespoke software for planning and financial forecasting allows you to create and customize business regulations and quickly update the hierarchy of processes;
• Ability to process a large amount of data. When the company expands, there is no compulsion to modify or copy large amounts of data manually;
• The calculation and modification of data in real-time. The changes made are immediately transferred to all connected plans. Thus, it is possible to have all the information about the company's activities at any time: reporting on profits and losses, the most accurate forecast of financial flows, etc.

With the right business planner tool you'll be able to cut the time you spend on starting your online business .

That's what Evisa Express claims to do. Not only do they promise to save their customers 85% of their time, they also reduce their working hours.

There are many options of such software specifically for startups. They contain all the necessary functions to easily create, customize, and update your business plan.

What to consider when choosing business plan software

Below are the most important business planning software features you should keep an eye for:

• Financial forecasts. This is a handy tool for generating a detailed financial forecast for investors based on information about your current and projected sales. It can be integrated into your existing accounting software , which is beneficial for aspiring business owners;
• Detailed reporting. This tool will help create an attractive report for investors and lenders;
• Presentation creation . You won't need to spend money on additional software to create a nifty and compelling business plan presentation for your investors;
• Business tips. Many services offer online tutorials and provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to write a business plan. Beginners can also benefit from advice on running a business from professionals.

The software you choose should have a function of customization. Even if you're using a ready-made business plan template , with its help, the business plan is easy to update, as well as adjust to the needs of your particular company.

Best 10 business plan software for startups

Jump ahead to page section:

Take a look at our breakdown of each tool on the list below to find the software with the proper set of capabilities and features for your circumstances.

1. Storydoc

Storydoc is a business plan creator designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses create outstanding and innovative business plans as well as other types of presentations.

With an intuitive interface and a wide range of features, Storydoc makes it easy to organize and present your business roadmap, executive summary, go to market (GTM), competitors, financials, SWOT, and other aspects of your plan in a clear and concise manner.

What sets Storydoc apart is the fact it gives you ready-made interactive slide templates that are scientifically proven to bring high engagement, grab and hold attention, and let you guide viewers and readers to the next step.

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface;
• Templates that have been optimized for engagement;
• Robust integrations with your existing tech stack;
• The ability to pull company branding directly from your website;
• Extensive analytics panel where you can track the performance of your business plan.

Possible disadvantages include a lack of collaboration tools so that multiple users could work on the business plan together.

Some advantages would be the gallery of business plan templates and the extensive library of other critical business documents such as one-pager templates , sales deck templates , and proposal templates .

Pricing plan options:

• Starter ($40/month per user)
• Pro ($60/month per user)
• and custom Team plans with pricing available upon request.

*You can also save money with annual billing.

2 . LivePlan.com

LivePlan is software with an intuitive interface and plenty of ready-made templates. It’s useful for startups. With its help, you can easily create a one-page business strategy and then add any optional features you need.

The service contains more than 500 ready-made industry business plan templates approved by the SBA.

Source: Liveplan.com

It has some useful tools:

• A virtual training center for startup owners;
• Ability to integrate already installed financial software;
• Real-time financial data tracking;
• Performance tracking by various parameters;
• Integration with Xero and QuickBooks Online services available;
• Export of the complete business plan to Word or PDF is enabled.

Possible disadvantages of this software for novice entrepreneurs are limited opportunities to integrate other tools and difficulty to create your own financial modeling projections.

• Annual ($15 per month, paid once a year);
• Six months ($15 per month);
• Pay As You Use ($20 per month, paid monthly).

*LivePlan does not offer any long-term contracts. A 60-day free demo period is available.

A possible disadvantage of the service for beginners is the complicated algorithm of financial software integration and limited opportunity for financial modeling.

3. BizPlan.com

BizPlan is a universal business plan builder with the additional feature of connecting to all the tools of the Startups.com network.

Perfect for startups that are based on raising investments. It lets you divide the entire scope of work into steps and then track progress using the built-in Progress Tracker tool.

It is a step-by-step builder with the ability to use all the tools of the Startups.com service after the initial subscription. A large amount of data can be divided into stages for convenience and then tracked with the Progress Tracker tool.

Source: BizPlan.com

• Possibility of issuing lifetime access to the service;
• Connectivity to Findable is available. This is important for companies that are interested in attracting financial investment;
• There are many online educational programs for entrepreneurs;
• Multiple owners can be connected to one account.

The possible disadvantages are the lack of a free version and the absence of a mobile version. Also, there are no industry templates for creating a business plan.

• Monthly plan ($29 per month)
• Annual plan ($20.75 per month or $249/year)
• Lifetime access (one-time fee of $349)

4. Upmetrics.co

Upmetrics is a handy builder with additional features for strategic planning. The cloud-based software simplifies the complex work of creating a business plan.

This includes handy worksheet tools and built-in templates to customize your plan or forecast for your specific needs.

Source: Upmetrics

• A wide choice of customized templates;
• Compatibility with social networks;
• Adjustable activity panel;
• Financial forecasting function.
• Individual plan ($9 per person/ month)
• Team plan ($14 per month)
• Premium plan ( $49 per month)

*They do not offer a free trial version.

5. Enloop.com

Enloop is a turnkey solution for creating business plans for investors, banks, and lenders. This is a cloud-based software with writing and text synchronization features.

Source: Enloop.com

• You can make 1 free business plan;
• There is a completely free version for testing the solution;
• It is available in several languages;
• Interactive PDF is available.
• Basic ($9 per person per month)
• Advanced ($11 to $20 per month)
• Professional ($24 to $40 per month)

6. GoSmallBiz.com

GoSmallBiz is an online support system specifically for small businesses and startups. An important nuance is that this software only works in the United States. There are online business training tutorials for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Source: GoSmallBiz

• Access to up-to-date management information for decision-making;
• Unlimited access to an online consultant;
• There is access to the database to collect current information and attract customers.

Possible disadvantages are a limited number of templates and sync available only with Microsoft Word or PDF.

• Monthly fee of $39

7. Business Sorter

Business Sorter is a handy constructor for creating internal business plans. It is suitable for entrepreneurs who don't need a presentation to attract investors.

This cloud-based software has ready-made solutions for all key areas of business planning: brand building, financial planning, sales, and more.

Source: businesssorter.com

• Card system with 173 digital cards;
• An unlimited number of team members can be added, tasked, and monitored;
• Access from multiple devices is possible;
• There is a built-in help function;
• Strong data protection.

Possible disadvantages are a small number of financial planning tools and educational materials presented only in Microsoft Word and PDF format.

The cost depends on the number of users. There is a special offer for companies with an unlimited number of team members.

8. iPlanner

iPlanner is a multifunctional platform for business planning. It can also be used for project management. This solution contains ready-made business plan templates for different startup options: restaurant, enterprise, venture capital project, and others.

Source: iPlanner

• Business plan creation wizard with step-by-step instructions;
• Several tools for creating financial forecasts;
• Integration with Microsoft Office and DropBox;
• Training content library with practical recommendations for creating a business;
• Support of an experienced mentor.
• All users can back up their data to the cloud storage.
• Professional Plan (supports 1 project, $55)
• Corporate Plan (supports 12 projects, $93)
• Corporate Plus (the price is set individually)

*They do not have a payment plan paid each month.

Cuttles is a fully interactive, cloud-based business planning software with ready-made templates. Developers have emphasized planning and the ability to manage budgets and make financial forecasts.

