The pandemic has imparted invaluable lessons, leaving an indelible mark on our lives through its far-reaching effects. As strict global lockdowns took hold, our reliance on technology deepened, enabling us to navigate this unprecedented crisis. In particular, Software as a Service (SaaS) has transformed our daily activities, reshaping the landscape of how we interact with technology. Whether or not you recognise the term “SaaS,” there’s a high chance that you have encountered it in your everyday life.
This blog will explore how SaaS integrates into your routine while providing a comprehensive understanding of its meaning and relevance, illustrating the substantial impact it has on modern practices and give you some SaaS examples.
What Is SaaS?
SaaS, or Software as a Service, is a key component of cloud computing that provides applications over the Internet through a subscription model. This delivery method alleviates the burden of managing hosting, maintenance, and updates, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations rather than infrastructure and scalability concerns.
Often referred to as ‘on-demand’ software or web-based applications, SaaS has revolutionised the way users access and utilise software. These applications are centrally hosted, enabling users to connect and leverage cloud-based solutions via the internet.
Subscriptions can be tailored based on usage, whether monthly or annually, and are typically structured around the number of licenses and specific features required by the user.
SaaS has emerged as a dominant choice among various cloud solutions, attributed to its diverse range of business functions. These software applications offer cost-effectiveness, adaptability, straightforward setup, and effortless scalability.
The pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of SaaS, coinciding with the rise of remote work as a standard practice and prompting numerous businesses to transition to digital operations. As a result, SaaS applications have become the preferred solutions for many companies, effectively addressing the contemporary challenges brought about by such global crises.
Also Read: Complete Guide to SaaS Application Development from Scratch
Breaking Boundaries: SaaS Innovations of 2024
OneTab, a promising workplace SaaS startup launched in November 2023, is making significant strides by taking on established giants like Slack and Asana. The platform seeks to enhance software project management by seamlessly integrating various applications for developers.
In parallel, Cornerstone Ventures is honing its investment approach towards enterprise SaaS and plans to boost its funding in Indian SaaS startups, anticipating substantial growth in this burgeoning ecosystem.
The SaaS market has kicked off 2024 on a positive note, with Paddle’s Q1 data reflecting a market adjustment. Founders in both B2B and B2C sectors are being equipped with strategies to succeed as the market recalibrates.
Notable examples of popular SaaS applications include many familiar organizations and products that play a crucial role in our daily lives. Let’s explore the leading SaaS companies that are setting benchmarks in the industry.
Top 25 SaaS Examples: Popular Software As A Service Companies
1. Adobe Inc.
Adobe Systems Incorporated is a leading figure in the creative document management industry, renowned for its suite of software products that facilitate the creation and publication of diverse content types. With a long-standing history in software development, Adobe excels in providing tools for graphics, illustrations, text, photography, motion pictures, animation, multimedia video, and more. Its flagship products—Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Reader, and the Portable Document Format (PDF)—are among the most popular and widely utilized resources for users globally.
As an American multinational computer software company, Adobe boasts millions of users worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of applications spanning web design, graphic design, video editing, visual effects, eLearning, audio editing, server software, and digital marketing management. Adobe Creative Cloud, its subscription-based SaaS solution, bundles these powerful tools, making them easily accessible to professionals and creatives alike.
2. Atlassian
Atlassian Corporation Plc, a software company with both Australian and American roots, delivers a suite of products tailored for developers, project managers, and collaborative teams. Its cornerstone offering, Jira, is a proprietary tool designed for issue tracking, widely recognised for its applications in bug tracking and agile project management.
While initially created as an issue-tracking solution, Jira has since expanded its capabilities and is now utilized by organizations beyond the IT sector for project management. Atlassian markets Jira as commercial software, allowing organisations to acquire licenses for either on-premises installations or hosted services.
3. Google
Google’s G Suite, rebranded as Google Workspace, exemplifies a leading Software as a Service (SaaS) model. It encompasses a variety of applications, including Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Meet, and Chat for seamless communication, alongside Drive for storage, Currents for employee management, and Google Docs Suite for content creation. Many of us rely on these apps, which stand out as some of Google’s most popular and free offerings.
