Number of tables creation in custom application development

[Mihir Y]

I wanted to create one custom scoped application which involves almost 5 tables to store the transaction data. For an example you can consider expense reimbursement request, where user need to provide request details along with expenses he made. So we need two tables to store one request. Like this I am having a need to create 5 tables to store details. Questions are

1. In ServiceNow every tables counts under license so, what is the best practice to handle such scenarios?
2. How other apps being developed with this kind of requirements?
3. If I create application with 5 tables and add to store, when client installed this application these tables count under their license or not?

[Mike_R · Accepted solution]

Depends if your app is paid or free and if it's an integration or not

https://www.servicenow.com/content/dam/servicenow-assets/public/en-us/doc-type/legal/custom-table-gu...

Free Partner Built Store Downloads: Free Store features and applications built by
ServiceNow partners require the Customer to have entitlement for the number of
included Custom Tables, either through their App Engine Starter Custom Tables that are
included within their ServiceNow products or through an App Engine subscription
product.

Free Store Applications of type “Integration” are exempted from the Custom Table count
and do not require Custom Table entitlement unless the out of the box integration is
expanded with the creation of additional Custom Tables.

Paid Partner Built Store Downloads: The included Out of the Box Paid Store features and
applications build by ServiceNow partners include embedded entitlements for the
Custom Tables included. Paid partner-built apps, transacted on the ServiceNow Store
with a contract value greater than zero dollars ($0), do not consume Custom Tables and
require no additional Custom Table entitlement, unless the out of the box application is
expanded with the creation of additional Custom Tables.

[Mihir Y]

Is my below understanding is correct by assuming custom application is having custom tables?

1. Applications with free of cost will count from client licenses 
2. Application with paid will not count from client licenses

[Mike_R]

Yes, with one caveat. If the free application is an "integration" it will not count from client's licenses.