Global SaaS Market Forecast to Hit $675 Billion by 2030

The global Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) market is on a sharp growth trajectory and is forecast to reach $675 billion by 2030, according to new research from Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment. The report underlines the central role SaaS now plays in the global technology landscape, powered by cloud adoption, the demand for scalability, and enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives.

Explosive Growth in the UK and Beyond

While the global market continues to expand at pace, the UK market is also demonstrating remarkable momentum. The UK SaaS sector is projected to grow from $3.3 billion in 2015 to $76.1 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.4%.

The market is diverse, with enterprise software accounting for 25% of spend, followed by CRM and sales tools (20%) and collaboration platforms (15%). Other fast-growing areas include financial management software, industry-specific SaaS, and marketing analytics. This breadth reflects how deeply SaaS solutions have become embedded across business functions.

SaaS at the Heart of Digital Transformation

Commenting on the findings, Rob Scott, Managing Director at Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment, said:

“Pretty much every major organisation in the world is going through some form of digital transformation, with budgets often committed years in advance. With the challenges of developing in-house solutions, SaaS has become pivotal to executing digital strategies.”

SaaS is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a fundamental part of how companies operate. Whether it’s enabling hybrid workforces, streamlining customer engagement, or providing real-time data analytics, SaaS solutions are now considered mission-critical.

Shifting Sales Models and Market Trends

The report identifies several key trends shaping the SaaS market in 2025 and beyond:

• Usage-based pricing: Businesses are moving away from rigid licensing in favour of flexible, consumption-based models where they only pay for what they use.
• AI and automation: SaaS providers are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to personalise customer interactions, automate sales outreach, and optimise customer support.
• Platform consolidation: Organisations are favouring integrated platforms that can replace multiple standalone tools, reducing complexity and costs.
• Industry-specific solutions: Tailored SaaS offerings are gaining traction in highly regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and retail, where niche compliance and functionality are critical.

These shifts are creating opportunities for both established players and fast-moving startups, but they also add competitive pressure to an already crowded marketplace.

Workforce and Skills Challenges

As the SaaS market scales, the workforce supporting it is growing just as rapidly. In 2025, the UK employs around 65,000 SaaS professionals, more than doubling from just over 28,000 in 2021. Despite this, the sector faces a talent shortfall of 9,300 skilled workers, particularly in technical and sales roles.

Sales roles remain highly sought-after within the industry. Approximately 9,000 SaaS sales professionals operate in the UK, with compensation reflecting strong demand. According to Aaron Wallis’ data, senior positions such as Sales Directors can command total earnings up to $268,000, while entry-level sales executives typically earn between $37,000 and $55,000.

This competition for talent means companies not only need to invest in recruitment but also in retention strategies, such as professional development, career progression, and competitive benefits.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite strong growth forecasts, SaaS providers face a number of obstacles. Fierce competition makes differentiation increasingly difficult, while customer churn is an ever-present concern. The rising cost of acquiring new customers is pushing providers to focus more on lifetime value and retention strategies.

Compliance is another critical issue. With frameworks such as GDPR and SOC 2 under scrutiny, providers must invest heavily in data protection and privacy to maintain trust. At the same time, the widespread adoption of hybrid and remote working continues to drive demand for collaboration tools but also raises the stakes for seamless integration and security.

Market Leaders Driving Innovation

The report highlights both global and UK-based companies shaping the SaaS industry’s future. Giants such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and ServiceNow continue to dominate, while UK firms like Sage play a pivotal role in financial and accounting software. Other major players, including Snowflake, Shopify, and Adobe, are pushing boundaries in areas such as data warehousing, e-commerce, and digital experiences.

These market leaders are expected to continue consolidating their positions while also fuelling innovation through partnerships with cloud providers, fintech companies, and other tech disruptors.

Outlook

With the global SaaS market forecast to hit $675 billion by 2030, the sector remains one of the most dynamic and competitive areas in technology. While challenges around competition, compliance, and talent shortages persist, the appetite for scalable, cloud-based solutions shows no signs of slowing.

As organisations deepen their digital transformation strategies, SaaS is positioned to remain a dominant force, reshaping how businesses operate and interact with their customers for years to come.