Introduction
Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for starting or growing a company. However, the process of writing out sections, building financial projections, and organizing supporting documents can feel tedious. This is where business plan software provides value by streamlining the planning process and making it more visually engaging. In this article, we highlight 15 of the top-rated free business plan software options based on features, user experience, and popularity to help you select the right tool.
Methods of Evaluation
To rank these free business plan software options, we considered several conventional evaluation methods like features, ease of use, integrations, and pricing. Additionally, we also looked at metrics like number of backlinks, traffic, and keyword search trends over the last year to understand which solutions are most adopted and discussed online. This helps provide a more well-rounded perspective of real-world popularity and reputation when selecting the right free tool.
1. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is an online survey software tool that helps businesses, organizations, and individuals create their own surveys and analyze results. Founded in 1999, SurveyMonkey has become one of the most popular survey tools available today with over 100 million users worldwide.
Pros: Some key advantages of SurveyMonkey include: It is an established and trusted online survey platform; it is helpful for gathering customer feedback and researching ideas to improve a business; it allows users to easily analyze survey results to gain insights and make better decisions; and it integrates with popular tools like Google and allows basic surveys and forms to be used for free indefinitely.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version has limited functionality compared to paid plans, including restrictions on the number of questions, responses, and analyses.
Pricing: SurveyMonkey offers both free and paid plans. The basic plan is free to use forever and allows creation of up to 10 questions, 100 responses per survey, and basic analysis. Paid plans starting at $26/month provide more advanced features and more customizable surveys, responses, and storage.
Some key stats about SurveyMonkey include: It has over 100 million users worldwide, is ranked as one of the most popular free online survey tools, and has integration with tools like Google Analytics, spreadsheets, and CRM software.
2. QuickBooks
QuickBooks is an accounting software suite developed and marketed by Intuit. As one of the most popular accounting software options, QuickBooks aims to make bookkeeping easy for small businesses. With features like templates to extract financials for business plans and integrated POS and invoicing tools, QuickBooks streamlines common accounting tasks.
Pros: Some key advantages of QuickBooks include:
– Powerful accounting software suite that covers invoicing, expenses, payroll, and more
– Templates to easily extract key financial metrics for business plans
– Integrated POS and invoicing tools allow you to issue invoices and track sales directly from QuickBooks
– Free 30 day trial with discounts available after the trial period ends
– Widely considered the standout choice for small business bookkeeping needs
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the upfront and ongoing subscription costs after the initial free trial. While competitive for full-featured accounting software, it may not be feasible for some sole proprietors or very small businesses on a tight budget.
Pricing: QuickBooks offers several subscription plans starting at $15-30/month depending on the features needed. Additional per-user fees apply for access beyond the main account holder. Discounts are often available when paying for a full year upfront.
Some key stats about QuickBooks include:
– Used by over 6 million small businesses worldwide
– Integrates with over 1000 third party apps including Shopify, Xero, and Zenefits
– Offers desktop, online, and mobile apps for Mac and Windows
– Supports bookkeeping for over 30 countries globally
3. Slack
Slack is a leading collaboration platform used by millions worldwide to get work done. It allows teams to communicate in real-time via public and private channels, alongside direct messaging. Users can share files, assign tasks, and discuss projects all within Slack.
Pros: Advantages of Slack include: Powerful team communication platform; Useful for co-authoring business docs; Project management features like tasks; Templated channel discussions aid planning; Free tier for basic team collaboration;
Cons: A potential downside is that Slack is not as fully-featured as standalone project management or task tracking software. It works best when used alongside other tools.
Pricing: Slack offers a free version along with paid Starter, Standard, and Plus plans starting at $8 per user/month billed annually, with additional premium enterprise plans also available.
Some key stats about Slack include: Over 12 million daily active users, Used in over 150 countries, Has over 500k paid customers ranging from startups to large enterprises like IBM and Capital One.
4. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a leading social media management platform that allows users to schedule, publish, and analyze social media posts across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. Founded in 2008, Hootsuite now serves over 18 million users including top brands, agencies, and individuals.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Hootsuite include: It allows centralized scheduling and publishing of social posts to multiple networks, Provides analytics to measure engagement and performance of social content, Offers useful features like calendar view to plan outreach, Hashtags, mentions and links are tracked across networks, Freemium model makes basic use free.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version has limited functionality and advanced analytics are only available with paid plans. So for bigger teams or companies that need more robust features, a paid upgrade would be required.
