What Are SaaS Products + 22 Successful SaaS Companies to Follow

There are many SaaS products, but knowing that, how do you choose the best?

This article will look at the most successful SaaS companies, so you can decide if you want to invest in them for your business.

TL;DR

A SaaS product delivers software remotely, reducing the need for local installation, maintenance, and updates.
Cloud computing offers three main service models: SaaS for ready-to-use software, PaaS for application development frameworks, and IaaS for scalable virtualized computing resources.
A SaaS product enhances business efficiency with cost-effectiveness, scalability, maintenance-free operation, accessibility from anywhere, easy integration, and inclusive product design.
Software as a Service offers specialized tools for product growth, CRM, project management, ERP, collaboration, financial management, customer service, and marketing automation.
Userpilot is a leading B2B product growth tool that excels at in-app engagement, product analytics, customer feedback collection, customer support, and integrations.
HubSpot and Salesforce are both CRMs that offer customer analytics, survey tools, and extensive integrations.
Mixpanel offers advanced user analytics, customizable reports, and an intuitive analytics dashboard.
Slack helps to streamline internal communication with channels, direct messaging, and integration capabilities.
Asana enhances team collaboration and productivity with task management, progress reports, and customer experience roadmaps.
Airtable offers customizable views, rich field types, and templates for dynamic work organization and efficient project management.
Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Brevo, and Omnisend are all email service providers that allow you to send email campaigns, automation, and detailed reports.
Shopify enables product management, payment processing, and landing pages for seamless e-commerce operations and growth.
Netflix offers personalized video recommendations, multiple profiles, and offline viewing for a high-quality streaming experience globally.
Typeform offers interactive surveys, customization options, and logic jumps for engaging and versatile online interactions.
Appcues enhances user onboarding, adoption, and retention with targeted walkthroughs, in-app messaging, and feature adoption tools.
Canva offers several templates, a drag-and-drop editor, and an extensive asset library for professional-level graphic design with ease.
Zendesk and Intercom offer customer support via in-app messaging, chatbots, and customer surveys.
Quickbooks and Xero are accounting SaaS products that help you send invoices, track expenses, and process payroll.
Microsoft offers enterprise solutions, productivity suites, and cloud services for both B2B and B2C sectors, emphasizing innovation and efficiency.
Oracle ERP provides advanced financial and supply chain optimization, and human resources management for large enterprises in both B2B and B2C sectors.
If you want to know more about how Userpilot can help you, book a demo now.

What is a software as a service product?

Software as a Service, or SaaS, is a method of software delivery in which applications are hosted remotely by a service provider and accessed by users over the internet. This model eliminates the need to install, maintain, or update the software locally, as the provider manages all these tasks.

SaaS products are designed for a broad audience, appealing to business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets.

SaaS vs. PaaS vs. IaaS

In cloud computing, there are three main models for delivering services: traditional Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – each offering different levels of control and management.

Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS providers have ready-to-use software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. You don’t handle maintenance or updates. Examples include Netflix, Microsoft 365, and Salesforce.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS is an internet software that supplies a framework for developers to build and deploy applications without managing servers or networks. This is ideal for developers who focus on software creation. Notable PaaS providers include Google App Engine, Adobe Commerce, and Heroku.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS offers virtualized computing resources via the Internet. It’s suitable for businesses wanting control over their infrastructure and the ability to scale. Key examples are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, which provide scalable resources like virtual servers and storage.

What are the benefits of the SaaS model?

The Software as a Service (SaaS) business model is renowned for its efficiency and flexibility, offering numerous advantages for businesses of all sizes.

Below are the key benefits of adopting a SaaS approach for your business operations:

Cost-effectiveness: A SaaS product eliminates the need for upfront hardware purchases, software licenses, and ongoing maintenance costs – reducing IT expenditures. Most SaaS companies offer a scalable pricing model that adjusts based on usage – ideal for managing budgets effectively.
Scalability: SaaS companies are highly scalable, allowing you to easily modify the number of users or services as needed. This adaptability is essential for high-growth companies that require rapid scaling without significant initial IT investments.
Maintenance-free: The SaaS company handles all maintenance and updates, freeing you from the related burdens and costs. This lets you focus more on core activities rather than software development.
Accessibility: Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, SaaS applications can be used no matter where you reside.
Easy integration: Designed for seamless integration with other traditional software systems, SaaS applications help avoid compatibility issues – making adopting new technologies easier and streamlining business processes.
Inclusive product design: Providers prioritize inclusive product design within the SaaS industry, ensuring their tools are accessible and usable for diverse users.

