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Business model · Subscriptions (SaaS & memberships)
Businesses that make money from subscriptions (SaaS & memberships)
The 1M.chat dataset has 1,267 businesses built on subscriptions (saas & memberships). 558 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $35K a month, and 36% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 3 employees. The growth channels founders credited most often were organic social media (56%), SEO & organic search (47%), word of mouth & referrals (37%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 34 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 108 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 160 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 56 | |
| $1M+ a year | 169 | |
| $1M+ a month | 31 |
Growth channels credited
| Organic social media | 56% | |
| SEO & organic search | 47% | |
| Word of mouth & referrals | 37% | |
| Paid ads | 30% | |
| Email & newsletters | 29% |
Share of 402 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Industries in this group
| Software & SaaS | 710 | |
| AI tools & apps | 190 | |
| Mobile apps & games | 60 | |
| Newsletters, blogs & media | 53 | |
| Agencies & services | 51 | |
| Courses & education | 41 |
Tools named most: Instagram (44%), Twitter (22%), Google Analytics (19%), Shopify (16%), Stripe (15%) — of 172 that listed tools.
Case studies
Read how they did it
- TitleCapture: quoting software for US title companies at $4M a yearTitleCapture sells a branded quoting app to title companies in the United States.$4M/yrfounder-reported 2023
- Rezi: an AI resume builder at $2.5M a year, with 70,000 signups in one dayAI resume builder that helps job seekers create ATS-proof resumes to land more interviews.$2.5M/yrfounder-reported 2024
- UpHex: white-label ad software for HighLevel agencies at $190K a monthUpHex sells white-label Facebook and Google ad campaign software to marketing agencies.$190K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Mailbird: a desktop email app for Windows and Mac that grew to $170K a month on SEOMailbird sells a desktop email client for Windows and Mac that unifies multiple email accounts in one workspace.$170K/mofounder-reported 2024
- Missive: a shared inbox and team chat app at $2M a year with a small teamMissive sells a shared inbox and team chat app for businesses.$2M/yrfounder-reported 2022
- Solo Female Travelers: small-group luxury tours for women at $150K a monthWomen-only luxury tours led by women for women to bucket list destinations$150K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Intelogos: selling AI workforce analytics to data-driven teams at $100K a monthAI-native workforce analytics platform that turns real-time activity into KPIs, benchmarks, and recommendations for data-driven teams.$100K/mofounder-reported 2024
- Cambridge Spectacle Co.: a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand at $100K a monthCambridge Spectacle Co makes high-quality glasses at fair prices, selling directly to consumers and through ASDA Opticians.$100K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Blend: an AI product photo tool for online sellers at $1.2M a yearBlend is an AI-powered design and product photography tool for e-commerce sellers.$1.2M/yrfounder-reported 2023
- Wellyx: management software for gyms, spas and studios at $60K a monthCloud-based management and marketing software for gyms, spas, dance studios, salons, and yoga studios$60K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Fullfunnel: B2B demand generation consulting and training at $50K a monthFullFunnel.io trains and consults B2B revenue teams on account-based marketing and demand generation.$50K/mofounder-reported 2022
- Restworld: a hiring platform for restaurants and hotels at $35K a monthRestworld is a matching HR platform for the restaurant industry, connecting restaurants with workers.$35K/mofounder-reported 2023
- StatsDrone: an affiliate stats tool for iGaming affiliates at $20K a monthStatsDrone sells an affiliate stats aggregator SaaS to iGaming affiliates and affiliate networks.$20K/mofounder-reported 2022
- BetterPic: turning selfies into AI headshots at $20K a monthAI headshot generator turning selfies into professional headshots for busy professionals and job seekers$20K/mofounder-reported 2024
- Estii: pricing and estimation software for tech services firms at $10K a monthEstii is an estimation and pricing platform for service providers.$10K/mofounder-reported 2024
- Swift App: booking and management software for indoor sports facilities at $120K a yearSwift builds software to help sports facility owners run their businesses, starting with indoor baseball facilities.$120K/yrfounder-reported 2022
- Artificial Workflow: an AI automation agency for consultants at $10K a monthAI automation agency that designs, builds, and runs business workflow automations for teams$10K/mofounder-reported 2024
- Ecomtent: AI product listings for e-commerce sellers at $100K a yearEcomtent enables e-commerce sellers to generate optimized product listings with AI.$100K/yrfounder-reported 2023
- Talknotes: an AI voice-notes app for creators at $5K a monthAI voice note app that turns voice notes into structured content for content creators and entrepreneurs$5K/mofounder-reported 2024
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fathom AnalyticsSoftware & SaaS | Privacy-focused website analytics software | $50Mfounder interview | Canada |
| SynthesiaAI tools & apps | AI video generation platform | $8.3Mfounder interview | United Kingdom |
| Hunt A KillerHome, lifestyle & gifts | mystery subscription box games | $5Mfounder interview | United States |
| LemlistSoftware & SaaS | cold email and sales automation platform | $4.4Mfounder interview | France |
| MarketBeatFinance & real estate | stock market research and financial information | $3.4Mfounder interview | United States |
| Growers HouseOther physical products | cannabis cultivation equipment and supplies | $3.1Mfounder interview | United States |
| BrightLocalSoftware & SaaS | Local SEO software and services for marketers | $2.7Mfounder interview 2021 | United Kingdom |
| TrainualSoftware & SaaS | training and knowledge base software for small businesses | $2.7Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| LempireSoftware & SaaS | Sales outreach tool for cold email and LinkedIn | $2.5Mfounder interview | France |
| FactoflySoftware & SaaS | admin and invoicing tool for freelancers | $2.4Mfounder interview 2022 | Denmark |
| MediaflySoftware & SaaS | Sales enablement and content management software | $2.3Mfounder interview | United States |
| EfficySoftware & SaaS | CRM software suite for businesses | $2.1Mfounder interview | Belgium |
| US-MattressOther physical products | mattresses and bedding online and in stores | $2Mfounder interview | United States |
| Hush BlanketsHome, lifestyle & gifts | weighted blankets for better sleep | $2Mfounder interview | Canada |
| StoreYaSoftware & SaaS | Ecommerce marketing and advertising apps | $2Mfounder interview | Israel |
| PawstruckHome, lifestyle & gifts | dog treats and pet supplies online | $1.8Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| RegpackSoftware & SaaS | Online payment management and registration platform | $1.6Mfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| Open Door CapitalFinance & real estate | Mobile home park real estate investing | $1.5Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| MailmodoSoftware & SaaS | No-code interactive email marketing software | $1.3Mfounder interview 2021 | — |
| FlipsnackSoftware & SaaS | online digital flipbook creation tool | $1.3Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
Revenue as the founder reported it in a Starter Story interview, at the interview date; not current revenue. “What it sells” is a 1M.chat summary. Business model is the main way the business charges, as listed on Starter Story or classified by 1M.chat. How this data is built
Questions
How much do businesses built on subscriptions (saas & memberships) typically make?
Among 558 businesses built on subscriptions (saas & memberships) with founder-reported revenue, the median was $35K a month at the time of the interview. The sample is founders who chose to be interviewed, so it leans toward businesses that were already working; treat it as a range of real outcomes, not an average for everyone who tries.
How many businesses built on subscriptions (saas & memberships) reached $1M a year?
200 of 558 (36%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did businesses built on subscriptions (saas & memberships) find customers?
Of 402 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited organic social media (56%), SEO & organic search (47%), word of mouth & referrals (37%), paid ads (30%), email & newsletters (29%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
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