Software Escrow

Protect the on-premises software your business runs on.

When the software you rely on fails, your business grinds to a halt. Secure the source code, data, and documentation you need with verified Software Escrow for a guaranteed recovery path. Live in 24 hours.
From $139 /mo
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Unlimited deposits · Daily syncs · Software Resilience Certificate included
Software Escrow app screenshot

Vetted and trusted by 3 500+ companies in over 150 countries

Airbus Bayer European Parliament General Motors Intuit Nestlé PepsiCo Pfizer

What happens when the software you depend on fails, breaks, or is attacked?

What is software escrow?

Software escrow is a three-party agreement between vendors, users, and a neutral escrow agent. Vendors deposit their software's source code, data, and documentation. The escrow agent secures and verifies it all for the duration of the agreement. If specific failure conditions occur, the assets are released to the users so they can maintain the software independently. This guards against:
  • Vendor failure — bankruptcy or discontinued products that cut off support and force costly migrations.
  • Security gaps — vulnerabilities you can't patch yourself without access to the source code.
  • Frozen deals and operations — contract disputes and lost deals due to missing continuity guarantees.

Download our Introduction to Software Escrow guide
what-is-diagram-software-escrow
Your business runs on software you don't control. If a provider fails, your software goes down — as does everything your clients rely on you for.
Four people in a meeting looking at a laptop together.

We make sure your software never lets you down

We know how much rides on your on-premises software — every process, every client, every day. That's why we protect source code for the software that runs your business.
3 500+
teams around the globe trust Codekeeper to keep their software secure. You can rely on us too.

How Software Escrow works

1

Book a free consultation

Talk with our escrow specialists about which assets to secure and how escrow can eliminate your software risk.

2

Choose a protection level

After you select your plan, we configure your vault and prepare your agreement framework based on your needs.

3

Deposit your assets

You can connect your repositories for automatic daily syncs. Or upload your materials manually. We support both. 

4

Certify your resilience

We examine your deposits, test recovery readiness, then issue your Software Resilience Certificate.

Book a demo
"Codekeeper lifted us at every turn, from setting up the escrow agreement, handshaking the agreement with all parties, and using the tool to get the repositories in sync. I'd spotlight the portal that walks you through each step — it builds trust for us and our clients alike — plus the technical setup that enables our teams to share code effortlessly. That combination simplifies everything and saves us real effort."
Paul T. *
Senior Managing Director
* Pseudonym used to maintain customer confidentiality.

What goes into your Software Escrow deposits

On-premises software escrow protection requires three essential asset types:
Computer screen displaying application source code.
Source code
The whole codebase required to build and deploy your application. 
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Data
The databases, records, and information assets your software needs to operate. 
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Documentation
Technical knowledge that transforms source code into operational software.
Automated daily syncs
Unlimited deposits included
Dual-dashboard visibility

We sync with your systems

Codekeeper supports 50+ integrations to make it easy for you to add and manage your repositories. You connect your platforms once, and we sync your source code, data, and documents daily. No need to manage releases and versions or decide which repository belongs where.
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Azure Devops integration logo
Shopify integration logo
Stripe integration logo
Chargebee integration logo

Full-service legal and technical support

Getting escrow protection right requires legal expertise and technical know-how. We provide both to make implementation straightforward.
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Legal framework included

Our legal team drafts escrow agreements tailored to your specific needs — from standard templates to fully bespoke arrangements. 
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Multi-party arrangements

We structure bi-party, tri-party, and multi-party agreements with clearly defined release conditions, verification requirements, and legal obligations.
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Jurisdiction selection

Your escrow agreement operates under the jurisdiction that aligns with your business requirements, contracts, and regulatory obligations.
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24/7/365 event processing

Reach us anytime — phone, chat, email — for urgent releases. Our always-available release processing service costs R3,499 per hour.
Unique in-app agreement management
24/7 technical and legal support
Guided implementation

Enterprise security and compliance built in

Securing sensitive source code requires enterprise-grade security infrastructure and audit-ready documentation. We designed our vaults for both.
Person using a laptop with a manual upload app snippet at the lower right, showing AES-256/512 encryption badges.

