What is SaaS (Software as a Service)?

Also known as: Software as a Service, Cloud software

Definition

A software licensing model where users get online access to software through a monthly or yearly subscription — instead of buying software and installing it locally.

In-depth explanation

SaaS has made software accessible and affordable for small businesses and agencies. Traditional software packages cost thousands of euros upfront; SaaS often offers comparable functionality for €50–500 per month, with automatic updates and no IT maintenance.

Nearly all modern social media management tools (Senly, Hootsuite, Buffer, Planable, Sendible) are SaaS. Upsides: always up to date, accessible through the browser, no local install, scales with your business. Downsides: your data sits with the vendor (which requires trust), monthly costs keep running, and the vendor can raise the price.

Example from agency practice

An agency uses 8 SaaS tools for €1,450 per month: Hootsuite, AgencyAnalytics, HubSpot, Calendly, and so on. By switching to one consolidated SaaS platform (Senly) it saves €950 per month — and has fewer tools to manage.

Especially relevant for

  • Agency owners
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