Per seat vs flat fee: how to compare password manager pricing fairly

Vendor A quotes “flat per company”; Vendor B quotes “per user per month.” Without a normalisation sheet, you pick the wrong winner in year two when headcount shifts.

Build one roster

List interactive users, shared mailboxes, service accounts, and API-only bots. Decide whether each needs a paid seat or a cheaper role.

Normalise to three years

Model 20–30% headcount drift, renewal uplift caps, and currency. Flat fees sometimes include floors—check minimum users.

Include implementation

Premium support, professional services, and SSO test windows belong in TCO, not just licence rows.

The passwordmanager.eu assessment surfaces cost sensitivity alongside EU hosting and compliance so price is not the only slider that matters.