specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Swapcard
providerId: swapcard
created: '2026-07-12'
modified: '2026-07-12'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Events
- Event Platform
- SaaS
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Swapcard spend. Swapcard is an annual SaaS subscription, not a
  usage-metered public API. Cost is driven by the platform package (Event
  Engagement and/or Registration & Management), the volume of Event Contacts
  (attendees and/or exhibitors) consumed during the term, the number of licensed
  users, optional add-ons/upgrades, and one-time implementation/onboarding fees.
  The developer APIs (Content, Leads, Analytics) carry no separate per-call
  charge - they are included with the subscription and gated by access tokens.
  There is no invoice for the API itself.
notes: >-
  Per-unit rates and Event Contact allowances are quote-based and not reconciled
  here; verify with Swapcard sales (https://www.swapcard.com/pricing). Model
  spend as an annual commitment plus potential in-term volume top-ups and
  implementation services rather than as consumption-based API billing.
sources:
- https://www.swapcard.com/pricing
- https://www.swapcard.com/blog/event-platform-pricing-hidden-costs
- https://swapcard.dev/
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Swapcard
serviceCategory: Events and Community Engagement
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription
  billingFrequency: Annual
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Purchase
  - Usage
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Swapcard Event Platform
  ServiceCategory: Events and Community Engagement
  ProviderName: Swapcard
  PublisherName: Swapcard
  InvoiceIssuerName: Swapcard
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Purchase
  PricingCategory: Subscription
meters:
- name: annual_subscription
  description: Annual platform subscription (Event Engagement and/or Registration & Management).
  unit: subscription
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - platform
- name: event_contacts
  description: Event Contacts (attendees and/or exhibitors) included and consumed during the subscription term; in-term top-ups possible.
  unit: contacts
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - event
- name: licensed_users
  description: Per-user licensing for organizer/staff seats.
  unit: users
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
- name: implementation_services
  description: One-time onboarding/implementation and professional services fees.
  unit: engagement
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track annual commitment, Event Contact consumption per event, and licensed-user counts against the contract; the API itself adds no separate line item.
- name: Allocation
  description: Map Event Contact usage and add-ons to specific events, teams, or clients so platform spend is attributable.
- name: Optimization
  description: Right-size Event Contact volume to actual attendance/exhibitors, consolidate events onto one subscription, and avoid mid-term volume overages by forecasting demand.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign an owner for the Swapcard contract; review Event Contact burn-down and renewal terms before each event cycle.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com