The SaaSpocalypse Debate: Is AI Really Killing Software?

Is SaaS really dying, or is AI simply forcing the software industry into its next era?In this episode of RRE POV, Raju Rishi and Will Porteous take on the “SaaSpocalypse” and separate the structural shifts from the market panic. They examine how AI agents are challenging some of SaaS’s most fundamental assumptions—from seat-based pricing and long-term contracts to the traditional build-versus-buy equation, while also making the case that the strongest software companies may be more resilient than headlines suggest. Proprietary data, security, governance, regulatory expertise, customer trust, and deep domain knowledge could prove to be enduring advantages.But the bigger story may be what comes next.  They look ahead to what could be an even bigger shift: moving away from subscriptions toward consumption- and output-based pricing, the rise of tech-enabled services, and a new generation of AI-native business models.The SaaS model may be under pressure, but software isn’t disappearing. It’s becoming more dynamic, more fluid, and potentially far more valuable in ways the industry is only beginning to understand.Highlights: (00:00) Welcome and Setup(00:17 )Defining SaaSpocalypse(01:47) Is SaaS Really Dead(04:11) Threat One Seat Pricing(07:23) Threat Two Wrapper Apps(10:18) Threat Three Build vs Buy(15:47) Why Vertical SaaS Survives(21:06) Regulation and Governance Moats(29:17) New Reality Pricing Models(39:34) What SaaS Companies Should Do