20 Best Strategic Planning Software of 2025
10 Best Strategic Planning Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
With so many different strategic planning software solutions available, figuring out which is the best for your needs is tough. You know you want software to help you set, track, and achieve business goals and support more informed decision-making, but you need to figure out which system is best. In this post, I'll help you make your choice easier by sharing my insights on the best strategic planning software to clarify your company's vision, allocate resources efficiently, and plot your company's path toward achieving your business goals.
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Best Strategic Planning Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top strategic planning software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for employment compliance | Free trial + demo available | From $29/user/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best for headcount planning | 14-day free trial | From $12/user/month (billed annually, min. 3 seats) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for data visualization | Free demo available | From $70/user/month | Website | |
| 4 | Best for connecting all business units | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for visual whiteboard planning | Free plan available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for collaborative strategic planning | Free plan + 14-day free trial available | From $18/user/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best for workforce scenario modeling | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 8 | Best for retailers | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 9 | Best for workforce planning | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 10 | Best for startups | 14-day free trial + freemium plan available | From $29/user/month | Website |
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Kudoboard
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Rippling
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Willo
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best Strategic Planning Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best strategic planning software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Deel is a comprehensive Employer of Record (EOR) service designed to facilitate global workforce expansion by simplifying hiring, onboarding, payroll, and compliance processes for international contractors and employees.
Why I picked Deel: The platform offers global compliance management, which is crucial for companies operating in multiple countries. This emphasis on compliance helps inform strategic planning in the realm of hiring and ongoing employment and contracts, ensuring businesses stay on top of changing regulations as they affect their international employees and contractors.
Additionally, its real-time reporting and AI capabilities provide business leaders with up-to-date information on payroll costs, employee headcounts, and compliance status. This real-time data allows for quick, informed decision-making, ensuring that payroll operations are always aligned with the company's strategic goals.
Deel Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an HRIS, payroll automation, benefits administration, specialized HR support, in-house visa and work immigration support, contract management, and employee engagement tools, like a learning management system.
Integrations include Xero, Bob, Okta, Expensify, BambooHR, Slack, QuickBooks, and NetSuite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong emphasis on compliance management
- Global payroll automation
- In-house visa and work permit support
Cons:
- Could offer more robust features for visual planning
- Limited customization options
New Product Updates from Deel
Introducing Deel AI Workforce
Deel has launched the AI Workforce, a set of specialized agents designed to handle repetitive HR, payroll, and compliance tasks with speed and accuracy. These AI agents don’t just assist—they execute tasks from start to finish. For more information, visit Deel's official site.
monday CRM is a customizable customer relationship management platform designed to help teams manage their sales pipelines, track customer interactions, and automate routine tasks. It offers a centralized workspace where you can oversee all aspects of your sales process, from lead generation to post-sale activities.
Why I picked monday CRM: I like that monday CRM offers headcount planning capabilities. The platform allows you to create and manage hiring plans with customizable tables, dashboards, and automation. You can track hiring timelines, monitor the status of planned versus filled positions, and ensure that your team scales in alignment with business goals. The visual dashboards provide insights into workforce distribution across different departments, helping you make informed decisions about resource allocation.
It also offers robust sales planning tools, which help you set revenue targets, forecast sales, and track team performance. You can organize sales teams by region, role, or pipeline stage, making it easier to analyze progress and adjust strategies as needed.
monday CRM Standout Features and Integrations
Features include lead scoring, sales forecasting, activity tracking, email templates, goal setting, performance analytics, territory management, contact management, deal management, task assignments, and file sharing.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Typeform and many more, accessible through a paid plan with Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- High customizability & automation-friendly
- Robust integration capabilities
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Cons:
- Lacks diagramming features for creating strategies
- Not a dedicated strategic planning software
New Product Updates from monday CRM
monday CRM's AI-Powered Lead Scoring Boosts Sales Efficiency
monday CRM introduces AI-Powered Lead Scoring to prioritize high-value prospects through data-driven insights. For more information, visit monday CRM's official site.
AchieveIt is a strategy software that helps teams identify pressing issues by visualizing their data in different ways.
Why I picked AchieveIt: AchieveIt offers a clean interface and is not difficult to use. The software creates useful dashboards you can use to steer meetings and conversations, and its reports help you identify gaps in your strategic plans.
AchieveIt enables you to visualize your data as you like. You can organize your goals and ideas in trees, lists, Gantt charts, or Kanban boards. You can create multi-plan views to understand what’s happening across multiple departments, and use filters to get a granular view of different business metrics. AchieveIt is a great tool for data-driven organizations.
AchieveIt Standout Features and Integrations
Features include goal planning, dashboard creation, task management, performance assessment, and automation.
