There’s a reason you’re hearing about new SaaS businesses everywhere you go. As a business model, Software as a Service is objectively one of the most profitable and scalable options out there. The SaaS market is absolutely booming as thousands of SaaS companies are thriving globally. Experts anticipate that by the end of 2024, 99% of companies worldwide will be using a SaaS product.
If you’re looking for an in-depth look at how SaaS applications work from the business perspective, I’ve got you covered. In the next few minutes you’ll look at 21 different examples of SaaS businesses, each of which are currently seeing tremendous success. Some of them are already massive, established companies with a worldwide presence, while others are fast growing startups with bright futures. From project management software to CRMs, you’ll quickly see why SaaS is taking the tech world by storm.
What is SaaS?
First things first: let’s get the basics out of the way. SaaS, or Software as a Service, is a business model where software is delivered to customers online via the cloud. Using their web browser, customers can access the software they need to run their business, manage their personal projects, or stay in touch with colleagues. Pricing for SaaS products is generally subscription-based, giving the customer the ability to pay for the features they need.
The benefits of SaaS for the customer are huge. Most importantly, all of the updates, maintenance, and data storage are handled in real-time by the SaaS provider. This way, end users get to focus on what matters to them while the SaaS vendor manages its own product.
You’ve likely also heard of PaaS (Platform as a Service) and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), which are other cloud-based business models. We’re zeroing in on SaaS today, but you can learn more about SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS and how they differ from each other in the SaaS Academy blog.
21 Examples of SaaS Applications with Use Cases
SaaS solutions need little more than a solid internet connection. Using SaaS apps in place of traditional software is cost-effective and user-friendly, and cuts down significantly on annoyances like onboarding, installations, and delays. Let’s look at a few SaaS platforms that have already started making their customers’ lives easier with their products.
Example 1: Slack
Slack is a messaging application that is most frequently used to connect team members in a workplace.
Use Case for Slack
If email is a bridge, Slack is a teleportation device, connecting colleagues instantly. For the highly collaborative team, Slack’s channels allow for organized project management and discussion between coworkers. Its instant messaging is ideal for quick communication and reducing email clutter.
Details
- Launched in 2013
- $903 million in 2020
Slack’s most striking features include:
- A mobile app with an easily navigated interface
- Seamless integration with other apps and tools
- File sharing
- Notifications and mentions
- Options for text, voice, or video conferencing
Example 2: Docusign
Docusign took signatures to the cloud, delivering a platform for electronic signatures that can be used for everything from personal correspondence to legal documents.
Use Case for Docusign
In situations like real estate purchases, Docusign has made it possible for high volumes of documents to be signed remotely. Docusign can be used from anywhere, reducing the need for countless in-person meetings to put pen to paper.
Details
- Launched in 2003
- Revenue: $2.6 billion in 2024
Docusign allows for:
- File merging
- Customized signature fields or pre-planned templates
- Multiple fonts for signatures, or the option to draw your own
- Conversion of files to PDF format
Example 3: monday.com
A visually exciting project management software, monday.com acts as an assistant to streamline your workflows.
Use Case for monday.com
Monday.com leaves behind the boring spreadsheets of yesteryear and delivers an interactive and customizable platform. Ideal for customer relationship management, it organizes tasks and supports a deadline-driven atmosphere.
Details
- Launched in 2014
- Revenue: $729.7 million in 2023
Monday.com offers:
- Free and paid plans designed to serve a wide customer base
- Customizable data organization
- Simplified onboarding
Example 4: Salesforce
Salesforce is one of the most popular SaaS companies on the market. It’s a CRM platform designed to promote conversions and offer every department a holistic view of each customer’s needs.
Use Case for Salesforce
All of your customer data is in one place, accessible from anywhere to support the entire life cycle of a sale. Used by sales representatives, customer support specialists, and everyone in between, Salesforce paints a picture for your whole team that prioritizes both conversions and customer satisfaction.
Details
- Launched in 1999
- Revenue: $34.8 billion in 2023
Key features of Salesforce:
- One platform for managing all your leads
- Generate customizable reports
- Automation tools
Example 5: Asana
Asana is another project management tool that makes it easy for teams to manage unified workflows across specified time periods.
Use Case for Asana
Asana promotes collaboration between team members, allowing customized permissions and assigned tasks. It functions well for managing deadlines and dividing responsibility among colleagues.
