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5 Best Business Plan Software in 2022

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When you’re starting a business, developing a strong business plan will be one of the first steps you take. Your business plan will cover everything from a detailed explanation of your products or services and pricing model to at least three years of financial projections—plus much more. Therefore, whether you’re not sure how to get started or you’re just looking to make the process easier, you may want to turn to business plan software for help.

In this guide, we'll break down five of the best business plan software options—discussing their pros, cons, features, pricing, and more—so you have all the information you need to decide which solution is right for your small business.

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The 5 best business plan software options

The right business plan software will make the process of writing your business plan much simpler. Like many business software solutions, however, there are a number of different business plan software options out there—each of which has a unique set of features, user experience, and price.

This being said, if you're looking for a place to start your search for the best business plan software, you can explore the five top options below:

How much do you need?

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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.

1. LivePlan

Best overall business plan software.

If you want template-rich, modern-feeling business plan software, then LivePlan may be the right pick for you. LivePlan excels with their user interface, which feels updated and slick, and also offers intuitive, easy-to-use features and options.

Their step-by-step instruction will help you kick things off from the beginning, and you can take advantage of their online learning center to continue to gain business skills.

Affordable plans, including pay-as-you-go option

No long-term contracts or cancellation fee; 60-day money-back guarantee

Modern, intuitive interface; cloud-based, can be used on Mac, PC, as well as tablets

Ability to create unlimited plans in one account; over 500 customizable templates

Variety of business resources including video tutorials, step-by-step instruction, and general customer support

Limited integration options

Challenging to enter your own financial modeling projections

Can be difficult to learn

Ability to create an unlimited number of business plans on one account

More than 500 business plan templates spanning various industries

Integration with Xero and QuickBooks Online

Real-time tracking of financial data with accounting integrations

Ability to export your business plan to Word or PDF

Expert advice and step-by-step instruction included

Performance dashboards for tracking against budgets and sales goals

Ability to create and export a one-page pitch executive summary

Annual plan: $15 per month, billed every 12 months

Six-month plan: $18 per month, billed every six months

Pay-as-you-go plan: $20 per month, billed once every month

2. GoSmallBiz

Best for multiple business management tools in one platform.

Next on our list of the best business plan software options is GoSmallBiz, which is much more than just a business plan software. With GoSmallBiz, you have access to business continuity planning software with features that cover creating a roadmap, working through business and legal forms, building a website, and more.

In this way, GoSmallBiz is great for startups or newer businesses looking to access multiple business management tools through one platform.

Unlimited business consultation and extensive library of online resources

Multiple business tools in one software

Website consultation analysis and business assessment

Industry-specific business plan templates with emphasis on financial projections and statements

Expensive monthly cost compared to alternatives

Limited business plan features

Entire business plan can only be exported to Microsoft Word

Outdated interface

Industry-specific business plan templates with step-by-step building wizard

Ability to create financial statements and projections

Free website hosting and website builder

Customer relationship manager with integration with MailChimp

Digital marketing dashboard with social media and Google Analytics integrations

HR document builder

Corporate minutes writer

Business documents library

Business courses library

Unlimited business consultation

$39 per month, no contracts, free cancellation

Best for simple, fast business plan creation.

If you're looking for free business plan software, Enloop will be one of your closest options—they offer an all-inclusive seven-day free trial, no credit card required. Additionally, unlike some of the other options on our list, Enloop is strictly dedicated to business plan creation, including automated text writing, financial forecast comparisons, and a real-time performance score that tracks your progress.

This being said, if you'd prefer the most straightforward, fast, and simple way to write your business plan, Enloop will be a platform worth considering.

Simple and straightforward software, solely dedicated to business plan creation

Seven-day free trial

Automatic text generation available to streamline the writing process

Affordable plans with annual discount option

Limited additional educational resources

Only one template option

No integration options

Ability to create three business plans with customizable text, images, tables, charts, and over 100 currency symbols and formats

Includes automatic text generation for each plan section that you can then customize

Automatically generated financial statements

Includes financial performance comparison analysis (using three ratios with Detailed plan and 16 with Performance plan)

Real-time performance score to track your progress

Ability to invite users to edit (two with Detailed plan, five with Performance plan)

Pass/fail report and certificate to help you identify issues with your plan

Free plan: Seven-day free trial with no credit card required

Detailed plan: $19.95 per month or $11 per month, paid annually

Performance plan: $39.95 per month, or $24 per month, paid annually

Best for startups looking to acquire funding or find investors.

Part of the Startups.com suite, Bizplan gets top marks for their user interface—it’s intuitive, easy to use, and modern. You’ll work with a step-by-step business plan builder to get exactly what you’d like from your business plan. It may remind you of a modern website builder, since it has drag-and-drop tools to build templates.

Moreover, for one subscription fee, you have access to all of the tools in the Startups.com network, including self-guided courses, how-to guides, masterclass videos, and more. All in all, with a direct connection to Fundable, Bizplan is a top business plan software option for startups looking to acquire funding and find investors.

Subscription gives you access to all Startups.com tools

Lifetime access subscription option

User-friendly drag-and-drop business plan builder

Excellent educational resources

Connection to Fundable great for businesses looking for capital

No free trial

No templates based on industry

No mobile access

Drag-and-drop templates for business plan building

Financial command center to track all business financials in one place

Unlimited account collaborators

Ability to share business plan online with investors

Online resources including self-guided courses, masterclass videos, how-to guides, mentorship access

Unlimited software use for Fundable, Launchrock, and Startups.com

Monthly plan: $29 per month

Annual plan: $20.75 per month, billed at $249 per year

Lifetime access: $349 one-time fee

5. PlanGuru

Best for financial planning and budgeting.

Finally, for some of the strongest financial features among business plan software options, including budgeting and forecasting, you might check out PlanGuru. Whereas the other solutions we've reviewed were first and foremost focused on writing a business plan, PlanGuru is dedicated to business financial planning —providing the tools you need to create budgets, financial forecasts, reports, and more.

Therefore, if you need a software solution that can streamline the financial piece of your business planning processes, PlanGuru will certainly have the most to offer.

Extensive financial tools and detailed forecasting, budgeting, and reporting capabilities

Substantial library of resources

Cloud-based and desktop options

14-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee

Expensive, especially for additional users

Only focuses on the financial aspect of business planning; no templates or tools for basic business plan writing

Difficult to use without prior financial knowledge

Cloud-based version of software, as well as locally installed Windows version (desktop version has a few more features)

Works with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Excel

Budgeting and forecasting for up to 10 years

Over 20 standard forecasting methods

Formula builder to create custom methods

Ratios and KPIs

Dashboard and reporting tools

Help guides, video tutorials, knowledgebase, and live U.S.-based customer support

14-day free trial

$99 per month (additional users $29 per month)

$899 per year (additional users $299 per year)

What to look for in business plan software

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide, which, if any, of the best business plan software solutions on our list is right for your business.

So, if you're trying to figure out how to choose between the various options out there, it might be helpful to compare your top choices based on the following criteria:

Features: As we've seen different business plan software solutions offer different features. You'll want to look carefully at the feature list of any software and determine what features are most important for your business needs. Do you need an extensive library of templates with detailed customization? Would you prefer software that includes an online learning center for business skills? Are you looking for a solution that combines business plan writing with other tasks? It may be useful to list out your ideal feature set, so you can compare individual software plans to that list.

Price: Although you might be able to find some free business plan software options (or at the very least, free trials), in most cases, you'll need to pay a subscription fee to access the platform you choose. Therefore, you'll want to think about what your budget is for this business tool and what type of software is most cost-effective for your needs.

User experience: User experience can vary widely among different business plan software options. You’ll find some programs that are newer or have been recently updated. Others might have the kind of interfaces that felt new years ago but are now pretty out of date—and, subsequently, make them a little harder to use. The right user experience for your needs is genuinely a matter of opinion and comfort—nevertheless, it's worth testing thoroughly testing out a platform to ensure that it can truly work for you before investing in a monthly or annual subscription.

The bottom line

There's no doubt that properly crafting your business plan is important for the future growth and success of your small business. Luckily, the right business plan software should make the process much simpler.

This being said, whether you opt for one of the best business plan software options listed here, or another platform entirely, you'll want to take the time to compare multiple solutions and ensure you choose the one that's right for your business.

As we mentioned, it can be helpful to think about the features you're looking for, your budget, and your user-experience preferences ahead of time—that way, you'll have a set of criteria in mind as you explore different solutions.

Ultimately, perhaps the best thing you can do to find the right software is to actually test out the platforms themselves—either by using a free trial or a money-back guarantee.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

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Blog Business 8 Best Business Plan Software for 2024

8 Best Business Plan Software for 2024

Written 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.

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7 Best Business Plan Software for Startups in 2024

• Resources for Planning a Business
• Best Business Plan Software

Last Updated: April 26, 2024 By TRUiC Team

Launching a new startup is an exciting yet challenging endeavor. Crafting a comprehensive business plan is a critical first step for any founder to outline their vision, objectives, and strategy. It acts as a roadmap to help guide important decisions and next steps as a company grows.

With so many options available, finding the right business planning tool can be daunting. The best software should be affordable, user-friendly, and offer a robust set of features to aid in financial modeling, strategic planning, and more.

In this review, we'll explore some of the top business plan software solutions designed specifically for entrepreneurs. We'll compare capabilities, ease of use, templates and resources, integrations, pricing, and more. Whether you’re looking to create an investor-ready plan or simply organize your strategy, choosing the right tool can help you get started on the right foot.

Best Business Plan Software for Startups: LivePlan

Top Business Plan Software Solutions

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:

• LivePlan - Best Overall
• Bizplan - Easiest to Use
• Enloop - Best Automation Features
• PlanGuru - Best Financial Forecasting
• IdeaBuddy - Best for Idea Validation
• iPlanner - Best for Nonprofits
• Wise Business Plans - Best Professional Services

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

Try LivePlan today or continue reading to explore your options!

Best Business Plan Software: LivePlan

LivePlan is the overall best business plan tool, offering a large number of features at an affordable price.

Visit LivePlan

1. LivePlan - $15/month to $30/month

We love LivePlan overall because it offers great value at an affordable cost. The software lets you quickly create a business plan from anywhere in the world using what is arguably the best business plan software available on the market. It does everything better than its competition and costs way less.

What’s more, the online “cloud-based” platform is easy to use and you are under no contract or obligation to keep paying for the service. Even better, 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 Palo Alto Software’s earlier software Business Plan Pro require some modifications to be used on LivePlan

Insider Information

Talking to the nice people at LivePlan we learned some inside information that we wanted to share with our readers.

Here's what we learned:

• LivePlan has been used by contestants on ABC's hit show "Shark Tank" to win over angel investors to help them get their ideas and businesses funded.
• Accountants use LivePlan as an added-value service to sell to their clients.
• Businesses continue using LivePlan because of a feature called “Dashboard” which lets you manually enter your actuals or pull actuals from Quickbooks online to do comparative forecasting and analysis.
• LivePlan helps with business continuity planning (BCP).
• LivePlan executives use LivePlan to make important business decisions.
• "Dashboard" does profit and loss, cash flow, and balance sheet reports and lets you compare and contrast your actuals from your forecasts to be able to show to investors.
• LivePlan lets you create business plans in 1/5th the time it takes using templates.

Customer Reviews

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.

2. 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 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 free trial
• No third-party app integrations

Talking with BizPlan insiders, we learned that the premise behind BizPlan is to help startups easily create professional business plans to give them a leg-up with lenders and investors.

Here's what else we learned:

• BizPlan's does all your financial calculations for you.
• BizPlan strives to be an all-in-one solution for Startups needing funding.
• BizPlan is constantly making improvements to its software.

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.

3. 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 team members 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

We learned that the premise behind Enloop is to make business planning easier for entrepreneurs. Enloop achieves this by making software simple to navigate through and takes risks off the table with their no credit card needed seven-day free trial. Their business plan creation software offers financial forecasting features for up to 36 months.

• Enloop utilizes 16 financial ratios to get your business ready for investors.
• Enloop offers some sample business plans that are easy to modify.
• Enloop's performance score increases as you create your detailed plan.
• A new business or small businesses benefit the most from Enloop's solutions.

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.

4. 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 business plan software options
• Additional cost per user can add up quickly

The great thing about PlanGuru is that the only thing you have to worry about is the income statement and balance sheet projections because the cash flow statement is automatically generated.

Then once you have the cash flow statement, income statement, and balance sheet in place, you can then lock down the budget.

• PlanGuru's desktop version has three different types of valuation methods that calculate the worth of your business.
• PlanGuru has some really nice reporting tools that pull together your financial statements into table formats, say, for the bank, line-by-line.
• PlanGuru also has some nice charts, graphs, scorecards, and some easily digestible reports that can help you visualize how your company is performing.
• Exports to Excel, PDF, and Word documents --and, there's even a tool that lets you create customized reports.
• You can print your plan off too to show partners, lenders, and investors.
• PlanGuru now offers a cloud-based version of its software, though it will take some time to catch up to the rich features offered by the current desktop software version.
• With PlanGuru you also get free updates, bug fixes, and new releases as they become available.

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

5. 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 some great features that are fantastic from idea conceptualization down to cost projections and the laying out of steps to take to start a business. We would have liked, however, to been given more KPIs that would notify us of tasks, help with idea validation, and help us measure other objectives to better monitor the health of our business. Another thing lacking was the design of the finished plan--it contained some noticeable structural issues.

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

6. 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.

iPlanner's Business Planning Software

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.

7. Wise Business Plans - Pricing by Request

Wise business plans website is a little confusing to navigate, and pricing is by request only, which can get frustrating. They do have a lot of options for different kinds of business plans for various types of business types, which makes them versatile. They also have business building and funding options as well. And, if you wish to establish business credit, they offer net-30 accounts that get reported to Equifax business.

• Claim to be the only business plan company to write for Fortune 100 and 500 companies
• Business formation services
• Business license searches
• EIN services
• Digital marketing services
• Business website design and branding
• Has a lot of helpful information
• Helpful options for forming your business
• Options to help after you start your business
• Helps small businesses establish business credit
• Not an actual business plan software
• Expensive by comparison
• Website is difficult to navigate
• Pricing is by request only
• Limited products and features
• Turnaround is one month
• Requires some work on your end

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 entrepreneurship.
• 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 a business plan software solution:

• Consider your skill level – Opt for software like a wizard-guided 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.

Which Is the Best Business Plan Software?

You know the unique requirements of your startup better than we do. These are all quality services that offer business planning software tools for entrepreneurs like you. Feel free to read over our full reviews if you’d like to know more about any of them or even visit the websites directly.

In general, we do prefer LivePlan because they have a huge library of business plan templates, and we love their convenient dashboard. They're the planning software that is most likely to help you via customer support, continue updating their tool, and figure out ways to make your business experience better. Enjoy!

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, it can be a crucial tool for attracting investors, securing loans, and ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the business's direction and objectives.

What does business plan software do?

Business plan software assists entrepreneurs and businesses in creating, organizing, and refining their business plans. It provides tools, templates, and guidance to streamline the planning process. 

Features often include financial forecasting, market analysis, visual aids like charts and graphs, collaboration capabilities, and even integration with other business tools. This software aims to simplify the task of creating a thorough and professional business plan.

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 one 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.

What is Palo Alto Software?

Palo Alto Software is a company that's been around since the late 1980s. They created business management software for startups and existing businesses. The software has since been updated and rebranded as LivePlan and today happens to be one of the most sought-after business plan software available in the marketplace.

Individual Business Plan Reviews

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Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

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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.
• Createactionable 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!

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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 generator,  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

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“Once the investor saw the plan, he believed in it. The interface was fresh and lively. The program gave wonderful examples of what should be in the different sections. I was able to take bits and pieces of those examples, but when I finished each section it sounded like I had written it. “I could just plug in information without having to do any of the math. That saved a lot of work. It made it very easy to get the business plan done. Once the investor saw my business plan on LivePlan, he immediately got back to me and said, ‘I'm in.’”

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Lucky dog daycare, eugene or.

“LivePlan made an overwhelming task easy. LivePlan is incredibly easy to use. LivePlan's web-based nature allows me to log in anywhere (for me it was with my Mac Book Pro or iPad). At times writing a business plan can be a overwhelming task, especially when it comes to formatting and layout. LivePlan has made it easy to focus on putting your business ideas and goals on paper instead of fussing with all the other pesky stuff. I really liked how each section is defined and gives examples of what a quality business plan should look like.”

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Mar. 15, 2024

I've been using LivePlan to help me write top-tier business plans over the last 2 years. A prominent business plan writing company referred me to this site to help me produce the best business plans, to collaboratively support their clients. I've consistently had the best customer service, whether by email or live chat. Rapid responses that are helpful and this is one of the "hand-down" best platforms if you're looking for high-quality products and services - and AMAZING customer service. The price of the plan subscription is a tiny drop in the ocean compared to the results I've had with business plans created through LivePlan. Thank you for the products and services here that help me present well

Feb. 29, 2024

I've used Liveplan for two projects and I have been happy with both experiences. I've needed support twice and both experiences were quickly resolved using the chat function. I'd highly recommend Liveplan to anyone wanting to get serious about new projects. They have great customer support, and it can be a vital tool to anyone wanting to build something from the ground up.

