Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers over the internet. Instead of purchasing and installing software on individual computers or servers, users subscribe to the service and access the software via a web browser.
Key Characteristics of SaaS
- Hosted on Remote Servers: SaaS applications are hosted in the cloud by the service provider, which takes care of the infrastructure, maintenance, and updates.
- Accessible via the Internet: Users can access the software from any location using a web browser, making it highly accessible and convenient.
- Subscription-Based Pricing: SaaS typically operates on a subscription model, where customers pay a recurring fee (monthly or annually) to use the software.
- Multi-Tenancy: A single instance of the software serves multiple customers, with each customer’s data isolated and secure.
- Automatic Updates: The service provider handles software updates and maintenance, ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and security patches.