The hottest SaaS Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

The state of B2B monetization in 2025

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 520 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
💼 Business Software Pricing Subscription SaaS AI
  1. Traditional pricing models like flat-rate and seat-based are losing popularity. Companies are now favoring hybrid pricing to better match value and costs.
  2. Hybrid pricing is becoming the go-to choice for software companies, providing flexibility and a better upselling opportunity while keeping it simple for customers.
  3. Outcome-based pricing is highly desired but rarely adopted because it's complicated. Most companies struggle with measuring and ensuring consistent results for customers.

Building a "Vertical Agent"

The Security Industry • 13 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Security SaaS Data
  1. Vertical agents are a new trend gaining interest for their potential impact in various fields. They utilize specialized AI to cater to specific industries or tasks.
  2. AI tools like HarvestIQ.ai can assist organizations in managing their security tools and processes. They can streamline research and decision-making by providing quick insights and analysis.
  3. The future may see AI agents that fully understand an organization's needs. These agents could help businesses choose the right tools and maintain compliance more effectively.

Clouded Judgement 6.13.25 - The Battle for Data Ownership

Clouded Judgement • 7 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Data Management Software Development Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing SaaS
  1. You might think you own your data, but companies can make it hard to use. For example, Slack has new rules that limit how you can access your own conversation data.
  2. If other apps like Salesforce or Workday follow Slack's lead, it could become really tough for companies to use their data in AI projects. This means you might not have as much control as you thought.
  3. The fight for data ownership is a big deal right now. As software shifts towards AI, who controls the data will be a key factor in how companies operate.

Evals Startups Are Not Enterprise Ready

Enterprise AI Trends • 253 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software SaaS Open Source Enterprise
  1. Evals platforms may not be enterprise ready yet, as they often just repackage simpler tasks rather than offering real value. It's better to explore free open-source options first.
  2. The market for evals is crowded and competitive, leading to similar features across different products. This makes it a buyer's market, with pricing being more important than unique capabilities.
  3. Using open-source tools can provide most features needed without locking you into one vendor. Building internal capabilities first can help avoid future complications when needing to switch providers.

Incumbents Are Starting to Rugpull AI Startups

Enterprise AI Trends • 105 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI SaaS Startups Data Market Trends
  1. Companies like Slack are limiting access to their data, which can hurt AI startups that rely on this information. It’s a way for big companies to protect their interests and possibly push competitors out.
  2. When large tech firms create restrictions, they can become more like closed systems or 'walled gardens'. This helps them keep more control and profit from new AI technologies.
  3. If you're starting an AI business, be aware of these challenges from larger companies. It's important to find ways to adapt and work around these restrictions to succeed.
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Price Testing 101 with Justin Farris (GitLab, Zillow)

Good Better Best • 1 implied HN point • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Pricing Marketing SaaS Product Development Sales
  1. Pricing updates can take a lot of time due to slow billing systems. Using a centralized rate card model can help make changes faster and easier.
  2. A/B testing prices works well in some situations but isn’t always practical. Testing prices in similar markets might be a good option if you need to keep pricing public.
  3. Creating a clear framework for volume pricing helps build trust and makes negotiations smoother. This way, both sides can understand the pricing logic, leading to better relationships.

Clouded Judgement 6.6.25 - How to Spot ERR

Clouded Judgement • 6 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Finance Investing Entrepreneurship SaaS Market Trends
  1. It's important for companies to know the difference between ARR (annual recurring revenue) and ERR (experimental run rate revenue). ARR is more stable while ERR can fluctuate a lot, which can affect business decisions.
  2. Some signs of ERR include using products on a trial basis or having fuzzy ROI expectations. Companies should look out for these signs to understand if their revenue is dependable.
  3. Businesses should pay attention to where budgets come from and how contracts are structured. Knowing these details can help avoid unexpected revenue drops.

GTM Foundation: How SaaS Founders grow from €0 to €1M ARR (Part 1)

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 34 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
💼 Business SaaS Marketing Sales Entrepreneurship Growth
  1. To grow from €0 to €1 million in annual recurring revenue, founders need to go through three stages: Hustle mode to find initial customers, Focus mode to identify the best-fit customers, and Expansion mode to scale further.
  2. A strong Go-to-Market (GTM) foundation is essential for success. This involves defining your Ideal Customer Profile, clear positioning of your product, and effective messaging to communicate what makes your product unique.
  3. Building the GTM foundation includes 10 key elements like pricing, sales strategy, and tracking systems, all of which help sustain growth and reach new milestones.

