The best SaaS ideas are often hiding in plain sight.
Case in point.
You can find many ideas in the third-party marketplaces of existing SaaS products from building a better mouse trap to a third-party app that already exists to creating a new third-party app that addresses a problem that you stumbled into mining platform and third-party app reviews.
Regardless of which approach you take, building on top of a third-party marketplace can be a great step one business, since you already have a built-in potential customer base.
While this strategy brings more platform risk, it also makes customer acquisition simpler (in the early days), since you just have to figure out app store SEO to get your product ranking in front of more of your ideal customers.
Let’s dive in!
Uncover business ideas from 80 SaaS Marketplaces
Here are the most popular third-party marketplaces.
1. Salesforce AppExchange
With more than 7,000 apps, Salesforce AppExchange MarketPlace brings a wide range of solutions-based apps that can solve problems mainly for mid-market and enterprise businesses.
With more than 10 million downloads and 91% of Salesforce customers using AppExchange, you might find an audience that needs a solution that you can bring forward.
Note: To list your app on this marketplace you have to become an official Salesforce AppExchange partner. Due to Salesforce conditions and policies, every app that wants to be listed needs to pass a Security Review, which you will need to pay. More on that here.
2. Zoho Marketplace
With more than 60+ million Zoho users from 180+ countries, Zoho Marketplace is great for enhancing your business processes with applications that can connect all the different platforms that you use in one place and show trends, results, and even manage your projects instantly. And there are 1000+ third-party extensions in the Zoho ecosystem.
3. HubSpot App Marketplace
With over 1,250 companies worldwide that have joined HubSpot App Partner Program and a 158,000+ customer base, this is another solid ecosystem for folks looking to reach SMBs, midmarket, or enterprise companies.
4. Pipedrive Marketplace
Trusted by more than 100,000+ companies in 179 countries, Pipedrive’s Marketplace is relatively new compared to its competitors, like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho.
Right now, Pipeline has over 300 CRM integrations that range from Google Apps, MailChimp, Slack, and Trello to even call logging.
Pipeline offers developers to either create private integration for their company or a public app easily through Pipedrive's API.
5. Less Annoying CRM Integrations
With more than 25,000+ business users, Less Annoying CRM's API allows businesses or a developer to connect third-party apps and systems (like your own website) to LACRM. This lets you add leads, and contacts, create tasks, etc. via another system, automatically.
Right now the company is currently building an OAuth system for third-party apps to connect with LACRM and they will manage registration through their integration partner program. You can apply to that program and find more information here.
6. Microsoft AppSource
Microsoft AppSource is an online store with over 6500+ cloud-ready applications and more than 3000+ certified consulting services mostly built by industry-leading software companies.
You can technically reach over 1 billion people worldwide, who use an MS Office product or service.
7. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based platform that offers products and cloud services designed to help business owners streamline their work in simple, efficient, and automated ways.
The Azure cloud platform encompasses over 200 cloud services and products, suitable for any industry and company of all sizes and specifically designed for developers and SaaS businesses.
8. Slack App Directory
Slack has 18 million daily active users, 156,000 organizations, and almost 2,000 third-party integrations that you can personalize and use according to your needs in their App Directory.
9. Zoom App Marketplace
Zoom is one of the leading communication platforms allowing users to make video calls, chat, create events, and make video meetings. It currently has 2,367 apps in its Zoom App Marketplace.
As of last July 2021, Zoom had over 504,900 customers with more than 10 employees.
10. AWS Marketplace
With more than 1 million active users, AWS Marketplace offers a digital catalog featuring 7,000+ data and development products.
If you are looking to develop developer tools, this marketplace is definitely worth exploring.
11. Google Cloud Marketplace
Along with AWS, Google Cloud Marketplace is one of the biggest cloud hosting suppliers in the market right now, even offering different courses and certifications within its platforms.
There are currently over 200 database APIs and services on the platform today.
12. Oracle Cloud Marketplace
Oracle Cloud Marketplace provides fully-automated and end-to-end solutions for deploying third-party software on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and it integrates Oracle Identity and Access Management (IAM) so you can easily deploy responsibilities between several users.
