A new company typically requires two things. It must first have a purpose for existing. What unique offering will you make to the market, or how will you offer an already-existing product “better” than anyone else? Second, you’ll require some money. Even if all you do is create websites in your bedroom, you’ll still need some cash for food, lodging, software, or hosting.
A strong company plan can deal with both of these issues.
A business plan outline states your primary role for you and anyone else with whom you choose to share it. It assists you in narrowing in on what you excel in and provides measurements to help you gauge your level of achievement. Although I say “it gives you,” in actuality, it’s only a model for controlling your own ideas.
A business plan for venture capital is a tangible representation of your company’s objectives, much like a blueprint is for a building project. Could a house be constructed without a blueprint? Sure. Is what we’re going to all do really a great idea? Nowhere near.
A strong business plan serves as your pitch in addition to helping you organize your thoughts and put them on paper. Going into a bank sends a clear message about what you do, who your customers are, and how much money you expect them to spend with you over time.
The forecasting and economic consolidation that occur in your company plan make it easier to speak with the bank, a venture capitalist, a neighbor, or a wealthy uncle.
There are, naturally, several software options available to assist you in putting a strategy together. You can choose between a solution that essentially does nothing more than spread out the content you make or one that aids you in every step of the procedure.
To get you started, we will look at a few free and non-free business plan software options today.
-
- Enloop
Another free alternative for individuals looking for a single business plan is Enloop. The business scores your business plan in an effort to add some legitimacy to its service. Bankers or investors can review the score to determine how well you performed.
The score includes fundamentals like growth and cash flow. It refreshes as you make changes to the document, allowing you to see which metrics, in Enloop’s opinion, are most important to the profitability of your company. Only users with active subscriptions can share the actual score.
Enloop makes it simple to collaborate on plans and includes an extra user in the free tier of the service. Financial forecasting is possible up to 36 months in advance, and the entire thing can be inserted into a PDF. Looking for software products with similar features? It’s a good idea to start with these Enloop substitutes.
Pros
-
- For each tier, three business plans
-
- creates an automatic business strategy
-
- compares your financial information with industry norms
-
- available for a seven-day free trial
-
- Scorecards show the likelihood of success.
Cons
-
- No free offer
-
- Team members cannot communicate via an app.
-
- Not intended for use in planning
-
- Bizplan
Bizplan is a tool specifically for creating business plans. It provides a step-by-step tutorial for every area you require for a comprehensive business plan that you may use for funding or to propose to partners. Your objective, goals, and financial projections for startups may all be entered, and Bizplan will calculate the numbers and produce the visual charts you need to make your argument.
Because Bizplan provides prompts and questions that eliminate the laborious effort of finding out what you need, you can concentrate just on supplying the answers, making it incredibly simple to use. When you are confident that you have all the necessary information, you may ask consultants and stakeholders to review it and provide comments for approval or change requests. One distinctive aspect of Bizplan is that it provides you with access to Fundable, a crowdfunding platform where you may share your business plan in an effort to raise money.
It costs $29 for the monthly price, but you may choose annual pricing, which averages out at $20.75 each month. A lifetime access option is available for $349 flat if you anticipate needing business plan software for a period of time greater than a year. All options include all features and access, including business training programs, tools for organizing your firm, and a connection to investors.
Who ought to use it?
Bizplan is an excellent option to help you navigate all the components you must include in your plan for potential investors and partners if this is your first time writing a business plan.
Pros
-
- Plans for the month, year, and lifetime
-
- numerous business strategies
-
- There are countless partners
-
- Step-by-step guidelines
-
- Drag-and-drop, modular user interface
-
- e-business programs
-
- Possibility of funding options for startups
-
- Predicting financial data
Cons
-
- No planning instruments
-
- inadequate customization
-
- only incorporates Xero
-
- No trial offer
-
- IdeaBuddy
For those who are just getting started and aren’t quite ready to construct a plan, IdeaBuddy is a simple business plan tool that allows you to start for free. The idea plan tool is fantastic since it enables you to summarize your business plan on one page. Sticky notes that are already there can be used for brainstorming, and you can make your own templates to get started.
The whiteboard, which enables you to drag and drop various pieces, draw on it, and collaborate with others to come up with your ideal company concept, is another fantastic feature of IdeaBuddy. To use that feature, which is restricted to the top tier, you must fork over $22 each month (paid annually). However, the same plan also allows you to work with up to 10 other people and 10 ideas.
The free plan is for a solopreneur with one concept to work on. The Dreamer plan costs $5 per month, and the Founder plan costs $10 per month. Both plans are billed annually. Other plans are more constrained. The Founder plan provides you with up to three ideas and three collaborators, but the Dreamer plan only allows for one idea and one collaborator. Additionally, you’ll have access to paid plans that let you share and export your plan with viewers.
Who ought to use it?
The name of the app is accurate: IdeaBuddy excels at ideation. Although a comprehensive business plan can be written with this tool, it works best when a business is just getting started.