AES-256/512 encryption

All deposits are encrypted in transit and at rest using military-grade encryption standards.
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Version history

Every deposit is logged, and every change is recorded. You can also preserve every version with full audit trails.
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Multi-factor authentication access control

Granular permissions control who sees what, with role-based access and detailed audit logs of every action.
Global secure vault network
Immutable storage
Software Resilience Certificates included

Prove your deposits are recovery-ready

Escrow deposits need verification. Without it, you're trusting that materials are complete without proof they'll recover your software when it matters.
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Validated

FREE
Automated checks ensure that essential materials are present.
Includes: Basic Software Resilience Certificate
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Verified

Automated monitoring validates file integrity and content structure.
Includes: Enhanced Software Resilience Certificate
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Certified

Full technical build testing proves materials are functionally complete.
Includes: Premium Software Resilience Certificate
Compare all verification levels

If software runs your business, activating Software Escrow is the right decision.

Don't risk a software shutdown. Talk with our escrow specialists today about securing your on-premises systems. Your consultation includes:
  • Risk assessment from escrow experts
  • Implementation roadmap
  • Answers to your legal and technical questions
Book a demo
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Frequently asked questions

Good questions to ask first.

What is software escrow?

Software escrow is a legal arrangement that protects everyone in a software relationship by keeping the source code and other critical materials recoverable. In a software escrow agreement, the software developer or vendor deposits a copy of the source code, documentation, and other essential components with a trusted third-party escrow agent. The agent securely stores and manages these materials on behalf of both parties. If the agreed conditions are met, the agent releases the materials to the beneficiary, who can then maintain and support the software independently.

How does Software Escrow help you build digital resilience?

Software Escrow strengthens digital resilience by storing your on-premises software assets in a secure vault. If your live systems fail, you can restore operations quickly and maintain compliance without disruption.

For what purpose is software escrow most commonly used?

Businesses use software escrow to protect on-premise applications. It guarantees access to source code and critical assets, so vendors prove reliability to clients, and clients maintain functionality despite unexpected setbacks.

What is a software escrow agent?

A software escrow agent is a neutral third party — like Codekeeper — who securely holds your software materials. We manage deposits, verify usability, and release assets when agreed conditions are met to safeguard your recovery and continuity.

What is protected by a software escrow agreement?

A software escrow agreement protects source code, application data, technical documentation, and your IP. 

What are the release conditions for a software escrow agreement?

Release conditions trigger when specific events occur — vendor bankruptcy, discontinued support, or contract breaches. Once met, we provide immediate access to your deposited materials.

What proof of protection does Software Escrow provide?

You get a free basic Software Resilience Certificate with your Software Escrow plan. This documentation assures clients, auditors, and regulators that your materials are vaulted and validated.

What are the benefits of Software Escrow?

Software Escrow saves you $5,000 in legal fees with custom agreements, cuts 40+ hours of DevOps work with daily syncs, and secures your software with AES256/512 encryption. It boosts trust and keeps your business running smoothly.

Do we need Software Escrow if we have a disaster recovery plan in place?

Yes, because disaster recovery plans often lack source code access. Software Escrow fills that gap by securing code and data for on-premises apps — something backups alone can't promise.

How does a software escrow agreement work?

A software escrow agreement is a legal arrangement wherein a software developer or provider agrees to deposit the code, documentation, and data of their software product in a neutral third-party's vault. The agreement specifies what gets deposited, when it's released, and who receives the assets. Two-party agreements run between the provider and the escrow agent, putting the mechanism in place so protection can extend to any client who asks. Three-party agreements name one specific beneficiary, who signs too. Multi-party agreements name several, and each can have its own release conditions within the same contract.

How much does software escrow cost?

Software escrow costs from $139 per application per month, billed annually, with a one-time $249 setup fee. That covers one agreement, unlimited deposits, and 1 TB of storage. Larger plans cover five agreements or unlimited. Compare options on the software escrow pricing page.

More answers in the FAQ →

Let's build bulletproof software resilience together.

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