Details
- Launched in 2011
- Revenue: $652.5 million in 2023
Asana supports:
- Organized task management
- Interactive interface
- File sharing
Example 6: Mailchimp
Mailchimp takes email marketing to new heights, giving you resources for designing and launching email campaigns that get results.
Use Case for Mailchimp
Expertly targeting the right leads, Mailchimp’s premise is built on the idea that success starts with the right marketing strategy. With Mailchimp, your customers receive a personalized email experience via automations and sophisticated data analytics.
Details
- Launched in 2001
- Revenue: $700 million in 2023
Mailchimp’s best features include:
- Segmented email lists
- Scheduled campaigns
- Detailed metrics so you know what works (and what doesn’t)
Example 7: Dropbox
Dropbox is the go-to cloud-based software for large file sharing.
Use Case for Dropbox
Dropbox gives end users secure file sharing in a simple, intuitive platform. It makes large file transfers a breeze, giving teams the ability to collaborate in real-time without losing time waiting for lengthy downloads.
Details
- Launched in 2008
- Revenue: $2.5 billion in 2023
Features:
- Real-time synchronization
- Version history
- Best-in-class security
Example 8: Canva
Canva makes graphic design so simple, anyone can do it.
Use Case for Canva
Ideal for designing attractive and effective social media campaigns, organizing the perfect presentation, or even creating birthday party invitations, Canva has optimized their design functionalities for everyone from busy parents to small businesses to global marketing organizations.
Details
- Launched in 2013
- Revenue: $2 billion in 2023
Canva features:
- Templates for virtually any material
- Brand customization
- Photo editing
Example 9: Shopify
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that provides a simple way for businesses to manage their online stores.
Use Case for Shopify
Shopify provides the technology and interface for your online store to run efficiently. It promotes scalability and gives you peace of mind knowing your customer’s personal data is secure.
Details
- Launched in 2006
- Revenue: $7.1 billion in 2023
Features:
- Delivers a seamless and secure user experience
- Expertly crafted order management tools
- Integrations to support shipping, tracking, and returns
Example 10: Zoom
Despite having been around for over a decade, Zoom skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic, bringing colleagues, family, and friends together remotely.
Use Case for Zoom
For teams spread out across the globe or families looking for a way to connect from a distance, Zoom provides options for large-scale video and audio conferencing.
Details
- Launched in 2013
- Revenue: $4.4 billion in 2023
Zoom’s best features include:
- Webinar hosting
- Screen sharing
- Virtual backgrounds
- Real-time transcription for accessibility
Example 11: Netflix
Using a subscription-based SaaS model, Netflix created a world where all your favorite television shows and films are stored in the cloud for on-demand access.
Use Case for Netflix
With a click, users can access a trove of popular films, cult classics, nostalgic TV shows, and original content. The algorithm recommends content based on your viewing history and delivers a personalized experience to each customer.
Details
- Launched streaming services in 2007 after nine years of operating as a DVD rental company
- Revenue: $33.7 billion in 2023
Features:
- Content curated to your interests
- Downloads available for offline viewing
- Exclusive content via Netflix Originals
Example 12: Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft’s cloud computing platform that brings infrastructure to businesses for app development, leaving on-premises software behind.
Use Case for Microsoft Azure
For entrepreneurs looking to create their own apps and utilize cloud storage, Microsoft Azure provides a secure platform for development.
Details
- Launched in 2010
- Revenue: $62 billion in 2023
Microsoft Azure offers:
- Sophisticated data storage options
- Application design, development, and deployment
- Cloud-based networking
Example 13: Google Workspace
One of the most well-known SaaS service providers on the market, Google Workspace is a cloud-based productivity suite that can be used in both B2B and B2C capacities.
Use Case for Google Workspace
Gmail functions as the suite’s email platform, used by individuals and businesses to manage and send data with vast cloud storage options. Google Docs allows for collaborative editing, notes, and content management. Google Sheets transforms spreadsheets into modern tools for data management.
Details
- Launched in 2006 under the name Google Apps, renamed to G Suite in 2016, and rebranded as Google Workspace in 2020
- Revenue: $33 billion lifetime (LTR)
Features:
- Collaborative tools for teams to manage everything from tasks to documents to files
- Email, instant messaging, voice and video conferencing
- Forms and calendars make organizing groups a breeze
Example 14: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a pay-as-you-go platform for users who need cloud services, APIs, data storage, and more.