Pros
-
- Forever-free offer
-
- Inexpensive paid plans
-
- Options for monthly and annual billing
-
- Simple to use
-
- Publish to Word, Excel, or PDF.
-
- The whiteboard flexibility feature
Cons
-
- It can be too simple for certain users.
-
- Does not provide many instructions
-
- LivePlan
The financial forecasting feature of LivePlan is one of the best arguments for utilizing it to draft your company plan. It is a tool rather than a single feature that enables you to visualize the best- and worst-case possibilities for your company using charts, graphs, and what-if scenarios using your balance sheet and cash flow data.
Standard or Premium are the only two options; there is no free plan. No contributor or guest restrictions apply with the low-cost option, which costs $15 per month (paid annually), and it also comes with guidance on how to build a business plan. To get you started, it even has more than 500 sample plans and financial forecasting tools.
The full-featured Premium plan is $30 per month (paid annually). You receive benchmark data for the industry as well as a milestone planner, which can speed up your study. Another time-saving option: At this plan level, you may automatically input your financial data by integrating QuickBooks or Xero.
Who ought to use it?
For new business owners who desire simple financial forecasts, LivePlan is a wonderful business plan tool because it comes with prompts and accounting software interfaces.
Pros
-
- Unlimited visitors and participants
-
- Create a PowerPoint presentation of the completed business strategy.
-
- Includes prompts and detailed instructions
-
- Guaranteed money-back for 35 days
Cons
-
- No free offer
-
- No trial offer
-
- iPlanner
IPlanner definitely meets the criteria for effective business plan software that doesn’t have to be sophisticated. It has been around since 2007, and neither its appearance nor its capabilities seem to have changed. You may create a business plan and a business model using the browser-based business planning software.
The two software programs offered by iPlanner are Startup Framework and Strategy Designer. The strategy designer has three options for $59, but it just requires one payment for the entire year. Pick it if you want a business strategy that is simpler and more streamlined. It can be exported as a Word document or a PDF.
For $55 a year, you can build one plan with the iPlanner Startup Framework. It is comparable to the Designer version, but you may construct a team with different responsibilities (view only, project owner, or consultant) and develop a business model and separate financials.
Who ought to use it?
People who have previously written a company plan and don’t require assistance or fancy features should use iPlanner.
Pros
-
- Optional business modeling
-
- Low-cost plans
-
- Samples are on hand for demonstration
-
- Export to PDF or Word
Cons
-
- No trial or no free plan
-
- There is hardly much advice.
-
- ineffective interface
-
- The StratPad
A cloud-based business plan software program is called StratPad. Depending on how many company plans you want to create, there are a few different variants; nevertheless, an account is free for one plan. Additionally, StratCloud offers a free version of its Unlimited service if you happen to teach business in a high school or university. Looking for goods with comparable features? These StratPad substitutes might be exactly what you need.
This small bonus demonstrates what the core purpose of StratCoud is. For entrepreneurs, the business offers workshops, videos, and informative blogs. The majority of its income comes from the introductions it makes via StratPad Connect, not from memberships.
There, new enterprises can connect with business consultants, accountants, and other experts. These leads result in the professional paying StratPad a nominal fee. You are the product because you are not paying; however, this is a rather mild interpretation of the proverb.
StratPad generates a business plan that is incredibly tidy and traditional looking and includes easy-to-follow instructions. The system’s layout appeals to me, and it seems that I’m not the only one. Over 100,000 companies, according to StratPad, are currently using its service.
7. AchieveIt
When drafting a business plan, not everyone wants to do it alone. As a result, consultants are frequently recruited for their industry knowledge and business plan writing. You can build as many plans and projects as you like with AchieveIt’s extensive plans, which allow you to work on several company plans concurrently.
AchieveIt is a specifically designed project management software for medium-sized to large teams. All of AchieveIt’s plans have a minimum requirement of 20 users, making it an excellent alternative for business planning for those strategizing and analyzing a range of data points with several people.
Plans are expensive, particularly when you take into account the user minimum. The two plans, Core, which has the lowest monthly cost per user, and Plus, which has the highest monthly cost per user, are both invoiced annually. Therefore, it will cost at least $1,600 a month, making this software unaffordable for the majority of small firms.
Who ought to use it?
AchieveIt is an excellent option for big companies that require planning software, and for established consulting firms, it makes the most sense for business plans.
Pros
-
- Countless projects and ideas
-
- Simple to use
-
- Tools for collaboration
-
- Goal setting
Cons
-
- 20 minimum users
-
- Pricey compared to most rivals
-
- Integrations at a higher price
8. Business Sorter
Having business planning software like Business Sorter can be really helpful when you’re ready to write your business plan. Your business planning will begin with a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) thanks to the cloud-based program, which makes it simple for you to get started. After that, you can use a guide to design your plan, dividing each section into regions. Following that, you can pick cards to direct you toward the ideal objectives and ambitions for your company.