Feb. 20, 2024

I needed a business plan for a government grant and the platform helped me tremendously. It was super organized with all the touchpoints I had to fill and the AI for improving the texts was also amazing. I did a finance plan a well and I had no clue beforehand in how to do it and that was excellent and everything I needed to submit a full case! I finished my plan and submitted it. I will definitely use it again for when i need another business plan. Thank you

Feb. 3, 2024

Extremely user friendly. I appreciated how intuitive it was and useful when I got stuck or when wanting to rephrase sections - AI was a true support for me then

Sep. 26, 2023

LivePlan helps put your ideas and beliefs on paper in a professional & organized manner. It guides you through planning, organizing, and monitoring your plan.

Sep. 2, 2023

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Aug. 14, 2023

Using LivePlan since March 2015, I've created precise financial plans and business strategies for ventures of all sizes. It's the perfect tool for rapid evaluation, eliminating the risk of spreadsheet errors.

Jul. 7, 2023

It's a great Financial planning software. It can also sync with Xero and Quickbooks.

Jun. 17, 2023

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Jun. 28, 2022

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Jun. 24, 2022

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May 24, 2022

Overall experience with LivePlan is awesome. Very informative and easy to read. Plans come with templates and other examples you can use to build your plan.

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Mar. 29, 2022

LivePlan was a lifesaver when starting our business! It helped us make a business plan and financial projections to show others, and everyone was blown away.

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Jan. 27, 2022

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Growthink’s Ultimate Guide to Business Plan Software

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, Growthink has helped over 500,000 entrepreneurs, executives and business owners develop business plans, start their small businesses, and exit successfully with a focus on business planning and capital raising. In doing so, we’ve tried all the best business plan software solutions out there, and have also built two business planning software options of our own.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

This article provides a brief overview of business planning, defines what business plan software is, covers other key questions related to business plan writing software, and reviews 5 business plan software options. Working on a budget? Take a look at the best free software options to help you write a great plan.

Quick Links

• Business Planning Overview

What is Business Plan Software?

What does business plan software do, do i need business plan software.

• Key Features of Business Plan Software
• Why You May NOT Want To Use a Planning Program
• Paid vs. Free Business Plan Software

Benefits of Using Business Plan Software

• 5 Best Business Plan Software Solutions in 2024

Business Plans & Planning

Starting and growing a small business is exciting, but can also get daunting very fast. Even getting a small company off the ground involves making significant decisions every day around operations, marketing, human resources, and financial data. The success of your business directly hinges on how and when you make these decisions. Also, none of these business decisions can be made in a vacuum, they require market research, competitor analysis, and industry analysis.

As a passionate entrepreneur, you might think that since you have a great idea you will figure out the rest with time and everything will fall into place. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. In fact, successful businesses the world over are almost always a combination of solid ideas backed by solid planning and wise use of business plan tools.

The right plan will not only provide you with a roadmap to grow your business, but it is a required business planning tool if you hope to raise capital to start or grow your business.

Business plan software helps individual entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and polish their plans. It provides a robust framework or template which allows you to explore your idea and present your vision in concrete ways. Software-driven business plan templates and other business plan software tools are powerful assets for a small or large business.

A comprehensive plan not only gives your company’s history and provides market intelligence, but it also lays out the roadmap for the future. Your plan will help you predict future roadblocks and how the market and your company might look down the road. This allows you to be proactive in helping you survive and thrive.

The right software also helps you create a well-thought-out and well-researched plan which can prove instrumental in attracting investors. With investors comes funding and the chance to see your business start or scale-up. Every investor first thinks of their return on investment before funding any enterprise. By going through a business’s detailed plan, investors are able to gauge the viability and profitability of that business, and hence the probability of them earning a solid return. If your plan is vague and incomplete, then you will have an exceptionally hard time finding investors willing to fund you. Likewise, banks will refuse you a loan if they do not find your plan comprehensive and convincing. As a result, a detailed plan is a must for obtaining capital or a loan.

Business plan software allows you to easily create or write a successful plan. The software guides you through the questions your plan must answer. Rather than starting with a blank sheet of paper, the software lets you know exactly what to include in your plan and the order in which it should be completed.

You’ll also gain focus. Rather than thinking about what to include in your plan, you simply answer the questions the software lays out for you. Once you answer the questions, the software organizes and prints your business plan document in the format preferred by investors and lenders.

Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was an easier way to finish your plan and raise money faster?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template , you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Click here to finish your plan today.

Business plan software is extremely helpful to certain individuals. If you like working in web applications and are ok having less control, then software is probably the best option for you. Conversely, if you like typing into a Microsoft Word document, appreciate maximum flexibility, and are comfortable with manipulating Excel spreadsheets, then getting a template in Word and Excel is probably your better option.

Typically, the business plan program you choose will allow you to quickly answer questions rather than having to develop comprehensive answers. For example, when discussing your promotions plan, the software may list your promotional options such as radio advertising, social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising, etc. With planning software, you simply click the options you will employ. Without the program’s aides, you would need to write paragraphs describing each promotional method you will use.

A small business owner may find the strict guidance and assistance a good fit for their needs. Financial planning and forecasting and business goals guidance can be especially valuable for a small company, but the value ultimately depends on the owner’s experience, planning needs, and business planning process.

Key Features of Business Planning Programs

Great software programs make it quick and easy for you to complete your plan. The following features allow you to accomplish this:

Sample text:

• No matter the tool or application you end up using, you will have to write complete sentences. As an example, you’ll need to craft content to describe your company, products, etc. Great software gives you sample sentences that you can use and edit.

Automated financial statements: creating your plan’s financial statements can be a lengthy and tedious process. Great software allows you to simply enter your assumptions, such as your salaries, prices, expected initial units sold, and business growth rates, and the software then calculates and presents your full financials.

Design options: An important feature of the software is its ability to allow you to choose the look and feel of your plan. For instance, a bakery’s plan should look different than a plan for a hedge fund.

Ability to omit sections: All plans must have the same core sections such as an executive summary, marketing plan, competitive analysis, and financial plan. However, some sub-sections are not relevant for all companies. For example, a distribution plan is required for companies that don’t sell directly to customers. You should be able to omit sections while working through the plan creation process.

Check boxes: An important feature of the software is to show buttons or boxes that you merely need to click. For example, your company’s unique success factors can include the strengths of your management team, marketing plan, partnerships, competitive advantage, etc. Ideally, your software already lists each potential success factor for you. If so, it’s much less work for you to simply check the relevant boxes and explain them, rather than trying to brainstorm your success factors and documenting them from scratch.

Why Shouldn’t I Use Business Planning Software Tools?

If you are uncomfortable working online or are frustrated with technology, then you shouldn’t use business plan software. Rather, you should work in traditional spreadsheets and word processing programs.

Also, if you’d like complete control over your plan, then an online business planning app may not be right for you. Your program will generate your plan for you (typically as a PDF document) when complete. If you want to make several customizations, your software may not be able to handle them. Such customizations might include changing your footers, adding watermarks, including oversized pictures, including documents in your appendix, etc.

Paid vs Free Business Plan Software

The old saying “you get what you pay for” is often true, and in this scenario, the old adage is accurate once again. While there are some free software tools available, they tend to have significant drawbacks and limitations.

The biggest drawback of free software is that they don’t include financial modeling capabilities. Your financial model is one of the most important parts of your plan and the hardest to complete from scratch. If you don’t have a CPA or significant financial and spreadsheet experience, creating your financial model will be very difficult.

Also, free software often skips key questions that investors and lenders must know before considering your company as a funding candidate. For example, if you don’t convey your unique success factors, which most programs neglect, you’ll be at a significant disadvantage in raising funding.

Business plan software provides multiple benefits.

Makes the Process Simple Business planning software makes the whole process of writing or learning to write a plan easier and more manageable. A business novice would need all the help they can get, but even an expert can sometimes make do with a little helping hand. The right software gives you a step-by-step wizard to guide you through each component of your plan and advise you on what to include and/or exclude from your detailed business plan. The right software will often include sample plans as well.

Saves Time Working with planning software saves you time. You’ll quickly transform your business ideas and market research into a viable business proposition full of supportive and meaningful data. A business plan app has your plan pre-organized saving you much time and energy.

Collaborative in Nature Another value-adding feature is that it allows multiple team members to contribute individually to the plan. You can see and review items that have been incorporated by other members of your team. This collaborative spirit lets you take full advantage of the varied talents and competencies of the people on your team.

Assists with Your Financial Projections & Statements Most people with a non-finance background find it incredibly hard to work on the financial aspect of a plan. Your financial projections include calculating an income statement, projecting cash flow, and creating a balance sheet.

This is a difficult but necessary part of your plan since potential investors will scrutinize this financial data to determine the viability of your business. So, you cannot afford to project incorrect or incomplete numbers. The right software helps convert your assumptions into a complete financial model to insert into your plan.

There is a lot to be gained from working with a good program. The key is finding out which software is right for you and your business. Below we review the 5 best software programs in the market to give you a holistic view of what is available and how to choose wisely.

Review of the 5 Best Business Plan Software Solutions

[Note that PlanBuildr is a subsidiary of Growthink.]

PlanBuildr is one of the fastest growing business plan software in the world.

It is also the only software that allows you a free trial: this is the direct link to try PlanBuildr for free .

With over 150,000 entrepreneurs and counting registered on the platform, this business plan builder is a great starting point to masterfully build your plan. PlanBuildr was created by influential leaders and experts in business and financial planning and raising capital for businesses. With a vast array of features available to you, you are able to create the first draft of your plan in just ten minutes. Such a quick delivery time without compromising on quality is unparalleled right now in the market.

Features Available at PlanBuildr

Ease of Use

PlanBuildr offers a great yet simple way to help you get started on your plan. With PlanBuildr you get to complete simple fill-in-the-blank questions that cover every element of your plan. In this short and simple way, PlanBuildr constructs a draft of your plan by using your answers as the base. You just fill in the blanks and PlanBuildr does the rest. Within minutes you get a working draft of your plan.

Strong Financial Modeling Capabilities

PlanBuildr goes the extra mile when it comes to creating complete financial projections for your plan. You just have to enter elementary figures like the number of products you think you will sell in the coming years and PlanBuildr will compute your full five-year financial forecasts.

With this software, you can easily create your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement within minutes. PlanBuildr is also able to create charts to display these numbers and informative graphs to help present your real accounting data in a way that makes it easy to understand and analyze.

Experience in Every Industry

PlanBuildr has comprehensive experience creating business plans in every industry from hospitality to travel and tourism and from food service to non-profits. PlanBuildr’s portfolio is quite wide and impressive. So, no matter what field your business is in, PlanBuildr can help turn your idea into a successful reality.

Professional Designs

PlanBuildr offers ten skillful designs that will make a professional business plan . Choose any design and see your plan transform into an amazingly well-outlined document that will immediately impress even those who see hundreds of business plans on a daily basis.

On the whole, PlanBuildr is a highly strategic planning tool that creates a world-class plan for you while also suggesting several improvements to further enhance the quality of your plan. It is a great resource to have on your side as you venture out to create a business legacy for yourself. PlanBuildr is deservedly the top of our picks of great business plan software.

Summary: Price: Free and Paid options

Quick pros list: user friendly, easy, free/inexpensive

Quick cons list: need an internet connection

Why it’s recommended: PlanBuildr is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to create your plan.

Visit PlanBuidr.com Business Plan Software Here

Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template

Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template is the result of 20+ years of hard work by the renowned business planning expert, and co-founder/president of Growthink, Dave Lavinsky.

Called the business plan expert by sources including Business Week, Lavinsky has been instrumental in helping hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs complete their business plans and raise billions of dollars in funding. After earning his MBA from UCLA’s prestigious Anderson School of Management, Lavinsky has dedicated his career to helping entrepreneurs create winning business plans.

Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template is also one of our top picks because of the sheer number and quality of features it provides a budding business entrepreneur. Also, since it comes as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel document there is no complicated software to use and you can quickly and easily complete your plan.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of what you can expect when you get the Ultimate Business Plan Template:

Investor Focused

Sometimes when you are working on a business plan by yourself it’s easy to be swept away by the passion and leave practical considerations behind. This becomes evident only when you present your plan to actual investors who then find that your plan lacks focus and direction. With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template, you are guided into creating a business plan which covers each of the key points investors and lenders need to see. This maximizes your chances of securing funding in the form of equity and/or business loans.

Excellent Customer Service

Apart from step-by-step guidance throughout the whole business plan creation process, Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template provides free customer service year-round. Here dedicated customer support professionals will answer all your queries and help you walk through the different features of Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Templates.

They also offer a “Members Area” where you get immediate answers to all your business questions and additional support in the form of samples and resources to aid your developing business plan.

Lifetime Access

When you get Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you also get lifetime access to it. You can use it multiple times for multiple business endeavors in the future. You just make a single payment and that is it. There are no pesky monthly charges. This is a great deal for a great product.

With tremendous operational, financial, and design capabilities Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template is a comprehensive system to which you can trust your business plan. Growthink is so confident in its services (and rightly so!) that it offers a 365-day money-back guarantee. So, you can try out this immensely useful resource without any monetary pressure.

Summary: Price: $97

Quick pros list: quickly and easily create a professional business plan for funding from investors and/or lenders; extremely flexible.

Quick cons list: more expensive than PlanBuildr

Why it’s recommended: This is the gold standard for an easy planning process. If you need funding then there’s no better option.

Check out Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here

LivePlan, by Palo Alto Software, is another business plan software that offers some decent learning tools and financial services. However, it loses out to the first two business plan software because of its slightly steep learning curve. With LivePlan, you need to invest some time in understanding the software and some might even experience difficulties in working with it.

The user interface can be smoother and more user-friendly. Their pricing model is competitive; their annual and monthly plans are priced at $139.92 and $19.95 respectively which you can choose from depending on your need and budget.

Summary: Price: $20/month

Quick pros list: easy to use; fairly intuitive

Quick cons list: clunky in places; expensive ($240/year if paying monthly)

Why it’s recommended: Liveplan is a solid software solution based on years of development and updates.

LivePlan Reviews on Google

  We’ve done a comparison of Liveplan vs Growthink too for your reference.  

As a business plan software solution, PlanGuru provides over twenty forecasting features that help you create a unique business plan for yourself. Here, you can expect to receive plenty of help with both financial and non-financial aspects of a business plan. PlanGuru assists in creating cash flow statements, income statements, current and future sales projections, P&L statements and balance sheets- all quintessential in a robust business plan.

Unfortunately, pricing is extremely expensive. Their monthly plan is $99/month while their annual plan is $899/year.

Summary: Price: $99/month or $899/year

Quick pros list: good software with good financial forecasting capabilities

Quick cons list: their pricing model is too expensive for most entrepreneurs and small business owners

Why it’s recommended: if money isn’t an object, you can use this business plan creation software to build a strong financial model

ABS Ultimate Business Planner

The ABS Ultimate Business Planner helps simplify the process of writing a business plan by providing numerous business resources and sample plans. Their step-by-step guide directs you expertly through your individual business plan while providing some pertinent suggestions along the way.

The product however is a bit “clunky” and hasn’t changed much since it was first launched many years ago.

Summary: Price: $99

Quick pros list: includes sample business plans; good financial forecasting capabilities

Quick cons list: price is high for limited features and a bit clunky to use

Why it’s recommended: if none of the other options above fit your needs, this is a worthwhile alternative.

A well-written business plan will attract and influence investors, giving you the necessary funding, and hence an opportunity, to set up and/or grow your idea. The right tools are essential for helping you and your team accomplish this goal. While there is no best business plan app or best business plan software, it’s worth reviewing the options available to see if there might be a user-friendly, business plan creator that will help you create a successful business plan.

Business Plan Software FAQs

Business Plan Software is a suite of applications intended to provide users with the tools they need to build business plans. These programs are designed for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and established businesses looking to expand their operations. The purpose of this software is not only to offer users an easy way to create business plans but also help them monitor their sales efforts and measure their financial performance.

They are typically created for small- and medium-sized companies that operate locally or regionally, although they can be used to create business plans for any size company looking to take advantage of the additional features and functions available within this type of software. Users can also monitor their competitors and offer services and products at a competitive price.

Business plan software is used to identify potential obstacles and opportunities, analyze business environments or markets, and measure the performance of a company's workforce for better business management. It allows users to create budgets and forecasts in order to project cash flow and income statements, manage expenses and revenue streams, establish development strategies, establish employee benefits and compensate executives, and monitor performance.

What is the Easiest Way to Complete My Business Plan?

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Business Plan.

What Should Entrepreneurs Look For In Business Plan Maker Software?