Source: cuttles.io

• A template for creating a one-page business plan for banks, investors, and lenders;
• The cloud service provides a high level of security;
• There is a convenient business plan export to PDF;
• Support is available in 6 languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Danish, and Portuguese;
• There is a free version for 14 days.

Cuttles offers online training for startup owners: courses with video lessons and a library of tools/ useful resources.

• Seed Plan (one startup and one user, $8/year)
• Grow Plan (one startup, unlimited users, $16/year)
• Series Plan (unlimited startups and users, $48/year)

10. MAUS Master Plan Lean

MAUS is a business plan creation software created in Australia. Perfect for startup creators who want to move into strategic planning.

The service has everything for that: a business plan creation wizard with step-by-step instructions, tools for 5-year financial projections, and financial reports for budget planning.

Source: MAUS

• Strategic planning wizard;
• There is a tool for creating a step-by-step action plan, building and tracking tasks for maximum productivity;
• Function for creating schedules;
• Collaboration function;
• Marketing reports can be generated, and performance can be tracked in real time.

MAUS Master Plan has no free version, which can be a problem for small business owners and startup creators.

• Business planning & HR Pack ($97 per month)
• MasterPlan Learn ($299 per year)
• Business Planning Pack ($499 per year)

I hope that this list has helped you move forward with confidence to grow your business fast and effectively. Best of luck!

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All 100% free. We're here to help you succeed in business, no strings attached.

Why you need a business plan

Writing a business plan can seem like a big task, especially if you’re starting a business for the first time and don’t have a financial background. After all, business plans have changed over the years, and what lenders and investors expect now is different than it was even just 10 years ago.

What hasn’t changed is that writing a business plan will help you:

• Develop a strategy for success
• Reduce the risk of starting a business
• Explore new business ideas
• Attract investors and get funding

Learn more about how you can get value out of your business plan .

What is included in this business plan template?

This template includes definitions, guidance, and examples for every business plan component needed to start, fund, and grow your business.

After downloading the full template, you’ll receive instructions on how to fill out each of the following sections.

Executive summary

The brief summary of your business plan introduces everyone to your business, the problem you solve, and what you’re asking from your readers. It’s the first chapter of your business plan and the last thing you write once you have the details from your full plan.

Problem & solution

More than a simple description of your products and services – here you define the problem you’re solving and the value you provide. It’s also your chance to showcase any initial traction that shows you’re on the right track.

Market analysis and target market

A detailed assessment of the market you intend to enter, including the size and value of the market, potential customer segments, and their buying patterns.

Competition

Show that you know who your competitors are, what advantages you have, and how you’re positioning your business to be competitive.

Marketing & sales

Describe how you’ll reach and sell to potential customers with a detailed sales plan and chosen marketing channels.

What makes your business run? Outline the day-to-day workflows and what needs to be set up for your business to deliver a product or service.

Milestones & metrics

Set goals for your business that include the dates and people responsible for accomplishing them. This is what you’ll use to manage responsibilities, track growth, and execute your larger strategy.

Company overview and team

Provide a brief rundown of the legal and structural components of your company, including your history, current team, and gaps you need to fill.

Financial plan

Create well-structured and accurate financial statements to help you pitch to investors, land funding, and achieve long-term success. All without the help of a financial advisor or a degree in accounting.

While not required, this last section of your business plan is a great place to drop in additional documents that support and strengthen the rest of your plan.

How do you write a simple business plan?

If you’re exploring a business idea and don’t plan to pursue funding, then you actually don’t need to write a traditional business plan. Instead, opt for a one-page plan , which is far easier to create but just as effective.

To write a simple one-page business plan, follow the same core sections as a traditional plan. But instead of lengthy paragraphs and multiple pages covering each area of your business, stick with single sentences and bulleted lists.

If a one-page plan sounds like a better option, download our free simple business plan template to get started.

Start your business plan today

Whether you're writing a business plan to validate your business idea, secure funding, or grow your existing business – our template will help you achieve your goals.

Business plan template FAQ

What file formats are available for this business plan template?

You can download and use this business plan template as a Google Doc, .docx (Microsoft Word), or PDF.

Can you print out this template?

This is a printable business plan template that can be downloaded and printed no matter which format you choose.

Why should you start with a business plan template?

Starting with a good business plan template (like this one) includes everything you need to get started. It helps you organize your thoughts, and provides guidance, instructions, and examples to create an investor-ready and SBA-approved business plan format. It really speeds up the planning process. Oh, and it's 100% free!

Is writing a business plan easy?

Using a business plan template can make writing a business plan easier. Additionally, if you focus on just getting your information down quickly, with the expectation that you'll revisit and revise your plan, you can speed up and simplify the process .

Can someone write your business plan for you?

If you're still struggling to write your business plan even when using a template, you can look into hiring a professional business plan writer. We even have a free resource to help you ask just the right questions  to make sure you find the right plan writer.

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• Project planning |
• The beginner’s guide to writing an effe ...

The beginner’s guide to writing an effective business case

Nearly every project needs to be approved—whether that means getting the simple go-ahead from your team or gaining the support of an executive stakeholder. You may be familiar with using a project plan or project charter to propose a new initiative and get the green light for a project. But if your proposed project represents a significant business investment, you may need to build a business case.

If you’ve never written a business case, we’re here to help. With a few resources and a little planning, you can write a business case that will help you get the resources and support you need to manage a successful project.

What is a business case?

A business case is a document that explains the value or benefits your company will gain if you pursue a significant business investment or initiative. This initiative can be anything from the messaging for a new product or feature launch, a proposal to increase spend on a current initiative, or a significant investment with a new agency or contractor—to name a few. A compelling business case will outline the expected benefits of this significant investment decision. Key stakeholders will use the business case you provide to determine whether or not to move forward with an initiative.

If you’ve never created a business case, it may sound similar to other early project planning documentation. Here’s how it stacks up:

The difference between a business case and business plan

A  business case  is a proposal for a new strategy or large initiative. It should outline the business needs and benefits your company will receive from pursuing this opportunity.

A  business plan , on the other hand, is an outline for a totally new business. Typically, you’d draft a business plan to map out your business strategy, your mission and vision statements, and how you’re planning on getting there. There may be a case where you create a business plan for an already-existing business, but you’d only do so if you’re trying to take your business in a significantly new direction.

Business case vs. executive summary

Business case vs. project charter.

If you need to create an elevator pitch for your project but you don’t quite need the full business case treatment, you might need a project charter. Much like a business case, a project charter outlines key details of an initiative. Specifically, a project charter will cover three main elements of your project: project objectives, project scope, and key project stakeholders. Your management team will then use the project charter to approve further project development.

Do you need a business case?

Not every project needs a business case—or even a project charter. Plan to build a business case only for initiatives or investments that will require significant business resources. If you’re working on a smaller initiative, consider creating a project charter to pitch your project idea to relevant stakeholders.

Even if you don’t need to pitch your project to any stakeholders, you should be ready to answer basic questions about your proposed project, like:

What is this project’s purpose?

Why are we working on this project?

How does this project connect to organizational goals and objectives?

Which metrics will we use to measure the success of the project ?

Who is working on this project?

When is this project going to be completed?

