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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.

On a similar note...

Home > Business > Business Startup

• 5 Best Business Plan Software and Tools in 2023 for Your Small Business

Data as of 3 /13/23 . Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

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A business plan can do a lot for your business. It can help you secure investors or other funding. It can give your company direction. It can keep your finances healthy. But, if we’re being honest, it can also be a pain to write.

Luckily, you don’t have to start from scratch or go it alone. Business plan software and services can help you craft a professional business plan, like our top choice LivePlan , which provides templates, guidance, and more.

You’ve got quite a few choices for business plan help, so we’re here to help you narrow things down. Let’s talk about the best business plan tools out there.

• LivePlan : Best overall
• BizPlanBuilder : Most user-friendly
• Wise Business Plans : Best professional service
• Business Sorter : Best for internal plans
• GoSmallBiz.com : Most extra features
• Honorable mentions

Business plan software 101

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LivePlan: Best overall business plan software

Data as of 3 /13/23 . Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *With annual billing

LivePlan has been our favorite business plan software for a while now, despite the stiff competition.

There’s a lot to like about LivePlan. It has pretty much all the features you could want from your business plan software. LivePlan gives you step-by-step instructions for writing your plan, helps you create financial reports, lets you compare your business’s actual financials to your plan’s goals, and much more. And if you ever need inspiration, it includes hundreds of sample business plans that can guide your writing.

LivePlan software pricing

But the best part? You get all that (and more) at a very competitive price. (You can choose from annual, six-month, or monthly billing.) While LivePlan isn’t quite the cheapest business plan builder out there, it’s not too far off either. And if comes with a 60-day money back guarantee. So there’s no risk in trying LivePlan out for yourself.

With a great balance of features and cost, LivePlan offers the best business plan solution for most businesses.

BizPlanBuilder: Most user-friendly

Need something easy to use? BizPlanBuilder fits the bill.

BizPlanBuilder doesn’t have a flashy, modern user interface―but it does have a very clear, intuitive one. You’ll be able to see your plan’s overall structure at a glance, so you can quickly navigate from your title page to your market trend section to that paragraph on your core values. And as you write, you’ll use a text editor that looks a whole lot like the word processing programs you’re already familiar with.

BizPlanBuilder software pricing

Data effective 3/13/23. At publishing time, amounts, rates, and requirements are current but are subject to change. Offers may not be available in all areas.

BizPlanBuilder also offers lots of helpful guidance for actually writing your plan. It gives you pre-written text, in which you just have to fill in relevant details. It offers explanations for what information you need to include in each section of your plan and way. It even gives you helpful tips from experts, so you’ll have all the information you need to plan like a pro.

So if you want planning software with almost no learning curve, you’ll like BizPlanBuilder.

Wise Business Plans: Best professional service

• Custom quote

Unlike all the other companies on this list, Wise Business Plans doesn’t offer software. Instead, it offers professional business plan writing services―meaning someone does all the hard work for you.

Now, you might think that sounds expensive―and you’re probably right (you have to request a custom quote for your plan). But there’s a lot to be said for expertise, and Wise Business Plans has plenty of that. Your business plan will get written by an experienced writer (with an MBA, no less). They’ll get information from you, do their own research, and then write your plan. You get one free revision, and you can always pay for more.  

Wise Business Plans service pricing

Your end result will be a polished, entirely original business plan. (You can even get printed copies.) And best of all, you won’t have to spend your precious time working on the plan yourself. Wise Business Plans takes care of all the hard parts, and makes your business look good while doing it. Sounds like a service worth paying for, right?

Put simply, if you want the most professional business plan possible, we recommend using Wise Business Plans’s writing service.

Business Sorter: Best for internal plans

Many businesses need plans to show to people outside the company (to get financing, for example). But what if you just need a plan for internal use? In that case, we suggest Business Sorter.

Business Sorter uses a unique card-based method to help you craft the perfect business plan. (You can watch a demo video to see how it works.) You’ll plan some of the usual things, like finances and marketing. But Business Sorter also lets you make plans for specific teams and team members. It also emphasizes more internal matters, like operations, that might get overlooked in a business plan for outsiders.

Business Sorter software pricing

After you’ve made your business plan, Business Sorter also helps you stay accountable to it. You can create tasks, give them deadlines, and assign them to team members―giving you basic project management tools to make sure your business plans become business actions. (Oh, and did we mention that Business Sorter has the lowest starting prices of any software on this list?)

It all adds up to a business plan software that works great for internal planning.

GoSmallBiz: Most extra features

Want to get way more than just business planning software? Then you probably want GoSmallBiz.

See, GoSmallBiz offers business plan software as part of its service―but it’s just one part of a much bigger whole. You also get everything from discounts on legal services to a website builder to a CRM (customer relationship manager) to business document templates. And more. In other words, you get just about everything you need to get your startup off the ground.

GoSmallBiz software pricing

Don’t worry though―you still get all the business planning help you need. GoSmallBiz gives you business plan templates, step-by-step instructions, and the ability to create financial projections. And if you get stuck, GoSmallBiz will put you in touch with experts who can offer advice.

If you want business planning and much, much more, give GoSmallBiz a try.

• PlanGuru : Best financial forecasting
• EnLoop : Cheapest tool for startups

We recommend the software above for most business planning needs. Some businesses, though, might be interested in these more specialized planning software.

Honorable mention software pricing

Planguru: best financial forecasting features.

PlanGuru is pretty pricey compared to our other picks, but you might find its forecasting features worth paying for. It has more forecasting methods than other software (over 20) plus it lets you forecast up to 10 years.

EnLoop: Cheapest tool for startups

EnLoop doesn’t have our favorite features or interface, but it does have really, really low pricing plus a seven-day free trial. It's the most affordable software for startup business planning and still provides all the essential features like financial analysis, team collaboration, charting, and more.

Data as of 3 /13/23 . Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. * With annual billing

Several of our previous favorite planning software, including BusinessPlanPro and StratPad, seem to have gone out of business.

A business plan is a written, living document that tells the story of your business and what you plan to do with it. It serves as the source of truth for you—the business owner—as well as potential partners, employees, and investors, but it also serves as a roadmap of what you want your business to be.

Why you need a business plan

While some small-business owners don’t see the point of creating a formal business plan, it can have some concrete benefits for your business. For example, one 2016 study found that business owners with written plans are more successful than those that don’t. 1

Still too vague? Then let’s get specific.

If you ever seek business funding (from, say, banks, angel investors , or venture capitalists ), you’ll have to prove that your business deserves the money you want. A formal business plan―complete with financial data and projections―gives you a professional document you can use to make your case. (In fact, most potential investors will expect you to have a business plan ready.)

Even if you’re not seeking funding right now, a business plan can help your business. A formal plan can guide your business’s direction and decision making. It can keep your business accountable (by, for example, seeing if your business meets the financial projections you included). And a formal plan offers a great way to make sure your team stays on the same page.

What to include in your business plan

Not all business plans are created equal. To make a really useful business plan, you’ll want to include a number of elements:

• Basic information about your business
• Your products/services
• Market and industry analysis
• What makes your business competitive
• Strategies and upcoming plans
• Your team (and your team’s background)
• Current financial status
• Financial and market projections
• Executive summary

Of course, you can include more or fewer elements―whatever makes sense for your business. Just make sure your business plan is comprehensive (but not overwhelming).

How business plan software can help

With so many elements to include, business plan creation can take a while. Business plan software tries to speed things up.

Most business plan software will include prompts for each section. In some cases, you can just fill in your business’s specific information, and the software will write the text for you. In other cases, the software will give you specific guidance and examples, helping you write the text yourself.

Plus, business plan software can help you stay organized. You’ll usually get intuitive menus that let you quickly flip through sections. So rather than endlessly scrolling through a long document in a word processor, you can quickly find your way around your plan. Some software even lets you drag and drop sections to reorganize your plan.

Sounds way easier than just staring at a blank page and trying to start from scratch, right?

Choosing business plan software

To find the right business plan builder for your business, you’ll want to compare features. For example, would you rather write your own text, getting prompts and advice from your software? Or would you rather go with a fill-in-the-blank method?

Likewise, think about the elements you need. If your plan will have a heavy focus on finances, you’ll want to choose business plan software with robust financial projection features. If you care more about market and competitor analysis, look for software that can help with that research.

You may also want to find business plan software that integrates with your business accounting software . Some plan builders will import data from Xero, QuickBooks, etc. to quickly generate your financial data and projections.

And of course, you’ll want to compare prices. After all, you always want to end up with software that fits your business budget.

The right business plan software can make your life easier. With LivePlan ’s wide breadth of features and online learning tools, you can’t go wrong. Plus, BizPlanBuilder 's one-time pricing makes it easy to invest while Business Sorter has a low starting cost. And if you're business is looking to grow, GoSmallBiz and Wise Business Plans will scale with you.

But of course, different companies have different needs. So shop around until you find the software that’s best for you and your business.

Now that you've got a business plan, take a look at our checklist for starting a small business.  It can help you make sure you have everything else you need to get your startup off to a good start!

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Creating a business plan can take anywhere from a couple hours to several weeks. Your timeline will depend on things like the elements you choose to include, whether you use software or hire a writing service, and how much research goes into your plan.

That said, much of the business plan software out there brags that it can help you create a fairly detailed plan in a few hours. So if you’re going the software route, that can help you set your expectations.

If you want to get the most out of your business plan, you should update it on a regular basis―at least annually. That way, you can continually refer to it to inform your company’s strategies and direction.  

At the very least, you should update your business plan before you start looking for a new round of funding (whether that’s with investors or lenders).

Thanks to business plan software, you can easily write your own business plan rather than pay someone to do it for you. And in most cases, software will cost you less than a professional business plan service.

There are some times you might want to go with a service though. If time is tight, you might find that it’s worth the cost of a service. Or if you’ve got big investor meetings on the horizon, you might want the expertise and polish that a professional service can offer.

Ultimately, you’ll have to decide for yourself whether business plan software or a business plan service will work better for your company.

Methodology

We ranked business plan software and tools based on features, pricing and plans, and connections to project management and other services. The value of each plan and service, along with what it offers, was a big consideration in our rankings, and we looked to see if what was offered was useful to small businesses or just extra. The final thing we looked at was the ease of use of the software to see if it's too complex for small businesses.

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

Sources 1. Harvard Business Review, “ Research: Writing a Business Plan Makes Your Startup More Likely to Succeed .” Accessed March 13, 2023.

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Best business plan software of 2024

For planning your business finance

Best overall

Best budget, best established, best for speed.

• How we test

The best business plan software makes it simple and easy to plan your business finances in order to present them to a bank or investors.

1. Best overall 2. Best budget 3. Best basic 4. Best established 5. Best for speed 6. FAQs 7. How we test

The whole point of a business plan is that it allows you to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, not least via your Unique Selling Point (USP) ,and make product or service comparisons with competitors.

Of course, even the best business plan relies on estimates and guesstimates, as it's impossible to predict market changes, developments, and future performance under such conditions. 

Ultimately, though, a business plan will demonstratively prove why your business is a solid enough investment to risk putting money into, and shows that you have properly and thoroughly researched your market, and details the real potential of a new business opportunities.

Here then are the best business plan software providers currently available.

You may also be interested in our featured business guides on best business laptops , best business computers and best business smartphones .

The best business plan software of 2024 in fill:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Bizplan is the online business planning tool that claims usage of 30,000 startup founders from the Startups.co platform. They use a guided creator that can break the big project down into the component pieces that get tracked with a Progress Tracker, and expert guidance each step of the way including templates that can be dropped in, and completed, along with simple integration of visuals along the way.

Additional resources are also provided via the Bizplan Academy, with lessons on relevant topics, for example, “Building a Brand: How to Tell a Powerful Brand Story,” and “Critical Path Your Way to Higher Revenues,” among the many offerings. Those that need even more assistance also can take advantage of an expert consultation from a financial expert.

• ^ Back to the top

2. PlanGuru

PlanGuru is a comprehensive, and powerful software package in the business planning space. Education is provided via a series of case studies at their PlanGuru University and a whole slew of video tutorials.

The feature set includes flexible budgeting that can handle a simple small business, or a larger multi-department operating budget, and financial forecasting that uses multiple methods, including intelligent and turn-key methods - twenty methods in total. Historical results can also be imported with the general ledger import utility which can then applied to produce a rolling forecast. They also offer PlanGuru Launch, a service to bring in expertise and is charged per hour of assistance.

A significant downside is Planguru charges a higher cost than other software options. The cheapest option is around $75 per month for one business entity when billed annually. While there is no free trial, PlanGuru does offer a 30 day money back guarantee. 

Our expert review:

Enloop is a great choice for business planning software for the cash strapped business as it is the rare offering that has a free tier. Step up up to the next tier, and this is no barebones product, as it has over 100 currency symbols, can automatically generate bank-ready financial reports, and even has automated text writing that can sync with financial data to turn it into text. There is also a real time performance score assigned, that dynamically changes as the business plan is strengthened.  

The plans start with the Free tier, which is limited to a single business plan with simple text, no images, and does not offer any advanced features. The next plan up is the Detailed plan, that supports three business plans, and offers a significant 55% discount when paid annually, making it even better value. This plan costs around $20 per month. For a more comprehensive package you can buy the Performance plan costing around $40 per month.

Read our full Enloop business plan software review .

4. LivePlan

LivePlan is business planning software that offers a simple pricing scheme as there is only a single plan to choose from. As they have a 15+ year track record, they offer a clean and simple interface, that can create business plans that look like they were done by an expert consultant, and the software includes a live dashboard that can track day-to-day performance. Those with writer’s block will benefit from the over 500 included sample plans that can be turned to for inspiration.  

Rather than complicate things with too many tiers to choose from, LivePlan only has a single plan which can be paid for monthly or annually.

5. Business Sorter

Business Sorter promises to simplify and speed up business planning and claims to be able to flesh out a plan in an hour or two, via a novel 273 card sort system that covers many common situations.

The ability to reword cards is included, or also to add cards to the already expansive deck, so no worries if there is not a pre-made card for your situation. Unlike some sites that have videos, the educational resources here are provided as PDFs and Word files, which can be quicker to access, but harder to follow for some learners. 

The lowest tier plan, Basic is fully featured, and includes up to three team leaders. 

Read our full Business Sorter review .

Other business plan software to consider

We've only covered some of the most popular business plan software platforms out there, but there are a number of other notables worth mentioning, plus a wide variety of providers of business plan templates. Below we'll briefly cover a range of some of the additional options out there that are worth considering to get your business plan right.

Go Business Plans is more of a consultancy than a software solution, but is worth mentioning for the simple fact that it's one of America's biggest business plan companies. While software might be able to do the job for you, if you're looking for significant funding, it's probably useful to get some professional advice, not least in terms of strategic planning, feasibility studies, and financial projections to ensure you have a solid base for your business plan.

Wise Business Plans provides a very wide range of templates to work from in constructing a business plan. These are particularly designed with funding in mind, no matter what kind of business you run. What is especially helpful is that Wise doesn’t simply deal with business plan templates for a diverse range of business types, the company also provides plan templates for franchises and non-profits.

Plan Writers  is another bespoke service that essentially listens to what you want and then puts the plan together for you. Again, this technically falls outside of business plan "software", but the chances are you'll use a software package as a platform to build from, and Plan Writers can then help you build up from that base.

Bplans is another provider of business plan templates, but goes beyond that with additional pitch and SWOT analysis templates. There are also business plan guides, industry reports, and a free course on writing a business plan. Bplans also publishes a lot of free-to-use articles on business planning, financials, and tax reporting, to help ensure you can keep your figures and projections accurate and compliant.

