Best SaaS Management Platform Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Managing multiple SaaS tools can feel like a juggling act. You might find yourself overwhelmed trying to keep track of subscriptions, costs, and compliance. That's where a SaaS management platform comes in. It helps you manage your software efficiently, reducing waste and simplifying oversight.
I've tested and reviewed various options to bring you the best solutions. With my experience in the SaaS development industry, you can trust that these recommendations are unbiased and well-researched.
In this article, I'll guide you through my top picks, highlighting what makes each one stand out. You'll discover how these platforms can benefit your team, saving time and resources. Let's look and find the perfect fit for your needs.
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Best SaaS Management Platform Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top SaaS management platform selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Spendflo | From $18,000/year | Website |
Zluri | Pricing upon request | Website |
Cledara | From $75/month | Website |
Sastrify | From $2,000/month (billed annually) | Website |
Zylo | Pricing upon request | Website |
Flexera | Pricing upon request | Website |
Productiv | Pricing upon request | Website |
Certero | Pricing upon request | Website |
CloudEagle | From $2,500/month | Website |
Genuity | From $29.99/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow To Choose A SaaS Management Platform
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. Here's a checklist of factors to remember to help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process.
Factor | What to Consider |
Scalability | Ensure it can grow with your team’s needs, easily accommodating more users and data. |
Integrations | Check if it connects with tools your team already uses, like CRM or accounting apps. |
Customizability | Look for options to tailor the platform to fit your specific business workflows. |
Ease of Use | Choose a platform that's straightforward, saving training time and boosting adoption. |
Budget | Consider total costs, including hidden fees, and ensure it fits within your team's budget. |
Security Safeguards | Verify it has measures like encryption and compliance with relevant regulations to protect data. |
Reporting Tools | Ensure it offers insight into usage and costs with clear, actionable reports. |
Customer Support | Look for accessible support options to help when issues arise. |
Best SaaS Management Platform Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of my shortlist’s best SaaS management platforms. My reviews look at each tool’s key features, pros and cons, integrations, and ideal use cases to help you find the best one.
Spendflo is a platform designed to help businesses manage their software expenses. It simplifies buying, renewing, and overseeing software licenses. With Spendflo, you can monitor usage and optimize costs in one place.
Why I picked Spendflo: Spendflo offers cost management features like dynamic license management and vendor intelligence. It provides real-time spending insights and third-party risk assessment, directly aligning with its USP. Your team can benefit from the platform's capabilities, enhancing visibility and control over contracts and expenses.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include proactive contract management, real-time reporting, and collaborative procurement solutions. The platform also offers no-code intake and procurement management to simplify workflows. It provides a free savings analysis to help your team save on software costs.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Jira, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Okta, Zoom, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time spend insights
- Effective customer support
- Quick onboarding process
Cons:
- Requires initial setup time
- Pricing details are not transparent
Zluri is a SaaS management platform designed for IT departments seeking to manage and optimize their software stack. It focuses on providing visibility into software usage, compliance, and spend.
Why I picked Zluri: Zluri offers IT teams a comprehensive view of their software environment, helping manage licenses and subscriptions. The platform's real-time insights allow your team to track usage and optimize costs effectively. Zluri also provides compliance management tools, ensuring your organization meets regulatory standards. These features make it a strong choice for IT teams looking to streamline their operations.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include comprehensive dashboards that give your team insights into software usage and spending. The platform offers automated workflows, helping manage software procurement and renewals efficiently. Additionally, Zluri provides compliance reports, ensuring adherence to industry regulations.
Integrations include Microsoft Azure, Google Workspace, Slack, Salesforce, Zoom, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Okta, ServiceNow, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated workflow support
- Strong compliance management
- Efficient cost optimization
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for new users
- Dependency on accurate data input
Cledara is a SaaS management platform designed to track subscriptions and manage finances. It serves finance teams and business managers managing software subscriptions and controlling spending.
