Is SaaS dead now that AI can build an app in a weekend? In this solo episode, Rob Walling gives his most definitive answer yet to the question flooding the internet: what&#x27;s the future of SaaS now that AI makes it easier than ever to build and copy a product? He breaks down the four most common claims that AI will kill Saas, and explains why the real SaaS apocalypse is coming for overpriced incumbents, not bootstrappers. Topics we cover: (2:15) – What&#x27;s the future of SaaS with AI? (3:08) – Why &quot;X is dead&quot; predictions keep failing (5:12) – Claim 1: The self-hosting fantasy (11:39) – Claim 2: Anyone can clone your app (13:32) – Claim 3: Agents will do the work (16:34) – Claim 4: Infinite competition (18:02) – Which SaaS categories genuinely get squeezed (19:06) – The real apocalypse: Overpriced incumbents Links from the show: MicroConf US ┃Austin, TX · April 18–20, 2027. Use promo code ROB50 MicroConf Connect | Community for Bootstrapped SaaS founders Harris Kenny | LinkedIn Rob&#x27;s Weekly Newsletter The SaaS Playbook TinySeed Startups for the Rest of Us | YouTube If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you&#x27;d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We&#x27;d love to hear from you! Subscribe &amp; Review: iTunes | Spotify


                    Episode 842 | What is the Future of SaaS in an AI World? (Rob Solo)
                

Startups For the Rest of Us

[SPEAKER_A] It's another episode of Startups for the Rest of Us. I'm your host, Rob Walling, and in this episode, I talk about the future of SaaS in an AI world. And this topic has been floating around the internet as people are talking about SaaS being dead or asking if SaaS is going to exist in 5 years. And I've actually received multiple listener questions, and I'll read one of those in a second that's asking this exact question. Before we dive in, I have a couple quick MicroConf announcements. First, early bird tickets for our next MicroConf are officially on sale. We're heading to Austin, Texas, April 18th through the 20th of 2027 for 3 days of world-class talks, meaningful conversations with other founders, and some great excursions around the city. If you're thinking about joining us, now's the time to grab your ticket. Early bird is the lowest price ticket tier we'll offer, and the prices will only go up as we get closer to the event. Plus, producer Sonia gave me the promo code ROB50, that's Rob 5-0, which gives listeners of this podcast an additional discount at checkout. MicroConf events consistently sell out, and I expect Austin to be no different. Head to microconf.com/us and reserve your spot. Also, I want to let you know that if you're a MicroConf Connect member, we're going live next week with Harris Kenny, who you may remember from TinySeed Tales Season 5. Tracy Osborn is sitting down with Harris for a fireside chat, and they're going to talk about mindset and bias toward action, what that actually looks like day to day, how to know when to push through versus change course, and the small habits that can pull you out of a funk.

Episode 842 | What is the Future of SaaS in an AI World? (Rob Solo)

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

Episode 842 | What is the Future of SaaS in an AI World? (Rob Solo)

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.