The useful question is who will run the software. Pepper runs on your hosting, with your own database. You or your developer handle installation, updates, backups and recovery.
A hosted service puts those jobs with a provider. Check the service agreement for its backup, export and support commitments before you rely on them.
Compare the full cost
| Decision | What to check |
|---|---|
| Hosting | Who maintains the server, certificates and database? |
| Records | Can you retrieve the documents and history your accountant needs? |
| Updates | Who tests and installs changes, and what does continued update access cost? |
| Recovery | Who restores a failed installation, and when was that process last tested? |
| Integrations | Which payment, bank and accounting connections are essential? |
Pepper costs $199 for one production installation, full source, a perpetual licence, and one year of updates and support. Updates and support renew automatically at $199/year unless you cancel. Cancel anytime to stop future charges; your downloaded copy keeps working after the paid period ends. Add hosting, email and maintenance to your cost comparison.
Where Pepper fits
Use Pepper for quotes, invoices, fixed-price projects, recorded payments, purchases and accountant exports. It includes the application source for changes within your license.
It has no bank feeds or bookkeeping ledger. Stripe invoice payments collect against staff-issued invoices, with partial payments and confirmed credit-note refunds. If these are essential, keep them in another system or choose a product that covers the complete job.
Review the purchase and renewal costs, then price the hosting and maintenance you will need. Check server requirements before choosing a host; the read-only demo shows example records.