Use Case for Amazon Web Services
AWS provides scalable cloud-based computing solutions, enabling businesses to deploy applications, store data, and run complex analytics efficiently.
Details
- Launched in 2006, AWS was the first cloud computing service of its kind
- Revenue: $90.7 billion in 2023
AWS’s features include:
- Multiple storage options
- Cloud-based networking
- Content delivery
- Dedicated security products
Example 15: Hubspot
Hubspot is a popular CRM platform for businesses of all sizes, helping them manage their marketing, sales, customer service, and content management.
Use Case for Hubspot
Hubspot users can design customized campaigns to target their ideal customer. The platform allows team members across multiple departments to address customer needs and analyze trends.
Details
- Launched in 2006
- Revenue: $2.17 billion in 2023
Hubspot provides several varied CRM elements, including:
- Email marketing, including automation
- Content management
- Comprehensive SEO features
Example 16: Zendesk
Zendesk streamlines customer service to deliver support and manage the entire length of a customer relationship.
Use Case for Zendesk
Zendesk’s aim is to provide businesses with a platform that keeps customer interactions in one place, so that each touch point is sufficiently documented and efficiently resolved. It gives the customer a personalized experience that addresses their needs holistically.
Details
- Founded in 2007
- Revenue: $2.1 billion in 2023
Zendesk offers businesses several tools for customer management, such as:
- Organized support tickets
- Comprehensive educational resources for customers to get the info they need on their own
- AI-enhanced customer service chat service
Example 17: TimeJam
TimeJam makes tracking timesheets fun for employees, encouraging data accuracy and promoting ethical timekeeping.
Use Case for TimeJam
TimeJam lets employees treat clocking in and out and time management like a game, offering motivating competitions and a platform for social engagement among coworkers.
Details
- Launched in 2019
- Revenue: Privately held
TimeJam’s many exciting features include:
- Integrations with other apps
- Point-based reward system for consistency
- Seamless onboarding
Example 18: Appy Pie
Appy Pie is a no-code software development solution for users who want to create an app, but lack the coding background to do so.
Use Case for Appy Pie
For a small business wanting to cook up its own mobile app, Appy Pie provides the ingredients. Users can customize their apps, integrate advertising, and simplify a technically complicated process with DIY tools.
Details
- Launched in 2015
- Revenue: Privately held
Appy Pie’s features include:
- AI-driven app generation
- Cost-effective solution for bypassing coding training
- Templates or customizable interfaces
Example 19: Planable
Streamline your social media management with Planable, which makes it easy for multiple team members to access, plan, update, and work on several social media accounts in one easy place.
Use Case for Planable
Planable is an organizational tool for businesses to create timelines, meet deadlines, and plan and manage content. Its analytical tools provide effective feedback to allow targeted improvement to outreach campaigns.
Details
- Launched in 2016
- Revenue: $3.8 million in 2024
Planable can provide a plethora of features:
- Collaborative tools with real-time updates
- Automations and scheduling
- Brand asset storage and organization
Example 20: Culture Amp
Culture Amp is a unique HR management app for businesses who want to optimize their employees’ experiences in the workplace.
Use Case for Culture Amp
If you’re looking to gather feedback from employees, promote high morale, and encourage employee participation in company culture, Culture Amp can do it all. It provides strategies for improvement based on the data it collects.
Details
- Launched in 2009
- Revenue: $153 million in 2023
What can Culture Amp do?
- Interactive surveys
- Comparative analytics and benchmark tracking
- Employee performance review management
Example 21: Zapier
Zapier’s time-saving solution for businesses and individuals working within multiple platforms allows integrations that increase productivity.
Use Case for Zapier
For companies that use multiple apps for everyday workflows, Zapier integrates those platforms to save time and money by creating an information hub that communicates between apps. Zapier can send data between apps to reduce time spent on manual data entry and constant updates.
Details
- Launched in 2011
- Revenue: $180 million in 2023
Key features of Zapier:
- “Zaps” - proprietary system for automating tasks between multiple unrelated apps
- Customizable code
- Scalable; upgrades available as your business grows
Conclusion
Without question, SaaS has changed the way we think about software. With limitless opportunities for implementing your business ideas and delivering them as SaaS products, there is ample flexibility within the model. SaaS provides a new way for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals to get the services they need at the scale they need them, and without overpaying for features they’ll never use. Software as a Service is the future, so make sure you don’t get left behind.
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