business plan reviews

Best business plan software of 2024

Better plan your business finances

Two people discussing business at a laptop with notes by their side.

Best for speed
Best general
Best budget
Best established
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.

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 full:

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.

Best business plan software for speed

1. Business Sorter

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

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 .

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Best basic business plan software

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 .

Best general business plan software

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.

Best budget business plan software

4. 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.

Best established business plan software

5. 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.

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 .

Best business plan software FAQs

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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7 Best Business Plan Software for Startups in 2024

| Written by

Businesswoman next to text that says Top 7 Business Plan Software.

Writing a business plan is crucial for entrepreneurs to outline their vision and strategy. With so many options available, choosing the best business plan software for startups can be challenging. Our review compares top solutions for founders, evaluating features, usability, resources, integrations, and pricing to help you select the platform that fits your needs. We’ll explore how these tools can streamline the planning process and help you create a professional, investor-ready business plan to launch your startup successfully.

Our #1 Pick: Upmetrics

Upmetrics makes it easy and affordable to create a professional, investor-ready business plan with AI-powered tools and customizable templates.

Unsure if Upmetrics is right for you? Continue reading our comprehensive review below to learn more and explore your options.

Best Business Planning Tools

In this review, we’ll look at seven of the best business plan software platforms — discussing their pros, cons, features, pricing, and more — so you can decide which one is right for your startup.

Best Business Plan Software for Startups 2024:

Upmetrics – Best Overall
LivePlan – Best Financial Forecasting
Bizplan – Easiest to Use
Enloop – Best Automation Features
PlanGuru – Best Business Valuation Tool
IdeaBuddy – Best for Idea Validation
iPlanner – Best for Nonprofits

The following tools all have their own great features. Based on its affordable pricing and usability, Upmetrics is our top business plan software choice for startups.

Try Upmetrics today or continue reading to explore your options!

Best Business Plan Software: Upmetrics

Access 400+ industry-specific templates and AI-driven tools to build a winning business plan.

1. Upmetrics – $7/month to $37/month

First up on our list is Upmetrics , an affordable and versatile business planning tool. The software is designed for small business owners, young entrepreneurs, and startups who need comprehensive business planning capabilities without the high cost.

Upmetrics simplifies the entire planning process with its advanced AI capabilities, realistic financial forecasting, and user-friendly functionalities. The AI writing assistant auto-writes sections of your business plan, while the forecasting assistant provides financial forecasting stream suggestions.

What’s more, Upmetrics’ subscription model comes with strategic planning tools, collaborative features, and other business resources that help entrepreneurs plan and grow their businesses with ease.

AI business plan generator to create business plans faster
400+ sample business plan templates
AI pitch deck creator to generate impressive pitches
Robust financial forecasting for up to 7-10 years
QuickBooks and Xero integrations to import your data easily
Business plan builder with drag-and-drop capabilities
Real-time collaboration and easy-sharing options
Reliable and easy-to use interface
Extremely affordable pricing plans
Multilingual support (9+ different languages)
Effective strategic plan creation on-the-go
15-day money back guarantee (even change plans anytime)
No long-term commitments
Educational resources, free guides, and video tutorials for beginners
Not suitable for larger enterprises
No free trial

Customer Reviews

Over 110,000 entrepreneurs have used Upmetrics for different purposes, from securing funding to launching their ventures. It received great customer reviews and earned 4.8 stars out of 5 on GetApp, making it a strong contender among business planning software.

Learn more by reading our full Upmetrics review .

2. LivePlan – $15/month to $30/month

While LivePlan isn’t our top pick, it’s a strong contender for the best business plan software for startups, offering excellent value for money. This cloud-based solution enables entrepreneurs to craft professional business plans from any location, combining user-friendly features with comprehensive functionality.

Additionally, if you decide to stop service for whatever reason, Palo Alto Software, the makers of LivePlan, will keep your account active and data preserved for at least a year should you decide to reactivate your account later.

Create an unlimited number of business plans
A forecast feature for those less mathematically inclined. Plug in data, and it will generate charts, graphs, figures, and even the profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statements
500+ business plan templates spanning all major industries
Real-time financial data tracking
Performance dashboards track sales and budgeting
Create one-page pitch plans for potential investors
Milestone scheduling feature — Some people will use it when working with others on their plan; it will let you assign milestones to people
Low-cost annual plans
Affordable pay-as-you-go plans
No cancellation fees
Data saved for 12-months, even after cancellation
Clean, modern platform
Cloud-based; works on any business machine (Linus, Windows, Mac)
Integrates with Quickbooks and Xero to import your data easily
Knowledgeable customer support to get help with your plan
No valuation capabilities
Templates built on the earlier tool by Palo Alto Software, Business Plan Pro, require some modifications to be used on LivePlan

LivePlan receives great feedback from customers. LivePlan reviews average 4.5 stars out of 5 on GetApp. LivePlan is an easy company for us to recommend for the best business plan software.