Pricing: Hootsuite offers a free basic plan as well as 3 paid tiers – Pro ($9.99/month), Business ($19.99/month) and Enterprise (pricing varies based on team size). The paid plans provide more publishing streams, advanced analytics, team collaboration features and support.
Some key stats about Hootsuite include: It serves over 18 million users globally, has offices worldwide with headquarters in Vancouver, supports all major social networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and more, and processes over 1 billion social actions per day on its platform.
5. Notion
Notion is an all-in-one workspace for note taking, project management and documentation. It allows users to create databases, wikis, docs and Kanban boards all in one integrated platform.
Pros: Some key advantages of Notion include:
– Provides an all-in-one workspace to blend work apps into one tool for capturing ideas, managing tasks and building internal wiki knowledge bases
– Templates available for common use cases like marketing, HR, sales etc via integrations
– Free personal plans available and paid team plans for collaborating with others
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free personal plans have limited storage and integrations. For most advanced use cases, a paid team plan may be required.
Pricing: Notion offers the following pricing plans:
– Free personal plan for unlimited users with 2GB storage
– Premium personal starting at $4/month for 5GB storage
– Team plans starting at $8/user/month with full features for collaboration
Some key stats about Notion include:
– Used by over 5 million people including individuals, startups and enterprises
– Integrations with over 100 apps including Google, Slack, Dropbox and more
– Available on web, desktop and mobile apps
– Won multiple awards for productivity tools
6. Airtable
Airtable is a powerful low-code platform for building custom databases, tracking work and automating processes. It allows users to visually structure information into customized databases with flexible views, forms and workflows.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Airtable include: – Visual and flexible database structure that is easy to customize – Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for non-developers – Great for componentizing business plans into detailed steps and tasks – Relational data structure allows linking of different aspects of a plan – Integrations empower workflows and automated processes
Cons: The main disadvantage is that customizations and advanced automations may require a paid plan for complex integrations and workflows.
Pricing: Airtable offers both free and paid plans. The free tier allows for personal projects with limitations on storage and collaborative features. Paid plans start at $5/user/month for additional storage, collaborators and advanced automations.
Some key stats about Airtable include: – Used by over 150,000 companies including IBM, AWS and Snowflake – Supports over 20M records and growing – Available on web and via iOS and Android apps – Integrates with over 100+ apps like Slack, Dropbox and Google Docs
7. WordStream
WordStream is a leading digital marketing software platform that helps businesses optimize their advertising campaigns. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, WordStream offers paid search, social media advertising and SEO tools to help companies launch, measure and improve their digital advertising efforts. With over 20,000 customers worldwide, WordStream is one of the most popular digital marketing platforms for boosting online visibility and growing a business through data-driven insights.
Pros: Some key advantages of using WordStream include:
– All-in-one platform for digital marketing covering multiple channels
– Helps formulate strategic marketing plans based on campaign analytics
– Free starter plan and resources to learn digital advertising best practices
– Estimation tools provide insights into potential ROI of ad campaigns
– Assistance across paid search, SEO, social media, and content marketing
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the paid plans can be expensive for smaller businesses on a tight budget. However, there are generous free trials and the free starter plan provides useful basic tools and resources.
Pricing: WordStream offers the following pricing plans:
– Free Starter Plan – Provides basic tools and resources for up to 3 campaigns
– Professional Plan – Starting at $99/month for up to 10 campaigns
– Premium Plan – Starting at $249/month for advanced analytics and support
Some key stats about WordStream include:
– Over 20,000 customers worldwide
– Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Colorado
– Assists with paid search, social media ads, SEO and content marketing
– Tools to estimate campaign performance and return on ad spend
8. Venngage
Venngage is a leading online infographic and presentation maker. It provides users access to over 10,000 professional templates across various categories like business, marketing, education and more. Users can customize the templates, add their own images, text, colors to create visually appealing presentations and infographics in just a few clicks.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Venngage:
– Huge selection of professionally designed templates for different use cases like pitches, reports, social media etc.
