Free Comparison Guide

FFL Software

With a growing number of software companies looking to break into the firearms industry, the available FFL software offerings are overwhelming. Unfortunately, many of those solutions are not compliant, not complete, and many times not developed/supported in the USA. Software needs vary by FFL license type. The unfortunate truth is that it's your license on the line, not the software vendor. The ATF has no jurisdiction over a software company and can not hold them accountable for their mistakes.

Choosing the wrong FFL software is costly and can have permanent consequences on your ability to be a Responsible Person (RP) on an FFL in the future.

This free guide will help you understand how to evaluate FFL software vendors and objectively compare their offerings.

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Compare FFL Software

Features

Tons of features may seem like a logical way to compare FFL Software offerings to others, but many people place too much consideration on features you don't need but think you might someday. Not worrying too much about what you might need tomorrow is a great way to be agile and react quickly to changing market conditions.

A common tactic that FFL software vendors will use is a comparison chart or matrix wherein they will list out every single feature they support, check all of the boxes and then make a poor comparison to their competitors.

Don't be fooled by a list of features you don't need or want. Instead, make a scorecard--a list of essential features for your business and make the vendor show you each feature on your scorecard. Having a scorecard to compare vendors is the best way to make sure everything you need is covered.

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Support

The number one complaint about FFL Software vendors, by a wide margin, is customer service and support.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to test this critical aspect without signing a contract.

Before you sign a contract, call, chat, and email the vendor. If you don't get a rapid response before becoming a customer, don't just hope things will get better.

Does the vendor offer a free trial? If not, why not? If so, take the time to call, chat, or email with questions.

Email is great for service requests where responses are measured in hours or days, not minutes.Phone support works excellent if it's urgent but is disruptive, and you can't do anything else.In-app chat is becoming more popular, and it's a convenient way to fire off a question and have an answer back in a couple of minutes. In-app chat is equally great for vendors because, unlike a phone call, they can juggle a few conversations at once while they are waiting for you to answer their last question.
Ask your vendor to show you what their response times are. If they can't show you a report, that means they aren't tracking it, and if they aren't tracking it, that is not a good sign.

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Compliance

Did you know that the ATF doesn't verify or validate FFL software?

The ATF doesn't have jurisdiction over software companies. The ATF doesn't have the staff or time to evaluate computer software.

Full compliance with Federal regulations and ATF rulings is the sole responsibility of the licensee.

FFLs incorrectly assume that because a company is offering software to FFLs, it must meet all regulations and rulings for FFLs. Right? Wrong! Firearms compliance attorneys have hundreds of clients using every FFL software commercially available, and they will be the first to tell you that almost every software has problems.

As you're shopping for FFL software, don't assume anything. Ask your vendor:
Who are your firearms compliance subject matter experts?How involved are the subject matter experts in the design and development phases?How do they guarantee their work?
Demand proof that if the ATF or state agency says something is not compliant, you won't have a stack of legal bills on your hands defending FFL software vendor choice -- this is the responsibility of your FFL software vendor.

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