5 steps for creating and pitching a business case

Your business case shouldn’t just include key facts and figures—it should also tell a story of why pursuing a particular investment or initiative is a good idea for your business. When in doubt, avoid jargon and be brief—but always focus on communicating the value of the project. If this is your first time creating a business case, don’t worry. Follow these five steps to create a solid one.

1. Gather input

You don’t have to write a business case on your own. Instead, make sure appropriate team members and stakeholders are contributing to the relevant sections. For example, the IT team should be involved in any tooling and timeline decisions, while the finance team should review any budget and risk management sections. If you’re creating a business case to propose a new initiative, product line, or customer persona, make sure you also consult subject matter experts.

2. Plan to write your business case out of order

Some of the first things that appear in your business case—like your executive summary—should actually be drafted last, when you have all of the resources and information to make an informed suggestion. Your executive summary will present all of your findings and make a recommendation for the business based on a variety of factors. By gathering all of those details first—like project purpose, financial information, and project risk—you can ensure your executive summary has all of the relevant information.

3. Build your business case incrementally

A business case describes a significant investment for your company. Similarly, simply writing a business case is a significant investment of your time. Not every initiative is right for your business—so make sure you’re checking your work with stakeholders as you go. You don’t want to sink hours and weeks into this document only for it to be rejected by executive stakeholders right off the bat.

Consider doing a “soft launch” with an outline of your business case to your project sponsor or an executive stakeholder you have a good relationship with to confirm this initiative is something you should pursue. Then, as you build the different sections of your business case, check back in with your key stakeholders to confirm there are no deal-breakers.

4. Refine the document

As you create sections of your business case, you may need to go back and refine other sections. For example, once you’ve finished doing a cost-benefit analysis with your financial team, make sure you update any budget-related project risks.

Before presenting your business case, do a final read through with key stakeholders to look for any sections that can be further refined. At this stage, you’ll also want to write the executive summary that goes at the top of the document. Depending on the length of your business case, your executive summary should be one to two pages long.

5. Present the business case

The final step is to actually present your business case. Start with a quick elevator pitch that answers the what, why, and how of your proposal. Think of this presentation as your chance to explain the current business need, how your proposal addresses the need, and what the business benefits are. Make sure to address any risks or concerns you think your audience would have.

Don’t go through your business case page by page. Instead, share the document with stakeholders before the presentation so they have a chance to read through it ahead of time. Then, after your presentation, share the document again so stakeholders can dig into details.

A business case checklist

Start with the why.

The first section of the business case is your chance to make a compelling argument about the new project. Make sure you draft an argument that appeals to your audience’s interests and needs. Despite being the first section in your business case, this should be the last section you write. In addition to including the  traditional elements of an executive summary , make sure you answer:

What business problem is your project solving?  This is your chance to explain why your project is important and why executive stakeholders should consider pursuing this opportunity.

What is your business objective ?  What happens at the end of a successful project? How will you measure success—and what does a successful project mean for your business?

How does this business case fit into your overall company business strategy plan?  Make sure your proposed business case is connected to important  company goals . The initiative proposed in your business case should move the needle towards your company's  vision statement .

Outline financials and the return on investment

At this point in your business case, you should outline the project finance fundamentals. Don’t expect to create this section on your own—you should draft this in partnership with your company’s finance team. In particular, this section should answer:

How much will this project cost?  Even if the initiative is completely new to your company, do some research to estimate the project costs.

What does each individual component of the project cost?  In addition to estimating the total overall cost, break down the different project costs. For example, you might have project costs for new tools and resources, competitive intelligence resourcing, agency costs, etc.

What is the expected return on investment (ROI)?  You’ve talked about the costs—now talk about how your company will benefit from this initiative. Make sure to explain how you calculated the ROI, too.

How will this project impact cash flow?  Cash flow is the amount of money being transferred into and out of your business. Significant investments are going to cost a lot of money, so they’ll negatively impact cash flow—but you should also expect a high ROI, which will positively impact cash flow.

What is the sensitivity analysis?  Sensitivity analysis is a summary of how uncertain your numbers are. There will be a variety of variables that impact your business case. Make sure to explain what those variables are, and how that could impact your projections.

Preview project details

Your business case is proposing a new initiative. In addition to the financial risks, take some time to preview project details. For example, your business case should include:

Your  project objectives  and  key project deliverables .  What will happen at the end of the project? What are you expecting to create or deliver once the project is over?

Your  project plan .  A project plan is a blueprint of the key elements your team needs to accomplish in order to successfully achieve your project goals.

The  project scope .  What are the boundaries of your project? What exact goals, deliverables, and deadlines will you be working towards?

A list of relevant  project stakeholders .  Who are the important project stakeholders and key decision makers for this work? This can include the members of the project team that would be working on this initiative, executive stakeholders who would sponsor the project, and any external stakeholders who might be involved.

A general  project roadmap  in a Gantt-chart like view.  At this stage in the process, you don’t need to provide a detailed project timeline, but you should outline a general sense of when each project stage will happen in relation to the others. To do this, create a project roadmap in  Gantt-chart like software . Make sure to include any important  project milestones  in your roadmap as well.

Any important project dependencies.  Is there anything that would get in the way of this project getting started? Does this work rely on any other work that’s currently in flight?

Discuss project risks

Once you’ve outlined the financial impact and important project details, make sure you include any potential project risks. If you haven’t already, create a  project risk management plan  for your business case. Project risk management isn’t the process of eliminating risk—instead, it’s about identifying, analyzing, and proactively responding to any potential project risks. Clearly defining each project risk and how that risk might impact your project can best equip you and the project team to manage and avoid those risks.

In the risk section of your business case, include:

A risk analysis of any potential project risks.  What is the risk? How likely is it to happen? What is the priority level of this risk?

What, if any, assumptions you are making.  In project risk management, assumptions are anything you think will be true about the project, without those details being guaranteed facts. Basing project decisions around an assumption can open your project up to risk. Make sure you ratify every project assumption to avoid jeopardizing project success.

Any comparable alternatives in the market.  If you’re writing a business case to pitch a new product or angle in the market, evaluate anything that already exists. Could the alternative impact your financial assessment or project success?

Develop an action plan

In the final section of your business case, outline how you will turn this business case into an actionable project. This section should answer questions like:

How will decisions be made?  Who is responsible for the project? Who is the project sponsor? If you haven’t already, consider creating a  RACI chart  to outline project responsibilities.

How will progress be measured and reported?  Not every project stakeholder needs to be notified of every project change. Outline key parts of your project communication plan , as well as how you’ll communicate  project status updates .

What is the next course of action?  If the management team ratifies this business case, what next steps will you take to put this into action?

Bring your business case to life

You’ve built a solid business case and it’s been ratified—congratulations! The next step is to bring your business case to life. It can be intimidating to  initiate large-scale change , and implementing your business case is no exception.

If you haven’t already, make sure you have a  project management tool  in place to manage and organize your new initiative. With a central source of truth to track who’s doing what by when, share status updates, and keep project stakeholders in the loop, you can turn a great business case into a successful project.

Related resources

How to accomplish big things with long-term goals

Smooth product launches are simpler than you think

What is stakeholder analysis and why is it important?

Understanding dependencies in project management

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Best Business Plan Software: Our Top Picks for 2024

Written By Julija A.

Updated: February 6, 2024

To choose the best business plan software for your needs, you must consider several factors. Not all products and businesses are created equal, and some need more detailed financial projections than others.

Thankfully, there are various software solutions on the market you can choose from to assist you with your business planning. But where should you start?