– Intuitive drag and drop editor to customize templates
– Image and graphic library to insert relevant visuals
– Embeddable and shareable slide content
– Free basic account allows creating up to 3 slides
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the watermarks on free accounts for exported files. To remove watermarks, one needs a paid subscription.
Pricing: Venngage offers three pricing tiers:
– Free Plan: Allows creation of up to 3 slides. Export files will have watermarks.
– Startup Plan: $39/month billed annually. Removes watermarks and increases slide limit to 25.
– Business Plan: $99/month billed annually. Unlimited slides and additional admin features.
Some key stats about Venngage:
– Over 5 million users worldwide
– 10,000+ templates available in the template library
– Integrations with Unsplash, Pixabay for image search and insertion
– Ability to export slides as images, PDF or editable PPT files
9. Creately
Creately is a visual collaboration and diagramming platform that allows users to create and share diagrams, workflow charts, mind maps, and more. With Creately, users can brainstorm and communicate ideas visually.
Pros: Some key advantages of Creately include:
– Powerful diagramming and flowchart builder for visualizing processes
– Real-time collaboration features allow simultaneous editing
– Great for modeling business processes, customer journeys, organizational charts and more
– Integration with other tools like Google Drive for centralized file storage
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version only allows for basic features and has watermarks on exported files. For full functionality, an upgraded paid plan is required.
Pricing: Creately offers both free and paid plans. The free plan provides basic features while paid plans start at $5/user/month for the Basic plan and increase up to $15/user/month for the Enterprise plan which removes watermarks and provides additional storage and integrations.
Some key stats about Creately include:
– Used by over 10 million users worldwide
– Integrates with popular tools like Figma, Miro, Google Workspace
– Supported on all major browsers and devices
– Repository of over 1000 ready-made templates
10. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is an all-in-one document workflow and e-signature solution that allows users to create, approve and sign business documents from a single platform. Founded in 2013, PandaDoc has grown to serve over 50,000 clients worldwide with its user-friendly and powerful document automation software. With PandaDoc, users can create high quality, professionally designed business plans, contracts, proposals and other documents through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and robust library of customizable templates.
Pros: Key advantages of PandaDoc include:
– All-in-one document creation, approval and e-signature platform
– Intuitive builder for crafting business documents easily
– Large library of professionally designed, customizable templates
– Powerful analytics and reporting on document usage
– Robust integrations with tools like Dropbox, Slack and Google Drive
– Ability to co-author and collaborate on documents in real-time
Cons: Some potential disadvantages of PandaDoc include:
– Free plan has limited features and document storage
Pricing: PandaDoc offers three pricing tiers:
– Free plan with basic features and limited to 3 users
– Premium starting at $12/user per month for unlimited documents and features
– Enterprise pricing available for large teams and custom requirements
Some key stats about PandaDoc include:
– Serving over 50,000 clients globally
– Completed over 50 million signatures
– Available in over 45 languages
– Trusted integrations with tools like CRM systems and payment gateways
11. Business Model Canvas
Business Model Canvas is a strategy tool created by Strategyzer AG that uses a visual diagram and descriptive business model questions to help generate, test and evaluate business ideas. The canvas provides a structured way of thinking about how a business or product can be financially sustainable.
Pros: The main advantages of using Business Model Canvas include: – Visual representation allows quick development and testing of business concepts using virtual post-it notes. – Popular framework supported by a large online community for advice and guidance. – Effective for generating high-level snapshots of business ideas before committing significant investment.
Cons: As a free online tool, the main limitation is that it does not provide in-depth business plans or financial projections. The basic free version has limited functionality compared to paid upgrades offered by Strategyzer.
Pricing: Business Model Canvas has a basic free version available online at strategyzer.com. Paid upgrades and premium accounts are also available starting at $39/month that provide additional features like templates, team collaboration, export options and training/certification.
Some key stats about Business Model Canvas include: – Used by over 5 million entrepreneurs, students and organizations globally to design and test new business strategies. – Popular tool adopted by startups and corporates alike for business planning and ideation. – Translated into over 50 languages to make the tool accessible worldwide.
