Comparison of different revenue models in SaaS

Abstract

Cloud computing brings new possibilities for software firms to sell their products within a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. However, although SaaS provides new revenue models, it may not easily achieve a profitable revenue stream. For customers, SaaS promises cost savings related to IT expenses. However, it may be difficult to estimate which revenue model will be best for a given situation. In this paper I present the common revenue models used in SaaS, examining their advantages and disadvantages from the point of view of the software provider and the customer.