We've also listed the best free software for small business .

A business plan is essentially your roadmap to profitability from an initial investment. Whether it's your own money, or a loan from a bank, it's still a good idea to set up a business plan for yourself.

Main things to look to are a SWOT analysis to provide an idea of your business idea's strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify a unique selling point (USP) that will give your business an edge.

While business plans inevitably demand the use of figures, and while these can be impossible to be accurate with, at least by making intelligent guesses you can set yourself targets to work towards.

That's another common feature of a plan, so that specific periods you can review your business progress and make adjustments to your plan as required. This allows you to use real figures for your projections, allowing you to better plan ahead.

Which business plan software is best for you?

When deciding which business plan software to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free platforms may only provide basic options, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, free and budget software options can sometimes prove limited when it comes to the variety of tools available, while higher-end software can really cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require.

How we tested the best business plan software

To test for the best business plan software we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, whether as a download or as an online service. We then tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each business plan software platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

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The 3 Ultimate Free Business Plan Software

Andrew Marder

Free business plan software options, non-software options for business plan creation, final thoughts.

A new business generally needs two things. First, it needs a reason to exist. What are you going to bring to the marketplace that no one else is providing or how are you going to provide an existing product in a “better” fashion? Second, you’re going to need some cash. Even if you’re just going to be making websites in your bedroom, you’ll need some money for internet access, food, and some software or hosting.

These two problems can both be addressed through a solid business plan.

A business plan tells you – and anyone you decide to share it with – what your core function is. It helps you focus in on the things that you do best and it gives you metrics to determine what your success looks like. I say, “It gives you,” but really it’s just a template for managing your own thoughts.

In the same way that a blueprint is the physical manifestation of a building plan, a business plan is the physical manifestation of your business goals. Could you build a house without drawing up a blueprint? Sure. Is it a super good idea that we’re all about to adopt? Not even close.

In addition to putting your own thoughts on paper and making the organization process more structured, a good business plan is also your pitch. When you go into the bank, you’re going in with a clear message about what you do, who buys it, and how much you’re expecting them to spend with you over time.

The forecasting and economic consolidation that happens in your business plan makes talking to the bank – or VC or neighbor or rich uncle – that much easier.

To help you pull a plan together, there are – of course – plenty of software solutions. These range from the simple to the complex. You can opt for a solution that basically just lays the material you create out or one that helps you with every step of the process.

Today, we’ll look a few free business plan software options to help get you started. I’ll also give you a few non-software solutions, just in case you want to get your hands a bit dirty.

This article looks at three free business plan software options. See the full list of free business plan software solutions here .

Note: Your hands may not get dirty, except in a metaphorical sense. Much depends on the type of pen you employ.

1. StratPad

StratPad is a cloud-based business plan software solution. There are a few different versions, depending on how many business plans you want to make, but for one plan, you can get a free account. As an additional little bonus, if you happen to teach business at a high school or university, StratCloud has a free version of its Unlimited offering. Interested in products with similar features? These StratPad alternatives could be what you are looking for.

That little bonus points to what StratCoud is really all about. The company provides workshops, videos, and educational blogs for entrepreneurs. It makes the bulk of its revenue not through subscriptions, but through the introductions it provides via StratPad Connect.

There, business coaches, accountants, and other professionals can connect with new businesses. Those leads generate a small fee from the professional, paid to StratPad. You’re not paying, so you’re the product – but it’s a pretty tame version of the old adage.

StratPad comes with follow along instructions and ends up generating a very clean and classic looking business plan. I like the layout of the system and I’m apparently not the only one. StratPad claims over 100,000 businesses are currently using its service.

Enloop is another free option for those seeking a single business plan. The company attempts to bring a little bit of credibility with its offering by scoring your business plan. Once it’s been scored, bankers or investors can look to see how well you did.

The score encompasses some basics like cash flow and growth. It updates as you update the document, so you can see what metrics are having the biggest – in Enloop’s mind – impact on your business’s viability. Sharing the actual score is only available to paid users.

Enloop also makes it easy to collaborate on plans, and the free version of the service gives you one additional user. You’ll be able to forecast up to 36 months out for financials, and all of it can be dropped into a PDF. Want to find software solutions with comparable features? These Enloop alternatives are a good place to start.

3. Plan Cruncher

This is my wildcard entry into the mix. Plan Cruncher isn’t really a business plan software. Instead, it takes the information you give it and generates a sort of elevator pitch/cover letter for your business plan.

When you’ve input all the details, you’ll end up with a one-page overview of the business, including what you’re going to do, who’s involved in the project, where you are in the funding process, and what you’re looking for next.

I like this for two reasons. First, it’s kinda fun. The final product is covered in these little logos that Plan Cruncher has come up with, so you get a nice visual view of the business. Second, it makes you summarize the whole thing. You’ll be entering details in 140 character boxes and chopping your offering down into small consumable chunks. This is a great way to determine what the core parts of your business really are.

Plan Cruncher has just the one version. It’s free and you end up with a nice PDF when it’s all said and done. That being said, it is 100 percent focused on tech startups looking for cash from investors. If you roll into the bank with this thing, it better be because you’re the founder of Plan Cruncher and you brought it along to demonstrate what the service does. No banker is going to care about this.

Software doesn’t always have to be the solution. I mean, sure, you’ll need some software to make any business plan, but we’re talking about Microsoft Office style programs. These resources are excellent alternatives to software.

The Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA wants you to succeed in business and it’s got a whole host of resources to help you generate your own business plan on its website. One of the things you’ll miss out on by using software is a solid education.

By building your own plan, you’ll be forced to learn how the whole thing works, what investors are looking for, and what all the terms means. You’ll be forecasting and analyzing before you know it. The SBA has a great set of instructions on how to get up to speed before you head down to your bank.

Speaking of which…

Your bank [Wells Fargo as an example]

Many major banks have free business planning tools to help you get started. On the Wells Fargo site, for instance, you can learn about how business plans work, use some tools to bring the whole thing together, and even do some competitive analysis.

As a major benefit, you’ll be working with the company that you’re going to be asking for money, right out of the gates. If you don’t like your bank’s offering, you can always find another bank that has better tools. Most of them are available without an account.

The SCORE network

Another SBA shout out. The SCORE network hooks successful business folk up with the next crop of winners. You can reach out to knowledgeable, local, mentors who can help you craft a business plan. These people are there to help and to make business better.

That means 1) there’s not a cost associated with reaching out and 2) they’re not going to do your homework. If you show up with all your research and a good start, a mentor can help you put some finishing touches on or send you in search of more details. If you show up with nothing, expect to get nothing in return.

That’s probably a little unfair. I’m sure you can get help finding your way if you haven’t kicked things off yet. Just don’t expect to drop off your bank records and walk out with a plan that they’ve drawn up for you.

The Business Model Canvas (BMC)

We’ll end on another quirky one. The BMC was developed by Swiss business consultant Alexander Osterwalder. The BMC breaks a business into nine basic building blocks and then has you fill out all those blocks. The result is a sort of brainstorm of business planning that fits on a single page.

This is a popular framework for lean start-ups, as you can present the entirety of the plan in a single slide – with more detail than Plan Cruncher provides. If that sounds intriguing,  check out Alexander Cowan’s overview of the BMC for more details on how it actually works.

A business plan can help you understand and champion the growth of your business. Thinking through your business’s core functions and challenges can give you a better understanding of where you should be spending your time.

You’ll also be in a better position to get the funding you need, when you need it. Business planning may be the least exciting part of starting your business, but it’s one of the most important. If you’ve got any other tools or software options that you’ve used and loved, let me know in the comments.

Was this article helpful?

About the author.

Andrew Marder is a former Capterra analyst.

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5 Best Free Business Plan Software in 2021

It’s a long journey from having a start-up idea to creating a plan, raising funds, and finally getting the business started. It takes extensive effort to create a business plan that would lure in capital support from investors. A business plan software is the best tool available in the market to help you with that. 

A  business plan software  offers built-in templates to create business proposals in no time. Users can search the business plan template based on their needs and write up a plan using its step-by-step guide. A business plan software allows users to identify and analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges that are anticipated in the respective business field. This has led to the rapid growth of business planning tools. According to a report, the global market value of business plan software is expected to reach  USD 1,37,871.4 thousand  by 2027. 

There are multiple free and paid options for business plan software available in the market today. So it can be a little tricky to choose the best-suited software from the pool. If you are a beginner, it is better to start by exploring the free tools and understand them before purchasing a paid plan. To help you make an informed decision, we have listed the 5 best  free business plan software  in 2021.

Table of Contents

What should users look for in business plan software?

Following are the top features of a business plan software that one can use to reap its maximum benefit –

• Pre-designed business plan templates
• Collaborative tools
• Social sharing features
• Investor management
• Fundraising management
• Step-by-step template guide
• Performance dashboards
• Import/export functionality
• Multi-device support
• Data security
• Intuitive UI

Which are the 5 best free business plan software in 2021?

Following are the 5 best business plan software available in the market for free. These tools can be used for businesses of all sizes –

1. LivePlan

LivePlan is one of the  best business plan software in 2021 . It offers a comprehensive solution with a complete set of business planning tools. LivePlan provides more than 500 sample templates that help users to create appealing business proposals in no time. It also provides step-by-step instructions to guide users to make the best use of the software. These instructions explain the key components that users should add to different sections of their business plan. In addition, LivePlan also offers video tutorials on business planning.

LivePlan follows an SBA-approved format for drafting business proposals. It is a cloud-based platform with an easy-to-use interface. Users can create balance sheets, charts, graphs, cash flow diagrams, and profit/loss figures using LivePlan and add them to their business plan. It also enables users to keep track of their financial data with real-time updates. 

Key features

• Performance dashboard
• Milestone scheduler
• Third-party integration with Xero and QuickBooks
• Cost-effective
• Financial projections
• Financial forecasting
• Step-by-step instructions
• Online customer support
• Export file format compatibility with MS Word and PDF

LivePlan offers a free trial on its subscription plans that start at  $11.66/month . 

Enloop is an online  free business plan software  with a real-time performance score tracker. It can be used to automate business planning tasks. Enloop can automatically draft business proposals online that are ready-to-use. 

Enloop has a fairly easy-to-use platform with an intuitive UI. Users can create graphs, figures, and balance sheets to make their business plans appealing to investors. Enloop also supports a multi-user login that allows teams to work simultaneously on a project . 

Enloop creates regular financial reports that allow users to keep track of monetary transactions and distribution. It also provides in-built templates for users to create effective business proposals in no time. It also offers video tutorials that guide users through the proposal template and help them draft different sections of the business plan.

Enloop offers a freemium plan that is available for public use without any subscription charges. Advanced plans are also available that start at  $11/month . Paid plans also come with a free trial option.

3. Upmetrics

Upmetrics offer  free business plan software  with great financial modeling features. Users can utilize its business plan editor tool to create a refined business proposal in no time. It also allows users to create profit/loss charts, graphs, and figures to add additional value to the business proposal.   

Upmetrics has an in-built pinboard that can be used to organize business and financial data. It offers a free trial for its subscription plans where users can create multiple projects for free before finally implementing the paid version. It also allows multi-user login that supports team collaboration. In addition, Upmetrics offers a permission control feature that provides online data protection against any unauthorized action. 

• Permission control
• Multi-user login
• In-built business templates

Upmetrics offers a free trial on its subscription plan that starts at  $15/month .

4. IdeaBuddy

IdeaBuddy is a business planning platform that allows users to create a single-page business plan pitch. It offers financial tools for creating business plans and promote them in the market. IdeaBuddy utilizes financial forecasting feature to predict the opportunities and challenges of a business idea. 

IdeaBuddy supports cash flow projections for efficient financial planning. Its proprietary algorithm also calculates the performance score of a business idea beforehand so that users can make appropriate modifications to overcome the issues. 

A complete business model can be designed with this software. Being a cloud-based application, it supports multi-user login and remote accessibility as well. The key features of IdeaBuddy as a business planning software is as follows –

• Intuitive dashboard
• Step-by-step guide
• Pitch presentation
• Financial projection

IdeaBuddy offers a free trial on its subscription plans that start at  $6/month .

5. BizPlanBuilder

BizPlanBuilder helps entrepreneurs build professional business plans. It offers in-built templates with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality that allows users to add content with just a few clicks. BizPlanBuilder is a cloud-based software that supports remote accessibility . So, it is one of the best options for companies with a distributed workforce.

BIzPlanBuilder follows a two-way authentication protocol to protect data from potential malware. In addition, it offers free start-up courses for users where they can learn tips and tricks for creating an appealing landing page for their business. Users can export their business plans in a PDF format and share them with clients. BizPlanBuilder currently works in integration with Xero and QuickBooks.

• Collaborative features
• Remote accessibility
• Two-way authentication
• User-friendly dashboard
• In-built business plan templates

BizPlanBuilder offers a free trial on all its subscription plans that start at  $97/year .

Most of the time having a business idea is not enough. It has to be backed up with a solid plan of execution, marketing, finances, and much more. Drafting a business proposal that will stand out in this highly competitive market takes time and can sometimes be tiring. Business plan software is just the right solution if you are stuck in something like this.

But again, choosing the right software can be tricky. It is recommended to start with options that are available for free. This way you can understand the process and filter the required features based on your needs. Once you are there, you can go ahead and purchase advanced paid plans. 

In this article, we have listed the 5 best  free business plan software  that can be used by both professionals and non-professionals. And in case, you wish to explore more options, do visit us at  SaaSworthy .

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The best free small business software in 2024

Whether you find them on basic cable or on your parents' Facebook timelines, the top-rated personal finance gurus all agree: free is good. Especially if you're launching a new business venture. To get your company off the ground, you'll need to make every inch of your runway count, which is why free business software can be an attractive—even necessary—option.

It's fair to be worried about quality. Free apps for business often mean undeletable watermarks that ruin your branding or unreliable functionality that can toss a wrench into your workflows at any moment. But if you know which apps to use and how to use them, free doesn't have to mean cut-rate. 

In fact, the right free small business app can give you the power to pull off a successful launch, and then scale up as your margins allow you to grow. Or, when the time's right, you can simply jump ship to another platform that makes more sense for your expanding business needs. 

To do that, you'll first need a solid start that won't bust your bottom line. Here's a roundup of the best free small business software. Since every business has different needs, I'll introduce you to categories of apps you should consider when putting together your small business tech stack, suggest apps along the way, and link you to more top apps within that category.

The best free software for small businesses

Free email marketing services

Free website builders

Free project management software

Free survey tools and form builders

Free graphic design software

Free keyword research tools

Free timesheet software

Free invoicing software

How we evaluate and test apps

Our best apps roundups are written by humans who've spent much of their careers using, testing, and writing about software. Unless explicitly stated, we spend dozens of hours researching and testing apps, using each app as it's intended to be used and evaluating it against the criteria we set for the category. We're never paid for placement in our articles from any app or for links to any site—we value the trust readers put in us to offer authentic evaluations of the categories and apps we review. For more details on our process, read the full rundown of how we select apps to feature on the Zapier blog .

The best free software for small businesses at a glance 

Free crm software like engagebay.

Any successful business is going to need to nurture its client relationships . Some of those relationships, if you haven't noticed, can be high-maintenance. You have to update prospects, coordinate your outreach, manage sales, provide customer support—the list goes on. To help you keep all those workflows humming, you need a CRM .