It offers different consumption models according to your needs with its Free, BYOL, and Paid features.
13. IBM Cloud Marketplace
IBM through its Marketplace offers infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS) offered through public, private, and hybrid cloud delivery models that have clients from all over the world including the American government, the Chinese government, Walmart and ExxonMobil.
With more than 170 services, IBM offers a wide variety of options and categories catering towards IT and developers.
14. Adobe Exchange
With over 30+ million members, Adobe App Marketplaces (i.e. Adobe Exchange) is a great opportunity to get in front of creatives. There are over 4,000+ active solution integrators, agencies, technology, and marketplace partners and more than 460,000 developers and community members.
15. Atlassian Marketplace
With over 4,000 apps and integrations and 1,250+ Marketplace Partners, the Atlassian Marketplace is large and continuing to grow.
This is particularly useful if you are looking to develop solutions for design, development, or project management.
16. Github Marketplace
GitHub helps to create or accelerate high-quality software development through automation and extensions that help the coding process. With more than 100 million developers and 713+ third-party apps, Github Marketplace is a solid solution if you are looking to create solutions to help developers that are looking to improve their workflow.
17. Heroku Elements
The Heroku Elements Marketplace is a platform that offers technical solutions that support every stage of app development and operation, with different options such as 200+ add-ons, 7200+ buttons, or 7,800 + build packs depending on the needs of the users.
Heroku is currently handling more than 60 billion requests every day, which makes it a great opportunity to stand out from the competition and offer solutions that will change the picture.
18. Cloudflare Apps
Cloudflare is a platform that provides website optimization, security, and performance services for 7.59 million active users. It now processes more than 45 million HTTP requests per second. Their marketplace has more than 100 apps and integrations.
19. DigitalOcean Marketplace
DigitalOcean is a cloud service provider with a newer Marketplace. It has more than 200 add-ons on its platform and 2 million users.
20. Vercel Integrations
Vercel is a cloud platform as a service company that gives developers the toolkits to build, deploy and scale excellent web experiences. Right now, its Marketplace has over 70 applications that can be used to automate or increase flow efficiency for developing code.
21. Auth0 Marketplace
With more than 42 million user logins in 70+ countries, Auth0 adds authentication and authorization services to your applications without having to go through the mental gymnastics of coding one yourself. Its marketplace catalog currently has more than 200+ integrations in its platform.
22. Magento Marketplace
Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform that has already helped create more than 150,000 online stores and the platform code has been downloaded 2.5 million times.
With more than 3645 extensions and different options such as Open Source, Commerce on-prem, and Commerce on the cloud, you have diverse ways in which to present solutions to your customers and customize and improve their experience through their Marketplace.
23. Drupal Marketplace
Drupal is a web content management system that has a community of more than 1.39 million users that constantly contribute and have created more than 48,300 free modules that extend and customize Drupal functionality.
You can easily visualize all the projects, bugs, etc developed and solved by its contributors and you can also become a Certified Partner to get more opportunities in its Marketplace.
24. Shopify App Store
Shopify is an e-commerce platform for online stores that offer different services to its customers like the handling of payments, marketing, shipping, etc. and for everything else that it cannot cover, it has its App store.
The company reported that it had more than 2,000,000 businesses and 8,000+ apps that can be used to customize its online store or experience.
25. BigCommerce App Marketplace
BigCommerce is an e-commerce platform that provides software to more than a million customers worldwide and currently has an App Marketplace platform that allows its users to improve their customer experience through add-ons that can perform analytics, bots, etc.
With more than 200+ different apps there are a lot of options to choose from but with the number of customers that already use their platform, there's still a chance to join their Partner Program and include new solutions.
26. WordPress Plugins
WordPress is a content management system used by 43.2% of all websites on the internet, with more than 60,000 free plugins that help customers keep using it and improve the experience overall through its Plugins.
To upload a plugin you just need to have your account and then upload according to these instructions.