12. Quip
Quip is a collaboration software that allows users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets and chat in real-time. It is designed to transform business processes with live collaboration, inline discussions and useful spreadsheet features.
Pros: Some key advantages of Quip include:
– Live collaboration tool that allows real-time editing of docs by multiple users
– Inline comments and discussion threads streamline feedback and work
– Useful spreadsheet features like formulas, pivot tables for projections and data analysis
– Free personal use plan that supports light collaboration needs
Cons: The main disadvantage is that the free plan has limited features suited more for personal use rather than teams. For full team collaboration features, an upgrade to one of the paid plans is needed.
Pricing: Quip offers the following pricing plans:
– Personal (Free): For basic personal use
– Teams ($10/user/month): Adds version history, shared folders and more users
– Business ($20/user/month): Adds proprietary apps, SAML SSO and 24/7 support
Some key stats about Quip include:
– Used by over 5,000 companies worldwide
– Integrates natively with Salesforce
– Available on web and mobile apps for iOS and Android
– Supports collaboration on docs, sheets and chat simultaneously
13. Preceden
Preceden is a business plan and timeline maker that helps users organize projects, processes and plans. Founded in 2021, Preceden is based in California and has helped over 500,000 users easily create timelines, flowcharts, project plans and more.
Pros: Key advantages of using Preceden include:
– drag-and-drop timeline builder for easy visualization
– robust library of templates to choose from for any need
– allows for documenting of processes and procedures easily
– free basic plan covers lighter documentation requirements
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the free plan has some limitations on features and number of templates available. For more advanced customization, an upgrade to a paid plan may be required.
Pricing: Preceden offers both free and paid plans. The free basic plan provides access to basic timeline building and templates. Upgraded premium plans start at $9/month and unlock additional features, storage and support.
Some key stats about Preceden include:
– Supported over 500,000 users globally
-Templates available for legal documents, project plans, school assignments and more
-Available on web and as mobile apps for iOS and Android
14. Startups.com Business Plan Template
Startups.com Business Plan Template is a free online business plan template provided by Startups.com. The template is completely customizable and can be used for any business idea or industry. It provides a clear structure with all the necessary sections to develop a comprehensive business plan.
Pros: Key advantages of the Startups.com Business Plan Template include:
– It is completely free to use
– The template provides a clear structure and covers all necessary sections for a full business plan
– Guidance articles help explain how to write each section effectively
– Customizable layout that can be adapted for any business idea or industry
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that as a free online template, it does not provide 1-on-1 support from business plan experts when writing the plan. Entrepreneurs must rely on the guidance articles and community forums for help.
Pricing: The Startups.com Business Plan Template is completely free to use and customize. There are no monthly or annual subscription fees associated with the template.
Some key stats about the Startups.com Business Plan Template include:
– Used by over 50,000 entrepreneurs globally
– Customizable template that can be used for any business
– Provides guidance on how to write each section effectively
15. Boardable
Boardable is a board management software designed specifically for nonprofits and their boards of directors. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, Boardable makes it easy for nonprofit boards to manage meetings, streamline workflows, and collaborate remotely.
Pros: Some key advantages of Boardable include:
– Visual tool for creating business model canvases
– Collaborative whiteboarding for team brainstorming
– No software to install – all browser-based
– Real-time collaboration and commenting
– Good starting point before detailed planning
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Boardable is designed specifically for nonprofits and their board of directors workflow. It may not be as suitable for other types of organizations.
Pricing: Boardable offers simple and transparent pricing:
– Basic plan starts at $99/month for up to 5 users
– Pro plan starts at $249/month for up to 15 users
– Custom enterprise plans are also available
– All plans include unlimited storage and support
Some key stats about Boardable include:
– Over 5,000 nonprofits use Boardable globally
– Processes over 10,000 board packages every month
– Integrates with nonprofit software like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox and others
– Features mobile apps for iOS and Android to access board materials on the go
Conclusion
Whether you need help brainstorming ideas, documenting sections, or visually presenting your plan – these 15 free business plan software solutions offer engaging formats to bring your visions to life. Choose the option that best fits your specific requirements and team size. And remember, an organized digital plan is one step closer towards launching a successful venture.