The business plan writing industry has evolved significantly, with professional services now offering comprehensive solutions beyond just document preparation. This review examines the top providers who have demonstrated consistent excellence in helping entrepreneurs and established businesses create compelling business plans and pitch decks after we reviewed the top ones.
How I Analyzed the Best Business Plan Writers
This review is based on:
- Analysis of 100+ verified customer reviews from G2, Trustpilot, and Yelp
- Direct client testimonials and case studies
- Service provider documentation and offerings
- Industry recognition and awards
- Track record of successful funding outcomes
- Customer satisfaction metrics
Comparison Summary
Provider | Rating | Funding Raised | Delivery Time | Price Range | Best For | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Investment Banking Grade
|
$4.0B+
|
2-3 weeks
|
$3,000-$10,000+
|
Institutional Funding
|
|
|
Strategic Advisory
|
Not disclosed
|
3-4 weeks
|
$3,000-$10,000+
|
Established Businesses
|
|
|
Fast Turnaround
|
$3.0B+
|
14 days
|
$1,500-$5,000
|
Quick Delivery Needs
|
|
|
Industry Specific
|
$1.0B+
|
2-3 weeks
|
$1,500-$5,000
|
Specialized Industries
|
|
Best Business Plan Writers
1. Pro Business Plans (Best for Investment-Grade Plans)
- Track Record: $4.0B+ in investment facilitated
- Core Services: Business plans, pitch decks, strategic advisory
- Customer Rating: 4.9/5.0 (29 verified reviews)
- Strengths:
- Investment banking-grade documentation
- Premium market research access
- Complex financial modeling capabilities
- Notable Feedback: “Expert team of financial professionals who know what bankers are looking for” – Recent client review
- Best For: Companies seeking institutional investment
2. Growthink (Best for Strategic Advisory)
- Founded: 1999
- Core Services: Strategic advisory, business planning, investment banking
- Customer Rating: 4.1/5.0 (19 verified reviews)
- Notable Clients: Integreon, Venus Williams (V Starr Interiors), Philips
- Recognition: Forbes’ Best Management Consulting Firms (2023-2024)
- Mixed Reviews: Some recent concerns about market research quality
- Best For: Established businesses needing strategic guidance
3. Go Business Plans (Best for Fast Turnaround)
- Delivery Time: 14-day standard turnaround
- Track Record: $3B+ in funding raised
- Recognition: 7x Business.com Best Business Plan Company
- Customer Rating: 4.7/5.0 (verified reviews)
- Strengths:
- Quick delivery
- Immigration plan expertise
- Strong customer communication
- Best For: Time-sensitive projects and immigration plans
4. Plan Writers (Industry Expertise)
- Experience: 10+ years, 5,000+ plans
- Team Size: 8 dedicated consultants
- Mixed Reviews: Recent feedback indicates communication challenges
- Warning: Some customer concerns about pricing transparency
- Best For: Industry-specific projects with flexible timelines
5. Upwork Freelancers (Budget Option)
- Price Range: $500-3,000
- Quality: Highly variable
- Best For: Basic plans and limited budgets
- Risk Level: Higher than dedicated services
Common Pitfalls and Challenges
Revision Cycles
- Pro Business Plans: 2-3 rounds typical
- Growthink: 3-4 rounds typical
- Go Business Plans: Unlimited revisions offered
- Plan Writers: Limited revision window
- Upwork: Varies by contractor
Timeline Realities
- Plan completion: 2-4 weeks average
- Initial funding meetings: 1-2 months after completion
- Typical funding timeline: 3-6 months post-plan
- Immigration cases: 4-8 weeks total process
Red Flags to Watch For
Service Provider Warning Signs
- Refusing to provide recent references
- Promising guaranteed funding
- Unclear revision policies
- Non-responsive during initial consultation
- Pressure to upgrade services
Contract Terms to Review
- Revision limitations
- Refund policies
- Timeline guarantees
- Additional fees
- Ownership rights
Performance Metrics
Success Rates by Provider
- Pro Business Plans
- 90%+ completion rate
- Average 2.5 revision cycles
- 4.9/5 customer satisfaction
- Growthink
- 85% completion rate
- Mixed recent reviews
- Strong strategic focus
- Go Business Plans
- 95% completion rate
- Fast turnaround focus
- Strong immigration success
- Plan Writers
- Variable completion rates
- Recent communication issues
- Industry-specific expertise
Funding Success Factors
- Professional plans increase funding chances by 250%
- Average time to funding: 4.5 months
- Success rates higher with investment-grade plans
- Industry expertise significantly impacts outcomes
Feature | Growthink | Pro Business Plans | Go Business Plans | Plan Writers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Core Metrics | ||||
Customer Rating | 4.1/5.0 | 4.9/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 | 4.2/5.0 |
Funding Track Record | Not Disclosed | $4.0B+ | $3.0B+ | $1.0B+ |
Standard Timeline | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 14 days | 2-3 weeks |
