It's the start of a new year, and if you're like most small business owners, your list of software subscriptions is longer than you think. Some you use every day. Some you barely remember. And at least one you probably signed up for during a free trial years ago and never canceled. You're not alone.
Small businesses spend an average of $10,000 per year on software. The frustrating part is that research shows 53 percent of SaaS licenses go completely unused.
That is money leaving your business quietly, often while you’re focused on serving customers and keeping things moving.
Every software purchase starts with good intentions. You needed a better way to manage projects, track expenses, or schedule social media. So you signed up.
Then you added another tool. And then another.
Before long, you have multiple platforms doing the same job, tools that do not talk to each other, and a monthly bill that keeps creeping higher.
On average, businesses carry 7.6 duplicate subscriptions. That is real money being spent without delivering real value.
This is not a discipline problem. It is a systems problem.
Free trials are easy to start and intentionally hard to cancel. Software sprawl builds quietly over time. And in a small business, no one owns "software oversight" as a formal role.
Everyone is wearing multiple hats. Auditing subscriptions rarely feels urgent, even when it is expensive.
The goal is not to use fewer tools. The goal is to use the right tools, at the right price, and actually get value from them.
Start by asking three questions about every subscription you pay for:
You do not need to overhaul everything at once. Start small.
Pull your bank statement and scan for recurring charges. Pick one subscription you are unsure about and check actual usage. Write down renewal dates so decisions are intentional, not automatic.
Even one cancellation or downgrade can free up cash quickly.
This is exactly why group purchasing matters.
Big companies get better pricing because they negotiate at scale. Small businesses usually do not get that option on their own.
Mighty changes that.
By bringing small businesses together, Mighty helps members access better rates on the services they already use. Typically, that means saving 10 to 25 percent, without switching to lower-quality tools or sacrificing functionality.
It is not about cutting corners. It is about leveling the playing field.
Your software stack should support your business, not quietly drain it.
A 30-minute audit now can save thousands over the course of a year.
Later this week, we will share a simple checklist you can use to run a full software audit. For now, start with one subscription. Check if it is being used. Decide if it is still earning its place.
Small steps add up. And when small businesses make smarter decisions together, they become mighty.
Mighty leverages the buying power of millions of small businesses to unlock significant savings and deliver growth for its members.