Don't be fooled into thinking that the high demands of customer relationship management mean high costs, though. EngageBay , for example, gives you the power to manage up to 250 contacts at no cost. Its free tier also includes a ton of useful features like a visual sales pipeline, a full marketing suite, a customer service suite, and live chat.

You can even use Zapier to connect EngageBay with your other apps to automate your business-critical workflows. Learn more about how to automate EngageBay , or get started with one of these workflows.

Add new EngageBay Marketing contacts to Google Sheets as rows

Add new EngageBay contacts from Typeform form

To get started with a Zap template—what we call our pre-made workflows—just click on the button. It only takes a few minutes to set up. You can read more about setting up Zaps here .

For more options, check out this list of the best free CRM software .

Once you've picked your free CRM software, use CRM automation to effortlessly manage leads and contacts, streamline your marketing campaigns, and support internal communications.

Free email marketing services like MailerLite

You won't have many customers to manage if you can't get your message across to your prospects. No need for billboards or skywriting—or even a fancy pay-per-click marketing platform . Instead, you can start with a free email service like MailerLite . Its free options include pre-designed content blocks that deliver dynamic, text- and image-rich content to your leads' inboxes. You can even include product details, embedded videos, blog posts, and RSS feeds—all for free.

MailerLite also integrates with Zapier, making it easy to automate your email workflows. Learn more about how to automate MailerLite , or kickstart your workflow with one of these Zap templates. 

Create/update MailerLite subscribers from new Squarespace form submissions

Create or update MailerLite subscribers from new Webflow form submissions

Beyond MailerLite, here are Zapier's other picks for the best free email marketing apps . 

No matter which app you choose, automating your email marketing helps ensure the right message is always getting to the right person at the right time, taking care of the important but repetitive work of managing subscriptions, segmenting subscribers, personalizing messages, and re-engaging cold leads. 

Free website builders like Wix

Once you've attracted attention with your dazzling email marketing, you'll need a place to send all that traffic. You can try to cut corners with that friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend who builds websites on the side until their pro League of Legends career takes off. Or you can opt for a more reliable, still affordable option by going with a website building platform. 

These apps, even in their free tiers, are customizable and easy to use—no coding required—allowing you to build a dynamic web presence that won't get buried in search engine results.

Take Wix as an example. It has an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that allows you to build a site using one of over 300 template designs that best match your business. Include a blog, live chat, forms, or even an online store. You'll also get predictive text when building your pages, as well as marketing integrations, SEO ranking assistance, and more—all for free.   

Learn more about how to automate Wix with Zapier , or get started with one of these pre-made workflows.

Add or update Mailchimp subscribers when a new Wix Form is submitted

Send private channel messages in Slack for new forms in Wix

And to explore your options, here are more of the best free website builders .

Free project management software like Trello

When looking at free software for small businesses, you need to think about your internal operations, too. For all your core processes, it's about organized projects that are planned and executed with maximum efficiency. 

To help pull that off, you can use a project management tool. Once again, free is a price point that provides you with more functionality than you might expect. An app like Trello offers a free tier that gives you up to ten Kanban boards per workspace, countless template options, and unlimited users, so you can keep using it even as your team grows.

Connect Trello to Zapier to streamline your project management workflows even more. Learn more about how to automate Trello , or use one of these workflows to get started. 

Create Trello cards from new Google Forms responses

Create Trello cards from new rows on Google Sheets

If Trello isn't right for you, check out Zapier's picks for the best free project management software .

Free survey tools and form builders like Google Forms

To make your business more relevant to current and prospective customers, you need to know what they want in the first place—or, at the very least, who they are. Once you have a budget, you can invest in complex market research surveys and customer feedback software. Until then, free survey tools and form builders will get the job done. These powerful platforms can help you register subscribers, segment audiences, collect lead data, and much more—again, for free.

Google Forms is unique in that it's all free. If you have a Google account, you can use all its features , including unlimited forms, questions, and submissions—not to mention collaboration options, customizable templates, and visualized data in the form of lists, charts, and graphs. 

Learn more about how to automate Google Forms with Zapier . These pre-made workflows are also a good place to start. 

Send new Google Forms responses to Notion databases

Share Google Forms responses in a Slack channel

And here are your other options for the best survey tools and form builders .

Once you've picked your app, gathering form responses is one thing—doing something about it is another. Follow up with respondents faster , add customers to your CRM, and track user feedback with automation. 

Free graphic design and photo editing software like Canva

You're likely already thinking about (or using) social media as a way to keep in touch and nurture customer relationships. More than just collecting likes and hearts, the right social media presence can boost customer engagement and drive traffic to your door. 

That kind of dynamic profile doesn't just happen, though. It takes creative vision and savvy planning. One thing it doesn't have to take: money. As you're getting started, take inspiration from others who've been able to make the most of social media without a budget .    

The main thing that can drain your budget is visuals. But there are plenty of apps that help you get brand-aligned graphics for free. Canva , for example, is a powerful design tool that gives you the power to create brand visuals for free . Craft logos, website banners, profile pics, and headers to create a consistent and eye-catching brand identity. It also offers a limited selection of high-quality free stock photos. If those aren't cutting it, though, consider taking advantage of free stock photo sites . 

If Canva doesn't fit the bill, here's Zapier's list of the best free graphic design software . Or, if you have original images that you want to tweak and share instead, check out this list of the best free photo editors .

Then, equipped with a library of beautifully designed graphics, use automation to share your content across social media , keep your followers in the loop, and track your profile performance.  

Free keyword research tools like Moz Keyword Explorer

Another way to make sure your business is doing all it can to attract leads is keyword research. Finding out exactly how your prospects are searching for you (or your competitors) will help you make the most of your search engine ranking and keep you off that dreaded second page of results.

There are a number of free keyword research tools that can take that work off your plate. Moz Keyword Explorer is one, providing you with easy-to-grasp metrics that will help you fine-tune your web presence for maximum exposure. Generate a priority score that lets you know whether or not a keyword is worth including in your content. You'll also get a keyword gap feature that shows you all the keywords your competitors rank for that you don't.

For more options, check out the best free keyword research tools . 

F ree timesheet software like Toggl Track

If you're employing others, timesheet apps are an indispensable tool for equitable resource allocation, transparent invoicing, budgeting, and oversight. To track time effectively, however, you need user-friendly software that integrates into your workflows. 

Take Toggl Track . For the free plan, you get quite a few premium perks that other free plans tend to exclude, like a Pomodoro timer , idle time detection, automated time tracking triggers, team access level management, and exportable reports. Users can also track their time on the go from a browser, desktop, mobile app, or within over 100 third-party applications via browser extensions—or just by typing it into the timesheet or timer module manually, the way our ancestors did. Toggl doesn't give it all away, though. You'll have to pay if you want to change billable rates, save reports, use pre-populated project templates, and—notably—divide projects into tasks.

Connect Toggl Track with Zapier to streamline your timesheet workflows even more. Here are a few Zap templates to get you started. 

Create new Toggl Track entries for every new Google Calendar event start

Create new Toggl Track projects from new rows in Google Sheets

And if you're looking for more options, here are Zapier's picks for the best free timesheet software .

Free invoicing software like Wave

At the end of the day, you need to get paid for the goods and services you provide—hence the whole "business" aspect of launching a business. You can bring that money in the door faster, and with less effort, by using invoicing software.

Wave , for instance, saves you from manual accounting chores by tracking your expenses, relaying invoices, generating reports, and even reconciling accounts. Its free tier also handles payroll and tax filing, giving you all the benefits of an in-house accountant without any of the costs (and you also won't need to feed them at the holiday office party). 

Plus, you can connect Wave to Zapier , so you can automate even more of your invoicing workflows. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Create Wave customers from new Pipedrive deals

Create Wave customers from new changes to properties of HubSpot contacts

If you decide Wave isn't a good fit, here are your other choices for the best free invoicing software .

Once you've made your pick, you can make your free invoicing app even more dynamic by automating your payment processes . Manage contacts, log invoices, and stay on top of paydays effortlessly simply by activating a few well-placed integrations.

Connect your free small business apps with automation

The best free apps for small business owners can be a boost on their own. But to really move the needle, your apps need to talk to each other.

By connecting your software and automating your workflows, you'll have smoother operations early on and more opportunities for growth. And as your business grows, you'll be able to make more of an investment in automation to reap an even higher ROI. 

For now, though, it's free to get started with Zapier .

Zapier is a no-code automation tool that lets you connect your apps into automated workflows, so that every person and every business can move forward at growth speed. Learn more about how it works .

Related reading:

When is it time to start paying for software?

How to start a business with no money: 22 low-cost business ideas

Free business plan template—and how to write your own

Free small business budget templates

This article was originally published in February 2023. The most recent update, with contributions from Jessica Lau, was in February 2024.

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Toby Peterson

Toby Peterson is an educator, writer, and editor living in Portland, Oregon. He enjoys unironically British food and the Oxford comma. Visit him at tobiaspeterson.com.

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Home » Blog » Plan for Success with the 8 Finest Free Business Plan Software Tools

Plan for Success with the 8 Finest Free Business Plan Software Tools

Table of Contents

Whether you’re a startup or an established business, having a well-crafted business plan is essential to your success. Not only will it give you a roadmap to follow, but it will also help you secure funding and attract top talent.

There are a lot of business plan software options out there, so how do you know which one is right for you? To help you make the best decision, we’ve compiled a list of the eight best free business plan software programs.

Review of the Best Free Business Plan Software

Coro is a free business plan software that helps you create a professional and successful business plan. Coro offers many features that make it easy to get started, including templates, financials, and more.

With Coro, you can be sure that your business plan will be comprehensive and well-organized. In addition, Coro offers support and resources to help you through the process of creating and implementing your business plan.

• Templates for different types of businesses.
• Available in English and Spanish . 
• Comes with a built-in CRM system.
• Free remediation for 14 days.
• Has three months audit trail.
• Coro allows users to collaborate with others on their business plans, making it ideal for businesses that have multiple stakeholders.
• The software includes financial tools that help users track and forecast expenses and income. 
• The software offers various marketing and sales management features, including the ability to create and track campaigns. 
• Coro provides user analytics that helps businesses measure the performance of their business plans. 
• It entails all threats such as malware & ransomware, phishing, hacking & access control, insider threats, and data governance.
• The free version has some limitations regarding features and functionality.
• Coro Free – $0 per User / Month.
• Coro Flexible Pay monthly with no commitment $8.99 per User / Month (Billed Monthly).
• Coro Annual – For companies who want to save costs, SAVE 22% by paying $6.99 per User / Month (Billed Annually).

Cuttles offers a 7-day free trial, and in this period, you can get familiar with its features and examine if it is suitable for your business before moving to a paid plan. You can create a custom business plan with Cuttles in just minutes.

Cuttles allows you to include all the information you need in your business plans, such as your company’s mission statement, market analysis, product or service description, financial projections, etc.

In addition, Cuttles offers a variety of templates that you can use to create your custom business plan.

Features of Cuttles

• Step-by-Step Wizard.
• Pitch Presentation.
• Financial Templates.
• Investor Management.
• Social Sharing.
• Business Plan Templates.
• Collaboration.
• Easy to use
• Fast navigation between sections.
• Pre-filled information.
• Produces high-quality professional document templates.
• Allows you to apply your company logo and other branding elements
• Tailors the text to reflect your unique voice and style
• Users can customize the expected outcomes based on realistic goals.
• Cuttles takes a lot of time to set up. 
• For Seed Plan Founders startup at €8 per month billed annually (save 58%)
• For Grow Plan founders startup with €16per month billed annually  (save 44%)
• For Series PlanFounders startups, €48 per month is billed annually (save 39%) 

InPhase is a free business plan and business intelligence software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners to visualize and create their vision for the growth of their businesses.

With an easy-to-use interface and all the tools you need like, InPhase makes it simple to brainstorm ideas, document them in your own words, and share your vision with others. It attracts investors or simply communicates your ideas more clearly.

• Adeptly execute plans
• It comes with templates.
• It has a library of resources.
• Ability to create “What If” scenarios.
• It has an intuitive interface.
• Eliminate duplicated activities
• Encourage user engagement
• Identify critical problems faster.
• Make compliance easy
• It does not have a mobile application
• Free Version: It costs $0 and is free for each user
• Basic Plan: It costs $14,98 per month for each user.

Learnspot is a powerful Spain-based, user-friendly business plan software designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners create effective financial plans for their companies.

With an intuitive interface, various valuable templates, and an extensive library of financial formulas and calculations, Leanspot makes it easy to create professional financial plans with minimal effort.

What’s more? They have a free version and a free trial.  They also have business intelligence capacities. However, it is geared far too heavily toward a Spanish audience.

• User-friendly interface.
• Collaborative editing.
• Built-in sharing tools.
• Powerful tracking tool.
• Built-in commenting tools to get feedback.
• Assesses the feasibility of your business idea.
• Access to SWOT
• Extensive support and guidance
• Formats different combinations of data according to industry best practices.
• It caters more to Spanish users.
• For startups, Advance €30/per month
• For Advisors First month is free after 18€/month
• For Investors, Individuals €99/month

Enloop is a great option for those looking for a free business plan software program. It offers a free trial for a full week with no obligation to provide credit card information included. Enloop is solely focused on the creation of business plans. 

It features automated text writing, comparisons of financial forecasts, and a real-time performance score that monitors your advancement. The clear and straightforward instructions provided while using the software make it simple, even for those who have never created a business plan.

• Automatic financial statements generation
• Financial Performance Analysis
• Real-time performance analysis
• Plans are reasonably priced and offer an annual discount
• Automatic text generation is available to help with the business plan writing process.
• It only has one template option
• Free Trial: A 7-day free trial, access to most features so you can familiarize yourself with the software.
• Detailed Plan: It costs $19.95 per month.
• Enterprise Plan: It costs $39.95 per month.

Business Plan Quick Builder

The Business Plan Quick Builder is an online tool that helps users accelerate the process of creating a business plan. 

Business Plan Quick Builder’s algorithm efficiently creates a complete business plan. For example, the generated business plan lets users know the different aspects of their businesses. Plus, it also includes accurate financial projections of the businesses. 

In addition, Quick Builder can also be used by those who want to update their existing business plans.

• Financial forecast
• Automatic text generation
• PDF Support
• It has over 400 templates to choose from
• It saves time
• It is efficient
• It can only be used online.
• Free Plan: It costs nothing and comes with the basic essential features.
• Basic Plan: It costs $9.99 monthly 

ESM+Strategy

Every successful business has a well-defined strategy. Without a clear direction, it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of your goals. That’s where ESM+ comes in. 

This software helps you map out your goals, track your progress, and make adjustments on the fly. It also provides tools to help you implement your strategy and get the most out of your team. From project management to task tracking, it has got you covered.

• Automation software for the Balanced Scorecard
• Visual charts and online reporting.
• Cascading Balanced Scorecards
• Dynamic strategy maps
• Instant-generated strategic reports and papers in PDF, PPT, and Excel.
• Personal Balanced Scorecards and employee reviews
• Data Visualization
• Customizable user interface
• Mobile app not available for macOS and iOS
• Basic Plan: Costs $0, it has valuable features like Excel Exports, Balanced Scorecard Designer, SWOT, Porter’s 5 Forces, PESTEL , and Change Agendas. It also allows users to create measures, goals, and strategic initiatives
• Pro Plan: It costs $880 monthly. It has features in the basic plan and other remarkable features like an unlimited number of users, Balanced Scorecard Automation, Custom Balanced Scorecard Templates, KPI Tracking , Initiative Prioritization, Excel Data Loading, Strategy Execution Library, and Strategic Initiative Project Management. It also allows its users to design dynamic strategy maps.
• Enterprise Plan: Contact ESM+Strategy for pricing. It has features in the pro plan and other features like several Scorecards, Configuration Instructions, Views of organizational/scorecard structure, Views with Cascading and Alignment, Permission framework based on scorecards, API integrations, etc. 

