Business plan toolkits include software, templates, and guides designed to help entrepreneurs structure, write, and refine their business plans. They vary widely, from free resources provided by government agencies to comprehensive paid software with built-in analytics and AI assistance.
Online business plan software
This software automates the business plan writing process using guided prompts, automated financial tools, and customizable templates.
- LivePlan: Provides over 500 business plan templates, step-by-step guidance, and tools for budgeting, forecasting, and tracking your business's performance.
- Bizplan: Offers a drag-and-drop builder with financial tracking tools. It focuses on fundraising, with features that allow you to create investor-ready pitch decks and share plans easily.
- Upmetrics: An AI-powered tool that includes an AI business plan generator, customizable templates, and financial forecasting software. It also has integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
- Enloop: Automatically generates written business plan sections and financial statements based on your data input. It also provides a real-time performance score for your plan.
- IdeaBuddy: Helps you structure and refine your initial business idea using tools like a single-page pitch maker. It also offers market research and financial planning resources.
Free resources and tools
These toolkits are often offered by government agencies or business mentorship organizations, making them a cost-effective way to get started.
- SBA's Business Plan Tool: The U.S. Small Business Administration provides a free, step-by-step online tool that guides you through every section of a traditional business plan.
- SCORE Templates: As a non-profit network of volunteer business mentors, SCORE offers downloadable business plan templates for various business types. It also provides free business counseling.
- Bplans: A resource site that offers over 550 free sample business plans, as well as a step-by-step guide and a free business plan template.
- Canva: This design platform offers hundreds of free, professionally designed business plan templates that can be customized with your brand's colors, fonts, and images.
AI business plan generators
These tools use AI to help with brainstorming, structuring, and drafting your business plan, accelerating the writing process.
- ChatGPT: Can be used to brainstorm ideas for each section, conduct preliminary market research, and help draft content. It is best used as an assistant to refine your thinking, rather than creating the entire plan.
- Bizplanr: Specifically designed to generate professional business plans for first-time founders based on a guided questionnaire.
- Copy.ai: An AI writing tool that can help draft sections of your business plan based on provided templates, which is useful for creating a market-ready plan quickly.
Manual toolkits
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, manual toolkits provide templates and structured guidance without the software automation.
- Downloadable templates: Many websites, including HubSpot and Score.org, offer free business plan templates in formats like Word or PDF, which you can download and edit yourself.
- Workbooks and journals: You can purchase physical or digital workbooks that provide structured prompts and exercises to help you build your plan step-by-step. Some versions are available on marketplaces like Etsy.
How to choose the right toolkit
- For robust financial forecasting: Choose a comprehensive software like LivePlan or Upmetrics.
- For first-time entrepreneurs: Start with the free, step-by-step tools from the SBA or SCORE.
- For quick drafting and inspiration: Use AI-assisted tools like ChatGPT or Bizplanr to generate ideas and refine your writing.
- For investor-ready plans: Consider a tool like Bizplan, which is specifically designed for fundraising.
- For a hands-on, low-cost option: Download a free template from Bplans or SCORE and write your plan manually.