AI companies are just SaaS companies

benn.substack • 869 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI SaaS Software Data Startups
  1. AI companies have a lot in common with traditional SaaS companies. They’re selling software services, often built on complex tech, rather than just cool algorithms.
  2. The success of AI models like ChatGPT depends heavily on branding and user experience. People care more about how easy and useful the software is than just the tech behind it.
  3. OpenAI is at a crossroads, needing to adapt its business model and offerings to stay ahead, especially as competition increases and tech costs rise.

Fullstory's Enterprise Transformation

Good Better Best • 4 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
💼 Business SaaS Enterprise Pricing Product Strategy Market Trends
  1. When a company wants to sell to bigger businesses, it needs to change its products to meet different needs. Just scaling existing features isn't enough.
  2. Adding professional services can help customers get more value from a product. These extra services can make a big difference in how well customers use the product.
  3. A company's pricing strategy should fit how larger organizations buy. Sometimes that means moving from easy self-service pricing to more custom and guided deal structures.

How I’d Run a SaaS Pricing Project from Scratch

Good Better Best • 7 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
💼 Business SaaS Pricing Marketing Product Strategy
  1. Understanding where your company is in its growth journey is important for setting the right pricing strategy. Different stages, like proving demand or expanding revenue, need different pricing approaches.
  2. Focus on areas where you can make the most impact with your pricing project, such as your product monetization strategy and pricing plans. Collaborate with other teams to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  3. When adjusting pricing, start with the fundamentals like plan structure and feature packaging before touching the actual price points. Making sure your pricing model is clear and aligned with customer needs is key.

What I learned from tracking 443 SaaS pricing pages

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 907 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business SaaS Pricing Marketing Growth Strategy
  1. Many SaaS companies are raising their prices. In 2024, about 42% of them made adjustments, with an average increase of 20%.
  2. Some companies are adding or removing plans to better meet customer needs. Others are being more strategic with their pricing pages to attract larger clients.
  3. Pricing strategies are evolving, with some companies using discounts to gain new customers while others maintain strict pricing models to target premium segments.

Your guide to the 2024 SaaS benchmarks

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 504 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business SaaS Startups AI Growth Metrics
  1. 2024 sees stabilization in SaaS growth rates, with early stages performing better while larger companies struggle. Smaller startups are showing stronger growth despite an overall slowdown.
  2. Early stage SaaS and AI companies are thriving, significantly increasing growth rates and maintaining lean teams. They are using automation and smart hiring to succeed.
  3. There's a shift in pricing models for AI products, with many still using traditional subscription models but a growing number exploring usage-based and outcome-based pricing. It's a sign of changing market demands.

Rockets go up, learning Mandarin, and the good news for SaaS

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Tech industry Startups Investments Market Trends SaaS
  1. The launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was a success, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Despite some setbacks, it showed progress in competing with other space companies like SpaceX.
  2. Duolingo is seeing a boost in interest and stock value as more people want to learn Mandarin due to changes in social media access. This trend suggests that more individuals may pursue learning different languages in the future.
  3. Public-market SaaS revenue multiples are currently stable, indicating a good environment for top cloud companies. This shows that, historically, it's a favorable time for generating market value in the SaaS sector.

Elon Musk sues OpenAI ⚖️, Rethinking the startup MVP 🔄, The Future of Digital Health 🩺, & more!

The VC Corner • 499 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Startups Healthtech Venture Capital SaaS
  1. Elon Musk is taking legal action against OpenAI. This seems to be a significant move concerning AI and its implications.
  2. There is a need to rethink how startups create and test their minimum viable products (MVP). It's essential to find better ways to bring ideas to market.
  3. The digital health sector is evolving and has a lot of potential for the future. New technologies are changing how we approach healthcare.

From selling access to selling work (and what it means for you)

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 512 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Business Models Pricing Strategies SaaS AI Integration Revenue management
  1. Companies are shifting from charging for access to software to billing for the actual work done by AI. This means businesses will charge based on how much the AI helps them, like charging per task completed.
  2. With these new pricing models, customers can pay only when they see results. However, it can be tricky to figure out who deserves credit for any success achieved.
  3. As the industry evolves, businesses will have to rethink how they predict revenue and manage customer relationships, making it more about actual usage and outcomes instead of just subscriptions.