27. WooCommerce Plugins
WooCommerce is a customizable, open-source e-commerce platform built on WordPress, it has shown rapid growth with over 39 million downloads as a plugin and more than 800+ extensions that help customers improve their sites and expand their businesses easily.
More than 3.4 million online stores currently use this platform and whether you're a freelance developer, an in-house engineer, or run an agency, WooCommerce can be your optimal solution to learn and grow your opportunities.
28. Squarespace Extensions
Squarespace allows users to use templates and drag-and-drop elements to create their perfect website in just a few clicks. Its extensions include solutions ranging from shipping, finance, marketing, and product.
With a platform of 3.79 million subscribers and more than 50+ extensions in its App store, you can create a space for your solutions and hopefully find interesting challenges within its space.
29. Webflow Apps
Webflow is a company that provides website building and hosting solutions to companies all around the world, with an estimated 100,000 customers worldwide.
Its marketplace is currently in Beta development but it already has an impressive amount of 50+ different apps that range from Ecommerce to Analytics specialized in elevating their experience, this platform gives you a chance to explore their Developer Docs to start building your app.
30. Volusion Marketplace
Volusion is an e-commerce website builder that allows its users to manage and build their online stores in an easy and manageable way, with more than 80+ different apps on its marketplace.
With 13,418 companies that use Volusion, it's a great opportunity to remark on one's talent and offer up new solutions to its customers.
31. Wix App Market
Wix offers users the opportunity to create a personalized, professional web presence through its platform with more than 200 million users and 1000+ innovative features in its market to improve your experience overall.
Wix App Market encourages developers to include new features and apps, you can get all the information you need here.
32. Weebly App Center
Weebly offers an eCommerce service to build professional websites that help entrepreneurs sell their products, with more than 360+ different apps that help to organize your business, boost traffic or just get social, you can find a range of solutions in its App Center.
You can find all about its listing app opportunities in its Developer Docs.
33. Trello Power-Ups
Trello is a project management tool that helps you manage all your projects on a single board while maintaining visualization of all the tasks you need to complete and keeping constant interaction with your teams.
It currently has 4.75 million users and 200+ integrations that make its tool easy to use and optimize for its own intent. You can check out their developer site and instructions on how to create a Power-Up in its Marketplace.
34. Monday Apps Marketplace
Monday is a platform that allows its users to create their own apps and project management tools creating a very personalized experience for its users.
With more than 152,000 customers currently using its platform and more than 100+ apps and integrations in its Marketplace you can easily become a developer by clicking here.
35. Asana App Directory
Asana is a tool specifically designed to improve and optimize communication and task advances between teams and improve overall productivity through automation.
With 100,000 paying organizations around the world and more than 100+ integrations and applications and growing more each day, Asana App Directory is a great opportunity to create solutions for automation-focused companies.
36. ClickUp Marketplace
More than 800,000+ teams use ClickUp to automate, manage and document all project tasks within a platform that gives them the opportunity to have it all in one place.
With more than 1000+ integrations ClickUp Marketplace offers a range of different solutions based on work management, collaboration, organization, or reporting.
37. Teamwork Integrations
Teamwork is a project management tool that helps deliver complex projects by tracking all tasks within it efficiently and smartly. You can automate flows and increase productivity with more than 350+ integrations in its Marketplace.
It offers a lot of different solutions including CRM, Chat, Spaces or even Desk applications that you can integrate into your tools.
38. Smartsheet App Gallery
Smartsheet helps you keep track of your projects with an easy-to-use interface and platform that keeps track of your documents, pending tasks, and even your costs, and now with more than 400+ different apps and integrations in its Marketplace it can help automate your flows.
With more than 4.8 million users it has a strong foundation of service to the customer and overall customer relationship.
39. Zendesk
Zendesk is a company that provides software that is related to customer support, sales, and other customer communications, with a whooping 160,000+ customer paid accounts in more than 160 countries.
With more than 1200+ applications in its Marketplace, you can get the best personalized service for your company and also create it with their Developer Documentation.
40. Freshdesk Marketplace
Freshdesk is a software company that is focused on delivering services that are affordable and quick to implement for their customers.