Data consolidation across scorecards, Loading Excel data across many scorecards, Dashboards tailored to each scorecard, Zapier connectors With onboarding. Users also get free data buildout.

Workfacta is a simple yet powerful tool that helps businesses track employee productivity. By tracking employee login times, activity levels, and project deadlines, businesses can clearly see which employees are meeting their targets and which ones are falling behind. 

In addition, Workfacta provides employees with a clear set of deadlines and milestones to hit, helping them stay on track and motivated. As a result, Workfacta is an invaluable tool for any business that wants to improve employee productivity .

• Goal Setting and Tracking
• Strategic Planning
• Forecasting
• Key Performance Indicators
• KPI Monitoring
• Progress Tracking
• To maximize user experience, sorting and filtering options could be improved.
• Free Forever: It costs $0 and allows up to 3 users and 1 team. It has basic features like a weekly meeting schedule, three discussion items, team performance, two dashboard widgets, etc.
• Business Premium Plan: It costs $49 monthly per user, and it contains features in the free plan, unlimited users, flexible weekly meetings, Quarterly Execution Score Targets, company performance, and supports up to 3 teams.
• Enterprise Plan: Contact Workfacta for pricing. It has additional features like Xero integration, Number API, Cross-team features, enterprise widget, etc.

The first step is to define your business goals and objectives clearly. What are you hoping to accomplish? Next, you’ll need to analyze your industry and target market thoroughly. What is the current landscape, and what trends are you seeing? This will help you to create realistic financial projections. Once you have all this information, you can start developing your business plan. 

Yes, there are business plan templates available on Microsoft Word. However, the quality of these templates can vary greatly. Some are very simplistic and lack the level of detail that is often required in a business plan. Others are more comprehensive and can provide a good starting point for developing a business plan. The bottom line is that it is important to carefully evaluate any template you consider using to ensure that it meets your needs.

A business plan is a formal document that outlines the goals of your business. Examples are Executive Summary, Products and Services, Market Analysis, Sales and Marketing Plan, Operational Plan, Financial Plan, and appendix. With a well-written business plan, you’ll be on your way to achieving your entrepreneurial goals.

A business plan’s length depends on your business’s size, and complexity, a rule of thumb is that it shouldn’t be more than 30 pages. If you are seeking investment, your business plan will need to be even shorter, as investors do not have time to read through a long document.

You should avoid including information irrelevant to the business. There shouldn’t be grammatical or spelling errors, as this can make the business appear amateurish. Lastly, the document should be concise; avoid using flowery language or excessively long sentences.

Final Thoughts

When searching for the best business plan software, it is essential to look beyond the program’s price. Ultimately, the best business plan software can be defined by its ability to help you create, edit, and manage your business plan effectively and efficiently.

Whether it provides templates or allows you to create your own from scratch, offers powerful collaboration tools, or helps you organize financial information and projections. The best free business plan software should always aim to meet your specific needs and help take your business to the next level.

If you still can’t decide, we recommend giving Coro a try. It’s a tremendous all-around software that offers a free trial, so you can see if it’s the right fit for you.

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Starting a Business | Buyer's Guide

23 Best Free Business Software Solutions

Published October 16, 2020

Published Oct 16, 2020

WRITTEN BY: Blake Stockton

This article is part of a larger series on Starting a Business .

Free business software helps your company save money and become efficient. You can use free business tools to do accounting, accept payments, and pay employees. To evaluate and rank this kind of software, we analyzed features, overall quality, online user reviews, and our personal experience with the tools. Below is our list of 23 of the best free business software solutions available.

1. Wave: Free Accounting Software

Wave has an easy to use dashboard that allows you to manage sales, accounting, banking, and payroll from one account.

Wave is an accounting, invoicing, and receipt tracking software for small businesses. We rank it as one of the best free accounting software available. Its free plan includes bank and credit card connections, unlimited income and expense tracking, and unlimited receipt scanning with Android and iOS apps.

Wave’s invoices have professional templates you can customize based on your business needs. The accounting software is cloud-based, so you can access it on any device with internet access.

With its free software, Wave is missing payroll abilities. For an additional monthly cost, you can do employee tasks like manage vacation time, calculate benefits, and pay your employees. Overall, Wave’s online user reviews indicate that users enjoy the software’s overall ease of use. User complaints center around tech issues and poor customer service.

2. Square: Free Point-Of-Sale Software for Small Retailers

The Square magstripe reader is available for both Android and Apple phones and tablets.

Square is a free point-of-sale (POS) software . A point-of-sale records and processes payments from customers. Overall, we consider Square the overall best free POS software .

When you sign up for a Square account, you receive a free magstripe reader. Included with the Square software are analytics and reporting, inventory management, and a basic customer relationship management (CRM) system. Additionally, you get a free Square online store that syncs your in-store and online inventory, so you know exactly how much product you have in stock.

The costs of Square come when you process a payment. For every swipe, Square charges 2.75%. So for every $100 paid from customers, you have $97.25 deposited in your bank account. The 2.75% rate is competitive with other payment processors.

Visit Square

3. Zoom: Free Video Conferencing Software

Zoom is a cloud-based platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars. Its free accounts provide unlimited one-on-one meetings and group video conferences limited to 40 minutes and 100 participants. All video calls are fully secured with SSL and AES 256-bit encryption.

A unique feature of Zoom is its active speaker view, which is a dynamic technology that shifts the video feed to the current speaker. With this, you don’t need active video management.

Zoom’s free version is missing reporting features. So, you can’t see how many meetings are being held in your organization or how many people are attending.

If you’re a consultant or coach doing one-on-one meetings, the free version of Zoom is all you need to have successful video calls. During video meetings, you can teach and show examples by sharing your computer screen. You can also record your screen for the client to listen to or watch at a later date. Additionally, during the meeting, you can send links from Zoom’s chat feature.

4. Google Docs: Free Document and File Storage

Google Docs allows users to edit a document at the same time from two different computers and locations.

Google Docs is part of a suite of free cloud-based tools provided by Google. With Google Docs, you can create word processing documents and share them with team members. The team members can edit the documents at the same time.

All the writing and edits are saved in real time. Google Docs is a great free alternative to Microsoft Word. A downside of the free version of Google Doc is its storage is capped at 15GB.

Many business owners struggle with figuring out how to share documents, photos, and videos with co-workers or remote workers. Something unique about Google Docs is the ability to upload photos, images, and documents and share a link with whoever needs to download them. This saves time because you don’t have to share the photos or documents from a physical device like a USB flash drive. Additionally, your business documents, photos, and videos will never get lost or misplaced because they are stored in the cloud.

Visit Google Docs

5. Zoho CRM: Free Customer Relationship Management Software

Zoho CRM’s marketing attribution dashboard

A customer relationship management (CRM) system helps businesses and sales teams manage customer relationships. Zoho CRM is the most comprehensive free CRM solution on the market. We consider Zoho CRM to be the best free CRM available.

One of its top free features is its marketing automation, which other free CRMs typically charge for. Along with 10 email marketing templates and email marketing authentication tools, Zoho CRM includes a website visitor tracking system that tracks leads as they go through your sales pipeline.

Visit Zoho CRM

6. Homebase: Free Employee Scheduling Software

The Homebase mobile app allows employees to see their upcoming shifts and schedule shifts in advance.

Homebase is a software that helps you manage appointments or shift scheduling. It is one of our top-rated free employee scheduling software .

The free version of Homebase is for one location and an unlimited number of employees. It includes features like scheduling, time sheets, a time clock, reporting, and the mobile app. Restaurants, hair salons, retail stores, spas, and massage businesses all benefit from a scheduling software.

What the free version is missing is SMS messaging and mobile GPS clock-in. If you need to send reminders to customers about their upcoming appointments, you have to pay an additional cost. If you have off-site employees and want to use the GPS clock-in to confirm their locations, you need to pay an additional cost as well.

Visit Homebase

7. Freshdesk: Free Customer Support Software

Freshdesk gives you the ability to track customer support tickets with an analytics dashboard.

Freshdesk is a customer support (help desk) software that helps organize support request tickets in order of receipt and ticket communication with customers. This is helpful for businesses that have a product or service that customers may need assistance with.

Many business owners use a support ticket software if they find email to be too complicated to manage their customer support. A con to Freshdesk’s free version is the inability to automate tickets using time and event-based triggers.

The Freshdesk software also helps you create a “knowledge base” to display on your website. A knowledge base is similar to an in-depth frequently asked questions (FAQs) section on a website. Customers use the knowledge base to answer their own questions and resolve their issues. Additionally, if you’re communicating with the customer through email, you can link to your article, answering the customer’s question without having to type out the full answer.

Visit Freshdesk

8. Mailchimp: Free Email Marketing Software

The Mailchimp dashboard provides easy to read analytics on recent analytics and overall email list growth.

Mailchimp is a web-based email marketing software. You need an email marketing software, in addition to using an email provider like Gmail, so you can send an email out to hundreds or thousands of customers at once.

Additionally, you can use Mailchimp to tag customers based on certain behaviors, like purchasing, and to send emails to targeted customer lists. This is helpful when you want to send a specific message to a group of customers.

For example, if you operate a residential maintenance business, you can tag customers by certain services they received, like gutter cleaning, pressure washing, landscaping, and snow shoveling. Once you tag customers according to their previous service, you can send a targeted email reminding them they can receive the service again. As a general marketing rule, the more targeted an email is, the more likely a recipient will open and respond to it.

There are a few downsides to Mailchimp’s free email marketing plan. You won’t be able to use custom branding on the emails. You also cannot A/B test different subject lines in the same email campaign; this determines which subject lines receive a higher open rate. Additionally, you don’t get access to all email templates.

Visit Mailchimp

9. Payroll4Free.com: Free Payroll Software

These features are all free if you have under 25 employees or contractors.

Payroll4Free.com is a completely free payroll software—we rated it as the best free payroll software available for under 25 employees. The program’s free features include pack check calculations, form preparation, and reports on earnings. Payroll4Free.com also includes QuickBooks integration.

What the software is missing is that it doesn’t file your taxes or provide year-end W-2s or 1099s. Overall, the reviews for Payroll4Free.com are positive. However, there have been complaints regarding its slow customer service for free users of the software.

Visit Payroll4Free.com

10. Canva: Free Graphic Design Software

Canva has dozens of photo editing tools like cropping photos to get the perfect image for your business’s marketing.

Canva is a free tool that helps you design graphic images such as logos, posters, flyers, and social media photos. Many small business owners use Canva to design social media images. Canva has preset sizes for social media images like the Facebook banner and YouTube thumbnail.

One great part of Canva is its free educational tools. You can enroll in its free online design school to watch tutorials on applying color palettes, creating animated GIFs, and designing Instagram Highlights.

Canva’s free version is missing some features like downloadable designs with transparent backgrounds. With paid versions, you receive access to over 400,000 free photos, templates, and illustrations; you can also use branding features with the ability to upload custom fonts and color palettes.

Visit Canva

11. Sumo: Free Website Tools to Automate Growth

Sumo provides free tools to grow your email list like a customizable pop-up to collect emails, which is optimized for both computer and mobile.

Sumo provides a suite of free tools that help you turn your website visitors into customers. All tools come with free options that can be upgraded for additional customization, features, and analytics. One of Sumo’s appealing aspects is that it’s no cost to integrate its tools with platforms like WordPress, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento.

One of the most popular tools from Sumo is List Builder, which is a pop-up that uses smart technology. The technology tracks when website visitors are most likely to enter their email address and shows the form at that time. Another popular tool Sumo created is the Welcome Mat, which is a pop-up that fits the entire screen after a page is loaded. This is a great way to direct a website visitor’s attention to a discount or freebie.

12. Hootsuite: Free Social Media Management

Hootsuite provides a content calendar so you can visually and easily see what type of social media content will be posted.

Hootsuite is a social media management platform that lets you plan social media content in advance of posting. Manage posts and interact with comments from social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Hootsuite’s free plan is limited to one user, three social media profiles, and 30 scheduled posts. However, that is plenty of in-advance content for the average small business. Once you see results, you can upgrade to the professional plan with unlimited scheduling.

Something unique about Hootsuite is its mobile app. If you’re away from your computer, you can still schedule social media posts in advance through your phone. You can also reply to comments on any social platform and assign inbound messages to team members.

Visit Hootsuite

13. WordPress.com: Free Website and Blog Builder

WordPress.com has dozens of free website templates for you to choose from.

WordPress.com is a free website builder and content management system. This is different from WordPress.org, which is a more complicated (and robust) website platform. WordPress.com is a great free option for a small business on a budget.

If you start with the website builder, you can eventually transition your content to WordPress.org. With its free option, WordPress.com offers 3GB of storage, which is more than enough for the average small business.

Free hosting (space on a server where your website information is stored) is included with WordPress.com. The only required cost is purchasing a domain name, which is the www.(yourcompanyname).com or your web address, and this is around $12 a year. Additionally, you can choose to create a blog instead of a business website. A blog organizes content in chronological order, whereas a website has more flexibility but is less organized.

Visit WordPress.com

14. Trustpilot: Free Tool to Get Online Reviews

Get a profile page from Trust Pilot that showcases your business’s online reviews in one place.

Trustpilot’s free version comes feature-rich to help you obtain and share online reviews from customers. You will be notified of every new review that comes through Trustpilot’s review link. If there is a negative review, you have the ability to respond.

Every month, you can send up to 100 verified invitations for customer reviews, which means customers are asked for documentation proving they bought your product or service.

Integrate product reviews on ecommerce websites such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Additionally, you can embed Trustpilot’s review form on your website and direct customers to visit your website to leave a review.

There are sharing features included in Trustpilot’s free software plan. Once your business gets a positive review, share it to Facebook, Google My Business, LinkedIn, or Twitter directly from the Trustpilot dashboard.

Visit Trustpilot

15. Nav: Free Business Credit Reports

Nav has an easy to read dashboard for reviewing your business’s credit score.

Nav provides free personal and business credit reports. Business credit can affect whether you qualify for loans and leases, get favorable terms from suppliers, or win bids on government contracts. You can establish business credit by opening a business bank account and getting a D-U-N-S Number with Dun & Bradstreet. You can also build business credit by using its credit cards and working with vendors that report payments.

In addition to the credit reports, Nav provides free fraud monitoring with 24/7 alerts. You also have access to a one-on-one consultation with a lending specialist. Nav provides this consultation, because once you know your business credit and build it up, you can eventually purchase one of Nav’s business lending products like a loan, line of credit, or invoice financing.

What you can get in Nav’s paid version is $1 million in identity theft insurance protection.

16. Trello: Free Visual Project Management Software

Trello allows you to create project management cards containing information like to-dos, attached documents, labels, and messages.

Trello is a Kanban-style project management solution, which focuses on balance of work load. You can use it to organize several aspects of your business such as clients, projects, and to-do lists. We consider Trello as one of the best free project management software available.

You’re able to add due dates to Trello’s individual cards to keep on top of deadlines. The software can be used on web, mobile, and desktop.

Online user reviews for Trello are generally positive. Users say they like the user-friendly and intuitive interface. They also enjoy features like the card activity history, and third-party app integrations like Slack and Jira.

Negative user reviews centered around the software being too simple for more complicated project management and difficulties with finding a specific card on the activity board.

