Quick Overview
- 1#1: LivePlan - Cloud-based business planning software that guides users through creating detailed business and marketing plans with integrated financial forecasting and performance tracking.
- 2#2: Upmetrics - AI-powered platform for building professional business plans, including marketing strategies, financial projections, and investor-ready documents.
- 3#3: Enloop - Automated business plan software that writes, scores, and optimizes plans with real-time financial analysis and marketing sections.
- 4#4: Bizplan - Drag-and-drop business planning tool with templates for comprehensive business and marketing strategies plus financial modeling.
- 5#5: HubSpot Marketing Hub - All-in-one inbound marketing platform for planning, executing, and analyzing marketing campaigns integrated with CRM and business tools.
- 6#6: CoSchedule - Marketing calendar and management software for planning, scheduling, and organizing marketing projects and content calendars.
- 7#7: SEMrush - Digital marketing toolkit for market research, competitor analysis, SEO planning, and comprehensive marketing strategy development.
- 8#8: IdeaBuddy - Business planning software that helps turn ideas into actionable plans with marketing roadmaps and financial forecasts.
- 9#9: PlanGuru - Financial planning and budgeting software ideal for creating detailed financial sections of business and marketing plans.
- 10#10: StratPad - Mobile-first business planning app for developing strategic business and marketing plans with execution tracking.
Tools were chosen based on rigorous evaluation of features (including financial modeling, marketing strategy tools, and automation), user experience (intuitive design, accessibility), and value (scalability, pricing models, and cross-functional integrations), ensuring they deliver measurable impact.
Comparison Table
Discover a range of business and marketing plan software solutions in this comparison table, featuring tools like LivePlan, Upmetrics, Enloop, Bizplan, HubSpot Marketing Hub, and more. This resource equips readers to evaluate key features, usability, and suitability for their specific needs, simplifying the process of selecting the right tool to streamline planning and growth.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LivePlan Cloud-based business planning software that guides users through creating detailed business and marketing plans with integrated financial forecasting and performance tracking. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Upmetrics AI-powered platform for building professional business plans, including marketing strategies, financial projections, and investor-ready documents. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Enloop Automated business plan software that writes, scores, and optimizes plans with real-time financial analysis and marketing sections. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Bizplan Drag-and-drop business planning tool with templates for comprehensive business and marketing strategies plus financial modeling. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | HubSpot Marketing Hub All-in-one inbound marketing platform for planning, executing, and analyzing marketing campaigns integrated with CRM and business tools. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | CoSchedule Marketing calendar and management software for planning, scheduling, and organizing marketing projects and content calendars. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 7 | SEMrush Digital marketing toolkit for market research, competitor analysis, SEO planning, and comprehensive marketing strategy development. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | IdeaBuddy Business planning software that helps turn ideas into actionable plans with marketing roadmaps and financial forecasts. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 9 | PlanGuru Financial planning and budgeting software ideal for creating detailed financial sections of business and marketing plans. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 10 | StratPad Mobile-first business planning app for developing strategic business and marketing plans with execution tracking. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
Cloud-based business planning software that guides users through creating detailed business and marketing plans with integrated financial forecasting and performance tracking.
AI-powered platform for building professional business plans, including marketing strategies, financial projections, and investor-ready documents.
Automated business plan software that writes, scores, and optimizes plans with real-time financial analysis and marketing sections.
Drag-and-drop business planning tool with templates for comprehensive business and marketing strategies plus financial modeling.
All-in-one inbound marketing platform for planning, executing, and analyzing marketing campaigns integrated with CRM and business tools.
Marketing calendar and management software for planning, scheduling, and organizing marketing projects and content calendars.
Digital marketing toolkit for market research, competitor analysis, SEO planning, and comprehensive marketing strategy development.
Business planning software that helps turn ideas into actionable plans with marketing roadmaps and financial forecasts.
Financial planning and budgeting software ideal for creating detailed financial sections of business and marketing plans.
Mobile-first business planning app for developing strategic business and marketing plans with execution tracking.
LivePlan
specializedCloud-based business planning software that guides users through creating detailed business and marketing plans with integrated financial forecasting and performance tracking.
LivePlan's full financial integration that automatically generates profit & loss, cash flow, and balance sheets from plan inputs with industry benchmarking
LivePlan is a leading cloud-based business planning software that simplifies the creation of professional business plans, financial forecasts, marketing strategies, and pitch decks for entrepreneurs and small businesses. It provides step-by-step guidance through customizable templates, real-time financial modeling, and integration with tools like QuickBooks and Xero. Users can also track performance against forecasts, generate reports, and benchmark against industry data to refine their strategies ongoing.
Pros
- Comprehensive templates and guided workflow for business and marketing plans
- Advanced financial forecasting and scenario modeling tools
- Real-time dashboards for performance tracking and investor-ready pitch decks
Cons
- Subscription model can be costly for solo freelancers
- Steeper learning curve for complex financial customizations
- Limited advanced marketing automation integrations
Best For
Entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners seeking an all-in-one tool for crafting detailed business plans, marketing strategies, and financial projections.