Why I picked Cledara: Cledara provides real-time visibility into subscription spending, which is essential for managing costs effectively. The platform allows your team to centralize and manage all SaaS purchases from a single dashboard. Cledara's budgeting features help track and allocate resources efficiently. These functionalities align with its USP, making it ideal for monitoring subscriptions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include spending limits and alerts to help your team avoid budget overruns. The platform offers automated invoice management, simplifying the reconciliation process. Additionally, Cledara provides analytics and reporting tools, giving you insights into spending patterns.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Dropbox, HubSpot, Zoom, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated invoice management
- Real-time spending visibility
- Centralized subscription management
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for new users
- Dependency on accurate data input
Sastrify is a SaaS management platform specializing in procurement and vendor management. It targets procurement teams aiming to optimize their software purchasing and manage vendor relationships effectively.
Why I picked Sastrify: The platform offers procurement automation and vendor negotiation features that are perfect for procurement teams. It provides insights into software usage and spending, allowing your team to make informed decisions. Sastrify's focus on optimizing software purchasing helps reduce costs and enhance vendor management. These capabilities align with its USP, making it ideal for procurement professionals.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated procurement processes, which help your team streamline software purchasing. The platform offers detailed spending analytics to guide decision-making. Additionally, it provides vendor negotiation support, ensuring you get the best deals possible.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Asana, Jira, Trello, Zoom, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed spending analytics
- Automated procurement processes
- Effective vendor negotiation support
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for new users
- Dependency on vendor cooperation
Zylo is a SaaS management platform tailored for large enterprises looking to optimize their software investments. It provides insights into software usage, spending, and compliance.
Why I picked Zylo: Zylo offers extensive features for managing large-scale software environments, which is ideal for enterprises. The platform provides detailed reports on software spend and usage, helping your team make informed decisions. Zylo's compliance tools ensure your organization meets necessary regulatory standards. These capabilities align with its USP, making it a strong choice for large enterprises.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced analytics that gives your team insights into software spend and usage patterns. The platform offers budget controls to help manage and forecast expenses effectively. Additionally, Zylo provides compliance management tools that ensure adherence to industry regulations.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, ServiceNow, Okta, Workday, SAP, Zoom, and Dropbox.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Ideal for large-scale environments
- Strong compliance management
- Effective budget controls
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for new users
- Dependency on accurate data input
Flexera is a cloud management platform designed for businesses that need to optimize and control cloud costs. It serves IT and finance teams and provides insights into cloud usage and spending.
Why I picked Flexera: It offers tools for managing cloud expenses, aligning with the need for cost control. The platform provides detailed cost analysis and forecasting, helping your team make strategic decisions. Flexera's capabilities in identifying unused resources contribute to effective cost management. These features make it ideal for organizations focused on optimizing cloud spend.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced cost analysis tools that help your team identify areas for savings. The platform offers forecasting capabilities, allowing you to plan and budget effectively. Additionally, Flexera provides resource optimization features, ensuring efficient cloud usage.
Integrations include AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, VMware, ServiceNow, Salesforce, Oracle, IBM, SAP, and Microsoft 365.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed forecasting capabilities
- Effective resource optimization
- Advanced cost analysis tools
Cons:
- Requires cloud management expertise
- Complexity in setup
Productiv is a SaaS management platform that optimizes software usage and drives employee engagement. It is designed for IT and business leaders who want to maximize the value of their software investments.
Why I picked Productiv: Productiv offers deep analytics on software usage, helping your team understand and enhance employee engagement. The platform tracks real-time activity, providing insights into how tools are used across the organization. Productiv's application engagement metrics allow you to identify underutilized apps and make informed decisions. These features align with its USP, making it ideal for improving employee interaction with software.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include application engagement metrics that let your team identify unused applications. The platform provides real-time activity tracking, giving you insights into software usage. Additionally, Productiv's analytics help optimize software spend by identifying areas for cost reduction.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Zoom, Okta, Dropbox, Jira, ServiceNow, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Application engagement metrics
- Real-time activity tracking
- Deep analytics on usage patterns
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for new users
- Limited customization options
Certero is a SaaS management platform focused on software asset management and compliance. It caters to enterprises aiming to optimize software usage and ensure compliance with licensing agreements.