More than 50,000 companies use Freshworks’ SaaS, with more than 300+ integrations and apps in its Marketplace that can help them improve from a wide variety of pain points ranging from remote desk support, e-commerce and lead creation.
41. Intercom
Serving more than 25,000+ businesses, Intercom is a company that focuses on customer relationships automation through simple and easy applications.
Its current App Store has over 300+ applications that help connect the data that is being collected into the different platforms that a company uses.
42. Helpscout
More than 12,000+ customers use HelpScout to build long-lasting relationships with their customers with all their features focused on making client communications easier through automation and live chat.
You can connect HelpScout with more than 100+ applications on its Marketplace platform and personalize your processes in accordance with your needs, but you can also create applications and you can read more about it here.
43. Front
8000+ businesses choose Front to help them manage their customer relationships and messaging which can range from live chats, shared inbox and team collaborations.
You can find more than 95+ integrations that allow companies to focus and improve workflow automation, ecommerce business needs, billing and invoicing in their Marketplace space.
44. LiveAgent
With more than 200+ integrations in its Marketplace and 36,000+ customers benefit from this software-as-service based company that allows companies to communicate with customers in one tool and improve their engagement through unique greetings and powerful reporting.
You can join their developer program that is available right now and built depending on what your focus wants to be.
45. Crisp
With more than 400,000+ brands, Crisp is a company that has heavily focused on building customer support software and it has recently created an AppStore that showcases all that is important for businesses.
Over the last 30 days it has had more than 39,000 downloads on its website, which means a constant stream of users utilizing their tools to improve their experience. You can learn a bit more about how to build apps for their App Store here.
46. Marketo
Marketo is a marketing automation platform that helps to funnel leads and be able to strategize accordingly, with more than 50+ integrations you can find all of them through Adobe Exchange in its Experience Cloud site.
47. Mailchimp
Mailchimp is an email marketing platform that has grown into a total base of 13 million users that can now connect to more than 317+ different applications and web services that are going to connect them to their customers.
With more than 800,000 paid customers, Mailchimp has a strong base for its services within its Marketplace and has invested 1 million in the developer community, you can read more about it here.
48. Segment
Segment is a marketing tool usually implemented when you need to collect and move user behavior data from digital properties like websites and apps.
With more than 25,000+ businesses that use it and more than 100+ integrations in its platform, you can take advantage of this platform and develop new alternatives and ways to improve this marketing tool, you can read more about it here.
49. ActiveCampaign
More than 180,000+ businesses chose ActiveCampaign as their email marketing platform to connect with their customers and use more than 920+ tools that its platform offers.
Ranging from analytics, CRM, CMS or database, you can create all types of applications within their Marketplace that will help companies grow their relationships with customers, you can read all about it here.
50. Notion integrations
Notion is a freemium productivity and note-taking web application that helps you keep on top of all your to-do lists and also organize your workspace.
More than 20 million users use the platform and its marketplace currently has over 100+ different integrations.
51. Figma
Figma is a design tool used to create, collaborate and show different types of visuals or design website prototypes.
With more than 20 million users all around the world and a platform with at least 100+ plugins and gadgets, Figma Plugin is a good choice to start showcasing your skills and build long term relationships with the designing community.
52. Sketch
Sketch is a Mac design application that helps designers create, collaborate and hand off any projects with their teams.
With more than a million users and 90+ integrations, Sketch Extensions is a good option that gives platforms its values of teaming up together joining design and organization in one place.
53. Framer
Framer is a tool to create, design and maintain websites while keeping them optimized for customers and search engines.
With more than 796,200 monthly visits on their website and 9 different integrations, it can be a great opportunity to specialize and create solutions focused on its Marketplace.
54. Microsoft Teams Integrations
Microsoft Teams is a platform focused on team collaboration and communication, usually focused on video calls and meetings.
It currently has more than 1850+ apps in its Marketplace to use for integration into its platform.