Many entrepreneurs seek a free business plan generator online to develop their business plan. Importantly, you must make sure the free plan maker not only includes the body of your plan but the financials. The business plan financials, which must include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement, are essential to your business plan, particularly if you are seeking funding.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Click here to finish your business plan today.

8 Business Plan Templates You Can Get for Free

8 min. read

Updated April 10, 2024

A business plan template can be an excellent tool to simplify the creation of your business plan. 

The pre-set structure helps you organize ideas, covers all critical business information, and saves you time and effort on formatting.

The only issue? There are SO many free business plan templates out there. 

So, which ones are actually worth using? 

To help remove the guesswork, I’ve rounded up some of the best business plan templates you can access right now. 

These are listed in no particular order, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

What to look for in a business plan template

Not all business plan templates are created equal. As you weigh your options and decide which template(s) you’ll use, be sure to review them with the following criteria in mind:

• Easy to edit: A template should save you time. That won’t be the case if you have to fuss around figuring out how to edit the document, or even worse, it doesn’t allow you to edit at all.
• Contains the right sections: A good template should cover all essential sections of a business plan , including the executive summary, product/service description, market/competitive analysis, marketing and sales plan, operations, milestones, and financial projections. 
• Provides guidance: You should be able to trust that the information in a template is accurate. That means the organization or person who created the template is highly credible, known for producing useful resources, and ideally has some entrepreneurial experience.
• Software compatibility: Lastly, you want any template to be compatible with the software platforms you use. More than likely, this means it’s available in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PDF format at a minimum. 

1. Bplans — A plan with expert guidance

Since you’re already on Bplans, I have to first mention the templates that we have available. 

Our traditional and one-page templates were created by entrepreneurs and business owners with over 80 years of collective planning experience. We revisit and update them annually to ensure they are approachable, thorough, and aligned with our team’s evolving best practices.  

The templates, available in Word, PDF, or Google Doc formats, include in-depth guidance on what to include in each section, expert tips, and links to additional resources. 

Plus, we have over 550 real-world sample business plans you can use for guidance when filling out your template.

Download: Traditional lender-ready business plan template or a simple one-page plan template .

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2. SBA — Introduction to business plans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers two different business plan templates along with a short planning guide. 

While not incredibly in-depth, it’s enough to help you understand how traditional and lean plans are structured and what information needs to be covered. The templates themselves are more like examples, providing you with a finished product to reference as you write your plan.

The key benefit of using these templates is that they were created by the SBA. While they may provide less guidance, you can be assured that the information and structure meet their expectations.

Explore: The SBA’s planning guide and free templates

3. SCORE — Planning workbook

SCORE’s template is more like a workbook. It includes exercises after each section to help you get your ideas down and turn them into a structured plan.

The market research worksheets are especially useful. They provide a clear framework for identifying your target market and analyzing competitors from multiple angles. Plus, they give you an easy way to document all the information you’re collecting.

You will likely have to remove the exercises in this template to make it investor-ready. But it can be worth it if you’re struggling to get past a blank page and want a more interactive planning method.

Download: SCORE’s business plan template

4. PandaDoc — A template with fillable forms

PandaDoc’s library offers a variety of industry-specific business plan templates that feature a modern design flair and concise instructions. 

These templates are designed for sharing. They include fillable fields and sections for non-disclosure agreements, which may be necessary when sending a plan to investors.  

But the real benefit is their compatibility with PandaDoc’s platform. Yes, they are free, but if you’re a PandaDoc subscriber, you’ll have far more customization options. 

Out of all their templates, the standard business plan template is the most in-depth. The rest, while still useful, go a bit lighter on guidance in favor of tailoring the plan to a specific industry.

Explore: PandaDoc’s business plan template library  

5. Canva — Pitch with your plan

Canva is a great option for building a visually stunning business plan that can be used as a pitch tool. It offers a diverse array of templates built by their in-house team and the larger creative community, meaning the number of options constantly grows.

You will need to verify that the information in the template you choose matches the standard structure of a traditional business plan. 

You should do this with any template, but it’s especially important with any tool that accepts community submissions. While they are likely reviewed and approved, there may still be errors.

Remember, you can only edit these templates within Canva. Luckily, you only need a free subscription, and you may just miss out on some of the visual assets being used. 

To get the most value, it may be best to create a more traditional planning document and transfer that information into Canva. 

Explore: Canva’s business plan gallery

6. ClickUp — The collaborative template

Out of all the project management tools that offer free business plan templates, ClickUp’s is the most approachable.

Rather than throwing you into all the features and expecting you to figure it out—ClickUp provides a thorough startup guide with resource links, images, and videos explaining how to write a plan using the tool. 

There’s also a completed sample plan (structured like an expanded one-page plan) for you to reference and see how the more traditional document can connect to the product management features. You can set goals, target dates, leave comments, and even assign tasks to someone else on your team. 

These features are limited to the ClickUp platform and will not be useful for everyone. They will likely get in the way of writing a plan you can easily share with lenders or investors. 

But this is a great option if you’re looking for a template that makes internal collaboration more fluid and keeps all your information in one place.

Sign Up: Get a free trial of ClickUp and explore their template library

7. Smartsheet — A wide variety of templates

I’m including Smartsheet’s library of templates on this list because of the sheer number of options they provide. 

They have a simple business plan template, a one-page plan, a fill-in-the-blank template, a plan outline, a plan grading rubric, and even an Excel-built project plan. All are perfectly usable and vary in visual style, depth of instructions, and the available format.

Honestly, the only drawback (which is also the core benefit) is that the amount of templates can be overwhelming. If you’re already uncertain which plan option is right for you, the lengthy list they provide may not provide much clarity.

At the same time, it can be a great resource if you want a one-stop shop to view multiple plan types.

Explore: Smartsheet’s business plan template library  

8. ReferralRock affiliate marketing business plan

I’m adding ReferralRock’s template to this list due to its specificity. 

It’s not your standard business plan template. The plan is tailored with specific sections and guidance around launching an affiliate marketing business. 

Most of the template is dedicated to defining how to choose affiliates, set commissions, create legal agreements, and track performance.

So, if you plan on starting an affiliate marketing business or program, this template will provide more specific guidance. Just know that you will likely need to reference additional resources when writing the non-industry sections of your plan.

Download: ReferralRock affiliate marketing business plan template

Does it matter what business plan template you use?

The short answer is no. As long as the structure is correct, it saves you time, and it helps you write your business plan , then any template will work. 

What it ultimately comes down to, is what sort of value you hope to get from the template. 

• Do you need more guidance? 
• A simple way to structure your plan? 
• An option that works with a specific tool?
• A way to make your plan more visually interesting?

Hopefully, this list has helped you hone in on an option that meets one (or several) of these needs. Still, it may be worth downloading a few of these templates to determine the right fit. 

And really, what matters most is that you spend time writing a business plan . It will help you avoid early mistakes, determine if you have a viable business, and fully consider what it will take to get up and running. 

If you need additional guidance, check out our library of planning resources . We cover everything from plan formats , to how to write a business plan, and even how to use it as a management tool . 

If you don’t want to waste time researching other templates, you can download our one-page or traditional business plan template and jump right into the planning process.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Kody Wirth is a content writer and SEO specialist for Palo Alto Software—the creator's of Bplans and LivePlan. He has 3+ years experience covering small business topics and runs a part-time content writing service in his spare time.

Table of Contents

• Qualities of a good template
• ReferralRock
• Does the template matter?

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PLANNIT BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Initiate with Your Business Concept: Lay the Groundwork: Start by introducing your business idea into Plannit AI's Business Plan Generator. This first step is crucial, as it sets the tone for a tailored, insightful business plan that truly resonates with your vision. Capture the Essence: Our platform is designed to grasp the nuances of your concept, ensuring that the generated plan accurately reflects the core and potential of your business.
• Navigate Through the AI-Guided Questionnaire: Tailored Interactive Experience: Plannit AI’s AI-guided questionnaire is your interactive guide through the planning process. It meticulously gathers information about your business's objectives, strategies, and market positioning, ensuring a comprehensive and reflective plan. Intelligent Feedback and Suggestions: As you progress through the questionnaire, benefit from smart prompts and suggestions, ensuring that your plan is not just detailed but also strategically sound and aligned with industry standards.
• Generate Your Plan with Advanced AI: Intuitive Plan Creation: With the questionnaire complete, Plannit AI's advanced algorithms intelligently analyze your responses. They then craft a detailed, customizable, and strategically aligned business plan, providing you with a structured, coherent, and actionable format. Benefit from AI-Powered Insights: Plannit AI offers AI-driven insights and suggestions, ensuring your plan is not just a document but a strategic tool equipped with tailored AI prompts and an in-app plan editor. Get inspired by browsing through our sample business plans, a collection of successful strategies across various industries.
• Finalize Your Plan with Confidence: Dynamic Adaptation and Refinement: Plannit AI recognizes that a business plan is a living document. Our platform allows for continuous adaptation and refinement, ensuring your strategy remains agile, relevant, and aligned with your evolving business goals. Professional Presentation and Sharing: Once your plan meets your standards, utilize Plannit AI's export features to present your plan professionally. Choose between various formats for exporting your business plan, ready to impress stakeholders, attract investors, or guide your team. Review and Adapt: Ensure your business plan is a living document, ready to evolve with your growing business. Plannit AI's dynamic platform allows you to adapt your strategy as new opportunities or challenges arise.
• Roadmap for Success: At its core, a business plan acts as a strategic guide, providing detailed steps on how your business will achieve its objectives. It helps you navigate the startup phase, manage growth effectively, and tackle unforeseen challenges with a well-thought-out strategy.
• Securing Funding: For startups and businesses looking to expand, a business plan is crucial for securing loans or attracting investors. It demonstrates to potential financial backers that your business has a clear vision, a solid strategy for profitability, and a plan for delivering returns on their investment.
• Informed Decision-Making: A well-prepared business plan offers valuable insights into your market, competition, and potential challenges. This information is vital for making informed decisions, from day-to-day operations to long-term strategic shifts.
• Market Analysis and Strategy: It allows you to conduct an in-depth analysis of your target market, understand customer needs, and position your product or service effectively. The marketing strategy outlined in your business plan helps in identifying the best channels and tactics to reach your audience and achieve market penetration.
• Financial Planning: One of the most critical components of a business plan is the financial forecast. It outlines your funding requirements, expected revenue, profit margins, and cash flow projections. This section is essential for budgeting, financial management, and ensuring the financial viability of your business.
• Goal Setting and Performance Measurement: A business plan sets clear, measurable goals and objectives. It provides a framework for monitoring performance, measuring success, and making necessary adjustments to stay on track.
• Aspiring Entrepreneurs: If you're at the idea stage, looking to transform your vision into a viable business, Plannit AI offers the tools and guidance to bring your concept to life. Our platform helps you articulate your business idea, define your target market, and develop a solid plan to turn your dream into reality.
• Students and Educators: For students delving into the intricacies of business planning and educators teaching the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, Plannit AI serves as an invaluable resource. It provides a practical, hands-on tool for learning and teaching how to create detailed business plans, analyze markets, and understand financials in a real-world context.
• Startup Founders: In the dynamic startup environment, Plannit AI is the ideal partner for founders looking to pivot quickly, secure funding, or understand their competitive landscape. With our AI-driven insights and market analysis tools, startups can make informed decisions and adapt their strategies to thrive in competitive markets.
• Small Business Owners: For small business owners seeking to optimize their operations, expand their customer base, or explore new markets, Plannit AI offers targeted solutions. Our platform simplifies the planning process, enabling owners to focus on growth while managing the day-to-day challenges of running their business.
• Consultants and Freelancers: Consultants and freelancers specializing in business development, strategic planning, or financial advising will find Plannit AI a powerful addition to their toolkit. It allows them to provide clients with comprehensive, data-driven business plans and strategies, enhancing the value of their services.
• Non-Profit Organizations: Leaders of non-profit organizations can leverage Plannit AI to plan initiatives, secure funding, and manage resources more efficiently. Our platform helps non-profits articulate their mission, set achievable goals, and measure their impact, ensuring they can make a difference in their communities.
• Innovators and Inventors: Individuals looking to commercialize innovative products or technologies can use Plannit AI to navigate the complexities of bringing new ideas to market. From patent strategies to go-to-market plans, our platform covers all bases, ensuring innovators can focus on what they do best.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Government Agencies: Government and SBA backed entities can greatly benefit from integrating Plannit AI into their services, enhancing their ability to support a larger number of clients more efficiently. By facilitating quicker, more in-depth business plan development, these organizations can spend more time assisting with plan execution and less time on creation, ultimately serving their communities more effectively.
• Anyone with a Business Idea: Ultimately, Plannit AI is for anyone with a business idea, regardless of industry, experience, or stage of business development. Our mission is to democratize business planning, making it accessible, understandable, and actionable for everyone.
• Interactive Questionnaire and ChatGPT Integration: Plannit AI transforms the business planning process into an engaging conversation. Through our advanced ChatGPT integration, we offer a questionnaire that dynamically adapts to your responses, ensuring your plan is personalized, comprehensive, and aligned with your business goals.
• Dynamic Planning Environment: Unlike static templates provided by many, Plannit AI introduces a living platform that grows with your business. It features real-time updates, strategic insights, and a feedback mechanism that keeps your business plan current and actionable.
• Extensive Educational Resources: Our Education Center is packed with articles, guides, and sample plans to bolster your planning process. It's designed to arm you with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of your industry confidently.
• Enhanced Collaboration and Customization: Recognizing the collaborative essence of business planning, Plannit AI supports team efforts with multi-user editing, annotations, and feedback features, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your strategy.
• Customer Success Stories: Our users' achievements are a testament to Plannit AI's effectiveness. These success stories illustrate how diverse businesses have utilized our platform for strategic planning and growth.
• Tailored Business Plan Creation: Our platform stands out with its tailored approach, featuring customizable templates that directly cater to your business type and industry, making plan creation straightforward and relevant.
• Content Generation:: ChatGPT helps draft various sections of a business plan, from executive summaries to marketing strategies, by providing structured and coherent text based on the prompts given.
• Strategic Insights: It can offer suggestions on business strategies by analyzing trends and providing examples from a wide range of industries.
• Financial Planning: While it can't replace professional financial advice, ChatGPT can guide the structure of financial projections and statements, helping you consider important financial aspects of your plan.

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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.

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• 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.

10+ Best Business Plan Software and Tools

Summer Nguyen | 02-16-2021

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If you ask any successful sports coach how they can win so many games, they will tell you that they have a unique plan for every single game they coach. To win any of their opponents, they need to prepare a specific game plan tailored to each of their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. Otherwise, they will get crushed.

The same logic applies to doing business. If you want to start a business , developing a robust business plan will be one of the first steps you should take. It’ll cover everything from a detailed explanation of your products/ services and pricing model to at least three years of financial projections - plus much more.

So, whether you are not sure how to get started or you are just looking to make the process easier, you may want to turn to business plan software and tools for help .

In this guide, we’ll break down 10+ of the best business plan software and tools - discussing their key features, pros, cons, pricing plans, and more - so you’ll get all the necessary information to decide which one is right for your business.

We should begin right now!

Table of contents

What is business plan software?

Pros and cons of using business plan software, features to look for in business plan software, 1. liveplan, 3. planguru, 5. gosmallbiz.

• 6. Business Plan Pro
• 7. BizPlanBuilder
• 9. Upmetrics
• 10. iPlanner
• 11. Business Sorter
• 12. MAUS MasterPlan
• 13. The Business Plan Shop

Over to you

First and foremost, a business plan is a detailed road map highlighting the future of business operations. It’s not limited to established organizations but can be written for small businesses to forecast their operations.

Business plan software is specifically designed to guide you through each step of your business plan and fill any gaps. That way, you will be more efficient in clarifying direction, attracting financing, developing team members, and eventually reaching your business goals.

As a business owner, it’s essential to consider whether new software or tools will benefit your business or needlessly add to your overhead. So, before purchasing business plan software, thoroughly weigh the following pros and cons against your business needs.

As a matter of fact, business plan software offers several benefits, including:

Step-by-step guidance . Business plan software has a detailed step-by-step guide to help you make the right choices for your business. It takes the guesswork out of aligning your business’s structure and cash flow forecast with future goals. This is specifically helpful if you are not sure how to begin.

Statement and report generation . Many small business owners don’t have a strong financial background or understanding of the strategic aspects of a business plan. That’s where a business plan tool comes in handy - it creates reports, graphs, and documents based on the information you’ve entered. These generated statements and reports can undoubtedly save you a considerable amount of time.

Accurate reporting . Creating a business plan from scratch by yourself may result in missed mistakes, skewing the data, and rendering reports - and hours of work - useless. A well-designed business plan software often comes with guarantees for accountability and accuracy in any reports generated under that program.

Customization . Business plan tools typically offer the option to personalize your reports. It also gives you the freedom to test out multiple scenarios depending on your long-term business goals, providing you more confidence in your business.