Pricing
Starts at $20/month (billed annually) for Premium; Team plan at $40/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Upmetrics
specializedAI-powered platform for building professional business plans, including marketing strategies, financial projections, and investor-ready documents.
AI Copilot that generates complete business plan drafts from simple inputs in minutes
Upmetrics is a cloud-based business planning platform that enables users to create comprehensive business plans, financial projections, marketing strategies, and pitch decks using over 400 customizable templates. It features an AI copilot for generating content, real-time collaboration tools, and advanced financial forecasting with scenario modeling. The software streamlines the planning process for entrepreneurs, making it easier to produce investor-ready documents.
Pros
- Extensive library of 400+ templates for business and marketing plans
- AI Copilot for rapid content generation and editing
- Robust financial forecasting with automated projections and charts
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for solo freelancers without annual billing
- Advanced financial features may overwhelm complete beginners
- Limited integrations compared to enterprise-level tools
Best For
Startups, small business owners, and consultants needing professional business and marketing plans with financial modeling.
Pricing
Free trial available; plans start at $19/month (Starter, billed annually), $39/month (Premium), and custom Enterprise pricing.
Enloop
specializedAutomated business plan software that writes, scores, and optimizes plans with real-time financial analysis and marketing sections.
Patented Plan Score algorithm that objectively grades your plan's completeness, viability, and professionalism in real-time
Enloop is a cloud-based business plan software that automates the creation of detailed business and marketing plans using guided wizards and AI-driven text generation. It excels in financial forecasting, performance scoring, and customizable templates for industries like startups, nonprofits, and e-commerce. Users can generate investor-ready plans with real-time feedback on viability and completeness.
Pros
- Automated plan writing and financial projections save significant time
- Unique real-time plan scoring system provides objective feedback
- Extensive library of templates for business and marketing plans
Cons
- User interface feels somewhat dated and clunky
- Limited collaboration tools for team-based planning
- Advanced features locked behind higher pricing tiers
Best For
Solo entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking an affordable, automated tool for creating polished business and marketing plans.
Pricing
Free limited plan; Detailed ($9.95/mo annually), Performance ($19.95/mo annually), and Enloop Plus ($39.95/mo annually) with more features and exports.
Bizplan
specializedDrag-and-drop business planning tool with templates for comprehensive business and marketing strategies plus financial modeling.
One-click financial dashboard that auto-generates projections and embeds them directly into the business plan
Bizplan is a user-friendly online platform that simplifies creating professional business plans, financial forecasts, and pitch decks for startups and small businesses. It offers drag-and-drop templates, automated financial projections, and collaboration tools to guide users through the planning process. The software includes sections for marketing strategies within comprehensive business plans, with export options to PDF, Word, and PowerPoint for investor presentations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface accelerates plan creation
- Automated financial forecasting with charts and scenarios
- Real-time collaboration and progress tracking features
Cons
- Marketing plan tools are basic compared to dedicated software
- Subscription model with no lifetime access option
- Limited advanced analytics for complex enterprises
Best For
Startups and solopreneurs who need a straightforward tool for investor-ready business plans with integrated financials and basic marketing outlines.
Pricing
Premium plan at $29/month or $240/year (billed annually); 14-day free trial available.
HubSpot Marketing Hub
enterpriseAll-in-one inbound marketing platform for planning, executing, and analyzing marketing campaigns integrated with CRM and business tools.
AI-powered Content Strategy Hub for generating and optimizing marketing plans with data-driven insights
HubSpot Marketing Hub is a comprehensive inbound marketing platform that supports business and marketing planning through tools like CRM integration, campaign workflows, content calendars, SEO recommendations, and performance analytics. It enables teams to strategize, execute, and measure marketing efforts aligned with business goals, including lead generation pipelines and ROI tracking. While not a dedicated business plan template tool, it excels in operationalizing marketing strategies within a scalable ecosystem.
Pros
- All-in-one CRM and marketing tools streamline planning and execution
- Free starter plan with core planning features like workflows and analytics
- Extensive integrations and scalable for growing businesses
Cons
- Higher tiers are expensive for small teams focused only on planning
- Overkill for simple business/marketing plan creation without execution needs
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
Best For
Mid-sized businesses and marketing teams needing integrated planning, automation, and analytics beyond basic templates.
Pricing
Free tools available; Starter at $15/month (1,000 contacts); Professional at $800/month (2,000 contacts); Enterprise at $3,600/month (billed annually).
CoSchedule
specializedMarketing calendar and management software for planning, scheduling, and organizing marketing projects and content calendars.
The visual Marketing Calendar that unifies all campaigns, tasks, and assets in one interactive dashboard
CoSchedule is a comprehensive marketing management platform centered around a visual marketing calendar that helps teams plan, schedule, and execute content across social media, email, blogs, and more. It streamlines collaboration with task assignments, approvals, and integrations, while features like social automation and performance reporting align marketing efforts with business objectives. While strong in tactical execution, it supports lighter business planning through goal tracking and project management.
