Pricing in Cybersecurity

Pricing is one of the key areas that business owners and decision makers consider when choosing cybersecurity solution. Yet as a matter of fact it is not the price but value they are after. Very often the cheapest option might not be the best value for your money. This is especially true about business software which you tend to use multiple years.

Know How to Read Between the Pricing Lines

Value vs. Cost

Imagine your cybersecurity like a lock on your front door. Sure, a cheap lock might seem okay, but if it breaks easily, all your valuables are at risk. It’s the same with cybersecurity – a low-cost solution might leave you vulnerable to a costly cyberattack.​

Value over Price: The Real Deal

Focusing on value means looking at the big picture. A robust security system might cost more upfront, but it provides:

    • Strong Protection: Prevents data breaches, ransomware attacks, and downtime.
    • Peace of Mind: You can focus on running your business, not worrying about hackers.
    • Long-Term Savings: Avoids the massive costs of recovering from a cyberattack.

Remember: 

When choosing cybersecurity for your business, focus on the value it provides, not just the price. A more expensive solution might be a better investment if it offers stronger protection and helps you avoid the high cost of a data breach.

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Pricing Models - The key differences that could save you money

Understand the different ways you pay & save.

Pricing-structure

Pricing Structure

How do you pay for the software?

Users pay a recurring fee (often monthly or annually) to access the software. Think of it like renting the software.  

Benefits:

  • Lower upfront cost: More affordable to get started.  
  • Predictable expenses: Easier to budget with consistent payments.  
  • Access to updates: Usually includes ongoing updates and new features.  
  • Scalability: Easily adjust the subscription to add or remove users as needed.

Drawbacks:

  • Higher total cost over time: May end up paying more in the long run compared to a perpetual license.
  • Dependence on the vendor: Lose access to the software if you stop paying.

Users make a one-time purchase to own the software indefinitely. Like buying a physical copy of a product.  

Benefits:

  • One-time cost: No recurring fees.
  • Greater control: You own the software outright.
  • No vendor dependence: Continue using the software even if the vendor goes out of business.

Drawbacks:

  • Higher upfront cost: Can be a significant initial investment.  
  • Limited updates: May require purchasing upgrades or separate maintenance contracts for new features and support.
  • Less flexible: Can be more difficult to scale up or down.
User-devices

Pricing Metric

What is the final price based on?

The price is based on the number of individual users who will access the software.

Benefits:

  • Fairly predictable cost: Easy to calculate based on your team size.
  • Good for collaboration: Everyone has their own account and access.

Drawbacks:

  • Can be expensive for large teams: Costs increase linearly with the number of users.  
  • May not be suitable for occasional users: You pay the same price whether someone uses the software daily or once a month.

The price is based on the number of devices on which the software is installed.

Benefits:

  • Cost-effective for shared devices: Good for situations where multiple people use the same computer or terminal.
  • May be cheaper than per user for small teams: Especially if you have fewer devices than users.

Drawbacks:

  • Can be inconvenient for users: May require logging in and out on different devices.
  • May not be suitable for remote work: Limits access for employees working from their own devices.

Benefits:

  • Flexible and customizable: Only pay for the features you actually use.
  • Can be cost-effective for specialized needs: Avoid paying for unnecessary functionality.

Drawbacks:

  • Can be complex to understand: Pricing can be less transparent.
  • May become expensive as you add modules: Costs can increase significantly if you need many features.

Pricing Tactics - Know before you buy

Software vendors very often try to attract new or existing customers via 2 pricing tactics i.e. Bundling and Discounting. Although very attractive from a buyer’s perspective it is important to understand basic Pros & Cons of each and how it can impact your budget.

Bundling

Bundling

What are the Pros & Cons of software bundles?

Offering multiple products or services together at a discounted price compared to buying them individually. Product bundles can save you money but also can convince you to buy what you may not need.

Discounts

Discounting

What are the Pros & Cons of discounts?

Reducing the price of a product or service, often temporarily, to stimulate sales or attract specific customer segments. As with bundles, one has to read between the lines before making a purchase decision.

Pricing by Business Type

Cybersecurity pricing for SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) and SMB (Small and Medium-sized Businesses) often involves balancing robust protection with budget constraints. Providers typically offer tiered plans or subscription models with varying features and levels of support, allowing businesses to select solutions that align with their specific needs and financial capabilities.

workplace (2)

SOHO Pricing

Starts at

$ 60 per year
  • 5 devices
Compare
Simple SMB

Simple SMB

Starts at

$ 105 per year
  • 5 devices
Compare
Advanced SMB

Advanced SMB

Starts at

$ 227 per year
  • 5 devices
Compare
Complex SMB

Complex SMB

Starts at

$ 345 per year
  • 5 devices
Compare
Usability
Reliability
Customer Support
Scalability
Compliance
Education
Features

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World of cyber security is complex and always evolving. You take care of your business and we help you choose the best cyber security solution for your business.

If you don't have time feel free to try our automated guide that helps you narrow down your search based on your business type and requirements. Just click on the "Start Guide" button and in just couple of clicks you'll have a custom selection available. 

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