Resource
Business software buying checklist
A practical checklist of questions to answer before you commit to an AI or SaaS tool, from fit and pricing limits to integrations, setup, and exit options.
Updated
Use this checklist before you start a trial, and again before you pay. It works for most business software, from CRMs to AI writing tools.
Fit
- I can describe the problem this tool must solve in one sentence.
- I know who will use it every day, and they have seen it.
- I know the signs that this tool is the wrong fit for us.
Cost and limits
- I know how pricing is counted: per user, contact, task, run, credit, or word.
- I have priced it at the team size and usage I expect in 12 months.
- I know what the entry plan leaves out, and which features need a higher plan.
- I know the billing currency, taxes, and whether pricing differs in my country.
- I know what happens when the trial ends and how to cancel.
Integrations and data
- It connects to the tools we rely on, and I know whether each integration is native or third-party.
- I can export my data in a usable format if we leave.
- I have read how the vendor stores and processes our data, and where.
- For AI tools, I know how my inputs are used and who owns the output.
Setup and support
- I know who will set it up and how long that will take.
- I know what support is included on our plan.
- I have tested it with real work, not only sample data.
Decision
- I have compared at least one alternative.
- I know the next step: trial, demo, or purchase, and who signs off.