Our 2025 survey data reveals the true cost of software audits goes far beyond the compliance gap — from executive distraction and legal fees to forced purchases and stalled projects. See the numbers that should change how your organization thinks about audit readiness.
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Software Audits Are Costing You More Than You Think—Here's Why
Our 2025 survey data reveals the true cost of software audits goes far beyond the compliance gap — from executive distraction and legal fees to forced purchases and stalled projects. See the numbers that should change how your organization thinks about audit readiness.
Michael Corey
Co-Founder, LicenseFortress
February 2025
6 min read
The bottom line
Our 2025 survey data reveals the true cost of software audits goes far beyond the compliance gap — from executive distraction and legal fees to forced purchases and stalled projects. See the numbers that should change how your organization thinks about audit readiness.
- LicenseFortress is an independent software licensing advocate — we never sell vendor licenses and take no vendor commissions.
- $2.4B+ in vendor claims defended and $625M+ saved for clients.
- Coverage across Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, SAP, VMware by Broadcom, and Adobe.
- Licensing experts working alongside software contract attorneys.
From our case files
The real cost shows up in months of internal time. Two audits that illustrate it:
The Oracle Audit Playbook: Health Exchange Found Out of Compliance by More Than $14M
Learn how to navigate the Oracle audit playbook and avoid settling for more than what your organization owes.
Read the case studyJapanese Technology Services Provider Eliminates ¥144M Oracle Audit Demand
Oracle Japan audit claim of ¥144M eliminated—LicenseFortress proved compliance and closed the audit with no licenses purchased.
Read the case studyAbout the author
Michael Corey
Co-Founder, LicenseFortress
Michael writes on vendor strategy, audit behavior and the business realities of enterprise software agreements.
