Best Business Valuation Software & Tools [2026]

Valzura offers the most comprehensive free tier among dedicated business valuation tools. The free plan includes unlimited valuations using SDE, EBITDA, and revenue multiple methods with risk-adjusted results across 43 industries. CalcXML also provides a free online calculator, but it uses a single simplified method without industry-specific multiples. Most other tools (BizEquity, ValuAdder, ExitAdviser, and Equidam) require payment before you can run any valuation. If you want the downloadable PDF report and advanced methods like DCF, Valzura's full report is a one-time $199 purchase with no subscription.

Business valuation software ranges from $0 to $3,500 per year depending on the tool, features, and target audience. Valzura starts at $0 (free tier) with an optional full report for a one-time $199. ValuAdder is a $275 one-time purchase for desktop software. ExitAdviser charges $99 to $258 per year. Equidam costs $3,500 per year and targets startups. BizEquity does not publish self-service pricing; it is sold to advisors and enterprises on a contact-sales basis. Single-report options like Valzura's $199 one-time PDF let you get a professional valuation without any subscription commitment.

Business valuation software is appropriate for exit planning, partnership discussions, annual benchmarking, SBA loan preparation, and preliminary M&A conversations. A formal appraisal from a certified valuation analyst (CVA or ASA) is typically required for court proceedings, tax disputes, estate planning, ESOP compliance, and divorce settlements. The cost difference is substantial: software ranges from $0 to $3,500 per year, while a formal appraisal costs $5,000 to $50,000. Many business owners start with software to get a baseline estimate and then commission a formal appraisal only if their specific situation requires one.

For SMB valuations, the essential methods are seller's discretionary earnings (SDE) multiples for owner-operated businesses, EBITDA multiples for professionally managed companies, and revenue multiples as a cross-check. Advanced tools should also include discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for forward-looking projections, asset-based valuation for capital-intensive businesses, and precedent transaction analysis for M&A benchmarking. The best software applies industry-specific multiples to each method rather than using generic formulas, because valuation multiples vary dramatically across sectors.

Business valuation software and business brokers serve different functions. Software determines what your business is worth. A broker finds buyers, negotiates the deal, manages due diligence, and closes the transaction. The valuation is one input into the broker's process, not a replacement for it. That said, having an independent valuation from software gives you a reference point before engaging a broker, helps you evaluate whether a broker's suggested listing price is reasonable, and strengthens your negotiating position. Many brokers themselves use valuation software as a screening tool before accepting listings.