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Software Escrow

Protect your on-premises software

Secure your source code, data, and documentation with verified Software Escrow vaults and certified recovery plans.
From
$129
/mo
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View pricing plans
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What happens when the software you depend on fails, breaks, or is attacked?

Diagram explaining what Software Escrow is.

What is software escrow?

Software escrow is a three-party agreement between vendors, users, and Codekeeper. Vendors deposit source code, data, and documentation. We secure these materials. When specified failure conditions occur, we release them to users who need to maintain the software independently.

Your software depends on vendors. When they fail, your software breaks. When your software breaks, you fail your clients. When you fail your clients, your business stops.

 

That’s why software escrow guards against:

Vendor bankruptcy that eliminates support overnight
Product discontinuation that forces costly migrations
Security vulnerabilities you can't patch yourself
Contract disputes that freeze your operations
Lost enterprise deals due to missing continuity guarantees

Download our Introduction to Software Escrow guide

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. Codekeeper is trusted by 3 500+ teams globally. You can rely on us too.

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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.
View all integrations
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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.
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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

What is software escrow?
Software escrow is a legal arrangement that protects licensed software users by ensuring continuous access to the software's source code and other critical materials. 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, such as Codekeeper. This agent securely stores and manages these materials on behalf of the software provider and the beneficiary.
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.

Let's build bulletproof software resilience together.

Book a demo