Easy to update . It’s so simple to adjust or replace any ideas or numerical calculations for a different outcome using a business plan tool. Certain features also keep you up to date on your business’s current situation and give you an insight into your future endeavors.

However, business plan software can also come with a few downsides, such as:

Lack of flexibility . Some business plan software only allows for specific customizations, which could limit personalizing your business plan. This includes sticking to available templates the software provides and being unable to rewrite the script or customize certain points in the data (unless you upgrade to a more expensive subscription plan).

Missed industry insights . As you aren’t writing the base coding that makes up a business plan tool, there may be discrepancies between your industry and the developed software. This could lead to missing out on essential industry insights and practical experience.

Expensive price tag . Depending on each type, some business plan tools can be pricey. They can range from basic plans to premium versions; however, it’s difficult to know whether the premium plan will assist you or just create a dent in your budget.

There are a lot of reasons to buy business plan software, but there are also some drawbacks that might turn you away from the investment. Therefore, weigh your options according to your business’s specific needs and determine which is right for you.

If you decide to purchase business plan software, it’s worth considering several key features to make sure that the process of creating your plan is smooth. Below is more about the specific features to look for in a business plan software application.

Step-by-step wizard . Step-by-step wizards take much of the guesswork out of trying to decide which sections to work on and in which order. This feature can take you through each section and make sure you’re including everything your plan needs.

Templates . Setting up a business plan from scratch can be tough. That’s why it’s great to have a jumping-off point. Many tools include dozens, if not hundreds, of templates to choose from. Many templates are geared toward particular types of businesses, so you can pick one that is right in line with the business you’re planning.

Financial projections . Most software applications can provide you with financial tools, so you can lay out your case for a successful venture. With some options, you plug in the numbers for expenses, cash flow, revenue, etc., and churn our financial projections. The easier this process is, the better your business plan creation experience is.

Charts and graphs . The tool you choose should be able to turn the financial data into eye-catching charts and graphs automatically. This will make your business plan more enticing to potential investors.

Integrations . Some software integrates with popular accounting programs, such as QuickBooks or Xero . This is useful when transferring financial details from your accounting software into your business plan, so that your plan is free from mathematical errors.

Contributors . Many businesses aren’t being launched by one person only. When multiple people are involved, you’d like all of your collaborators to contribute to the development of your business plan. That’s why you need to verify the number of contributors who can make edits to the plan. Some software caps this number, while others allow for unlimited contributors.

Additional services . Some software providers offer access to additional services that new entrepreneurs may find helpful, such as digital marketing help, website design services, and direct contact with consultants who can provide knowledgeable advice.

10+ best business plan software and tools

LivePlan can be the right pick for you, in case you want template-rich, modern-feeling business plan software. With more than 500 free and full-length sample business plans for inspiration, together with step-by-step assistance, you can start without any hassle.

The platform offers advanced financial services that automatically calculate financial outcomes for the five upcoming years. Plus, if you’re a Xero or QuickBooks user, you can easily import your data into the system to gain an in-depth view of how your business is performing from a financial standpoint.

You can start with a one-page business plan before moving to a complete professional plan that can be used to pitch to investors. The final business is not only high-quality but also professional. As all the charts and graphs are well-organized and easy to understand, you’ll love them.

Key features:

• More than 500 templates
• One-page business plan with a fill-in-the-blank template to jot down your ideas
• Access to educational materials
• Availability of financial charts and graphs
• Industry benchmark comparison
• Intuitive, modern interface
• A huge number of customizable templates
• Bank-level security
• Affordable plans
• Able to work on multiple active plans simultaneously
• Variety of business resources, including step-by-step instruction, video tutorials, and general customer support
• 60-day money-back guarantee
• Require a learning curve
• Can’t customize financial projection dates
• Limited third-party integrations

Pricing plans:

• Standard plan: $15 per month if paid annually - $20 per month if paid monthly
• Premium plan: $30 per month if paid annually - $20 per month if paid monthly

VISIT LIVEPLAN

Specifically built for tech startups, Bizplan will help you create a customizable business pitch and plan that appeals to several investors.

As a part of the Startups.com suite, Bizplan gets top marks for its easy-to-use, intuitive, and modern user interface. You will work with a step-by-step business plan builder to get exactly what you want from your business plan. It might remind you of a modern website builder , as it has drag-and-drop tools to build templates.

Moreover, if you’re a paying user, you’ll have access to all the materials in the Education corner, including online courses and more than 600 in-depth videos to help you explore more things.

In case you have an issue, you can contact its customer representative during business hours (from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m), or send an email with all the questions you may be having.

• Drag-and-drop templates for business plan building
• Ability to track all business financials in one place with the financial command center
• Ability to access Fundable.com, an online fundraising platform that connects startups or small businesses to potential investors
• Unlimited account collaborators
• Availability of online courses, including tracks, master classes, guides, and expert answers
• Ability to control who can view or comment on your internal business information
• User-friendly, intuitive drag-and-drop business plan builder
• Excellent educational materials
• Subscription options give you access to all Startups.com tools
• You can easily integrate it with bookkeeping software
• Available lifetime pricing
• No free trial
• No mobile compatibility
• No templates based on specific industry
• Limited financial projection customization
• Monthly plan: $29/ month
• Annual plan (most popular): $20.75/ month
• Lifetime access plan: $349

VISIT BIZPLAN

PlanGuru is a cloud-based budgeting and business plan software that is all about financial planning. It offers more than 20 insider forecasting methods, allowing you to create projections for up to 10 years.

On top of budgeting and financial analysis, the tool lets you set goals and analyze performance. It also provides a rolling forecast, helping you understand the implications of spending on overall cash flow before you do it. Furthermore, strategic planning helps you manage your team and keep everyone accountable.

With its income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet, you can see how your venture will map out in a range of different scenarios. Furthermore, it enables you to harness turnkey methods and use business drivers to predict growth.

Unfortunately, PlanGuru doesn’t include the expert consultation function, so you’ll need to seek mentorship elsewhere. However, if you want a solution that can streamline the financial piece of your business plan, PlanGuru certainly has the most to offer.

• Budgeting and forecasting for up to ten years
• More than 20 standard forecasting methods
• Dashboard and reporting tools
• Formula builder to set up custom methods
• Ratios and KPIs
• Work with Quickbooks, Xero, and Excel
• Help guides, video tutorials, knowledgebase, and US-based customer support
• Extensive financial tools and detailed budgeting, forecasting, and reporting capabilities
• A substantial library of educational resources
• 14-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
• No templates or tools for basic business plan writing
• Difficult to get started without prior financial knowledge
• Expensive, especially for additional users
• Single Entity: $83/month (paid annually) - $99/month (paid monthly)
• Multi-Department Consolidations: $250/month (paid annually) - $299/month (paid monthly)

VISIT PLANGURU

If you’re looking for an easy-to-navigate solution that can complete your business plan quickly, Enloop is there for you. It does this through its Autowrite feature and performance score that acts as a digital mentor.

Furthermore, Enloop has a strong focus on the financial aspect of the process, which is ideal for people with great ideas but aren’t necessarily financial wizards. Demonstrating profitability is crucial for raising capital from investors, and the software delves into this financial viability of your vision. It lets you add charts and graphs and analyze 16 distinct financial ratios.

It also allows you to compare financial projections with industry averages, so that you’ll get a clear picture of how your idea stacks up. You’re able to consult with an expert in case you need guidance. Enloop also offers business plan templates and an HR/ legal document builder, making it one of the strongest candidates for first-time start-ups.

Key features: *

• AutoWrite and TextSync features automatically create basic customized text for your business plan
• 16 different financial ratios indicate your financial health
• Performance score from 0-100 serves as motivation to complete the plan
• More than 100 currency symbols and number formatting
• Access to business templates
• Attractive interface
• Automatically populated text
• Well-explained financial ratios
• Instant access to all business reports
• 7-day free trial
• Affordable pricing plans
• Limited additional education resources
• Limited customer support
• Detailed plan: $11/ month (billed annually) - $19.95/ month (billed monthly)
• Performance plan: $24/ month (billed annually) - $39.95 / month (billed monthly)

VISIT ENLOOP

Initiated by NFL Hall of Famer and veteran entrepreneur Fran Tarkenton, GoSmallBiz offers hundreds of industry-specific templates that create the exact documents users need. Plus, its step-by-step wizard helps you set up a business plan by filling up business details in multiple segments.

Another helpful feature is its online calendar management. You can schedule events, meetings, and appointments and get automatic reminders. Besides, it lets you generate financial statements and projections. You’re allowed to create a range of insightful reports, such as profit and sales analysis, cash flow, balance sheets, and more.

For anyone new to business planning, GoSmallBiz offers a slew of online learning tools, including business courses, business mentoring, and weekly updates. It also provides help from a real CEO and business planning expert, so you can entirely rest assured knowing that you will never be steered in the wrong direction.

In addition to the business plan software, it provides a customer relationship management (CRM) tool , text-based business consultations, and legal business documents. No other business plan software offers this suite of tools - all for one cost.

• Step-by-step guide walks you through every single step
• Around 100 business templates
• Financial projections and statements
• Reports based on your financial data
• Integrate with major social media channels, such as Mailchimp, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
• A wide range of industry-based templates
• Multiple educational videos
• Unlimited mentoring and business consultations
• Customized reporting
• Several additional business tools
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Outdated interface
• Limited business plan features
• Expensive monthly cost compared to alternatives
• Lack of an annual subscription package
• Only exports to PDFs and Microsoft Word

Pricing plan :

• Grow: $39/ month
• Guide: $49/ month
• GO: $199/ month

VISIT GOSMALLBIZ

6. BizPlanBuilder

As an intuitive business plan tool, BizPlanBuilder provides a simple wizard that walks users through step-by-step business planning. With its premade industry-specific templates, the software can help you craft a plan that reflects your business goals.

With a single link, you can share your plan with investors online. So, instead of sharing bulky attachments, you can present your plan directly in a browser using modern navigation.

If calculation is not your strength, don’t worry! BizPlanBuilder’s financial tools, including calculators, cost analysis, financial projections, budget sheets, charts, and graphs, will help you with that. It also lets users import financial data from different accounting software programs.

In addition to business planning and financial features, the software offers real-time collaboration, meaning multiple team members can simultaneously view and edit the business plan.

• Premade industry-specific templates for business planning
• Available financial tools, including calculators, chart and graph generators, and budget-feasibility tools
• The collaboration feature lets team members log in, view, and edit the business plan at the same time
• Available technical support, including email and telephone support, FAQs, and video tutorials
• Eye-appealing visuals
• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop templates
• Various industry-specific templates
• In-depth presentations
• No mobile-friendliness
• Difficulty in exporting PDFs
• BizPlanBuilder for startups/ funding/ MBA students: $97/ year (add as many team members as you want for $10/ year each)
• BizPlan Builder for growing the company/ strategic planning/ growth financing: $27/ month (add an unlimited number of team, advisors, investors for $1/ month each)

VISIT BIZPLANBUILDER

Cuttles is a fully interactive and guided business plan software that helps entrepreneurs build, understand and grow their business.

Their web app has all the features and in-app guides you need to create a startup pitch, write a business plan, define a startup team, do budgets and financial projections. It’s simpler, faster and more impactful than ever to start a business.

• Cloud-based web app
• Strong focus on simplicity with UX and design
• Freemium version
• Fully guided and customisable business plan
• One-page pitch section for investors
• Financial forecasts and budgets
• Team feature to showcase your team
• Available in 6 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, & Danish
• Share & Export options: Share with links, export to PDF, & invite members to view in the app
• Student discounts and diversity pricing initiatives
• Seed plan ( for founders who want to build and grow a startup): €8/ month - paid annually
• Grow plan ( For founders who want to collaborate with their entire team and stakeholders): €16/ month - paid annually
• Series plan (For serial founders and consultants who work with multiple startups): €48/ month - paid annually

VISIT CUTTLES

8. Upmetrics

Upmetrics is a well-rounded business demand planning software that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs find success in their business planning processes and growth strategies.

Are you just starting your business? Easily create a polished, professional business plan that lenders and investors will appreciate. Upmetrics simplifies the process of writing a business plan with step-by-step guidance, 200+ sample plans, and excellent customer support.

Are you looking to grow your business? Make confident decisions by forecasting your financials, and preparing your budget in Upmetrics.

Upmetrics is used by over 100K+ entrepreneurs all across the globe to plan their businesses and collaborate with remote teams to create growth strategies. Along with that, the software makes it easier to keep track of your projects and customize your plans as per your needs and requirements.

Key features: -Business Plan Builder -Financial Forecasting -Pitch Deck Creator -Business Models -200+ Sample Business Plans -Business Plan Cover Pages -Share With Pride -Comments & Feedback

• Business plan builder:- Guides you on creating your business plan at every step so you can have the clarity and confidence to excel in your business.
• Financial forecast:- Finance is the lifeline of any business. With our financial forecasting tool, create accurate financial sheets to convince investors & banks of your business viability and calculate your monthly & yearly financial projection.
• Pitch deck designer:- With our pitch deck designer, make your business pitch ready and present your business to investors & banks with confidence! -Business Model Canvas:- Business Model canvases bring planning and collaboration to the next level with great canvases and a great app.
• We dont have the real time live tracking of system
• Our business plan templates are kinda generic
• Our finanical forecast is limited to only 5 years
• Starter: $9/month ( paid monthly) - $7/month ( paid annually)
• Premium: $19/month ( paid monthly) - $14/month ( paid annually)

VISIT UPMETRICS

9. iPlanner

Launched in 2007, iPlanner has been helping many businesses raise finance for growth, manage risks, and improve internal communication. The software is designed as a planner for new enterprises, but it can also function as a project management tool.

The business modeling framework helps you generate a business model in real-time while collaborating efficiently with your team members. Plus, it offers various user-friendly business plan templates, such as venture capital business plan, restaurant business plan, elevator pitch, etc.

The software is also equipped with a financial engine to gauge different metrics, like sales, quantities sold, forecast price, and more. Moreover, all the projects have separate and secure URLs to protect your confidential business information.

You can integrate iPlanner with Microsoft Office and Dropbox, so collaboration and contribution are extremely easy. There’s also a huge library of how-to articles and business plan samples to help you stay on track.

• Business plan templates
• Step-by-step wizard to help you right from the start
• Financial templates and projections
• Integrate with Dropbox and Microsoft Office
• Expert mentors provide personalized assistance
• Available customer support via emails, how-to guides, and expert consultation
• Premade industry-specific templates to create custom business plans
• Feed-in content from different external sources, such as websites, MS Word, Excel, corporate intranets, etc.
• Regular backup of your data on the cloud
• Pretty old-school interface
• No monthly pricing option
• Professional plan: $55 (billed annually, 1 project)
• Corporate plan: $93 (billed annually, 12 projects)
• Corporate Plus plan: Custom pricing

VISIT IPLANNER

10. Business Sorter

Business Sorter is a cloud-based solution that offers the content to create plans you can share and keep track on. The content covers six key areas, including finance, sales, brand, people, operations, and goods and services.

The platform promises to simplify and speed up business planning via a novel 273 card sort system that covers many common situations. You can also include, edit the existing cards, delete, or add your own ones.

You can keep everything, including your ideas and thoughts, at a centralized location. It also offers tips and advice at every step to help you put your strategy into action. Unlike some software with videos, the educational resources here are provided as Word files and PDFs, which can be quicker to access, but harder to follow for some beginners.

• Card-based planning system with 273 digital cards
• Built-in tips and additional information
• Add team members and assign tasks
• Multi-device access
• Secure data protection
• Innovative, visual plan builder
• Unique card sort system to simplify planning
• Real-time collaboration with an unlimited number of users
• Regular updates for free
• Strong data security
• 14-day business trial
• Limited in financial planning needs
• No video educational resources

Pricing plans: From $10/month

VISIT BUSINESS SORTER

11. MAUS MasterPlan

MAUS MasterPlan is an Australian business plans solution with more than 60,000 clients worldwide. It aims to make the creation and implementation of your business strategy simple by offering templates, walkthroughs, and education for every step of the process.

You can generate detailed action plans based on your specific goals and projections for the future. Moreover, it’s possible to delegate tasks within the program and track progress.

If you want to calculate your finances, you just need to put the details, and it’ll do the rest. Other than that, it allows your team members to access your plans. You can invite them to help you with the business plan and invite your accountant to review once more once you’re done with the work.

MAUS MasterPlan includes information about segmentation, so it’s easy to break large markets down into smaller ones. According to that, you’re able to create different strategies for the various segments. More than financial reports for budgeting and projections, the tool can generate marketing and performance reports.

• Step-by-step wizard guides you through the whole strategic planning process
• Create cash flow and financial budgets & 5-year forecasts
• Market segmentation features
• Collaboration features
• Easy to use
• Detailed statement and impressive graphs
• Automated action plan monitors different tasks to keep the whole team on track
• Expensive for startups and small businesses
• Real-time errors occur sometimes
• Business planning & HR Pack: $97/ month
• MasterPlan Lean: $299/ year
• Business Planning Pack: $499/ year

VISIT MAUS MASTERPLAN

12. The Business Plan Shop

Last but not least, as one of the best business plan tools out there, The Business Plan Shop can help you generate a simple yet effective plan.