Integrations are available natively through the software’s open API. Their implementation team will work with you directly to connect to other tools.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Templates help you organize your business strategy
- Real-time updates for increased visibility
- Automation features
Cons:
- Setting up goal and milestone dates could be easier
- No portfolio management features
Phocas is a business intelligence and financial analysis software that provides organizations with in-depth reports and planning capabilities.
Why I picked Phocas: When it comes to strategic planning, Phocas helps you connect data from all your business units, like sales, marketing, and HR, providing a centralized place to align overall business goals with financial targets.
Its business planning feature offers capabilities like sales forecasting, customer demand predictions, scenario planning, budgeting, and model pricing strategies. Users can also customize reports and compare budgets with actual spending to help organizations strategize effectively.
Phocas Standout Features and Integrations
Features include customizable dashboards, Phocas AI for answering queries, an ad-hoc analysis layer, financial statements, rebate management, CRM functionalities, collaborative workflows, privacy compliance, and security controls.
Integrations include MYOB, Netsuite, Oracle, QAD, Retail Express, Epicor, IFS, Jonas Metals Software, Acumatica, Accolent, Datafile, Enapps, Kerridge, Khaos Control, MAM Software, Merlin, Microsoft, Sage, SAP, Sympac, SYSPRO, Xero, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Planning for all business departments
- Strong forecasting capabilities
- Customizable reports and dashboards
Cons:
- Amount of data can be overwhelming
- Learning curve for new users
Miro is a visual workspace tool that provides a platform for project management, collaboration, and integration with other applications. It is distinguished by its capacity to support visual innovation workspaces, enabling teams to efficiently build, iterate, and design.
Why I picked Miro: I chose Miro because it offers a comprehensive suite of collaborative tools and templates that facilitate the entire strategic planning process. Its standout feature is the ability to visualize complex strategies and data using its infinite whiteboard, which is crucial for aligning teams and communicating plans across an organization.
I like that it also has an interactive presentation mode, a central hub for tracking projects and resources, and seamless integration with other platforms, which collectively enhance the strategic planning and execution experience across your organization.
Miro Standout Features and Integrations
Features include real-time collaboration tools, such as sticky notes and comments, an infinite canvas, custom frames and shapes, presentation mode, Miro Assist AI, document and image embedding, voting and polling features, mind mapping tools, screen sharing, timeline and roadmap planning, access control, and permissions management.
Integrations include Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Monday.com, Confluence, Google Drive, Box, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Built-in communication features for streamlined collaboration
- Free forever plan available
- Intuitive and easy setup
Cons:
- Visitor/guest accounts locked to paid plans only
- Free version does not allow high-quality export to pdf
New Product Updates from Miro
Miro Integrates Google Chat and Glean for Smarter Collaboration
Miro introduces new integrations with Google Chat and Glean, helping teams stay updated on board activity and access company knowledge without switching tools. For more information, visit Miro’s official site.
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Quantive Results is a strategy execution platform that helps you plan your business strategy, set goals, and track your progress, all while keeping teams aligned.
Why I picked Quantive Results: What makes this platform stand out is its features for collaborating. Your leadership team can use the whiteboards and the ready-made retrospective templates to plan your business strategy as a collective effort. Commenting is also available in your KPI tracking, helping you raise questions, give context, and spark ideas together.
In addition to mapping out your high-level strategy, you can also set and track goals with the software. OKRs and KPIs can be established, and goals can be cascading and linked to others to show how work flows and contributes to the broader objectives. The software also has AI that helps you set KPIs and connect related goals.
Quantive Results Standout Features and Integrations
Features include pre-built OKR templates, multi-level goal setting, multiple key result types, tags, OKR and task alignment, automated notifications, advanced access permissions, and reporting and analytics tools.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Miro, Jira, SurveySparrow, BambooHR, Workable, Humaans, and Rally, among others. You can also access additional integrations with a paid Zapier account.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Account management and custom onboarding with enterprise plan
- Free basic plan with unlimited users
- Ready-made templates available
Cons:
- Scale plan limited to 249 users
- All integrations not included in all plans
Lightcast is a cloud-based strategic planning software that facilitates long-term workforce planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes for corporations.
Why I picked Lightcast: Their software helps you create a comprehensive view of your organization's projected future, along with actionable insights and data analytics to help you make better data-driven decisions. You can use Lightcast to create and analyze multiple scenarios, evaluate the potential impact of each scenario on your organization, and adjust your plans accordingly. Their scenario modeling covers workforce and headcount planning, as well as talent acquisition capabilities such as skill-based hiring, and DEI & salary benchmarking data.
Their customizable dashboards provide a quick overview of all relevant information and can be modified to plot key metrics and identify any areas for improvement. To help you understand complex data quickly and easily, their software includes a range of charts and graphs, as well as other visualizations that can be customized according to your business preferences.