Visit Trello

17. Evernote: Free Note Taking and Organizing App

Evernote provides note taking templates for business related tasks.

Evernote is an app that allows you to record and organize notes, files, photos, and voice memos. It’s cloud-based, which means it can be accessed on any device. A unique feature that Evernote has is that it integrates with the Google and Siri digital assistant, so you can record notes by voice and without having to open the app. Additionally, once you record a note in Evernote, you can send it to employees even if they don’t have the app.

Visit Evernote

18. Hunter: Free Email Address Finder

Hunter provides email addresses in an easy to read pop-up screen.

Hunter is a software that searches for emails listed on a particular website. This tool saves you time by not searching the website looking for available email addresses, which are sometimes hidden. When searching for emails, you can filter by the type of email, for example, “contact@…”

Additionally, you can search by a person’s name, which can be a huge time saver if thousands of emails are available on the company’s website. Hunter’s features benefit anyone in public relations or business development who needs to get in contact with a specific person.

Something unique Hunter provides is the most common email structure the company uses. This helps you accurately guess an email address that isn’t publicly available. For example, Hunter will say “{first}@company.com” to indicate most emails at this company are simply the person’s first name. When Hunter does provide an email address, it indicates if the email is verified with a green check badge so that you can email the recipient with confidence.

Visit Hunter

19. AND.CO: Free Proposal & Invoice Software

AND.CO has a desktop and mobile version so you can track time worked from your phone.

AND.CO is an invoicing, proposal, and expense tracking software. In its free pricing plan, you are able to add one active client and only use AND.CO’s standard contracts. If you’re a startup or new to contracts, this is a great opportunity to learn more about important sections and clauses in business contract agreements.

There are several other tools you can take advantage of with AND.CO’s free plan. You can create invoices for your client and receive payments at a competitive payment processing rate in addition to managing and organizing your projects with its task management software.

If you’re working for a client by the hour, you can use AND.CO to track your time and easily send invoices for the time your work was recorded. Something missing with AND.CO’s free plan is the ability to edit contracts.

Visit AND.CO

20. JotForm: Free Online Forms

JotForm has dozens of pre-made business related templates to use, like New Customer Registration.

JotForm is an online form builder that can generate leads, collect payments, and distribute surveys. The forms are fully customizable to fit your brand, so you can add colors and your logo.

Additionally, you can use JotForm as a way to collect payments from clients. It integrates with over 30 payment processors. JotForm also integrates with online apps, like Mailchimp, Salesforce, and Google Drive, so you can automatically import information collected from the forms.

Online user reviews for JotForm are generally positive. Customers say that the form builder is easy to use and that they enjoy using the premade forms. Other customers like that they didn’t have to learn code to create the forms and are happy with the ability to add as many form conditions as they want. Complaints for JotForm were about how the collected information was unorganized and the low quality of PDF-based forms.

Visit JotForm

21. Mailtrack: Free Email Tracking for Gmail

Mailtrack has an easy to use dashboard interface that tells you what emails were opened or unopened.

Mailtrack is a free software that integrates with Gmail. It tells you when an email was opened by a recipient and how many times it was opened. You can enable real-time notifications that tell you the moment that an email was opened. Mailtrack’s free option allows for unlimited email tracking.

If you are doing a lot of networking and pitching through email, Mailtrack is indispensable. Many business owners believe that a potential customer or client is not interested in their product or service because they did not receive an email response. Before a business owner makes that assumption, they need to know if the email was ever opened. Mailtrack gives you the ability to know that firsthand for free.

Visit Mailtrack

22. SurveyMonkey: Free Online Surveys

Survey Monkey comes mobile friendly.

Before rolling out a new product, service, or feature, it’s common for businesses to survey their customers. SurveyMonkey provides free online surveys that you can customize and send to customers. Its free plan is limited to 10 questions or elements per survey and is limited to 100 responses. This is still a great option for a startup to get feedback from early customers on their experience using its products or services.

Surveys on SurveyMonkey come fully customizable. You can also choose from the templated surveys like customer satisfaction, event surveys, job satisfaction, and employee engagement.

SurveyMonkey has a mix of positive and negative user reviews. There have been complaints about the limited features with the free software. Other users enjoy the robust mobile app and numerous integrations it has with other software applications.

Visit Survey Monkey

23. Evite: Free Online Invitation Software

Evite allows you to customize the content of your e-invitation like Title, Type, Host, Time, and Description.

Evite is software that provides free online invitations and helps manage the guest list. There are pre-designed e-invitations that are customizable for occasions like networking events, retirements and farewells, fundraisers, real estate open house, and general meetings. Evite also has a mobile app available for both Apple and Android. You can use the app to create and manage your event.

With Evite, you can also encourage event attendees to take photos and upload them to the event’s private feed. This is a great way to gather social media content for future use. Evite has a unique feature that allows you to encourage event invitees to contribute to a crowdfunding campaign with a link in the e-invitation. This is an excellent option if you need to raise capital before opening your business.

Visit Evite

Bottom Line

Free business software is a great way to save money and be more productive in your business. If you’re starting a business , then the above free business tools are a low-risk test as you figure out the best systems and software for you. If you like them, keep them and possibly expand their features with a paid version. If you don’t like them, stop using the software with no-added costs to your business.

About the Author

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Blake Stockton

Blake Stockton is a staff writer at Fit Small Business focusing on how to start brick-and-mortar and online businesses. He is a frequent guest lecturer at several undergraduate business and MBA classes at University of North Florida . Prior to joining Fit Small Business, Blake consulted with over 700 small biz owners and assisted with starting and growing their businesses.

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Blog Business

8 Best Business Plan Software for 2024

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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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.
• Create actionable 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 generators,  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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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.

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Funding ready business plan, executive summary, company overview.

Problem Statement

Business Description

Mission Statement

Business Model

Products and Services

Additional Features

Revenue Model

Market Analysis

Target Market

Market Size and Segments

Unique Value Proposition

Risks and Mitigations

Identified Risks

Mitigation Strategies

Financial Overview

Income Statement

Marketing and Sales Plan

Focus On Your Vision

Key features & benefits, ai editing companion.

Modify and regenerate sections of your business plan using premade or custom prompts. Our AI will help you refine your plan to perfection.

Multi-User Collaboration

Invite team members with easy sharing to collaborate on your business plan in real-time. Communicate and make changes together. Collaborate with your partners in real-time as you perfect your plan.

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Immerse yourself in a rich library of articles, tools, templates, webinars and resources for continuous business and professional growth. Learn all about the key aspects of starting, running and growing a business.

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We recommend a variety of useful tools and resurces that help sustain your growth. We only recommend the best in the business. Filter your needs and equip yourself with the best tools.

Plan Samples

Explore a library of sample business plans we generated to get the idea of what to expect. Currently able to generate viable plans for 50+ industries.

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Take an additional questionnaire about your financial trajectory and get a detailed financial projection + 3 year income statement for your business.

Tools and Templates

Plannit's comprehensive suite that accompany business planning. From pitch decks to financial models, we have you covered.

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Download your business plan in an editable .docx format. Fully edit & share your plan with investors, partners, and stakeholders.

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Rest assured, your privacy is our top priority, and we're committed to keeping your information safe and confidential.

PLANNIT BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a business plan and why is it important.

• 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.

How to Write a Business Plan?

• 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.

Who Can Benefit from Plannit AI?

• 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.

Why is Plannit AI the best choice for an AI business planning software?

• 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.

How can ChatGPT help me to create business plans?

• 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.

Take The First Step Towards Success With our AI-Generated Business Plans

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Free Project Management Software (2024 Rankings)

Kara is an editor from North Carolina with experience in business technology and services topics as well as health. She is dedicated to delivering clear and captivating content to readers who want to make well-informed choices. Throughout her career, Kara has collaborated with and advised many small businesses in diverse marketing roles. Such experiences offer her a distinct viewpoint on how appropriate technology and services can drive growth for entrepreneurs. Kara’s writing has appeared on Verywellfamily.com, Labroots.com, and SkinnyMs.com.

Using a free project management software or app is a smart move for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs or tiny but mighty teams juggling multiple projects. With so many software companies offering free versions of software, teams can take advantage of essential project management tools without committing to a paid plan. 

While free versions of project management software often have limited features or a limited number of users, they give teams an easy way to test out new tools for streamlining project management, team communication and overall organization.

Top Free Project Management Software

These top project management solutions were chosen for the features, ease of use, customer satisfaction and support options available through their free plans. 

• Best Overall: ClickUp
• Best Customer Support : Smartsheet
• Most All-Inclusive: monday.com
• Best for Team Collaboration : Asana
• Best for Integrations: Jira
• Most Intuitive: Notion
• Best for Workload Management: Teamwork.com
• Best for Spreadsheet Based Projects: Airtable 
• Best for Strategic Planning: Wrike
• Best for Simplicity: Trello  

ClickUp: Best Overall 

ClickUp offers a free project management software that’s full of essential features for small businesses, with an emphasis on team collaboration. The free plan includes unlimited tasks for up to five “spaces,” which is ClickUp’s term for projects. Teams can visualize tasks within a space through multiple board views, including Kanban boards, calendars and lists. 

ClickUp’s team collaboration features include collaborative docs, digital whiteboards and in-app chat. This makes it an excellent option for remote teams planning projects and collaborating virtually in real-time, especially with the ClickUp mobile app for Android and iOS. 

One feature that sets ClickUp’s free plan apart is that it offers project board automations, though they’re limited to 50 active rules and 100 automation executions total. Despite these limitations, many free project management tools won’t include automation at all, so ClickUp’s free plan is great for teams that want to experiment with automating tasks for project management. 

ClickUp limits other features to a certain number of “uses” within the free plan, like a limit of 100 dashboard uses for reporting or up to 60 uses for time tracking. The free plan is also not compatible with ClickUp’s AI-powered features. However, many of the customization features are unlimited, such as checklists, dependencies, tags and more. 

ClickUp Pros and Cons

ClickUp’s free software is full of useful features like automations, but it does have some limitations. 

Pros  

• Team collaboration tools like whiteboards and chat
• Multiple project board views 
• Some automations included in free plan 
• Automations are limited 
• Reporting dashboards are limited 
• No AI functionality 

Smartsheet: Best Customer Support 

Smartsheet’s free plan offers limited versions of its major spreadsheet-style project management features. It’s limited to one user and two editors, meaning one person can set up sheets in Smartsheet and invite up to two people to collaborate without needing to upgrade to a paid plan. Smartsheet could be a natural upgrade for teams relying on Excel spreadsheets for project management. 

The free plan does include all of the Smartsheet task views, including the grid view, Gantt chart, calendar and card view. It also allows for unlimited reports and dashboards, which makes it a great option for teams looking for robust reporting features within a free software. Automations are limited to 100 instances a month, and the free plan does not include Smartsheet’s AI features. 

The free plan also allows for most of Smartsheet’s available integrations, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and Slack. However, teams won’t be able to integrate with Tableau, Power BI or Adobe Creative Cloud without upgrading to one of Smartsheet’s paid plans. 

Customer support is available through Smartsheet’s online web support, which is essentially its robust help center offering. Teams can also take advantage of the Smartsheet Community forums for help.

Smartsheet Pros and Cons

Smartsheet’s free plan has a ton to offer for reporting and board views, but it’s limited to a small number of users. 

• Ideal for spreadsheet view customizations 
• All board views are included in the free plan 
• Unlimited reports and dashboards
• Free plan is limited to one main user and two collaborators
• Not all integrations are included 
• AI tools are not included 

Monday.com: Most All-Inclusive

Monday workforce management includes a great project management solution for small teams. The free plan is limited to two users and includes up to three Kanban-style project boards, with teams being able to add up to 1,000 items or tasks to a board. Additional board views are not included in the free plan, so teams interested in a timeline, Gantt chart, calendar, map or chart view would need to upgrade to a paid plan. 

The free plan does include unlimited docs and collaborative whiteboards within the monday.com platform, as well as a variety of templates to help teams jump start project boards. However, the free plan does not offer any of monday work management’s reporting capabilities, integrations or automations. 

It’s also worth noting that teams using the free plan will only have access to customer support through the online knowledge base, as 24/7 customer support is only included in paid plans. Monday work management does offer a free trial of its Pro plan, so teams can test out some of the advanced features that are not included in the free plan. This can help give businesses a sense of whether the software will offer enough as a project management solution. 

Monday.com Pros and Cons

Monday.com’s free plan is limited compared to many of its paid plan options, but it’s still a solid free project management software for small businesses. 

• Simple Kanban board functionality 
• Unlimited docs 
• Collaborative whiteboards 
• Limited to two users
• No reporting, integrations or automation features 
• 24/7 customer support is included only in paid plans 

Asana: Best for Team Collaboration

Asana offers an extensive free version of its project management software for up to 10 users, which is more than many alternatives. It includes all of the essential features, like unlimited projects and tasks and the main project board views, like the Kanban, list and calendar view. Teams looking for a timeline or Gantt chart view must upgrade to a paid plan. 

Asana is ideal for businesses with multiple teams that collaborate cross-functionally, earning it the title of Best for Team Collaboration. Users can create boards for different teams or functions, move task cards between those different boards, and create dependencies between different teams. The free plan is a great option for small teams because its main project management features are still available, even if sometimes limited. 

The free plan does not include Asana’s automation features like custom rules, but integrations are allowed. Limited reporting capabilities are included, mostly allowing teams to export CSV and PDF files. None of Asana’s AI features are available with the free plan. Full 24/7 customer support is not available for the free version of Asana, but there is a robust help center for all users with video tutorials and live weekly training sessions.

Asana Pros and Cons

Asana is an excellent choice for free project management software, but consider your team’s specific needs when comparing it to other software. 

• Up to 10 users
• Customizable Kanban board, lists and calendars
• Integrations are allowed with the free plan
• Automations only in paid plans 
• Limited reporting capabilities
• No timeline or Gantt chart view in free plan 

Jira: Best for Integrations

Jira is an Atlassian project management software with a specific emphasis on software development teams, though it can be useful for any business. The free version of Jira is available for up to 10 users and gives teams access to unlimited project boards, a backlog, customizable workflows and integrations. Jira integrates with Atlassian’s marketplace of over 3,000 software apps, earning it the title of Best for Integrations. 

One benefit of Jira’s free plan is that it doesn’t exclude automations and allows for up to 100 rule runs a month. This allows teams to still automate tasks within project boards without needing to upgrade to a paid plan. Users can still take advantage of some reporting features as well, with Jira offering 12 default report options within the free plan. 

While Jira’s free project management software is full of useful features for small businesses, it does have its limitations. Teams won’t have access to AI features, and storage is limited to 2 GB. Additionally, customer support options are limited to Atlassian’s community support offerings. Teams must upgrade to a paid plan for more customer support options. 

Jira Pros and Cons

Consider the top features you’re looking for when evaluating Jira’s free project management software. 

• Up to 10 users 
• Automations are included (though limited)
• Tons of integration options
• No AI features 
• Limited file storage
• Limited customer support options

Notion: Most Intuitive

Notion is set up like a word processor with added project management features. Given that most people have used Google Docs and/or Microsoft Word before, Notion is intuitive and familiar enough to start using right away. Once you get more comfortable with Notion, you can start using its “blocks,” which are the different content and project elements that you can add to Notion pages. 

There’s no limit to the number of users for the free plan, but teams with more than one user will not have unlimited blocks within pages. Teams can also add up to 10 guest collaborators, which is great for teams communicating with contractors or clients. 

