Welcome back! Up today on the roster we’ll go through a few common examples of SaaS companies and how they function. If you need a breakdown on what a SaaS company is, we started this series of blog posts answering that very question. There’s a lot of examples of SaaS products out there, and it can be murky (to say the least) sorting through them all.

For example, a lot of people may ask “is Apple a SaaS?” “is Netflix a Saas?” or “is Amazon a Saas?”

While they do offer web services, they aren’t SaaS companies by a strict definition. There’s no software access being sold, or at the least not exclusively. Because they offer a mix of different services and products that don’t really qualify as a SaaS, it isn’t right to call them one.

In this article, we’ll take a peek at 20 bonafide SaaS companies and their products and/or services to better understand the SaaS industry and its major players.

Examples of SaaS Companies

If we were to take the time to go through and chart every single SaaS start up that current exists (or is upcoming in availability), we’d be here for several years. Instead, we’ll focus on learning about just 20 major examples of SaaS companies and provide a quick explanation of their products, services, and target audience.

2. HubSpot - HubSpot is a SaaS company that offers a suite of inbound marketing, sales, and customer service tools to businesses of all sizes. Their software is delivered via the cloud, allowing users to access it from anywhere with an internet connection. With a focus on inbound marketing, HubSpot's tools help businesses attract, engage, and delight customers through personalized and targeted content. Additionally, their CRM system provides a centralized platform for managing customer interactions and streamlining sales processes, making it easier for businesses to manage customer relationships and improve conversion rates. HubSpot's SaaS model ensures that businesses can benefit from regular updates and new features without having to worry about managing the underlying infrastructure. (B2B)

4. Adobe - Adobe is a SaaS company that offers a suite of creative and marketing software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, delivered through the cloud. By providing access to its software via a subscription model, Adobe has enabled businesses of all sizes to access its powerful creative tools without needing to invest in expensive licenses and hardware. In addition to its creative software, Adobe also offers a range of marketing automation tools, such as Adobe Marketing Cloud, that enable businesses to create and manage targeted campaigns across multiple channels. With regular updates and new features included in the subscription fee, Adobe ensures that its customers are always equipped with the latest tools and technology to keep pace with changing business needs. (B2B and B2C)

6. Shopify - Shopify is a SaaS company that offers a cloud-based ecommerce platform to enable businesses to create, manage, and scale their online stores. Its software provides a range of features, including customizable storefronts, secure payment processing, and inventory management. With its easy-to-use interface and a wide range of integrations, Shopify makes it simple for businesses to set up and run their online stores, regardless of their size or level of technical expertise. (B2B and B2C)

7. Zoom - Zoom is a SaaS company that provides cloud-based video conferencing software for businesses, educational institutions, and individuals. Its software offers a range of features, including HD video and audio, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and recording capabilities. With its easy-to-use interface and reliable performance, Zoom has become a popular choice for remote work, online learning, and virtual meetings. (B2B and B2C)

8. Slack - Slack is a SaaS company that provides a cloud-based team communication platform for businesses of all sizes. Its software offers features like channels for team collaboration, direct messaging, file sharing, and integration with other tools and services. Slack aims to improve team productivity and communication by bringing all team conversations and tools into one central platform. (B2B)

9. Dropbox - Dropbox is a SaaS company that provides cloud-based file hosting and sharing services. Its software allows users to store and access files from any device with an internet connection, and to share files and collaborate with others. With its easy-to-use interface and reliable performance, Dropbox has become a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking for a secure and convenient way to store and share their files. (B2B and B2C)

10. Google Workspace - Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, is a SaaS product from Google that provides cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools for businesses and individuals. Its software includes applications like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, as well as other tools for communication and collaboration. Google Workspace aims to streamline workflow and enhance productivity by providing a central platform for all communication and collaboration needs. (B2B and B2C)

11. Atlassian - Atlassian is a SaaS company that provides software tools for software development, project management, and team collaboration. Its software includes popular products like Jira, Confluence, Trello, and Bitbucket, which are used by businesses of all sizes to manage their projects, collaborate with teams, and track their software development process. Atlassian aims to empower teams to work more efficiently and effectively by providing them with the tools they need to get the job done. (B2B)

12. Mailchimp - Mailchimp is a SaaS company that provides a marketing automation platform for businesses and individuals to manage and grow their email marketing campaigns. It offers tools for designing email templates, creating marketing campaigns, and analyzing the results of those campaigns. With Mailchimp, users can streamline their email marketing efforts and reach their target audience with relevant and engaging content. (B2B and B2C)

13. Asana - Asana is a SaaS company that offers a project and task management platform for teams to collaborate and organize their work more effectively. It provides features for creating tasks, setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and tracking progress in real-time. Asana's goal is to help teams work together seamlessly and accomplish their goals faster by providing them with the tools they need to stay organized and focused. (B2B)

