A SaaS marketplace platform is an online platform where Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products can be listed, sold, and distributed to customers. These marketplaces act as intermediaries, connecting SaaS providers with a wider audience using the marketplace's infrastructure and marketing tools.
6 best marketplace software to scale your SaaS product
Here are some of the top marketplace platforms that your SaaS businesses can use to reach a wider audience and accelerate growth:
Salesforce AppExchange
Salesforce AppExchange empowers companies and developers to create apps that work in conjunction with Salesforce to make it even more powerful.
Given that Salesforce's core functionality is CRM, it looks for third-party apps in areas like sales, marketing, and customer service.
To make it easier to discover the right app, AppExchange has something called App Guide. This guide organizes apps by industry and department, which helps your target users find your product easily.
Salesforce is reported to have around 150,000 users worldwide, with more than 90% using apps from AppExchange.
The AppExchange currently features more than 5,661 apps spanning multiple categories.
App pricing is typically determined by the vendor or developer and can range from free and freemium to paid, usage-based, or custom pricing models.
Atlassian Marketplace
Atlassian Marketplace offers developers a platform to sell apps that integrate with Atlassian's popular project management and collaboration tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence.
The platform users can easily browse and install these apps directly from within their product, thanks to the Universal Plugin Manager (UPM). This makes it simple for users to discover and install new apps, improving their overall experience.
Atlassian handles payment processing and licensing, allowing developers to focus on app development. This includes options for free trials, subscription-based pricing, or per-user fees.
There are 8,000 + apps available on the Atlassian Marketplace, offered by 1800+ partners.
Atlassian serves over 300,000 customers globally.
Top app categories include project management tools, workflow automation, and analytics, which are popular among users of Jira and Confluence.
Zendesk Marketplace
You might already know Zendesk for its powerful customer service solutions that help businesses manage customer interactions. Now, with the Zendesk Marketplace, they're trying to tap into a larger ecosystem. For developers, this provides an opportunity to showcase their solutions under the Zendesk brand and establish a presence in the SaaS space.
Developers can use Zendesk's Zendesk Apps Framework (ZAF) to create custom apps that can add new features, modify existing ones, or automate processes within Zendesk.
Zendesk also offers OAuth authentication and webhooks for secure and scalable integrations with external services, which is crucial for developers who need to maintain data security and system integrity while creating complex applications.
Zendesk Marketplace offers over 1,500 apps to improve customer and employee experience.
The platform has over 160,000 customers in 160 countries with over 58 percent installing at least one marketplace app.
Top app categories in the Zendesk Marketplace include agent productivity, contact center, CRM, marketing, and project management.
GitHub Marketplace
GitHub Marketplace lets you showcase your SaaS product to developers looking for tools to improve their GitHub workflows.
You can list two types of integrations: GitHub Actions and GitHub Apps. Actions help to automate specific tasks within workflows, while Apps integrate more deeply with GitHub APIs to offer advanced functionalities.
The platform also helps you track your tool's performance through the Insights page. You can check important stats like subscription earnings, visitor traffic, and unique users over different time periods.
GitHub Marketplace lets you share your apps with over 100 million developers around the world.
Developers can set their own app pricing, including free, paid, or trial options.
The marketplace offers a wide range of apps, covering categories like API management, code review, IDEs, chat, and project management.
Monday Marketplace
Built upon the Monday.com Work OS, Monday Marketplace gives developers a platform to create custom applications that integrate seamlessly with the platform.
To help developers get started, the platform provides an app framework complete with APIs, developer tools, and clear instructions. Developers can use this framework to build features such as board views, dashboard widgets, AI assistants, integrations, and workspace templates.
The Marketplace features apps across various categories, such as project management, software development, productivity, and design. This means any business can find tools that match their industry needs without looking for other tools or developing solutions from scratch.
Product Hunt
While not a traditional marketplace, Product Hunt offers exposure and validation for SaaS products that many developers ultimately look for in such platforms.
Its upvoting system allows users to curate and surface the most promising products, making it easier for developers to gain visibility and feedback from early adopters and tech enthusiasts.
The platform also has a feature called Product Hubs, where all the information about a product is stored in one place. You can find details like launch dates, reviews, team members, awards, and news about products over the years.
Product Hunt has a community of 500,000 members.
Top app categories on Product Hunt include productivity, analytics, sales, and AI.
Things to consider before listing your product on a SaaS marketplace
Before listing your product on a SaaS marketplace, there are several factors to consider to maximize your chances of visibility and profitability. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get your product ready:
Competition: It can be tough to stand out in a busy marketplace. Many products may be similar to yours, so it's important to show what makes your product special. Think about the features, pricing, or customer service that set you apart, and highlight those in your listing.
Revenue sharing: Most SaaS marketplaces take a commission on every sale made through their platform. Be aware of these fees before you decide to list your product, as they can impact your profit margin.
Data ownership: When you list your product, it's important to know who owns the customer data. Some platforms may control this data or limit how you can use it. Make sure you're clear about data ownership to protect your business and your customers' privacy.
Customer support requirements: Many SaaS marketplaces require vendors to provide customer support. Consider the resources you'll need to manage inquiries, troubleshooting, and other service requests.
Platform users - number and demographics: The number of active users and the types of customers on the marketplace directly impact your sales potential. Research how many people actively use the platform and whether their needs align with your product.
Platform navigability: The ease with which potential customers can browse, search, and interact with products on the marketplace can make or break your success. A well-designed platform makes it easier for users to find your product, while a poorly designed one can lead to frustration and lost opportunities.