All project views are included, like the timeline, calendar and board view. Most project management functionality is accessible in the paid plan, like task dependencies or subtasks. There are some basic automations allowed, but the free plan is limited in terms of automating workflows within a project board. Custom automations are not included. However, teams can easily integrate with Zapier, Slack and other software with the Notion free plan. 

Customer support options are limited with the Notion free plan, as paid plan customers are prioritized. Teams can export workspaces as HTML or CSV files, but won’t be able to export to PDF. Overall, Notion’s reporting options are limited, but teams will have access to basic page analytics with the free plan.

Notion Pros and Cons

Notion offers endless customization options, but the free plan does have some limitations. 

• Super customizable boards and workflows
• Unlimited blocks for individuals 
• Integrations are available
• Limited number of blocks for teams
• No custom automations 
• Customer support is limited

Teamwork.com: Best for Workforce Management  

Teamwork.com is a team collaboration platform that includes many helpful project management templates and offers a free plan for up to five users and five projects. Teams can use simple task lists and budget templates, with time tracking and timesheets included in the free plan. This makes the free plan a great option for teams that work with clients, considering Teamwork.com’s combination of project management functionality with tasks like invoicing. 

Teamwork.com’s free plan includes all of their project board views, which are the list, table, Kanban and Gantt chart views. Teams can create task dependencies, milestones and task-level tags within project boards. Custom fields are available but not unlimited. The same goes for automated rules, with teams being able to run up to 100 automations a month. 

Reporting features are limited to dashboards with no way to create custom reports on the free plan. Many integrations are included with the free plan, such as Slack, Zapier and Microsoft Teams. However, the Teamwork.com free plan does not include integration with Google Drive, Microsoft Office or QuickBooks.

Teamwork.com Pros and Cons

Teamwork.com is great for all things workforce management, but look out for these pros and cons. 

• Free plan includes all project board views 
• Time tracking for tasks and projects
• Automations and integrations available
• Limited to five users and five projects
• Reporting features are limited 
• Not all integrations are available for the free version 

Airtable: Best for Spreadsheet-Based Projects 

Airtable’s advanced spreadsheet software is an excellent project management solution and earns it the title of Best for Spreadsheet-Based Projects. The Airtable free plan is available for up to five users, with unlimited databases and access to the main project views. These include the grid, calendar, form, Kanban, gallery and list views. Teams will need to upgrade for timeline and Gantt chart functionality. 

Teams can create projects, group tasks together, assign tasks to team members and then see insights about project progress. Airtable makes sense for Agile teams or cross-functional teams looking to stay on the same page from sprint to sprint.

While a team can create unlimited databases, each database will be limited to 1,000 “records.” Each record is essentially the same as one line of a spreadsheet. Teams can also run up to 100 automations per month. 

Beyond this, the Airtable free plan is limited in terms of customization options, AI features and integration capabilities. Full integrations with other work apps like Google Drive or Slack will require teams to upgrade to a paid plan. 

Airtable Pros and Cons

Airtable’s spreadsheet software is a great free project management solution, but consider its limitations to see if it’s right for your team. 

• Variety of task views for project management
• Unlimited databases, or spreadsheets
• Great for Agile teams working in sprints
• Free plan is limited to five users
• No integrations 
• No timeline or Gantt chart view 

Wrike: Best for Strategic Planning

Wrike offers many workflow management features that make it an excellent choice for a free project management solution. The free plan allows for unlimited users and a simple folder hierarchy interface for managing tasks and subtasks. The table view and Kanban board view are included for free, but teams will need to upgrade to access calendar views or Gantt charts. 

The free plan does not include customization features like custom fields or workflows. However, teams can still make the most of email integration and notifications with the Wrike free plan, in addition to all of Wrike’s Work Intelligence AI features. This is worth noting, as many software companies do not include their AI features in free versions of project management software. 

The Wrike free plan also allows for integration with common cloud storage apps like Google Drive, but integration with other apps like Slack, Microsoft Office or Salesforce is not included for free. 

Wrike also has unique capabilities that many of the other project management software solutions on the list do not. For instance, resource management, time tracking, risk prediction and budgeting are all features in the top paid plans that help team leaders with the strategic planning and execution of projects.

Wrike Pros and Cons

Wrike’s free plan is available for unlimited users, but its features are pretty limited compared to paid plan options. 

• Unlimited users 
• Access to AI features 
• Email integration and notifications
• Integration options are limited 
• No team scheduling 
• No calendar or Gantt chart views 

Trello: Best for Simplicity

Trello is an Atlassian project management software similar to Jira but with an emphasis on simple, visual project boards. Trello’s free plan is available for an unlimited number of users and allows for unlimited task cards organized within up to 10 project boards. 

Small teams can take advantage of the Trello free plan’s unlimited storage and unlimited “Power-Ups” for project boards. Power-Ups are widgets and quick integrations that teams can add to projects to help automate or enhance their workflows. 

Trello allows teams to create tasks and organize them within a simple Kanban board view, which is why they’re named Best for Simplicity. However, the Trello free plan does not include additional project views, such as the timeline, table, calendar or map view. If your team is just looking for an easy-to-use Kanban board, Trello is a great fit. However, for visualizing task cards beyond a simple board, the free plan may not be enough.  Trello does offer built-in automations in every project board for all plans, making it easy for teams to streamline workflows within the platform. 

Trello Pros and Cons

Trello is a top choice for free project management software, but it’s key to make sure the free plan includes the features you’ll need. 

• Unlimited users
• Lots of integration options for Power-Ups
• Built-in automations 
• Limited to 10 project boards
• No timeline, table, calendar or map view 

Methodology

Choosing the appropriate project management (PM) software is critical for business owners and project managers, as it directly impacts efficiency and collaboration. To help customers make  the right selection, we at the MarketWatch Guides team researched 15 of the most widely used project management tools, including Airtable, Asana and Trello.

We conducted a survey in 2024 of 200 professionals who were currently using PM software or had used PM software within the past year. We analyzed the results of this survey to determine the following rating criteria:

• Features (58%)
• Reputation and Reviews (15%)
• Customer Support (12%)
• Pricing (8%)
• User Experience (7%)

Visit the full PM methodology page for more details on our rating system.

What Is Project Management Software?

Project management software helps teams organize every task involved in a particular project and usually involves shared project boards or lists where tasks can be assigned to different team members. Project managers and team leaders can visualize all tasks within a project and keep track of due dates, assignees and task dependencies.

How Much Does Project Management Software Cost?

Many task management solutions will offer free software versions, usually limited to a certain number of users or a certain level of functionality. Regardless of whether a software has a free version, most companies offer per-user pricing, with starter plans ranging anywhere from $5 to $20 per user per month. 

Types of Project Management Software

There are three major categories that project management software will typically fall under, mainly depending on how they were designed and their core functionality. 

Traditional Project Management Software

Traditional project management software helps teams document tasks, plan for capacity and keep up with project due dates. They often include board views like Gantt charts or timelines so teams can visualize overlapping tasks and task dependencies to stay on track.

Smartsheet and monday work management are both examples of software with great features for traditional project management, including advanced timeline views and customizations for task dependencies. 

Agile Project Management Software

The Agile approach to project work is designed to break projects into smaller tasks before moving them through the project workflow and constantly evaluating the process. Typically, software designed for Agile work will include task cards organized into views like Kanban boards, with the ability to visualize the multiple due dates and tasks within a particular sprint. 

Software like Jira, Airtable and Wrike are examples of Agile-friendly software that are easy to use in scrum meetings or daily stand-ups to align the team. Jira and Airtable are especially helpful for creating task backlogs. 

Visual Collaboration Software

Visual collaboration software helps teams work within a digital space, like shared docs or whiteboards. For project management, teams can gather ideas and updates, particularly in the case of remote team meetings, and then build out project boards within the same platform. 

Software like ClickUp and Notion are examples of project management tools that prioritize visual collaboration and brainstorming. ClickUp’s whiteboard features make it easy for teams to create roadmaps together, and Notion’s customizable templates and docs make it easy for teams to share ideas and visualize different projects. 

How To Choose the Best Project Management Software

If you’re deciding between different free project management software options, consider the main problems the software will solve for your team. What are you trying to solve by implementing a new software for project management? Use these pain points as your starting point for identifying which features are must-haves for your team. 

Identifying Workflows 

The best project management software for you will depend on your team and industry. Consider how a software supports different work styles, like on-site, remote or Agile workflows. Small businesses will have an easier time implementing a new project management software if it fits in well with the team’s existing workflow. 

Project management software can help you visualize tasks and stay efficient when it comes to project planning, but if it doesn’t make sense for how your team tackles projects, it may end up just further complicating your projects. 

Free software will often include just the essentials compared to paid plans, but some free plans are more robust than others. It’s important to make sure that the free version of a project management software has the core features you need. Look for multiple project board views for tasks, like Kanban boards, checklists or timelines. Consider how customizable task cards are as well. Can you add subtasks, assignees and dependencies? It’s also a good idea to see if you can create rules for automations in a project board to help with this. 

Another thing to keep in mind is how your team can communicate through the platform. Some software will allow team members to leave comments on task cards, while others allow for in-app group chats and messaging. Finally, consider the reporting capabilities you’ll need, and check for easy integrations with work apps you’re already using, like Slack, Zapier or Microsoft Teams 

Ease of Use

Most project management tools will offer intuitive interfaces, often with drag-and-drop functionality and highly visual project boards to get information at a glance. A major plus of free software is that you can test it out before fully implementing it. If you’re unsure how easy it may be for your team to adopt a new project management tool, consider a “test run” and gather feedback. 

Reporting and Analytics

For free plans, it’s likely that reporting and analytics features may be limited or excluded from project management software. This may mean integrating with another tool for the reports and analytics functionality your team needs. Check to see if the free software you’re considering allows for integrations if there are no built-in reporting features included. 

Customer Service and Support

Customer support options may be limited if you decide to use a free version of a software. Most options will offer at least a chatbot, and some may have highly robust help centers with guides and video tutorials. Not every software company offers customer support via phone, email or live chat. Make sure to consider a company’s customer support offerings for free plan users while comparing your options.  

AI and Automation

Many project management software companies are exploring AI functionality, though it’s sometimes rare to see AI tools included in free software. AI tools for project management are designed to help automate certain tasks to eliminate routine steps in the project management workflow. Free project management software will often still allow for automated rules and integrations, even if they don’t include AI features. 

The Bottom Line

Free project management software can be a major help for small teams trying to stay organized and efficient as they tackle projects. While free versions of most project management will be limited in some way, there are many options that allow for a lot of the project management essentials. 

For solo entrepreneurs or individual users especially, free project management software can be a great solution. Solo users won’t need to worry about some of the limits placed on the number of users that can use free software. Small businesses that are looking for a simple solution to project management will find that free software covers most of what they need, even if it lacks advanced functionality for reporting, automations or integration capabilities. The best free project management software for your team will depend on your goals, the number of projects you’re juggling and the tradeoffs you’re willing to make to avoid upgrading to a paid software plan. 

Luckily, with so many options for free project management software available, it’s easy for teams to compare standout features and find what works best for them. Using a free-forever software can make managing projects that much easier, especially when it comes to keeping all stakeholders in the loop, from clients to freelancers. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Project Management Software

What are the main differences between project management software and task management apps.

Project management software is designed to handle larger projects that are groupings of smaller tasks. Task management apps act more like a to-do list or a simple way to keep track of smaller tasks without the full functionality of a project board.

Do project management tools offer a free trial?

Yes. Many project management tools offer a free trial of their paid plans in addition to their free plan offerings. The length of the free trial and the plans it’s available for will depend on the software.

Which project management tool is the easiest to use?

Most project management tools offer intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. Software like Trello is ideal for teams who want a simple user interface, while options like Notion or ClickUp might make sense for teams who want easy customization options.

Do free project management tools exist?

Yes. Many project management tools have free software available for small teams to use, often limited to a small number of users or including only limited functionality. Still, these free tools can be immensely useful for solo entrepreneurs or small business owners.

If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at [email protected] .

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Best free CRM in 2024

Jessica Elliott

Sierra Campbell

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Published 7:43 a.m. UTC April 16, 2024

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Developing a rapport with leads and customers fuels business growth. But, managing connections across multiple touchpoints is time-consuming and often expensive. A customer relationship management (CRM) system ensures that your sales and marketing efforts deliver a return. With the best free CRM, your teams can track leads, personalize campaigns and automate workflows.

We evaluated over 50 CRMs and identified the top seven offering free relationship management tools. Our team spent over 30 hours speaking with vendor representatives and reviewing user feedback. We assessed each CRM on ease of use, features and scalability. Explore our results to find the right solution for your company.

Featured CRM software offers

Via Monday.com’s website

Monthly fee

$12.50 per user

Live chat support

Via Hubspot’s website

Via Pipedrive’s website

$21.90 per user

Best free CRM

• HubSpot : Best free CRM for integrations.
• Bitrix24 : Most flexible for sales and marketing management.
• Agile CRM : Top-rated customer engagement tools.
• Freshsales : Excellent free CRM with calling features.
• Zoho CRM : Best for automating workflows.
• EngageBay : Outstanding live chat capabilities.
• Insightly : Ideal for freelancers and solopreneurs.

Why trust our small business experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 51 companies reviewed.
• 106 products reviewed.
• 5,312 data points analyzed.

Best free CRM for integrations

Free plan contacts

What you should know.

HubSpot’s free foundational tools connect to over 1,480 apps, making it the best free CRM for integrations. It’s ideal for businesses wanting to merge data between platforms and reduce app switching. You can integrate HubSpot with productivity and marketing tools like Mailchimp, Microsoft Teams and Jotform, whereas many competitors limit free plan integrations to email applications.

Sales and marketing teams can create detailed profiles for up to a million contacts and view marketing performance across three dashboards with 10 reports per board. In addition, built-in email marketing tools support 10 active segmented lists and 2,000 monthly email sends.

Although you can send one-to-one emails to free contacts, HubSpot requires a paid subscription for marketing emails, like sending a follow-up message after form submission. Also, free communication features (email, meeting scheduling and live chat) display HubSpot branding. Companies wanting automated workflows may prefer Zoho CRM, as HubSpot only allows one automated email action.

Pros and cons

• Nearly 1,500 app integrations for free users.
• Multiple marketing performance dashboards.
• Up to 10 segmented email lists.
• Live chat and email have HubSpot branding on free plan.
• Limited automation.
• Must upgrade to access marketing contacts tools.

More details

Most flexible for sales and marketing management.

Bitrix24 is an all-in-one workspace with native collaboration, project management and CRM tools. We recommend this solution for leaders wanting to manage employee sales and marketing activities within their CRM. Most free CRMs allow simple task assignments, but Bitrix24 provides advanced project management features, including task dependencies and manual time tracking.

We love the multiple project task modes. It shows assigned activities through Kanban boards, deadlines, lists and calendar views. Managers can work with tasks and comments through email or create checklists within task assignments. The company’s social network and knowledge base encourage multi-department information sharing while native video conferencing and messaging tools support in-app collaboration.

Bitrix24 provides planning activities tools and allows unlimited deals with customizable stages to suit any sales process. Yet, it has a steeper learning curve than Freshsales. Current users said the user interface (UI) is complex and has many features to explore. The free plan doesn’t support customer list segmentation, and Bitrix24 branding appears on the live chat widget and lead gen forms.

• Robust project and task management tools.
• Planning activities feature and unlimited deals.
• Can create custom stages and processes.
• No customer segmentation in free version.
• More complex to configure than Freshsales or HubSpot.
• Free forms and live chat have Bitrix24 branding.