The software features a user-friendly interface and clean design. Once you sign up, you will enjoy an in-depth business plan together with instructions that you need to make one.

More than that, its financial forecasting section will collect your product and service information, so you can play around with the figures and come up with the right directions for your business. It can help you to forecast for up to 3 or 5 years.

• A financial forecast over 3 or 5 years
• Step-by-step guide with instructions and examples
• Exports to MS Word or PDF format
• Chart, break-even point analysis, financial analysis, and credit analysis
• Quite easy to use
• Clear instructions and examples for each section of your business plan
• Strong data protection
• Helpful educational materials
• Limited business planning features
• Can’t import financial information from spreadsheets
• Business & CFO: $25.50/month (monthly payment) - $14.08/month (annual payment)
• Advisor: $94.20/month (monthly payment)

VISIT THE BUSINESS PLAN SHOP

Create your business plan - step-by-step guide

Step 1: Craft a Powerful Executive Summary

Don’t let your business plan gather dust on a shelf! Start with an executive summary that captivates busy decision-makers. This concise overview introduces your company, highlighting its mission, goals, and what makes it stand out. Think of it as an elevator pitch – you only have a few floors (or sentences) to make a lasting impression.

Here’s how to craft a compelling executive summary:

Grab Attention: Start with a strong hook piques the reader’s interest. Briefly describe the problem you solve or the opportunity you present.

Define Your Mission: In a sentence or two, explain your company’s purpose and what drives you.

Showcase Your Offerings: Briefly describe your products or services and how they benefit your target market.

Target the Right Audience: Who are you trying to reach? Define your ideal customer and why they need your solution.

Highlight Your Value Proposition: What makes your business unique? Explain why customers should choose you over the competition.

Keep it Concise: Aim for one to two pages, focusing on the most critical information.

Source: Canva

Step 2: Create an attractive company overview

Provide a comprehensive overview of your company. Detail its history, legal structure (e.g. sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation), and the factors that will contribute to its success in the market. Here are some tips to help you create an engaging company overview:

Introduction : Engage with a captivating opening that sets the tone.

Company Background : Highlight key milestones, history, and achievements.

Products/Services : Clearly outline offerings and their unique features.

Target Market : Describe your audience’s needs and preferences.

Value Proposition : Clearly state what sets your company apart.

Differentiators : Emphasize unique selling points compared to competitors.

Success Stories : Include case studies or testimonials to validate claims.

Team Expertise : Showcase the qualifications and experience of key team members.

Vision/Goals : Share long-term objectives and strategic plans.

Visual Appeal : Use design elements to enhance readability and brand identity.

Step 3: Conduct Market analysis

Do thorough market research to understand your industry, your customers, and your competition. Find out what your customers need and like. Look closely at your competitors to see how you can stand out.

Step 4: Describe your products or services in depth

Provide detailed descriptions of your products or services. Explain their features, benefits, and how they fulfill the needs of your target customers. Highlight what makes your offerings unique compared to competitors.

Step 5: Make a marketing and sales strategy

Describe your marketing and sales plans for connecting with your target audience. Clarify your promotional efforts, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and sales methods. Explain how you intend to attract and keep customers.

Step 6: Project your financial performance

Forecast your financial performance for the next three to five years. This should cover projected revenue, expenses, and cash flow. Provide details on your startup expenses and funding needs, if relevant. Ensure your projections are realistic and backed by thorough market research.

Step 7: Implement business plan

Develop a comprehensive plan for implementing your business strategy. Establish clear objectives and checkpoints. Divide tasks and delegate responsibilities accordingly. Incorporate timelines and methods for monitoring advancement.

Now that you’ve read through the 10+ best business plan software available, it’s time to decide which one is best for you. It can be helpful to consider specific features you’re looking for, as well as your business budget. By doing so, you will have a set of criteria in mind when you explore different solutions.

For future recommendations, don’t forget to bookmark this blog post. We’ll continuously update it with juicy content that helps you create a solid business plan for any projects.

Marketing Manager of Mageplaza. Summer is attracted by new things. She loves writing, travelling and photography. Perceives herself as a part-time gymmer and a full-time dream chaser.

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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.

The Best CRM Software for 2024

By Mark Fairlie • May 14, 2024

Best for Small Businesses

Best for Project Management

Best for Automation

Best for Communication

Best for ERP Capabilities

If you feel your marketing, sales and support teams should get better results, it may be time to invest in top-notch customer relationship management (CRM) software . The right CRM software can help you generate more leads, improve sales conversion rates and deliver market-leading after-sales service. 

There are numerous CRM providers, each with unique selling points and target markets. I’ve researched and analyzed 10 of the leading CRM software vendors, paying particular attention to their essential features, strengths, target users and best use cases to help you decide on the best CRM platform for your needs. 

What is CRM software?

CRM software is an application that helps businesses efficiently manage, track and store all lead, prospect and customer interactions during their buying journeys . CRM systems give marketing teams the data and insights they need to run more successful campaigns. They store in-depth customer histories to help sales reps close deals and assist support teams in resolving issues across multiple communication channels. 

CRM platforms improve efficiency via customized lead- and ticket-management tools and workflow automations that handle repetitive manual tasks, freeing teams to focus on more strategic work. CRM software generates in-depth business performance reports that help leaders make better decisions and identify opportunities to become more efficient and profitable.

Best CRM Software

• Salesforce: Best for Small Businesses
• monday: Best for Project Management
• Pipedrive: Best for Automation
• Freshsales: Best for Communication
• NetSuite: Best for ERP Capabilities
• Zoho CRM: Best for Remote and Hybrid Teams
• Hubspot: Best for Integrations
• Insightly: Best for Customization
• Zendesk: Best for Complete Customer Life Cycle
• Thryv: Best for Service Businesses

Compare Our Best Picks

Salesforce Best for Small Businesses

Pros & cons, our review for salesforce.

When reviewing Salesforce CRM, I was impressed that this platform brought enterprise-level functionality to small-business owners.

For example, Salesforce’s powerful artificial intelligence (AI) features are the best executed and most useful on the market. For a small fee on top of your subscription package, Salesforce’s Einstein AI will handle jobs such as finding and executing time-saving workflow automations, thereby reducing the time your staff spends on manual data-entry tasks.

I was also impressed that Salesforce centralizes data from other apps so that sales, marketing and customer service teams always work with the latest information. I found the omnichannel communication platform excellent for mass marketing and one-to-one conversations between a company and its customers. Perhaps most impressive is the availability of thousands of built-in and third-party apps, many of which are free or low-cost.

monday Best for Project Management

Our review for monday.

monday is a great example of a CRM system that prioritizes the user experience . Out of the box, it offers excellent sales pipeline management tools, a leading customer data management system, an easy-to-use workflow automation suite and excellent team collaboration tools.

I was impressed by how monday extends the best aspects of its project management tools — specifically, the logical, clear and intuitive interface — to help users quickly and accurately customize numerous business processes, including lead generation pipelines and automated analytics and reporting. Users can access hundreds of preloaded process customization templates.

I really like the platform’s attention to detail. Workflow tools such as Kanban and Gantt reports and color-coded leads in the visual sales pipelines let managers know where every live deal is at a glance.

You’ll need to connect the platform to third-party apps to unlock mass marketing and one-to-one communication tools. However, there’s an excellent app selection, and the integration process is straightforward.

Pipedrive Best for Automation

Our review for pipedrive.

Pipedrive is an excellent sales-focused tool for managing multiple deals at different stages. The vendor understands its target market well, as is evident in the platform’s vast array of sales tools and automations.

CRM software works best when it knows its audience, and Pipedrive gets this exactly right. Companies have numerous options to improve sales performance. For example, they can create multiple sales pipelines or set up helpful reminders and notifications when a sales rep needs to move a deal to the next stage.

Users get more than 30 pre-built and fully customizable sales task management automations out of the box, including handy functions that launch welcome campaigns and send introductory emails.

I really like the Smart Contact Data option, which appends the customer records on a company’s database with LinkedIn data. Third-party configure-price-quote (CPQ) apps are excellent for companies with highly customized products and services at various price levels.

Pipeline’s built-in marketing platform is excellent, especially the email marketing and power dialing features. The 400 apps in the platform’s marketplace can extend this solution’s functionality.

Freshsales Best for Communication

Our review for freshsales.

Strong customer relationships are built on regular, quality, predictable and personalized communications at all stages of the sales cycle. I like how Freshsales CRM, part of the Freshworks platform, handles this task.

The solution’s email, telemarketing and social media marketing platforms are well designed and easy to use for prospecting. For companies running Freshsales, outreach will become much more straightforward and manageable.

The platform’s sales management features are also excellent. I was impressed with the platform’s built-in AI, which can help reps identify promising leads. I also like how the VoIP system allows reps to connect with customers in more than 90 countries from within the platform.

Although Freshsales has many upsides, there’s a slight learning curve for setting up and executing sales automations, workflows and other features. However, you should still consider this system because of its excellent wider functionality, especially its reporting and analytics.

I like how the platform integrates seamlessly with Google Business Messages, Line, WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS and more. An impressive 500 apps are available in the Freshworks marketplace.

NetSuite Best for ERP Capabilities

Our review for netsuite.

You must subscribe to NetSuite’s broader ERP package to use NetSuite CRM. However, if you do, NetSuite CRM is an excellent option for your business. It’s a capable and feature-packed CRM solution.

Like most modern CRM systems , NetSuite CRM allows you to track a customer’s progress from initial contact to the point of sale and beyond. The ERP part of the software fills in the details in between, making it a viable solution for even the most complicated businesses.

Unlike most other platforms I looked at, NetSuite CRM doesn’t have a built-in omnichannel communications and marketing tool, which I found disappointing. You’ll need to use third-party providers for this function. However, NetSuite will record the data these plug-ins generate, so the CRM software can provide high-level functions, like sales forecasting, CPQ, granular analytics and reporting, upsell recommendations and e-commerce management.

I like that NetSuite is incredibly customizable; you can get it to work precisely as you envision it. If you want to extend the platform’s functionality, you can select from more than 2,000 apps in the NetSuite marketplace.

Zoho CRM Best for Remote and Hybrid Teams

Our review for zoho crm.

Zoho CRM is an excellent option for businesses with remote teams and hybrid working arrangements. I really like how the system simplifies remote work management and helps you create uniform, specific workflows for teams in various locations.

In companies where office attendance is not compulsory, maintaining high standards across the board can be challenging. However, Zoho CRM’s customizable workflow options effectively address this concern.

The well-stocked Zoho marketplace offers more than 1,000 apps. I was pleased to see the number of communication and collaboration apps this CRM tool offers, including popular software such as Slack, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, GoTo Meeting, Docusign and Everbrite.

All users get access to Zoho’s impressive omnichannel platform that supports mass and one-way communication with customers by phone, email, social media, messaging apps and even website chatbots.

The Zoho mobile app is particularly impressive. It offers full functionality for both managers and agents. Many platforms treat mobile apps as an afterthought, but that’s not the case for Zoho. I was pleasantly surprised by how effectively Zia, the platform’s AI assistant, works on the mobile app, helping staff members complete routine tasks and manage their days effectively.

Hubspot Best for Integrations

Our review for hubspot.

The HubSpot marketplace is not the biggest; NetSuite and Salesforce have twice the number of apps. However, I was impressed that HubSpot’s marketplace had a wide assortment of apps focused solely on improving marketing, sales and customer service team performance.

Since its launch, HubSpot has been the tool of choice for companies that want to drive better results from their marketing and sales teams. It has an excellent — and well-justified — reputation in the marketplace.

The platform’s built-in marketing and sales automation features are superb. If you want to extend functionality, you can choose from more than 750 marketing apps, 600 sales apps and 200 customer service apps in the marketplace.

I found much to like about HubSpot, including its standout omnichannel communications and marketing platform. And if customers want to contact you in a specific way, HubSpot has an app for that.

HubSpot’s customer segmentation and general marketing tools are superb, as are the reports that link responses to campaigns (attributions), forecast sales volumes, and identify drop-off locations in sales funnels.

The user interface is simple, making it a breeze to set up and manage automations. I really like that HubSpot offers a free plan with limited functionality so you can test the platform at no cost.

Insightly Best for Customization

Our review for insightly.

Insightly CRM is highly intuitive and comes packed with dozens of valuable features out of the box. While it’s a lesser-known platform, I like that it has attracted enough developers to populate its marketplace with an impressive 2,000 available integrations.

More than 260 sales and marketing apps are available in Insightly’s app marketplace, with direct links to Shopify, Adobe Commerce, Microsoft Advertising, Buffer (social media marketing), X (formerly Twitter) and Twilio. The marketplace also boasts app categories such as AI and machine learning, collaboration, finance and accounting, and project management. I really appreciate the volume and quality of the available apps.

I was also impressed by how simple Insightly makes it to customize dashboards and automate repetitive tasks. These features free managers to focus on their core activities, making the tools particularly crucial for improving team productivity and performance.

Analytics and reporting are superb across the board. I was impressed by the level of granularity the system provides on marketing campaign performance and customer satisfaction levels.

Zendesk Best for Complete Customer Life Cycle

Our review for zendesk.

I was impressed that Zendesk’s unified customer database allows companies to manage all stages of the sales cycle, from cold prospecting to closing deals and beyond.

As more sales and inquiries come from online forms, I appreciate how Zendesk measures, analyzes and reports on dozens of client touchpoints. Sales managers can monitor a diverse range of metrics to see what works best. These include email click-through and open rates, website visits, inbound calls and texts, and more.

I really like that Zendesk provides features to help you build a self-service online knowledge base for your customers. The AI tools can help you decide what content to use on the self-service areas. You also get a choice of more than 100 visual layouts and themes, which is great for branding.

Zendesk’s omnichannel communications tool is excellent for mass marketing and one-to-one communications. I particularly like the power dialer, as phones are still crucial all-around tools in marketing, sales and support.

I also appreciate Zendesk’s customizability and collaboration tools, particularly the “side conversations,” where a colleague can join a live conversation with a client or act as a “light agent,” hiding their involvement.

Thryv Best for Service Businesses

Our review for thryv.

Thryv is a simple, versatile CRM system and a compelling proposition for service businesses, especially smaller firms that serve local areas.

There are two primary services: Marketing Center and Business Center.

• Marketing Center: I was underwhelmed by the Marketing Center options, which are designed to help you build and manage marketing campaigns. This service costs between $199 and $349 monthly, with a $250 onboarding fee. I found this a bit pricey; you could probably source many of this offering’s functions for $1,000 from freelancers on sites such as Fiverr.
• Business Center: The Business Center is a much better package. It’s a scaled-back CRM system with features that are essential to service businesses, like sending estimates and invoices, accepting client payments, and recording appointments. Healthcare businesses can add HIPAA compliance for an additional small fee each month. The Professional and Unlimited packages cost between $349 and $499 a month, which is pricey if you have only two or three employees. The Business Center package offers many features from the Marketing Center option, plus either 10,000 or unlimited email and SMS marketing messages.

Thryv is somewhat lacking compared with the other CRM systems on this list. However, it has earned its place here because it’s an intuitive, user-friendly system that offers smaller service businesses a highly relevant set of features. If the vendor changed from a per-location pricing model to a per-user model, this platform could be more compelling for its target market.

CRM software costs

CRM systems have become much more affordable in recent years, especially as many platforms target small business owners. Several factors contribute to CRM software costs, including the following: 

• Subscription costs: You typically pay a per-user-per-month charge for CRM software (with the exception of Thryv, which charges per location). Starter packages can range from as little as $9 per user per month with Freshsales to $25 per user per month with Salesforce. Most platforms offer tiers where the number of bundled services increases with the price. Many CRM vendors offer a discount if you pay your subscription fees annually in advance instead of monthly.
• Add-on fees: CRM platforms often charge add-on fees for utilizing third-party apps and integrations to boost functionality. Other add-on services, including AI functions, incur additional costs. Add-on fees are typically charged per user per month.
• Fees for exceeding limits: You also may need to pay extra for exceeding limited options, like API calls and workflow allotments. However, this is generally only for high-level enterprise users.
• Setup fees: Some providers charge setup and implementation fees. For example, HubSpot charges a $3,000 professional onboarding fee for its Marketing Hub Professional package.

How to choose CRM software

To find the right CRM software for your business, follow these steps.

Decide on the most valuable CRM features for your business.

Before you research CRM vendors, consider precisely what you want your CRM to do. Isolate areas of your business where you could improve, and determine what your company needs to perform to your standards.

If you’re clear on what you want from the get-go, you’ll improve your chances of finding the right solution and not overpaying for features you don’t need.

Set a budget, evaluate options and make a CRM software short list.

