Technology Template
Free SaaS Subscription Agreement Template
A SaaS subscription agreement covers access to cloud software services.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# SaaS Subscription Agreement
**Provider:** {{providerName}}
**Customer:** {{customerName}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Service
Access to {{productName}} ({{planName}} plan).
## Fees
{{subscriptionFee}} per {{billingPeriod}}
## Term
{{term}}, auto-renewing unless cancelled with {{noticePeriod}} notice.
## Service Level
{{slaTerms}}
## Data
Customer retains ownership of all data. Provider will not access customer data except as needed to provide the service.
## Termination
{{terminationTerms}}Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
A SaaS subscription agreement is the contract that governs access to cloud software. Unlike traditional software licences (where the customer buys and installs software), SaaS agreements grant access to a hosted service for a recurring fee. This fundamental difference changes every aspect of the contract.
SaaS agreement vs software licence — key differences: - Deployment: SaaS is hosted by the provider; licensed software is installed on the customer's infrastructure. - Payment: SaaS is subscription-based (monthly/annual); licences are typically a one-time purchase plus annual maintenance. - Updates: SaaS includes continuous updates; licensed software may charge for major version upgrades. - Data: In SaaS, customer data lives on the provider's infrastructure, making data ownership, portability, and security clauses critical. - Termination: When a SaaS subscription ends, the customer loses access. Data export provisions are essential.
Critical clauses for SaaS agreements: 1. Service Level Agreement (SLA) — Uptime guarantee (99.9% is standard for business-critical SaaS), measurement method (monthly calculation is most common), and credits or remedies for downtime. Define what counts as 'downtime' and what's excluded (scheduled maintenance, force majeure). 2. Data ownership and portability — The customer owns their data. The provider should never claim ownership of customer data. Include data export rights in standard formats (CSV, JSON, API access) and a post-termination data retention period (typically 30-90 days). 3. Security obligations — Encryption standards (AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit), SOC 2 compliance, penetration testing frequency, and breach notification timelines. 4. Auto-renewal and cancellation — Most SaaS contracts auto-renew. Specify the notice period for cancellation (30-90 days before renewal) and whether mid-term cancellation is possible. 5. Price increases — Can the provider increase prices at renewal? Cap annual increases (typically 3-5%) or lock pricing for the initial term. 6. Integrations and API access — If the customer relies on API integrations, the agreement should guarantee API availability, versioning policy, and deprecation notice periods. 7. Liability cap — Typically capped at 12 months of fees paid. Uncapped liability is rare and should be negotiated carefully.
For B2B SaaS, the subscription agreement often includes an Order Form (specific plan, pricing, term) and a Master Services Agreement (general terms). This structure allows multiple subscriptions under one set of legal terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is a SaaS subscription agreement?
A SaaS subscription agreement is a contract that grants access to cloud-hosted software for a recurring fee. Unlike traditional software licences, the customer doesn't install or own the software — they access it via the internet. The agreement covers service levels, data ownership, security, pricing, and termination.
Can SaaS agreements be signed electronically?
Yes. SaaS subscription agreements are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). E-signing is the standard for SaaS — most customers expect to sign digitally as part of the onboarding process.
What SLA uptime should a SaaS agreement guarantee?
99.9% uptime is the industry standard for business SaaS, allowing roughly 8.7 hours of downtime per year. Mission-critical applications may require 99.95% or 99.99%. The SLA should define how uptime is measured, what counts as downtime, and what remedies (credits) apply for breaches.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.