The ClientExec alternative built like an app.

ClientExec is a long-standing PHP billing platform whose defining feature is a flat leased price with unlimited clients — $16.95/mo branded, $19.95/mo unbranded (clientexec.com/pricing, checked 2026-10-14; the one-time lifetime licence it was long known for is no longer sold). The trade-off is an older codebase, a slower release cadence, and no DCIM. FluxBilling is a ClientExec alternative built as a multi-tenant SaaS: a React 18 single-page app on PostgreSQL 16 with automated recurring billing, integrated DCIM and IPAM, a visual plugin builder, and continuous updates. It is a subscription on every tier, not a perpetual license, though the Business tier adds a one-time self-host fee to run it on your own infrastructure. There is no automated ClientExec importer today — migration is a scoped services engagement with a sandboxed test import before cut-over. If you already own a ClientExec licence and need nothing beyond billing, staying put is hard to beat on cost.

Isn't an owned ClientExec licence cheaper long-term?

If you already hold one, often yes — Clientexec discontinued owned licence sales in December 2025 but honours existing ones, and a licence you have paid for is hard to beat for a small operator with a static feature set. New customers can only lease: $16.95/mo branded or $19.95/mo unbranded, per Clientexec's December 2025 pricing update. The cost shows up elsewhere: ongoing patches typically require an active support tier and the codebase is older PHP. If you don't need active feature shipping or a modern stack, an owned ClientExec licence wins on raw cost; for a new lease, FluxBilling Starter costs less up to 150 clients, and ClientExec's unlimited-client lease costs less above that.

Why pay a SaaS subscription instead of buying once?

You're paying for ongoing development and managed hosting, not the binary. FluxBilling ships continuously, includes hosting, and bundles DCIM and all gateways. A self-hosted licence is the software only; the server, backups and upgrades to run it are yours to provide.

Does FluxBilling have a one-time license tier?

Not a perpetual license — every tier is a subscription. But the Business tier offers self-host: keep the monthly subscription and pay a one-time fee to run it on your own infrastructure, with the same billing, DCIM, and provisioning. Lite, Starter and Professional stay managed. Updates ship continuously either way; the difference is where it runs.

Can I migrate from ClientExec?

Yes, with AI Migration in the admin panel. A super admin connects the ClientExec MySQL database (read-only, directly or over SSH); Admin AI proposes how clients, products, services, invoices and payments map across, shows a read-only preview, and imports only after you approve. Tickets and custom fields are not imported, and customers set a new password after cut-over. If you would rather not run it yourself, open a ticket and the migration team will.

Will my customers be forced to reset passwords?

Yes. There is no automated cross-platform password-hash rehash; at cut-over a password reset email is sent so customers can set a fresh password on FluxBilling. We help schedule the email and the comms around it.

How do you compare on security posture?

CSP headers, rate limiting, IP allowlisting, and a per-tenant activity log are on by default, and 2FA by authenticator app (TOTP) or emailed code can be made mandatory separately for staff and for clients. Patches roll out across the SaaS fleet without a separate paid maintenance tier.