The best tools for writing a business plan can substantially simplify the daunting task of creating a comprehensive strategy for your business. Statistics show that over 70% of successful entrepreneurs credit meticulous planning as a key factor in their success. This article uncovers essential tools designed to streamline each phase of planning, from financial projections to market analysis, keeping you organized and focused. Whether you’re a novice entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, these tools will enhance your planning process, making it less stressful and more efficient. Continue reading to discover how these tools can revolutionize the way you approach business planning.
A well-crafted business plan is essential for defining goals, securing funding, and guiding a business toward sustainable growth. With the right tools, entrepreneurs can streamline the business planning process, focusing on key elements such as market research, financial projections, and strategic planning. Here are the best tools for writing a detailed, effective business plan in 2025.
1. LivePlan
LivePlan is one of the most popular business planning tools, offering a step-by-step approach for creating a professional business plan. This platform is ideal for entrepreneurs who need comprehensive planning features, from financial projections to investor-ready documentation.
Key Features:
- Step-by-Step Guidance: LivePlan offers guided instructions to help users create each section of the plan.
- Financial Projections: Built-in financial forecasting tools simplify revenue, expense, and profit projections.
- Template Library: Access a range of industry-specific templates that meet investor expectations.
- Pitch Presentation: LivePlan includes a pitch mode for a concise, visually appealing summary.
Best For:
LivePlan is perfect for startups and small businesses seeking investment. Its user-friendly interface is ideal for entrepreneurs with limited experience in financial forecasting and market analysis.
Pricing:
LivePlan starts at $20 per month, with an annual discount available.
2. Bizplan
Bizplan is a robust online tool that provides a modular approach to business planning. It breaks the planning process into smaller, manageable steps, which is especially helpful for entrepreneurs new to the process.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Bizplan’s modular approach allows users to move sections around, making it easy to customize.
- Financial Tools: Built-in financial calculators simplify forecasting for revenue, expenses, and funding needs.
- Visual Progress Tracking: Track progress through visual dashboards and milestones to keep your plan on schedule.
- Investor Access: As part of the Startups.com platform, Bizplan connects you with investors through a network feature.
Best For:
Bizplan is ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a visual, user-friendly tool. It’s also beneficial for those seeking connections with investors through the Startups.com network.
Pricing:
Bizplan offers a subscription starting at $29 per month, with annual and lifetime access options.
3. Enloop
Enloop is a popular business planning software focused on financial forecasting and automated scoring, helping entrepreneurs create financially sound plans that are likely to appeal to lenders and investors.
Key Features:
- Automated Financial Forecasting: Enloop’s forecasting tool auto-generates key financial metrics, including revenue and cash flow projections.
- Real-Time Scoring: Each section of your business plan receives a score that updates in real-time, providing feedback on plan quality.
- Template-Based Structure: Users can choose from multiple templates tailored to various industries and business types.
- Collaboration Tools: Invite team members to edit or review, improving collaboration on the business plan.
Best For:
Enloop is perfect for entrepreneurs looking for a data-driven approach to business planning, especially those focused on creating a financially sound plan for investors or lenders.
Pricing:
Enloop offers a Basic plan at $19.95 per month, with a higher-tiered Professional plan that includes advanced features for $39.95 per month.
4. Upmetrics
Upmetrics provides a comprehensive platform for business planning, including idea sketching, financial projections, and document creation. Its business model canvas feature is particularly useful for entrepreneurs looking to map out ideas visually before diving into details.
Key Features:
- Business Model Canvas: Plan your business model with a visual canvas to brainstorm ideas and strategies.
- Document Editor: The intuitive editor allows you to create, edit, and customize each part of your business plan.
- Financial Forecasting: Create detailed financial forecasts, including cash flow statements and profit/loss projections.
- Collaboration and Sharing: Collaborate with team members and share your plan with stakeholders or potential investors.
Best For:
Upmetrics is great for entrepreneurs in the idea phase who want to visually map out their plan. It’s also suitable for startups needing a flexible platform with collaboration features.
Pricing:
Upmetrics offers a basic plan starting at $9 per month, with additional features in the Premium plan at $14 per month.
5. PlanGuru
PlanGuru is an advanced financial planning tool geared toward detailed financial forecasting and budgeting. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs who need to create comprehensive financial plans, especially those preparing for investor meetings or loan applications.
Key Features:
- Financial Forecasting for Up to 10 Years: PlanGuru’s forecasting capabilities cover long-term planning for revenue, expenses, and capital needs.
- Budgeting Tools: The software includes tools for creating detailed budgets, which can be updated annually or monthly.
