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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhen we think about what SaaS companies spend on, we tend to consider the big things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Hiring and salaries<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Taxes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Office costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Homebase<\/u> created a great list of common business startup costs<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s one cost that often slips our minds. It’s the tools we use in our everyday work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SaaS tools don’t always seem like big expenditures. However, SaaS companies and startups use a lot of tools for their everyday operations. Most of them aren\u2019t outrageously expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s another 20 bucks a month for a service that makes your life easier? But how many of these \u201conly 20 bucks a month\u201d tools do you already have? Do you know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It adds up. Big time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all want quality tools to run our business, even if we\u2019re on a budget. That doesn\u2019t mean you have to necessarily empty your pockets for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canny is a fully bootstrapped SaaS company<\/u><\/a>. We know exactly what it\u2019s like to be mindful of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we’ll explore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Main operating areas of a SaaS company<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Free SaaS tools to consider<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Affordable alternatives (when free SaaS tools aren’t available)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. A pre-formatted spreadsheet for easy calculations<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can make a copy of this spreadsheet to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Analyze your current tech stack costs and see where you can cut costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Outline your desired tech stack and predict future costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s roll!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SaaS tool categories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re going to be looking at the following big categories for SaaS tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
We’ll list a few options that have free plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re not going to go into super hacky alternative options for saving money (e.g., maybe you can just use a Google Doc for team chat?) Nobody has time for that. We need to be efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, hopefully, you will find some new and cool tools to check out and save costs. Remember: only you know what is the right tool for your team. Use this article as a guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PS: there\u2019s a little \u2665<\/span> next to the tools we use or have used and\/or would recommend. If you have questions about our experience with them, reach out to us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Product management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Customer feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2665 Canny<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Free plan: yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Entry level pricing: $19\/month<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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