Lightcast Standout Features and Integrations
Features include scenario modeling tools, data insights, workflow management tools, and recruitment-specific talent acquisition tools.
Integration details are not available, though Lightcast does have an API to help you connect their system to other applications you're already using.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrated benchmarking data is useful for staying competitive in the global talent marketplace
- Additional consulting services are also available
- Able to dissect employment trends across different sectors and regions
Cons:
- No free trial available
- Pricing details are not transparent
Jedox is a strategic planning and business performance software that helps mid-sized and large retailers plan their sales strategies.
Why I picked Jedox: Jedox helps retailers that have multiple point-of-sale systems plan for the future. The solution connects your sales, HR, and business performance data to create scenario models that take into account your workforce, wages, locations, competitors, return rates, and SKUs. The models help you budget your initiatives and react to market disruptors.
Jedox enables you to create detailed purchasing plans and workflows so you can reduce overstock and sales losses. The scenario models help you plan for seasonal selling cycles, so you can increase your profits.
Jedox Standout Features and Integrations
Features include demand planning, revenue forecasting, churn predictions, smart insights, and analytics.
Integrations are available natively with several apps, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power BI, Oracle, SAP, Salesforce, and Tableau.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can analyze huge sets of data to create scenario models
- Dynamic reports
- Flexible dashboards that are easy to follow
Cons:
- UI could be improved
- Report builder can be buggy at times
Workday Adaptive Planning is a strategic planning tool that enables medium and large businesses to manage their workforce.
Why I picked Workday Adaptive Planning: Workday Adaptive Planning helps you bring together your HR, finance, and operations data so you can gain a thorough understanding of your workforce dynamics. The software’s reporting features make it easy to spot how your existing hiring models and retention plans affect your costs, so you can develop long-term strategies to optimize your workforce.
Workday Adaptive Planning enables you to link your workforce data to financial models so you can deliver your hiring plans on time and within budget. Their built-in reports help you model your team’s skill capacity based on location or cost, allowing you to plan ahead for different scenarios. Thanks to its ability to plan for large workforces, this tool is a great option for mid-sized or large organizations.
Workday Adaptive Planning Standout Features and Integrations
Features include forecasting, strategy planning, milestones tracking, resource management, and performance management.
Integrations are available natively with several tools, including Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle PeopleSoft, Sage Intacct, Salesforce, and SAP.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Accounts for seasonality, multiple locations, and different geographies
- Forecasting helps you prepare for different scenarios
- Role-based reporting enables managers to track their team’s performance
Cons:
- User interface could be improved
- Has a learning curve
Cascade Strategy is a strategic planning solution that helps startups plan, manage, and track their goals.
Why I picked Cascade Strategy: Cascade Strategy is a lightweight tool that integrates with popular business apps, so you can include it in your work environment. The software enables C-level executives to plan large goals, but it also offers a granular view that allows team leaders to track specific tasks.
Cascade Strategy helps you organize your teams with actionable insights. Its dashboards make it easy to see how your efforts align with your overarching goals, so you can identify which tasks bring you closer to your objectives and which waste your resources. Thanks to its generous freemium plan, the solution is ideal for bootstrapped startups who are just starting their strategic planning process.
Cascade Strategy Standout Features and Integrations
Features include goal creation, in-app communication, cross-functional alignment, key performance indicators (KPI) and objectives and key results (OKR) tracking, and analytics & reporting.
Integrations are available natively with multiple apps, including Google Analytics, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Helpful reports that enable you to demonstrate your progress to stakeholders
- Good variety of project templates
- Flexible solution you can tailor to your organization’s needs
Cons:
- Reports that process large amounts of data can be slow to update
- Some reporting features cannot be customized
Other Strategic Planning Software
Here are some additional strategic planning software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Strategypoint
For simple strategy management
- Rhythm Systems
For cross-departmental planning
- Elate
For dynamic planning
- Planview Portfolios
For capacity planning
- Spider Strategies
For KPI tracking
- Aha Roadmaps
For SaaS and tech businesses
- Peoplebox.ai
For fast-growing companies
- Wrike
For charting tasks, projects, and milestones
- Adobe Workfront
For enterprises
- Planful
Strategic planning software for financial planning
Strategic Planning Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best strategic planning software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like ease of integration and user-friendly interfaces. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Goal setting
- Performance tracking
- Resource allocation
- Data analysis
- Reporting and dashboards
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-driven insights
- Real-time collaboration
- Customizable templates
- Integration capabilities
- Scenario planning
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Clear layout
- Responsive design
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to webinars
- Use of templates
- Supportive chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Multi-channel support
- Knowledge base access
- Response time
- Personalized assistance
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Feature set vs. cost
- Licensing flexibility
- Free trial availability
- Discount options
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- User satisfaction
- Common praise points
- Reported issues
- Frequency of updates
- Overall rating
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How to Choose Strategic Planning Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Can the software grow with your team? Look for tools that support increasing users and data without a hitch. Consider your future needs and how the tool will adapt. |
| Integrations | Does it work with your current systems? Check for compatibility with your existing tools, like CRM or ERP systems, to avoid data silos and ensure seamless workflows. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to your needs? Evaluate the level of customization available to fit your specific processes and workflows. Avoid tools that are too rigid. |
| Ease of use | Is it user-friendly? Ensure your team can pick it up quickly. Look for intuitive interfaces and minimal training requirements to keep adoption high. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How long will it take to set up? Consider the time and resources needed for a smooth transition. Look for tools with clear onboarding processes and support. |
| Cost | Is it within budget? Compare pricing models and hidden costs. Look beyond the sticker price to see if it offers value for money over time. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data secure? Ensure the software meets your security standards. Look for encryption, access controls, and compliance with industry regulations. |
| Support availability | Will you get help when needed? Check the vendor's support options and hours. Ensure you have access to timely assistance if issues arise. |
What Is Strategic Planning Software?
