Quick Summary
SaaS delivers software applications over the internet, eliminating the need for local installation and maintenance.
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model where software applications are hosted by a vendor/provider and made available to customers over the internet. Users access the software via web browsers rather than installing it locally.
Characteristics of SaaS
- Web-based access
- Subscription pricing
- Centralized hosting
- Automatic updates
- Multi-tenancy architecture
- Accessibility from anywhere
Popular SaaS Examples
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| CRM | Salesforce, HubSpot |
| Communication | Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams |
| Productivity | Google Workspace, Notion |
| Finance | QuickBooks, Stripe |
| Infrastructure | AWS, Vercel, Twilio |
SaaS Architecture
- Multi-tenancy: Single codebase serves multiple customers (tenants)
- API-first: Designed for integration
- Zero-downtime deployments: Continuous updates
- Scalability: Handle growing user base
SaaS Business Models
- B2B SaaS (enterprise tools)
- B2C SaaS (personal productivity apps)
- API-first SaaS (backend services)
- Vertical SaaS (industry-specific)
Key Points
- Software hosted on cloud
- Accessed via web browser
- Subscription pricing model
- No local installation needed
- Automatic updates
- Multi-tenant architecture