To help you with that, we have researched and compiled a list of the top-rated programs that can make it easier to get your business off the ground and ensure its long-term success.

Show more...

• Unlimited plans
• 35-day money-back guarantee
• Insightful tutorials

Jump to Review

• 30-day free trial
• Valuation tool

• 7-day free trial
• Several free business plans
• Competitive prices

• Business process monitoring
• Revenue projection tool

• 15-day free trial
• Business guide
• Flexible pricing options

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Business Plan Software Pros and Cons

Now, let’s review some key advantages and potential disadvantages of these programs.

• They are cost-effective and efficient, providing excellent long-term value.
• Business planning tools help you set reasonable goals and track your progress.
• They allow you to work on the business plan with multiple people and easily share data with mentors and investors.
• Many have video tutorials, extensive knowledge libraries, and even forums, while others have help centers with short but useful guides, at the very least.
• Specific platforms have limited free-trial options. So, check what features your favorite business plan program offers as part of a free trial.
• Some software doesn’t provide live chat, phone, or quick-support options. So, getting in contact with customer service representatives may be a problem if you need urgent assistance.

Although business planning software offers a wide selection of useful features, choosing the one that’s ideal for your needs comes down to evaluating several factors.

Everyone’s requirements are different, so take your time choosing the right software for you. Once you’ve made your decision, all you need to do is put the program to work, define your business plan and operating budget , and get you’ll be able to get the project off the ground in no time!

Choosing Business Plan Software: Things To Consider

Deciding on the best business plan software for your needs can seem daunting – there are so many options available, and it can be difficult to know where to start. However, in our business plan software reviews, we pointed out a few key factors you should keep in mind to narrow down your options.

Both free and paid options are available, so you’ll need to decide what’s right for you. We did not mention any free business planning software in this review, but if you’re on a limited budget and are looking for free software, pay attention to the number of features it allows you to use and how many collaborators you can have onboard.

When using software to devise a business plan, the features offered by the tool are a top priority. Not all of them will be relevant for every business, so it’s important to take into account which features are more important for the type of business you’re running.

Number of Co-Workers

Another important thing to consider is the number of collaborators that you will need to include in the making of your business plan. You won’t need software with unlimited collaborators if you only need to share your project with a few people, but at the same time, the software has to support the number of coworkers you need working with you.

Educational Resources and Tutorials

Next, consider whether you’ll need access to educational resources. Some software options come with templates and tutorials that can help you get started, as well as help you optimize your business plan for the long term.

When it comes to business planning software, user experience is extremely important. The user interface should be intuitive and easy to use, as the last thing you need when devising a business plan is to deal with a clunky interface. That said, you should always thoroughly test out a platform before committing to it for the long term.

Integrations

Last but not least, check out how many integration options your shortlisted platform has and what those are. Programs such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Microsoft Excel are all highly useful and commonly used tools, so having them integrated with your business planning software can make your life easier.

Top 5 Picks: Business Plan Software

1.LivePlan Review

• Pricing: Standard plan: $15/$20 per month, Business plan: $30/$40 per month
• Number of plans: Unlimited
• Free trial: Yes (35-day money-back guarantee)

LivePlan offers high functionality at an affordable price. It boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface with plenty of useful features, making it easy for users to write detailed business plans . So, if you’re looking for sophisticated, modern business plan software, LivePlan should be among your shortlisted options.

You’ll find there are many things you can use Liveplan software for. Some business plan features it offers are:

• Over 500 sample plans.
• Easy export to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• One-page pitch builder, which creates an infographic version of your business plan.
• Automatic financials – the program creates charts, tables, and reports for you.
• Financial performance tracking, which also helps you plan a budget and offers seamless integration with financial tools.
• Step-by-step guidance: You receive instructions with prompts, definitions, and tutorials as soon as you log in.

The premium package adds performance indicators, a milestone planner, benchmark data for metrics comparisons, and more.

Who Is It For?

LivePlan is among the finest business plan software solutions for businesses and entrepreneurs who need:

• An affordable business planning tool with a variety of useful features.
• To create many reports, as the software lets you create as many as you wish or need.
• Help with creating a report, since the platform has a comprehensive step-by-step guide and tutorials.
• To access their plans for extended periods, as the program saves data for more than a year, even after cancellation.

On the other hand, LivePlan itself is an advanced tool, so there is a learning curve for beginners.

LivePlan has two plans catering to startups, small and large businesses, and long-time investors. The subscription can be paid either monthly or annually.

If you choose the former option, the Standard package will cost you $20 a month, while the monthly price of the Premium plan is $40.

If you opt for the annual subscription, you’ll only have to pay $15 per month for the Standard and $30 per month on the Premium plan. This generous discount makes LivePlan arguably the best business plan software for individuals and businesses willing to commit to a subscription for a longer period.

Key Features

2.PlanGuru Review

• Pricing: Plan Guru App: $99 per month or $899 per year, Plan Guru Desktop: $99 per month or $899 per year
• Free trial: Yes (30 days)

PlanGuru is a good choice if you want robust software that offers a variety of features. The most notable one is the valuation tool, which is only available on the desktop version of the software at the time of writing.

In short, PlanGuru is a business planning software solution committed to helping businesses with their financial planning, providing the tools they need to create reports, budgets, forecasts, and more.

PlanGuru offers two types of plans: Advisor and Business/Non-profit. These are largely the same, with a few slight differences, and the company lets you choose between a cloud-based app and a desktop application.

Whichever option you choose, you gain access to an unlimited number of scenarios per company and can import up to five years of actual results. Furthermore, each plan entitles you to a pre-built three-way forecasting structure and lets you benefit from over 20 standard forecasting methods.

That said, PlanGuru is more of a financial planning tool than business plan writing software.

The desktop application has some additional features. For example, the valuation tool is currently available on the desktop version only. Also, some other features that are only available on the desktop version are the payroll utility, the breakeven tool, and an unlimited number of consolidated projections.

PlanGuru would make an excellent business plan tool for those who:

• Appreciate a comprehensive resources library.
• Wish to compare their finances to the performance of a given industry.
• Are used to importing files using QuickBooks Online, Xero, Excel, or QuickBooks Desktop.
• Need business valuation calculations (PlanGuru is one of the best business planning software solutions with this feature).

On the other hand, you may wish to look elsewhere if you:

• Need a tool focusing on basic business plan writing.
• Have a limited budget. PlanGuru is expensive, especially if you need to include additional users.

Pricing is on the high side with PlanGuru. A subscription will set you back $99 per month or $899 per year, and on top of that, adding additional users costs an extra $29 per month or $299 per year. So, ensure you can get the most out of this software to make writing your business plan worth the time, effort, and cost.

3.Enloop Review

• Pricing: Detailed plan: $11/$19.95 per month, Performance plan: $24/$39.95 per month
• Number of plans: 3
• Free trial: Yes (7 days)

If you’re looking for simple software to create a business plan, Enloop is an excellent option. Dedicated to business plan creation, it offers features such as automated text writing, financial forecast comparisons, and auto-generated financial reports.

Enloop is one of the best business plan software options available on the market if accessibility and ease of use are your priority. It features a simple interface and it’s suitable for users who don’t need more than a few business plans, although more plans can be unlocked for an additional monthly cost.

