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August 28, 2026

Is a 36-month software contract normal?

Most field service software runs month-to-month or on an annual term. A few platforms ask for a 3-year commitment instead. Here's when that's reasonable, and what to check before you sign one.

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Most software in this category runs month-to-month or on a standard annual contract. So when a longer commitment shows up, like a reported 36-month minimum, it’s worth pausing before you assume that’s just how the industry works. It isn’t, always. It depends heavily on which platform you’re looking at and what you’re getting in return.

Where long contracts actually show up

We found this most clearly researching Samsara’s pricing. Multiple independent sources report a 36-month minimum contract as standard, tied to its hardware-bundled model (GPS units, dash cams, and the software all sold together). Hardware-bundled platforms are the most common place a long contract shows up, since the vendor is effectively financing physical equipment as part of your subscription.

Why a vendor asks for one

It’s not automatically a red flag. If a platform is providing hardware upfront, whether that’s GPS trackers, dash cams, or other equipment, a longer contract term is often how the vendor recovers that cost instead of charging you the full hardware price on day one. Vendors selling pure software with no hardware component generally have far less reason to lock you in for years.

What to actually watch for

The contract length itself isn’t the main risk. The real issue, based on what we found in independent reporting, is what happens if your situation changes mid-contract. Fleets have reported real difficulty adjusting a contract when their vehicle count shrank, and auto-renewal clauses have reportedly caught some customers off guard when they missed a cancellation window. Those two things matter more than the raw number of months.

Questions worth asking before you sign anything long-term

Ask exactly how early termination works, and what it costs. Ask what happens to your contract if your team or fleet size changes significantly during the term. Ask about the auto-renewal policy specifically, including how much written notice you need to give before it renews automatically. Get all three answers in writing, not just from a sales conversation.