How to Reduce Your Bento Subscription Cost

Bento aims to simplify financial services for SMBs with smart employee debit cards managed via advanced software. Their solution is likened to Amex combined with Expensify. Here’s how you can reduce your Bento subscription costs, potentially saving up to 20%.

How to Reduce the Cost of Bento Subscription

Direct Cost Reduction Techniques

Optimize User Licenses

• Audit User Licenses: Regularly review and remove inactive user accounts to avoid paying for unused licenses.
• Permission Sets: Assign specific functionalities using permission sets instead of full licenses for users with basic needs.

Data Storage Management

• Archive Old Data: Implement data archiving to manage storage costs effectively.
• Data Validation Rules: Use data validation rules to prevent unnecessary data entry, optimizing storage usage.

Process Automation

• Workflow and Approval Processes: Automate repetitive tasks and approval processes to reduce the need for additional licenses and enhance efficiency.

Implementing Workarounds to Reduce Subscription Costs

Integrations with Free/Freemium Tools

• Zapier: Use Zapier to automate tasks such as basic data cleansing, potentially reducing the need for additional licenses.
• Slack: Integrate with free tools like Slack for internal communication and collaboration, reducing dependence on Bento’s internal features.

Bundling Options for Cost Savings

Pairing/Bundling for Discounts

• Partner Programs: Investigate if your company qualifies for partner discounts through collaborations with other software providers. Some cloud storage services, for example, offer discounts when bundled with platforms like Salesforce.

Negotiating with Support

Contact Customer Support for Discounts

• Discuss Usage Patterns: Engage with Bento support to discuss your current usage patterns. They might offer discounts based on your specific needs and historical data.
• Negotiate Renewal Rates: Before renewing your subscription, negotiate renewal rates with support. Demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the platform can sometimes lead to better pricing.

Switching Subscription Types

Annual Subscriptions

• Switch to Annual Billing: Opt for annual subscriptions to benefit from discounts typically offered for long-term commitments compared to monthly billing.

Reducing Inactive Users

• Review User Activity: Regularly review user activity and remove inactive licenses to optimize costs.

Alternatives to Bento

Exploring Alternative Solutions

Consider these alternatives for potential cost savings:

• Brex: Offers corporate cards and expense management solutions with robust reporting and control features. Learn more about Brex.
• Divvy: Provides a spend management platform with real-time expense tracking and budgeting tools. Learn more about Divvy.
• Expensify: An expense management solution that simplifies the process of tracking and reporting expenses. Learn more about Expensify.
• Ramp: A corporate card and spend management solution that offers automated expense management and integrations. Learn more about Ramp.

Open-Source Solutions

• Open-Source Tools: Depending on your needs, explore open-source solutions that might offer similar functionalities at a lower cost. Use resources like “Opensource for Bento” to find applicable tools.

By implementing these strategies, negotiating with support, and exploring alternative solutions, you can effectively manage and reduce your Bento subscription costs while maintaining essential functionalities for your business operations.