Both of Enloop’s pricing plans share most of the program’s feature set, such as automated text writing, colored charts, real-time performance score, data and text synchronization, and country currency formatting with over a hundred currency symbols and formats.

The main differences between the two plans come down to the number of team members who can be included in the project, and the number of financial ratios that the app can analyze.

You should consider Enloop if you only need up to three business plans, which is the account limit. However, you might want to keep it shortlisted even if you need more, since it’s possible to unlock additional business plans for an extra $9.95 per month.

Furthermore, you’d likely find this business plan creator software appealing if you intend to have multiple people working on a business plan. The Detailed plan allows two shared users, while the Performance package allows five.

You’ll also find Enloop helpful if you:

• Have a limited budget.
• Value text, tables, and image formatting.
• Wish to have access to helpful written and video tutorials.

On the flip side, Enloop might not be a good fit if you need:

• QuickBooks or Xero integration options.
• More than five co-workers working on your business plan.
• Responsive customer support, as it can only be reached via a contact form.

Enloop offers both monthly and annual subscription options, and the latter allows you to save about 50% if you wish to commit for the long term.

So, if you opt for the Enloop business plan software, the price is as follows:

• $19.95 per month for the Detailed plan
• $39.95 per month for the Premium package

If you choose the annual subscription, the prices are:

• $11 per month for the Detailed package
• $24 per month for the Premium plan

4.Bizplan Review

• Pricing: Monthly plan: $29 per month, Annual plan: $20.75 per month, Lifetime plan: $349
• Free trial: No

Bizplan is yet another tool popular among many businesses due to a variety of benefits it offers. You can include as many collaborators as you wish and create an unlimited number of business plans, have access to a range of useful tools, and use the company’s extensive educational resources, and more.

Bizplan is among the top business plan software options with a number of helpful features that young businesses can benefit from. For example, you can:

• Set your business goals and monitor the progress from a single dashboard.
• Ask for advice or detailed guidance from acclaimed mentors your dedicated advisor connects you to.
• Access courses that can help you scale your business, including customer acquisition and business planning.

Moreover, Bizplan boasts an extensive library of interviews and guides you can use, and you can join the Startup Therapy Podcast for insights on how to deal with issues that every new business experiences.

Among other features, this business planning software also has:

• Revenue-projection tool
• Equity fundraising platform
• Automatic financial projections
• Easy-to-use templates for reports generation
• Extensive library of educational content
• Unlimited business plans, tables, and sections
• Exemplary customer support you can contact via email, live chat, and phone

Bizplan is one of the business plan software providers that grants users access to all of its features with a single plan, with no limitations on the number of plans or collaborators. It caters to startups and seasoned business people, offering ample resources, business plan creation opportunities, and convenient monitoring.

One of the few downsides of this software is the lack of a free trial, which means you’ll have to subscribe if you wish to try the program out.

There are three subscription options with Bizplan:

• Monthly, which costs $29 per month
• Annual, which costs $20.75 per month ($249 per year)
• Lifetime, which costs $349 for lifetime access

Given that no other provider among our shortlisted options offers a lifetime plan, it’s safe to say that Bizplan is the best business plan software for users who wish to commit to a high flat cost rather than worry about subscription costs in the long-term.

5.IdeaBuddy Review

• Pricing: Dreamer plan: starting from $6 per month, Founder plan: starting from $9 per month, Enterprise plan: custom pricing
• Number of plans: Unspecified
• Free trial: Yes (15 days)

IdeaBuddy is a handy tool that can help you with many things, including testing your business ideas, financial planning, and more. It is particularly useful if you have a business idea but aren’t sure how to implement it. The software can accommodate a variety of people and companies, including entrepreneurs, managers, startups, and business schools.

IdeaBuddy is an excellent small business planning software that has five main features:

• Idea validation
• Financial plan
• Business plan

The idea plan feature allows you to map and structure your idea easily and efficiently on a single page without much effort. The process is simple, resembling a website building tool, and it provides you with an overview of the business model upon completion.

As its name suggests, the idea validation feature provides insights into how likely your idea is to become a thriving business.

The business guide gives you valuable insights into how to start your business. It can help you assess how big your target market is, perform competition analysis, allow you to better understand who your prospective customers are, and evaluate the idea’s overall market potential.

The financial plan helps you evaluate your income on monthly, quarterly, and annual bases, complete with long-term cash flow projections and detailed financial reports.

Finally, the business plan feature helps you create a shareable plan that you can edit and export to Word or PDF.

IdeaBuddy is business plan maker software especially suitable for individuals and startups that need guidance when it comes to implementing their business ideas. It is also useful for people with limited budgets. Furthermore, nonprofits and schools benefit from IdeaBuddy’s 30% off policy.

On the other hand, you might not find the platform to your liking if you:

• Wish to test all the features before committing, since the free trial has a very limited feature set.
• Need responsive customer support assistance, since you can contact them only via a contact form.

IdeaBuddy has flexible pricing options, making it one of the best business plan software solutions if money is an issue. You can see some of them in the tables below:

DREAMER PLAN

FOUNDER PLAN

As for the cost and details of the Enterprise plan, you need to contact IdeaBuddy directly via the contact form.

What is the best free business plan software?

Various business plan template software solutions offer a free basic version or a free trial. However, free business planning software usually lacks essential features that a growing business might need.

Which business plan software is the best?

It depends on your professional needs. For example, those who need a valuation tool would find PlanGuru the most convenient, while others might prefer LivePlan if they’re prioritizing flexibility and value.

What is the best business plan software for startups?

LivePlan, Bizplan, and IdeaBuddy are among the finest business planning software for startups. LivePlan provides high functionality for the price, Bizplan has extensive educational resources, while IdeaBuddy guides startups through different planning and implementation stages.

Simple Business Plan Templates

By Joe Weller | April 2, 2020

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In this article, we’ve compiled a variety of simple business plan templates, all of which are free to download in PDF, Word, and Excel formats.

On this page, you’ll find a one-page business plan template , a simple business plan for startups , a small-business plan template , a business plan outline , and more. We also include a business plan sample and the main components of a business plan to help get you started.

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

This simple business plan template lays out each element of a traditional business plan to assist you as you build your own, and it provides space to add financing information for startups seeking funding. You can use and customize this simple business plan template to fit the needs for organizations of any size.

One-Page Business Plan Template

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

Excel | Word | PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this one-page business plan to document your key ideas in an organized manner. The template can help you create a high-level view of your business plan, and it provides easy scannability for stakeholders. You can use this one-page plan as a reference to build a more detailed blueprint for your business. 

For additional single page plans, take a look at " One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Download Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Use this fill-in-the-blank business plan template to guide you as you build your business plan. Each section comes pre-filled with sample content, with space to add customized verbiage relevant to your product or service.

For additional free, downloadable resources, visit " Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates ."

Simple Business Plan for Startup

‌ Download Startup Business Plan Template — Word

This business plan template is designed with a startup business in mind and contains the essential elements needed to convey key product or service details to investors and stakeholders. Keep all your information organized with this template, which provides space to include an executive summary, a company overview, competitive analysis, a marketing strategy, financial data, and more. For additional resources, visit " Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples ."

Simple Small-Business Plan Template

Download Simple Small-Business Plan Template

This template walks you through each component of a small-business plan, including the company background, the introduction of the management team, market analysis, product or service offerings, a financial plan, and more. This template also comes with a built-in table of contents to keep your plan in order, and it can be customized to fit your requirements.