In contrast to Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace operates entirely in the cloud and cannot be installed on personal devices. These applications are invaluable, supporting millions of users in their daily tasks. As one of the Big Five tech giants in the American IT landscape, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft, Google provides a vast array of products and services that have established a strong digital foundation for businesses globally.
4. Microsoft
Microsoft stands as one of the oldest and largest providers of cloud services, offering both Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. Among its most popular offerings is Microsoft 365, which is available in a range of subscription plans tailored to meet diverse market needs and segments. This comprehensive suite includes applications for home use, business operations, and enterprise solutions, featuring essential tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, and others.
Unlike purely cloud-based applications, Microsoft 365 allows users to download and run its software on personal computers, embodying the SaaS model through email, calendaring, and productivity tools. Furthermore, Microsoft maintains a dominant position in the realms of operating systems and cloud solutions, including Azure, along with a strong presence in gaming, consumer electronics, and hardware.
According to a 2021 survey, Microsoft was recognised as the best company of the year. Alongside Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta, Microsoft is counted among the Big Five technology companies.
5. Salesforce
Salesforce, an American cloud-based software company, specializes in customer relationship management (CRM) services and applications. Founded in 1999 as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) enterprise, it has emerged as a frontrunner in the SaaS space. The company’s core CRM platform offers an extensive array of software solutions, including tools for commerce, sales, service, data management, and marketing automation.
Renowned globally for its CRM capabilities and robust analytical tools, Salesforce also excels in issue and task management applications. Its position as a leading SaaS provider has been bolstered by strategic acquisitions and collaborations with major technology firms, solidifying its reputation as one of the foremost players in the industry.
6 Shopify
Shopify is synonymous with eCommerce, serving as a widely-recognized platform for online retail. A Canadian multinational company based in Ottawa, Ontario, Shopify Inc. powers approximately 1.58 million websites as of 2021, making it the largest publicly traded Canadian firm by market capitalization.
The platform offers comprehensive eCommerce services, featuring simple setup, marketing tools, analytics, and seamless integrations with various applications, thereby streamlining the development process for online stores. As a SaaS-based solution, Shopify alleviates users from concerns about internal architecture, server management, or infrastructure setup. Its subscription plans cater to different business sizes and market segments, enabling users to choose options that best suit their specific needs.
Through its SaaS model, Shopify has transformed the landscape of eCommerce development, facilitating the effortless creation of online shops.
7. Netflix
Netflix Inc. is a leading American subscription-based streaming service and production company that provides a diverse selection of award-winning television series, films, anime, and documentaries accessible on a wide range of internet-connected devices. Renowned as the largest and most trusted entertainment brand globally, Netflix boasts a substantial user base across the world.
The platform has been instrumental in revolutionizing independent film distribution by delivering media directly to audiences via the Internet. Often referred to as an Over-the-Top (OTT) platform, Netflix bypasses traditional media controllers and distributors. Leveraging its SaaS model, it has amassed over 214 million subscribers as of October 2021.
Originally, Netflix operated by renting and selling DVDs through the mail, but it transitioned to streaming media and video on demand in 2007. Its headquarters are located in Los Gatos, California, situated in Santa Clara County.
8. HubSpot
HubSpot offers a suite of tools designed for social media marketing, content management, lead generation, search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics, and customer support. Established in 2006 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah at MIT, HubSpot’s software is classified as Packaged SaaS products that assist businesses in managing their sales, marketing, and customer relations.
The platform includes integration capabilities with salesforce.com, SugarCRM, NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Furthermore, HubSpot provides valuable resources for digital marketing through its social media, blogs, webinars, and white papers, making them excellent references for marketers looking to enhance their strategies.
