LivePlan

LivePlan has long been a go-to option for people writing their first business plan, and its AI tools make the process less intimidating. Rather than staring at a blank template, founders get help testing an idea, researching their market, drafting sections and spotting weak points before a lender does. The finished plan then feeds directly into a pitch deck.

• Step-by-step guidance covers every section of a traditional business plan
• Financial forecasts and statements are formatted for lenders and investors
• The Idea Canvas helps pressure-test a concept early
• Plan review reads your plan the way a lender would and flags gaps
• Higher tiers connect to QuickBooks Online and Xero for actual-versus-plan tracking

LivePlan is best for founders preparing a loan or grant application, small business owners formalizing growth plans, and consultants or educators who help others write plans. The 35-day money-back guarantee gives room to try it on a real project. A practical tip: build your revenue and expense forecast before polishing the written sections, since the numbers often reveal assumptions you will want to explain in the narrative, and then run the AI plan review last.