Lean Business Plan Template

Download Lean Business Plan Template

This lean business plan template is a stripped-down version of a traditional business plan that provides only the most essential aspects. Briefly outline your company and industry overview, along with the problem you are solving, as well as your unique value proposition, target market, and key performance metrics. There is also room to list out a timeline of key activities.

Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Download Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Word  | PDF

Use this simple business plan outline as a basis to create your own business plan. This template contains 11 sections, including a title page and a table of contents, which details what each section should cover in a traditional business plan. Simplify or expand this outline to create the foundation for a business plan that fits your business needs.

Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Download Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Excel | Smartsheet

This template doubles as a project plan and timeline to track progress as you develop your business plan. This business planning template enables you to break down your work into phases and provides room to add key tasks and dates for each activity. Easily fill in the cells according to the start and end dates to create a visual timeline, as well as to ensure your plan stays on track.

Simple Business Plan Rubric Template

Download Simple Business Plan Rubric

Excel | Word | PDF | Smartsheet

Once you complete your business plan, use this business plan rubric template to assess and score each component of your plan. This rubric helps you identify elements of your plan that meet or exceed requirements and pinpoint areas where you need to improve or further elaborate. This template is an invaluable tool to ensure your business plan clearly defines your goals, objectives, and plan of action in order to gain buy-in from potential investors, stakeholders, and partners.

Basic Business Plan Sample

Download Basic Business Plan Sample

This business plan sample serves as an example of a basic business plan that contains all the traditional components. The sample provides a model of what a business plan might look like for a fictional food truck business. Reference this sample as you develop your own business plan.

For additional resources to help support your business planning efforts, check out “ Free Strategic Planning Templates .”

Main Components of a Business Plan

The elements you include in your business plan will depend on your product or service offerings, as well as the size and needs of your business. 

Below are the components of a standard business plan and details you should include in each section:

• Company name and contact information
• Website address
• The name of the company or individual viewing the presentation
• Table of Contents
• Company background and purpose
• Mission and vision statement
• Management team introduction
• Core product and service offerings
• Target customers and segments
• Marketing plan
• Competitive analysis
• Unique value proposition
• Financial plan (and requirements, if applicable)
• Business and industry overview
• Historical timeline of your business
• Offerings and the problem they solve
• Current alternatives
• Competitive advantage
• Market size
• Target market segment(s)
• Projected volume and value of sales compared to competitors
• Differentiation from competitors
• Pricing strategy
• Marketing channels
• Promotional plan
• Distribution methods
• Legal structure of your business
• Names of founders, owners, advisors, etc.
• Management team’s roles, relevant experience, and compensation plan
• Staffing requirements and training plans
• Physical location(s) of your business
• Additional physical requirements (e.g., warehouse, specialized equipment, facilities, etc.)
• Production workflow
• Raw materials and sourcing methods
• Projected income statement
• Projected cash flow statement
• Projected balance sheet
• Break-even analysis
• Charts and graphs
• Market research and competitive analysis
• Information about your industry
• Information about your offerings
• Samples of marketing materials
• Other supporting materials

Tips for Creating a Business Plan

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of putting together a business plan. Below, you’ll find top tips to help simplify the process as you develop your own plan. 

• Use a business plan template (you can choose from the variety above), or refer to the previous section to create a standard outline for your plan.
• Modify your outline to reflect the requirements of your specific business. If you use a standard business plan outline, remove sections that aren’t relevant to you or aren’t necessary to run your business.
• Gather all the information you currently have about your business first, and then use that information to fill out each section in your plan outline.
• Use your resources and conduct additional research to fill in the remaining gaps. (Note: It isn’t necessary to fill out your plan in order, but the executive summary needs to be completed last, as it summarizes the key points in your plan.)
• Ensure your plan clearly communicates the relationship between your marketing, sales, and financial objectives.
• Provide details in your plan that illustrate your strategic plan of action, looking forward three to five years.
• Revisit your plan regularly as strategies and objectives evolve.
• What product or service are we offering?
• Who is the product or service for?
• What problem does our product or service offering solve?
• How will we get the product or service to our target customers?
• Why is our product or service better than the alternatives?
• How can we outperform our competitors?
• What is our unique value proposition?
• When will things get done, and who is responsible for doing them?
• If you need to obtain funding, how will you use the funding?
• When are payments due, and when do payments come in?
• What is the ultimate purpose of your business?
• When do you expect to be profitable?

To identify which type of business plan you should write, and for more helpful tips, take a look at our guide to writing a simple business plan .

Benefits of Using a Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan can be very time-consuming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. Finding the right template for your business needs can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. 

Using a business plan template — instead of creating your plan from scratch — can benefit you in the following ways:

• Enables you to immediately write down your thoughts and ideas in an organized manner
• Provides structure to help outline your plan
• Saves time and valuable resources
• Helps ensure you don’t miss essential details

Limitations of a Business Plan Template

A business plan template can be convenient, but it has its drawbacks — especially if you use a template that doesn’t fit the specific needs of your business.

Below are some limitations of using a business plan template:

• Each business is unique and needs a business plan that reflects that. A template may not fit your needs.
• A template may restrict collaboration with other team members on different aspects of the plan’s development (sales, marketing, and accounting teams).
• Multiple files containing different versions of the plan may be stored in more than one place.
• You still have to manually create charts and graphs to add to the plan to support your strategy.
• Updates to the plan, spreadsheets, and supporting documents have to be made in multiple places (all documents may not update in real time as changes are made).

Improve Your Business Plan with Real-Time Work Management in Smartsheet

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

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The Best Floor Plan Software of 2023

By Tom Scalisi

Updated on Feb 15, 2023 5:56 PM EST

14 minute read

Best Overall

Floorplanner, best bang for the buck, roomsketcher.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Whether it’s for a professional project or a personal build, designing the floor plan of a home or building is exciting. Putting walls, windows, doors, and other features exactly where they’d work best (or where the client wants them) can be a lot of fun. And there are software programs that can speed the process along and help everyone involved visualize the project.

The following are some of the best floor plan software programs available. These powerful design and drafting tools can be the first step in taking an idea from a dream to a completed project.

• BEST OVERALL: SketchUp
• RUNNER-UP: Floorplanner
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: RoomSketcher
• BEST FOR TEAMS: Homestyler
• BEST SOFTWARE INTEGRATION: SmartDraw
• BEST MOBILE EXPERIENCE: magicplan
• BEST BEGINNER SOFTWARE: Planner 5D
• BEST ADVANCED SOFTWARE: Chief Architect
• ALSO CONSIDER: HomeByMe

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Floor Plan Software Options

Floor plan software programs all serve the same general purpose. Still, they may differ slightly in their uses or applications. The following are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for one of the best home design software programs . Knowing what to look for may help users choose the right software the first time rather than getting frustrated and bouncing from program to program.

Cost and Trial Period

Floor plan software costs vary wildly between development companies, and it’s important to ensure the cost or fees fit into a budget. Some programs offer “freemium” options, which implies that they have a bare-bones version for free, but users can upgrade and purchase the more premium options. Others may offer free trials, after which they’ll bill the customer or close access.

But beyond these free programs, most software programs come with a monthly fee or an up-front purchase price. These can range from a monthly charge of $4 to $200 to an annual premium subscription costing between $100 and $3,000.

For most DIYers, a program with a relatively low monthly cost or a low annual subscription will typically be fine. However, for folks who handle several designs each year, it may be necessary to subscribe to a higher tier.