9. Dropbox
Dropbox provides a range of services including cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud options, and client software. It consolidates files into a single central location by creating a dedicated folder on the user’s computer. The contents of this folder are automatically synced with Dropbox’s servers and any other devices where the Dropbox application is installed. Utilizing a freemium business model, Dropbox allows users to sign up for a free account, with the option to pay for additional storage and features as needed. Founded in 2007 by MIT students Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi, Dropbox quickly emerged as one of the most valued startups both in the U.S. and globally. This SaaS solution offers advantages such as reduced costs, scalability, efficient integration, simplified upgrades, and time-saving capabilities, enabling businesses to concentrate on their primary functions.
10. Zoom
The term ‘Zoom’ has become synonymous with virtual gatherings, especially since the pandemic reshaped how we communicate. During the lockdown, Zoom meetings quickly integrated into our daily lives for various purposes. This video communications platform offers a cloud-based solution for remote conferencing that facilitates seamless collaboration.
Users can easily arrange virtual meetings that include video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, live chats, distance learning, and webinars. As a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, setting up Zoom meetings is straightforward, and participants can connect through the Internet with ease. Founded as Zoom Video Communications, Inc., this American company is headquartered in San Jose, California, and its software is primarily tailored for video calling and online chat functionalities.
11. Slack
Slack is a proprietary business communication platform created by Slack Technologies, now owned by Salesforce. This innovative tool has transformed workplace communication by introducing an appealing and efficient method for teams to interact through persistent chat rooms, channels, messaging, and private groups.
By essentially replacing traditional email for team communications, Slack makes work-related dialogue not only more engaging but also more organised. Its popularity spans across numerous professional companies, teams, and communities, owing to its robust features that enhance communication speed and searchability while enabling focused topic discussions. Additionally, Slack integrates seamlessly with various third-party services and platforms, further enhancing its functionality.
Originally developed as an internal tool for Stewart Butterfield’s company, Tiny Speck, during the creation of an online game, Slack has now established itself as a vital tool in modern workplaces, available in eight different languages.
12. Square
Square, Inc. is a financial services and digital payments firm located in San Francisco, specialising in mobile payment solutions. The company offers a range of products such as business management software, point-of-sale systems, hardware payment devices, and services tailored for small businesses. In December 2021, the company underwent a rebranding to become Block, Inc.
Founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, and Jim McKelvey, Square has gained significant traction as a payment platform, empowering mid-sized enterprises to accept credit card payments while utilising a comprehensive point-of-sale system. Square’s payment solutions are extensively used for online sales, appointment scheduling, staff recruitment, inventory management, and managing cash flow across multiple channels from a single platform.
Read More: A Comprehensive Guide to SaaS Products
13. Wix
You no longer need to rely on a web developer to create a website, thanks to the ease of use provided by Wix. Wix.com Ltd. is an Israeli software firm that offers cloud-based web development services. With its intuitive drag-and-drop tools, users can easily build HTML5 websites and mobile versions. Today, Wix features a diverse array of customizable templates and tools for website creation. Founded in 2006 by Israeli developers Avishai Abrahami, Nadav Abrahami, and Giora Kaplan, this leading SaaS platform operates on a freemium business model, generating revenue through premium upgrades.
14. AWS
Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides dependable, scalable, and cost-effective cloud computing solutions. As of 2021, AWS boasts a portfolio of over 200 products and services, which encompass computing, storage, networking, databases, application services, analytics, deployment, management, mobile capabilities, machine learning, and developer tools.
Among its most popular offerings are Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), Amazon Connect, and AWS Lambda, which facilitates serverless functions. AWS stands as the leading provider of cloud computing services globally, catering to a broad spectrum of businesses across various sectors. Renowned companies utilizing AWS include Netflix, Unilever, Kellogg’s, Airbnb, Apple, BBC, Adobe, Baidu, Siemens, NASA, General Electric, Samsung, Pinterest, Reddit, Lyft, Coursera, Docker, and many more.