Even a small-business CRM system can incur thousands of dollars in monthly fees. Set a budget and stick with it so costs don’t spiral out of control. 

Next, build a short list of potential CRM suppliers. The ones in this guide are a great starting point. You also may benefit from visiting the websites of trade associations and membership organizations related to your industry. These resources will likely offer advice and list special offers on CRM solutions.

You can also survey colleagues, suppliers and customers to learn about their CRM systems.

Contact CRM vendors for free demos and trials.

Contact the CRM vendors on your short list. Many offer free trials of 14 to 30 days. If they don’t, they’ll almost certainly offer a free demonstration. 

Here are a few tips for this stage: 

• Tell the vendor your budget. When you contact the vendor, explain what you need the system to do, and share your monthly or annual budget. 
• Test-drive the CRM. During your free trial, upload some data to the platform, and determine how easy it is to use features such as contact management tools. Test all of the core CRM features you’d want in your system to see how well the software functions. 
• Contact customer support. During your trial, contact customer service. Ask the representative to explain how to customize a specific function. You’ll be able to test how quick and responsive the platform’s support teams are.
• Ensure you get a thorough demo. If you’re only offered a free demo, ask the rep to walk you through all of the sales, marketing and service tools you’ll need. For example, ask them to demonstrate how to use the platform’s marketing automation features to run an email marketing campaign or show you how the software handles the sales process from start to finish.
• Involve your team in evaluations. Involve other members of your team when you’re testing CRM software, particularly if they’ll be the ones using the system after it’s rolled out.

Get quotes for the most promising CRM systems.

Request quotes from the vendors whose platforms impressed you the most. Although most CRM providers have set pricing based on user numbers and features, many have some flexibility, particularly if they’re competing with other vendors for your business.

If you already have CRM software and are thinking about switching to a new one, you can also use this process to try reducing the fees you’re paying your current supplier.

Read online reviews of your CRM finalists.

Before making your final decision, check out online user reviews of the CRM platforms you’re considering. 

User reviews will give you an idea of how the system performs in the real world and how responsive support teams are when issues arise. If you can find reviews from companies in the same industry as you, they’ll be even more relevant. It may be worthwhile to go with a more expensive option if the solution’s customers are pleased with its responsiveness and uptime. 

Methodology

When evaluating CRM platforms to find the best options, I examined their marketing campaign functions to rate how well they generated leads and improved sales. I also looked at how well they enriched customer and prospect data, as well as their workflow automation capabilities and their after-sales support. From 65 prospects, I researched 25 in depth and selected the 10 on this page as best-in-class. I assigned best use cases to each vendor based on various factors, including customizability, workflow automations, data enrichment, AI enhancements, reporting, analytics, on-platform features and third-party integrations.

CRM software FAQs

Examples of CRM software include HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, monday Sales CRM and Pipedrive.

What are the three types of CRM?

The three types of CRM systems are operational, collaborative and analytical. Operational CRM software focuses on streamlining a business’s operations and customer interactions. They focus mainly on a company’s sales, marketing and service departments. Collaborative CRM systems are designed to improve communication and collaboration among people within a business, its customers and other partners. Analytical CRM systems analyze customer data and interactions to provide insights that inform business decisions and strategies. Modern CRM software has elements of all three system types.

Which CRM is the easiest to use?

CRM systems vary in complexity. However, reviewers and users consider HubSpot, monday, Zendesk, Zoho and Insightly to be highly usable CRMs.

Is Salesforce a CRM?

Yes, Salesforce is a CRM that launched in the 1990s and has become one of the most popular customer relationship management software packages, with 150,000 users.

What is the number one CRM in the world?

Although there’s much competition in the market, many analysts consider Salesforce the number one CRM in the world based on the number of users and applications available for the platform.

• Personal Cloud Solutions
• Cloud Storage

Best Cloud Storage Services: Personal & Business Storage Providers in 2024

Cloudwards.net may earn a small commission from some purchases made through our site. However, any earnings do not affect how we review services. Learn more about our editorial integrity and research process .

Choosing the best cloud storage provider is difficult. This guide shows the 10 top cloud storage services for cost, safety and collaboration features, covering personal cloud storage and business file storage solutions.

Last Updated: 03 Apr'24 2024-04-03T08:37:49+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

• Sync.com — Top cloud storage pick for sharing, versioning, large files, iPhone and more
• pCloud — Best online storage pick for Windows, Mac, Linux and music  
• Icedrive — Top cloud drive with excellent speeds
• MEGA — Very secure service with the most free cloud storage (20GB)
• IDrive — Best cloud storage-online backup hybrid
• OneDrive — Best cloud storage service for Office integration
• Google Drive — Top pick for integrated apps and students
• Koofr — Top pick for multiple cloud accounts
• Dropbox — Best pick for cloud collaboration
• Box — Great pick for business cloud storage

• Excellent security
• Competitive pricing
• Unlimited file sizes
• User interface needs work
• Slower sync speeds

Welcome to our updated 2024 guide to the best cloud storage services. Cloudwards.net has been conducting cloud storage reviews for several years now, and in that time much has changed.

Competition between big corporate players like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive, and the emergence of privacy-oriented providers like Sync.com, pCloud and MEGA, has been a boon for consumers. To save you some time we have a list of what we think are the top players for your money.

Find the best cloud storage provider for your needs:

• 1000 GB / 1TB
• 2000 GB / 2TB
• 3000 GB / 3TB or more
• Basic encryption is fine
• Zero-knowledge encryption
• Sync Folder
• File Link Sharing
• Folder Sharing
• Subscription
• one-time payment

Updated to remove IDrive’s discontinued free plan and add its new 30-day free trial.

Updated to reflect news about MEGA’s encryption.

Updated to reflect an increase in IDrive’s free plan to 10GB of storage.

Cloudwards.net updated the top 10 cloud storage services rankings, including IDrive in the list, removing iCloud and adjusting other providers.

We added new information about Sync.com’s integration with Microsoft Office.

Updated with new video ranking.

Updated to reflect changes in Icedrive’s pricing plans and storage offers

The Best Cloud Storage Comparison

How we chose the best cloud storage.

When we review a service, we run tests for around a week, testing all of its features to see if they work as advertised. We analyze the service’s security, including encryption protocols and secure storage methods. Finally, we run technical tests to see how they perform in terms of speed, RAM and CPU usage.

Security and privacy are Cloudwards’ priority when it comes to cloud storage, so we give zero-knowledge services a much greater score than those that don’t offer it. Our experts take great care to parse through the complex legal implications of the services privacy policies and the privacy laws of countries where they keep their servers.

Cloud Storage Courses

Check out our cloud storage courses and grab a limited-time offer. Registration available now!

We take a number of other factors into consideration as well, but we’ll go into more detail on that after the list. If you’re particularly interested in cloud storage speeds, we have custom data that shows a performance comparison of the top providers below . Our analysis of 12 top cloud services showed that around half of them perform better than you’d expect.

If you are still figuring out how to best pick the right service for you, we have a handy video guide, below.

The Top 10 Cloud Storage Providers for 2024

Without further ado, here are the 10 best cloud storage service providers on the market right now.

1. Sync.com – Best Secure Cloud Storage

More Details About Sync.com:

• Pricing: 5GB free, 2TB for $96 per year ($8 per month)
• Number of devices: 5 on Individual Plans
• Website: Sync.com
• Excellent value
• Secure cloud storage
• Easy to use
• Slower than some rivals

Sync.com is our choice for the best cloud service, hitting the top spot in many of our cloud storage lists. It’s one of the most secure cloud services out there, and it keeps improving its service and adding new features as the service matures and grows. Sync also won our cloud storage pricing comparison .

Security & Collaboration in One Package

To start with, Sync.com comes with zero-knowledge encryption as standard. This means that if there was a security breach or the authorities demanded access to your account, the intruder would only see scrambled data because you’re the only one holding the encryption key.

To add to this, Sync.com offers advanced sharing controls, including passwords, download limits and expiry dates for sharing links. Plus, Sync.com allows you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents) in a privacy-friendly collaboration environment, without breaking zero-knowledge encryption.

Sync.com Pricing & Free Storage

Pricing is where Sync.com truly shines. Sync.com comes with 5GB free storage , which isn’t much, but it’s enough to try the service out. However, its paid plans are some of the cheapest around. For just $8 per month (paid annually), you get 2TB of storage space.

For comparison, the same amount of file storage from Dropbox is $9.99 a month. In fact, there is no provider in our top 10 that offers 2TB of storage for a lower price.

The only flaw we can find with Sync.com is that it’s slow. In fact, it was one of the worst performers in our fastest cloud storage list , so if you’re impatient, Sync.com might not be for you.

However, all in all, Sync.com is a great online storage provider at a price you’ll be hard-pressed to beat. It also has a good number of features, as well as support for Windows 10 and Mac users. If you want to learn more, take a look at our Sync.com review .

• Price per user
• Unlimited GB

2. pCloud – Best Multi-Platform Cloud Storage

More Details About pCloud:

• Pricing: 10GB free, 2TB for $95.88 per year ($7.99 per month)
• Number of devices: Unlimited
• Website: pCloud.com
• Choice of encryption levels
• Clever virtual drive
• EU servers available
• Zero-knowledge encryption isn’t free
• No document integration

You’ll often see us praise pCloud in our cloud storage reviews, and it’s not hard to see why. It has a number of unique features wrapped in a sleek and secure package. Plus, it offers great pricing, putting it alongside Sync.com .

Top-Shelf Media & Sharing Capabilities

pCloud is a great option for media lovers . That’s thanks to features offered in the embedded pCloud music player, which automatically crates playlists by artist, album or folder. Its video player is also fairly advanced, even letting you change playback speed and convert video files to other formats.

If you’re running out of media storage space on your device, pCloud’s virtual drive will come in handy. pCloud can mount a virtual drive on your device (similar to Local Disk (C:)) which uses your cloud storage instead of your hard drive’s storage.

If you’re a creator that loves to post on social media, pCloud lets you back up images that you previously uploaded to your socials as part of its backup feature. This feature also lets you back up your entire device to the cloud, or even move all your files from another cloud service to pCloud.

What Is pCloud Crypto?

pCloud doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption out of the box, which is a downside. You’d have to pay $3.99 per month for this protection — called pCloud Crypto — although it is included for free with business plans. However, pCloud Crypto is a little different from the kind of encryption you’ll see other providers offer.

With pCloud Crypto, you get a specific folder to store your files that you want to be protected with zero-knowledge encryption. Anything outside of pCloud Crypto can still be read by pCloud’s servers, allowing you to preview files or play content from within the app.

pCloud and Sync.com fight hard to be the top-value services in this list, so take a look at our Sync.com vs pCloud head-to-head article. Also consider that pCloud lets you can save money by signing up for a pCloud Lifetime account , giving you online storage that remains yours — forever. 

• + FREE Encryption
• Price per user (minimum 3)
• Encryption for pCloud Drive

3. Icedrive – Fastest Online Cloud Storage

More Details About Icedrive:

• Pricing: 10GB free, 1TB for $71.88 per year ( $5.99 per month)
• Website: Icedrive.net
• Secure Twofish algorithm
• Preview encrypted files
• Zero knowledge isn’t free
• Limited choice of plans

Icedrive is a new entry on our list, and it’s a provider you may not have heard of before. That’s not surprising, given it has only been in operation since 2019. It’s been making waves, though, with highly competitive pricing and some interesting features that set it apart from some of its more established rivals.

Novel Encryption Methods & Zero-Knowledge Security

One of the biggest differences from the other providers on our list is that Icedrive doesn’t use the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. Instead, it uses an algorithm called Twofish.

Twofish was one of the final contenders for the Advanced Encryption Standard contest at the turn of the century. Some consider Twofish to be more secure (if sometimes slower) than the eventual winner, Rijndael (now known simply as AES). Icedrive points out that the current standard is backed by the NSA — make of that what you will, but don’t let it scare you just yet.

Paid accounts include zero-knowledge encryption as standard, so files should be safe from prying eyes. Unlike most other zero-knowledge providers, Icedrive lets you preview certain files by streaming them in encrypted form to your computer, where they are then decrypted on the fly. 

Icedrive also offers two-factor authentication (2FA) and it has a no-nonsense privacy policy that rules out most problematic behaviors. As a UK-based company, Icedrive is governed by stringent GDPR regulations.

Icedrive Online Storage Pricing & Lifetime Plans

One of the biggest selling points of Icedrive is the price, though. If you pay annually, 1TB of storage costs just $5.99 . If you need more space, the next tier up gives you 3TB of cloud file storage for $10.99 per month (for accounts paid annually). That’s quite a big jump, which might be costly for some users, but you can also opt for a lifetime subscription.

That may or may not be a risk, though, especially given how new of a provider Icedrive is. Still, if you’re looking for a highly secure provider and need less than 1TB of storage space, then Icedrive is a great option. Check out our Icedrive review for more details.

• Bandwidth limit: 50GB
• Bandwidth limit: 250GB
• Bandwidth limit: 2TB
• Bandwidth limit: 8TB
• Additional 128GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
• Additional 512GB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan
• Additional 2TB storage for users who purchased the Lifetime Plan

4. MEGA – Best Free Cloud Storage

More Details About MEGA:

• Pricing: 20GB free, 2TB for $122 per year (around $10 per month)
• Website: MEGA.io
• No U.S. servers
• Great free storage
• Time-limited rewards
• Ownership concerns

If you’re worried about privacy with other free cloud storage providers, like Google (our number seven pick), you can go for a provider at the other end of the privacy spectrum: MEGA. Although MEGA’s colorful founder Kim Dotcom has had run-ins with the law, he’s no longer part of the company. MEGA’s focus is security, so zero-knowledge encryption is the absolute standard, with nobody but you having access to your files. 

A Truly Secure Cloud Storage Service

In terms of privacy, MEGA has servers in Canada, New Zealand and Europe — it’s one of the best cloud storage for Europe . They’re all locations that have reasonable privacy laws that, as you might have noticed, is exactly why no data is held on American servers. 

Because MEGA uses zero-knowledge encryption, it can’t read any of the files that you store, but it does keep some of your metadata (like IP logins) to monitor access. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the recent report that found serious problems with MEGA’s encryption process. Still, we feel confident recommending it as an overall secure and private service.

There is also some controversy about how much of MEGA’s stock is owned by people under the influence of the Chinese government, which could be a concern for some users. You can read more about this in our MEGA review .

Best Cloud Storage: Free 20GB

MEGA is a good option for users who want a free storage cloud account. In 2021, it increased its free file storage space from 15GB to 20GB. Plus, you can extend your free space by completing various tasks — like installing the desktop and mobile apps — but that extra space expires after a year.

Although its paid plans aren’t the cheapest cloud storage options out there, at the end of the day, the base 20GB still blows its free cloud storage rivals away, earning it the fifth spot on our list. The good news is that, even if you don’t pay for a MEGA subscription, free accounts get full access to the privacy and protection that MEGA’s encrypted cloud storage provides.

If lifetime plans is what you’re looking for, pCloud, Internxt and Icedrive has got your back.

• File transfer: 2TB (Monthly plan) 24TB (yearly plan)
• File transfer: (monthly plan) 96TB (yearly plan)
• File transfer: 16TB (monthly plan) 192TB (yearly plan)
• Price per user (minimum 3) 3TB Transfer quota

5. IDrive – Best Value Cloud Storage

More Details About IDrive:

• Pricing: 10GB free, 5TB for $6.22 per month (two-year plan)
• Provider website: idrive.com
• Both backup & cloud storage
• Packed with features
• No monthly plan

IDrive is a unique option, offering a hybrid solution for both cloud storage and online backup — it’s actually our number one pick for online backup, a fact that it owes mostly to its incredibly affordable prices and incredible wealth of features. 

Hybrid Cloud Storage & Backup With IDrive

Besides all the backup features like disk-imaging and courier recovery that we won’t spend too much time on here — check out our IDrive review for that — it also boasts proper file sync and share features that earns it a spot on this list.

You can designate any folder on your device as a sync folder, and you can move them wherever you want. There’s also selective sync, which can save you a lot of time and bandwidth if there are certain large files you want to exclude. In comparison, the file-sharing is a bit bare-bones, though you can set access privileges on the share-links that you create. 

Although IDrive works great as traditional cloud storage, online backup is its bread and butter. That means that unlike other entries on this list, IDrive is an excellent solution for backing up your entire device automatically, since you won’t have to manually move things you want to protect into a sync folder. 

Affordable Cloud Storage Pricing Plans

One of the best aspects of IDrive is just how much storage you get for such a cheap price. IDrive’s personal plans are incredibly generous considering how much storage you get.

For example, the two cheapest plans offer 5TB and 10TB of storage — which is a lot — for just $6.22 per month (two-year plan) and $6.22 per month on the two-year plan respectively. 

The only downside here is that you have to sign up for a full year, but if you’re a first-time user, you can get an even bigger discount by using our IDrive promo code . It also has a free 30-day trial, so you can test it first.