System Requirements and Mobile App Availability

Many floor plan software programs use high-speed rendering to bring their designs to life. For this reason, it’s important for users to ensure that their computing hardware can handle the project. This means processor speed, RAM, and storage requirements, even if the program is browser-based.

That said, several of the best floor plan software programs have mobile floor plan apps available that allow users to create designs from their phones or tablets. In fact, tablet floor plan design is wildly popular thanks to intuitive touch-screen controls.

Visualizing Options

A top-down view of a floor plan is often the most helpful when actually designing layouts. However, it’s impossible to truly grasp the look and feel of the floor plan without advanced visualization options such as 3D renderings.

Turning a floor plan into a 3D rendering allows designers or clients to do a virtual walk-through. They can get a feel for important features such as functional walking areas, window and door placement, and even color palettes. If something doesn’t work, they can spot and fix it in the early design phase of the project, not after the structure is built.

Collaboration Possibilities

Design should be a collaborative process. Even DIY designers and builders should be able to bounce ideas off each other as they embark on a project together. Also, professional designers, engineers, and builders should be able to look at the same program file when problem-solving or determining layouts.

Many of the best floor planning software programs allow users to create multiple logins and grant access to other folks. Other programs may allow users to create invitations or share drawings they’ve created with multiple people via email or messaging. Some programs will even keep notes and allow involved parties to mark up drafts to point out specific features or changes, allowing everyone to see actual issues or comments in real time.

Integration With Other Software

Many floor plan–maker software applications allow users to integrate them with other programs, such as computer-aided design or project management software. This can greatly help construction companies and design-build contractors. It can also help DIY builders track their progress and costs while having the plan to reference—something that can be difficult to manage for those without professional experience.

It’s important to note that many floor planners don’t integrate at their “freemium,” trial, or basic levels. Users may have to upgrade to premium subscriptions for these advanced features.

Our Top Picks

The following are some of the top picks in the industry for floor plan software, each of which earned an award for its strengths. It’s still wise to compare the different programs using the considerations above before making a decision.

• Cost: Free; $119, $299, or $699 annually
• Trial period: 30 days
• System requirements: Windows 10, 11; macOS 10.15 and higher
• Mobile app availability: Yes (iPad only)
• Fully customizable work space
• Unlimited cloud storage with all subscription plans
• Live instructors available for support
• iPad and desktop software available with all subscription plans
• Free browser-compatible software
• Generous free 30-day trial
• No templates or premade object renderings included
• 1-year minimum commitment

Why It Made the Cut: Between its flexible cost tiers, ease of use, and a bevy of benefits, SketchUp takes our top spot for floor plan software. Beginners and experts alike looking for a well-rounded program with plenty of features will want to consider SketchUp. This program allows users to create 2D and 3D floor plans with completely customizable designs. It’s available in a tiered pricing structure, with a free browser-based option and yearly fees of $119, $299, and $699 based on features. (The yearly fees mean the user will be committed to the software for a year.) Users can also test drive the software for a 30-day trial period. SketchUp provides a fully customizable work space that starts from scratch. While there aren’t any templates or premade objects to use, this does allow the user to stretch their imagination and hone their design skills. If they’re struggling to do so, SketchUp has live instructors available for support. Each subscription also allows users to access SketchUp on an iPad for even more creative flexibility. All subscriptions come with unlimited cloud storage as well.

• Cost: Free; $5 or $29 monthly for individual users
• Trial period: N/A
• System requirements: Web-based
• Mobile app availability: Yes
• Free and relatively affordably priced plans available
• Compatibility with all web browsers
• Over 150,000 3D furniture and decor renderings included
• Relatively limited design possibilities with free plan

Why It Made the Cut: With its low cost, universal web-browser compatibility, and library of decor items to choose from, Floorplanner is certainly worth considering. Cost-effective floor planning is the name of the game with Floorplanner. This software service costs between $5 and $29 each month for individual users, allowing folks to design their dream spaces without a considerable investment. There is even a free version that users can work with, albeit with limited design possibilities attached. Floorplanner is compatible with all web browsers, which allows users the flexibility to use it on different platforms. Also, there is a library of over 150,000 3D furniture and decor renderings that Floorplanner users can design with, providing interior-design aspects that some programs don’t offer.

• Cost: Free; $49 or $99 annually
• System requirements: Not specified
• Relatively affordable cost
• Next-day professional floor plan creation available
• Uploads of existing blueprints facilitated

Why It Made the Cut: DIYers and designers can benefit from RoomSketcher’s plan-upload feature and next-day floor plan creation for a very low price. When it comes to professional designs on a budget, RoomSketcher may be the top option. For between $4 and $8.25 each month (billed annually with a 1-year commitment), RoomSketcher users have a slew of features they can use when creating floor plans. One notable feature: If users already have physical or digital plans, they can upload them into the program and draw over them, which provides a helpful template for notes and changes. RoomSketcher offers next-day floor plan creation. Professional designers and draftspeople will create a custom, pro-level floor plan based on the specs provided, and customers will receive it by the next day. This standout feature is excellent for those who need a plan returned quickly but didn’t have the time or skills to produce it.

Best for Teams

• Cost: Free; $4.90, $9.90, or $19.60 monthly
• Trial period: 7 days for team license
• Shared virtual design space
• Shared team library
• Streamlined team-member management features
• Free trial only available for teams

Why It Made the Cut: Homestyler provides a platform for collaboration, as multiple users can access and work on the software simultaneously. Design work should be collaborative, and Homestyler delivers features that facilitate teamwork. With this floor plan software, multiple users can access the program and work on the same project at once. This can help remove communication barriers, speed a process along, and result in a better design overall. Homestyler has several subscription tiers, including free, $4.90, $9.90, or $19.60 per month. The higher tiers can accommodate larger teams. There is a 7-day trial period, but it’s only for teams and not individual users. Teams will benefit from a shared library, and administrators will enjoy streamlined management features to tailor access and features.

Best Software Integration

• Cost: $9.95 monthly for individual user
• Trial period : 7 days
• System requirements: Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista; macOS 10.14 and higher
• Mobile app availability: No
• Seamless integration with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Wide assortment of premade floor plan templates available
• Ultrapolished renderings thanks to automatic alignment, formatting, and coloring
• No mobile app

Why It Made the Cut: SmartDraw integrates with platforms such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, allowing users to seamlessly include floor plan drawings in documents and presentations. Folks who need to pitch an idea to investors, a bank, or even their spouses may appreciate SmartDraw’s integration capabilities. This program is compatible with platforms such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Users can easily upload drawings and renderings into documents and presentations, helping them land the approval they need for their projects. Users may want to note that there isn’t a mobile app available. SmartDraw has a simple fee schedule, costing $9.95 each month with a 7-day free trial. For that fee, users will receive a wide assortment of premade floor plan templates and polished renderings thanks to features like automatic alignment, formatting, and coloring.