15. Zendesk
Zendesk is widely recognized for its contributions to customer service, support, sales, and communications. A multitude of organizations and well-known brands, including Siemens, GrubHub, Instacart, Shopify, Mailchimp, Udacity, Vimeo, The Boston Globe, SQUARESPACE, and Homebridge, utilize Zendesk’s software-as-a-service solutions. Established in 2007 in the United States, Zendesk focuses primarily on customer management SaaS products, empowering numerous businesses to enhance their customer support capabilities. In addition to its core offerings, Zendesk also provides a range of tools such as the Sunshine Platform, Marketplace, Zendesk for Sales, and CRM solutions. The platform is a leading choice for customizable tools that allow companies to create customer service portals, knowledge bases, and community forums.
16. Sprinklr
Sprinklr provides a comprehensive SaaS platform designed for customer experience management (CXM). This all-in-one solution enables businesses to track and engage with customers across their digital channels.
Founded in 2009 by Ragy Thomas, the American software company is headquartered in New York City and delivers a wide array of products encompassing social media marketing, advertising, content management, employee advocacy, customer care, collaboration, as well as social media research and monitoring. In June 2021, Sprinklr transitioned to a public company and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the CXM ticker symbol.
17. MailChimp
Mailchimp is a leading American platform for marketing automation and email marketing, tailored as an all-in-one solution for small businesses. It features a marketing CRM, content studio, creative assistant, insights and analytics, and content optimization tools, effectively addressing the marketing demands of modern digital-first enterprises.
In November 2021, Mailchimp was acquired by Intuit Inc. The company was established in 2001 by founders Ben Chestnut, Mark Armstrong, and Dan Kurzius, and it stands out as one of the prominent examples of SaaS products in the industry.
18. DocuSign
DocuSign is a renowned and globally trusted provider of electronic signature and approval solutions. Based in San Francisco, California, DocuSign Inc. empowers organizations to efficiently handle electronic agreements. The platform is celebrated for its dependable eSignatures and approval processes. Users can conveniently access, sign, and send essential documents from any location using any device. With over 85 million users worldwide, DocuSign is utilized by many prominent companies, including LinkedIn, Tata, and Yahoo, to streamline document management and signing. Additionally, users can access these services for free through the DocuSign mobile app available on iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.
19. Workday, Inc.
Workday, Inc. is an American provider of cloud-based solutions for financial management and human capital management. It offers a comprehensive software suite that seamlessly combines finance, HR, planning, and analytics, enabling businesses to enhance their operational efficiency. Recognised as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suite, Cloud HCM Suites, and Cloud Financial Planning and Analysis, Workday has made a significant impact in the industry. The company was established in 2005 by David Duffield, the founder and former CEO of PeopleSoft, alongside Aneel Bhusari, who served as chief strategist at PeopleSoft before its acquisition by Oracle. Workday’s SaaS offerings are widely adopted by small, medium, and large organisations to effectively manage their resources, finances, and workforce.
20. Oracle
In 2020, Oracle ranked as the second-largest software company globally in terms of revenue and market capitalization. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Oracle is a leading American multinational computer software corporation renowned for its robust database software, cloud engineering, and enterprise solutions. The company provides an extensive array of software, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Human Capital Management (HCM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM).
Established in 1977 by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates under the name Software Development Laboratories, Oracle has evolved into a major player in the technology sector and is often highlighted as a prime example of Software as a Service (SaaS). Oracle’s diverse product offerings encompass software, middleware, servers, workstations, databases, and storage solutions. The company’s strategy has been greatly influenced by numerous acquisitions, notably that of Sun Microsystems, which played a pivotal role in the development of the Java programming language along with various software and hardware innovations.
Oracle’s products and services are widely utilized by various industries and businesses, including notable clients such as FedEx, Nokia, Mayo Clinic, Honda Motor, Aviva, Panasonic, and Bayer.
21. New Relic
New Relic stands at the forefront of observability, offering a comprehensive full-stack data analysis platform that unites Development and Operations teams to tackle challenges collaboratively. Its cloud-based software enables businesses to monitor the performance of their websites and applications through a variety of metrics, events, and logs.