The Software Slog

Buck on Software • 884 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Software Tech industry Venture Capital SaaS Investing
  1. The software industry may be facing a period of slow growth and low returns, akin to a tiring and boring slog.
  2. Consensus estimates predict a rebound in SaaS growth, resembling past historical market cycles.
  3. Zombie SaaS companies, sustained by oversized funding, create challenges for non-zombie competitors in terms of price competition and talent acquisition.

The VC Corner 📰 #13

The VC Corner • 319 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Strategies Market Trends SaaS
  1. Y Combinator wants startups to focus on finding the right product metrics. This will help them measure success and make better decisions.
  2. Understanding the SaaS IPO landscape is important for startups. It gives insights into how to get ready for going public and attract investors.
  3. Raising capital can be easier with the right tools like Fundingstack.com. They help connect startups with a large network of investors.

The Pipeline Metrics That Matter

Bottom Up by David Sacks • 281 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing SaaS Metrics Forecasting
  1. Tracking pipeline generation is crucial for growth in SaaS companies. If new opportunities are increasing, it's a good sign to hire more sales staff; if not, boost marketing efforts.
  2. Understanding pipeline conversion metrics helps identify where improvements are needed. Knowing how long deals take to close and where they tend to get stuck can lead to better sales processes.
  3. Active pipeline metrics allow for accurate forecasting. Keeping an eye on open opportunities and their expected close dates helps businesses plan and strategize effectively.

Service as a Software: The New SaaS

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software SaaS Automation Consulting
  1. AI is changing how we work by making professional skills available almost instantly and at a low cost. This shift will allow tasks that used to require human expertise to be done by software.
  2. The new idea of 'Service as a Software' (SaaS) could disrupt many professional jobs by automating services like consulting, legal work, and design. This could lead to a significant boost in the economy.
  3. As AI becomes smarter and cheaper, it's expected to make high-quality expertise available to more people, changing how businesses operate and creating new opportunities in various fields.

The Ultimate Founder-Led LinkedIn Guide

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 73 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Social media Branding SaaS
  1. A strong LinkedIn presence can help founders build their personal brand and authority, attracting more leads and opportunities. People want to engage with real people, not just logos.
  2. Creating valuable content and sharing personal stories can make you stand out on LinkedIn. It's essential to show your expertise while being authentic.
  3. Engaging with your audience regularly and responding to comments can improve visibility and build relationships. Active participation is key for success on the platform.

Managing cancer, an agency and building SaaS products

Kenny’s Sub • 99 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship SaaS Startups Health Leadership
  1. Managing a business while dealing with serious health issues like cancer requires clear delegation and smart prioritization. It's important to have a supportive team that can share the workload.
  2. Building a business with multiple co-founders can offer different strengths and perspectives. Sharing a common dream and working closely together helps in navigating the challenges of starting a company.
  3. Balancing client work with developing your own products can be tricky but is essential for long-term success. Treating internal projects like client projects with clear goals can help maintain focus and ensure progress.

The Roundup of Blogs and Newsletters About Analytics - Issue 133

Data Analysis Journal • 314 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Data science Product Analytics SaaS
  1. The post discusses a roundup of blogs and newsletters about analytics.
  2. It highlights key articles on adjacent users measurement, ML in product analytics, and SQL case statements.
  3. Various expert blogs and newsletters are recommended for analysts, data practitioners, and anyone interested in data and analytics.

The Hagakure #86: One Job

The Hagakure • 61 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership Management Startups SaaS Strategy
  1. Giving control to your team is important, but first, you need to make sure they understand their tasks clearly. This way, people can make better decisions without relying on just one person.
  2. To help your team succeed, they need competence in their roles. This includes being good at problem-solving, communication, and understanding processes.
  3. As a leader, your job is to create a clear vision and help develop your team's skills. This allows everyone to work better together and feel more empowered.

CIAM Market Size

ciamweekly • 62 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Market Size Financial Analysis SaaS Cybersecurity Revenue Models
  1. The CIAM market is growing fast, with estimates ranging from $12.5B in 2024 to $43.6B in 2034. This shows a big interest in managing customer identities.
  2. CIAM is different from IAM, focusing on customers instead of employees. This market is not as big as data storage or CRM but has its own importance.
  3. Companies in this market can earn a lot, but revenue is unevenly spread. Some big firms like Auth0 and Ping pull in significant revenue, while smaller startups are also emerging.

