Key points
- Per-user monthly pricing grows every time you hire.
- Over five years, the subscription bill for a growing team often far exceeds a one-time licence.
- Check that any ERP covers VAT, corporate tax, PINT AE e-invoicing and WPS before you buy.
- Ask who owns your data and how you get it out.
- Local support in the UAE saves time when rules change.
Two ways to pay for software
Subscription (SaaS) software charges a fee per user, per month, for as long as you use it. One-time purchase software charges once for a licence you keep, sometimes with optional support or updates.
A five-year example
The figures below are an illustration with assumed prices, not a quote from any vendor. They show how per-user pricing behaves as a team grows.
| Year | Users | Subscription at AED 150 per user per month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | AED 18,000 |
| 2 | 15 | AED 27,000 |
| 3 | 20 | AED 36,000 |
| 4 | 25 | AED 45,000 |
| 5 | 30 | AED 54,000 |
| Total | AED 180,000 |
With a one-time licence and unlimited users, adding the 30th user costs nothing extra, and the price you agreed in year one is the price you paid.
Checklist for choosing ERP in the UAE
- VAT: tax invoices, credit notes, reverse charge and VAT 201 figures
- Corporate tax: computation from the ledger and the Small Business Relief check
- E-invoicing: PINT AE invoices through an Accredited Service Provider
- Payroll: WPS salary file, leave, overtime and gratuity under UAE Labour Law
- Users: what each extra login costs
- Your industry: real estate, tailoring, typing centres, garages and service companies all have special needs
- Data: backups, exports and who owns the data
- Support: a local team that can visit and train your staff
When subscription can make sense
Subscriptions can suit very small teams that will not grow, or companies that want the vendor to host everything. For most growing UAE SMEs with a stable way of working, a one-time licence with unlimited users costs far less over the life of the software.
feenak's approach
Every feenak product is a one-time purchase with unlimited users: Ledgerline ERP, Aqarat, Khayyat, Qirtasix, Tax Practice Desk and Bayline. See pricing or ask us for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-time purchase ERP really cheaper?
For a team that grows or uses the software for several years, usually yes, because you do not pay again for each user or each year. Compare the total cost over five years, not the first month.
What about updates to tax rules?
Ask each vendor how they handle changes such as e-invoicing and corporate tax updates. feenak software already includes UAE VAT, corporate tax and PINT AE e-invoicing in Ledgerline, Khayyat and Bayline.
Can I move my data from my current system?
Yes. Ledgerline can import customers, suppliers, items, accounts and employees from Excel or CSV, and we help with opening balances.
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so check the latest guidance from the Federal Tax Authority, the Ministry of Finance or MOHRE, or speak to a registered adviser.