55. Google WorkSpace suite
Google Workspace is a service that offers several of Google's product with domain names personalized for their clients, this services include Gmail, Calendar, Drive,etc.
It has different add ons that you can easily integrate with your services in their Marketplace.
56. Airtable
Airtable is a cloud collaboration service that allows teams to set up collaborative databases, sort records and publish external websites. With more than 300,000 companies using this platform and at least 40+ extensions, you can create all sorts of solutions based extensions for databases and collaboration cloud services in their Marketplace.
For full details about developing an extension and their review process, visit their developer documentation.
57. Zapier
3 million users trust Zapier to integrate the different platforms that they use to automate flows and manual and repetitive tasks.
With more than 4,000+ different apps in their Marketplace that can be used in a variety of different ways without coding this is an opportunity to bring new ways of thinking through making different apps work together.
58. Make
Make is a platform that allows users to automate tasks, workflows without the use of coding and through just connecting two different apps. With more than 500,000 users in around 198+ countries and 1415+ extensions, you have a lot of options on where to go and improve your process within their platform.
Make offers the opportunity to become a partner to create the different solutions you can think of.
59. Bubble
With a community of over 2,597,126 users and at least 100+ different apps and plugins, Buble is a no-code development platform that enables you to automate your most repetitive tasks and save time to increase your overall productivity.
You can build an app for free on Bubble Marketplace by signing up and clicking ‘new app’ on the home page.
60. RapidAPI
Rapid API is used by over 3 million developers to find, test, and connect to 1,000 of APIs easily and efficiently.
You can use free API or Premium, to solve any of your more time consuming tasks and save the day with an efficient app. If you're looking to create an API for its marketplace, here's a quick read of all the steps you need to take.
61. Typeform
More than 1.5 million forms are submitted everyday on Typeform, a platform that makes forms way more interactive and efficient by automating certain steps according to the user's answers.
You can also integrate this app with more than 120+ apps such as Zapier, Slack, Google Docs and more in its Marketplace, making it even more efficient. If you want to understand a bit more about how to develop APIs for Typeform, you can read here.
62. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is a platform that can create specialized forms to send to customers to receive feedback on any certain topic.
With more than 17 million global users and 100+ different integrations in its marketplace, you too can develop easier to use forms that can benefit its users by joining their developer team.
63. JotForm
Jotform is an online form builder that allows users to receive feedback from customers or perform studies through its form. This platform currently has more than 100+ integrations and 14 million users that are constantly using its features and probably use its marketplace.
If you're interested in creating unique experiences through forms, you can join their Partner Program.
64. Stripe
Stripe powers payments for online and in-person retailers through its platform that currently has almost 2 million users around the world. With more than 80+ different integrations and apps in their marketplace you can make work easier through automation or direct actions to reports.
If you're interested in creating apps for their marketplace you can read how to create an app through here.
65. ServiceNow
ServiceNow is a cloud computing platform that helps businesses manage their digital workflows and operations.
With more than 25,422 companies using it and 1,000+ different integrations and apps to use within their marketplace you have a lot of opportunities to create new solutions to all businesses that are looking to improve their current workflow. You can read more about it here
66. RingCentral
RingCentral is a cloud based communication and collaboration platform that allows you to call, text and more within the same company.
With more than 5 million people connected to their platform and 200+ business apps in their marketplace, there's still opportunities for developers to join their teams with new ideas, especially with their ISV partner program.
67. Coda
Used by almost 25,000+ teams, Coda is a platform built to unify all the documents, data, and teamwork into a single platform.
With more than 1000+ integrations Coda Marketplace is built to simplify work and understand customer needs at their base level. If you're interested in becoming a Coda expert and to develop solutions for their platform, you can apply here.
68. Dropbox
Dropbox is the default cloud storage solution for more than 700 million users around the world, because it gives you the opportunity to store videos, images and all types of documents.
With more than 300,000 apps in their marketplace that range from workflow automation to accounting and finance, this is a very strong platform to develop new solutions and interesting propositions.
69. Box
Box gives a solution to content management, collaboration and file sharing tools for more than 41 million users around the world.