• No credit card required.
• One user, multiple computers. Plans starting from 5TB up to 100TB. Big discount for first-time signup.
• 5 computers, 5 users. Starting at 5TB up to 500TB. Big discount for first-time signup.
• Monthly Plan storage starts at 1.25TB up to 50TB Unlimited users, multiple computers and servers. NAS devices. 250GB storage. Starting at 250GB up to 50TB. Large discount for first-time signup.

6. OneDrive – Best Personal Cloud Storage

More Details About OneDrive:

• Pricing: 5GB free, 1TB for $6.99 per month
• Website: microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive
• Excellent collaboration tools
• Great integrated apps
• A large variety of features
• Generous free storage
• No zero-knowledge encryption
• Limited file versioning

There are big names in cloud computing, and then there’s Microsoft. There isn’t a market in computing that Microsoft hasn’t tried to dominate, and it’s not surprising that it has an online storage offering in its OneDrive service, which offers seamless integration with other Microsoft services, such as Office. It’s even integrated into Windows itself.

Collaborate Easily With Microsoft Office & OneDrive

Office integration is the biggest selling point for OneDrive users — or rather, the collaboration benefits that come from a combined Office and OneDrive service. A Microsoft 365 Personal subscription (previously Office 365) includes 1TB of OneDrive storage, but it also comes with full desktop versions of Office apps, with Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint thrown in. 

These Office apps make collaborating on documents simple. You can share any of your documents stored in the cloud, and multiple users can work on them together in real time. Any changes are instantly visible to all other co-authors and automatically saved to the cloud.

You never have to worry about losing that 90-page thesis to a hard drive failure ever again. With a Microsoft Personal subscription, you can install Office on up to five different devices, allowing you to share the service across an entire family or household. You can learn more about these collaboration options in our OneDrive review .

The collaboration features come at a cost, though. OneDrive doesn’t have zero-knowledge encryption, so your information is visible to Microsoft and anyone else who gains access to its servers, legally or not. Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that as a U.S. company, Microsoft servers are based stateside, so your data is subject to intrusive laws, such as the Freedom Act.

OneDrive Family & Business Plans

You can take things a step further with a Microsoft Family 365 subscription, which gives users 1TB of storage for up to six people at just $8.33 a month (paid annually). This can save you a small fortune on storage and productivity apps for the family, making it a good value option.

OneDrive also has some excellent business options that  make it our favorite value product in our list of the top enterprise file sync and share providers (where a business online storage provider like Egnyte reigns). With Office and Windows integration, as well as pretty good pricing, OneDrive is certainly a provider we can recommend with confidence.

• For one person
• Comes with Office 365 Personal
• Comes with Office 365 Home

7. Google Drive – Best File Cloud Storage

More Details About Google Drive:

• Pricing: 15GB free, 2TB for $99.99 per year ($8.33 per year)
• Website: google.com/drive
• Privacy concerns

If you want a similar experience to OneDrive, you may want to try Google Drive. Like Microsoft’s service, Google offers storage that integrates well with its own suite of office applications, which serve to replace the Microsoft Office experience in full — and do so pretty well, too.

An Endless List of App Integrations

You can collaborate in real time using Google Docs, leave comments and roll-back changes, thanks to Google’s built-in versioning features. Only OneDrive and Dropbox can really rival Google Drive for collaboration, and you can check out our Dropbox vs Google Drive vs OneDrive article to see how they compare.

There’s an entire marketplace of other Google Drive apps, so you can integrate other productivity apps, grammar checkers and more. You can also use Google Drive with other apps, including Google Calendar and Google Keep, a simple note-taking app. You can quickly compare how it matches from other basic platforms like Simplenote .

Google Drive Free Storage & Pricing

These kinds of integrations make Google Drive our top choice as the best online cloud provider for integrated apps, but it shines in other areas, too. If you have a Gmail account, you’re already using Google Drive, with 15GB of free storage thrown in, although its pricing is reasonable if you require more.

Google Drive is the best cloud storage for students and free users, for good reasons. Unlike some of the other providers we’ll mention, free users gain almost all of the same features that come with paid subscriptions. Powerful collaboration options in a free product help Google Drive to come out to be one of the best in this list.

If you’re curious about Google Drive pricing, then you can add 100GB of extra storage for a very reasonable $2 a month. There are some downsides, though. As you can read in our Google Drive review , there’s no zero-knowledge encryption, which is particularly concerning given that Google is not renowned for having the greatest policies when it comes to your personal data .

The price you pay for accessing the collaboration tools and app integrations is that Google will scan the contents of anything you upload to Google Drive; it has full access to read, catalogue and use that data. You’ll need to decide for yourself whether you’re willing to give up some privacy to benefit from the useful tools that Google offers.

• *The plan is "hidden." To find the 200GB plan, you need to be subscribed to one of the other plans, upgrade or downgrade to the 200GB through your account's settings.

8. Koofr  – Top Online Provider for Multiple Cloud Accounts

More Details About Koofr:

• Pricing: 10GB free, 1TB for $10.85 per month
• Website: Koofr.eu
• Links to other cloud accounts
• Virtual drive
• Integrates with Microsoft Office 365
• More expensive than some

It’s by no means a household name, but Koofr offers some features that set it apart from the other providers on our list. As a downside, Koofr isn’t the cheapest, as our Koofr review will explain. It has some very cheap plans that offer 100GB of storage or less, as well as a free 10GB plan.

Manage Multiple Cloud Storage Services

One of the most useful is the ability to link it to other cloud storage services. Currently, you can connect accounts from Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive, allowing you to mix and match your services in one place. Still, with other big platforms available, this is only a minor blip in a pretty unique offering from Koofr.

Once you’ve connected your accounts, you can access all your remote files at once, letting you move and copy files between each of your linked accounts, as well as search for files across all platforms. Any files stored in your other cloud accounts won’t count against your Koofr storage quota.

Great Privacy, Lacking Security

Unfortunately, this level of access between services does mean that Koofr lacks the kind of zero-knowledge encryption that privacy-focused providers offer. Still, Koofr’s servers are based in Germany, so your data falls under much stronger EU privacy laws. Koofr does offer 2FA to help keep your data safe in the event that your password is hacked, though.

Koofr integrates with Microsoft Office 365, though this feature has a few limitations. Free accounts can create an Office document but only paid accounts can edit it. Plus, Koofr doesn’t let you set editing permissions for files (only for folders), so you can’t really collaborate with other people on documents.

You’ll pay around $10.85 per month for 1TB of storage (prices are in euros, so conversion rates will fluctuate). This is costly, compared to Sync.com or pCloud, which offer double the storage for a similar cost. If you don’t need a huge amount of space but want to have all your cloud accounts in one place, then it’s worth taking a look at Koofr.

• *Prices in Euro

9. Dropbox – Best Cloud Data Storage

More Details About Dropbox:

• Pricing: 2GB free, 2TB for $203.88 per year ($16.99 per month)
• Number of devices: 3 to unlimited
• Website: Dropbox.com
• Collaboration with both Office & Google
• Not the cheapest

Dropbox may not have been the first cloud storage service, but it was the first to really bring the idea into the mainstream. More than a decade after its launch, it’s still going strong, with only Google Drive having a larger market share. Dropbox also has the name recognition that providers like Sync.com can only dream of at present.

One of the Best Cloud Storage Services for Collaboration

One of the reasons why Dropbox is still so popular is the excellent collaboration it offers, which is why Dropbox Business is one of our top recommendations in our cloud storage for collaboration shortlist. 

You can launch and collaborate on both Microsoft and Google documents with Dropbox, making it a good solution for users who need to use both services. Both formats work seamlessly, allowing you to co-author documents in real time, which are then automatically saved to the cloud.

The excellent collaboration tools come at a cost in two ways. First off, this integration is only possible because Dropbox’s servers can access your files, due to the lack of zero-knowledge encryption. Dropbox has had security breaches in the past, which we discuss in our Dropbox review . This could be a red flag for some users, and for good reason.

Dropbox is also more expensive than some of the other providers in this list, with 2TB of storage costing $9.99 per month if you pay annually. If you’re looking for information on Dropbox’s business storage plans that are paid per user, you can find out more in our Dropbox Business review .

Save Hard Drive Space With Dropbox Smart Sync

To help users save up on space, Dropbox introduced “smart sync”, which allows you to set all of your files and folders to be either stored locally or online-only. The online-only files still show up in your Dropbox folder, but they don’t take up any space. 

For many users looking for the best cloud storage with sync, Dropbox continues to be a good choice. Its pricing and a lack of encryption could put you off, as could historical data breaches, but features like “smart sync” show that Dropbox continues to innovate, and it still remains one of the greatest services for users who are looking to collaborate on documents.

• (Formerly Dropbox One) 1 user Signature requests and eSignature templates
• 3 users minimum

10. Box – Best Online Cloud Storage for Businesses

More Details About Box:

• Pricing: 10GB for free, 100GB for $14 per month or $120 per year
• Website: box.com
• Strong collaboration options
• Google Workspace and Microsoft Office integrations
• Great security
• Primarily business focused
• Private key management costs extra

Although Box is a cloud storage provider that focuses on businesses, it still offers two plans for personal users — one free and one paid. Due to its nature as a business-focused storage option, Box comes packed to the brim with advanced features. Everything from strong collaboration options to two-factor authentication, note-taking and project management is present, which makes for a solid list of features.

The one thing that is missing out of the box (we’ll show ourselves out) is private key management — the main requirement for zero-knowledge privacy. This is a feature that you have to pay extra for with Box, and the company won’t even tell you the price unless you contact them directly.

Collaboration With Box

The clear standout feature of Box is the long list of collaboration options it offers to users. The two most important integrations for this are obviously there, namely Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, but Box goes far beyond these two popular options. 

Instead of forcing you into the apps themselves, Box lets you edit and collaborate on documents directly from its own software, and this even extends to the mobile version. If you ever find yourself needing to edit a text or spreadsheet while on the move, Box is one of the few cloud storage options that let you do this directly from your mobile device.

Pricing That’s Hard to Swallow

By far the biggest drawback to Box is its frankly absurd price. As mentioned, there are only two plans available for personal users. The first is free and gives you access to 10GB of storage and most of Box’s features. However, the paid plan is a terrible value for money if all you want is storage. A mere 100GB will cost you $14 per month or $120 per year, which is outrageously expensive.

If you’re more concerned with collaboration and security than you are with price and storage space, then Box is an excellent cloud storage solution. If that’s not the case, you’re better off with any of the options presented above. For a deeper dive into the service’s pros and cons, check out our Box Review .

• Single user
• Price per user, minimum of three users
• Users: No limit

How Does Cloud Storage Work?

Cloud storage is a way of storing your files and folders on online servers, allowing you to access them from any location and on any device with an internet connection. Your data is stored on servers that belong to your cloud storage provider, which usually offers a web interface, desktop app or mobile app to access your information.

These servers might be located in your own country or on the other side of the world. Most services use a sync folder on your desktop, allowing you to store files easily. Any files you put into this folder are also uploaded to the cloud servers, which will automatically update if you make any changes.

Why We Use Cloud Storage

People use cloud storage for many different reasons, starting with storage. While services like Dropbox and Sync.com might not be great for disaster recovery, they work very well for short-term storage of files that you access often.

In fact, that’s exactly what Drew Houston had in mind when he dreamed up the “sync” folder model commonly used by cloud storage services today back in 2007. He was traveling from New York to Boston on a Chinatown bus and realized that he left his USB drive behind . He decided he wanted a means of storing and accessing files online in a way that required little effort on his part.

Sync folders facilitate device synchronization, which we call “sync” for short. Any file you drag and drop into a sync folder gets automatically sent to the cloud, then sent to any other devices with a sync client installed. That way, you never have to worry about messing with removable storage. Changes to files also get synced across devices, which is what makes cloud storage ideal for getting work done, even remotely.  

Syncing Mobile Apps

Cloud storage tools also generally have mobile apps for Android and iOS that let you access files stored in the cloud. Many let you manually and automatically upload files, as well. That makes them convenient for safeguarding photos taken with your smartphone camera and saving memory at the same time.

Take a look at our roundup of the best cloud storage for Android , or our guide on the best cloud managers for Android if you have multiple cloud storage accounts.

A handful of cloud storage tools don’t sync devices. We can’t think of any tool, though, that doesn’t let you share files. File sharing can be used for both collaboration and socializing.

Most cloud storage tools let you invite specific users to access files based on their email address and generate links to files that can be more broadly used. Many cloud storage tools also let you share folder access, even granting others edit and upload permissions.  

Some cloud storage solutions also integrate with productivity tools like Office Online, Google Docs, Trello, DocuHub and DocuSign. Unfortunately for home users, such integrations are more common with EFSS tools, which are basically cloud storage services for teams and businesses.

Cloud Storage vs Online Backup

Before you start shopping for cloud storage in earnest, it helps to have a good understanding of what “cloud storage” actually means. That way you don’t end up with software that doesn’t really meet your expectations.

The first hurdle to overcome is knowing the difference between cloud storage and online backup. It’s easy to see why one might confuse these terms: both cloud storage and online backup are used to safeguard files in remote data centers. Both let you access the files stored in these data centers from different devices. Online backup is even sometimes confusingly called “cloud backup.”

The difference between the two is that the ultimate goal of online backup is disaster recovery, while cloud storage is generally best suited to quick file access and collaboration. We generally like to think of cloud storage as a productivity tool here at Cloudwards.net, although many people use such solutions for things like streaming music, watching videos and sharing photos, too.

Online backup safeguards hard drives better than cloud storage thanks to backup schedulers, better data recovery options and a few other things that you can read up on in our guide to best online backup.

Aside from storage, there are two features generally common to cloud storage: file sharing and file syncing. On top of that, a handful of cloud storage tools have integrated apps like word processors and task managers that help facilitate productivity.

It’s important to note that there are a handful of cloud solutions that blur the lines between storage and backup. IDrive and SpiderOak ONE are two of the best.

Is Cloud Storage Safe?

Most cloud storage services encrypt your data when it’s being sent to their servers and many store your data in encrypted form. However, no system is completely secure, and cloud storage servers can be hacked.

For instance, Dropbox suffered a major breach in 2012, when 68 million passwords were leaked. Government authorities may also request to access your data for legal reasons. You can help to keep your data more secure by using a service with zero-knowledge encryption, which means that the only person who can decrypt your data is you.

We also recommend setting up two-factor authentication with cloud storage services. This requires you to use an additional code when you log in, which is either sent to your phone as an SMS message or generated by an authenticator app. Even if someone has your password, 2FA means they can’t log in to your account without access to your phone, too.

Cloud Storage Speed Tests

Speed is one of the most important aspects of any cloud storage service. Although the time differences for a gigabyte or two may not be all too large, the time spent uploading or downloading terabytes can add up substantially. The upside of faster cloud storage is clear: using a faster service means you can access your files more quickly across your devices. 

If you know where to look, you can find the fastest cloud storage services , too. Our recent analysis of 12 top cloud storage services showed that around half of them only take 25 percent longer to upload and 27 percent longer to download than expected. This is using raw megabytes per second as a baseline, ignoring all other network conditions. 

Note : Testing was performed in Macedonia using 5.9 Mbps upload and 32 Mbps download speeds.

Of the lot, pCloud and IceDrive were the fastest across upload and download, with SugarSync following closely behind. Google Drive and Sync.com trailed the pack with the slowest speeds. For Google Drive, that’s bad news. Sync.com, on the other hand, offers full end-to-end encryption, so the speed loss makes sense. 

Final Thoughts: Best Cloud Storage

This list has our current top 10, but there are other good-quality providers that didn’t make the list. SecureSafe, SugarSync, Jumpshare and others all have their strengths, so be sure to take a look at our full list of cloud storage reviews to learn more about some of the other options out there, with new providers being added as they appear.

We also have determined the best cloud storage options for large files , and have created an online data storage price list , to make sure you’re getting the best value with today’s best cloud storage deals.

Sync.com and pCloud are great, privacy-focused options for most users, but if you’re more interested in document collaboration, you can’t go wrong with bigger players like Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive. However, MEGA offers more free storage, plus excellent security.

While, if you need online backup options in addition to cloud storage, IDrive is the way to go. It’s also the best online back-up for archiving, in case you need to archive data you rarely use to maximize storage space.

Do you use any of the products on our list? Do you think there are some glaring omissions, or do you think we’ve been unfair (or too fair) with any of the providers we’ve mentioned? Leave your own personal cloud storage reviews in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.

FAQ: Best Cloud Storage Providers

Sync.com is our favorite cloud storage for personal use , with good pricing plans, strong encryption and innovative features. Other good options are available, though, such as pCloud, Tresorit, MEGA and Google Drive, to name but a few.

For businesses, you can’t go wrong with a Sync.com , pCloud or Tresorit subscription, as our best business cloud storage list shows. If you’re unsure, key features to look out for are zero-knowledge encryption, server locations and document collaboration features.

pCloud is our top choice for free storage, although MEGA and Google Drive both offer a little more space. The beauty of free cloud storage providers is that you can try out a number of providers to find the perfect fit, with a provider like Koofr allowing you to combine multiple free storage providers together.