Although Business Sorter lacks roadmapping capabilities, the card system helps you stay on track (and even suggests goals you may not have thought of). Goal-prioritizing can help you identify the actions you must take to finish your company strategy. Every plan supports multiple users, allowing you to work together on what is most important.
Plans start at $10 per month and are invoiced annually. Three users are allowed. The Large Team plan will cost you $80 per month, billed annually, if you require 30 members, and the Medium plan will cost you $30 per month, billed annually, if you need 10 users. It’s one of the most reasonably priced team business planning software programs.
Who ought to use it?
Business Sorter is still one of the better solutions for teams, even though it doesn’t have a chat tool. You can add more people to the account to work on business concepts without having to pay per person.
Pros
-
- Low-cost plans
-
- Simple to use templates for business plans
-
- A free trial is offered
-
- A card system aids in goal-setting
-
- Make 40 or more business plans
Cons
-
- Plans have a user cap.
-
- No messaging in the app
-
- Hardly any integrations
9. Smartsheet
Starting a company plan with PM software like Smartsheet is a smart decision because it has all the tools you require for team collaboration and stakeholder planning. It works particularly well for managing goals in real-time. Put your ideas into action, review market and rivalry research from other team members, and then come to an agreement.
Using one of Smartsheet’s free business plan templates will help you develop your business plan even though it won’t assist you in the writing process. You can invite an infinite number of spectators to follow along as you determine your milestones. The only drawbacks of Smartsheet are that there is no free plan, only commenting is permitted, and there is no native messaging app (you must utilize an integration).
Smartsheet offers paid plans for $7 per user per month or $25 per user per month (both invoiced annually). The business plan, which is more expensive, offers limitless editors, although it also has a three-user minimum. The low-cost Pro plan restricts you to 10 editors.
Who ought to use it?
Smartsheet is a great alternative for people who are just beginning to put together a plan and looking for a means to organize thoughts and objectives before finalizing a business plan because it enables you to make changes in real time.
Pros
-
- Nonprofit organizations may receive discounts
-
- Automatizations for each plan
-
- On a low-tier plan, popular integrations are permitted.
-
- 30 day no cost trial
Cons
-
- No free offer
-
- Ten viewers maximum on a low-tier plan
-
- A minimum of three users on a business plan
10. Wrike
Because it provides tools to aid in data collection and comparison, Wrike is a project management (PM) tool that functions well as business plan software. With its collaborative capabilities, business plan templates, drag-and-drop interface, and goal management features, Wrike makes it simple to begin your business plan. Using Wrike to create your plan also allows you to view your ideas and objectives from a variety of perspectives, including Gantt charts, calendars, and boards.
Use of Wrike for your company plan is advisable for a number of reasons. To start, you can outline your project’s precise business objectives, ask team members to collaborate, and message business partners to go over everything. When you’re prepared to compile all the information into a presentation to give to potential investors, you can also export your data.
Wrike is a free plan that works well for organizing your ideas into tasks and projects, but if you want to invite colleagues, obtain unique workflows, or add more views and automations, you may want to switch to a subscription plan. The cost of a paid plan ranges from $9.80 to $24.80 per user per month, both of which are billed annually.
Who ought to use it?
Wrike makes it simple for every new business owner to create a business plan and collaborate with others on financial and operational goals. It’s helpful even after your business strategy is finished because it makes a great project management tool.
Pros
-
- Road mapping expertise
-
- (Gantt, calendar, and board) Multiple views
-
- included business plan templates
-
- Managing goals through projects and tasks
-
- A free program is offered
-
- Low-cost plans
Cons
-
- No pitching equipment
-
- No financial equipment
11. Aha!
Every company plan begins with a strategy, and Aha! helps you visualize how you intend to get from point A to point Z. Software called Aha! is generally used by product teams to plan features, products, or issue solutions. It may be used by any company in any industry to transform ideas and strategies into plans and milestones.
Aha! is perfect for the initial stages of business planning because it has phases similar to those in product development. Although Aha! Roadmaps doesn’t have a scorecard option, you can rate and prioritize your company’s vision and objectives. Before you construct your official business plan and get funding, you might show your proposal to viewers (stakeholders).
You have a choice between three plans: Premium, which costs $59 per user per month; Enterprise, which costs $99 per user per month; and Enterprise+, which costs $149 per user per month, all of which are invoiced annually. Only if you wish to add automation, development tools, and customized worksheets and tables should you switch to any Enterprise plan.
Who ought to use it?
Aha! Roadmaps are a great planning and organizing tool for business concepts. You can use the presentation tool to discuss your company’s road map as you work toward producing your finalized business plan.
Pros
-
- Pleasant user interface
-
- Being able to rank and prioritize ideas
-
- Transmit road blueprints to others
-
- 30 day no cost trial
Cons
-
- No free offer
-
- Costly to create a business strategy
-
- Some learning needs to be done
Finally, a tool with capabilities that make it simple for you to develop a roadmap for your firm may be what you need, depending on the stage of business planning you’re in. These tools can help you in the early stages with brainstorming, prioritizing goals, and managing your goals before you actually finish your business plan.