Best Mobile Experience

• Cost: $42, $125, or $375 monthly
• Trial period: No time period specified; maximum 2-plan creation
• System requirements: iOS, Android
• User experience optimized for mobile
• Convenient built-in reporting and estimating features
• No desktop or browser version

Why It Made the Cut: As a mobile-native app, this platform was built for phones and tablets, allowing users to create exactly what they wish from right in the palms of their hands. Most floor plan software started as a computer program and migrated or adapted for mobile devices. However, magicplan is mobile-only, meaning it was designed to work smoothly on handheld devices, not forced to work to an acceptable level. While this might be an issue for designers at their desktops, the mobile platform makes portable design easy. Magicplan users can sign up for one of three access levels for either $9.99, $29.99, or $89.99 per month, depending on their needs. The system works on both iOS and Android devices, and it features convenient built-in reporting and estimating features. This means that designers and estimators can do their job on-site and provide real-time data to customers for better overall satisfaction.

Best Beginner Software

• Cost: Free; paid versions available
• Trial period: 3 days
• System requirements: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
• Beginner-friendly interface and functions
• Photorealistic renderings with Snapshots feature
• Somewhat misleading pricing information
• Free trial only available for iOS and macOS versions

Why It Made the Cut: With a library of how-to information and incredibly detailed 3D renderings, Planner 5D can help even amateurs using the software look like experts. Floor plan software can be intimidating, especially to brand-new users. But Planner 5D makes it easy, with a host of online learning posts available to registered users. This library of posts is split up by skill level or experience, so beginners will know just where to start to create beautifully rendered drawings that make them look like pros. Planner 5D is free, but users will have to upgrade to the Pro version to access all of the features. While only iOS and macOS users get a free trial of 3 days, the software is also compatible with Windows and Android.

Best Advanced Software

Chief architect.

• Cost: $199 monthly or $1,995 for Premier version
• Trial period: No time period specified; limited functionality
• System requirements: Windows 10, 11; macOS 11 and higher
• Advanced capabilities for detailed interior and exterior residential design
• Relatively high cost

Why It Made the Cut: Chief Architect is made for professional designers and architects, with advanced features that entry-level programs simply can’t match. Folks who want something a bit more advanced to work out their designs and ideas will want to check out Chief Architect. This program has options that entry-level or browser-based programs can’t match, such as generating framing overviews, materials lists, and more. There is also an expansive library of 3D items that users can place in rooms for interior design purposes. Chief Architect is expensive, with a baseline residential version for homeowners starting at $199 per month, with multiple upgrades available for additional costs. The Premier version costs $1,995 per year, but it comes with access to live instructors for support. While this is expensive, and there isn’t a mobile app available, the ability to create high-end designs with drill-down features and reports may make sense to some designers and architects.

Also Consider

• Cost: Free; $25 or $65 monthly
• Extensive item catalog of branded products
• Professionally created 3D floor plans available
• High-definition and 4K image rendering available
• Relatively few user-learning features

Why It Made the Cut: HomeByMe offers an extensive catalog of actual branded products, a mobile app, and top-tier HD renderings. HomeByMe is another floor plan designer app that folks will want to consider. This option can be relatively affordable, with a free option or a paid version costing between $25 and $65 monthly. HomeByMe offers a large catalog of real products from brands including Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Wayfair that users can place in their 3D floor plans, bringing a realistic and near-tangible approach to the design. Users will want to note that there aren’t a lot of learning features for users to peruse, so much of the learning has to be on the fly. Users can also lean on HomeByMe to create professionally generated 3D floor plans based on their 2D drawings. This service saves users time, and the plans feature high-definition and 4K rendering, creating the ability for users to have a real-world look at the design.

Our Verdict

We chose SketchUp for the best overall floor planner because we like its flexible pricing tiers, ease of use, and multiple resources like unlimited cloud storage and live instruction. However, folks who’d like to stretch their software budget as far as it can go will appreciate RoomSketcher’s low price and pro-level floor plans created with next-day speed.

How We Chose the Best Floor Plan Software

We know how important it is to find the best floor plan software for a specific set of needs. We considered designing and building projects to collect what we found to be the most important features for customers to look for, which gave us a start on finding the top products.

Next, we performed extensive research to collate a list of software programs that we felt would fit our needs. We chose from companies we already knew inside and out, as well as newer companies that boasted top-tier features. We then compared aspects like ease of use, cost, features, and rendering capabilities to determine which programs would surpass our requirements. Those that did were given awards based on their strengths, while those that didn’t were excluded from the list.

Before You Use One of the Best Floor Plan Software Options

Even beginner-friendly drafting software does require some level of tech experience to create a floor plan . Folks without much knowledge will want to consider trying a free version or using a program with a free trial before committing to a subscription or annual fee.

Also, despite a floor plan software’s in-depth design features, most large-scale plans will still need the approval of an engineer before a building department accepts the plans and approves permits. Floor plan layout software can be a great tool for getting ideas into a workable model, but users will want to be aware that it may not be the only program or tool they need before they can start building.

Cost of Using One of the Best Floor Plan Software Options

The cost of using the best floor plan software options can range from $5 each month to almost $2,000 per year. The costs vary wildly depending on several factors, including capabilities, licensing (some software programs have access to databases of actual brands’ furniture and appliances), and integration capabilities.

DIYers generally can expect to pay between $5 and $100 each month for floor planning software. Programs in this price range will usually cover most of these users’ needs. Pros can expect to pay $100 to $200 each month, while some advanced programs may require an upfront purchase of up to $2,000 each year. These platforms often facilitate more users on one plan and have more powerful abilities like high-def 4K rendering, as well as integration with the most popular software programs for the construction industry. There are also free online floor plan creator programs, but they may be limited in scope or interior design tools.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best Floor Plan Software Options

Floor plan and remodeling software allows users to take a thought and turn it into a model they can adjust and manipulate. This allows them to see what works and doesn’t and where they can improve or simplify the design.

Floor plans are a great starting point for communication between customers and architects. The customer can present a workable floor plan to the architect and allow them to put together the required plans for building permits and bank loans.

The best floor plan software often has a mobile interface that users can lean on in the middle of a project. This can be helpful with new buildings, and it’s also beneficial for design-build contractors working on-site for planning and estimating additions.

• Floor plan software with 3D rendering allows users to see what works with their plan and what doesn’t.
• The best software can act as a point of communication for customers and architects to help obtain plans for permits and loans.
• Mobile interface options allow users to create and adjust plans and estimates on-site with their phones or tablets.

That might feel like a lot of information about the best floor plan software, but there may still be some questions that need answering. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about floor planning software, so be sure to check for an answer below.

Q. Is there a free app for drawing floor plans?

Yes, there are several floor plan creators and room dimension creators that can be used for free at their basic levels. SketchUp, Floorplanner, RoomSketcher, Homestyler, Planner 5D, and HomeByMe all have free versions.

Q. Does Google have a floor plan creator?

No, Google does not have a floor plan creator. However, some folks may find using Google Maps helpful in deciding where to place their designed home on their property.

Q. Where can I find ideas for floor plans?

Many of the best software for floor planning actually offer templates and ideas for inspiration . Also, a few have online communities where designers can share ideas and discuss plans.

Q: What software do architects use for floor plans?

Architects most often use advanced versions of AutoCAD to design floor plans and buildings. This program is powerful but requires a higher skill level that takes time to learn.

Q. Can floor plan software be integrated with other programs?

Some software plans can integrate with other software, such as construction project- management software, AutoCAD, and other design or construction-related software.

Q. Are floor plan software easy to use?

Yes, they can be easy to use. This is especially true for programs designed for beginners or amateurs, and they often have all the features folks at this level could want. However, more advanced software, such as AutoCAD, can be a bit more challenging but capable of much more in-depth design.