10 Best Business Plan Software for Startups (2023)
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
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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.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
Below are the most important business planning software features you should keep an eye for:
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.
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.
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.
Benefits:
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:
*You can also save money with annual billing.
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:
Possible disadvantages of this software for novice entrepreneurs are limited opportunities to integrate other tools and difficulty to create your own financial modeling projections.
Pricing plan options:
*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.
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
Benefits:
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.
Pricing plan options:
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
Benefits:
Pricing plan options:
*They do not offer a free trial version.
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
Benefits:
Pricing plan options:
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
Benefits:
Possible disadvantages are a limited number of templates and sync available only with Microsoft Word or PDF.
Pricing plan options:
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
Benefits:
Possible disadvantages are a small number of financial planning tools and educational materials presented only in Microsoft Word and PDF format.
Pricing plan options:
The cost depends on the number of users. There is a special offer for companies with an unlimited number of team members.
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
Benefits:
Pricing plan options:
*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
Benefits:
Cuttles offers online training for startup owners: courses with video lessons and a library of tools/ useful resources.
Pricing plan options:
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
Benefits
MAUS Master Plan has no free version, which can be a problem for small business owners and startup creators.
Pricing plan options:
I hope that this list has helped you move forward with confidence to grow your business fast and effectively. Best of luck!
Dmytro Sokhach is an entrepreneur and the 6-Figure Flipper Club member. Founded Admix Global (web agency) that builds websites, makes them profitable, and sells them as business.
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