Why I picked Certero: Certero provides compliance tracking with its automated discovery and inventory management features. It offers real-time license compliance status to help your team avoid costly penalties. The platform's analytics provide insights into software usage, making compliance audits straightforward. These features align with its USP, ensuring your organization stays easily compliant.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated asset discovery, which helps your team keep track of software usage. The platform provides instant visibility into license compliance, reducing risks associated with non-compliance. Additionally, it offers detailed analytics, allowing you to make informed decisions about software deployment.
Integrations include Microsoft Azure, ServiceNow, SAP, Oracle, IBM, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed software analytics
- Real-time compliance status
- Automated compliance tracking
Cons:
- Dependency on accurate data input
- Limited scalability for small teams
CloudEagle is a SaaS management platform tailored for high-growth companies. It focuses on SaaS procurement, license management, and identity access management to help organizations manage contracts and optimize software usage.
Why I picked CloudEagle: CloudEagle offers vendor management features like spend discovery and license harvesting, making it ideal for teams needing to manage multiple vendors. The platform's capabilities in license management help track unused licenses and alert you to unauthorized apps. Its contract renewal management ensures you're reminded of upcoming renewals. CloudEagle's focus on vendor management aligns with its USP.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated application identification and categorization, simplifying your team's tracking. The platform provides real-time data analytics to improve decision-making. Additionally, it enhances efficiency with its user-friendly interface and employee onboarding and offboarding support.
Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Okta, Google Workspace, Zoom, Dropbox, Zendesk, Jira, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Real-time data analytics
- Effective vendor management features
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for new users
- Dependency on vendor cooperation
Genuity is a SaaS platform tailored for small businesses that need IT service and asset management. It performs key functions like cost reduction and compliance improvement and offers insights into IT expenditures.
Why I picked Genuity: Genuity is unique for small businesses with its community-driven purchasing power, allowing access to IT services at wholesale rates. It features contract management and IT marketplace access, making it ideal for managing technology costs. Genuity's network monitoring and IT help desk functionalities support small teams. These capabilities align with its USP, providing robust IT management.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include comprehensive IT management tools, enabling your team to handle assets and contracts effectively. The platform offers a marketplace for software and services at wholesale rates. It also provides network monitoring and IT help desk functionalities for streamlined support.
Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Azure, Google Workspace, Slack, QuickBooks, Asana, Dropbox, Zendesk, Trello, and GitHub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Helpful network monitoring features
- Effective contract management tools
- Access to wholesale software rates
Cons:
- Requires role change planning
- Limited scalability for larger enterprises
Other SaaS Management Platform
Here are some additional SaaS management platform options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist but are still worth checking out.
- Torii
For automation features
- CoreSuite
For Microsoft 365 users
- ActivTrak
For employee productivity insights
- Auvik
For network visibility
- Spendbase
For budget tracking
- Lumos
For data privacy compliance
- Trelica
For SaaS lifecycle management
- BetterCloud
For IT admin controls
- Coreview
For Microsoft 365 analytics
- Nudge Security
For cybersecurity awareness
SaaS Management Platform Selection Criteria
When selecting the best SaaS management platform to include in this list, I considered everyday buyer needs and pain points, such as controlling software costs and ensuring compliance. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair.