What are the drawbacks of SaaS software solutions?

While SaaS offers numerous benefits, like any technology, it also comes with its share of challenges. Below are some key drawbacks to consider when opting for SaaS tools in your business operations:

Dependence on SaaS providers: Any downtime, bugs, or performance issues on the provider’s end can directly impact the availability and reliability of the application. Frequent issues can lead to significant disruptions in service.
Data security concerns: Storing data in the cloud means that sensitive company information is managed by a third party, which can raise concerns about data security and privacy. You must verify that your SaaS provider complies with high-security standards, such as SOC 2 Type 2.
Vendor lock-in: Switching from one SaaS provider to another can be complex, restrictive, and costly – leading to vendor lock-in. This makes it difficult to change platforms even if your needs evolve or you’re dissatisfied with the service.
Limited customization: While SaaS tools generally offer some customization, they can’t match on-premise solutions with respect to customization. This limitation can significantly hinder you if you have unique processes, are in specialized industries, or have complex products.

Different types of SaaS products

Software as a Service (SaaS) encompasses various web-based software products, each designed to streamline specific aspects of business operations.

Below is an exploration of various types of SaaS products and how they can assist businesses in achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Product growth tools: These tools enhance product engagement, collect user feedback, and provide analytics to drive product improvements. By leveraging product growth tools, you can refine your offerings based on real-time insights and foster growth through informed decision-making.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: CRM systems help you manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. Effective use of CRM systems can enhance customer service, retention, and the sales process.
Project management software: This type of software aids in planning, organizing, and managing resource tools and developing resource estimates. Comparing the roles of product and project managers can provide deeper insights into how this software fits within broader business operations.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: ERP systems integrate various functions into one complete system to streamline processes and information across your organization. They are especially useful in enterprise environments.
Collaboration and communication tools: These tools facilitate effective internal and external communications, ensuring that teams can work efficiently regardless of their physical locations.
Financial management software: This software is crucial for tracking financial activities, managing budgets, and ensuring financial compliance and reporting.
Customer service software: Essential for managing customer support and assistance, this software often includes features like ticketing systems and live chat. Incorporating self-service software elements can further enhance customer service’s efficiency and accessibility.
Marketing automation tool: These tools automate repetitive tasks related to marketing, such as emails, social media, and other website actions. Automation helps scale marketing efforts and measure campaign effectiveness, which is critical for marketing teams focused on growth.

22 SaaS solutions to follow in 2024

Here are 22 SaaS companies that stand out for their innovative features, user-friendly design, and potential to drive significant growth across various industries.

1. Userpilot

Userpilot is a leading product growth tool specifically designed for B2B industries, focusing on enhancing user engagement and streamlining product management processes.

Some of Userpilot features are:

In-app engagement: Userpilot excels in creating immersive onboarding experiences that educate and communicate with customers directly within the app.

A SaaS product screenshots Userpilots in-app engagement example — Display in-app notifications with Userpilot.

Product analytics: Userpilot’s comprehensive analytics allows you to track customer behavior through funnel analysis, path analysis, heatmaps, and dashboards – gaining deep insights into user interactions.

An animation of the SaaS product Userpilot's product analytics — View product analytics in Userpilot.

Customer feedback: This feature allows you to trigger in-app surveys, analyze responses, and automate feedback collection, making it easier to gather and act on customer insights.

An animaton of the survey templates in Userpilot — Use pre-made survey templates of Userpilot.

Customer support: Userpilot offers an in-app resource center that can integrate with live chatbots, providing real-time support and improving user experience.

Userpilot, a SaaS product, section where you can create a resource center — Build a resource center in Userpilot.

