How Much for Computer Monitoring Software
Computer monitoring software serves various purposes, from improving employee productivity to overseeing children’s online activities. When looking for monitoring software, it is important to know what to expect in terms of price.
The cost of computer monitoring software can vary depending on its features and the number of users it supports. Typically, prices for computer monitoring software range from $20 to $150 annually.
This article explores the cost associated with computer monitoring software in more detail.
How Much Does Computer Monitoring Software Cost?
The cost of computer monitoring software differs based on the features it has and the number of licenses you require. The cost of computer monitoring software can range from $20 to $150 per user yearly, although most of these systems fall somewhere between $40 and $80 per user yearly.
The pricing structure for computer monitoring software is usually based on a per-user, per-month basis, although some vendors also offer annual subscriptions. Certain plans may have a minimum user requirement, typically starting at five users.
Additionally, certain vendors require installation charges, which can amount to several hundred dollars. You should inquire about a detailed price breakdown that incorporates all charges, including those associated with any contractual obligations, such as fees for service cancellation or subscription updates.
Lastly, some monitoring software programs offer extra features like geolocation tracking or mobile licenses, but they come at an extra cost. Adding new features is helpful, but it raises the overall price.
Factors Influencing the Price of Computer Monitoring Software
The cost of a computer monitoring system depends on many factors. The four most important factors that influence the pricing of computer monitoring software are as follows:
Deployment
In most cases, computer monitoring software can either be on-premise or cloud-based. On-premise solutions often require a higher initial investment and the support of an IT team to manage a server; nevertheless, they provide businesses with a greater degree of control over the data.
On the other hand, cloud-based solutions have lower upfront costs and do not require maintenance like on-premise solutions do. However, cloud-based solutions require you to allow a third party to handle and protect your data.
Features
As mentioned before, a computer monitoring software that includes a greater number of features will also come at a higher price. This does not, however, mean that a less expensive option is always subpar.
You should not decide on a product based on its price; instead, your decision should solely be based on your specific requirements. If the monitoring software meets your requirements, a low price simply indicates that you’ve found the best value for your money.
Customer Support
Sometimes, the only customer support options provided by low-cost or free solutions are online forms or chatbots. However, these aren’t the best options when you require immediate assistance from specialized teams. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to pay for additional support channels such as phone, priority email, or even a dedicated agent.
Number of Users
Regardless of whether you choose to make a one-time payment or an ongoing subscription, the cost of the software will vary depending on the number of users you have. Generally, having a greater number of users to be monitored will rack up the price of the software.
Computer Monitoring Software Payment Plans
Most computer monitoring software offers a variety of payment plans. This section will discuss the three most popular types of payments: subscriptions, single payments, and free versions.
Subscription Plans
This is the most commonly offered payment plan. It requires you to pay a fee for each of the users that you decide to monitor. For instance, if the price of software for each user is $6 and you have 50 users, you are required to pay $300 every month in order to use the monitoring software.
A number of monitoring programs have annual subscription fees. Moreover, many vendors that provide monthly subscriptions also provide you with annual subscription options, which usually cost less than the monthly subscription but require a longer commitment.
Single Payment Option
The number of computer monitoring systems that offer single payment options is relatively low. With these payment plans, you pay for each license, but it’s a one-time payment. Afterward, you can use the software for as long as you need to without having to pay for any additional charges.
This type of payment plan is ideal for users who need a long-term monitoring solution, given that it can be purchased at a relatively low cost.
However, one of the drawbacks of this type of payment plan is that if you find the monitoring software to be unsatisfactory after some time, you can not simply cancel the subscription since the payment has already been made.
Another major problem with this type of payment plan is that after a year or so, you will no longer receive regular software updates, and in some cases, your access to customer support will be revoked.
Free Version
When considering the various payment plans, it is important to remember that some software vendors also offer free versions.
These free versions usually come with an upgrade option for additional features, improved customer support, and other premium features.
If you’re on a budget, this may seem like the ideal option for you. However, the main problem with free versions is that they usually have very restricted usage and limited features.
For example, the vast majority of free versions of employee monitoring software support a very limited number of users, usually less than five. Additionally, you will only be provided access to very limited features. Most free versions also deny priority assistance to users.
Free computer monitoring software may be suitable for users with very limited needs (such as parents or freelancers); however, in other cases, it is recommended to upgrade to a premium version.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the costs associated with computer monitoring software when deciding which program is right for you. Additionally, many vendors provide varying payment structures depending on your monitoring needs.