Our top choice for the best free online storage for photos is pCloud. It offers secure and cheap storage, will automatically upload photos from your phone and computer, and supports photo editing and social media backup.

A number of the best cloud storage providers offer packages with unlimited storage, but the best unlimited cloud storage provider is Sync.com for Teams. Be aware that most providers offering unlimited storage usually have a set limit, and if you go above the cap, you’ll need to request additional storage. Learn more from our guide on the best unlimited cloud storage providers .

Google Drive tops our list as the best cloud storage service for Android, but our number-one choice for iPhone users is Sync.com. However, most providers offer pretty good smartphone apps.

This is a really helpful article. If you could add a list that shows only Cloud Servers that have Zero Knowledge it would be very helpful for Medical and Legal businesses where client file confidentiality is required by law. That way those businesses can concentrate their search on cloud services that are eligible for their type of business.

Could you guys take a look at TeraCLOUD? It would be interesting to see your input on a Japanese company looking to expand its user base globally.

And once again we have a writer that doesn’t understand the difference between cloud syncing and cloud storage. Massive difference.

No shit! Time for some competence….

Excuse me. Here in Thailand, I could not access to bitcasa. So could someone from any other country could access bitcasa? If have, I will try to connect a VPN to that country. Thank you.(Sorry if one/some of my grammar and typing is/are wrong.)

Don’t buy Pcloud lifetime plan. It’s is waste of money.

From my experience, Pcloud is reducing speed if we purchasing lifetime plan. When i tried to upload files with yearly plan, we can upload properly. But when you purchased a lifetime plan uploading speed below 250kbps only even if you have 1GBPS/5G internet plan.

Some Youtubers mentioned that they are able to upload 5gb files within 10minutes. I think they are pcloud staff otherwise they are uploading files from pcloud data center itself.

Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!

New(ish) to tech and Cloud storage. I’ve contacted One Drive and ICloud to be told they both do the same thing, the same way. My problem is this, I want to store video files in the cloud so I don’t have to keep them in C drive. One drive and ICloud tech support to me this is not possible. How do I overcome this dilemma? When I stored my video data to an external hard drive eventually both drives crashed, I lost everything.

I don’t mind downloading to C drive then uploading to the cloud. However I don’t want to be hostage to always having to keep everything on C drive to use the cloud. Is there a cloud solution for me?

The pricing for Sync.com is outdated. They don’t offer a 200GB plan anymore. Lowest plan for individual users is 2TB at $8/mo.

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Personal Finance

Best personal finance management software in 2024.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

There are dozens of apps designed to help you budget smarter, track your spending, set financial goals, and keep an eye on your investments. Some are free while others charge a monthly fee, which could be worth it if you can save more money or pay off debt faster.

We narrowed down the field of personal finance software to a handful of standout apps that offer brilliant financial insights, simple user interfaces, a host of useful features, and, above all, help you hit your financial goals. Here are the best personal finance management software options available today.

Best personal finance management software compared

Our recommendations, best for investment tracking: empower personal dashboard.

Why we recommend it: Empower Personal Dashboard (formerly Personal Capital) is a free investment-tracking app that offers retirement-planning tools and investment insights. You can create a retirement plan, track your progress, and compare your investments to market benchmarks to see how your portfolio is performing. There’s also a built-in budgeting feature to help track your day-to-day spending habits.

Empower allows you to connect your financial accounts and it will automatically import your account balances, transactions, and other financial data. One of the most powerful tools that Empower offers is the Retirement Fee Analyzer, which shows your current investment fees and how much they will cost over time. Overall, Empower is a well-designed free app that simplifies investment tracking for everyday investors.

• Built-in retirement planning tools.
• Investment fee analysis.
• Financial-planning services available.
• May receive a solicitation call selling Empower wealth management service after linking accounts.
• Wealth-management fees are higher than the competition.
• Very limited budgeting features.

Best for daily budgeting: You Need a Budget (YNAB)

Why we recommend it: You Need a Budget (YNAB) is a comprehensive budgeting app that offers detailed tracking and spending insights to help you stay on top of your finances. YNAB has a unique approach to budgeting—you can only budget for money you actually have in your account. The app requires that you give every dollar a job. If you overspend in one budget category you’ll be forced to pull the money from another category.

While there’s a bit of a learning curve to get started, YNAB is hands-down the best app for daily budgeting and staying on top of every transaction. Its accountability features help prevent overspending and encourage you to take your daily spending habits seriously. YNAB is available as a desktop or mobile app—and even on the Apple Watch. It isn’t cheap, though. You’ll be charged $14.99 per month or $99 if you pay for a 12-month subscription up front.

• Powerful budgeting features.
• Tracks transactions automatically.
• Detailed spending reports.
• Can share your budget with others.
• High monthly cost (compared to other apps).
• Steep learning curve.
• Limited investment tracking.

Best for business and personal finances: Quicken Business & Personal

Why we recommend it: Quicken is a time-tested personal finance management software that lets you track both personal and business finances. You can budget, track, and get reports on your personal finances. If you have a small business or own rental property, you can get reports on your business's finances and tax situation, too.

Quicken offers a comprehensive desktop app for both Windows and Mac computers as well as a companion mobile app for iOS and Android devices. However, some features are only available on the Windows application, so Quicken is best for Windows users. There are several versions of Quicken. The Business & Personal version currently costs $5.50 per month.

• Tracks both business and personal finances in one app.
• Available on desktop and mobile devices.
• Povides tax reports, profit-and-loss statements, and other business reports.
• Low monthly fee.
• Not all features are available on mobile or Mac devices.
• May be overwhelming for beginners.

Best for saving money: Simplifi

Why we recommend it: Simplifi is a budgeting app by Quicken that offers (unironically) simple budgeting tools and goals features to help users save more money. Simplifi connects to user financial accounts, tracks spending automatically, and gives real-time alerts for your budget and spending. And the app has built-in savings goals, allowing you to track saving toward future goals, such as a vacation, a house down payment, or holiday gifts.

Simplifi doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles of Quicken—but it’s designed that way on purpose. Beginners can quickly set up a budget and connect accounts to start tracking spending right away without the complicated setup procedures of other budgeting apps. Simplifi is inexpensive, too. It costs $2 per month, which is billed annually.

• Simple user interface.
• Built-in goal-tracking features.
• Low fee ($24 per year).
• No monthly payment option.
• Limited investment tracking features.

Best for bill tracking: Rocket Money

Why we recommend it: Rocket Money (formerly TrueBill) is a budgeting and bill-tracking app that allows you to connect your financial accounts. One of its best features is automatically flagging any recurring payments. This helps users find unused subscriptions and other recurring charges quickly—Rocket Money can even cancel unused services for you.

Rocket Money lets you see spending reports, establish budget categories, and set up spending alerts. You can only use the budgeting features on the mobile app, though, and some of the best services come at a cost. Rocket Money has a free plan. However, if you want to add more budgeting categories and premium features, you’ll need to pay anywhere from $6 to $12 per month.

• Free version of app available.
• Finds recurring subscriptions automatically.
• Bill negotiation and cancellation services available.
• Free app very limited.
• Bill-negotiation services cost extra.

Best for payments: CashApp

Why we recommend it: CashApp is a premier peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app that offers more than just paying your friends back for drinks. It is a fully-fledged payment and investing app offering P2P payments, brokerage accounts, and even the ability to invest in crypto. CashApp is also really simple to use—you just have to provide a phone number (or email address) and your debit card number to get started.

CashApp makes it very easy to make payments by assigning everyone a $cashtag ID that you can send money directly to. Sending money is always free, though you may be charged to cash out funds faster. There are spending limits for unverified accounts—you can only send or receive up to $1,000 within a 30-day period. Once the account is verified, these limits are lifted. CashApp is available on supported iOS and Android devices.

• Sending money is free
• Built-in stock and crypto investing
• Simple account setup
• Low account limits for unverified accounts
• Charges a fee for instant transfers

Best for credit-score monitoring: MyFico

Why we recommend it: MyFico is a credit monitoring app and tool that allows you track your credit score from the three major credit bureaus. The MyFico app presents your credit score in an easy-to-understand format, showing your credit-score history and items affecting your credit report. It also offers identity-theft protection, monitoring, and insurance to protect yourself from fraud.

Another service offered is receiving alerts when something changes on your credit report. This allows you to quickly address any negative items on your report and helps you protect your score. MyFico has a free version of the app that only tracks your score through one credit bureau. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid version for access to all three bureau scores as well as identity-theft protection. Plans start at $29.95 per month.

• Free plan available.
• Tracks credit score (and reports) from three major credit bureaus.
• Identity-theft protection available.
• Complete credit score monitoring is expensive.
• Credit-report alerts are not in real-time.

Best for buy now, pay later tracking: Cushion ai

Why we recommend it: If you’ve ever used a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service, you know that tracking the payments can be difficult. But what you might not know is that BNPL services aren’t reported to credit bureaus and don’t improve your credit score. Cushion ai solves both issues by combining all of your BNPL purchases into a single account and reporting payments to the three major credit bureaus to boost your credit score.

Cushion ai offers a virtual credit card that you can use for all of your BNPL purchases. The app then lets you track your purchases and payment plans all in one place—and automatically pays them off on schedule. There are two plans for Cushion ai—Builder and Pro. The Builder plan is only $4.99 per month and works with BNPL plans, whereas the Pro plan is $12.99 per month and works with all types of subscriptions, bills, and other recurring expenses. The Pro plan will also soon let you track your credit score and split bills.

• Consolidates BNPL purchases.
• Tracks BNPL payment plans and schedules.
• Reports BNPL purchases to credit bureaus.
• Pro plan is expensive.
• Required to use Cushion ai virtual card.
• Limited budgeting features.

Methodology

We reviewed more than two dozen personal finance management software options across multiple categories, including budgeting, investing, payment apps, and credit-score monitoring. The goal was to find the best paid and free apps for various money-management needs. In addition to looking at which services the software offers, we considered online reviews from users, fees, and security.

Each app represents a standout example in its respective category, giving users access to a wide range of features that help accomplish specific financial objectives. The top apps also automatically important transactions in real-time and offer comprehensive reports for users.

More about the best personal finance management software

What is personal finance management software.

Personal finance management software includes desktop and mobile apps that offer budgeting, account tracking, financial reports, banking, payments, and other financial tools. More and more financial companies offer mobile device support and online access. Personal finance management software helps users aggregate these accounts and access everything in one place.

Types of personal finance management software

There are various types of personal finance management software, including:

Budgeting apps . There are dozens of budgeting apps to choose from with a wide range of features available. From basic expense tracking to detailed budget and goal-planning, budgeting apps can help you keep an eye on your spending habits and balances across multiple accounts. And the best budgeting apps offer detailed reports to help you track your financial progress.

Investment-tracking apps . Investment-tracking apps help you keep an eye on your investment accounts, track your net worth, and analyze your investment portfolio. You can connect retirement and brokerage accounts—and even track crypto investing by connecting to major crypto exchanges. The best investing apps can help you save on fees and plan for retirement without spending a fortune.

Payment apps . Payment apps allow you to pay your friends back or use your phone to pay for goods and services. Some even allow you to invest in stocks and crypto with low fees. The best payment apps are simple to use and don’t charge fees for making payments to family and friends.

Credit monitoring apps . Credit monitoring apps track your credit report and scores from major credit bureaus. These apps give you insights into items on your credit report and history that may be affecting your score—and help guide you toward actions that can help improve your score. The best credit monitoring apps enable you to monitor the data all three major credit bureaus hold on you.

How to set up and use personal finance management software

Most personal finance management software lets you sign up online or download a mobile app to get started. Here’s how to set up and use personal finance management software:

Sign up for an account. Often you can sign up with just an email and password, although some financial software requires setting up two-factor authentication with an app or your phone number. Once your account is verified, you can start linking accounts.

Link your financial accounts. Before you can set goals or create a budget, you’ll need to link your financial accounts. This allows you to automatically track your spending in real-time and stay on top of your expenses. If the software supports investment accounts, you can also link those to track your progress toward retirement.

Create a budget (or goals). For most finance software, you’ll set up budget categories or financial goals that you are aiming for. This helps you track your progress and track your finances in a more detailed and intentional way.

Set up alerts. Most finance apps let you set up alerts for your budget and accounts. This will let you know if you overspend or if an account balance gets too low. Alerts help you stay on track in real-time—even if you’re not logging into the app daily.

Track your progress. It’s important to log into your finance software frequently to keep an eye on your progress toward your financial goals. This will help you course-correct (if needed) and make better spending and investing decisions.

How to choose a management software for personal finance

To choose the best personal finance management software, you need to understand your financial goals and priorities, and the insights you’re seeking. There are several types of apps to choose from (budgeting, investing, payments, credit monitoring, etc.), so you’ll need to review the features you want before choosing a type.

Once you’ve made that decision, you’ll also want to see which apps in that category have the features best suited to your preferences. Compare costs as well, of course, to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Key considerations when choosing a personal finance management software

Before downloading a popular finance app and signing up for an account, here are a few things to consider:

How much does it cost?

While some personal finance software is free, many come with a monthly or annual cost. The more expensive software may be worth it to some, but a higher cost doesn’t always result in a better service. Compare app features and costs before choosing which one to use.

What are your goals?

Before you can choose the right finance software,you need to review your financial goals. Are you looking to save more money or pay off debt? Or maybe you want to track your investments a bit closer or need help improving your credit score? The answers to these questions will help guide you toward the right finance software for your goals.

Budgeting or investment tracking

Most finance software has budgeting or expense-tracking components, but some budgeting apps are far superior to others. If you’re looking for budgeting features, it’s a good idea to stick to apps that are solely designed to help people stick to a budget.

If your priority is investing, you may be fine with simple expense tracking and budgeting features but prefer detailed investment analysis. Choosing software that specializes in investment features may be a better fit than a budgeting app that happens to track your investment accounts.

Pros and cons of personal finance management software

• See all your financial accounts in one place.
• Easily create a budget.
• Track your spending automatically.
• Gain insights with financial reporting.
• Track investment performance.
• Obtainable for free or at a low monthly cost.
• Some apps offer limited mobile app support.
• Can take time and effort to learn the software.
• Some apps require paying a year upfront.
• May have issues linking to your financial accounts.
• May not categorize transactions properly.

Alternatives to personal finance management software

While personal finance management software can help you keep an eye on your spending and track your overall financial progress, it may not help you achieve all your financial goals. Here are a few alternatives routes to consider:

Hiring a financial advisor

While apps are great, sometimes you need to talk to a professional. A licensed financial advisor can help you put the financial puzzle pieces together with a comprehensive financial plan. A financial planner can help you plan for retirement, taxes, and your future generations. Just be aware of fees and costs associated with hiring a planner. These costs can add up over time. Make sure to review and compare the best financial advisors for your needs.

A pen and paper

No, really. A pen and paper can help you quickly put together a simple spending plan and give you a starting point for your budget. Sometimes getting everything on paper can clarify your financial situation and enable you to start making better financial decisions.

TIME Stamp: Get better with money with the best personal finance software

Personal finance software has come a long way from the days of complicated spreadsheets. Now you can automate your budget, set up alerts, set financial goals, and make smarter financial decisions with inexpensive or free apps. The best apps offer comprehensive planning features and a friction-free design to help beginners jump right in and get started.

While some free apps offer basic tracking features, most of the best personal finance software require some sort of monthly or annual payment. To find the best solution for you, consider your financial goals and needs, then compare the fees and features of the apps that best address them. Consider getting outside help, too. Even though these apps can give you a clearer picture of your finances, it may still be worth consulting a licensed financial advisor for more in-depth planning.

Frequently asked question (FAQs)

What is the best software to keep track of personal expenses.

One of the best free apps for simply tracking expenses is Empower Personal Dashboard. It automatically categorizes transactions and lets you generate spending reports. Alternatively, if you are willing to pay, YNAB is the most powerful budgeting and expense-tracking app around.

Are there any free personal finance management software options available?

Among the good free personal finance software options on the market are Empower Personal Dashboard, Rocket Money (limited version), and EveryDollar. Some of these apps have limited functionality compared to paid apps. Several of these offer free trials so you can test their financial-planning firepower, including YNAB, Rocket Money, and Monarch Money.

Is personal finance management software suitable for small business owners or freelancers?

Small business owners have several personal finance software options. The best is probably Quicken Business & Personal. With Quicken, users can track a personal budget and expenses and separately track business finances as well. Quicken Business & Personal offers tax reports, profit-and-loss statements, and other business features that most other personal finance software does not include.

Can personal finance management software be used on mobile devices?

Most personal finance software is available on most Android and iOS mobile devices. With this software, you can track your spending, get financial reports, and set up real-time alerts on your mobile device. On the other hand, some personal finance apps have limited functionality on mobile devices and require using a desktop app or website for full-featured support.

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