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Concerned about ServiceNow GRC’s pricing plans and total cost of ownership?
You’re not alone. With a custom pricing structure, determining the ServiceNow's actual cost can feel like solving an enigma.
We’ve spoken with industry experts, sifted through customer reviews, and analyzed common challenges to better understand the nuances of ServiceNow GRC's pricing. In this guide, we’ll share what we’ve found so you can make an informed decision.
ServiceNow GRC's pricing plans
According to data from the ServiceNow community forums, ServiceNow GRC has three main tiers of licensing, each designed for different levels of compliance needs:
- GRC standard: Includes policy and compliance management.
- GRC professional: Adds risk management capabilities, making it the recommended minimum tier for most GRC requirements.
- GRC enterprise: Adds audit management for advanced auditing needs.
In addition, vendor risk management is available as a standalone option, with pricing based on the number of vendors assessed.
Recent ServiceNow contracts follow an "all employee" model, which charges a small fee for each active user in the system, covering full-time, part-time, and contingent employees alike. The per-user fee decreases for larger organizations, providing flexibility at scale. This model also enables any employee to receive tasks, regardless of role or specific license requirements. However, older agreements may still use the "fulfiller" model, where only users with specific roles incur charges.
Given these variations, we recommend contacting your ServiceNow account manager for precise pricing, as terms can vary significantly based on contract history and organization needs.
How much does ServiceNow GRC actually cost?
The short answer: it depends on your needs.
ServiceNow’s costs typically include both a licensing fee and an implementation cost. According to SYSUSA, a ServiceNow implementation partner in the USA, the base license fee for a dedicated instance can start around $50,000, with implementation often adding significantly to the total expense. A general rule of thumb for implementation costs is 2-3 times the base license; however, for more complex setups or multiple application licenses, implementation costs can reach 4-6 times the license cost—or even more.
Based on ServiceNow customer and public reviews, the average cost of ServiceNow contracts ranges between $50,000 and $500,000 annually, depending on the number of licenses, features, and configuration requirements. This wide range highlights the importance of reviewing your ServiceNow GRC contract closely to understand the total cost.
Looking for ServiceNow GRC alternatives?
If ServiceNow’s pricing structure feels restrictive and daunting, consider alternatives with more transparent and flexible pricing. Platforms like 6clicks offer:
- Unlimited user licensing across all modules: Every team member has full access without added per-user fees.
- No implementation fees: Lowering your upfront costs and simplifying onboarding.
- Comprehensive functionality: Comparable to ServiceNow’s, but designed for businesses looking to streamline risk and compliance efforts with greater cost transparency. For more details on how 6clicks compares to ServiceNow, check out our ServiceNow comparison page.
Exploring alternatives can save both time and money, giving you the flexibility to better align with your organization’s needs. To explore all of 6clicks’ features, or schedule a demo to speak with our experts about automating and optimizing your GRC program.
Written by Louis Strauss
Louis is the Co-founder and Chief Product Marketing Officer (CPMO) at 6clicks, where he spearheads collaboration among product, marketing, engineering, and sales teams. With a deep-seated passion for innovation, Louis drives the development of elegant AI-powered solutions tailored to address the intricate challenges CISOs, InfoSec teams, and GRC professionals face. Beyond cyber GRC, Louis enjoys reading and spending time with his friends and family.
