5 Best Free Business Planning Software Tools for Small Business Owners
As a small business owner, planning is crucial. But creating a business plan can be a daunting task, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are many free business planning software tools available to help you streamline the process. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 5 free business planning software tools for small businesses.
1. LivePlan
LivePlan is an online business planning tool that helps entrepreneurs create professional business plans. LivePlan offers a step-by-step wizard that guides you through the entire process of creating a business plan, including financials, market analysis, and marketing strategies. The tool also includes a library of over 500 sample business plans, giving you a head start in your planning process. LivePlan offers a free trial for 60 days, after which you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription fee. However, it’s worth it if you’re serious about taking your business to the next level.
2. Trello
Trello is a project management tool that can be used for creating a simple business plan. While Trello isn’t specifically designed for business planning, it’s a great tool for organizing your ideas and tasks. Trello uses a board system where you can create different lists for each aspect of your business plan (like marketing, finances, and operations). You can then add cards to each list with notes and necessary information. The best part of Trello is that it’s entirely free to use.
3. Enloop
Enloop is a cloud-based business planning software tool that allows you to create a professional business plan in minutes. It features an automated editor that takes care of formatting and financial projections, so you don’t have to worry about any technical details. Enloop is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something that’s simple and straightforward. As a bonus, Enloop offers a free trial before you decide to purchase it.
4. StratPad
StratPad is a popular business planning software tool that caters to small business owners. StratPad offers plenty of features like market research, financial projections, and goal-setting that can help you create a comprehensive business plan. StratPad’s free version only allows you to create one business plan, but you can upgrade to a paid version if you need to create more.
5. PlanGuru
PlanGuru is a financial planning and projection software tool that can be used for creating a business plan. While PlanGuru isn’t entirely free, it offers a free trial for 7 days, during which you can create and save one business plan. PlanGuru offers a unique feature called “what-if” analysis, which allows you to see the effect of changing any of your financial inputs on your business plan.
Conclusion
Creating a business plan is a necessary step for small business owners, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. The tools we discussed in this article can help you create a professional business plan for your business without breaking the bank. Depending on your specific needs, you might choose one tool over another, but they’ll all help you with critical aspects of your business plan. Try them out and find the one that works best for you.
