Creating a business plan is one of the most crucial tasks for any entrepreneur. Whether you are a small business owner, a startup founder, or even a large corporation looking to pivot, having a well-structured business plan is necessary to guide your operations and attract potential investors.
A business plan is your roadmap, outlining everything from your company’s mission and vision to its financial projections and market strategies.
However, creating a business plan from scratch can be challenging. Thankfully, numerous business plan software options are available today, each designed to simplify the process, streamline your thinking, and make sure you don’t miss any critical component in the plan. These tools can help you develop everything from basic plans to detailed financial projections. But with so many options, which one is the best for your needs?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 10 best business plan software tools in 2025, comparing their features, ease of use, pricing, and specific benefits. Whether you’re just starting out or refining an existing business, the right business plan software can give you the structure and confidence you need to succeed.
The Best Business Plan Software
Choosing the best software depends on your goals, team size, budget, and the depth of your business plan. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 options:
Best Overall: LivePlan
When it comes to comprehensive business planning, LivePlan is often regarded as the best overall tool for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, LivePlan simplifies the business planning process while offering detailed financial forecasting tools. The user interface is intuitive, and the platform’s features cover all the essentials, including executive summaries, market analysis, organizational plans, and product descriptions.
LivePlan sets itself apart by offering a step-by-step guide through each component of your plan. This is ideal for individuals who may not know where to start or what to include. Moreover, the software makes it easier to track progress against set goals. Users also appreciate the ability to easily adjust their business plan as their company grows and changes.
Perhaps one of the most appealing features is LivePlan’s financial tools. You can create professional financial projections, including profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Plus, it offers comparison tools that allow you to measure your company’s performance against other businesses in your industry. It’s an essential tool for anyone looking to attract investors or secure financing.
Best for Goal Management: Smartsheet
If your business plan is also tied to a specific set of goals or strategic initiatives, Smartsheet could be the perfect tool for you. Smartsheet excels at offering a more visual approach to goal management and project tracking. While not strictly a business plan tool, it’s highly versatile and can be tailored to create business plans that are deeply connected with your organization’s goals.
The software includes advanced features such as Gantt charts, automation, and real-time collaboration, making it a top choice for teams who need to keep track of their goals, milestones, and timelines. You can break down larger business goals into smaller, actionable tasks and assign these tasks to team members, making it ideal for collaborative work environments.
Smartsheet also integrates with tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Salesforce, allowing businesses to create a streamlined workflow for goal tracking. Additionally, Smartsheet’s customizable dashboards make it easy for teams to review progress in real-time, which can be invaluable for ensuring that your business plan aligns with overall business objectives.
Best for Financial Forecasting: LivePlan
We’ve already discussed LivePlan’s ability to guide users through creating a business plan. But one of its standout features is its advanced financial forecasting capabilities. LivePlan is designed to make the process of financial forecasting as easy as possible.
The software helps businesses create detailed financial reports, including projected income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. This feature is ideal for startups that need to project how much money they need to raise or manage their budgets. Financial projections are vital for convincing investors that your business idea is financially sound, and LivePlan makes this process accessible even for people with no accounting background.
Moreover, LivePlan allows you to track performance over time by comparing your actual financial results against your projections. This feature can help you understand where your business may be off track and make adjustments as needed.
Best for Roadmapping: Aha!
If your business plan needs to include a comprehensive roadmap for product development or future business objectives, Aha! could be the right choice for you. While Aha! is primarily a product management tool, it’s also fantastic for creating a strategic roadmap for your business.
Aha! allows users to define their vision, set goals, and create detailed roadmaps. You can track progress on each initiative, visualize timelines, and prioritize projects based on impact and resources. This is especially useful for businesses that need to track long-term development and strategic growth.
For businesses that rely on a product-based model or need a detailed strategy for market expansion, Aha! offers a blend of strategy and execution. However, it’s worth noting that Aha! is best suited for companies with complex roadmaps, so it may not be necessary for smaller businesses or startups that need more general planning tools.
Best for Beginners: Bizplan
For those new to business planning, Bizplan offers a beginner-friendly approach. The platform’s drag-and-drop interface simplifies the process, allowing you to build a business plan without worrying about formatting or complex financials.
Bizplan guides users through each section of the plan with easy-to-understand prompts and templates. It’s a perfect fit for entrepreneurs or small business owners who need to put together a solid plan without getting bogged down by details.
