Number of Seats/Users: Spruce 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 Spruce 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 Spruce. Spruce reserves discounts for new customers or those not currently under promotional pricing.

Volume or Usage Commitment: Spruce 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 Spruce. Such companies are often in a position to negotiate for better pricing.

Early Renewal or Prepayment: Spruce 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 Spruce is a popular business management software in the home and building supply industries, but it comes with some important pros and cons to consider. Based on insights from our Spendbase clients, here’s what you should know if you’re thinking about Spruce—and how you might use a Spendbase discount to get more value.

Top Positives our clients found:
– Easy Document Management: Many Spendbase clients praise Spruce for its cloud-based platform, allowing access from anywhere and offering strong document management. This is great for businesses wanting to go paperless and have easy access to invoices or purchase orders anytime.
– Point of Sale: Clients highlight fast and user-friendly point of sale (POS) transactions, which help teams serve customers quickly. Product searches and invoicing are fast and efficient, with helpful delivery management features.
– Reporting/Analytics: Some users appreciate detailed reporting features. Tracking product usage, sales trends, and inventory helps with business decisions.
– Integration: The software connects well with accounting and other core systems, making financial tasks simpler and saving staff time.

Areas where Spruce could improve, according to Spendbase clients:
– Customer Support Challenges: The single largest pain-point in our data, Spendbase clients frequently mention slow customer support, long wait times for responses, and sometimes unresolved issues. For technical or urgent situations, this can be a real concern.
– Learning Curve: New users face a steep learning curve, often requiring extensive note-taking and training, especially for staff less comfortable with technology.
– Data Conversion: Migration from other systems (especially QuickBooks POS or manual methods) can be bumpy, with reports of data conversion challenges.
– Clunky Features: Elements like multi-tasking, report generation (especially with Crystal Reports), and navigating between windows are often called “clunky” or not intuitive.
– Accounting Module Limits: Spendbase clients note limited flexibility in general ledger, reporting, and invoice management. Statements are sometimes difficult to read or lack customization—problematic for customer communication.

Other Considerations:
– Not Cross-Platform: Spruce runs on Windows only; there’s no direct Mac support or open database access.
– Payroll: Payroll solutions and integration are limited.
– Credit Card Integration: Some users found the required credit card processor lacking in reliability or user-friendliness.

Bottom line from Spendbase:
Spruce suits mid-sized building supply and retail outfits that need advanced inventory and document management, and are willing to put time into training. If rapid, personalized support is a must-have, or if you need very flexible reporting or payroll, you may face headaches.

If you’re considering Spruce, talk to a Spendbase discount specialist about how to maximize value and reduce costs, especially during onboarding and support phases!