In 2025, Gartner estimated global SaaS spending hit nearly $300 billion. Yet most teams still lack visibility into their own software stack.

The pattern is familiar: a team lead signs up for a tool, marketing tries a free trial that converts to yearly, and former employees? Their access stays active.

SMBs can save up to 30% annually

Dutch SMBs rely on dozens of apps for finance, HR, CRM, marketing, collaboration, and payments. This brings speed and flexibility—but also confusion, unnecessary costs, and security risks.

According to Gartner, "organizations that actively manage their SaaS spend can save up to 30% annually." For a company spending €50,000 on software, that's €15,000 back in the budget.

The challenge? Gaining the visibility to manage it in the first place.

The cost of not knowing

Without clear oversight, you can't answer basic questions:

• Which tools are actually used?

• Where do licenses overlap?

• When do renewals hit?

• Where is money leaking?

This lack of insight means:

• Missed savings: Paying for duplicates and unused licenses

• Increased risk: Former employees with active access

• Wasted time: Hours digging through spreadsheets

• Lost control: No one owns the software stack

These aren't abstract problems. Read real examples of how SaaS chaos impacts daily operations.

Visibility leads to action

Bring everything into one clear overview—apps, licenses, users, and costs. Then you can finally understand what's happening in your stack.

That visibility enables action:

Reduce waste. Cancel unused licenses and consolidate duplicates.

Improve security. Revoke access for former employees and flag unapproved apps.

Maintain control. Know exactly what you're paying for and why.

Plan smarter. Budget accurately and negotiate better renewal terms.

Ready to take action? Our detailed guide shows exactly how to control your SaaS costs with a proven 5-step framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is SaaS spending growing so rapidly?

Global SaaS spending reached nearly $300 billion in 2025, driven by remote work increasing adoption, easier purchasing without IT approval, specialized tools for every function, and automatic renewals. For Dutch SMBs, software budgets have grown 40-60% over three years without corresponding visibility.

What does "30% savings" actually mean?

Gartner's 30% savings figure refers to eliminating measurable waste: unused licenses (15-20% of spending), duplicate tools (5-8%), and over-provisioned enterprise plans (5-7%). For a Dutch SMB spending €50,000 annually, this means €15,000 in recoverable costs.

How do Dutch SMBs compare internationally?

Dutch SMBs typically spend €800-€1,500 per employee annually on SaaS, slightly below US averages but above most European markets. The Netherlands has high adoption of international tools (Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce) alongside local solutions (Exact, Afas, Mollie). This hybrid approach often creates more complexity and overlap.

Is now a good time to audit SaaS spending?

Yes. Q1 is ideal as many annual contracts renew in January-March, giving you leverage before automatic renewals. With economic uncertainty and rising costs, most companies are looking for efficiency gains. Budget planning cycles make this the natural time to demonstrate savings.

What's the first step to gaining visibility?

Start with a complete inventory: list every tool, who uses it, what it costs, and when it renews. Most companies discover 20-30% more subscriptions than expected. Use credit card statements, finance exports, and employee surveys. Once you know what you have, optimization becomes straightforward.

The foundation for growth

Clarity isn't just nice to have—it's the foundation for smarter decisions and sustainable growth.

Companies that master SaaS management don't just save money. They gain strategic control that helps them move faster, work safer, and invest in tools that truly drive value.

The first step is always the same: see what you have. Everything else follows.