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these everyday use cases:
- Manage software licenses
- Track software usage
- Monitor software spending
- Ensure compliance with regulations
- Centralize SaaS procurement
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Automated workflow creation
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Customizable dashboards
- Integration with multiple ecosystems
- Vendor negotiation support
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Clear navigation
- Minimal clicks for main tasks
- Responsive design
- Accessible to non-technical users
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Chatbot support for guidance
- Webinars and live demos
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Availability of 24/7 support
- Multichannel support options
- Response time to queries
- Access to a knowledge base
- Regular software updates
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Features offered relative to cost
- Scalability of pricing plans
- Availability of discounts or promotions
- Return on investment potential
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Consistency in positive feedback
- Commonly reported issues
- Customer support experiences
- Ease of implementation feedback
- Overall satisfaction ratings
Trends In SaaS Management Platform
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different SaaS management platform vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- Real-time analytics: More platforms offer real-time insights into software usage and spending. This helps businesses make quick decisions and adjust their software strategies. Vendors like Productiv have embraced this trend by providing detailed usage analytics.
- Enhanced compliance tracking: There's a growing demand for tools that help companies meet regulatory requirements. Platforms are now offering compliance dashboards and alerts to prevent violations. Certero, for example, has advanced features for tracking compliance status in real time.
- Sustainability focus: Some vendors are incorporating features that help businesses manage their carbon footprint related to software use. This can include energy consumption reports and sustainability metrics. Vendors like Flexera are beginning to see this area.
- User behavior insights: Understanding how employees interact with software is becoming crucial. Platforms are adding features that track user behavior to optimize software investments. Tools like ActivTrak provide insights into productivity and engagement levels.
- Vendor management capabilities: There's an increasing focus on managing vendor relationships directly through the platform. This includes tools for contract management and vendor performance tracking. Sastrify offers vendor negotiation support and relationship management features.
What Is A SaaS Management Platform?
A SaaS management platform is designed to help businesses manage and optimize their software-as-a-service applications. IT professionals, finance teams, and procurement managers use these tools to control costs, ensure compliance, and improve efficiency.
Features like real-time analytics, compliance tracking, and vendor management help with decision-making, regulatory adherence, and supplier relationships. These platforms provide valuable insights and control over the software ecosystem, enhancing business operations.
Features Of SaaS Management Platform
When selecting a SaaS management platform, look for the following key features.
- Real-time analytics: Provides instant insights into software usage and spending, helping businesses make informed decisions quickly.
- Compliance tracking: Helps ensure your organization meets regulatory requirements, avoiding potential violations and fines.
- Vendor management: Manages vendor relationships, including contract oversight and performance tracking, to optimize procurement.
- User behavior insights: Tracks how employees interact with software to enhance productivity and engagement.
- Expense management: Monitors and controls software spending to prevent budget overruns and optimize costs.
- Automated workflows: Reduces manual tasks by automating routine processes, saving time and minimizing errors.
- Resource optimization: Identifies underutilized software resources, allowing businesses to reallocate or eliminate them for better efficiency.
- Budget controls: Offers tools for planning and forecasting expenses, aiding in financial management and strategy.
- Subscription tracking: Centralizes management of software subscriptions, providing visibility and control over renewals.
- Security features: Ensures data protection and compliance with security standards, safeguarding sensitive information.
- SaaS Usage Monitoring: Tracks application usage across the organization, helping identify frequently used and underutilized SaaS applications.
- Shadow IT Detection: Monitors unauthorized or unmanaged software usage, reducing security risks and ensuring all applications are accounted for.
- Provisioning and Deprovisioning: This feature automates user access management, quickly provisioning or de-provisioning access to SaaS applications to maintain security.
- SaaS Spend Management: Analyzes and tracks spending on SaaS applications, offering insights to control and optimize expenses.
- Permissions Management: Manages user permissions for various SaaS tools, ensuring appropriate access levels and enhancing security.
- Centralized Dashboard: Provides a unified view of the SaaS ecosystem, displaying all software assets, spending, and usage metrics in one place.
- SaaS Security Risk Assessment: Identifies and mitigates potential security risks associated with SaaS applications.
