SaaS Glossary

Seat License

Seat License - A seat license grants access to software for one individual user, with the total subscription cost determined by multiplying the per-seat price by the number of users.

What is Seat License?

Seat-based licensing is one of the most common SaaS pricing models. Each "seat" represents one user who can access the software. Companies pay a per-seat fee, making costs directly proportional to team size. This model is simple to understand but can become expensive as organizations grow. Smart SaaS management involves regularly auditing seat utilization to identify unused or underused licenses. Many companies overpay by 20-30% due to inactive seats from departed employees or unused trials. Some vendors offer tiered seat pricing with volume discounts for larger deployments.

Examples

  • 1

    A project management tool charges $15/seat/month. A team of 20 pays $300/month.

  • 2

    After an employee leaves, their unused seat license continues to cost $25/month until deprovisioned.

  • 3

    Volume pricing might offer seats at $10/user for 100+ users versus $15/user for smaller teams.

Frequently Asked Questions about Seat License

A seat license is a pricing model where software is licensed per individual user, with costs scaling based on the number of users who need access.
Seat-based licensing is one of the most common SaaS pricing models. Each "seat" represents one user who can access the software.
A project management tool charges $15/seat/month. A team of 20 pays $300/month.

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