15. QuickBooks - QuickBooks is a SaaS company that provides cloud-based accounting software for small businesses. The software offers features such as expense tracking, invoicing, and financial reporting to help business owners manage their finances. QuickBooks also integrates with other financial tools and platforms to make the accounting process more efficient and streamlined. (B2B)

16. DocuSign - DocuSign is a SaaS company that provides electronic signature technology for digital documents. Their cloud-based platform enables users to securely sign, send, and manage documents from anywhere, at any time. DocuSign also offers additional features such as document tracking, real-time notifications, and automatic reminders to help businesses streamline their document workflows. (B2B)

17. Monday.com - Monday.com is a cloud-based work operating system that helps teams collaborate and manage tasks more efficiently. It offers customizable workflows, templates, and integration with popular third-party apps. The platform is used by businesses of all sizes to streamline their project management, sales, marketing, HR, and other workflows. (B2B)

18. Canva - Canva is a graphic design platform that enables users to create professional-looking designs easily, without the need for advanced design skills. It offers a wide range of design templates, including social media graphics, presentations, posters, logos, and more. With a user-friendly interface and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, Canva has become a popular choice for individuals, small businesses, and even large organizations looking to create high-quality designs quickly and easily. (B2B and B2C)

20. Stripe - Stripe is a SaaS company that provides payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes. Their platform allows businesses to accept payments from customers in various forms, such as credit cards and digital wallets. Stripe's services include fraud prevention, subscription management, and support for over 135 currencies. (B2B and B2C)

Careers and Growth Opportunities in the SaaS Industry

With so many examples of successful SaaS companies, it can seem impossible to think that they may have more room yet to grow. But you might be surprised to learn that the SaaS industry has grown significantly over the years and is expected to continue to do so in the future. According to a report by Statista, the global SaaS market size has steadily moved upward since 2015, going from 31.4 billion to 195.21 billion in 2023. This growth presents a range of job opportunities for those interested in the industry.

One of the most in-demand job roles in the SaaS industry is software development. As SaaS companies continue to innovate and improve their products, they require skilled developers to build, test, and deploy their software solutions. Other job roles in the industry include sales, customer support, and marketing. Sales and customer support roles are crucial for businesses that want to maintain and grow their customer base, while marketing plays a crucial role in attracting new customers to the business.

The SaaS industry also presents opportunities for those who want to work in a startup environment. Many SaaS companies start as small businesses, and as they grow, they require employees who can work in fast-paced, agile environments. Startups offer the potential for growth and advancement for employees who are willing to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

What makes a SaaS profitable?

The SaaS industry is highly competitive, with many companies vying for customers' attention and business. However, there are some common traits among the top and most profitable SaaS companies that set them apart from the competition.

One of the most critical factors in the success of SaaS companies is effective marketing. Top companies invest heavily in marketing to ensure that their products and services are visible to potential customers. They use a range of marketing channels, including social media, email marketing, search engine optimization, and content marketing, to reach their target audience and build brand awareness.

Another common trait among successful SaaS companies is a customer-centric approach. These companies prioritize their customers' needs and strive to provide exceptional customer experiences. They invest in customer support and service to ensure that customers have access to the help and resources they need to succeed with the product.

Continuous innovation is also a critical factor in the success of SaaS companies. These companies are constantly looking for ways to improve their products and services, often through feedback from customers. They use agile development processes to quickly iterate and deploy new features and updates, keeping their product fresh and relevant.

Strong leadership is another key factor in the success of SaaS companies. The leaders of these companies are passionate about their products and services and have a clear vision for the company's future. They also know how to attract and retain top talent, creating a culture of innovation and growth.

Small SaaS companies can learn from these common traits to achieve success and growth in the industry. By investing in marketing, prioritizing customer needs, continuously innovating, and building strong leadership, small companies can differentiate themselves from the competition and attract customers.

Closing Remarks

In this article, we have discussed the SaaS industry and the companies that make it up. We began by addressing common misconceptions about what constitutes a SaaS company and listed 20 popular examples. We then looked at the growth opportunities in the industry and potential job roles that exist. Finally, we discussed the common traits of top and profitable SaaS companies and how small companies can learn from them.

It is important to understand the SaaS industry and its potential for growth and success. With the right approach and mindset, small SaaS companies can achieve great things and compete with the big players in the industry. By investing in marketing, prioritizing customer needs, continuously innovating, and building strong leadership, companies can differentiate themselves from the competition and attract customers.

In conclusion, the SaaS industry offers a wealth of opportunities for both job seekers and entrepreneurs. By staying informed about industry trends and learning from successful companies, you can position yourself for success in this rapidly growing and dynamic field.

20 Top Saas Companies - To the clouds and beyond

Examples of SaaS Companies

Careers and Growth Opportunities in the SaaS Industry

What makes a SaaS profitable?

Closing Remarks

SaaS: Stronger Associates At Scale

What is a Saas, anyways?