Typical Price Range | $3K-10K+ | $3K-10K+ | $1.5K-5K | $1.5K-5K |
Service Quality | ||||
Investment Grade Quality | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Premium Research Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Advanced Financial Models | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Service Features | ||||
Unlimited Revisions | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Pitch Deck Included | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Direct Consultant Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Recommendation Summary
Best Overall Investment-Grade Plans: Pro Business Plans
- Highest customer satisfaction
- Strong institutional focus
- Comprehensive research access
- Professional financial modeling
Best for Quick Turnaround: Go Business Plans
- 14-day delivery guarantee
- Strong customer communication
- Good for immigration cases
Best Strategic Advisory: Growthink
- Long track record
- Premium services
- Notable client portfolio
- Recent mixed reviews
Best Budget Option: Upwork
- Flexible pricing
- Direct contractor selection
- Higher risk level
- Variable quality
Client Testimonials & Review Analysis
Pro Business Plans
Overall Rating: 4.9/5 (29 verified reviews)
✓ Positive Feedback:
“Their ability to delve deep into the intricacies of our business and industry. They not only comprehend complex business models and technical aspects quickly but also translate them into an easily digestible format that resonates with investors.” – Verified Software Company CEO
“Pro Business Plans has an expert team of financial professionals who know what bankers are looking for in a professional business plan. Also they provide 30 days worth of revisions.” – Mouktar A., Small Business Owner
“Chase and his team are highly responsive and talented in crafting a compelling narrative while identifying the most valuable aspects of our company.” – Greg M., Mid-Market Company
⚠️ Critical Feedback:
“Sometimes it would be easier to speak live.” – Jon M., Small Business Owner
Growthink
Overall Rating: 4.1/5 (19 verified reviews)
✓ Positive Feedback:
“I absolutely loved working with Growthink. The staff are passionate about their work and committed to what they do in a way that can only be achieved when you love what you do.” – Venus Williams, Professional Tennis Player & CEO
“I loved working with Growthink. They helped keep us on track to achieve our planning goals.” – Karen DiPeri, President
⚠️ Critical Feedback:
“The market research had several issues with incomplete figures and context.” – Recent Client Review
“The financials had some calculation errors in the spreadsheet.” – Verified User Review
Go Business Plans
Overall Rating: 4.7/5 (verified reviews)
✓ Positive Feedback:
“Deidre and the team was and is amazing! They created a well-informed plan in an efficient amount of time. I learned a lot about myself in the process that exposed areas of strength and improvement.” – Kendra Hendricks
“Working with Go Business Plans was a wonderful experience. Timely, organized, professional service. They really took our vision brought it to life and grounded it with the financial data.” – Mel N., San Francisco
⚠️ Critical Feedback:
“Initial consultation focused heavily on selling services rather than understanding needs.” – Client Review
Plan Writers
Overall Rating: Mixed (Recent decline in satisfaction)
✓ Positive Feedback:
“The Plan Writers know their stuff. They developed my pro formas for my new stores with exacting detail.” – Daniel Dvorsky, CEO
⚠️ Critical Feedback:
“Communication was seriously lacking, had to constantly email to ask if they needed any info.” – Linda M., Healthcare Professional
“Timeline expectations weren’t met – took 5 months to complete the plan.” – Verified Client Review
Upwork Freelancers
Variable Ratings (Dependent on individual freelancer)
✓ Positive Aspects:
- Flexible pricing options
- Direct communication with writer
- Ability to select based on industry experience
⚠️ Common Concerns:
- Inconsistent quality
- Limited support infrastructure
- Variable professionalism
- Higher risk of project abandonment
Review Analysis Methodology
- All testimonials sourced from verified purchases
- Reviews collected from G2, client testimonials, and direct feedback
- Date range: 2023-2024
- Focus on detailed, specific feedback over general comments
- Both positive and critical feedback included for balance
- Priority given to recent reviews
How to Choose the Right Provider
Consider These Factors:
Purpose of the Plan
-
- Fundraising: Consider Growthink or Pro Business Plans
- Operations/Strategy: Any provider suitable
- Immigration: Go Business Plans or Plan Writers
- Budget Range
- Enterprise: Growthink, Pro Business Plans
- Mid-Market: Go Business Plans, Plan Writers
- Startup: Upwork or basic packages from other providers
- Timeline Requirements
- Urgent (< 2 weeks): Go Business Plans
- Standard (2-4 weeks): Any provider