How to Price and Package Professional Services in SaaS

Good Better Best • 2 implied HN points • 30 May 25
💼 Business SaaS Pricing Marketing Professional Services Customer Support
  1. SaaS companies are changing how they think about professional services, especially with AI automating tasks. Good onboarding and support can make a big difference in customer satisfaction.
  2. It’s helpful to clearly define the scope and access to these services. Different customers might need different levels of support, so offering choices can increase satisfaction.
  3. Pricing professional services can be tricky. Companies are finding success with tiered packages, bundling support with subscriptions, or charging a flat fee. Finding the right pricing model can drive growth.

How the Money for the Rest of Us podcast built a six figure membership platform

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 74 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
💼 Business Podcasts Finance Membership SaaS Investing
  1. David Stein used clever marketing tricks to grow his podcast audience by adding other popular podcast names to his metadata. This helped him reach over 20 million downloads.
  2. His podcast led to a successful membership community where listeners pay around $450 a year, making it a six-figure revenue source.
  3. Stein is now expanding into a SaaS platform for individual investors, offering them tools for better financial analysis, which he sees as a scalable business model.

ServiceTitan S-1 Breakdown

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance SaaS IPO Growth Technology
  1. ServiceTitan is a software company that helps tradespeople like plumbers and electricians run their businesses better. They provide tools for managing customer relationships and service workflows.
  2. The company has been growing quickly, with a revenue increase of 24% in the last year. They make money from subscriptions, payment processing fees, and professional services.
  3. ServiceTitan is preparing for an IPO and plans to manage investor concerns about profitability. They have strategies in place to handle potential valuation drops and minimize shareholder dilution.

9 tactics to get your first 50 SaaS customers in 2025

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business SaaS Marketing Sales Growth Strategy
  1. Networking can help you find your first SaaS customers. Reach out to people you know for introductions and referrals.
  2. Creating comparison and alternative pages on your website can attract customers in crowded markets. Show how your product stacks up against competitors.
  3. Understanding customer feedback is crucial. Ask customers how they heard about you and track why deals were lost to improve your sales process.

Your guide to sales compensation & PLG

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 631 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Sales Compensation Software companies SaaS
  1. Sales compensation design involves understanding company goals, seller profiles, and using compensation to drive desired behaviors.
  2. Components of a sales compensation plan include OTE, base salary, variable comp, quota, quota attainment, and more.
  3. When designing a sales compensation plan for a PLG business, consider business goals, roles needed, best practices, and behaviors to incentivize.

Why We Founded SaaSGrid

Bottom Up by David Sacks • 541 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🕹 Technology SaaS Metrics Data
  1. SaaS companies need a dedicated dashboarding platform for their metrics.
  2. Problems faced by SaaS companies include lack of proper metrics, errors in data, and lack of real-time availability.
  3. SaaSGrid provides a solution by automating the calculation of key SaaS metrics and offering real-time dashboards.

The 21 GTM Channels to grow your SaaS

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 56 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups Marketing Sales Growth SaaS
  1. There are 21 different channels to grow your SaaS business. Some channels focus on direct interactions, while others rely on partnerships and external platforms.
  2. When choosing a channel, consider your product's complexity, market maturity, and your team's skills. Not every channel works for every product.
  3. It's important to engage with your customers through valuable content and be visible on social media to attract and retain them.

What Agentforce says about the State of Agents

Good Better Best • 2 implied HN points • 23 May 25
💼 Business Pricing Strategy SaaS AI Market Trends Product Management
  1. Salesforce is changing its pricing model to be more flexible, allowing customers to pay based on the specific actions their AI tools perform. This means businesses can better align costs with what they actually use.
  2. The development of hybrid pricing models shows that the market for AI is still growing and evolving. Companies are exploring new ways to find a balance between human workers and AI.
  3. A strong pricing infrastructure is crucial for companies. Those that can adapt their pricing strategies easily will have an advantage as the landscape of AI and enterprise software continues to shift.

Authorization As A Service

ciamweekly • 62 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Security API SaaS Development
  1. Authorization is just as important as authentication. While authentication is about identifying who someone is, authorization defines what they can do in the system.
  2. It's crucial to set clear rules for what users can and cannot access. Users should be able to manage their own data, but not access or delete data that belongs to others.
  3. Using centralized authorization services makes managing access easier and more consistent. This way, applications can quickly check permissions without getting bogged down in complicated code.