- SSO (Single Sign-On) Integration: Enhances security and user convenience by enabling single sign-on access to multiple SaaS applications.
- SaaS License Management: Monitors and manages SaaS licenses, preventing unnecessary renewals and ensuring compliance.
- SaaS Stack Optimization: Analyzes the current tech stack to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies.
- SaaS Environment Insights: Provides visibility into the SaaS environment to help maintain control over the software landscape.
- Usage Data Analysis: Collects and analyzes usage data to optimize software deployment and improve engagement.
- Spend Management Tools: Offers tools for tracking and managing SaaS costs, aiding in budget allocation and financial planning.
- IT Asset Management: Maintains an inventory of all SaaS applications, ensuring proper management and governance.
- Application Usage Reports: Generates detailed reports on app usage patterns to aid decision-making.
- SaaS Sprawl Reduction: Identifies and consolidates redundant SaaS apps to minimize costs and inefficiency.
- SaaS Management Tools Integration: Connects with existing SaaS management tools to streamline operations.
- SaaS Operations Automation: Automates routine workflows associated with SaaS operations to boost efficiency.
Benefits Of SaaS Management Platform
Implementing a SaaS management platform benefits your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Cost savings: By monitoring software usage and optimizing subscriptions, you can reduce unnecessary spending and maximize your budget.
- Enhanced compliance: Compliance tracking ensures your organization meets regulatory standards, preventing fines and legal issues.
- Improved productivity: Features like automated workflows and user behavior insights help streamline processes and boost employee engagement.
- Better vendor relationships: Vendor management capabilities allow for efficient contract negotiation and performance monitoring, enhancing supplier interactions.
- Increased security: Security features protect sensitive data and ensure adherence to industry standards, safeguarding your business information.
- Informed decision-making: Real-time analytics provide valuable insights into software usage and spending, enabling data-driven strategies.
- Efficient resource allocation: Resource optimization identifies underused applications, allowing you to reallocate resources where they're needed most.
Costs & Pricing Of SaaS Management Platform
Selecting a SaaS management platform requires understanding the various pricing models and plans. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes standard plans, their average prices, and typical features included in SaaS management platform solutions.
Plan Comparison Table for SaaS Management Platform
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0/user/ month | Basic usage tracking, limited analytics, and essential compliance tools. |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/ user/month | Usage tracking, basic analytics, budget controls, and vendor management. |
Business Plan | $30-$75/ user/month | Advanced analytics, compliance tracking, automated workflows, and security features. |
Enterprise Plan | $80-$150/user/month | Comprehensive reporting, full compliance tools, vendor negotiation support, and resource optimization. |
SaaS Management Platform FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about SaaS management platforms.
How does a SaaS management platform help with compliance?
A SaaS management platform helps your team track and maintain compliance with regulatory standards. It provides tools to monitor software licenses and usage, ensuring that all applications meet legal requirements. This reduces the risk of fines and helps maintain a clean compliance record for your organization.
How can SaaS management platforms reduce costs?
SaaS management platforms provide insights into software usage and spending, allowing you to identify unused licenses and subscriptions. By optimizing these resources, your team can cut down on unnecessary expenses. Additionally, vendor management features can help negotiate better contracts and pricing.
How do SaaS management platforms improve vendor relationships?
SaaS management platforms offer tools to manage vendor contracts and performance efficiently. They provide insights into vendor reliability and help you track contract renewals and negotiations. This leads to stronger vendor relationships and ensures you get the best value from your service providers.
What role does user behavior tracking play in SaaS management platforms?
User behavior tracking helps you understand how employees interact with software applications. This data allows you to identify underutilized tools and make informed decisions about software investments. It also aids in improving user engagement and productivity by tailoring the software environment to user needs.
Can SaaS management platforms enhance security?
Yes, these platforms enhance security by providing software usage and access visibility. They help identify unauthorized applications and ensure that all software complies with security standards, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
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