- Complex (4+ weeks): Growthink, Pro Business Plans
Tips for Working with Business Plan Writers
Preparation
– Have clear business objectives and goals
– Gather financial history and projections
– Define target market and competitive landscape
– Prepare existing marketing materials
During Engagement
– Be responsive to information requests
– Review drafts thoroughly
– Provide specific feedback
– Keep track of timeline milestones
Conclusion
Best Overall: Growthink
– Longest track record
– Comprehensive service offering
– Strong strategic focus
– Notable client portfolio
Best for Investment-Grade Plans: Pro Business Plans
– Investment banking expertise
– Institutional quality deliverables
– Strong financial modeling
Best for Quick Turnaround: Go Business Plans
– 14-day delivery guarantee
– Proven track record
– Comprehensive service offering
Best for Industry Expertise: Plan Writers
– Dedicated industry consultants
– Strong specialization
– Proven funding success
Best Budget Option: Upwork
– Flexible pricing
– Direct contractor selection
– Wide range of options
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Plan Writing Services
Pricing and Value
Q: How much should I expect to pay for a professional business plan?
A: Professional business plan writing services typically range from $1,500 to $10,000+. Budget options through freelancers can start at $500, while comprehensive plans from top-tier firms like Growthink or Pro Business Plans can exceed $10,000. The price varies based on complexity, urgency, and level of research required.
Q: What justifies the higher cost of premium services?
A: Premium services often include:
– Professional market research from paid databases
– Advanced financial modeling
– Direct access to experienced consultants
– Multiple rounds of revisions
– Additional services like pitch deck creation
– Post-plan support and consultation
Process and Timeline
Q: How long does it typically take to complete a business plan?
A: Standard timelines range from 2-4 weeks. Go Business Plans offers 14-day delivery, while more complex plans from firms like Growthink might take 3-4 weeks. Rush services are often available at an additional cost.
Q: What information do I need to provide to get started?
A: You’ll typically need to provide:
– Business concept and model details
– Historical financials (if any)
– Target market information
– Competitive analysis
– Growth strategy
– Team backgrounds
– Current business status and milestones
Quality and Deliverables
Q: How do I know if the business plan will be good enough for investors?
A: Look for:
– The firm’s track record with successful funding
– Sample plans and client testimonials
– The background of their consulting team
– Their research methodology and sources
– Previous experience with similar businesses or industries
Q: What should be included in a professional business plan?
A: A comprehensive business plan should include:
– Executive Summary
– Company Overview
– Market Analysis
– Business Model
– Marketing Strategy
– Operations Plan
– Management Team
– Financial Projections
– Risk Analysis
– Funding Requirements
Customization and Support
Q: How much involvement should I expect in the process?
A: Expect regular interaction through:
– Initial consultation
– Information gathering sessions
– Draft reviews
– Revision requests
– Final plan presentation Most firms require significant client input to ensure accuracy and alignment with business goals.
Q: Can I make changes after the plan is complete?
A: Policies vary by provider:
– Growthink: Unlimited revisions within scope
– Pro Business Plans: Limited revision period
– Go Business Plans: Unlimited revisions
– Plan Writers: Limited revision window
– Upwork: Depends on contractor agreement
Specialization and Expertise
Q: Should I choose an industry-specific business plan writer?
A: Industry expertise becomes more important when:
– Your business operates in a highly regulated sector
– You need specific compliance documentation
– Your business model is unique to your industry
– You’re seeking industry-specific funding
Q: What’s the difference between a business plan writer and a consultant?
A: Here are the key differences:
– Business Plan Writers focus primarily on document creation
– Consultants provide broader strategic advice
– Premium services like Growthink often combine both
– Some firms offer ongoing support after plan completion
Success and Guarantees
Q: Do these services guarantee funding success?
A: No reputable service guarantees funding, but they should:
– Provide proven templates and frameworks
– Follow investor expectations and standards
– Include realistic financial projections
– Offer guidance on pitch preparation
– Have a track record of funded clients
Q: What if I’m not satisfied with the final plan?
A: Most providers offer:
– Satisfaction guarantees
– Revision periods
– Refund policies under specific conditions
– Escalation processes for concerns
– Project managers to address issues