For many Russian companies, from small businesses to large corporations, the 1C:Enterprise system is a key tool for automating accounting, management, HR, and warehouse operations. But when it comes to implementation, one of the first and most important questions business owners face is: Should you buy a 1C license or rent it? This decision will significantly affect your upfront investment, monthly expenses, flexibility, and responsibility for your IT infrastructure.

What is 1C and Why Does It Matter?

1C:Enterprise is a universal platform for business process automation. It powers a wide range of configurations (such as “1C:Accounting”, “1C:Trade Management”, “1C:Payroll and HR Management”) that meet nearly all business needs in accounting and administration. Choosing the right usage model isn’t just about money — it directly impacts the long-term efficiency of your operations.

Option 1: Buying a 1C License (On-Premise / You Own It)

In this scenario, you purchase perpetual licenses for the 1C platform and the necessary configurations. The software is installed on your own computer or server.

Pros:

• Full control: You own the software, giving you maximum freedom for customization, development, and integration tailored to your business processes.
• No monthly software fees: After the initial purchase, there are no ongoing subscription fees for using the software. (However, an ITS subscription is required for updates.)
• No dependency on a provider: Your data and system performance do not depend on third-party cloud services. Everything stays under your control.
• Perpetual usage: The license is yours to keep (for the specific version you purchased).

Cons:

• High upfront costs: Buying 1C platform and configuration licenses can be expensive, especially for multi-user versions. You’ll also need to purchase server hardware.
• Need for your own IT infrastructure: You’ll need a powerful PC or server, plus the appropriate software (OS, database management systems, etc.).
• Full responsibility for maintenance: Installation, setup, updates, backups, security, and hardware maintenance are all your responsibility or that of your IT team.
• IT expertise required: Qualified in-house or outsourced specialists are needed to ensure stability and solve potential issues.

Best For:

Buying a license is the best choice for medium to large businesses with complex or unique business processes that require ongoing 1C customization. It’s also suitable for companies with internal IT teams or the budget to hire professionals.

Option 2: Renting 1C (SaaS / Cloud / 1C:Fresh, Scloud)

Here, you don’t buy the software, but instead pay a monthly or annual fee to access 1C hosted on a cloud provider’s servers.

Pros:

• Low initial costs: No need to buy expensive licenses or hardware. You pay a small monthly fee.
• Predictable monthly expenses: Costs become operational rather than capital, simplifying budgeting.
• Access from anywhere: You only need internet access and a web browser or 1C thin client to work — from the office, home, or on the go.
• No infrastructure worries: The provider handles updates, backups, server maintenance, and security.
• Fast setup: You can get started within minutes of signing up.
• Scalability: Easily increase or decrease user count or storage volume as your business evolves.

Cons:

• Ongoing monthly payments: Over time, the total cost may exceed that of a license, especially for many users.
• Provider dependency: You’re fully reliant on your provider’s reliability and policies. Outages or changes may impact your access.
• Limited customization: Depending on your plan and provider, deep customization may be restricted. Standard configurations work well, but complex changes might not be possible or require approval.
• Data confidentiality concerns: Your data is stored on third-party servers. Choose providers who comply with local laws (e.g., 152-FZ in Russia).

Best For:

Renting 1C is ideal for small and medium businesses, startups, and individual entrepreneurs looking to start quickly, keep IT costs low, and avoid dealing with technical maintenance. It’s also a great choice for distributed teams or remote workers.

Conclusion: How to Choose?

Your decision between buying or renting 1C should be based on the following factors:

• Budget: Are you prepared for a large upfront investment, or do you prefer a subscription model?
• Business size and growth: Do you need deep customization or is standard functionality enough? How fast do you plan to scale?
• IT resources: Do you have in-house IT specialists or the means to outsource technical support?
• Security and confidentiality requirements: How critical is it to fully own your data and infrastructure?

Weigh these factors carefully before making your decision. In the next article, we’ll dive deeper into where you can host 1C: locally, on your own server, or in a provider’s cloud.