Learn more by reading our full LivePlan review .

3. Bizplan – $29/month, $249/year, $349 lifetime

Bizplan rates high on our list because they offer a lifetime plan that gets you “forever access” to their business plan software. As an added bonus, you also receive free access to Startup Courses and LaunchRock, a landing page builder.

Easy, “fill-in-the-blanks” plan builder
Publish your detailed business plan online
Unlimited business plans
Bizplan takes care of the financials
Cloud-based (use any browser on any computer)
Options to add more graphics and photos
Low-cost yearly plans
Create unlimited business plans
Xero to import your data easily
Excellent and responsive customer support (email/chat/phone)
Free access to Startup.com and LaunchRock.com
Discount at Fundable.com (connect with lenders and investors)
Can’t export in Word
Doesn’t currently integrate with QuickBooks
No third-party app integrations

BizPlan receives great feedback from customers. BizPlan reviews average 4.4 stars out of 5 on GetApp. Still a relatively new option, BizPlan already has over 30,000 satisfied customers. As their platform grows, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them integrate even more valuable features. Keep a close eye on this one.

Learn more by reading our full Bizplan review .

4. Enloop – Free to $39.95/month

If you’re looking to try before you buy, Enloop is a strong choice as one of the only business planning software tools with a free trial.

User-friendly platform
Compare your financials against your industry’s performance
Bank ready financial statements (Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash flow)
Lets multiple users work on a business plan
36-Month detailed financial reports
Sync date and text into your business plan
Real-time performance rating
Generated business plan Pass/Fail report
Multiple currency formatting
Seven-day free trial (no credit card required)
Advanced financial ratios
Financial projections
Video tutorials to help you with the writing process
No phone or chat support, just a “contact us” form.
Three business plan limit per account
Doesn’t integrate with QuickBooks or Xero
No financial forecasts beyond 36-months
No 30-day money-back guarantee

Enloop receives fair feedback from customers. Enloop’s reviews average 3 stars out of 5 on PCMag. Enloop’s main complaint is its lack of instructional text for writing mission statements and other key sections. What they rank high on is their efficiency and the speed at which the software lets you write a business plan.

Even beyond the free version, Enloop Basic is just $9.95/month ($6/month when paid annually), so they’re one of the least expensive tools for writing a business plan.

5. PlanGuru – $99/month to $299/month

PlanGuru is a good option if you’re looking for considerably more robust software that offers quite a bit more. The most notable feature we like is the valuation tool, only present on the desktop version of the software. PlanGuru lets you calculate the valuation of your business using three different methods. No other business plan software offers this that we know of.

PlanGuru also offers budgeting, forecasting, and performance tools to help you put together a business plan. In the main, PlanGuru allows you to get a custom-tailored three financial statement budget model up and running out of QuickBooks or Xero in a matter of minutes. PlanGuru’s business plan writing software takes you through a setup process where it asks you questions such as:

What’s the first month of your fiscal year?
How many historical years do you want to import?

And, once you answer these questions, PlanGuru then generates a model for you that you can then populate with your historical data if you have it. Then you can go through PlanGuru’s 20+ projection methods.

Some financial data projection methods include:

Expenses, like payroll, etc.
Balance sheet items, like accounts receivable, accounts payable, crude expenses, prepaid expenses, loans, etc.

These are only a few of the features the business plan software offers. Here are some more.

Budgeting/Forecasting Software
Analytics Service for Financial Performance & KPIs
Valuation calculations (desktop software only)
Desktop and cloud-based options
Free 14-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
Great customer support and knowledgeable sales staff
Lower-cost yearly plans offered
Advanced financial calculations
Business valuation calculations
No contracts
Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
Costlier than LivePlan and most other options
Additional cost per user can add up quickly

Important Note: These tools are important because investors may want to see not only historical performance but also projections.

6. IdeaBuddy – Free to $35/month

IdeaBuddy makes our list because of what’s behind their approach. IdeaBuddy focuses on helping entrepreneurs develop their idea first, then share it, and then refine it into a plan. If you have a business idea and don’t know what to do next, IdeaBuddy could be what you’re looking for in a business plan software.