Integrations with leading tools: Userpilot integrates with popular tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk, enabling enhanced functionality and connectivity across different software platforms.

A list of all the integrations in Userpilot — Userpilot’s integrations.

2. HubSpot

HubSpot is a comprehensive CRM SaaS company designed for B2B and B2C industries. It offers a wide range of marketing, sales, and service software solutions to help businesses grow efficiently.

Some of Hubspot’s features are:

Analytics: HubSpot provides robust analytics tools that help businesses track and analyze their marketing, sales, and customer service performance.
Surveys: With HubSpot, companies can easily create, send, and analyze surveys to gather valuable customer feedback.
Integrations: HubSpot boasts a vast ecosystem of integrations, including a Userpilot integration, allowing businesses to connect with other tools seamlessly.

The SaaS product, Hubspot, delivered settings of a survey — HubSpot’s survey delivery settings.

3. Mixpanel

Mixpanel is an advanced analytics SaaS company designed for both B2B and B2C industries, focused on tracking user interactions to help businesses optimize their SaaS products and improve user engagement.

Some of Mixpanel’s features are:

User analytics: Mixpanel offers in-depth user analytics that provides insights into how users interact with your applications.
Reports: With customizable reports, Mixpanel enables you to visualize data and track trends over time.
Analytics dashboard: Mixpanel’s analytics dashboard presents a comprehensive data view in an easily digestible format.

The SaaS product Mixpanel analytics dashboard — Mixpanel analytical dashboard.

4. Slack

Slack is a widely recognized collaboration SaaS company that revolutionized internal communication for B2B and B2C industries, facilitating seamless interaction across teams and departments.

Some of Slack’s features are:

Channels: Slack provides dedicated spaces for teams to discuss and manage projects, allowing for organized conversations grouped by topic, department, or any other category relevant to your business.
Direct messaging: Users can send private messages to one another, enabling quick questions and discussions without overcrowding group channels.
Integration capabilities: Slack integrates with many productivity tools and SaaS apps, enhancing its utility by linking with services like Google Drive, Trello, and Salesforce.

A screenshot of the SaaS product Slack and an example of their product — Slack SaaS Product.

5. Asana

Asana is a project management SaaS company that aids B2B and B2C organizations in efficiently organizing, tracking, and managing their work and projects, enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

Some of Asana’s features are:

Task management: Asana allows teams to create, assign, and prioritize tasks.
Progress reports: With Asana, teams can generate detailed progress reports informing all stakeholders about a project’s status.
Customer experience roadmaps: Asana supports the creation of comprehensive roadmaps.

A screenshot of the SaaS product Asana board — Asana kanban board.

6. Airtable

Airtable is a versatile SaaS company that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database. It’s designed for B2B and B2C industries to organize work, track projects, and manage data dynamically.

Some of Airtable’s features are:

Customizable views: Airtable offers various views like grid, calendar, kanban, and gallery.
Rich field types: Users can utilize a wide range of field types, including checkboxes, dropdowns, dates, and links to records in other tables.
Templates: A rich library provides a quick start for various projects, from content calendars to event planning.

The SaaS product Airtable product preview — Airtable table example.

7. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a leading marketing SaaS company specializing in email marketing solutions for both B2B and B2C industries. It helps businesses of all sizes manage their marketing campaigns efficiently.

Some of Mailchimp’s features are:

Audience segmentation: Users can segment their audience based on behavior, preferences, or demographics to target emails more effectively.
Automation: Automate email workflows to send triggered emails based on specific actions.
Analytics and reports: Track the performance of email campaigns with detailed analytics and reports.

8. Shopify

Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce SaaS company designed for both B2B and B2C industries. It enables businesses to set up online stores and sell products globally easily.

Some of Shopify’s features are:

Product management: Manage products, inventory, and orders efficiently within the platform.
Payment processing: Shopify integrates with multiple payment gateways, offering secure and versatile payment options for customers worldwide.
Landing pages: Utilize Shopify’s tools to create effective landing pages that help convert visitors into customers.

A screenshot of Shopify dashboard — Shopify dashboard.