The software also includes a financial tool that makes it easy to input your company’s financial data and generate professional-looking reports. Bizplan is a great choice if you’re new to business planning but still want a professional-quality output.
Best for Ideation: IdeaBuddy
For businesses at the idea stage or for entrepreneurs looking to validate their concepts before diving into detailed planning, IdeaBuddy is an excellent tool. This software helps you map out your business ideas visually and test assumptions before moving forward.
IdeaBuddy is designed to help users think through every aspect of their business idea. From defining the problem your business solves to outlining your target market and creating revenue models, the platform provides a structured way to develop your idea into a more refined business plan.
It’s especially useful for early-stage entrepreneurs who are still figuring out the finer details of their business but want to create a plan they can develop over time. However, the tool doesn’t offer the same level of financial forecasting as more advanced platforms like LivePlan.
Best for No-Frills Business Planning: iPlanner
If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward business plan tool without a lot of frills, iPlanner might be the best option. This tool is designed for businesses that don’t need complex features but still want to create a solid business plan.
iPlanner offers a range of customizable templates that help users quickly fill in the necessary details, from mission statements to financial projections. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require prior experience with business planning. While the tool is basic compared to others on this list, it’s an excellent choice for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs who want to avoid unnecessary complexity.
Best for Automatic Business Plan Creation: Enloop
One of the biggest challenges of creating a business plan is drafting the content. That’s where Enloop shines. This tool automates much of the process by generating text and financial projections based on your inputs.
Enloop asks you a series of questions about your business, and based on your answers, it creates a customized business plan. The software also includes automated financial reports, which means you don’t have to spend time figuring out spreadsheets.
While the automatic generation of content can save time, the business plan created by Enloop may need some fine-tuning and personalization. It’s a great option if you need to quickly draft a plan but still want it to be tailored to your business.
Best for Consultant Groups: AchieveIt
AchieveIt is ideal for organizations or consultant groups looking to manage multiple projects and business strategies. This platform helps teams align their goals and track their execution, making it suitable for consultants who need to stay on top of several business plans or initiatives at once.
AchieveIt provides performance tracking, real-time updates, and the ability to manage various projects simultaneously. This makes it a top choice for consulting firms or businesses that work in a team environment and need to ensure alignment across different departments.
Best for Teams: Business Sorter
If your business plan needs collaboration and input from multiple team members, Business Sorter is an excellent choice. This tool helps teams sort, prioritize, and categorize their ideas into a cohesive plan. The visual interface makes it easy for team members to work together and make decisions in real-time.
Business Sorter helps businesses prioritize their efforts by organizing their goals and tasks into categories. This is especially helpful for teams that are brainstorming or looking to organize multiple initiatives under one unified business plan.
Forbes Advisor Ratings
Forbes Advisor has evaluated various business plan software, highlighting their unique strengths. LivePlan, Smartsheet, and Aha! consistently receive top ratings for their comprehensive feature sets, ease of use, and adaptability for different business types.
Methodology
The rankings in this guide were determined based on factors such as user reviews, features offered, pricing plans, ease of use, and target business size. Each software tool was tested for its suitability in different business contexts, including startups, small businesses, and established enterprises.
How To Choose a Business Plan Software
When selecting business plan software, consider the following:
- Business Stage: Are you a startup or an established business? Some tools cater specifically to startups.
- Budget: Do you have the resources to invest in a premium tool, or do you need something more budget-friendly?
- Features: What features do you need? Are you looking for financial tools, collaboration features, or an easy-to-follow plan template?
- Ease of Use: Is the platform user-friendly enough for someone with limited business planning experience?
Benefits of Business Plan Software
Using business plan software comes with several advantages:
- Efficiency: Software helps you organize thoughts and structure the plan more quickly.
- Financial Accuracy: Helps produce accurate financial projections, which are vital for attracting investors.
- Collaboration: Many tools offer collaborative features that allow teams to work together.
- Professional Output: The templates and features ensure that the final plan is polished and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which software is best for beginners?
Bizplan is highly recommended for beginners due to its intuitive design and guided approach.
Do I need prior experience to use these tools?
Most of these tools are designed for ease of use, even for beginners.
Can I use these tools for financial forecasting?
Yes, platforms like LivePlan and iPlanner offer comprehensive financial forecasting.