I try really hard to stick to my budget. But book sales just make it so hard.
Set me in front a bargain bin of dog-eared paperbacks and I’ll dive in headfirst, like a pug in a ball pit. Slobber included.
Eventually, I’ll walk to the counter with a stack cradled in my arms, ready to drop some serious dough.
Kind of. Not really.
I need money for other kinds of dough. Like pizza dough.
So when the register rings up some number that exceeds the cash in my pocket, I panic.
Choosing between books is hard. But choosing between software is even harder.
When it comes to database management software (DBMS), you really have to be careful. Costs can easily exceed budget. If your department is already working within narrow margins, it’s essential to stay inside the lines.
But where to begin?
DBMS can be tricky, especially if the vast majority of vendors don’t reveal their pricing information.
Talk about tough. If being purse-pinched wasn’t enough, you could also spend hours just trying to get price quotes. And how do you know if you’re getting a good deal anyway?
I understand. That’s why I’ve done the research for you.
Below, I’ll outline the most common pricing models for DBMS, so you can navigate potential solution costs and budget accordingly.
Let’s begin.
Tiered Model
As with IT asset management software, the tiered model is a favorite pricing structure.
DBMS vendors using this model often break their pricing down into three or more levels, beginning with a basic or even free version, expanding to enterprise or an unlimited level. Higher levels tend to correlate with higher prices and a larger number of users. While the number of users largely distinguishes package levels, varying levels may also include additional plug-ins or customizable options for buyers to choose from.
Tiered pricing models are great options for businesses expecting to expand in the future so you can estimate future budget costs.
Cost: If not free, solutions can be as little as $12/user/month for a basic package and top out to $999/month at enterprise level. High levels may also require a price quote or customer support call for more information.
Software with this model:
Pay-Per-User
This pricing model often overlaps with tiered pricing structures, although pay-per-user will often charge for extra users if the number exceeds the limit of their largest package.
Pay-per-user breaks down as its name implies, with buyers either paying based on sets of users or a specific number of individual users. Often, payment based on a specific number will include a calculator so you know exactly what to expect at billing. Personal and business levels are also available.
Cost: Users should expect to pay monthly for this pricing model, but may also have to fill out an annual contract. Prices can be as little as $29/month and reach $64.95/user for a business license.
Software with this model:
One-Time License
One-time license is another common pricing model option, especially for enterprise businesses. Here, users should expect to pay a flat fee or monthly installments for a license subscription. Vendors break costs down into different levels, similar to a tiered pricing model, though cost difference can be substantial.
If available, try a free trial or demo since solutions in this model tend to be more expensive.
Cost: Vendors don’t often list their pricing for this model publicly, but to give you an idea, Oracle offers their DBMS solution for between $92-$460 for personal use and $4,750-$47,500 for enterprise businesses.
Software with this model:
More?
Database management software can be difficult to budget for, especially if pricing isn't always available publicly. If you’re still strapped for cash, there are plenty of free and open source options to choose from or you can browse our DBMS directory to filter down your options based on your needs.