Strategic planning software is a tool that helps organizations set goals, track progress, and allocate resources effectively. Professionals like managers, team leaders, and executives use these tools to align their teams and improve decision-making. Features like goal setting, performance tracking, and data analysis support efficient planning and execution. Overall, these tools help teams work smarter and achieve their objectives.
Features
When selecting strategic planning software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Goal setting: Allows teams to define and track objectives, ensuring everyone is aligned and focused on shared outcomes.
- Performance tracking: Monitors progress and performance metrics, helping teams stay on track and make data-driven decisions.
- Resource allocation: Manages resources efficiently, ensuring optimal use of time and materials for projects.
- Data analysis: Provides insights through data visualization, enabling better decision-making and strategic planning.
- Reporting and dashboards: Offers visual reports and dashboards for a quick overview of progress and performance metrics.
- Integration capabilities: Connects with existing tools, ensuring seamless data flow and reducing manual work.
- Customizable templates: Provides templates that can be tailored to specific needs, saving time and ensuring consistency.
- Collaboration tools: Facilitate communication and teamwork, allowing team members to work together effectively.
- Scenario planning: Helps teams anticipate and prepare for different future scenarios, enhancing strategic resilience.
- Security safeguards: Ensures data protection with encryption and access controls, maintaining confidentiality and compliance.
Benefits
Implementing strategic planning software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved alignment: Ensures everyone is on the same page with goal setting and progress tracking, enhancing team coordination.
- Better decision-making: Uses data analysis and reporting features to provide insights that guide strategic choices.
- Efficient resource use: Manages resources effectively, ensuring optimal allocation and reducing waste.
- Enhanced collaboration: Offers tools for communication and teamwork, helping team members work together more effectively.
- Increased adaptability: Scenario planning prepares your team for different future scenarios, boosting flexibility and resilience.
- Time savings: Provides customizable templates and automation features, reducing manual work and speeding up processes.
- Data security: Ensures data protection with security safeguards, keeping your information safe and compliant.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting strategic planning software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in strategic planning software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Strategic Planning Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic goal setting, limited performance tracking, and basic reporting. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Goal setting, performance tracking, data analysis, and basic integrations. |
| Business Plan | $30-$70/user/month | Advanced reporting, resource allocation, collaboration tools, and integrations. |
| Enterprise Plan | $75-$150/user/month | Customizable templates, scenario planning, enhanced security, and priority support. |
Strategic Planning Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about strategic planning software:
How does strategic planning software support cross-functional alignment?
The software gives teams a shared space to build, view, and update strategic priorities. Each department can link its objectives to the company’s larger goals. You can see how work contributes across teams and avoid overlap or misalignment. This helps leadership and team leads coordinate actions without needing long meetings. Dashboards and visual roadmaps make communication easier.
What kinds of data can be imported into strategic planning software?
You can usually import spreadsheets, project data, OKRs, or performance metrics. Some platforms allow API connections or data syncs from business tools like CRM or BI software. This gives your team access to real-time data tied to each initiative. You won’t have to enter everything manually if your systems connect well. Just make sure the imported data fits your planning structure.
How often should a strategic planning platform be updated?
That depends on how your organization manages its planning cycles. Some teams update progress monthly or quarterly, while others do it weekly. The platform works best when updates are consistent and linked to your team’s review habits. You can set reminders or assign owners to prompt updates. The key is making the process part of your team’s routine.
Is training required to use strategic planning software?
Yes, some training is usually required to use strategic planning software effectively. Many vendors offer tutorials, webinars, and support materials to help you get started. Take advantage of these resources to ensure your team understands how to use the software and can maximize its benefits.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching strategic planning software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.