The platform provides a wide range of SaaS-based, end-to-end monitoring solutions, including Infrastructure Monitoring, Network Monitoring, Serverless Monitoring, Machine Learning Model Monitoring, Browser Monitoring, Tracing, Application Monitoring, Log Management, Synthetics Monitoring, and more. Interestingly, the name “New Relic” is an anagram derived from the founder Lew Cirne’s name.
Numerous leading organizations leverage New Relic’s monitoring capabilities as part of their IT operations, marking it as a premier AIOps platform designed to optimize and enhance business performance.
22. Tableau
Tableau champions data literacy by empowering organizations to understand and interact with their data through advanced analytics and visualizations. As an American company specialising in business intelligence and analytics, Tableau produces a suite of products that facilitate data exploration, including Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server, Tableau Online, Tableau Mobile, Tableau Public, and Tableau Reader.
The company, founded in collaboration with three researchers from Stanford University’s Department of Computer Science—Christian Chabot, Pat Hanrahan, and Chris Stolte—was acquired by Salesforce in 2019. Through its offerings, Tableau enables businesses to harness the power of data for informed decision-making and insights.
23. Canva
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that enables individuals to produce a wide array of visual content, including graphics, presentations, documents, posters, and social media images. It features an intuitive interface that makes it accessible for users of all skill levels to create stunning designs. In addition to its free version, Canva offers premium subscription options like Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise.
This Software as a Service (SaaS) application boasts a vast global user base, thanks to its comprehensive suite of tools that empower even beginners to create impressive visual content. The platform was established by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams in Perth, Australia.
24. Snowflake
Snowflake Inc. is a Montana-based company that specializes in cloud-based data warehousing. It offers users the ability to store and analyze data through a combination of software and hardware delivered as a service (SaaS). As a ‘data as a service’ provider, Snowflake facilitates data storage, processing, and analytical solutions within a wholly cloud-based environment.
Established in 2012 in San Mateo, California, by a trio of experts in data warehousing, Snowflake’s offerings are known for their speed, user-friendliness, and adaptability. Major brands such as Dropbox, Fitbit, Instacart, Adobe, Rakuten, DocuSign, Okta, Hewlett Packard, S&P Global, and Sainsbury’s rely on Snowflake’s advanced data platform.
25. ServiceNow
ServiceNow offers comprehensive support for technical management across various domains, including IT service management, IT operations management, IT asset management, business management, DevOps, help desk services, and contemporary digital workflows.
This cloud-based platform empowers organizations to effectively handle digital processes and operations. Founded in 2003 as Glidesoft, Inc. by Fred Luddy, ServiceNow’s array of products and services is designed to improve user experience and boost productivity by streamlining digital workflows throughout all organizational levels.
Top Software as a Service Examples: Tapping Into a SaaS Power
The emergence of SaaS applications has led to significant transformations in the business landscape over recent years. An increasing number of companies are adopting this model, and the popularity of SaaS products is expected to continue rising. The demand for SaaS solutions is driven by their numerous advantages compared to traditional software models, fundamentally altering how organizations function in today’s digital world.
SaaS applications have become more accessible, enabling businesses to connect with a wider audience, accelerate application launches, and streamline operations. This model alleviates the need for constant upgrades and maintenance, allowing companies to concentrate on their primary objectives.
With ongoing growth in the SaaS sector, we can anticipate more innovations, making these solutions suitable for businesses of all sizes. They effectively address the challenges faced by modern enterprises, including scalability, cost-efficiency, and quicker time-to-market.
Important: Top 25 Software As A Service (SaaS) Examples You Need To Know
Conclusion:
As businesses continue to face evolving challenges and digital transformation becomes increasingly crucial, the demand for SaaS solutions will only continue to rise. With its numerous advantages such as increased accessibility, improved productivity, and reduced costs, SaaS is revolutionizing traditional business management practices. As a pioneer in this field, ServiceNow continues to lead the way in providing effective cloud-based solutions for modern organizations.