9. Netflix

Netflix is a premier streaming B2C service known for its vast selection of films, television series, and documentaries.

Some of Netflix’s features are:

Personalized recommendations: Utilizing advanced algorithms, Netflix provides personalized viewing recommendations based on user preferences and viewing history.
Multiple profiles: Users can create multiple profiles under a single account, allowing different family members to have personalized viewing experiences.
Offline viewing: Netflix allows users to download content to their devices, enabling offline viewing without internet connectivity.

A screenshot of a marketing image of Netflix — Netflix.

10. Typeform

Typeform is a versatile tool for creating engaging online forms, surveys, and quizzes. It is a popular choice for both B2B and B2C industries looking to collect information and interact with users.

Some of Typeform’s features are:

Interactive forms: Typeform’s unique design allows interactive and engaging surveys that improve completion rates and user satisfaction.
Customization options: Users can customize their forms and surveys to match their brand style and preferences.
Logic jumps: Typeform supports logic jumps that personalize the questions based on the user’s previous answers.

A screenshot of survey templates in Typeform — Typeform survey templates.

11. ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign is a cloud SaaS company that excels in customer experience automation. It combines email marketing, marketing automation, sales automation, and CRM for both B2B and B2C sectors.

Some of ActiveCampaign’s features are:

Email marketing: ActiveCampaign provides advanced email marketing capabilities, allowing users to send targeted email campaigns that drive engagement and conversions.
Marketing automation: Streamline your marketing processes and personalize customer interactions with ActiveCampaign’s powerful marketing automation tools.
Segmentation and personalization: Segment contacts based on behavior and preferences and deliver personalized content that resonates with different audience segments.

A screenshot of an home page of ActiveCampaign — ActiveCampaign email dashboard.

12. Appcues

Appcues is a powerful platform designed to help SaaS companies improve user onboarding, adoption, and retention. It serves both B2B and B2C industries with intuitive in-app messaging and guidance.

Some of Appcues’s features are:

User onboarding: Appcues enhances user onboarding experiences with targeted walkthroughs and onboarding flows for both mobile and web users.
In-app messaging: Deliver targeted messages and announcements directly within your app to engage users immediately.
Feature adoption: Drive feature adoption with interactive tooltips and guided tours highlighting new and underused features.

A screenshot of the creation of in-app messaging — Appcues modal creation screen.

13. Salesforce

Salesforce is a global leader in customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, providing tools for sales, customer service, marketing, and more to both B2B and B2C markets.

Some of Salesforce’s features are:

Customization and scalability: Customize and scale your CRM solution to meet the unique demands of your business.
Integrations: Numerous integrations, including native SaaS apps and third-party solutions like Userpilot, extend Salesforce’s capabilities.
Analytics and reporting: Utilize powerful analytics and detailed reporting tools to gain insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and marketing effectiveness.

A screenshot of a homepage of Salesforce — Salesforce dashboard.

14. Canva

Canva is an intuitive graphic design platform that revolutionizes how individuals and businesses create visual content. It is accessible to B2B and B2C users so that they can craft professional-level designs easily.

Some of Canva’s key features are:

Template library: Canva offers a vast library of templates ranging from presentations and social media graphics to print materials.
Drag-and-drop editor: The user-friendly drag-and-drop interface makes it simple for anyone to create stunning graphics and documents.
Extensive asset library: Access millions of images, fonts, icons, and illustrations to enhance any design project.

A screenshot of the homepage of Canva — Canva’s home page.

15. Zendesk

Zendesk is a service-first CRM company that builds software designed to improve customer relationships by providing seamless support and sales experiences across multiple channels for both B2B and B2C industries.

Some of Zendesk’s features are:

Multi-channel support: Zendesk offers support across various channels, including email, phone, chat, and social media.
Integrations: Enhance your Zendesk capabilities with many integrations that connect seamlessly to other business tools.
Chatbots and knowledge bases: Utilize Zendesk’s capabilities to implement chatbots for automated responses or develop extensive knowledge bases for customer self-service.

A screenshot of a Zendesk support ticket dashboard — Zendesk ticket dashboard.

16. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a comprehensive accounting software solution designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses. It facilitates streamlined finance management in both B2B and B2C sectors.

Some of QuickBooks’s features are:

Invoicing: Easily create custom, professional invoices, track them, and manage payments online.
Expense tracking: Keep a close eye on business expenses by categorizing and tracking them automatically.
Payroll integration: Integrate payroll seamlessly into your accounting process.

A screenshot of Quickbooks business overview page — Quickbooks business overview.

17. Xero

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, streamlining management processes across both B2B and B2C sectors.

Some of Xero’s features are:

Real-time financial data: Access up-to-date financial information from any device.
Automated bank feeds: Connect Xero to your bank account for automatic updates and reconciliation, simplifying the management of income and expenses.
Online invoicing: Manage and track invoices to maintain cash flow with ease.

A screenshot of Xero expenses overview — Xero expense overview.

18. Microsoft

Microsoft is a global technology leader offering a wide array of software products and hardware for both B2B and B2C sectors. Its strong focus is on enterprise solutions.

Some of Microsoft’s features are:

Enterprise solutions: Microsoft provides comprehensive enterprise solutions, including cloud computing, AI, digital transformation, and more.
Office productivity suites: Microsoft Office remains the gold standard for productivity software, offering applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Cloud services: With Azure, Microsoft offers scalable services, providing businesses with computing power, database storage, and application services.

microsoft-saas-products — Microsoft Dynamics 365.

19. Oracle ERP

Oracle ERP is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning software that is designed to cater to both B2B and B2C sectors, especially large enterprises seeking robust and integrated management solutions.

Some of Oracle ERP’s features are:

Fiscal management: Oracle ERP offers advanced financial capabilities that help businesses manage their finances efficiently.
Supply chain management: Optimize and streamline your operations with tools designed for global supply chain processes.
Human resources management: Oracle ERP’s human resources module helps you manage your workforce effectively. It includes tools for payroll, benefits, recruitment, and performance management.

A screenshot of Oracle ERP project plan — Oracle ERP project plan.

20. Intercom

Intercom is a communication platform designed for businesses looking to enhance customer interaction through personalized, messenger-based experiences. It serves both the B2B and B2C sectors.

Some of Intercom’s features are:

In-app messaging: Deliver targeted, personal messages directly to your app or website users.
Live chat: Provide real-time support and sales assistance with Intercom’s live chat.
Surveys: Gather customer feedback efficiently through targeted surveys that can be seamlessly integrated into the user experience.

A screenshot of Intercom's messenger design page — Intercom messenger design page.

21. Omnisend

Omnisend is an e-commerce marketing platform that specializes in automating marketing across multiple channels. It is tailored specifically for B2C industries looking to enhance their marketing efforts.

Some of Omnisend’s features are:

Email marketing: Omnisend enables businesses to send personalized and targeted email campaigns.
Automation: Streamline your marketing processes with powerful automation that allows you to set up triggered emails, segment your audience, and send timely communications.
Multi-channel messaging: Reach your customers via SMS, email, push notifications, and more, all from one platform.

A screenshot of Omnisend SMS builder — Omnisend SMS builder.

22. Brevo

Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, is an email marketing and CRM suite designed for businesses of different sizes and customer bases.

Top features of Brevo:

Email marketing: Brevo allows users to create and send professional-looking emails to their subscribers. It offers customizable templates, drag-and-drop editors, and A/B testing to streamline the process.
Marketing automation: Brevo’s marketing automation tools help businesses create automated workflows based on customer behavior – allowing for targeted and personalized communication with customers.
SMS marketing: With Brevo, businesses can send targeted SMS messages to their customers. This feature is useful for sending promotions, reminders, and other important messages directly to customers’ phones.

A screenshot of Brevo's A/B Testing report — Brevo A/B testing report.

Conclusion

SaaS products are great for your business as they can streamline and automate many everyday tasks. And now you have 22 more that you might not have known before that can help you in your business process.

If you want to know more about Userpilot and how it can help your own SaaS product with collecting customer feedback, providing detailed analytics, and creating an onboarding experience, book a demo now!