- Scenario Analysis: Model different scenarios to see how changes in market conditions could impact your business.
- Financial Reports: Generate professional-grade financial reports, suitable for presentations to investors or stakeholders.
Best For:
PlanGuru is ideal for finance-focused entrepreneurs or established businesses that need advanced budgeting and forecasting tools.
Pricing:
PlanGuru starts at $99 per month or $899 per year, reflecting its focus on in-depth financial analysis.
6. GoSmallBiz
GoSmallBiz is an all-in-one solution that includes business planning alongside other tools for CRM, HR, and marketing. It’s a great choice for entrepreneurs who want business planning plus additional resources to manage various business functions.
Key Features:
- Business Planning and Strategy Tools: GoSmallBiz offers templates and step-by-step guidance for creating business plans.
- CRM and Marketing Tools: Manage customer relationships and marketing efforts within the same platform.
- Financial and Legal Support: Access financial forecasting tools as well as legal documentation assistance.
- Real-Time Support: The platform includes live support for any business planning questions.
Best For:
GoSmallBiz is ideal for small business owners who want more than just business planning, with tools for managing different aspects of their operations.
Pricing:
The service is available for $39 per month, with no annual commitment required.
7. IdeaBuddy
IdeaBuddy is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who need a creative, intuitive platform to brainstorm and develop business ideas. It includes idea validation tools, business modeling, and lean planning features.
Key Features:
- Idea Development Tools: Use tools like the idea sketch and story mode to turn ideas into actionable plans.
- Lean Canvas: IdeaBuddy’s lean canvas offers a simplified approach to planning for those exploring new concepts.
- Financial Projections and Validation: Get help with validating business concepts through guided financial projections and market research.
- Step-by-Step Plan Builder: IdeaBuddy’s structured guide takes you from concept to a complete business plan.
Best For:
IdeaBuddy is perfect for entrepreneurs in the concept or early validation stage. Its creative approach makes it easy to organize and develop ideas before building a full plan.
Pricing:
Plans start at $15 per month, with more advanced features available at higher tiers.
8. Business Sorter
Business Sorter provides a unique approach to business planning using a card-based system. This tool is highly visual and customizable, making it ideal for entrepreneurs who prefer a non-linear approach to planning.
Key Features:
- Card-Based Planning System: Break down each business section using customizable cards for different goals and milestones.
- Collaborative Planning: Easily invite team members to join the planning process.
- Industry Templates: Use templates specific to various industries to guide your planning.
- Progress Tracking: The dashboard allows users to track each stage of the plan’s completion.
Best For:
Business Sorter is ideal for entrepreneurs who prefer visual, flexible planning and want to involve team members throughout the planning process.
Pricing:
Business Sorter starts at $10 per month, with additional features available in higher-tier plans.
Conclusion
Selecting the right business plan tool depends on the stage of your business and your specific needs. Whether you need basic templates for getting started, financial forecasting for investor presentations, or creative ideation tools, these platforms offer unique features to help you craft a solid business plan. LivePlan and Bizplan are excellent choices for beginners, while tools like PlanGuru and GoSmallBiz provide more advanced features for established entrepreneurs. With the right tool, you can streamline the planning process and create a roadmap that guides your business to success.
FAQ
1. What is the best business plan tool for beginners?
For beginners, LivePlan is an excellent choice. It provides a structured, step-by-step guide to creating a business plan, including templates and prompts, making it easy for those with minimal business planning experience.
2. Are there free business planning tools available?
While the tools listed here are premium, some, like Enloop and IdeaBuddy, offer free trials, allowing you to test their features before committing. For those looking for fully free options, Microsoft Word and Google Docs can also serve as basic tools with downloadable templates available online.
3. Which tool is best for financial forecasting?
PlanGuru is known for its advanced financial forecasting capabilities, making it ideal for entrepreneurs needing long-term budget projections and financial reports. Enloop is also a strong option, with automated financial projections and scoring for easy assessment.
4. Can I use these tools to pitch to investors?
Yes, most of these tools, especially Bizplan and LivePlan, offer features tailored for investor presentations, such as pitch templates, visual summaries, and financial projection summaries. Bizplan also connects you with investors via the Startups.com platform.
5. Which tool is best for collaborative business planning?
Upmetrics and Business Sorter are excellent for collaborative business planning, as they allow team members to edit, comment, and share the plan. Both tools offer real-time collaboration features that help team members contribute to the planning process effectively.
6. Are there tools suited for idea-stage entrepreneurs?
Yes, IdeaBuddy is designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the early stages. It has tools for brainstorming, idea validation, and a lean canvas to help develop and organize ideas before building a full business plan.
