Buy software instead of renting: when a perpetual licence pays off
Subscription or one-time purchase? What small and mid-sized businesses should consider about cost, data ownership, updates and operations – with checklist.
Many business tools are now subscription-only – billed per user and month. Convenient, but it adds up over the years. A perpetual licence you host yourself is a real alternative when a few conditions are met.
Compare fairly
Compare total cost over five years: subscription fee × users × 60 months on one side, purchase price plus optional update renewal and hosting on the other. Our cost calculator does this with your numbers.
Advantages of a perpetual licence
- No per-user fees: growing teams don't cost more
- Your data stays on your own server
- Full source code: customise any time
- The software keeps running even if you stop buying updates
What to watch out for
- Who runs the server and installs updates?
- Are backups in place – and has a restore been tested?
- How long are updates included, and what does renewal cost?
- Can you book support when something goes wrong?
Checklist before buying
- Walk through the demo with your typical jobs
- Check the system requirements with your host
- Name a person responsible for updates and backups
- Clarify tax treatment with your accountant
Conclusion
If you have your own web hosting and can install updates, a perpetual licence is often cheaper and more independent. All uttek tools are planned as perpetual licences with full source code.