Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud model in which you use an application that runs on a provider’s cloud infrastructure. The provider generally operates and maintains the software and underlying systems; you use the application through a browser, mobile app, or program interface, with limited options to configure it.
What does SaaS mean?
NIST defines SaaS as the capability to use a provider’s applications running on cloud infrastructure. You access them from a client device, often through a web browser, or through a program interface. The customer does not manage the underlying network, servers, operating systems, or storage, and generally does not control the application’s capabilities. Limited user-specific configuration may be available.
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In practical terms, the provider hosts and operates the service while users focus on using its features. SaaS is not necessarily browser-only: applications may also be accessed through mobile apps or program interfaces. See the NIST SaaS glossary and the NIST SP 800-145 publication record.
What are examples of SaaS?
Email, calendaring, and office tools are familiar examples: users work with the finished application without managing the cloud infrastructure that runs it. The US General Services Administration’s SaaS overview lists these kinds of applications.
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How is SaaS different from PaaS and IaaS?
These cloud service models differ mainly in what the customer receives and which parts of the technology stack the provider manages.
| Model | What the customer receives | What the customer mainly does |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS | A finished application operated by the provider | Uses the application and may adjust limited user-specific settings |
| PaaS | A managed platform for building, testing, or deploying applications | Builds or deploys applications on the platform |
| IaaS | Computing resources such as networking, compute, and storage | Manages more of the software stack while using provider-supplied infrastructure |
The distinctions follow the service-model descriptions from AWS and Microsoft Azure. SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS are cloud service models, not interchangeable names for the same kind of service.
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Does SaaS always require a subscription?
No. Subscription and pay-as-you-go pricing are common ways SaaS is sold, but pricing is not part of the defining test. The key question is whether the customer uses a provider’s application running on cloud infrastructure while the provider manages the underlying systems. The GSA and AWS describe subscription pricing as common commercial practice, not as a requirement for something to qualify as SaaS.
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