Single-page business plan pitch (Idea plan)
Clean modern design platform combined with great financial tools
Marketing plan for selling and promoting your products
Market overview plan where you create targeted customer profiles, identify your competition and calculate the market potential
Business plan creation that includes forecasting performance and cash flow projections
A proprietary algorithm calculates a final score for your idea providing recommendations for improvement after you complete “Story Mode”
Idea Journal, that is an internal business plan for you to show potential investors
A lifetime plan costs only $178
Great for developing ideas
Great for doing market research
Pay-as-you-go plans offered
Email-only customer service
Software lag time issues
Fewer software options than most other small business options

IdeaBuddy has received some outstanding customer reviews on GetApp. IdeaBuddy has earned a 4.6-star rating out of 5 possible stars.

7. iPlanner – Starts at $55/year

iPlanner is a comprehensive business plan software that has been aiding entrepreneurs since 2007, providing a robust framework for developing business plans, models, and financial forecasts online.

Unlimited Team Members & Collaboration
A La Carte Pricing Model vs Packages
Discounts for Serial Entrepreneurs & Business Coaches
Solid amount of industry knowledge and experience.
They’ve got two trademarked business planning services, Startup Framework™ and Strategy Designer™
All of their business planning packages allow you to have unlimited collaborators and assign people three different roles: Project Owners, Advisors, and Viewers.
Their Startup Framework software has a business modeling section where you can design a business model canvas and strategize as much as you need before diving into your plan.
Doesn’t have a month-to-month option for either of their services. Their Strategy Designer is payable only annually, while their Startup Framework is available for 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month payments.
They don’t offer refunds
Their website is pretty old school and tough to navigate.
Unlike other business planning software, iPlanner doesn’t offer a free version or trial. However, you can take a tour of their Startup Framework software or view a demo of the Strategy Designer to get a feel for them.

If a simple framework is all you’re looking for, iPlanner can help you out. They don’t have many bells and whistles, but at these price points, they offer a good value for nonprofits and corporations.

Business Plan Software Pros and Cons

By using business plan software providers, you’ll be able to create a solid outline for your business. Although some of the options above are better than others, each will walk you through from start to finish.
No matter how you look at it, business plan software is cost-effective. As long as you actually use the tool, you’ll generate significantly more value than you’re spending on monthly subscription fees.
If you spend the time to create a solid plan, you’re much more likely to hold yourself accountable. Think of planning software like an accountability buddy for a small business owner.
Your business plan tool will help set realistic financial goals, and most can also keep your bottom line in check by integrating your accounting software.
Business planning software enables you to collaborate with partners, mentors and investors.
Some of the business plan tools don’t offer support and can have slightly buggy features. That said, if you’re serious about writing a solid plan, go with a tool that’s constantly updated and well made.
Although some business plan tools have a collaboration feature, none of them can review it when you’re done. All business planning tools lack a human touch.

How to Choose the Right Business Plan Software

With the array of business planning tools available, it can be daunting to select the right one for your needs. Here are some tips for choosing the best business plan software solution:

Consider your skill level – Opt for software like a wizard-guided business plan template if you are less experienced in writing plans. Choose more advanced software with greater flexibility once you know what you are doing. Look for drag-and-drop tools to easily organize sections.
Determine your budget – Prices range from free to several hundred dollars. Know how much you can spend before shopping.
Compare features – Look for software with the specific tools you need, like financial projections, sample text, customizable templates, and more.
Evaluate the financial tool capabilities – The software should provide extensive financial tools like forecasting, modeling, projections, and dashboards to streamline financial planning.
Check reviews and ratings – Get feedback from other users about their experience with the software. High reviews indicate easier, more user-friendly software.

Plan for Success With Upmetrics

Create a professional, investor-ready plan using AI-powered tools and industry-specific templates.

What is the purpose of a business plan?

The purpose of a business plan is to provide a structured outline and roadmap for a business’s goals, strategies, and operations. It serves as a guide for decision-making, resource allocation, and management.

Furthermore, business plans can be crucial to attract investors, secure funding, and ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the business’s direction, objectives, and value proposition.

How do you write a business plan?

To write a business plan, start by writing an executive summary that provides an overview of your business idea, products/services, market opportunity, and projected growth. Outline your company description, industry analysis, target customers, competitive advantage, marketing and sales plans, operations, management team, and financial projections.

How long should a business plan be?

The length can vary based on the complexity of the business, its stage, and its intended audience. In general, it might range from 15-50 pages. However, the key is to ensure that the plan is comprehensive yet concise.

For many situations, especially when seeking investment, a more detailed plan is preferable. Yet, for internal purposes or for businesses at very early stages, a shorter, more concise plan might suffice.

Are there business plan templates on Word?

Yes, Microsoft Word has business plan templates you can download and customize. The templates provide section headings, instructions, sample text, and tables to input your specific business information.