Top-rated customer engagement tools

If customer engagement is your main business goal, consider Agile CRM. Helpdesk tools, 360-degree contact views and feedback surveys help companies connect with clients across several channels. It permits 5,000 monthly email sends — the highest number among free CRMs — and supports email campaigns with five nodes. Whereas rivals limit document storage, Agile CRM allows unlimited documents, tasks and opportunities.

We like the drag-and-drop builders, which make creating forms, landing pages and email templates simple. Marketers can add embeddable forms to web pages or emails. Dynamic web pop-ups draw attention to promotions or events, while contact-level analytics provide actionable insights.

Post-call and marketing automation require paid plans. The free version supports one email campaign automation rule, whereas Zoho CRM allows five automated workflows with 10 conditions per rule. Sales teams can schedule appointments through Agile CRM but can’t interact through live chat or video. Moreover, the free plan doesn’t have two-way email integration; you can only add one plugin.

• Comprehensive email campaign and web engagement tools.
• Unlimited tasks, deals and documents.
• Form, landing page and email template builders.
• Fewer automation triggers than other free options.
• Limited integrations.
• No live chat or meeting tools on free plan.

Excellent free CRM with calling features

Freshsales (formerly Freshworks CRM) is an excellent solution for companies wanting a CRM with a fully equipped phone dialer. The free version includes a built-in phone system with caller ID. Paid plans add call management and routing features. Moreover, the website chat widget supports contact threads so leads and clients can connect to the right teams.

Customizable customer lifecycle stages and deal management tools enable sales and marketing teams to visualize and improve the buyer journey. We also appreciate the Kanban view for records and the ability to rename modules to fit your process. But, the lack of social media integrations and two-way email sync is a drawback. We prefer Agile CRM’s more robust marketing engagement features.

Freshsales AI chatbot builder is a plus because it provides bots with machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) capabilities. But bot sessions only come with paid plans. The free CRM lacks out-of-the-box and custom reports, dashboards and analytics, whereas HubSpot’s complimentary tools include performance dashboards. Additionally, Freshsales doesn’t have a free CMS (content management system) like HubSpot.

• Fully equipped phone dialer.
• Free website chat widget.
• Customizable contact lifecycle stages.
• No default or custom CRM reports.
• Can’t store or manage documents and attachments.
• No social media integrations on the free CRM.

Best for automating workflows

Zoho CRM is the best free platform for automating workflows. You can automate workflows for up to five tasks; each rule allows for 10 conditions. EngageBay and Freshsales don’t offer free automation tools, whereas HubSpot and Agile CRM permit one automation rule. Plus, the predefined actions for task scheduling or emailing mean less time spent creating rules.

Although Zoho CRM lacks extensive third-party integrations, it works well with Zoho products, with Zoho Campaigns being especially useful for marketing teams. The 1 GB of storage space might be low for companies wanting to store sales demos, images and videos. But we’re pleased that the CMS features let users make files and folders, making data organization and sharing easier.

Task reminders and recurring activities functions help managers delegate sales and marketing tasks. Businesses can scale their efforts by choosing affordable paid plans, including bundled versions offering eight sales, marketing and service apps. However, you need the Enterprise package to access AI-powered tools.

• Five automated workflows with up to 10 conditions per rule.
• Task reminders and recurring activities.
• CRM plan customization through bundles.
• Most AI-enabled tools only available on the Enterprise plan.
• Fewer third-party integrations than HubSpot.
• Limited free cloud storage.

Outstanding live chat capabilities

EngageBay is our top pick due to its outstanding live chat capabilities. You can add the free live chat software to unlimited websites and customize it for your brand. The customization tools are great since HubSpot and Bitrix24 display the vendor’s branding. We were impressed that we could create shortcuts for common answers and replies, email chat transcripts and transfer chats to team members.

EngageBay’s free CRM offers task and document management tools, a pipeline dashboard and analytics. Conversely, Insightly lacks pipeline dashboards, and Freshsales doesn’t have a file repository. EngageBay also has predictive lead scoring, which few free CRMs provide. EngageBay integrates with fewer third-party tools than HubSpot but connects to Gmail, Outlook and social media apps.

Up to 15 users can access the free version. However, you can only get a 360-contact view for 250 leads or customers, whereas Bitrix24 allows unlimited contacts. We also found the lack of automation tools disappointing. Workflow automation requires the Enterprise package.

• Free live chat software for unlimited websites.
• Proactive messaging based on location and web pages.
• Predictive lead scoring comes with all plans.
• Fewer integrations than HubSpot.
• No free workflow automations.
• All competitors allow more contacts on free plans.

Ideal for freelancers and solopreneurs

Insightly is our top pick for solopreneurs and freelancers. We love the straightforward user interface and dashboards. You can see important insights from the home page. The free version also includes small business accounting integrations. Connecting Insightly to QuickBooks Online lets you view invoices, payments and estimates for projects or opportunities.

Regardless of the payment plan, all accounts provide three standard dashboards (projects, leads and opportunities). Users can customize page layouts by reordering the fields, and the free version allows two custom fields per object. Likewise, you can personalize five email templates with Insightly’s designer tool. The template’s statistics show how many times you’ve used each one and the average open rate.

However, Insightly doesn’t offer workflow automation on the free or base plan. Companies wanting to automate marketing tasks may prefer Zoho CRM because it allows up to 10 conditions per rule and five automated workflows. Insightly’s free CRM has limited document and record storage. Tasks, emails, projects and opportunities also count against the 2,500 record limit. And it only has 200 MB for document storage, whereas Zoho CRM provides 1 GB.

• Customizable layouts.
• Integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
• Designer tool for creating emails and landing pages.
• Limited record and storage space.
• Only 10 email sends per day.
• No free workflow automation tools.

Best free CRM comparison

Methodology

We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.

We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best free customer relationship management (CRM) software.

The best free CRM software has positive user reviews on customer review sites and app stores. Applicant tracking system companies should provide customers with fast and reliable support. Using a combination of phone support, live chat and knowledge bases, customers should be able to quickly resolve issues 24/7.

Free CRM software should include a pipeline management dashboard, analytic and reporting tools and integration with third-party automation applications and systems in its free plans. It should have a customizable dashboard, a document management library and an open API and developer library.

Free CRM software should also integrate with mobile or VoIP systems, support multiple currencies for international businesses, support international formatting for telephone numbers and addresses and allow all contact data to be exported.

What is a free CRM and how does it work?

A free CRM (customer relationship management) is a software application with no upfront or ongoing costs. It provides a central repository for lead and client information, allowing businesses to track the complete customer lifecycle. Most free systems also have sales, marketing and service tools.

CRM platforms store contact data and keep profiles updated with information from one or more channels, including: 

• Employee manual data entry.
• Social media networks.
• Company websites and landing pages.
• Live chat, phone, video and text interactions.
• Customer surveys.
• Email and messaging services.
• E-commerce and point-of-sale (POS) systems .

Other features and functions vary by vendor. However, most platforms enable sales and marketing tasks. Free CRMs work by using profile data to segment email lists, score leads and more.

Benefits of a free CRM

Companies that effectively monitor, organize and manage data have a clear advantage over competitors. Indeed, the best CRM software leverages information, from client details to marketing analytics, helping businesses form (and nurture) relationships with potential buyers and current customers.

The benefits of a free CRM include:

• Keep technology costs low. CRMs typically have task management, email marketing and communications features, eliminating the need for multiple third-party app subscriptions. But, even low-priced CRMs cost over $100 yearly. Free services provide access to core capabilities at zero cost to your company.
• Enhance lead generation efforts. CRM marketing tools attract prospects, whereas pipeline management features monitor lead statuses, engagement opportunities and deals. The combination delivers more leads while improving your sales process.
• Increase customer retention rates. Free CRMs help companies learn about their clients and understand pain points or needs. Users leverage customer data to personalize conversations, which is crucial to building (and keeping) long-term relationships.
• Improve team productivity. Collaboration, communication and task management tools align marketing, sales and service departments. Teams access information from a central database, reducing app switching. Features like workflow automation and follow-up reminders enable efficient processes.
• Provide insights. Many free CRMs offer dashboards for visualizing projects, leads and opportunities. Reports and analytics show your return on investment (ROI) for marketing and sales activities.
• Boost revenue. By supporting your lead generation and qualification efforts, free CRMs help you find more customers and close deals quicker than if you were using a spreadsheet.

Who uses free CRM software?

Small businesses, freelancers and solopreneurs use free CRM software to manage relationships without paying monthly or annual fees. CRM technologies benefit companies across all sectors. 

Grandview Research stated, “The retail segment accounted for the largest market share of 23.5% in 2022.” Other top industries include banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), IT and telecom and discrete manufacturing.

Sales, marketing and customer service teams use free CRMs for everyday tasks. Managers and business owners also rely on CRM data and tools for visualizing lead, customer or team-related activities. 

How to choose the best free CRM

Free CRMs offer a wide variety of features and functions. Some work better for improving collaboration between sales and marketing teams, whereas others stand out for enhanced customer service tools. Regardless of the solution, it should be easy to use and support your goals.

Key features to look for

A free CRM has a limited feature set compared to paid versions. Therefore, it’s essential to identify the tools your team needs the most and look for software with those options. 

CRM features may include the following:

• Contact management. All free CRMs have contact databases. The allowable number of contacts ranges from 250 to unlimited. Customizable data fields let you enter and track industry or company-specific details. 
• Mobile apps. Many CRMs offer iOS and Android apps. Managers and employees can communicate, view updates and manage tasks from mobile devices. Compare apps by checking user ratings and how often the vendor updates the software.
• Lead management. Most solutions permit users to collect leads through websites and landing pages. Only Agile CRM and EngageBay have lead-scoring capabilities. Information from lead generation tools gives companies profile data, allowing sales and marketing teams to personalize messaging.
• Document repository. Several free CRMs store sales and marketing assets, like templates for following up with leads or attachments shared in messaging sessions or meetings. Cloud storage capacity varies from Insightly’s 200 MB to unlimited with Agile CRM.
• Dashboards. Look for a free CRM with at least one dashboard. This feature displays key performance metrics for leads, deals or projects. Sales and marketing teams can view individual or group statistics and tasks. Leaders get a high-level view of employee activities, pipelines and sales.
• Deal and pipeline management. You can visualize opportunities, leads and potential sales using deal and pipeline management tools. Most free services support one pipeline. The number of deals you can track varies, with Bitrix24 and Agile CRM offering unlimited deals.

Add-ons and extras

Not all free CRMs have advanced capabilities, like automation, sales forecasting and communication tools. Those that do often place limits on the features. For instance, you may be able to create one automation rule on free plans and 50 on paid versions. 

Consider CRMs with the following features and functions:

• Workflow automation tools. This trigger-based technology automates tasks. Free CRMs permit one to five rules. Zoho CRM allows 10 conditions per rule, offering more automated possibilities than competitors. EngageBay, Insightly and Freshsales only have automation tools on paid plans.
• Live chat and telephony. Native chat and phone dialer tools connect teams to leads or clients in real time. Free live chat features may have the vendor’s branding, and calling minutes may cost extra.
• Email marketing. Free CRMs may offer email templates and support bulk emails. The number of email sends ranges from none to 5,000 monthly. Some solutions provide campaign management features for creating email sequences and list segmentation tools for identifying target audiences.
• Ticket management. Customer service teams can view and respond to clients, prioritize help tickets and receive follow-up reminders. Not all free CRMs have customer support tools. 
• Sales forecasting. Advanced sales analytics often require a paid plan. Only Agile CRM predicts close rates and future revenue with sales forecasting tools on its free plan. Other providers offer default reports and standard analytics. 
• Estimates and payments. These tools help sales reps close deals faster. Only HubSpot offers customizable quote templates. However, Bitrix24 has e-commerce tools for accepting payments online . 

UX and ease of use

Sales and marketing teams use CRMs in their daily routines. Being able to move quickly between screens and find information is critical to the user experience (UX).

A system with straightforward navigation tools and user-friendly features increases employee adoption rates, reduces training time and improves data collection. Based on user reviews, EngageBay, Freshsales and HubSpot earn the highest usability scores.

Besides letting users complete tasks with a few clicks, free CRMs improve usability through:

• CRM layouts. Some software allows managers to configure screens to fit their business model and users. This option may have drag-and-drop tools to move data fields and multiple views, like Gantt charts, calendars and lists. CRMs may also allow individuals to personalize tasks and to-do lists. 
• Field and module customization. Changing default module and field names to fit your purpose enhances UX and data accuracy. It also keeps service, sales and marketing teams aligned. For instance, Zoho CRM displays contacts, deals and leads. A healthcare organization may rename these to doctors, patients and nurses.
• Onboarding support. In-app services for new users can reduce training costs and subsequent help requests. Welcome emails, guided tours and tutorials help staff learn how to use CRM features and functionalities. 
• Administrative functions. Simple CRM systems have user-friendly admin portals with tools for adding and removing employees, setting company-wide or individual permissions and reviewing audit logs. 
• Built-in design tools. Landing pages and emails should be consistent for branding and data collection purposes. Intuitive drag-and-drop builders make it easy to create templates within CRMs.
• Compatibility. Cloud-based CRMs typically work on most devices. However, features and user interfaces may vary between desktop and mobile apps. Look for software that maintains consistent functionality across devices.

Customer service 

Responsive and knowledgeable customer support agents help businesses overcome software challenges quickly. Likewise, in-app support and self-service wizards can save time. 

Consider the technical experience of your users and familiarity with CRM platforms. If you’re starting a business or unsure how a CRM works, look for vendors with live support options. EngageBay has 24/5 live chat, Freshsales offers 24/5 phone and live chat and HubSpot is available 24/7. 

The best free CRMs provide additional self-service resources. Bitrix24 has in-app tool tips for navigating the system, whereas HubSpot Academy offers business resources and certifications. All vendors should have video tutorials and how-to guides with screenshots. 

Use these tips to assess CRM support services:

• Check user reviews for response times and support quality. 
• Ask the sales rep about the options available to free users.
• View community forums to see if users actively respond to questions.
• Contact support to assess services before choosing a CRM.
• Evaluate knowledge bases to ensure content is easy to understand.

Software integrations 

CRM software integrations enable data sharing between programs and allow users to access features or information without switching apps. Free solutions typically connect to contact, email and calendar tools. 

Review integration options when choosing a free CRM. Not all connections sync both ways (two-way sync) and functionality differs. Low-code or no-code solutions are the easiest to implement. If you have a high-priority integration, speak with the vendor’s representative to learn how the integration works. 

HubSpot is the best system for integrations, integrating with over 1,400 apps. In comparison, Agile CRM allows email integrations and one third-party plugin. Freshsales, HubSpot and Agile CRM provide open APIs (application programming interfaces) and developer libraries.

Consider CRMs that integrate with:

• Email and calendar systems. 
• Contact databases. 
• Scheduling and appointment tools. 
• E-commerce platforms . 
• Social media channels.
• POS systems.
• Help desk applications.
• VoIP phone services .
• Cloud storage drives.
• Task and project management apps.
• Live chat tools.
• Accounting software .

Data migration

Deploying technology platforms can require sizeable setup and maintenance investments. Migration tools decrease the time and effort needed to deploy the software. Most CRMs have a free data import option. You can upload contact lists through CSV files.

For example, Freshsales has a one-click migration tool. It transfers data from Pipedrive, Insightly, Salesforce, Zoho CRM and SalesforceIQ. You can use the CSV import option for other software.

Zoho CRM’s data migration wizard moves files in CSV formats. It also lets admins transfer data from Highrise, HubSpot, Pipedrive and Insightly through API.

