Oboloo launches free procurement software for SMEs

Oboloo has launched a free procurement software plan for SMEs and charities, available globally.

The London-based provider said its new Free Forever Plan is aimed at smaller organisations that still manage suppliers, contracts and renewals through spreadsheets despite rising cost pressures. The platform brings supplier records, contract information, sourcing activity and savings tracking into one system.

The launch comes as smaller businesses face tighter margins and greater scrutiny of recurring costs. Oboloo cited official UK statistics showing about 2,000 business failures a month, most of them SMEs, and pointed to industry research suggesting that 25 to 40 per cent of subscriptions and licences go unused or underused.

Auto-renewals are a particular concern for companies trying to control spending. The free plan includes automated email alerts for upcoming contract renewals, alongside audit trails designed to give businesses a clearer record of procurement decisions and supplier agreements.

Core tools

The free plan includes a central hub for supplier and contract information, a step-by-step process for supplier sourcing events, a tracker for savings achieved and integrations with a range of third-party business software. It is designed as a self-service cloud platform.

Oboloo is targeting a gap in the market where dedicated procurement systems have often been used by larger organisations, while smaller firms have relied on manual processes. As subscription spending and vendor complexity have grown, many SMEs have been left to manage supplier relationships and contract deadlines without specialist tools.

The company compared the move with the wider adoption of customer relationship management software, arguing that procurement systems should also be within reach of smaller businesses. It says procurement software has remained too expensive or too difficult to adopt for many SMEs and charities.

James Lancaster, co-founder of oboloo, outlined the company’s case for the launch.

“SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, yet they are the hardest hit during periods of economic instability,” said James Lancaster, co-founder at oboloo. “Every day brings new financial pressures, and businesses simply can’t afford to let costs spiral due to a lack of visibility or well-intentioned but outdated procurement practices.

“With our Free Forever Plan, we’re removing cost as a barrier and putting powerful procurement tools directly into the hands of businesses, helping them stay on top of supplier decisions and costs.

“Unlike traditional procurement solutions that are often expensive and complex to implement, oboloo has been designed to be intuitive, fast to implement and easy to scale.

“This launch marks a significant step in oboloo’s mission to democratise procurement technology, making it accessible to every business, regardless of size or budget, at a time when it matters most.”

Cost pressure

The announcement reflects a broader effort by software providers to win smaller customers by reducing upfront fees and simplifying deployment. For SMEs, procurement has often ranked behind finance, sales and payroll systems when technology budgets are tight, even though supplier spending can account for a large share of total costs.

Businesses without a clear view of contract expiry dates, negotiated terms or active subscriptions can struggle to cut unnecessary spending quickly. Smaller organisations are also more exposed to staff turnover and informal processes, making it harder to maintain a complete record of supplier commitments.

By offering a no-cost entry point, oboloo is seeking to widen adoption among businesses that may not previously have considered procurement software. Founded in 2021, the company said it was created by procurement and technology specialists with more than 25 years of experience advising businesses on procurement strategy.

Its pitch centres on visibility and control over supplier and contract data at a time when many businesses are reviewing every line of expenditure. Users can create an account and begin using the platform within minutes, according to the company.

The free plan is open to SMEs and charities, giving them access to tools for sourcing, contract oversight, supplier management and savings tracking without a software charge.