Flexera vs. ServiceNow SAM Pro
Flexera One vs. ServiceNow SAM Pro: Comprehensive comparison for optimizing software license costs
ServiceNow is a popular and widely used ITSM provider and has extended its offerings into adjacent markets such as ITAM, CRM, app development and more. Flexera is a market-leading ITAM and FinOps provider that powers ServiceNow with near real-time, enriched and normalized data and product usage details to reduce software costs and improve ITSM operations.
The verdict
Flexera is the optimal choice for software license cost optimization due to strengths in data normalization, product use rights analysis and detailed product usage, whereas ServiceNow SAM Pro provides surface-level entitlement and usage data.
Overview: Why compare Flexera and ServiceNow SAM Pro?
When it comes to software asset management, both Flexera and ServiceNow SAM Pro offer value - but in different ways. ServiceNow SAM Pro is built for teams that need workflow automation and CMDB integration, while Flexera specializes in deep license intelligence, rapid data normalization, visibility to shadow AI and SaaS and actionable optimization insights that improve ServiceNow SAM Pro's CMDB integration. With Flexera, that means faster compliance, reduced audit risk, and boosted cost savings.
At-a-glance comparison table
Differences between Flexera One and ServiceNow SAM Pro
| Capability | ServiceNow SAM Pro | Flexera |
|---|---|---|
| Data normalization and enrichment | Normalizes ~35% of inventory data in ~18 hours. | Normalizes 98% of inventory data in < 10 minutes. Recognition of 25k SaaS apps. |
| Product use rights analysis | Includes upgrade/downgrade rights, license models and can configure usage constraints. | Includes upgrade/downgrade rights, usage limits, and automatic application of IBM sub-capacity licensing, product bundling, virtualization and non-production exception use rights. |
| Detailed usage data on ServiceNow applications | License allocations against purchases; usage details only available upon request. | License allocations against purchases; usage details identify users who could be moved between subscriptions and usage by role type. |
| Vendor verified data | Verified by Oracle (Oracle Databases, Oracle Java, Oracle Middleware) | Verified by Oracle (Oracle Databases, Oracle Java, Oracle Middleware, and Oracle E-Business Suite), IBM ILMT alternative, certified by SAP |
Key differentiators
What sets Flexera apart?
- Speed and Completeness of Data Normalization and Enrichment: Flexera's Technopedia normalizes up to 98% of inventory data in minutes, compared to ServiceNow's slower, manual-heavy process. Speed is critical for IT teams that need clean, actionable data fast, as it enables quick decision-making and reduces delays in compliance and optimization.
- Comprehensive SaaS Discovery: Flexera provides comprehensive SaaS discovery using multiple methods including CASB, SSO, Browser Extension, Agent and API connectors. By combining discovery methods, organizations are able to see use of sanctioned, hybrid and shadow SaaS and AI applications.
- Vendor-Verified Intelligence: Flexera uses authoritative, publisher-verified product and licensing data (for IBM, Oracle and SAP), ensuring accuracy and reducing compliance risk. This ensures all product information, licensing terms and usage rights are sourced directly from software publishers, which eliminates guesswork and inaccuracies, enabling organizations to more confidently manage compliance and reduce audit risk.
- Advanced Product Use Rights Analysis: Flexera automatically applies complex licensing rules (e.g., virtualization, hybrid benefits, Oracle Database Options) for true optimization, while ServiceNow requires manual configuration. Flexera automatically reconciles rules in complex environments and enables significant cost savings so that teams spend hours, not weeks, preparing for audits or renewals.
- Deep Usage Insights: Flexera provides granular usage data across applications - including ServiceNow apps - enabling precise cost control and license optimization. By enabling precise license optimization and cost control through actual compensation patterns, Flexera helps teams make more effective decisions instead of relying on static entitlements that are more difficult to work with.
- Broad Ecosystem Integration: Flexera's data fuels ITAM, and cloud optimization workflows, delivering a holistic view of spend and compliance beyond ITSM-centric capabilities.
Who is Flexera best for?
Flexera is engineered for organizations that need deep software asset intelligence, rapid data normalization and advanced license optimization across complex hybrid IT environments. Unlike ServiceNow SAM Pro, which focuses on business workflows, Flexer excels for enterprises managing diverse vendors, intricate licensing models and cloud licenses and infrastructure.
Customer outcomes and success stories
Real-world results
| Reduce Waste | Minimize Risk | Save Time |
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Hear what our customers say
“I really like working on the Flexera tool. I had experience working on Snow License manager, USU LIMA and ServiceNow as well. As a Flexera admin, I feel the Flexera tool is very good compared to other SAM tools in terms of software raw data normalization (ARL, PURL) [and the] IT Visibility module. [It’s] easy to integrate with different SaaS-based portals. The integrations are very good and easy to connect and manage. The documentation is really good—which I feel Flexera is at top compared to others." (Source: User Evidence Survey, June 2025)
“Flexera's depth and breadth of scope far outweighs SAM Pro in ServiceNow in recognition, optimization, and standardization. ServiceNow is relatively new to the SAM world, whereas Flexera has been around to decades. Their understanding of SAM has been superior for a long time. SAM Pro might be growing, but it is still an infant compared to Flexera.”
"Software vendors need to think twice about scaring or bullying us during an audit. Flexera's given us the data and confidence to know exactly what software we have and what we use."
Implementation and support
Getting started
Switching from ServiceNow SAM Pro to Flexera? Our Flexera onboarding experts ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption, guiding you through data normalization, integration, and configuration every step of the way. From fast implementation and accurate asset visibility to ongoing support and data that drives results, Flexera delivers a trusted foundation for ITAM and FinOps success - so you can start optimizing software spend and reducing risk from day one.
Frequently asked questions on using Flexera over ServiceNow
Flexera significantly outperforms ServiceNow in data normalization. Using its AI-enhanced Technopedia catalog, Flexera achieves 98% coverage in under 10 minutes, compared to ServiceNow’s achievement of 35% in 18 hours. Additionally, Flexera provides deeper insights into actual application usage and vendor use rights, including IBM sub-capacity licensing and Oracle E-Business Suite, whereas ServiceNow offers more limited entitlement and usage data.
Yes. Flexera equips customers with legible data that integrates with business processes, derives value and is accessible via ServiceNow CMDB. Users can derive data insights with our Queryable API and Data Explorer features.
As mentioned in this article, Unlocking IT intelligence: CMDB’s role in risk, spend, and AI strategy, an updated and normalized CMDB can reduce risk in strategic initiatives, optimize technology spend, accelerate decision-making and strengthen governance and compliance.
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