CRM security and privacy

Data protection and security tools keep your records safe while ensuring your organization complies with global regulations.

See if vendors have Service Organization Control (SOC) Type 2 certification. This security certification means the software’s security controls function as designed when audited by a third party. Also, assess the software for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. GDPR-compliant tools help companies find and remove data records.

If your business handles protected health information (PHI), check for software that complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and provide a business associate agreement (BAA).

In addition, see if the vendor publishes real-time availability information and incident reports. If an issue affecting your data occurs, you want to know about it quickly.

Look for security features, such as:

• Two-factor authentication.
• Field-level security.
• CRM audit logs.
• Data encryption in transit and at rest.
• Role-based permissions.
• Erasure and data portability controls.
• IP address restriction.

Additional considerations

Before investing the time and effort in a free CRM, check out the plan’s feature limitations. Then, look through paid packages and estimate the costs of upgrading.

Even if you started a business without money , you will want technology tools to meet future needs. The best systems offer flexibility, allowing you to scale up as your company expands.

Also, review the vendor’s product updates. Does the provider regularly release new features? Technologies and consumer preferences so your software should be able to keep up and install updates automatically.

How much does a free CRM cost?

A free CRM costs nothing to use. It includes basic features and allows two to unlimited users. Most vendors have a per-user pricing model. You pay a monthly or annual fee for each person who accesses the system. Bitrix24 is the only solution that charges by organization. It charges one price for five, 50, 100 or 250 users and includes unlimited contacts.

Conversely, HubSpot charges by organization for marketing hub features, but you pay fees to add marketing contacts beyond the 1,000 contact limit. Two users can use paid sales and service hub tools in HubSpot’s CRM, or you can add additional users for $25 per person monthly.

Paid CRM plans start at $12.99 per user monthly, and all vendors discount prices when companies pay annually. Premium versions offer advanced capabilities and higher feature limits. Upgrading to a paid subscription can increase marketing ROI, revenue and productivity, essentially paying for itself.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

HubSpot is the best free CRM based on our expert ratings. Its features and ease of use make HubSpot a popular option for small teams and businesses. The free version allows unlimited users and 1,000,000 contacts.

In addition, you can connect HubSpot to over 1,480 applications, like project management software and e-commerce platforms. More than 630 integrations are bi-directional, meaning data syncs to and from HubSpot.

HubSpot offers the following free tools:

• Marketing. Reach your audience with list segmentation, email marketing and ad retargeting features. Live chat and Facebook Messenger integrations connect leads to your staff.
• Sales. Use HubSpot to schedule meetings and check sales data from anywhere with the mobile app. HubSpot’s free plan includes one deal pipeline.
• Service. Manage help requests with one ticket pipeline, canned snippets and a shared inbox.
• CMS. Create advanced menus, get basic SEO (search engine optimization) recommendations and up to 25 web pages.
• Operations. See company insights, tasks and activities, and up to three reporting dashboards. Plus, set custom permissions to manage users.
• Commerce. Send quotes or invoices, accept payments through Stripe and payment links and offer subscriptions.

A CRM helps companies improve customer experiences and build relationships with leads. It centralizes service, sales and marketing data. Teams can access details about client interactions from desktop and mobile devices.

The main functions of a CRM include:

• Storing contact information.
• Recording customer interactions.
• Displaying sales opportunities.
• Automating customer-facing activities.
• Providing sales pipelines.
• Supporting task management.
• Managing marketing campaigns.
• Showing performance reports and dashboards.
• Tracking customer service issues.

There are four types of CRMs: collaborative, operational, analytical and strategic. The systems have distinct differences but also share similar features and capabilities. Collaborative and strategic CRMs prioritize customer experience improvements, whereas operational and analytics CRMs focus on process and sales enhancements.

The four CRM categories include:

• Analytical CRM. Any business interested in understanding customer data benefits from an analytical CRM. This option collects and analyzes information. It develops insights and shows trends about your pipelines, territories and lead generation efforts. Account-based organizations and service providers often prefer this model. 
• Collaborative CRM. This type is an all-in-one system for customer service, sales and marketing teams. Companies with multiple locations and remote workforces derive value from collaborative CRMs. It’s ideal for cross-department communication and collaboration. These solutions may offer company knowledge bases, intranet networks and video conferencing tools. Agile CRM is a collaborative CRM.
• Operational CRM. Most businesses benefit from operational CRMs, but this type is especially useful for companies with a linear sales cycle and many repetitive tasks. It provides workflow automation features to streamline service, sales and marketing efforts. HubSpot is an operational CRM.
• Strategic CRM. Like collaborative CRMs, strategic models centralize data for multi-departmental use. However, strategic CRMs may offer extra tools for building long-term client relationships. This type works well for companies that sell subscriptions or other ongoing services, such as repair shops and fitness centers. Freshsales provides strategic CRM capabilities.

Deploy your CRM quickly by having key information close by. You need user email addresses, your CRM strategy (which outlines key metrics and audience information) and CSV files for contacts and opportunities.

Next, follow these steps to use a CRM:

• Add users and set permissions.
• Import existing data, such as contact information.
• Configure the CRM settings to mirror your sales cycle and processes.
• Integrate third-party applications, like email, social media and cloud storage.
• Customize the dashboard with your company’s performance metrics.
• Set up recurring reports.

CRMs benefit businesses of all sizes by improving customer experiences and streamlining marketing and sales activities. As a result of these improvements, your organization can increase short- and long-term revenue.

Companies use CRM software to:

• Unify contact data and replace spreadsheets.
• Anticipate customer needs and personalize conversations.
• Increase productivity through workflow automations.
• Manage sales and marketing tasks.
• Understand customers.
• Track sales performance.

CRM software features and capabilities should support your business goals, staff and clients.

Identify solutions that offer:

• Easy-to-navigate desktop and mobile apps.
• Features that enable sales and marketing tasks.
• Customizable dashboards, templates and layouts.
• Reporting and analytics tools.
• Workflow automation.
• Integrations with third-party applications.
• Data privacy and security features.

CRM integration connects third-party systems to the CRM software. Many vendors offer no-code or low-code integration methods, syncing two systems with just a few clicks. Common integrations include websites, email and social media channels.

Alternatively, you can use connector integrations like Zapier. However, if your business uses custom applications, you might require a connection through APIs.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jessica Elliott is a business writer specializing in technology, marketing, and operations. She dissects complex topics and empowers leaders to make informed decisions. Her work appears in Business News Daily, U.S News & World Report's 360 Reviews, and Investopedia.

Sierra Campbell is a small business editor for USA Today Blueprint. She specializes in writing, editing and fact-checking content centered around helping businesses. She has worked as a digital content and show producer for several local TV stations, an editor for U.S. News & World Report and a freelance writer and editor for many companies. Sierra prides herself in delivering accurate and up-to-date information to readers. Her expertise includes credit card processing companies, e-commerce platforms, payroll software, accounting software and virtual private networks (VPNs). She also owns Editing by Sierra, where she offers editing services to writers of all backgrounds, including self-published and traditionally published authors.

How to start a small business: A step-by-step guide

Business Eric Rosenberg

6 Free Scheduling Software for Small Businesses

When you’re running a small business, it can be difficult to coordinate your team’s time. Still, efficient labor scheduling is the key to unlocking business growth.

Free scheduling software for small businesses helps you automate employee scheduling while giving you the insights to seamlessly reduce overtime and other common scheduling woes.

Here are a few key things to know about free scheduling software for small businesses:

• Manually building, changing, and assigning schedules can be time-consuming, even for small businesses.
• Shift templates and automatic schedule generation bring efficiency and scalability to scheduling, especially in small businesses.
• Overtime payment calculation is error-prone, but employee scheduling software automates the process.
• Small business owners need scheduling software to be available anywhere, any time.
• Extra features like overtime visibility and time-off management are a must.

Table of Contents:

Benefits of using employee scheduling software as a small business owner

What to look for in free scheduling software for small businesses, free small business scheduling software comparison table.

• When I Work
• Acuity Scheduling

Effective labor scheduling lets you know when and where each team member is scheduled at any given time. Plus, each employee knows exactly when and where you expect them to be each day, throughout the day. 

But there are other benefits to look for in free scheduling software for small businesses. Here are some more.

Save time and be more efficient

Creating employee schedules can be time-consuming, even for small businesses. It can easily consume hours of your day that you could spend on activities that move the needle further forward. Luckily, job scheduling software streamlines the process and speeds it up, making it more efficient.

A quick scheduling process, especially when available on-the-go via a mobile app, is particularly convenient for small businesses operating on a limited staff. That’s because as a small business owner, you must always be everywhere. Having on-the-go access allows you to quickly fix any issues that might arise with employee scheduling, whether you’re in the office or chatting with a vendor.

Did you know that you can save up to 15 hours per week building the schedule? Try When I Work and win your time back today.

Improve employee well-being

Job scheduling helps you plan so that the right people work together at the right time. That’s a two-way street, as it improves your experience as a business owner and your employees’ experience. That transparency and organization gives everyone peace of mind at work.

Besides, labor scheduling software helps you easily and quickly determine if a shift isn’t sufficiently covered or covered at all. This allows you to pinpoint the need for shift planning to reduce overworking your current workers. It also enables your staff to request time off and yourself to find shift configurations to fill in the gaps. By protecting personnel against overworking, job scheduling contributes to employee well-being.

Pave the way for scalability

As with any other software, if you plan to expand your business operations eventually, scheduling tools must be ready for that. It’s much more cost-effective to scale a solution you’ve already adopted than start all over with a different one. You just have to make sure that your pick can accommodate exponential growth without performance losses.

Related: 13 Must-Have Apps To Help You Run Your Small Business (+ Save Loads Of Time)

Moving away from manual labor scheduling requires software with process automation features, such as automatic schedule generation. But employee scheduling software must also streamline shift switches and provide easy-access schedules that you can share with your team.

Here are some features to look for in free scheduling software for small businesses.

Time-off management

Employee absences have implications on job scheduling. For instance, when an employee calls in sick or asks to go to a doctor’s appointment, someone else must cover their schedule during the absence. This is essential in the case of shifts, but uncovered schedules in project-based businesses can compromise deliveries and the company’s bottom line, too.

Ideally (or as required by law), team members request time off in advance, allowing you to schedule accordingly. That’s the case with vacation time, parental, and sabbatical leaves.

In that sense, it’s important for you to look for time-off management features in your employee scheduling software. Additionally, absence tracking is vital for accurate payroll in organizations of any size.

Shift templates

Manually creating recurring shifts every week or month from scratch is a waste of time, decreasing the efficiency of labor scheduling, especially in small businesses. That’s why scheduling software includes shift templates. By saving a team member’s scheduled shift as a template, you can apply it to future dates in a split second.

Overtime visibility

Another time-consuming, error-prone task in workforce management is overtime pay calculation. Each business has its own set of rules, but employee scheduling software automates the calculation process. The only heavy lifting you must do is define the custom calculation rules in the chosen platform, such as the number of overtime hours allowed and the different rates to apply. 

Scheduling solutions offer visibility on whether workers are close to exceeding overtime limits. And with that information, you can prevent over-budgeting.

Here are some key considerations for evaluating free scheduling software for small businesses.

Top 6 free scheduling software for small businesses

Employee scheduling is crucial to managing small businesses’ capacity while avoiding overwork. Here’s our selection of the top 6 free scheduling software for small businesses to help you achieve that result.

1. When I Work

Rating: 4.3/5 ( G2 )

• Availability management
• Schedule templates
• Multiple schedule views
• Shift swapping
• Shift notifications and reminders

When I Work is an employee scheduling software for shift management that also includes a payroll option. In other words, you can schedule, share, and track shifts within the same platform that processes payments automatically.

The built-in shift reminders effectively reduce no-shows and allow hourly employees to accommodate personal commitments ahead of time. Availability management lets you know when your staff is available to pick up shifts. And with shift swapping, they get to switch shifts with each other.

With When I Work scheduling, you can copy the schedule from the previous week, schedule seven days out, and visualize shifts in different ways.

Plus, you get overtime visibility and management to help you identify trends and reduce labor costs. 

Start your free trial today, and begin scheduling with When I Work.

P.S. When you upgrade to the paid version, you get:

• Integrate schedules with the When I Work time clock app so that you track employee time and attendance from clocked hours.
• In-context communication with When I Work team messaging , which enables discussing shifts without leaving the scheduling platform or accidentally excluding anyone.

2. Calendly

• Team-based scheduling
• Scheduling rules and buffers
• Automated workflows

Calendly is a scheduling automation platform with team-based scheduling capabilities. Running meeting polls through it enables internal team members to indicate available times and avoid lengthy email exchanges to find the most popular option.

The platform also allows defining scheduling rules and buffers to prevent invitees from scheduling on short notice and business owners from having back-to-back meetings or too many of them a day. 

Despite the attractive features, some Calendly users experience difficulties integrating calendars and a steep learning curve for advanced configurations.

• AI integrations for auto-scheduling
• Built-in visual tools
• Drag-and-drop scheduler

7shifts is a team management platform customized for the restaurant industry.

It allows building schedules based on demand forecasts and staffing needs calculated by advanced AI. The technology factors in varied data, from sales forecasts and labor costs to employee availability and overtime.

Built-in visual tools facilitate schedule adjustments to hit suggested labor targets according to projected sales. But even though 7shifts has a drag-and-drop scheduler and a free mobile app to update shifts on the go and keep the whole team informed, some of its users complain about excessive alerts and renewal charging without prior reminders.

4. Homebase

• Instant notifications of published or changed schedules
• Open shift claiming
• Shift trade approval

Homebase is an all-in-one app for employee scheduling, time clocks, payroll, team communication, and HR.

The software instantly notifies the team via text, email, and the app whenever the business owner publishes or updates a schedule. And employees claim open shifts, which may contain notes with instructions from the business owner.

When a shift urgently needs coverage, Homebase has the required messaging capabilities to make that happen.

Homebase limits time-off requests, enforces black-out dates, and demands shift trade approvals. But unfortunately, some of its users report various usability and technical issues.

• Early clock-in prevention and automatic clock-out
• Shift task management 
• Paid-time-off limiting and approval

Sling is an employee scheduling solution to avoid exceeding labor budgets and scheduling overtime.

By preventing early clock-ins and automatically clocking staff out, Sling raises time clock accuracy. And with shift tasks, workers know exactly what business owners expect them to do during the corresponding shifts.

It’s helpful that Sling limits paid time off (PTO) by leave type and informs business owners of remaining leave days in paid time-off request approvals. But its performance and the availability setting feature sometimes falls short of users’ expectations.

6. Acuity Scheduling

• Automated client appointment booking
• Branded scheduling pages
• Anywhere scheduling with social media integration

Acuity Scheduling is a flexible client appointment software appropriate for small business owners. It enables clients to self-schedule, cancel, and reschedule appointments and receive automated confirmations and reminder notifications.

Small business owners get to brand scheduling pages to showcase their services and real-time availability with their own style. 

And because social media are effective lead generation channels, Acuity Scheduling integrates with Instagram and Facebook, allowing business owners to accept bookings where their clients are. But although this is convenient, some clients point out the lack of other integrations and wish that calendar syncing would be easier.

Optimize your small business efficiency with free scheduling software from When I Work

When I Work leads the pack with unparalleled insights into labor costs while being user-friendly and easy to configure.

It helps you control overtime, streamline small business operations, and reduce employee turnover. And at the end of the day, it maximizes small businesses’ human resources by freeing up your time to do other valuable work.

Sign up for free today and find out the difference between When I Work and other free scheduling software for small businesses.

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