Number of Seats/Users: DataGuard offers discounts based on the number of users or seats. A higher volume typically leads to a better discount structure, especially for enterprise-level usage.

Commitment to a Long-Term Contract: Discounts are often provided to companies that commit to using the service for a longer period (e.g., 1-year or 3-year contracts). A longer commitment shows DataGuard that the company is serious and willing to invest in the platform long-term.

No Active Discounts: Companies that are not already receiving other active discounts may have a better chance of qualifying for additional discounts from DataGuard. DataGuard reserves discounts for new customers or those not currently under promotional pricing.

Volume or Usage Commitment: DataGuard offers discounts if you agree to a minimum amount of usage or transaction volume. This could be based on data storage, transactions, or other metrics tied to how much you will use the platform.

Enterprise-Level Negotiation: Companies that qualify as “enterprise” due to their size or complexity (e.g., having large teams, multiple departments, or geographical presence) may be eligible for additional discounts from DataGuard. Such companies are often in a position to negotiate for better pricing.

Early Renewal or Prepayment: DataGuard often offers discounts if you renew early or prepay for the entire contract period. This is a common approach to securing a lower price.

Here at Spendbase our internal data shows that DataGuard delivers very strong perceived value, especially for companies that treat security and privacy as must‑have capabilities rather than checkbox tasks.

Overall satisfaction is high
Most Spendbase clients rate their experience 4–5 stars. The key positives come up again and again:

• Very user‑friendly platform: clear navigation, step‑by‑step guidance, “info” tooltips
• True “one‑stop shop” for:
• GDPR / ISO 27001 / TISAX / NIS2 / SOC 2 work
• Documentation and templates
• Online training and awareness
• Hybrid model (software + legal/infosec experts) is viewed as the main differentiator
• Support teams are called out as:
• Fast and responsive
• Proactive around tenders, assessments and time‑critical questionnaires
• Consistent – same expert often stays with the company over time

Main friction points
Our internal data also highlights some recurring issues:

• Language and localization
• Portal often defaults to German or Dutch
• Clients want automatic English/locale detection
• Onboarding effort
• Initial audit feels long and demanding, especially at the start
• Smaller or retail businesses sometimes find the solution “too extensive”
• Integration and customization
• Standardized workflows need tailoring to fit existing processes
• Cookie consent and some project‑management features take time to adjust
• Document handling
• Heavy reliance on PDFs
• Desire for:
  • Editable Word uploads
  • A more central, flexible document repository
• UX and workflow gaps
• Navigation after product changes can be confusing
• Hard to find where some documents are stored
• Limited in‑portal task reminders, deadlines and self‑service updates
• Service model and transparency
• Limited direct phone reach to specific consultants in some cases
• Need clearer visibility into used vs. remaining consulting hours

Cost vs. value perspective
From a Spendbase savings lens:

• Pricing is seen as on the higher side for SMEs, but often “justified” by:
• Depth of expertise (lawyers, infosec specialists)
• Time saved on tenders, audits, and ongoing governance
• ROI is strongest when:
• The client fully uses the consultants and training academy
• There is a clear certification or tender roadmap (ISO 27001, TISAX, public sector, education, etc.)

Our practical guidance for Spendbase clients is to:

• Align the chosen DataGuard package with actual frameworks and geographies you need
• Negotiate around consulting hours transparency and scope
• Plan internal capacity for the first audit phase so the investment pays off quickly