When is SaaS not the right choice?

Some sectors and countries require data to remain within specific borders, with audit rights that standard subscription agreements may not provide. The key question is whether the contract meets the regulator’s requirements.

Operations in vehicles, remote sites or restricted facilities often need software that works offline and synchronises when a connection is available.

Per-seat pricing can become costly as headcount grows. A five-year comparison should include subscription costs and internal administration effort, set against the cost of building and operating a focused alternative.

Where a business process is a source of competitive advantage, custom software protects it, while off-the-shelf products are equally available to competitors.

For standard needs such as email, payroll, accounting, video calls and helpdesks, SaaS products are usually the best choice.