Choosing procurement software can feel like an irony, to procure well, you have to procure the right suite to get you going. That decision is where all others stem from. You likely need something powerful enough to handle any sourcing challenges you come across within the team, but not so complex that it becomes a project in itself just to use.
That’s where platforms like Scanmarket come into the conversation. It’s a well-known name in the source-to-contract (S2C) field, because it’s built with speed, usability, and strategic sourcing in mind.
But what’s it really like to work with in 2025? After all, good prior impressions aren’t forever, any software service will need to prove itself year on year. That’s why we’ve written an honest, no-nonsense review of Scanmarket’s features, strengths, and a few areas that might not suit everyone below:
What is Scanmarket?
Scanmarket is a cloud-based platform designed to support companies throughout the sourcing and contract process. In simple terms, that means it helps teams run tenders, manage bids, set up auctions, track supplier info, and organize contracts, doing so from one dashboard.
The company talks a lot about simplicity, and to its credit, that shows in the way the system is built. The layout is clean and relatively easy to navigate. It doesn’t throw dozens of tabs and filters at you all at once, which makes a difference when you’re trying to manage time and decisions need to be quick.
What are Scanmarket’s main features?
Scanmarket’s offering is modular, meaning you can pick and choose which parts of the system to use depending on what your team needs, and they’re all compatible with each other. Let’s look at some of the main fixtures below:
- Sourcing tools – These include standard eRFx capabilities (for running RFPs, RFQs, etc.) and eAuctions (with multiple formats like Dutch, reverse, and forward auctions).
- Contract management – Offers a central space to store, track, and renew contracts, which is great for visibility.
- Supplier management – Lets you onboard vendors, track performance, and keep everything organized in one spot.
- Spend analysis – While not the deepest analytics suite out there, it offers a helpful view into spending patterns and savings opportunities.
- Project tracking – Keeps tabs on sourcing efforts and task progress, integrated into the wider workflow so you can easily plan and collaborate with your team about wider projects.
Scanmarket Pros – What We Like
- Easy To Get Started
The learning curve here is surprisingly gentle. The system has a practical design that helps new users settle in quickly. Buttons are pretty intuitive for the most part, and most features are labeled in plain language. This matters if you’re bringing new hires on board or don’t want to spend weeks training your whole team.
- Auctions & RFx Are Standouts
If your sourcing approach is mostly focused on bidding processes or auction events, Scanmarket performs very well. That’s what most procurement professionals will be doing, so it delivers on that front, as the tools are detailed without being overbearing or overly complex. There are plenty of custom settings for how bids work, how rounds are structured, and how information is shared on top of that. For that reason, it handles complex scenarios better than many competitors.
- Doesn’t Take Forever To Deploy
One of the nicer surprises with Scanmarket is how quickly you can get up and running. It’s not overloaded with features you don’t need, which makes setup a lot less tiresome. A lot of templates are available out of the box, so teams can run their first events without a huge IT commitment too.
- Centralized, Modular Setup
You’ll find that everything lives in the same system, which helps cut down on switching between tools or spreadsheets. Since the platform is modular, you don’t have to buy into everything at once. You can roll out just the sourcing module first, then add supplier management or contract tracking later, which helps. Because it’s all built on the same framework, each part fits neatly into the overall workflow you may desire your team to process.
- Great Support
While the interface is user-friendly, help is also there when you need it. The support team is known for being responsive and knowledgeable. There are also some helpful shortcuts, like a quick-assist feature to get live guidance when you’re stuck.
So, What Are The Cons?
- Some Features Take Time To Master
Although the platform is relatively easy to pick up, some of the deeper functions, especially in the sourcing tools, need a bit of hands-on experience. That’s not necessarily a negative, but it’s worth planning for. You’ll still want to allocate time for training, especially if your team is used to older systems or spreadsheets.
- Modular, Not Highly Customizable
Scanmarket is built to keep things simple and consistent, but that comes at a cost, as it doesn’t offer the level of deep customization that some enterprise-level suites provide. If your company has highly specific sourcing workflows or compliance needs, this could be a little less helpful. It’s worth checking upfront how flexible the system is with your use cases.
- Requires A Stable Internet Connection
Because the software is fully cloud-based, you’ll need a steady internet connection to use it. That’s not unusual these days, but it’s something to consider if you have users in areas with access you can’t rely on 100% of the time.
Final Thoughts
Scanmarket is a capable sourcing tool for teams that want to keep things simple without losing any essential features. It focuses on doing a few things well rather than trying to cover every procurement need under the sun, and that focused approach works in its favor.
The package shines in environments where quick adoption, smart bidding, and fast results are essential, so for many it will serve just fine. For mid-sized to large organizations that already have an ERP in place and are looking to boost the strategic sourcing side of the process, Scanmarket is a strong assistant, as it offers just enough flexibility to adapt to different needs.
Of course, it’s not the right choice if you’re chasing deep customization or trying to replace your entire procurement and finance stack from the ground up. But for those focused on sourcing strategy, vendor engagement, and smart contract tracking, it’s more than worth your time.