Pros
- Powerful drag-and-drop marketing calendar for visualizing plans
- Excellent automation tools like ReQueue for evergreen content
- Seamless team collaboration and 100+ integrations
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Limited depth in high-level business strategy tools like SWOT or financial forecasting
- Steeper learning curve for non-marketing users
Best For
Marketing teams in SMBs needing a centralized hub for content planning and execution tied to business goals.
Pricing
Starts at $29/user/month (billed annually) for Essential plan; Advanced at $79/user/month, Pro at $159/user/month, with enterprise custom pricing.
SEMrush
specializedDigital marketing toolkit for market research, competitor analysis, SEO planning, and comprehensive marketing strategy development.
Market Explorer for a complete 360-degree view of industries, competitors, and market share to guide planning
SEMrush is a powerful all-in-one digital marketing platform that excels in SEO, PPC, content marketing, and competitive intelligence, making it valuable for developing data-driven marketing plans. It provides tools for keyword research, site audits, market exploration, and performance tracking to inform business strategies and optimize online presence. While not a full business plan software with financial modeling, its analytics suite supports robust marketing plan creation and execution.
Pros
- Comprehensive competitor and market analysis tools for strategic planning
- Vast keyword database and real-time insights across multiple channels
- Customizable reports and dashboards for marketing plan documentation
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Premium pricing limits accessibility for small businesses
- Less emphasis on traditional business planning like financial projections
Best For
Digital marketing teams and agencies needing data-backed insights for SEO-focused marketing plans.
Pricing
Starts at $139.95/mo (Pro, billed annually) up to $499.95/mo (Business); Guru at $249.95/mo; custom Enterprise plans available.
IdeaBuddy
specializedBusiness planning software that helps turn ideas into actionable plans with marketing roadmaps and financial forecasts.
AI Business Advisor that provides personalized, chat-based guidance throughout the planning process
IdeaBuddy is an AI-powered online platform designed to help entrepreneurs create comprehensive business and marketing plans through a guided, step-by-step process. It covers everything from idea validation and market research to financial forecasting, marketing strategies, and pitch deck generation. The tool simplifies planning for beginners while offering exportable professional documents to attract investors.
Pros
- Intuitive step-by-step wizard ideal for beginners
- AI-powered guidance and idea validation tools
- Affordable plans with professional plan exports and pitch decks
Cons
- Financial modeling lacks advanced customization
- Marketing strategy features are somewhat basic
- Limited collaboration tools in entry-level plans
Best For
Solo entrepreneurs and startups needing a quick, user-friendly way to build their first business and marketing plan.
Pricing
7-day free trial; plans start at $15/month (Solo, billed annually), $29/month (Partners), $49/month (Unlimited).
PlanGuru
enterpriseFinancial planning and budgeting software ideal for creating detailed financial sections of business and marketing plans.
21 flexible forecasting methods including driver-based, statistical, and linear planning
PlanGuru is a financial planning and analysis (FP&A) software focused on budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling for businesses. It provides tools for driver-based planning, scenario analysis, variance reporting, and consolidations across multiple entities. While excellent for the financial components of business planning, it lacks dedicated features for marketing strategies, market research, or non-financial plan sections.
Pros
- Advanced financial forecasting with 21 integrated planning methods
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and Excel
- Robust scenario planning and what-if analysis tools
Cons
- Limited tools for marketing or non-financial business planning
- Steep learning curve, especially for non-finance users
- Primarily desktop-based with clunky interface
Best For
Finance teams in small to mid-sized businesses needing precise financial modeling and budgeting as part of their business planning.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Basic, 1 user), $149/month (Professional, up to 5 users); Enterprise pricing custom.
StratPad
specializedMobile-first business planning app for developing strategic business and marketing plans with execution tracking.
Interactive Strategy Canvas system that visually maps out business models, marketing strategies, and finances in one cohesive view
StratPad is a web-based business planning tool designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses create lean business plans using interactive canvases inspired by methodologies like the Business Model Canvas. It guides users through strategy, marketing, sales, operations, team, and financial forecasting sections with step-by-step prompts and automated financial calculations. Plans can be exported to PDF or Word, shared for collaboration, and tracked over time for execution.
Pros
- Intuitive canvas-based interface simplifies complex planning
- Automated financial projections and scenario modeling
- Strong focus on lean startup methodology with proven templates
Cons
- Limited advanced marketing analytics or CRM integrations
- Basic collaboration tools compared to enterprise solutions
- Financial features lack depth for complex businesses
Best For
Startups and solopreneurs seeking a simple, guided tool for their first business or marketing plan without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Premium at $20/month or $168/year; Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
Through a detailed comparison of the 10 tools, LivePlan emerges as the top choice, combining cloud-based accessibility, integrated financial forecasting, and guided planning to create comprehensive business and marketing strategies. Upmetrics, with its AI-powered platform and investor-ready documents, and Enloop, known for automated optimization and real-time analysis, are strong alternatives, each excelling in specific areas like advanced AI or streamlined scoring. Together, these tools demonstrate the range of solutions available for crafting effective plans.
Begin building your strategic plan by exploring LivePlan—its intuitive design and robust features make it the ideal starting point for turning goals into actionable success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