With more than 1500+ different apps in their marketplace focused on topics ranging from Productivity to Security & Compliance, you have a lot of room to develop your own solutions accordingly. You can read more about it here.
70. DocuSign
With more than a million paying users, DocuSign is a platform that can help accelerate and allow organizations and users to easily manage electronic agreements.
Thanks to its marketplace it can now streamline all the different processes within its platform with more than 400+ different integrations. DocuSign gives you the opportunity to create your own integration, you can read more about it here.
71. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a ticketing and event management platform that allows you to create events and manage them through their different features and key tools.
The platform has almost 5.4 million free and paid events around the world and its marketplace has more than 50+ different integrations that you can use to elevate your events.
72. Xero
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses.
This platform currently has 1 million customers globally and about 108+ different apps on its marketplace, which gives the opportunity to expand its solutions way more for small and medium sized businesses.
73. Quickbooks
Quickbooks is an accounting software that helps businesses keep track of their expenses and revenue throughout the year.
With more than 4.2 million customers around the world and more than 100+ different apps and integrations you can count that Quickbooks is constantly evolving and looking to serve its customers. If you're interested in creating solutions for their marketplace, you can get started here.
74. Freshbooks
Freshbooks is an invoice and accounting software that you can easily access and integrate to your systems.
Over 30 million people have used Freshbooks and with over 136+ apps in its Marketplace you can find almost everything you need for your business.
75. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a platform that allows you to connect your social media platforms to simplify marketing and all its data in a single place.
With more than 16 million users and 40+ integrations and apps in their marketplace you can find and also create different solutions for all customers.
76. Mindbody
Mindbody is a health and business cloud-based online scheduling and business management software.
More than 58,000+ businesses use it and its platform has more than 50+ different apps in their marketplace ready to give solutions and integrations to its users.
77. Connectwise
Connectwise is a self-hosted remote desktop software application that allows users to connect to be run remotely off of one system.
With more than 10,000 companies and 20+ integrations on its platform, it's safe to say that you can always bring new solutions to this stable company and gain more traction for your business solutions through apps.
78. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plugins
Launched in March 2023, ChatGPT plugins are powerful and versatile extensions that enhance the functionality of the core ChatGPT large language model (LLMs), enabling users to tailor the AI experience according to their specific needs and preferences.
ChatGPT users can expand the capabilities of ChatGPT to perform tasks such as language translation, code generation, content summarization, and more, making it a highly adaptable tool for various applications.
However, it is worth noting it is still in beta and not available to the general public.
Finding founder - idea fit
You’ve heard of product-market fit. However, if you are going to invest a significant time on a SaaS idea, you need to make sure it is something you can get behind. That’s because if it is something you believe in, you’ll be more likely to stick it out when you hit a roadblock, experience a growth stall, or times get tough.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to evaluate your new idea.
Does this idea solve a clear problem?
How big is the target market?
Is there a way to reach your target market? How will you acquire new customers?
Do you enjoy - or can you learn to enjoy - hanging around your target customers?
What's the competition like?
What are the technical requirements for building and maintaining the SaaS product?
Do you have relevant experience in the industry or market?
Do you have a passion for the product and the problem it solves?
Do you have the necessary skills to build and maintain the product?
Does the founder have a strong understanding of the target customer base and their needs?
Does this vision you have for this product excite you?
Do you understand the challenges and risks associated with launching and scaling this product?
Does this product fit the type of business you want to run? Think lifestyle business vs. ambitious bootstrapper vs. a unicorn startup.
How to validate your SaaS business idea
Validating your new SaaS idea early is the smartest first step you can take as a founder. In particular, the longer it takes you to build and ship the product, the more important it is to validate the idea early. This prevents you from spending weeks, months, or years building something that no one wants.
The approach you take to validating your idea can look different.
Sometimes, it is as simple as creating a simple landing page and collecting emails.
Other times, it is doing detailed idea validation interviews.
And for some, it may require taking pre-sales from customers.
Related Reading: If you want to see how other founders validated their initial product ideas, we recommend reading these articles.
